Gustav Horn, Count of Pori
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| Count Gustav Horn af Björneborg | |
|---|---|
| October 22, 1592 - May 10, 1657 | |
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| Place of birth |  Örbyhus Castle, Uppland |
| Allegiance |  Sweden |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Thirty Years' War Battle of Breitenfeld Torstenson War |
Count Gustav Horn (October 22, 1592 – May 10, 1657) was a Swedish soldier and politician.
He was born of the Swedish noble family Horn of Kankas, and was appointed member of the Royal Council in 1625, Field Marshal in 1628, Governor General of Livonia in 1652 and Lord High Constable since 1653. In the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), he was instrumental as a commander in securing victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld, in 1631. In 1651, queen Christina created Gustav Count of Björneborg.
He married Kristina Oxenstierna (1609–1631), daughter of Count Axel Oxenstierna, the Chancellor, in 1628, and fathered countess Agneta Horn (1629–1672), his heiress, who married baron Lars Cruus of Gudhem, Lord of Harviala.
In 1643 he married his second wife Sigrid Bielke (born 1620), and fathered two more daughters: countess Eva Horn and countess Hedvig Lovisa Horn.
Gustav Horn (22 October 1592 - 10 May 1657) was born as youngest son of field marshal Carl Horn and Agneta von Dellwig, while his father was imprisoned in the Örbyhus castle, after the defeat against Russians.
High Councillor of the realm since 1625, elevated to rank of field marshal 1628, sometime commander-in-chief in Germany during Thirty Years' War, Governor-General of Livonia 1652, President of War department and Lord High Constable 1653
Young lord Gustav Horn studied extensively in European universities, and then took part in war against Russia. He studied military sciences under prince Maurice of Orange in the Netherlands.
As colonel, Gustav Horn took part in siege of Riga in 1621 and was seriously wounded. He led troops which conquered Tartu in Livonian Estonia. With baron Johan De La Gardie, he led defence of Livonia against Poland in late 1620s. Already at the age of 35, he was elevated to the rank of field marshal, by king Gustav II Adolf.
When the king decided to join the war in Germany (1630), he appointed Gustav Horn as his nearest man. At the battle of Breitenfeld in 1631, Horn commanded the left wing, against which the Saxon army fought. Saxons were driven to flee, and Horn next attacked Tilly's troops which were fighting against the center troops, led by the king. Horn was given great merit of the great victory.
Next Horn led troops in Upper Franconia (among others, conquered Mergentheim, the town of the Teutonic Order, and bishopric of Bamberg), then to Bavaria with the king. Horn was sent to lead troops in Rhineland, where he occupied Koblenz and Trier, and even continued to Swabia.
After the death of king Gustav II Adolf in November 1632, field marshal Horn and general John Banér were appointed to the overall command in Germany. Gustav Horn's father-in-law the Chancellor Oxenstierna, took the leadership of the civil government.
When Horn had to combine his troops with those of Bernhard of Weimar, all their co-operation failed, and they were given separate directions.
After Wallenstein's death 1634, Horn took some areas in Swabia. Then the battle of Nördlingen was lost, when Horn and Weimar both were in command. Gustav Horn was taken prisoner by Austrians. Only in 1642, he was exchanged, against three imperial generals. Horn got appointment as Vice President of War department of the government.
During the war against Denmark 1644, Gustav Horn led the attack to Skåne and conquered the whole province, except towns of Malmö and Kristianstad. Malmö's besieging did not had results until the Treaty of Brömsebro stopped that war. Skåne's conquest became called as "the Horn War"
1651 he received Pori as his county and the castle of Marienborg, already earlier donated to him, was erected into a barony. Horn served then as Governor-General in Livonia, and as Lord High Constable of the "empire", becoming thus Lord President of the War Department.
When the war against Poland was started in 1655, Gustav Horn was to lead the defence in the mother country, while attack forces went to Poland.
Gustav Horn was one of the most capable of Gustav II Adolf's military commanders, and also an able administrator. His particular skills were in arranging defences for several sorts of situations. He also maintained relatively strict discipline, so his troops did not plunder and pillage as much as others.
