Nicholas Taaffe, 6th Viscount Taaffe facts for kids

Nicholas Taaffe (around 1685 – 30 December 1769) was an important Irish soldier and courtier. He served the Habsburgs, a powerful European family, in areas like Lorraine and Austria. He rose to become a Feldmarschall, which is a very high military rank, like a Field Marshal. He was also known as the 6th Viscount Taaffe and 6th Baron of Ballymote.

Early Life and Family Roots

Nicholas Taaffe was born in Crean's Castle in County Sligo, Ireland. His family, the Taaffes, were first mentioned in Irish history records way back in 1284. Their main home, Smarmore Castle in County Louth, had been in the family since 1320. Nicholas grew up as a Roman Catholic.

He was the son of Francis Taaffe and Anna Maria Crean. He was also a second cousin to the 5th Viscount Taaffe. Nicholas received his education in the Duchy of Lorraine, a region in Europe. Later, he became the chancellor for Duke Leopold of Lorraine. Duke Leopold was the father of Francis I, who would later become a Holy Roman Emperor.

A Distinguished Military Career

Nicholas Taaffe joined the Habsburg Army, which was the army of the Austrian Empire. He fought in several important wars and battles.

He served in campaigns against France between 1734 and 1735. He also took part in the Turkish War from 1736 to 1739. During this war, he was present at battles like Fort St. Elizabeth, Pallesch, and the Battle of Semlin.

In 1738, he inherited the title of Viscount Taaffe. The next year, in 1739, he was promoted to Major-General. He also fought in the Silesian Wars against Prussia. He showed great bravery and skill, even when he was around 72 years old. In 1757, he helped Marshal Daun win a big victory against Frederick the Great at the Kolin.

Nicholas Taaffe was also a Chamberlain, which is a high-ranking official, for Emperor Charles VII and later for Empress Maria Theresa.

New Home and Legacy

During the time of Queen Anne, Nicholas Taaffe lost his family lands in Ireland. This happened because of old laws called the Act of 1703. These laws made it difficult for Catholics to own land. A Protestant relative claimed his estates, leading to a long legal fight.

Eventually, the case was settled. His estates were sold, and Nicholas received one-third of the money. With this money, he bought a castle called Ellischau (now Nalžovy) in Bohemia. He had also inherited other properties in the Habsburg lands.

He became a citizen of Bohemia. He wrote that he chose to become an Austrian citizen because he wanted to protect his family. He did not want his children to feel pressured to become Protestants to avoid the strict Penal Laws.

Nicholas Taaffe had a very successful career in the Habsburg Army. He eventually reached the highest military rank, Feldmarschall (Field Marshal). Empress Maria Theresa also made him a Graf von Taaffe (Count of Taaffe).

He is also remembered for something else: he is said to have introduced the growing of potatoes to Silesia in 1763.