Henry Francis of Mansfeld

Heinrich Franz von Mansfeld, Prince of Fondi (Bornstedt, November 21, 1640, Vienna, June 18, 1715) was an Austrian diplomat, Field marshal and President of the Hofkriegsrat. Early life Heinrich Franz came from the powerful House of Mansfeld, and was the second son of Count Bruno von Mansfeld (1576-1644) and his second wife, Baroness Maria Magdalena von Törring (1616-1668). Imperial Field marshal Count Philipp von Mansfeld was his uncle. Biography He entered the Habsburg service at a young age. After a short military service, he was almost always in court or on diplomatic service. From 1680 to 1682 he was Envoy to the French court and from 1683 to 1690 to the Spanish court. Despite his very limited military experience, he was continuously promoted to higher military ranks and even became a Field marshal in 1689. From 1684 to 1701 he was Obersthofmarschall at the Imperial court in Vienna and in 1701 he was appointed President of the Hofkriegsrat (Court War Council). In this position he repeatedly clashed with Prince Eugene of Savoy. In 1703 Mansfeld, who was unpopular with most Army generals, was relieved of this post and replaced by Eugene of Savoy. Until his death he remained as Chief Chamberlain at the Viennese court.