Gustav Horn af Björneborg
Encyclopedia
Count Gustav Horn af Björneborg (October 22, 1592 – May 10, 1657) was a Swedish
/Finnish
soldier and politician. He was the youngest son of Field Marshal Carl Horn and Agneta von Dellwig, born while his father was imprisoned in Örbyhus Castle, after the defeat against the Russians.
He was born of the Finnish noble family Horn of Kankas
, and was appointed member of the Royal Council
in 1625, Field Marshal in 1628, Governor General of Livonia
in 1652 and Lord High Constable
since 1653. In the Thirty Years' War
(1618–1648), he was instrumental as a commander in securing victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld
, in 1631. He was High Councillor of the realm in 1625, elevated to rank of field marshal
in 1628, and sometimes commander-in-chief of Swedish forces in Germany during Thirty Years' War
. After the war, he served as Governor-General of Livonia
1652, President of War department and Lord High Constable in 1653. In 1651, Queen Christina
created him Count of Pori
.
He married Kristina Oxenstierna (1609–1631), daughter of Count Axel Oxenstierna
, the Chancellor, in 1628, and fathered countess Agneta Horn
(1629–1672), his heiress, who married baron Lars Cruus of Gudhem, Lord of Harviala
. In 1643 he married his second wife Sigrid Bielke (born 1620), and fathered two more daughters: countess Eva Horn and countess Hedvig Lovisa Horn.
.
As colonel, Gustav Horn took part in siege of Riga
in 1621 and was seriously wounded. He led troops which conquered Tartu
in Livonian Estonia
. With baron Johan De La Gardie
, he led defense of Livonia against Poland
in late 1620s. Already at the age of 35, he was elevated to the rank of field marshal, by king Gustav II Adolf, also known as Gustavus Adolphus.
in 1631, Horn prevented the Imperial force, under Tilly
, from flanking the main body of the Swedish army after their Saxon allies fled the field. Next Horn led troops in Upper (southern) Franconia
and conquered, among others, Mergentheim, the town of the Teutonic Order, and bishopric of Bamberg
), then to Bavaria
with the king. Horn was sent to lead troops in Rhineland
, where he occupied Koblenz
and Trier
, and even continued to Swabia
.
After the death of king Gustav II Adolf in the field at Lützen in November 1632, field marshal Horn and general John Banér were appointed to the overall command for Swedish forces in Germany. Gustav Horn's father-in-law, the Chancellor Oxenstierna, took the leadership of the civil government.
When Horn had to combine his troops with those of Bernhard of Weimar, all their co-operation failed, and they were given separate directions.
After Wallenstein's death 1634, Horn took some areas in Swabia: in spring 1634, his troops were unsuccessful in taking the imperial city of Überlingen
, which would have been a rich and valuable prize. In late August/early September 1634, his forces, and those of Bernard of Saxony, were crushed at the battle of Nördlingen
by combined Habsburg and Spanish forces. Horn was taken prisoner and held by Catholic army in Burghausen Castle
until 1642. He was exchanged for three imperial generals.
in 1644, Gustav Horn led the attack to Skåne and conquered the whole province, except towns of Malmö
and Kristianstad
. Malmö's besieging
did not have results until the Treaty of Brömsebro stopped that war. Skåne's conquest became called as "the Horn War."
In 1651 he received Pori
as his county
and the castle of Marienborg, already earlier donated to him, was erected into a barony. Horn served then as Governor-General
in Livonia, and as Lord High Constable of the "empire", becoming thus Lord President of the War Department.
When the war against Poland was started in 1655, Gustav Horn directed the defense of Sweden, while offensive forces went to Poland.
commander
s, and also an able administrator. His particular skills were in arranging defence
s for several sorts of situations. He also maintained relatively strict discipline
, so his troops did not plunder and pillage as much as others.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
/Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
soldier and politician. He was the youngest son of Field Marshal Carl Horn and Agneta von Dellwig, born while his father was imprisoned in Örbyhus Castle, after the defeat against the Russians.
