Battle of Lutter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Lutter
Part of the Thirty Years' War
The Battle of Lutter am Barenberge, unknown author
Date 27 August 1626 Location Lutter am Barenberge, Lower Saxony, Germany Result Imperial victory
Belligerents
Denmark–Norway	Holy Roman Empire Catholic League
Commanders and leaders
Christian IV Philip of Hesse-Kassel   † Fuchs von Bimbach   †	Count of Tilly Graf Anholt
Strength
16,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, 20 guns	17,000 infantry, 7,000 cavalry, 22 guns
Casualties and losses
3,000 dead or wounded, 2,500 prisoners 4,000 dead or wounded, 3,000 prisoners	700 dead or wounded 2,000 dead or wounded

The Battle of Lutter was a major fight during the Thirty Years' War. It happened on August 27, 1626, near a town called Lutter am Barenberge in Lower Saxony, Germany. In this battle, a combined army from Denmark and Germany, led by Christian IV of Denmark, was defeated. They fought against the army of the Catholic League, which was loyal to Emperor Ferdinand II. This army was commanded by Johan Tzerclaes, Count of Tilly.

Christian IV had a plan for his army in 1626. He would lead his main army against Tilly. At the same time, another general, Ernst von Mansfeld, would attack a different enemy general, Wallenstein. Sadly, Mansfeld's army was defeated in April. Another ally, Christian of Brunswick, also failed and died in June.

Christian IV's army was outmaneuvered and slowed down by heavy rain. He decided to turn back to his base. But on August 27, he chose to fight at Lutter. An attack by his soldiers on the right side of his army happened too early. This led to a big attack that was pushed back with many losses. By late afternoon, Christian's troops were running away. His cavalry (soldiers on horseback) made several brave charges. This helped him escape. But he lost at least 30% of his army. He also lost all his cannons and most of his supplies. Many of his German allies then left him. The war continued for a few more years. But the defeat at Lutter ended Christian's hopes. He had wanted to make his kingdom bigger in Germany.

Why the Battle Happened

Christian IV of Denmark was also the ruler of Duchy of Holstein. This area was part of the Holy Roman Empire. He was also a member of a group called the Lower Saxon Circle. Most members of this group were Protestant. They and another group stayed neutral at first. This was during the early years of the Thirty Years' War, which began in 1618.

By 1625, these groups worried about Emperor Ferdinand. They thought he wanted to take back lands that used to belong to the Catholic Church. These lands were now held by Protestants in North-West Germany. Their fears seemed true when the Catholic League took over Halberstadt. This happened in early 1625. The Catholic League was led by Tilly. At the same time, an army from the Holy Roman Empire attacked Magdeburg. This army was led by Albrecht von Wallenstein.

In May 1625, Christian IV became the commander of the Protestant forces. These forces were small, with less than 7,000 poorly trained soldiers. Most were only good for guarding places. To get more professional soldiers, Christian needed money. He got this money from England and the Dutch Republic. The money was agreed upon in December 1625. But Christian was not ready to move his army until June 1626.

His plan had three parts. He would lead the main army. Meanwhile, Ernst von Mansfeld would attack Wallenstein. Christian of Brunswick would support Mansfeld. But Mansfeld was defeated in April. Christian of Brunswick's attack failed, and he died in June. However, Wallenstein's army then had to deal with a farmers' uprising. This made Christian confident that he had more soldiers than Tilly.

The Battle Itself

The Danish-German army left Wolfenbüttel in late July 1626. They wanted to fight Tilly. But they did not know that Tilly had received over 4,000 more soldiers. This made his army much stronger than they thought. Heavy rain turned the roads into thick mud. This caused problems with getting supplies. Tilly also captured Protestant forts at Münden, Northeim, and Göttingen.

Christian had wanted to free these forts. So, he decided to retreat. But the bad roads made it hard to move his supplies and cannons. His retreat was very slow. For three days, his rear guard fought off Tilly's cavalry attacks. On August 27, Christian decided to stop and fight at Lutter am Barenberge. This was about twenty miles from Wolfenbüttel.

Christian's army was set up in three lines. Christian led the middle part. Philipp von Hesse-Kassel, who was 20 years old, led the right side. The very experienced Fuchs von Bimbach led the left side. Their position seemed strong. Two rivers, the Neile and Hummecke, were in front. They had mostly dried up. Woods on both sides protected their army's flanks. Their cannons covered the only bridge.

However, Christian's soldiers were tired and hungry. They were also slightly outnumbered. This was because 2,000 soldiers had left four days earlier. Christian also did not make the command structure clear. This problem got worse when he left his position. He went to help with the baggage train, which was stuck in the woods behind them.

Around noon, Tilly's cannons started firing. This was to distract Christian's army. Meanwhile, Count Anholt crossed the river. He secured the bridge. By 2 PM, Tilly's forces had crossed the river. They moved against the Danish left side. Fuchs ordered a counter-attack. This pushed Anholt back to the bridge. But then they were stopped.

Thinking this was the signal for a full attack, Hesse led his cavalry across the river. He attacked Tilly's center without waiting for orders. Christian had returned to the front by now. After talking with him, Fuchs led his troops against Tilly's left. Christian himself attacked the units holding the ground near the bridge.

Fuchs's infantry lost their formation while crossing the river. Tilly ordered his cannons to wait. They fired only when the Danes were 100 meters away. This powerful shot broke the attack. The Danes fell back to their original positions in total confusion. By 3:30 PM, Tilly was winning. Fuchs tried to fix the situation. He led another cavalry attack but was shot and died. Hesse was also killed.

Shortly after 5 PM, Tilly ordered his center to cross the river. At the same time, soldiers from his left side went around the woods. They attacked the Danes from behind. The first line of Danish soldiers collapsed. Many of their officers were killed or hurt. Only a series of desperate cavalry charges helped the second and third lines escape.

Christian had four horses shot from under him. He fled to Wolfenbüttel with the rest of his cavalry. He left 3,000 dead or wounded soldiers behind. Another 2,500 soldiers hid in a nearby castle. They surrendered the next day. Tilly's army lost about 700 soldiers. Tilly also captured all of Denmark's cannons. He took much of their supplies, including two wagons full of gold.

What Happened Next

Memorials to Fuchs on the site of the battle

Christian could not hold Wolfenbüttel. He set up his winter camp further north at Stade. But most of his German allies left him. They did not want Danish rule instead of Imperial rule. Tilly took over most of Bremen-Verden. He also started to attack Bremen itself. But the Danish army had taken all the supplies from the countryside. Tilly's troops could not deliver a final blow. Many of his soldiers became robbers to support themselves. They quickly became as unpopular as the Danes.

The defeat at Lutter left Mansfeld stuck in the Tatra Mountains. His army was rebellious, unpaid, and starving. His ally, Gabriel Bethlen, started peace talks with Ferdinand. Mansfeld died in November 1626. Christian received enough money from England and the Dutch to keep fighting. But by October 1627, the Danes had been forced out of the Holy Roman Empire.

Images for kids

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  The Battle of Lutter am Barenberge, unknown author

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  Memorials to Fuchs on the site of the battle