In 1626, King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway joined the Thirty Years’ War as a champion of the Protestant cause. Within four years, he would be sent home with his tail between his legs. But the Protestants would gain a new champion: the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus.

In a few short years, the Lion of the North would forge a military reputation equaled by only a handful. Just as importantly, he would keep the Protestants in the fight, forcing the Catholic Habsburg monarchy to continue a costly, draining war. Here is Gustavus Adolphus’ story, and how he shaped the course of history.

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Episode transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTyEbrFsmM2A3B5A5hJ9xBQ-IM4EeR0GFov0_xL7CUIB2rsD8-HxOUD_0fvYqAIqC543Q9NXg10qlmD/pub

Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan