Once More unto the Breach 145informant claiming inside knowledge swiftly provided Maximilian of
Bavaria with a full, lurid and fundamentally inaccurate account of the
agreement.^7 A few of the points he noted were both obvious and valid,
such as that Wallenstein retained his right to Mecklenburg or some
compensation for it at any peace settlement, and he did in fact receive
the small Habsburg duchy of Glogau (Glogów), in Silesia not far from
Sagan, as a surety in the meantime.^8 Most of the alleged terms, however,
were either extremely unlikely or demonstrably untrue, although this
did not prevent them from passing into the common knowledge of
the day and subsequent histories. Here we will confine ourselves to the
facts, insofar as they can be ascertained.
The first point to note is that there was no formal agreement, or at
least one has never been found although the court archives would cer-
tainly have held a copy, and nor is there even a written report of the
meeting or the decisions reached. Some argue that the relevant papers
were destroyed after Wallenstein’s assassination, which is possible,
although it must be noted that references to them in the general’s
own correspondence are also lacking, whereas the emperor’s original
negotiating instructions for Eggenberg have survived.^9 As Wallenstein
had previously been very particular about precise documentation
of his appointment the lack of such formality in this case makes it
unlikely that anything extraordinary or any new far-reaching powers
were demanded or granted. As far as can be deduced from his sub-
sequent behaviour he was essentially confirmed in the position and
with the powers which he previously held, as well as being authorised
to continue his negotiations with the Saxons, but with no significant
additions. He was also promised more regular and reliable payments
towards the army’s costs from taxation in the Habsburg hereditary
lands, nothing like enough to fund them in full but at least more than
was forthcoming previously. Doubtless he was also given assurances of
full Imperial support in the future, that he would not have to contend
with interference in his command from the court, that credence would
not be given to his enemies as it had been in the past, and so forth.
He was experienced enough to know that these were pious intentions
rather than bankable guarantees, and that the second honeymoon
would not long outlive the danger from the Swedes. It was as much as
he could expect, so he let it delay him no longer and turned back to
the conduct of the war.
In looking at Wallenstein’s achievement in re-creating such a large
army in such a short time it is worth asking whether the Imperial
court’s almost hysterical anxiety to have him undertake it was justified.