List of 1632 characters

Main article: List of 1632 characters (fictional)

Main articles: 1632 series and The Grantville Gazettes

This is a list of the many historical characters that appear in over twenty works of Eric Flint's 1632 series. In the fictional world, the arrival of Grantville causes different actions and events to occur after 1632, compared to the non-fiction historical record (the Original Time Line, or OTL). For the most part, historic characters are given believable and logically consistent roles and personality characterizations to match the non-fictional historical record. Some chapters are devoted exclusively to discussions between historical figures or to descriptions of battles like Breitenfield, where Americans are not present.

Abrabanel family

The Abrabanel (or Abravanel family) were a clan of Sephardic Jewish merchants, financiers, bankers, physicians, and other such professions who were influential in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the 1632 series: Several important Sephardic families and various relations were in the courts or capitals of various seventeenth century nations. The stories depict the far flung interests and workings of Marranos (secret Jews) forming a de facto spy network, and how it was used by the English during their struggles with Spain before Charles I of England expelled most Marranos from England.

The family decided in late 1631 to firmly ally itself with the New United States, even before the formation of the Republic.

Charles I of England

Charles I, King of England and Ireland

Christian IV, King of Denmark and Norway

Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649), second son of James I, was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution on 30 January 1649.

In the 1632 series: After learning of his execution and the English Civil War from William Harvey's copies of Grantville's library books and including history books supplied from Cardinal Richelieu, Charles proceeded to eliminate as many of his future enemies as possible. Charles limited England's involvement in the Ostend War. He refused help from Grantville to abate a plague outbreak. Electing to leave London, Charles was severely wounded in a carriage accident, which killed his wife Henrietta Maria, due to the orchestration of the 1st Earl of Cork, Richard Boyle. The events of Charles' injuries and his wife's death caused an outrage in Parliament, in which Charles wrongly accused Prime Minister Thomas Wentworth for conspiracy and elected Boyle as his successor.

Christian IV of Denmark

Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was the king of Denmark and Norway from 1588 until his death. He fathered 18 legitimate children and at least eight illegitimate. Christian allied with Sweden in 1628. To eliminate this threat, Wallenstein negotiated the (Treaty of Lübeck) in 1629 on behalf of the Holy Roman Emperor. Denmark agreed to leave the war in exchange for retaining her original territories. After the death of Gustav Adolphus in 1632, Christian's poor statesmanship eventually caused Sweden to declare war against her in 1643.

In the 1632 series: Christian IV was depicted as an illiterate alcoholic. Christian IV allied with the League of Ostend, and warred against Gustavus Adolphus and the United States of Europe from 1633 through 1634. Christian was enthusiastic about new technologies generally, and warmed to Grantville's marvels, despite their status as enemies.

Following Denmark's dual defeats at the Battle of Luebeck Bay and the Battle of Copenhagen, Christian reluctantly surrendered to the USE, becoming an ally. In exchange, Denmark remained sovereign. Christian was overjoyed to have the USE's air force present in his country, and insisted that he wanted to fly an airplane himself.

Ferdinand II of Austria

Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (1578–1637) was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. His first wife, Maria Anna of Bavaria, died in 1616. Their surviving children were Ferdinand III, Maria Anna of Austria, Cecilia Renata of Austria, and Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. He married his second wife Eleonore Gonzaga in 1622.

In the 1632 series: Died in 1634 a broken man, after Wallenstein deposed him in Bohemia. The arrival of Grantville changed the futures of all four of his grown children.

Ferdinand III of Austria

Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor

Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria

Known to historians as Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor, (July 13, 1608 – April 2, 1657), he was made King of Hungary in 1625, and King of Bohemia in 1627 in OTL. As the oldest son of Ferdinand II he eventually reigned as Holy Roman Emperor—between February 15, 1637 – 1657.

In the 1632 series: He was replaced by Wallenstein in 1633 as leader of Bohemia (Ring of Fire.) After the death of his father he publicly renounced the title of "Holy Roman Emperor" and assumed the title Emperor of Austria-Hungary

Cecilia Renata, Archduchess of Austria

Cecilia Renata (July 16, 1611-March 24, 1644), daughter of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor, wed a Polish nobleman and became Queen of Poland in 1637. This was said to be an unhappy marriage.

