How did the Thirty Years’ War affect Mecklenburg’s ruling dukes?

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Mecklenburg–West Pomerania Fishing boats in the harbour at Wismar, Ger.

During the Thirty Years’ War, the ruling dukes of Mecklenburg faced severe consequences for supporting Christian IV of Denmark against the Holy Roman Empire.1

Because of this alliance, the dukes were declared outlaws by the emperor. Consequently, they were ousted from their territories between 1627 and 1631. Their lands were subsequently granted to the imperial general Albrecht von Wallenstein, who was awarded the duchy of Mecklenburg as a hereditary imperial fief in 1629.21

The original dukes were eventually restored to their positions by Swedish forces. By the time of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, the political landscape had shifted further, with Sweden acquiring the town of Wismar and its surrounding areas.1