Battle of Prague: A Prussian army fights an Austrian army in Prague during the Seven Years' War.

The Battle of Prague, also known to some as the Battle of Štěrboholy, unfolded on a tense 6th of May in 1757. This pivotal engagement was a significant chapter in the broader conflict known as the Third Silesian War, which itself was an integral theatre of the global Seven Years' War. It saw the formidable Prussian forces under King Frederick the Great confront the Austrian army, leading to a tactical victory for the Prussians, yet one bought at a very high and ultimately strategic cost.

The Broader Canvas: The Seven Years' War

To fully appreciate the Battle of Prague, one must understand its place within the vast tapestry of the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), a conflict often considered the first true global war. In Europe, the primary antagonist was the Third Silesian War, essentially a continuation of the struggle between Prussia and Austria over the resource-rich province of Silesia, which Frederick had seized from Empress Maria Theresa in earlier conflicts. For Frederick, the 1757 campaign was designed to deliver a decisive blow against Austria, ideally forcing them to the negotiating table by capturing their capital, Prague. His strategic vision was to preemptively strike Austrian forces before their allies, particularly France and Russia, could fully mobilize and join the fray.

The Clash on the Fields of Bohemia

Frederick the Great, renowned for his aggressive and innovative military tactics, led a Prussian army numbering approximately 64,000 seasoned soldiers into Bohemia. Their objective was clear: engage and defeat the Austrian forces under Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine and Field Marshal Maximilian Ulysses Browne before they could adequately defend Prague. On May 6, 1757, the two armies met just east of Prague, near the village of Štěrboholy, giving rise to the battle's alternative name. The Prussians, employing their characteristic oblique order of battle, launched a series of determined assaults. Despite initial difficulties navigating the marshy terrain and facing fierce Austrian resistance, the disciplined Prussian infantry and cavalry eventually managed to outflank and overwhelm sections of the Austrian line. Prince Charles of Lorraine’s 61,000-strong army fought bravely, but after hours of intense combat, they were ultimately compelled to retreat, seeking refuge within the formidable walls of Prague itself.

A Pyrrhic Triumph and Unfulfilled Ambitions

While the Battle of Prague was undeniably a Prussian victory in that the Austrians were forced from the field and driven into the city, the cost was staggering. Frederick's forces suffered appallingly high casualties, losing approximately 14,300 men killed, wounded, or captured. This represented nearly a quarter of his entire army – a devastating blow for a professional force of its size. The Austrian losses, though also significant at around 8,900 men, were proportionally less debilitating given their initial defensive posture and eventual retreat into a fortified city. Reflecting on these heavy losses, Frederick the Great, despite having routed his enemy, made the crucial decision that his army was simply not strong enough to effectively besiege the well-defended city of Prague. The initial strategic objective of capturing the Austrian capital, which would have been a crowning achievement for Prussia, had to be abandoned. Instead, the Prussians initiated a siege, which would subsequently be lifted after their defeat at the Battle of Kolín just a month later, demonstrating the fragile nature of this costly victory.

Echoes in Literature: Gottfried August Bürger's Lenore

Beyond its immediate historical impact, the Battle of Prague found a curious and lasting place in German cultural consciousness through literature. It is specifically mentioned in the renowned German ballad Lenore, penned in 1773 by the poet Gottfried August Bürger. This gothic ballad, a masterpiece of German Romanticism, tells the chilling tale of a young woman named Lenore awaiting her lover, Wilhelm, who is away fighting in the Seven Years' War. Her desperation and eventual pact with a ghostly rider are set against the backdrop of contemporary military conflicts. The ballad’s lines, referring to soldiers returning from the Battle of Prague, root its fantastical narrative in a tangible historical moment, bringing a touch of realism to its supernatural horror and forever linking the battle to this iconic piece of German literature.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Battle of Prague (1757)

What was the primary objective of Frederick the Great at the Battle of Prague?
Frederick's main goal was to achieve a decisive victory against the Austrian army and then capture Prague, the capital of Bohemia, in an attempt to force Austria out of the Seven Years' War and secure Prussia's hold on Silesia.
Why is the battle sometimes called the Battle of Štěrboholy?
The battle took place near the village of Štěrboholy, just east of Prague. This alternative name highlights the specific geographical location where the main fighting occurred.
What was the outcome of the battle for the Prussian army?
The Prussians achieved a tactical victory, forcing the Austrian army to retreat into Prague. However, this victory came at an extremely high cost, with nearly a quarter of Frederick's army becoming casualties.
Why did Frederick the Great not proceed with attacking Prague after his victory?
Despite winning the field, Frederick concluded that his army had suffered too many casualties (over 14,000 men) to launch an effective assault or sustained siege against the heavily fortified city of Prague. His forces were too depleted for such an ambitious undertaking.
How is the Battle of Prague connected to German literature?
The battle is famously mentioned in Gottfried August Bürger's 1773 gothic ballad Lenore. The ballad, a significant work of German Romanticism, uses the return of soldiers from the Battle of Prague as a historical backdrop for its supernatural narrative.