In the 1632 series: Cecilia Renata of Austria conspired with her sister Maria Anna of Austria's escape plan during the early phases of 1634: The Bavarian Crisis. Her Brother Ferdinand III decided not to marry her to anyone from Poland due to information from America's histories.

Leopold Wilhelm, Archduke of Austria

In OTL, Leopold Wilhelm (January 5, 1614 - November 20, 1662) was the youngest son of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor. He was a military commander and Governor of the Spanish Netherlands (from 1647 to 1656). He is also known as Leopold Wilhelm von Habsburg but carried the title Archduke of Austria.

In the 1632-series: Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria conspired with his two sisters, Maria Anna and Cecilia Renata.

Maria Anna, Archduchess of Austria

Maria Anna of Austria is one of the three women protagonists driving events in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis.

Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria (13 January 1610 - 25 September 1665 Munich) was the daughter of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor of Habsburg and Maria Anna of Bavaria.

She married Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, a recent widower. He hoped to father a male heir. She gave birth to Ferdinand Maria, elector of Bavaria (de Bavière (Wittelsbach)) and Maximilian Philip. Maria Anna is generally described as clever, cautious, energetic, stern, frugal, and experienced in matters of financial administration. She was very interested in politics and well instructed about developments.

In the 1632-series: She shared many characteristics of her historical counterpart. In 1634: The Bavarian Crisis, she escaped marriage to Maximilian and headed to Swabia and Switzerland. Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weimer tried to force her into marriage. The USE enabled her to escape to her cousin, Don Fernando.

Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria

Duke Albert VI of Bavaria (1584–1666) was Landgraf of Leuchtenberg and spouse of Mechthilde of Leuchtenberg (1588–1634).^[1] He was heir apparent to his childless brother Elector Maximilian I of Bavaria until the latter remarried Maria Anna of Austria, producing an heir.

In the 1632-series: During 1634: The Bavarian Crisis, he and his family were trampled during the 'witch hunt' for traitors by his brother Maximilian, the reigning duke. His wife and his oldest son Karl Johann Franz died, and both younger children (Maximilian Heinrich and Sigmund Albrecht) were missing. He then fled to exile in the NTL Bohemia ruled by Wallenstein. (The boys reached USE territory in 1634: The Baltic War.)

Maximilian I, duke of Bavaria

English: Maximilian I, anonymous portrait.

Maximilian of Bavaria (1573–1651) called "the Great"; Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and a prince-elector (Kurfürst) of the Holy Roman Empire, and founder and head of German Catholic League and therefore de facto head of its armies. His wife Elisabeth Renata died of a lingering and painful cancer in 1635. Their marriage was childless, so he married his niece Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria, who bore him two sons.

In the 1632 series: He played a central role in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis. His wife Elisabeth Renata died suddenly (a year earlier than her OTL death from cancer in 1635) of pneumonia, leaving him distraught rather than prepared. He planned to abdicate, but his privy council convinced him to take a new wife. Archduchess Maria Anna was selected, but unlike the OTL, she escaped. Maximilian initiated a reign of terror in Bavaria, involving witch hunts, resulting in the death of his sister-in-law duchess Mechthilde, and later exiled his brother Albrecht.

Alfonso, Marquis of Bedmar

Alfonso de la Cueva, marqués de Bedmar (1572–1655) was a professional diplomat in the service of Habsburg Spain.

In the 1632 series: He befriended the American embassy party in 1634: The Galileo Affair in Venice, and facilitated the journey of Anna Maria to the Netherlands in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis. The new King in the Netherlands made him an advisor in Brussels, and he became chancellor of the new kingdom in the Low Countries.

Richard Boyle

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, also known as the Great Earl of Cork (13 October 1566 – 15 September 1643), was Lord High Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland.

In the 1632 series: Masterminded an attack on Charles I and his wife which crippled the King and killed the Queen. Overthrew Thomas Wentworth by blaming him, and usurping the role of Prime Minister.

Johann Comenius

Portrait of Comenius by Rembrandt

John Amos Comenius (Czech: Jan Ámos Komenský; Slovak: Ján Amos Komenský; German: Johann Amos Comenius; Polish: Jan Amos Komeński; Latinized: Iohannes Amos Comenius) (March 28, 1592 – November 15, 1670) was a Czech teacher, scientist, educator, and writer. He was a Unity of the Brethren/Moravian Protestant bishop, a religious refugee, and one of the earliest champions of universal education, a concept eventually set forth in his book Didactica Magna. Comenius became known as the teacher of nations.

