The Battle of White Mountain occurred in the context of the early Thirty Years' War, a conflict that arose from deep-rooted religious and political tensions in Europe. The battle was fought on a plain near Prague, with the Catholic League, supported by the Habsburgs, facing off against the Protestant forces of the Kingdom of Bohemia. The Catholic forces, numbering around 27,000, were commanded by Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly, while the Protestant side was led by Christian of Anhalt. The Bohemians were seeking to establish and defend their religious freedoms and political autonomy against Habsburg influence.Within just two hours of fierce fighting, the Catholic forces achieved a decisive victory. The Protestant army, demoralized and unable to rally effectively, suffered significant losses, with estimates of around 4,000 to 5,000 troops killed or captured. The battle is notable not only for its swift conclusion but also for its implications; it signaled the beginning of Habsburg dominance in Central Europe and led to the eventual consolidation of Catholic power, suppressing Protestant dissent in the region.Following the battle, the Catholic League exerted control over Prague and significant parts of Bohemia, effectively quelling Protestant resistance. This victory paved the way for further military campaigns that would define the early years of the Thirty Years' War and ultimately influenced the trajectory of religious and political dynamics in Europe for decades to come.