He was born of the Finnish noble family Horn of Kankas
Horn of Kankas
The Kankas noble family, otherwise known as Horn, is a noble family from Finland of medieval frälse.Its first known member, Olof Mattsson, was documented between 1381 and 1415, having a seat in Halikko, near the present town of Salo. His seal featured the figure of a drinking horn. The family...
, and was appointed member of the Royal Council
Privy Council of Sweden
The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
in 1625, Field Marshal in 1628, Governor General of Livonia
Swedish Livonia
- Swedish infantry and cavalry regiments:Infantry regiments:* Garnisonsregementet i Riga * Guvenörsregementet i Riga * Livländsk infanteribataljon I...
in 1652 and Lord High Constable
Privy Council of Sweden
The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm consisted originally of those men of noble, common and clergical background, that the king saw fit for advisory service...
since 1653. In the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
(1618–1648), he was instrumental as a commander in securing victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld
Battle of Breitenfeld (1631)
The Battle of Breitenfeld or First Battle of Breitenfeld , was fought at the crossroads villages of Breitenfeld , Podelwitz , and Seehausen , approximately five miles northwest of the walled city of Leipzig on September 17 , or September 7 The Battle of Breitenfeld or First Battle of Breitenfeld...
, in 1631. He was High Councillor of the realm in 1625, elevated to rank of field marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
in 1628, and sometimes commander-in-chief of Swedish forces in Germany during Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. After the war, he served as Governor-General of Livonia
Livonia
Livonia is a historic region along the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. It was once the land of the Finnic Livonians inhabiting the principal ancient Livonian County Metsepole with its center at Turaida...
1652, President of War department and Lord High Constable in 1653. In 1651, Queen Christina
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
created him Count of Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
.
He married Kristina Oxenstierna (1609–1631), daughter of Count Axel Oxenstierna
Axel Oxenstierna
Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna af Södermöre , Count of Södermöre, was a Swedish statesman. He became a member of the Swedish Privy Council in 1609 and served as Lord High Chancellor of Sweden from 1612 until his death. He was a confidant of first Gustavus Adolphus and then Queen Christina.Oxenstierna...
, the Chancellor, in 1628, and fathered countess Agneta Horn
Agneta Horn
Agneta Horn was a Swedish writer and noblewoman. She was the daughter of Gustav Horn, Count of Björneborg and the granddaughter of Axel Oxenstierna. During her life, she wrote an autobiography which provides unique insight into the Swedish Empire era...
(1629–1672), his heiress, who married baron Lars Cruus of Gudhem, Lord of Harviala
Lordship of Harviala
Lordship of the Manor of Harviala was a medieval frälse possession in Finland.-Property:Harviala has been an immense property in Southern Häme in Finland. The manor and the seat of lordship were in Vanaja....
. In 1643 he married his second wife Sigrid Bielke (born 1620), and fathered two more daughters: countess Eva Horn and countess Hedvig Lovisa Horn.
Education and Early Military Career
Young lord Gustav Horn studied extensively in European universities, and then took part in war against Russia. He studied military sciences under prince Maurice of Orange in the NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
As colonel, Gustav Horn took part in siege of Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
in 1621 and was seriously wounded. He led troops which conquered Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
in Livonian Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. With baron Johan De La Gardie
De la Gardie
De la Gardie, occasionally de la Gardie , is a Swedish noble family of French origin. The family's social status in France before the migration to Sweden is uncertain, they were possibly of lower gentry or bourgeoisie...
, he led defense of Livonia against Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
in late 1620s. Already at the age of 35, he was elevated to the rank of field marshal, by king Gustav II Adolf, also known as Gustavus Adolphus.
Command of Swedish Forces in the Thirty Years War
When the king decided to join the war in Germany (1630), he appointed Gustav Horn as his second in command. At the battle of BreitenfeldBattle of Breitenfeld (1631)
The Battle of Breitenfeld or First Battle of Breitenfeld , was fought at the crossroads villages of Breitenfeld , Podelwitz , and Seehausen , approximately five miles northwest of the walled city of Leipzig on September 17 , or September 7 The Battle of Breitenfeld or First Battle of Breitenfeld...
in 1631, Horn prevented the Imperial force, under Tilly
Tilly
Tilly may refer to:People* James Tilly Matthews, the first fully documented case of paranoid schizophrenia* Charles Tilly, sociologist* Jacques Louis François Delaistre de Tilly, French general in the Napoleonic Wars* Jennifer Tilly, actress, poker player...