In the 1632 series: Comenius first appeared in "The Wallenstein Gambit" along with fictional union agitator/organizer Red Sybolt in fictional character Morris Roth's newly acquired estate in Bohemia.

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell (April 25, 1599 - September 3, 1658) was an English military and political leader helped make England into a republican Commonwealth and later became Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Defeated the royalists in the English Civil War. After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, Cromwell dominated the short-lived Commonwealth of England, conquered Ireland and Scotland, and ruled as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658.

In the 1632 series: In 1633, he was an insignificant person decades prior to his historical role. King Charles I imprisoned him in the Tower London after reading copies of Grantville's history books concerning his own overthrow and execution. Cromwell was later rescued by a USE commando group.

Isabella Clara Eugenia, Infanta of Spain

Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566–1633), 1615.

Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain (1566-1633*), Infanta of Spain, Archduchess of Austria and the joint sovereign of the Seventeen Provinces, was heir to the territories of the Spanish Netherlands.

In the 1632-series: She played a supportive advisor role in various books of the main plot threads. She was still alive and well despite the date of her death in the OTL.

Don Fernando

Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand (circa 1610 - 1641) son of King of Spain, Philip III and Margaret of Austria (who was the sister of Emperor Ferdinand II). His aunt Isabella Clara Eugenia planned to make him her successor as governor of the Spanish Netherlands. He won a decisive victory at the Battle of Nördlingen (1634). Based in Brussels, he successfully captured a number of cities. However, in 1637 he lost Breda, followed by losses to the French. Spanish court rumours claimed that Ferdinand planned to become an independent ruler of the Spanish Netherlands with aid from Spain's enemy, France.

In the 1632 series: Don Fernando successfully re-conquered most of the Low Countries aided by the League of Ostend in 1633. He besieges Amsterdam — advised by his aunt, the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain, and diplomat/Painter Rubens. He came into contact with the USE and, after encouraged by Ambassadoress Rebecca Abrabanel Stearns and his aunt (willed her claim to her nephew), contemplated cutting a deal with the Prince of Orange to become a monarch and found a dynasty in the combined Low Countries. At the end of 1634: The Bavarian Crisis, he declared himself "king in the Netherlands". He marries his Austrian Habsburg cousin, the Archduchess Maria Anna.

Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei (15 February 1564–8 January 1642) was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations, and support for Copernicanism. In 1633 he was found guilty by the Inquisition for advocating the heliocentric theory, and condemned to house arrest for the remainder of his life.^[2] Galileo has been called the "father of modern observational astronomy".

In the 1632 series: Galileo was pardoned after being defended at his trial by the Americans in 1634: The Galileo Affair.

John George of Saxony

Monument to John George in Johanngeorgstadt.

John George I of Saxony (5 March 1585 – 8 October 1656) was Elector of Saxony from 1611 to 1656. His reign coincided with much of the Thirty Years' War, during which the Protestant John George often aligned with which ever side could guarantee that he would retain his lands. He was aligned for a time with Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, but switched sides a few years later after Gustavus died.

In the 1632 series: John George was depicted as a somewhat vilified historical character. He would not let Gustavus Adolphus's Army (in Pomerania and Brandenburg) cross through into northern Thuringia to succor Magdeburg from Count Tilly's forces. He eventually became an enemy of Gustavus Adolphus and the United States of Europe after withdrawing his alliance during the Ostend War. In 1635: The Eastern Front, he was killed along with his wife, Magdalene Sibylle, and one of his son, Maurice, while passing through the mountains of the Vogtland by an explosive set by Saxon rebels.

William Harvey

Dr. William Harvey (1578–1657) was an English physician who was the first in the Western world to describe correctly and in exact detail the systemic circulation and properties of blood being pumped around the body by the heart.

In the 1632 series: He first appeared in the Ring of Fire story "A matter of Consultation" where he ran afoul of nurses Anne Jefferson and Sharon Nichols. Afterward, Harvey visited Grantville and obtained encyclopedia pages about King Charles I of England. These materials had far reaching consequences as the English monarchy tried to prevent OTL events.

