Alexander von Spaen

Deceased Person

1619 – 1692

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Who was Alexander von Spaen?

Alexander Freiherr von Spaen was a Generalfeldmarschall of Brandenburg-Prussia.

Spaen was born in the Duchy of Cleves as the son of Bernhard von Spaen, the lord of Kreuzfort.

By 1650, Spaen served as a Landdrost, a government councillor, and an Oberst, and he became the leader of a cavalry regiment the following year. In 1654 he captured Dietrich Karl zu Wylich-Winnenthal, the leader of an uprising against Elector Frederick William, and brought him to Spandau. Spaen led Prussia's Horse Guards during the Northern Wars, participating in the Battle of Warsaw. The colonel was restationed on the Lower Rhine in 1656. He became commander of Kalkar on 27 May 1657 and was promoted to Generalmajor the following year. On 25 May 1661, Spaen received the title Freiherr from the Holy Roman Emperor.

From 1672-79, Spaen was a leader in Brandenburg-Prussia's campaigns against Sweden and France. He participated in the sieges of Wesel, Werl, Anklam, and Stettin, becoming Governor of Wesel and Generalleutnant in 1675. Four years later Spaen became a member of the Privy Council and Government President of Cleves and the County of Mark. He became Master of Ordinance on 1 December 1688.

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Born
Jan 14, 1619
Kranenburg
Nationality
  • Germany
Died
Oct 23, 1692
Kleve

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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