Which Swedish king died at the Battle of Lützen in 1632?

Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, died at the Battle of Lützen in 1632. He was killed on 16 November 1632 while leading Swedish forces against an Imperial army commanded by Albrecht von Wallenstein during the Thirty Years’ War.

Gustavus Adolphus had intervened in the German conflict in 1630, presenting Sweden as a defender of Protestant interests while also pursuing strategic and political goals around the Baltic. His army’s victory at Breitenfeld in 1631 established Sweden as a major European power and allowed him to campaign deep into the Holy Roman Empire.

At Lützen, battlefield smoke and confusion separated the king from much of his force. While trying to rally cavalry, he encountered Imperial troops and was shot several times. His death briefly threatened Swedish morale, but the army continued fighting and won the battle, though at heavy cost. A common mix-up is Gottfried von Pappenheim, an Imperial commander who was also fatally wounded at Lützen and died later the same day.