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| − | '''Daniel Rantzau''' (1529 – 11 November 1569) was a |
+ | '''Daniel Rantzau''' (1529 – 11 November 1569) was a Danish-German [[general]] who was known for his leadership in the [[Northern Seven Years' War]]. A distant relative of [[Johan Rantzau]], Daniel Rantzau was raised in Holstein, and received a solid academic education but preferred a military career. For some years, he fought in Germany and Italy, and also took part in the Danish conquest of [[Dithmarschen]] in 1559. Rantzau also seems to have been a clear pro-war spokesman before the outbreak of the [[Northern Seven Years' War]] with Sweden in 1563. |
==The Northern Seven Years' War== |
==The Northern Seven Years' War== |
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At the start of this war, Rantzau was a sub-commander with the rank of colonel but he distinguished himself in some minor struggles during the first fruitless years. In 1565, he was promoted to [[commander-in-chief]], but his position was weak at the start due to a lack of results on the battlefield. In December of the same year, however, Rantzau defeated the Swedish army at [[Battle of Axtorna|Axtorna]], an event which strengthened his position. During the following years, he successfully ravaged Swedish areas and established himself as the most able Danish military leader in spite of the lack of a breakthrough. However, a standing conflict about the pay of the soldiers created serious friction between the Danish noble officers and [[Peder Oxe]], the Steward of the Realm. |
At the start of this war, Rantzau was a sub-commander with the rank of colonel but he distinguished himself in some minor struggles during the first fruitless years. In 1565, he was promoted to [[commander-in-chief]], but his position was weak at the start due to a lack of results on the battlefield. In December of the same year, however, Rantzau defeated the Swedish army at [[Battle of Axtorna|Axtorna]], an event which strengthened his position. During the following years, he successfully ravaged Swedish areas and established himself as the most able Danish military leader in spite of the lack of a breakthrough. However, a standing conflict about the pay of the soldiers created serious friction between the Danish noble officers and [[Peder Oxe]], the Steward of the Realm. |
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| − | From 1567 to 1568, Rantzau carried off what is still considered his main military exploit, his "''Winter Campaign''" through Sweden. During the campaign, he defeated some minor Swedish armies and after having given up an attack on |
+ | From 1567 to 1568, Rantzau carried off what is still considered his main military exploit, his "''Winter Campaign''" through Sweden. During the campaign, he defeated some minor Swedish armies and after having given up an attack on Stockholm, saved his whole army during a risky but successful retreat. The campaign had no real military results but shook the Swedish defense. In November 1569, during an attack on Swedish-occupied Scandinavian castle of Varberg, Rantzau was killed by a cannonball that crushed his head (or so legend holds). |
==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
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*''Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon'', vol. 19, 1925. |
*''Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon'', vol. 19, 1925. |
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| − | {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| − | | NAME = Rantzau, Daniel |
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| − | | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| − | | SHORT DESCRIPTION = Danish military officer |
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| − | | DATE OF BIRTH = 1529 |
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| − | | PLACE OF BIRTH = |
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| − | | DATE OF DEATH = 11 November 1569 |
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| − | | PLACE OF DEATH = |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rantzau, Daniel}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rantzau, Daniel}} |
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[[Category:1569 deaths]] |
[[Category:1569 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Danish military personnel killed in action]] |
[[Category:Danish military personnel killed in action]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:57, 5 April 2020
Daniel Rantzau
Daniel Rantzau (1529 – 11 November 1569) was a Danish-German general who was known for his leadership in the Northern Seven Years' War. A distant relative of Johan Rantzau, Daniel Rantzau was raised in Holstein, and received a solid academic education but preferred a military career. For some years, he fought in Germany and Italy, and also took part in the Danish conquest of Dithmarschen in 1559. Rantzau also seems to have been a clear pro-war spokesman before the outbreak of the Northern Seven Years' War with Sweden in 1563.
The Northern Seven Years' War
At the start of this war, Rantzau was a sub-commander with the rank of colonel but he distinguished himself in some minor struggles during the first fruitless years. In 1565, he was promoted to commander-in-chief, but his position was weak at the start due to a lack of results on the battlefield. In December of the same year, however, Rantzau defeated the Swedish army at Axtorna, an event which strengthened his position. During the following years, he successfully ravaged Swedish areas and established himself as the most able Danish military leader in spite of the lack of a breakthrough. However, a standing conflict about the pay of the soldiers created serious friction between the Danish noble officers and Peder Oxe, the Steward of the Realm.
From 1567 to 1568, Rantzau carried off what is still considered his main military exploit, his "Winter Campaign" through Sweden. During the campaign, he defeated some minor Swedish armies and after having given up an attack on Stockholm, saved his whole army during a risky but successful retreat. The campaign had no real military results but shook the Swedish defense. In November 1569, during an attack on Swedish-occupied Scandinavian castle of Varberg, Rantzau was killed by a cannonball that crushed his head (or so legend holds).
Legacy
Today, although quite overshadowed by his relative Johan Rantzau in public memory, Daniel Rantzau is considered the more brilliant tactician of the two. Military historians in general regard him as one of the few first-rate military leaders of the war from 1563-70.
Literature
- Dansk Biografisk Leksikon, vol. 11, 1982.
- Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon, vol. 19, 1925.
The original article can be found at Daniel Rantzau and the edit history here.