Political and religious tension in the Empire after 1555 -- Confessional polarisation? Protestant Union and Catholic League -- Crisis in the Habsburg monarchy -- The Bohemian Revolt and its aftermath -- Spain and the Netherlands -- The war in western and northern Germany 1621-9 -- The Catholic ascendancy -- The Edict of Restitution, 1629 -- Swedish intervention -- The destruction of Magdeburg, 1631 -- Sweden's search for security and reward, 1631-5 -- Wallenstein's second generalship, 1632-4 -- The Peace of Prague, 1635 -- War and politics, 1635-40 -- Military organisation and the war economy -- Experience -- Peace making, 1641-8 -- The Peace of Westphalia -- Peace implementation, celebration and commemoration.