Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius
von Wallenstein (September 24, 1583 – February 25, 1634) was
a Bohemian soldier and politician who, during the Danish Period
of the Thirty Years' War, gave his services (along with an army
of 30,000 to 100,000 men) to Ferdinand II for no charge except the
right to plunder the territories that he conquered.
A successful generalissimo
who ruled the Duchy of Friedland in northern Bohemia, Wallenstein
was released from service in 1630 after Ferdinand grew wary of his
ambition. Several Protestant victories over Catholic armies induced
Ferdinand to recall Wallenstein, who again turned the war in favor
of the Imperial cause. Dissatisfied with the emperor's treatment
of him, Wallenstein considered allying with the Protestants. However,
Ferdinand had the general assassinated at Eger (Cheb). source