Wallenstein Book 3
This third part of the epic novel moves along at a cracking pace. Döblin’s mastery of his source materials enables him to link surface actions with underlying politics; he imbues his narrative with strong authorial judgements conveyed by deft turns of phrase.
Downloads:
Wallenstein-Volume-1
Wallenstein Volume 2
The high politics of the first Book, and the concurrent wretched fate of Bohemia in the second Book, have set the course for decades of ruinous war in central Europe.
This third Book covers the initial phase of Wallenstein’s grandiose plan: raise a huge army for the Emperor, and plant it in Germany (at local expense) to deter local princes (especially Protestants) from contesting the transfer of the Palatine Electoral crown to Catholic Bavaria. The imperial officials in Vienna divert him on a wild chase after the warlord Mansfeld.
Döblin packs an enormous amount of historical detail into a vigorous fast-moving narrative. But it’s by no means just ‘one damned thing after another’. Each incident and episode is given a particular flavour. The language and tone reflect a definite authorial stance, the surface action is almost always linked to the underlying politics of the war. Moods shift rapidly from description to satire to pathos; direct speech transitions skilfully to indirect, and little sardonic touches hint at a background we are left to imagine. A trivial example:
‘…having in vain requested the nervous Brandenburg commander, a Lutheran like them and their most humble servant, to grant them passage.’
The five highlighted words hint at a complete exchange of diplomatic niceties: ‘Sir, request your kind permission to let our army through. Respectfully, King Christian.’ – ‘Your Majesty, sorry, no can do. Your most humble servant, XXX’
The gloriously gory sermon aimed at boosting Catholic recruits is a fine example of Döblin’s immersion in contemporary documents.
Synopsis of Book 3
1. The Bastard, Mansfeld
Events: Wallenstein gathers his forces; Vienna helpless to control him, unable to supply him. Complaints from the Empire. Tilly (the League) attacks Saxony; will Wallenstein help? England funds Mansfeld; he is defeated at Dessau Bridge, flees to Hungary; Protestant regions mobilise. Vienna, taunted by Bavaria, urges Wallenstein to pursue Mansfeld. In Hungary: disease, hunger, iron discipline. Mansfeld dies.
Characters: Wallenstein, Aldringen, Collalto, Maximilian, Tilly, Slavata, Mansfeld, Charles I, Buckingham, Frederick, counsellors in Vienna, sundry colonels.
Scenery: Exteriors: armies on the move. Battles. Chase through Moravia to Hungary. Interiors: Courts at Vienna, The Hague, London; Wallenstein’s HQ, Mansfeld’s lodgings.
Exposition: Surreal: descriptions of Tilly and Wallenstein; Hungarian steppe. Satire: English court. Encyclopedia: lists of colonels.
2. Wallenstein’s Plan
Events: Wallenstein heads for winter quarters. Desperate Moravians petition the Emperor; Jesuits drown them out. Emperor is uneasy. Wallenstein threatens to resign, imposes next stage of his Plan; Vienna cannot pay him off. Emperor’s bad conscience. International alliances. Mass recruitment aided by sermons; Wallenstein draws Protestants to him. The League ponders a Danish alliance against Wallenstein, as Bavaria tries to rein him in.
Characters: Wallenstein, Desfours, Eggenberg, Collalto, Trautmannsdorf, Ferdinand, Eleonore, Charles I, Buckingham, Rusdorf; Michna, de Witte, Bassevi. Duke of Lauenburg, Baron Gürzenich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp. Sundry colonels. Prince-bishops of Mainz and Cologne. Leuker.
Scenery: Exteriors: international diplomacy; logistics; recruiting grounds; specific incidents. Interiors: church at The Hague. Meeting of League leaders.
Exposition: Surreal: Room in the Castle. Contemporary language: Recruiting sermon. Encyclopedia: lists of colonels. Satire: Ineffectual League leaders.
3. Into the Empire
Events: Wallenstein occupies Imperial lands, moves against Danes. Holstein and Denmark ravaged. Tilly wounded.
Characters: Wallenstein, von Mitzlaff, King Christian, Durlach, Tilly, Arnim, sundry colonels.
Scenery: Exteriors: fast-moving armies.
Exposition: Satire: Danish king a playboy.
4. Rewards
Events: Ferdinand crowned (again) king of Bohemia, sees Wallenstein as rival. Wallenstein presents his invoice. Burghers from ruined Germany try to petition the Emperor, are cruelly spurned. Dukes of Mecklenburg deposed, Wallenstein ennobled in their place. Next stage of his plan. A fever removes Ferdinand from politics for a while.
Characters: Ferdinand, Wallenstein, courtiers. Petitioners.
Scenery: Exterior: ravaged Bohemia. Procession of petitioners. Interior: Vienna court.
Exposition: Pathos: sad petitioners.
5. ‘The Resentful are Stirring’
Events: Electors convene to counter Wallenstein, fuss over the correct address. Wallenstein imposes discipline, executes some colonels. Ferdinand grants him plenipotentiary powers.
Characters: Wallenstein, Johann Georg (Saxony), Electors; sundry colonels; Ferdinand, Frey.
Scenery: Interior: meeting of Electors. Exterior: sundry rampaging colonels.
Exposition: Satire: Electors on ‘upstart Bohemian’. Encyclopedia: lists (colonels, regiments).
6. Enlarger of the Roman Empire
Events: Petitioners trudge back north. God has withdrawn, Satan is abroad. Wallenstein faces unfamiliar sea; defeats Danes, occupies all harbours. England forced to oppose France; fails to aid Huguenots. Bavaria in peril, French offer alliance with papal support. Gold flows to Vienna, but Wallenstein is still disparaged. Eggenberg sees: either Wallenstein, or the Electors.
Characters: Petitioners, hermits; Wallenstein; King Christian; Charles I, Buckingham. Ferdinand, Eleonore. Eggenberg.
Scenery: Exterior: German lands. Armies moving. Interior: Courts at London, Munich, Vienna.
Exposition: Pathos: Psychology of wartorn population. Satire: more feasting, lavish expenditure at court. Reprise of drunken romp in the cellars.