Hermann of Hesse-Rotenberg

In the 1632 series: Duke Hermann of Hesse-Rotenberg is the United States of Europe Secretary of State. The duke employed professor-doctor Wilhelm Schickard, who is part of a network of scholars sharing news and intelligence by courier pigeons and USE telecommunications (radio or telegraph) in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis.

Athanasius Kircher

Athanasius Kircher (sometimes misspelled Kirchner) (1601–1680) was a German Jesuit scholar and Polymath who published around 40 works, most notably in the fields of oriental studies, geology and medicine. One of the first people to observe microbes through a microscope, he proposed that the plague was caused by an infectious microorganisms and suggested measures to prevent its spread.

In the 1632-series: In 1634: The Galileo Affair, Fr. Kircher stepped in as curate of Saint Mary's Parish when fictional parish priest Fr. Lawrence Mazarre was named Ambassador to the Most Serene Republic of Venice. He plays a larger role in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis when he helped resolve the difficulties of Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria in her flight from her betrothal.

William Laud

Archbishop William Laud (7 October 1573 – 10 January 1645) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. He pursued a High Church course and opposed radical forms of Puritanism. This and his support for King Charles I resulted in his beheading in the midst of the English Civil War.

In the 1632-series: Because of his friendship with Wentworth, he was confined to the Tower of London, and, when the American "commandos" succeeded in releasing the American embassy to Charles I, was rescued by Tom Simpson.

Jules Mazarin

Jules Mazarin, born Giulio Raimondo Mazzarino (14 July 1602 – 9 March 1661) was an accomplished Italian politician who served as the chief minister of France (hand picked successor to Richelieu) from 1642 until his death.

In the 1632-series: He made his appearance in 1632 and the short story "Between the Armies". The USE, France, and the Papacy contested for his loyalty. He was frequently mentioned in the Central European thread, in The Galileo Affair and The Cannon Law.

Adam Olearius

Adam Olearius (ca. August 16, 1603 – February 22, 1671) was a German scholar, mathematician, geographer and librarian. He became secretary to the ambassador sent by Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, to the Shah of Persia, and published two books about the events and observations during his travels.

In the 1632-series: He was the traveling companion of Dr. William Harvey visiting a village between Jena and Grantville in "A matter of Consultation". He ended up as part of the party trapped in the Siege of Amsterdam beginning in the novel 1633, continued in three Grantville Gazettes stories by Flint, and the 1634: The Baltic War. He and fictional character Anne Jefferson announced their intention to marry.

Gottfried Pappenheim

General Gottfried Pappenheim was a famous commander during the Thirty Years' war, employed by the imperial armies of the German Catholic League. His cavalry force was known as Pappenheim's Black Cuirassiers, and he commanded at the First Battle of Breitenfeld. He was employed by Albrecht von Wallenstein. Pappenheim helped defeat Gustavus II Adolphus at Alte Veste. He and Gustavus II Adolphus both died at the subsequent battle of Lützen.

In the 1632 series: The Battle of Alte Viste was altered in the neohistory due to the alliance with the up-timers and their firearms. Gustavus defeated Pappenheim and Wallenstein. Both Gustavus and Pappenheim survived. Pappenheim appeared later in a short story as an emissary from Wallenstein, and helped foil terrorists at a Christmas celebration.

Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange

Frederick Henry and his family, by Gerrit van Honthorst.

Frederick Henry or Frederik Hendrik in Dutch (January 29, 1584 – March 14, 1647) was Prince of Orange and stadtholderates of the five provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Overijssel and Guelders from 1625 to 1647. He was the youngest child of William the Silent and Louise de Coligny. Frederik was a good statesman and diplomat, and a successful general. He aligned with France most of his reign, but in his last years he worked to end the Eighty Years War between Spain and the United Provinces. The Treaty of Münster of 1648 ended the war and recognized the Netherlands' independence. This treaty was part of the Peace of Westphalia which also ended the Thirty Years' War.

In the 1632 series: The British and French allied fleets betrayed and successfully attacked Fredrick Hendrik's fleet in 1633, reaching behind the Dutch land defenses almost immediately. The NUS allied with the remnants of the United Provinces. Over time, Grantville diplomats enticed the Cardinal Infante, Ferdinand (a.k.a. "Don Fernando"), to declare himself "King in the Netherlands." Fredrick Hendrik became an important official in the new (larger) state encompassing (today's) territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the French Netherlands, the Kingdom of Belgium and a number of smaller states such as Prince-bishoprics and Luxembourg.

