By 1627 "Christian IV" had de facto dismissed his cousin "John Frederick" from the Bremian See. In the same year "Christian IV" withdrew from the Prince-Archbishopric, in order to fight "Wallenstein's" invasion of his Duchy of Holstein. "Tilly" then invaded the Prince-Archbishopric and captured its southern parts. The city of Bremen shut its city gates and entrenched behind its improved fortifications. In 1628 "Tilly" beleaguered "Stade" with its remaining garrison of 3,500 Danish and English soldiers. On May 5, 1628 "Tilly" granted them safe-conduct to England and Denmark and the whole Prince-Archbishopric was in his hands. Now "Tilly" turned to the city of Bremen, which paid him a ransom of 10,000 rixdollars in order to spare its siege. The city remained unoccupied.