Wilhelm, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg (9 January 1724 – 10 September 1777), born Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Graf zu Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg, was a ruler of the County of Schaumburg-Lippe-Bückeburg, and an important military commander in the Seven Years' War.
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He was born in London the son Albrecht Wolfgang, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe and his first wife Countess Margarete Gertrud of Oeynhausen (1701–1726), a daughter of George I of Great Britain and his mistress Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg.
He accompanied his father in his campaign in Dutch service during the War of Austrian Succession, and was present at the Battle of Dettingen. He then fought in Austrian service in their Italian campaign. He succeeded his father as Count on the 25 October 1748.
As Count he sided with Prussia during the Seven Years' War. He distinguished himself at the head of the allied artillery during the Battle of Minden, and was rewarded with the overall command of the allied artillery.
In 1762 he led, at the request of the Marquis of Pombal the allied troops in Portugal against the Spanish invasion. William conducted a brilliant defensive campaign of marches and counter-marches, so that the enemy, although three-to-one superior in numbers, were always confronted by defenders in a good position and never dared to risk an all-out attack. At the request of Pombal, Lippe stayed on for a year after the peace agreement to rebuild and train the Portuguese army to a more professional standard.
He was also an influential military theorist, an advocate of defensive warfare. One of best-known citations is : "Kein anderer als der Defensivkrieg ist rechtmäßig!" ("Only defensive warfare is justified!")
He died at Wölpinghausen and was succeeded by his cousin the count of Lippe-Alverdissen, Philipp II. Ernst. As one of the greatest figures in German history, he is commemorated by a bust in the Walhalla temple.
He was married on the 12 November 1765 at Stadthagen to Countess Marie Barbara Eleonore of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1744–1776). They had two children:
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William, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe
Born: 9 January 1724 Died: 10 September 1777 |
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| Preceded by Albrecht Wolfgang |
Count of Schaumburg-Lippe 1748–1777 |
Succeeded by Philipp II |