Cardinal Richelieu

Richelieu, by Philippe de Champaigne (detail), Louvre.

Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, Cardinal-Duc de Richelieu (September 9, 1585 – December 4, 1642), was a French clergyman, noble, and shrewd statesman. Richelieu became King Louis XIII's chief minister in 1624. He is considered to be the world's first Prime Minister. He consolidated the power of the monarchy and crushed domestic factions, restraining the nobility. He transformed France into a strong, centralized state. He focused on checking the power of the Austro-Spanish Habsburg dynasty, and made alliances with Protestant rulers.

To maintain the king's power, he ruthlessly censored the press, used a network of spies, forbade the discussion of politics in public assemblies, and had those who conspired against him executed. His legacy to modern politics includes the ideas of a strong nation-state and aggressive foreign policy. The notions of national sovereignty and international law can be traced in part to Richelieu's policies and theories, especially as enunciated in the Treaty of Westphalia which ended the Thirty Years' War.

In the 1632 series: Richelieu declared himself an enemy of Grantville after realizing the radical thinking from the Americans posed a threat to his nation. He plotted against the New United States and Gustavus Adolphus in which teamed with Wallenstein in an unsuccessful attack on Grantville in mid-1632. Foiled, Richelieu aided Habsburg Spain, hoping to involve them in a more direct war in Germany. He arranged the League of Ostend, involving both Catholic and Protestant powers. They defeated the Dutch, allowing an invasion of the Netherlands in 1633. The League of Ostend experienced some victories before a major loss during the events of 1634: The Baltic War, in which the entire French Army was devastated. Richelieu subsequently was blamed for the war and faced intense opposition from his enemies within the French court.

Rembrandt

Dutch painter Rembrandt (July 15, 1606 – October 4, 1669) was one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history, and the "most important" in Dutch history.^[3]

In the 1632 series: He played a minor role in the 1632 series, being mentioned humorously as a "relative unknown" artist in the Flint short story "Postage Due". Several artists painted fictional character Anne Jefferson for stamps to be used in an American-suggested universal postal service in the Spanish Netherlands and other minor Northern European states.

Like other historical artists in this alternate timeline, Rembrandt was confronted by future images of his own genius and had to decide how to cope. Feeling no pressure of current fame, he chose to recreate his OTL paintings in a new way, such as an alternate for Anatomy Lesson.

Rubens

"Rubens and Isabella Brant in the Honeysuckle Bower", 1609-10. Alte Pinakothek, Munich.

Peter Paul Rubens (June 28, 1577 – May 30, 1640) was a prolific seventeenth century Flemish and European painter. He is well known for his art. However, he was also a classically-educated humanist scholar and diplomat who was knighted by both Philip IV, king of Spain, and Charles I, king of England.

In the 1632-series: Rubens appeared almost continuously from the novel sequel 1633 onwards in the main plot threads since he was serving as an adviser to the Cardinal Infante.

Dukes of Saxe-Weimar

Saxe-Weimar is the family seat of a cadet branch of the House of Wettin with the ducal title held by Wilhelm (William) of Saxe-Weimar. The Wettins are more of an extended clan than a single line of nobility, and through that house, the dukes of Saxe-Weimar are related one way or another to almost every other house of European nobility. The Saxe-Weimar dukes were in a somewhat ambiguous position, for the tradition of dividing the lands between all the sons had diminished the families lands to tiny pockets of holdings scattered the length and breadth of Thuringia. The family territories of the various Dukes of Saxe-Weimar were all ruled by William.

In the 1632 series: The family territories of the various Dukes of Saxe-Weimar were ruled by the four brothers, rather than just William. Gustavus allowed the NUS keep the Wettin lands in Thuringia. He stated that the Dukes had 'abandoned" their lands; however, their absence was due to fighting for him during the war. The three Wettin brothers were represented as sharing the ducal dignities and ruling by committee over the family lands, which may have been de facto practice inside the family, while duke Wilhelm held the actual power. His brother Albrecht was absent throughout the series, whereas his Brother Ernst was depicted as being older than the youngest brother. The brothers were displaced from their lands in Thuringia by the arrival of Grantville in 1631–32. He was depicted as a decent nobleman caught up in the war— even expressing an appreciation and thanks that the NUS had fed and saved so many of Thuringia's people during the preceding winter of 1631-32.