, from flanking the main body of the Swedish army after their Saxon allies fled the field. Next Horn led troops in Upper (southern) Franconia
Franconia
Franconia is a region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria, a small part of southern Thuringia, and a region in northeastern Baden-Württemberg called Tauberfranken...
and conquered, among others, Mergentheim, the town of the Teutonic Order, and bishopric of Bamberg
Bamberg
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
), then to Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
with the king. Horn was sent to lead troops in Rhineland
Rhineland
Historically, the Rhinelands refers to a loosely-defined region embracing the land on either bank of the River Rhine in central Europe....
, where he occupied Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
and Trier
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
, and even continued to Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
.
After the death of king Gustav II Adolf in the field at Lützen in November 1632, field marshal Horn and general John Banér were appointed to the overall command for Swedish forces in Germany. Gustav Horn's father-in-law, the Chancellor Oxenstierna, took the leadership of the civil government.
When Horn had to combine his troops with those of Bernhard of Weimar, all their co-operation failed, and they were given separate directions.
After Wallenstein's death 1634, Horn took some areas in Swabia: in spring 1634, his troops were unsuccessful in taking the imperial city of Überlingen
Überlingen
Überlingen is a city on the northern shore of Lake Constance . After the city of Friedrichshafen, it is the second largest city in the Bodenseekreis , and a central point for the outlying communities...
, which would have been a rich and valuable prize. In late August/early September 1634, his forces, and those of Bernard of Saxony, were crushed at the battle of Nördlingen
Battle of Nördlingen (1634)
The Battle of Nördlingen was fought on 27 August or 6 September , 1634 during the Thirty Years' War. The Roman Catholic Imperial army, bolstered by 18,000 Spanish and Italian soldiers, won a crushing victory over the combined Protestant armies of Sweden and their German-Protestant allies .After...
by combined Habsburg and Spanish forces. Horn was taken prisoner and held by Catholic army in Burghausen Castle
Burghausen Castle
The Burghausen Castle in Burghausen, Upper Bavaria is the longest castle complex in Europe .-History:The castle hill was already settled in the Bronze Age. The castle was transferred to the Wittelsbachs after the death of the last count of Burghausen Gebhard II in 1168...
until 1642. He was exchanged for three imperial generals.
Later career
Following his exchange, Horn received his appointment as Vice President of War department of the government. During the war against DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
in 1644, Gustav Horn led the attack to Skåne and conquered the whole province, except towns of Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
and Kristianstad
Kristianstad
Kristianstad is a city and the seat of Kristianstad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 35,711 inhabitants in 2010.-History:The city was founded in 1614 by King Christian IV of Denmark, the city's name literally means 'Town of Christian', as a planned city after the burning of the town of Vä...
. Malmö's besieging
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
did not have results until the Treaty of Brömsebro stopped that war. Skåne's conquest became called as "the Horn War."
In 1651 he received Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
as his county
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
and the castle of Marienborg, already earlier donated to him, was erected into a barony. Horn served then as Governor-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
in Livonia, and as Lord High Constable of the "empire", becoming thus Lord President of the War Department.
When the war against Poland was started in 1655, Gustav Horn directed the defense of Sweden, while offensive forces went to Poland.
Legacy
Gustav Horn was one of the most capable of Gustav II Adolf's militaryMilitary
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
s, and also an able administrator. His particular skills were in arranging defence
Defense (military)
Defense has several uses in the sphere of military application.Personal defense implies measures taken by individual soldiers in protecting themselves whether by use of protective materials such as armor, or field construction of trenches or a bunker, or by using weapons that prevent the enemy...
s for several sorts of situations. He also maintained relatively strict discipline
Discipline
In its original sense, discipline is referred to systematic instruction given to disciples to train them as students in a craft or trade, or to follow a particular code of conduct or "order". Often, the phrase "to discipline" carries a negative connotation. This is because enforcement of order –...
, so his troops did not plunder and pillage as much as others.