156 Wallenstein
completed in three days.^4 Formidable though this sounds, with some
40,000 men available it reduces to two tonnes of earth per man and one
tree between three, without allowing for women and boys pressed into
service for the work. Once finished, the fortifications on the north and
east sides supplemented the already strong natural defences provided by
the steep wooded slope and the River Rednitz respectively, and while the
ridge to the south was somewhat less daunting it was still challenging
enough for an attacking force. Only to the west were the fortifications
largely unsupported by nature, but this weakest side was furthest from
Gustavus’s position in Nuremberg, while from the top of the Alte Veste
not only the city and the Swedish camp but also the entire country side
around could be seen.
When the digging and building were complete the long wait began.
Outside the camps patrols probed, foraged, escorted their own supply
trains or attempted to seize those of their opponents, and they skirmished
from time to time. Although the Swedes had some significant successes
the Imperialists were in the stronger position, not only because of their
greater numbers at Nuremberg but also as a result of their hold on much
of the surrounding territory. Roads were crucial both for supplying the
camps and for bringing up relief forces, but they were few and poor, and
Wallenstein set out to control them. Strategic towns and castles along
most of the routes radiating out from Nuremberg were occupied, and
although their garrisons were not strong enough to prevent reinforce-
ments from eventually reaching Gustavus they considerably hampered
his movements of men and supplies in the meantime.^5 Nor was the
attempt to blockade the Swedish camp completely successful, but its
effect was cumulative in reducing the availability of food and fodder for
the troops and for the city. Wallenstein himself remained busy, not only
as general of the army on the spot but also as generalissimo responsible
for the Imperial forces in all other theatres of war, in addition to which
he found time for his own lands, sending out a stream of enquiries and
instructions to his governors.^6 Maximilian fretted and criticised the
military inactivity as the summer wore on, but Wallenstein knew what
he was trying to achieve, and he had the last word.
The waiting took its toll on both sides. Disease was endemic in army
camps of the time, even ones as spaciously constructed and relatively
well supplied as Wallenstein’s, but he was at least able to move some
of the sick out to recuperate elsewhere, helping to limit the spread of
infection in his camp.^7 Conditions for the Swedish army were worse,
as although Nuremberg was well provisioned at the outset it could
not feed so many for so long, and the blockade soon started to pinch.