A mercenary's diary reveals the brutal reality of the Thirty Years' War
Step into the 17th century through the eyes of Peter Hagendorf. This documentary uses a rare, firsthand diary to explore the daily violence and immense hardships faced during one of history's bloodiest conflicts.
The Thirty Years' War began in 1618, marked by the appearance of a comet. While initially a religious struggle between Catholics and Protestants, the conflict expanded into a massive power struggle involving nations such as France, Spain, and Sweden. The war fundamentally reshaped Europe and caused a massive decline in Germany's population.
The film focuses on the detailed diary kept by German mercenary Peter Hagendorf between 1625 and 1649. His writings provide a window into the birth of modern warfare and the devastating human cost of the era.
Source: Daily Life During The Thirty Years' War: The Lost Diary Of A 17th Century Mercenary
