Mansfeld, Peter Ernst (II), Count (1580-1626)

German soldier. He was one of the most important generals in the early years of the Thirty Years' War and supported Frederick V against the Habsburgs. After defeat by Wallenstein in 1625, however, he resigned his command and decided to enter Venetian service. He died on his way there.

He first fought under the Duke of Savoy against the Spaniards. Sent to help the Bohemian rebels in 1619, he took Pilsen and forced Bucquoi out of Bohemia. He then induced the Bohemians to make Frederick V, the Elector Palatine, their king. After the latter was defeated by Imperial forces, Mansfeld held out at Pilsen and Tabor before retreating to the Palatinate in 1621. The following year he ravaged Alsace and, joining forces with Frederick again, attacked both the Bavarians and the Hessians. Entering Belgium and uniting with the Duke of Brunswick, he defeated the Spaniards at Fleurus and entered Westphalia. In 1625 he re-entered Germany but was defeated by Wallenstein and retreated to Brandenburg. The illegitimate child of a Catholic princely family, Mansfeld provides a classic example of the unprincipled mercenary leader of the day.