Decline and Fall 207and Bohemia, and then west across Germany, was proposed. Quiroga’s
mission was to ask Wallenstein to provide an escort of 6000 cavalry for
this last stage. The general received the envoy politely but pointed out
the military impossibility of the proposal. From Bohemia to Brussels was
some 500 miles, and almost every place of importance on the way was
in the hands of the enemy. The Swedes would first have to be defeated,
which could not be done until the spring, otherwise the escort might
be intercepted and destroyed, and the Cardinal Infant captured. By this
time, however, the atmosphere of suspicion was such that these logical
arguments fell on deaf ears, and Wallenstein’s refusal was assumed to be
motivated by malice and obstructionism rather than by sound military
reasoning.^16
The general’s health was continuing to deteriorate, so that he spent
much of the time in bed, even to receive important visitors such as
Quiroga, and he was able to attend to business for only short periods
at a time. Surviving apothecaries’ bills show that he was taking large
quantities of medicines, probably principally for pain relief but with
unknown side effects. Questenberg’s doctor, who became aware of what
was being prescribed, expressed the view that such a patient did not
have long to live, although Wallenstein’s own doctors reportedly gave
him up to two more years.^17 In this condition he became increasingly
dependent on the two men holding the key positions around him. One
of these was Christian Ilow, field marshal and chief of staff since the
death of Holk during the previous autumn, but the most influential
was the ubiquitous Adam Trcˇka. The latter was not only colonel and
owner of half a dozen regiments, but also occupied a position akin to
adjutant-in-chief, often writing and speaking on the general’s behalf as
well as largely controlling access to him. Unlike the reliable Holk, how-
ever, these were not men who merited Wallenstein’s confidence, and
the degree of latitude which they acquired reflected his own decline.
He had always liked Trcˇka, but in the past he had kept him well in
check, whereas now this fantasist and intriguer had freer rein, while he
and Ilow were united in recognising that their own positions and pros-
pects were entirely dependent on Wallenstein. Any threat to him was a
greater threat to them, and they were determined to preserve his power,
even against his own inclinations should this prove necessary.
This was the background to the strange, even bizarre, meeting of senior
officers held from 11 to 13 January 1634.^18 Summoned in late December,
almost all the general officers and colonels of the Imperial army, 49 in
total, assembled at Pilsen, the only notable absentees being Gallas
and Aldringer, respectively commanding forces in Silesia and Bavaria.