Albrecht, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

Younger brother of William/Wilhelm.

Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

Duke Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar is the youngest brother of dukes Wilhelm and Ernst of Saxe-Weimar.

In the 1632 series: He was considered a traitor to Gustavus and the USE (dating from 1633 CPoE days in NTL time) when he sold his services to Cardinal Richelieu and France. Bernard believed that Gustavus betrayed the Wettin dukes when he let the NUS keep the Wettin lands in Thuringia and did not immediately settle new lands upon the brothers. In 1634: The Baltic War Bernard played politics, which bore partial fruit in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis.

Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

Ernst is one of the younger brothers.

Wilhelm IV, Duke of Saxe-Weimar

William Wettin, formerly,
Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar.

Duke William IV of Saxe-Weimar (1598–1662), 5th Duke of Saxe-Weimar, key ally of Gustavus Adolphus through much of the Thirty Years' War but shunned by Axel Oxenstierna after Gustavus' death. Ruler of the family territories of the various Dukes of Saxe-Weimar until his death in 1662.

In the 1632 series: In 1633, he abdicated his duchy for a seat in the new House of Commons in the United States of Europe, took the name William Wettin and became the leader of the opposition party against Mike Stearns, actively seeking to become the next Prime Minister of the USE; a position Mike Stearns encouraged him to take up.

Christian Günther I of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

Cousin of Count Ludwig Günther, Christian Günther I of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, and the House of Schwarzburg, is another sovereign nobleman.

In the 1632 series: He was displaced by the impact of Grantville on Southern Thuringia. Schwarzburg-Sondershausen holdings intermingle with listed municipalities under the sway of the American economic hegemony. Several of the towns became members of the republican government of the confederated New United States and hence the confederation of the Confederated Principalities of Europe and federal government of the United States of Europe.

Ludwig Günther of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt

Count Ludwig Günther of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (in German: Günther) and the ancient House of Schwarzburg. He inherited the dignity of his office the September of the year before after the death of his older brother Karl (Charles),

In the 1632 series: played an important role in the background "freedom of religion theme" that reoccured frequently in various works of the Ring of Fire series. The count of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt was the first sovereign nobleman aware of and troubled by the town from the future, Grantville. A chunk of the old family seat at Schwarzburg overlapped the Ring of Fire and went forward to 2000 AD in 1632 and the "first contact" story "Schwaraza Falls". About ten citizens of Schwarzburg lost their lives in the ROF event. In the Grantville Gazette I story "The Rudolstadt Colloquy", he organized debates about the new church he has built primarily to serve the Lutheran population that emigrated as war refugees to Grantville.

Emelie, Countess of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt

In the 1632 series: Countess Emelie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt was an influential philanthropist, socialite and supporter of modern social services under the administration of Gustavus the capital at Magdeburg.

Wilhelm Schickard

Professor Wilhelm Schickard was a bonafide polymath, Professor of Mathematics, Aramaic, and Hebrew etc., educated at the University of Tübingen, and later returned to teach there. He was the main precurseur to the mechanical calculator and was an ordained Lutheran protestant minister.

In the 1632 series: He was part of a network of scholars sharing news and intelligence by courier pigeons and USE telecommunications (radio or telegraph) which end up involved in the behind the scenes diplomacy of 1634: The Bavarian Crisis. Formerly a Professor of Mathematics at Tübingen University in Württemberg, reputed to be an excellent mathematician, Schickard in 1634 had a position with the United States of Europe in Magedeburg working for Secretary of State Duke Hermann of Hesse-Rotenberg, on mapping service projects for Gustavus Adolphus. He built some sort of "calculating box" used by astronomer Johannes Kepler when both were present at University of Tübingen (which ceased operation during the tumult of the Thirty Years' war), according to the authors Flint and DeMarce, accounting for his employment by the USE.

