Albrecht Wenceslas Eusebius of Wallenstein was born to a poor branch of an old Czech noble family. Thanks to his extraordinary military career he was raised to the Czech peerage and earned many significant titles: imperial duke of Friedland, generalissimo of imperial armies, duke of Friedland, admiral of the North and Baltic seas, duke of Sagan, duke of Mecklenburg and duke of Glogau; he also earned a mintage privilege and the Order of the Golden Fleece. He obtained all the titles, lands and privileges for his faithful services to the Emperor during the 30-year war (1618?1648). It will always be wrapped in a shroud of mystery whether he was after the Czech crown. The last Emperor’s reward, however, was death.