Robert Douglas, Count of Skenninge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Count
Robert Douglas
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| Born | 17 March 1611 Traprain Law, Scotland |
| Died | 28 May 1662 (aged 51) Stockholm, Sweden |
| Allegiance | Sweden |
| Years of service | 1630–? |
| Rank | Field marshal |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Wittstock Battle of Chemnitz Battle of Breitenfeld Battle of Jankau Siege of Warsaw |
Robert Douglas (born March 17, 1611 – died May 28, 1662) was a brave Scottish soldier. He became a very important general in the Swedish army. He was known as the Count of Skenninge and Baron of Skalby.
Robert Douglas fought in many big wars, including the Thirty Years' War. He rose through the ranks to become a Field Marshal. He also started the Swedish part of the famous Clan Douglas family.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Robert Douglas was born in Scotland, near a place called Standingstone. His father was Patrick Douglas.
In 1627, when Robert was still young, he went to Sweden. He started working as a page for John Casimir. John Casimir was the brother-in-law of the Swedish King, Gustav II Adolf. This was his first step into a military career.
A Soldier's Journey: Robert Douglas's Career
Many Scottish soldiers joined different armies during the Thirty Years' War. Robert Douglas was one of them. In 1630, Sweden joined this war. Robert Douglas went with the Swedish army to Germany.
Breaking Through Enemy Lines
By 1635, Robert Douglas was a lieutenant colonel. He was in charge of defending a town called Egeln in Saxony. The local ruler had switched sides, making Douglas's position very dangerous. Instead of giving up, Douglas bravely led his men through enemy territory. He managed to get back to Swedish-controlled land with most of his soldiers. This showed how skilled and determined he was.
Leading Cavalry in Battle
The next year, Douglas fought in the Battle of Wittstock. He was now a full colonel and led two groups of cavalry (soldiers on horseback). He played a key part in a famous attack that helped the Swedish army win.
Unlike many other Scottish soldiers, Douglas chose to stay in Sweden's service. He continued to fight in Germany. In 1638, he captured an important enemy commander and his soldiers. He even convinced these captured troops to join his side! They then helped him win the battle of Chemnitz.
Rising Through the Ranks
By 1642, Douglas was serving under Field Marshal Lennart Torstensson. He fought in the Battle of Leipzig, where he was praised for his important role in the victory. Because of his success, Douglas was promoted to major general.
In 1645, at the battle of Jankowitz, Douglas was in charge of the left side of the Swedish army. He commanded many cavalry units, showing how much trust his leaders had in him.
Negotiator and General
In 1646, Douglas was sent to Ulm to help negotiate a ceasefire with Bavaria. This was a temporary peace agreement. He returned to Sweden to report on the talks. For his excellent work as both a soldier and a negotiator, he was promoted again. He became a lieutenant general. He saw his last major action of the Thirty Years' War in May 1648.
After the war ended, Douglas was given the job of dismissing the soldiers around Ulm.
Becoming a Count and Field Marshal
Queen Christina of Sweden recognized Robert Douglas's great service. In 1651, she made him a baron. Then, in 1654, she made him a count. She also made him the kingdom's Lord Master of the Horse in 1652, a very important position.
Douglas continued to serve Sweden in the wars against Poland. He was with King Charles X at the Battle of Warsaw in 1656. On May 13, 1657, the king promoted him to the highest military rank: field marshal.
From 1658 to 1661, he was the military governor of Estonia and Livonia. He also led Swedish forces in capturing other towns. Robert Douglas was given many properties and lands in Sweden as a reward for his loyalty and service.
Douglas Family Legacy
In 1646, Robert Douglas married Hedvig Mörner. They had six sons and one daughter. Three of their sons became officers but did not have children. Their daughter married into the Oxenstierna family.
The Swedish Douglas Line
Their son, Gustaf, was the first of the Douglas family born in Sweden to continue the noble line. He became a Colonel and Governor. The Douglas noble family in Sweden today comes from him.
Robert Douglas's grandson, Count Gustav Otto Douglas, was captured by the Russians in a later war. He then joined the Russian army and became a governor in Finland. Later, in the 1890s, another family member, Count Ludvig Douglas, became Sweden's foreign minister. During World War II, his son, General Archibald Douglas-Stjernorp, was the Chief of the Swedish Army.
Robert Douglas is buried in the Douglas chapel at Vreta Abbey church in Sweden.