Sir James, Baron Spens

In the 1632 series: Baron James Spens of Wormiston, a Scottish general in the employ of Gustavus, is an historical character and commanded the king of Sweden's Green Regiment, making him the commanding officer of Alexander Mackay. Flint wrote: "He was simultaneously the Swedish ambassador to England as well as the English ambassador to Sweden—and one of Gustav's top military commanders in the bargain." Flint portrayed him as a confidant of Gustav on two occasions and presented a dialog between the two where Spens supports the reports sent about Grantville by Mackay as the pious Gustavus gropes with the manifestation of what he perceives as an act of God. In the same scene, Spens represented his faith in Mackay and his belief in the reports he'd sent about Grantville.

House of Vasa

The House of Vasa was the Royal House of Sweden (1523–1654) and of Poland (1587–1668). Gustavus II Adolphus Vasa inherited a feud with the Polish ruling line of Sigismund III Vasa, who was deposed as king of Sweden in 1599. Sigismund started a series of protracted wars to regain the throne. Gustavus himself began the next round with an invasion of Livonia, kicking off the Polish-Swedish War (1625–1629). Protestants suffering through the Thirty Years' War asked Gustavus to intervene. Christina, Gustavus's sole legitimate issue, abdicated the Swedish throne in 1654, six years after the end of the Thirty Years' War.

Christina of Sweden

Christina (1626–1689) was the sole heir to Gustavus Adolphus. She ruled the Swedish Empire from 1632 to 1654, then abdicated the throne to become a Catholic.

In the 1632 series: In the novel 1633 she was portrayed as an intelligent, willful child needing associates that could keep up with her agile mind. Gustavus let her stay in with the up-timers as a seven-year old, let her visit Magdeburg Committees of Correspondence repeatedly, and let her take up with an American social worker, Carol Platzner. After the formation of the United States of Europe, her stay became a political symbol (a veiled exchange of hostages) of the Gustav-Grantville alliance. In 1634: The Baltic War Gustav also made it clear he wanted her to associate with Julie Sims Mackay, the newly appointed Baroness, when she returned from her travels to Great Britain with Alex Mackay and their child.

Gustavus II Adolphus of Sweden

Gustavus II Adolphus (19 December 1594 – 6 November 1632) ruled Sweden from 1611 until his death at the Battle of Lützen in 1632.

In the 1632 series: He did not die in battle. He first became an ally of the 'New United States', then Protector-General (as "Captain Gars") in the lead novel 1632. In 1633, he was busy prosecuting the war against the Catholic Reformation but with the sneak attacks by the secretly formed League of Ostend he personally saw to the defense of the vital port of Lübeck while scrambling his forces to defend against the new English-French-Danish-Spanish alliance. He won the Battle of the Alte Veste with the help of the Americans.

Gustav hammered out matters of state with Mike Stearns, and was a major figure in 1634: The Baltic War. After defeating Denmark in battle, he maneuvered Christian IV into reconstituting the former Union of Kalmar, to be led by Sweden.

Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly

Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly (February 1559 - 30 April 1632), was a Field Marshal commanding the Imperial and Holy Roman Empire's forces. He was victorious in many battles of the Thirty Years' War. His soldiers massacred 80% of Magdeburg's citizens in May 1631. Tilly was wounded at Breitenfeld (September 1631) where he lost to Gustavus Adolphus. He was wounded again at the Battle of Rain (April 1632), and died of tetanus 15 days later.

In the 1632 series: Died from wounds sustained in action against Gustavus Aldophus.

Lennart Torstenson

General Lennart Torstenson was a famed understudy of Gustavus Adolphus who in his early career primarily managed the kings artillery brigades. He had an illustrious career and survived the fall of Gustavus, captivity (Alte Veste), serious illness, and became a Field Marshal in the Swedish Empire.^[4]

In the 1632 series: In 1632 he served at the Battle of Alte Viste. In the novel 1634: The Baltic War he led the land forces relieving the Siege of Luebeck, and took overall command of Gustavus' northern armies while the monarch conducted affairs of state with Prime Minister Stearns and King Christian IV of Denmark. His force, assisted by uptimer General Frank Jackson chased the Danish forces from the region and then totally destroyed the French army pinned in the base of the Jutland peninsula. In 1633, he was a steady hand during the near riot that precipitated the transition from the cumbersome patchwork of the Confederated Principalities of Europe to the more modern United States of Europe.

Viscount of Turenne

la Tour d'Auverge, `Turenne'

Vicomte Henri de la Tour d'Auverge, also known as Turenne (1611–1675), Marshal of France, was a great military leader for France. Cardinal Richelieu gave him command of forces in Italy in 1643.

