Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Schomberg
|
|
|---|---|
_(attributed_to)_-_Meinhard_Schomberg_(1641%E2%80%931719),_Duke_of_Leinster_and_3rd_Duke_of_Schomberg_-_1220970_-_National_Trust.jpg) |
|
| Commander-in-Chief of the Forces | |
| In office 1691–1691 |
|
| Monarch | William III |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Marlborough |
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Marlborough |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1641 Cologne, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 16 July 1719 (aged 78) Hillingdon, Middlesex |
| Spouses | Barbara Luisa Rizzi (m. 1667) Raugravine Caroline Elisabeth (m. 1682) |
| Children | 4, including Charles and Frederica |
| Parents | Frederick Schomberg, 1st Duke of Schomberg Johanna Elizabeth de Schomberg |
| Profession | Military officer |
| Awards | Knight of the Garter |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  England (1689–1707) Great Britain (1707–1719) |
| Branch/service |  English Army (1689–1707) British Army (1707–1719) |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | |
General Meinhardt Schomberg, 3rd Duke of Schomberg, 1st Duke of Leinster, also known as a Knight of the Garter, was an important military officer. He was born on 30 June 1641 and passed away on 16 July 1719. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in 1691. Meinhardt Schomberg spent most of his military career working for King William III. He fought in several major conflicts, including the Portuguese Restoration War, the Franco-Dutch War, the Williamite War in Ireland, and the War of the Spanish Succession.
Contents
A Life of Military Service
Early Years and French Service
Meinhardt Schomberg was the son of Frederick Schomberg, 1st Duke of Schomberg. His father came from a family of Huguenots, who were French Protestants. Meinhardt followed in his father's footsteps and joined the English army helping Portugal. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant-colonel and then a colonel.
Later, he and his father moved to La Rochelle in France, and Meinhardt became a French citizen. During the Franco-Dutch War in 1678, he became a brigadier and then a major general. He fought in several battles under a famous French commander named Marshal François de Créquy. After his time in France, he also served as a cavalry general under Frederick William, who was the Elector of Brandenburg.
Service in England and Ireland
In 1689, Meinhardt Schomberg moved to England. He was given command of a cavalry regiment and became a general of the horse in 1690.
He then joined his father in the Williamite War in Ireland. This war was fought against the Jacobite Irish Army, who supported the former King James II. Meinhardt's father, Frederick Schomberg, was the second-in-command of King William's army.
The Battle of the Boyne
Meinhardt Schomberg played a key role in the famous Battle of the Boyne in July 1690. He led the right side of King William's army. He also led a very important crossing of the River Boyne at a place called Roughgrange. This move surprised the Jacobite army and was a turning point in the battle. Even though a Jacobite general named Sir Neil O'Neill fought bravely, Schomberg's actions helped secure a victory for King William.
After the battle, Schomberg chased the retreating Jacobite troops. His regiment did not lose any soldiers during this pursuit. Sadly, Meinhardt's father died during the later stages of this battle. The Battle of the Boyne was a major victory for King William's forces.
Becoming a Duke and Later Years
For his bravery at the Battle of the Boyne, Meinhardt Schomberg was given the title of Duke of Leinster on 30 June 1690. After taking part in an unsuccessful attempt to capture Limerick in August 1690, he officially became a British citizen in April 1691.
In May 1691, he was made Commander-in-Chief of the Forces. This happened while the King was traveling in Flanders. In 1693, Schomberg was put in charge of a planned attack on Saint-Malo, but it did not succeed. In October 1693, his younger brother, Charles Schomberg, died at the Battle of Marsaglia. Because of this, Meinhardt inherited the title of Duke of Schomberg. In 1698, he moved into Schomberg House, a grand new home built for him in London.
Service in Portugal and Disgrace
In 1703, Meinhardt Schomberg was honored with the title of Knight of the Garter. Queen Anne then appointed him to lead the British forces sent to Portugal for the War of the Spanish Succession. However, his time in Portugal was not successful. He allowed a Spanish general to pass by without a fight.
Schomberg also had a very bad temper, which made many people dislike him. Neither Peter II, the King of Portugal, nor Charles, who claimed the Spanish throne, could tolerate his difficult behavior. Because of this, he was sent home in disgrace.
Later Life and Legacy
Meinhardt Schomberg was interested in naval matters and even held a patent for a device to inspect fishing for shipwrecks. In 1717, he had Hillingdon House built to be his hunting lodge. He passed away there on 16 July 1719.
Since he did not have any sons who survived him, most of his titles, including Duke of Schomberg and Duke of Leinster, ended with his death. However, the title of Count of Mértola passed to his daughter.
In 1862, a town in Ontario, Canada, was renamed "Schomberg" to remember the 3rd Duke of Schomberg.
Family Life
Meinhardt Schomberg was married twice. His first marriage was to Barbara Luisa Rizzi in La Rochelle on 3 August 1667. They did not have any children.
On 4 January 1682, Schomberg married for the second time to Raugravine Caroline Elisabeth. She was a daughter of Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine. Together, they had four children:
- Charles Louis Schomberg, Marquess of Harwich (born 15 December 1683 – died 14 October 1713). He passed away from tuberculosis.
- Lady Caroline Schomberg (born 1686 – died 18 June 1710).
- Lady Frederica Schomberg (around 1688–1751). She married twice, first to Robert Darcy, 3rd Earl of Holderness, and then to Benjamin Mildmay, 1st Earl FitzWalter.
- Lady Mary Schomberg (baptized 16 March 1692 – died 29 April 1762). She married Christoph Martin von Degenfeld-Schonburg.
Images for kids
-
Schomberg had Hillingdon House built in 1717 as his hunting lodge.
