128 Wallenstein
Six weeks after the participants had arrived in Regensburg positions
were beginning to shift, and the councillors were in two – indeed
several – minds. Many of the claims made by the electors were demon-
strably incorrect, but on the other hand the determination with which
they were pressing their opposition could not be lightly brushed aside.
‘What if’ scenarios started to be aired. What if Wallenstein were to be
dismissed? Would he go quietly? What if a Swedish invasion gained
a foothold in the Empire? Could the army, with its large number of
Protestant officers and men, be relied upon? The emperor was left to
ponder a response from his disunited council which was more discur-
sive than helpful. Meanwhile a holding reply was sent to the electors on
7 August, taking a generally firm line on military topics but studiously
avoiding the real question. By now, though, it had become apparent
that as long as Wallenstein retained his command Ferdinand would
secure electoral support neither for the wars in Holland and Italy nor
for the election of his son as King of the Romans. At times of crisis
Ferdinand was inclined to prefer his religious to his political advisers,
foremost among them Lamormaini, who may in turn have been influ-
enced by Father Joseph and the papal nuncio. Whether their opposition
to Wallenstein gave the final push cannot be said, but on 13 August
Ferdinand gave way and agreed to replace him.^10
He got little in return. Even though the electoral meeting continued
far into the autumn no election of a King of the Romans took place, no
support for the war in the Netherlands was forthcoming, and although
there were diplomatic excitements over the war in Italy these soon
became irrelevant as the Swedish invasion, which had taken place ear-
lier in the summer, gained strength. Both Ferdinand and the Empire
emerged significantly weakened just as this new crisis was thrust upon
them, while the Catholic electors were soon to pay a heavy price for
their victory. The Spanish, having failed to prevent Wallenstein’s dis-
missal, at least managed to block Maximilian’s ambition to succeed
him, although for want of anyone else and after a long delay the choice
fell on Tilly, Maximilian’s own general. A thankless task faced him, as
once Ferdinand had abandoned Wallenstein he also agreed to reduce
the size of his army drastically, in principle by as much as two-thirds,
and as soon as possible, while Tilly was not provided with adequate
finance for even such troops as were to be retained.^11
The news of his dismissal was not communicated officially to
Wallenstein until 22 August, by which time he had probably long since
learned of it from his own informants at Regensburg. Nevertheless
there was anxiety among the councillors as to how he would react, and