In the 1632 series: Achieved greatness early, as a result of Richelieu studying the near future of France in stolen history books and appointing him as director of research, and a Marshal of France—thus creating a homebrewed political crisis. In 1634: The Baltic War Turenne led some cavalry deep into Swedish held territory to raid the Weitz oil fields for technology, especially the radio equipment. Their intent was also to disrupt production, for Richelieu's spies had gleaned its importance to Granville. Turenne (worryingly) concluded during the raid that any army in Europe within the next two years would need aircraft of their own to be effective. Turenne later sent a message of acknowledgment to Mike Stearns that American industrialist Quentin Underwood was killed during the raid while attacking and killing several of his (Turenne's) men. After Denmark's surrender to the USE and the chaotic devastation of the French Army in the Battle of Ahrensbok, Turenne expected a potential civil war in France.

Pope Urban VIII

Pope Urban VIII (baptised 5 April 1568 – 29 July 1644), born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions. He practiced nepotism on a grand scale, enriching various members of his family. Among the cardinals he created were his brother Antonio Marcello Barberini and his nephews Francesco and Antonio Barberini. The massive debts incurred during his papacy greatly weakened his successors. He was also involved in a controversy with Galileo and his theory on heliocentrism.

In the 1632 series: In 1634: The Galileo Affair, he was saved from assassination by a devout Calvinist and anti-papist accompanying some Grantville citizens. In 1635: The Cannon Law he was rescued by Grantvillers from an attempt to overthrow him.

The various Cardinals Barberini played important roles as themselves in the South and South-west Europe thread that began with the Andrew Dennis tale "Between the Armies" (Ring of Fire), and continued in 1634: The Galileo Affair and 1635: The Cannon Law.

Albrecht von Wallenstein

Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius von Wallenstein (September 24, 1583 – February 25, 1634), a Bohemian soldier and politician, led an army of 30,000 to 100,000 men from 1625-1629 for the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. He was supreme commander of the armies of the Habsburg Monarchy and a major figure of the Thirty Years' War. He negotiated the Treaty of Lübeck to get Denmark out of the war. In 1630 the German princes forced the Emperor to release Wallenstein, but he was recalled after several military defeats. Wallenstein won the day at Alte Veste (1632). Although he lost at Lützen (1632), the death of Gustavus Adolphus was a benefit. Wallenstein was assassinated by order of the Empire in 1634.

In the 1632 series: Wallenstein masterminded a Croatian cavalry raid on Grantville. His jaw was shattered by markswoman Julie Sims at the Battle of Alte Veste, but he arranged for repairs by Dr. Henry Sims. Wallenstein formed an alliance with the USE in the Flint novelette "The Wallenstein Gambit". He became ruler of Bohemia after a successful coup d'état. Iver Cooper's short story "First Impressions" mentioned that his regnal name is King Venceslas V Adalbertus. His plans expanded in the Gazette serial The Anaconda Project.

Thomas Wentworth

Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1593–1641), was an English statesman, a major figure in the events leading up to the English Civil War. He served in parliament and was a supporter of King Charles I. From 1632 to 1639 he instituted a harsh rule as Lord Deputy of Ireland. Recalled back to England, he became a leading advisor to the king, attempting to strengthen the royal position against parliament. When parliament condemned him to death, Charles signed the death warrant and Wentworth was executed.

In the 1632 series: Wentworth was made Earl of Strafford in 1633 by Charles I, after Charles obtained history texts from Grantville by William Harvey. Wentworth also oversaw the arrest of several people that would have been involved in the English Civil War, including Oliver Cromwell, before becoming de facto Prime Minister. Because of his political elevation, Wentworth earned deep enmity from his political opponents, both friends and enemies alike. Due to machinations of other officials, especially his historical enemy Richard Boyle, Charles suspected Wentworth of treason and imprisoned him and his family in the Tower of London. He and his family were later rescued by a USE commando group.

References

1. ^ Genealogy (Die Genealogie der Wittelsbacher: Gesamtindex)
2. ^ Fantoli (2005, p.139), Finocchiaro (1989, p.288–293). Finocchiaro's translation of the Inquisition's judgement against Galileo is available on-line.
3. ^ Gombrich, p. 420.
4. ^ http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Lennart,_Count_Torstensson