Why did Albrecht von Wallenstein seek command of the North and Baltic seas?

Albrecht von Wallenstein sought command of the North and Baltic seas in 1628 after his experiences during the Danish War introduced him to the strategic importance of sea trade and naval power.1

His primary objective was to establish a major trading company that would include the emperor, Spain, and the Hanseatic towns. By controlling these waters, he intended to bypass and undermine the established Dutch and English carrying trade. This ambition was part of a broader shift in his outlook, as he began to pursue an independent policy rather than acting solely as a servant of the House of Habsburg. However, this plan ultimately collapsed when his forces failed to capture the city of Stralsund, which he had identified as a necessary first-rate naval base for his operations.1