Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Learning European History Through Staging National Historical Events
International Comenius Project (2012 – 2014)
Brno under the Swedish SiegeA Czech historical event that influenced the whole European history
Brno under the Swedish Siege1645
In 1645, Brno was the only city which successfully fended off the Swedish pressure, or – more precisely – siege, and allowed the Austrian Empire to reform its army and resist the Swedes.
During this process, military leader Radoit de Souches (a former Swedish soldier) and the Jesuit Rector Father Martin Středa played important roles. As a reward, the city´s privileges were renewed and Brno also got a new symbol.
Brno under the Swedish Siege1645
Comenius teachers in the Špilberk Castle
Louis Radouit de Souches
Lennart Torstenson
Brno under the Swedish Siege1645
The siege had a significant influence on European history.
- In the final phase of the Thirty Years´ War, the defence of Brno (an the Old Town in Prague) prevented the advance to Vienna.
- It clearly showed the identification of the inhabitants with Catholisism and Habsburg monarchy (which was an enormous disappointment for the Czech emigration including Comenius who expected the Swedes to be welcomed as liberators).
- The defence of Brno justified the change of the Moravian capital – Brno, not Olomouc any more. And the anniversary of this was celebrated as a town´s holiday on 15 August.
…Moreover, you will find at least one descendant of a Swedish general in each family in Moravia. At least this is what people say…
Brno under the Swedish Siege1645
Brno under the Swedish Siege1645
And a famous legend says…
The siege took longer than the Swedish leader Torstenson had expected. Not one week – three months they were trying to seize the city and its castle Špilberk! No surprise their moral was really low. And Torstenson was furious as he had to decide.
He called his officers to a pub and said: “Tomorrow, we shall make our last attack on the city. Before the bells on Petrov strike noon, Brno must be ours. If not, we shall retreat.“
Unfortunately for him, there was a man who could understand Swedish and he let the brave Moravians and Souches know as soon as he could. So, when it came to the final battle and the Swedes seemed to be winning, Souches sent a bellringer to strike twelve o`clock in St. Peter`s Cathedral. Actually, it was eleven o´clock – and it did make the Swedes withdraw! Since that day, the Petrov bells have always struck noon one hour before twelve.
Brno under the Swedish Siege1645
All´s well that ends well.
Now we are living in the capital of Moravia and we can remember this event every day at 11.00am when we hear the bell or the Špilberk carillon…
