Alexander von Bournonville

Alexander II Hippolyth Balthasar Comte de Bournonville (since 1658 Duke ) (* 1620, † 1693) was a French officer in the Imperial and Spanish service, who brought it to the Field Marshal and Viceroy.

Family

He came from the old French nobility Bournonville and was the son of Alexander de Bournonville, Count of Henin. This was used by the Spaniards in the Netherlands. As alleged conspirators, he was ostracized and died in Lyon. The mother was Anne de Melun. Alexander II was their fourth son. He married Jeanne d ' Arenberg. With this he had the daughter of Anne Marie Françoise.

Life

He pursued a military career. He served during the Thirty Years' War, the Empire and the Emperor. During the Battle of Nördlingen in 1645 he commanded the troops of the Lower Rhenish-Westphalian Circle Empire. Later he fought against the Swedes and rose to become a general.

After the war he joined in 1649 in the service of Spain. He served under Louis II de Bourbon, prince de Condé, who was Spanish commander at that time. He fought in Chatel, Rocroy and Arras. The town of Conde he defended in 1655 during a four- month long siege. Also Valenciennes was defended by him.

In 1658, he was awarded the title of duke. He was also Captain General of Artois. Together with the Brandenburg Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, he commanded since 1672 during the Dutch War, the imperial troops. He stood against Turenne. In the battle of Enzheim he acted insecure and could not defeat Turenne despite numerical superiority.

In 1676 he was appointed by Emperor Leopold I to field marshal. He also received the temporarily lent named after him cuirassiers.

He came back in 1680 in Spanish services and conquered Sicily in 1678. Later he became viceroy in Catalonia, Navarra and Captain-General of Cantabria.

He was also Spanish and imperial Privy Council, and since 1672 member of the Order of the Golden Fleece.