Battle of Mühlberg
Mühlberg on the Elbe, Germany
What happened
The Catholic imperial army of Emperor Charles V and the Duke of Alba fought the Protestant Schmalkaldic League under Elector John Frederick I of Saxony. Before dawn, under cover of fog, imperial soldiers swam across the River Elbe and found a ford with local help. John Frederick had not expected an attack and had divided his forces. By evening the imperial army had pushed the Saxons back into a forest, and John Frederick was captured.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It effectively ended the Schmalkaldic War and broke up the Protestant league. John Frederick lost his title as Elector.
What came next
The 1548 Augsburg Interim tried to settle the religious divide but did not last. The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 let each ruler choose Catholic or Lutheran faith for his lands.
Did you know?
Titian painted Charles V on a great warhorse to celebrate the victory, though gout meant the emperor had actually been carried to the battle in a litter.
Timeline
- 24 April 1547Charles V wins at Mühlberg.
- 1548Titian paints Charles V at Mühlberg.
- 1548The Augsburg Interim.