SCHMALICALD, LEAGUE or, the name given to the defensive alliance concluded pro 'visionally for nine years at Sehmalkalden (q.v.), Fels 27, 1301, between 9 Protestant princes and 11 imperial cities, with whom other 5 princes and 10 imperial cities subse quently made common cause; and the elector of Saxony and the landgiave of Hesse 'were appointed chiefs of the league, and empowered to manage its affairs. The object of this formidable alliance, which included the whole of northern Germany, Denmark, Saxony, and Wfirtemberg, and portions of Bavaria and Switzerland, was for the com mon defense of the religion and political freedom of the Protestants against the emperor Charles V. and the Catlail le states. The league was not rendered superfluous by the religious peace of Nfirnberg in 1532, and on the rumor that the emperor was meditating new hostile measures against the Protestants, another meeting of the confederates was held Dec. 24, 1535, which resolved to raise a permanent army of 10,000 toot and 2.000 cavalry, and to prolong thin league for ten years. The confederation was further consolidated 113' articles of guaranty which were drawn up lay Luther at Wittenberg in 1536, and being sub scribol by the theologians present at the meeting of the league at Schmid kalden in Feb., 1537, were called the Ailides rf Sbltalerc«td. Against the le.agne the l'Inperor, engaged as lie was at the lime in contests with the Turks and French, funnel himseif unable to contend. though supported by the holy league. a Catholic confederation formed in 1538, in opposition to the Protestant one. But impolitic mutual jealousies, and
conflicting petty interests dissipated their energies, and prevented their united action. The •• war of selimaikald" CO111 II I U need by tile advance of the army et the league., under Sebastian SchardIn, into Suabia..to bar the approach of the imperial :limy from Italy. Seharthn forceal his way to the banks of the balm be, but the mise-able j,alousy of tile Saxon princes paralyzed his action. The emperor, by at proclamation bearing date July 20, 1546, put the two chiefs of the league under use ban of the empire; Maurice. duke of Saxony, took possession of the electorate, by virtue of an imperial decree; an I the Prot estant army was forced to retreat. The elector of Saxony reconquered his t Letora:e in the autumn of 1546, but meantime the imperial array subdued the northern members of the league of Schmalleald, and advanced into Franconia to meet the combined armies of Saxony and Hesse. The latter were routed at Miialberg (April 24, 1543), mid both chiefs fell into the emperor's hands. This defeat, which has been aserimal to treason. and was perhaps as much to this cause as to weakness, finished tne war. The object of the league, the guaranty of the liberty of religion to the Protestants, was subsequently effected by Maurice, now elector or Saxony, who, by a brilliant feat of diplomacy and generalship, compelled the emperor to grant the treaty of Passau (July 31, 1552), by which this freedom was secured.