Franz Freiherr von der Trenck

Who was Franz Freiherr von der Trenck?

Baron Franz von der Trenck was an Austrian soldier.

Trenck was born into a military family on 1 January 1711, in Reggio in south Italy, where his father Ivan Trenk served as an Austrian officer. Although born in Italy, Trenk was actually a Prussian with Austrian citizenship, and with large estates in Croatia, more precisely Slavonia. He spent his childhood mostly in Italy, Croatia and Hungary, which was not unusual since his father's job required frequent relocation. He was educated by the Jesuits at Oedenburg, and entered the Imperial army in 1728 but resigned in disgrace three years later and decided to live peacefully in Požega, Slavonia. He married and lived on his estate for a few years. Upon the death of his wife who had perished in the black plague of 1737, he offered to raise an irregular corps of pandurs for service against the Turks, but this offer was refused, after which he entered the Russian army as a mercenary. But after serving against the Turks for a short time as captain and major of cavalry he was accused of bad conduct, brutality and disobedience and condemned to death. Despite showing insubordination he had gained popularity for defying an order to retreat.