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 The grave monument for Moritz, Graf von Sachsen (Maurice de Saxe) at the St.-Thomas church, Strasbourg (detail). Picture by Androom (16 Aug 2003) |
Moritz, Graf von Sachsen |
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BORN 28 Oct 1696, Goslar, Niedersachsen - DIED 30 Nov 1750, Chambord, Val-de-Loire: Château de Chambord GRAVE LOCATION Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin: Église Saint-Thomas, Rue Martin Luther |
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Moritz von Sachsen (Maurice de Saxe) was a natural son of August II, king of Poland and Elector of Saxony. Moritz started his military career under Eugène of Savoy in 1709/1710 when he was only twelve years old. In 1711 his father made him Duke of Saxony. In 1719 he took service in the French army and in 1726 he was elected duke of Courland. He was close to marrying the future empress Anna Ivanovna of Russia, but Russian and Polish opposition prevented this. During the war for Polish Succession in 1733-1735 he fought for France against Saxony. Back in France he wrote on military life in "Mes rêveries" (also published as "Reveries upon the Art of War"). He captured Prague in 1741 during the war of Austrian Succession and in 1744 he was made a marshall of France. In 1745 he defeated the allied troops led by Cumberland at Fontenoy after a very bloody fight between armies of circa 50,000 soldiers each. In 1746 he captured Brussels from the Austrians and in 1748 Maastricht. Afterwards he retired to the royal chateau of Chambord where he died in 1750. Events |
| 26/11/1741 | The French troops under Maurice de Saxe capture Prague by surprise. The French fought together with Bavaria against the Austrians. Maurice de Saxe led a surprise operation during the night. They managed to enter the city before the garrison was aware of an attack. After opening the city gate their cavalry rode in and the defenders surrendered. |
| 11/5/1745 | Batttle of Fontenay: The French army led by Maurice de Saxe defeats the Allies led by Duke of Cumberland. The armies consisted both of circa 50,000 men. The French lost 7,000 to 8,000 men and the Allies, consisting of British, Austrian and Hanoverian troops, between 7,400 and 12,000. It was the bloodiest battle since Malplaquet in 1709 and it didn't end the war. |
| 22/2/1746 | The French under Maurice de Saxe capture Brussels. During the War of the Austrian Succession a siege of Brussels took place in January and February 1746. The French made two breaches in the walls of the city and the Austrian garnison surrended. |
| Images |
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The grave monument for Moritz, Graf von Sachsen (Maurice de Saxe) at the St.-Thomas church, Strasbourg (detail). Picture by Androom (16 Aug 2003) |
Sources • Battle of Fontenoy - Wikipedia (EN) • Battle of Prague (1741) - Wikipedia (EN) • Maurice de Saxe - Wikipedia (EN) • Siege of Brussels - Wikipedia (EN) |
