Peter Ernst I, Graf von Mansfeld

• Peter Ernst I von Mansfeld-Vorderort - Wikipedia - English (car)
• born - 20 july 1517
• died - 22 May 1604
• son of - Ernst II, van Mansfeld-Vorderort and Dorothea von Solms-Lich
• married first - Margaretha van Brederode (b.ca.1520 - † 31 May 1554)
• children -

1. Fredrich
2. Karl II, count von Mansfeld zu Friedeburg in Friedeburg, born in Luxembourg 1545, died 14 aug 1596
3. Polyxene, died after 17 Sept 1591, married Palandes de Nassaau-Chalon

• married second - Marie de Montmorency († 5 Feb 1570)
• children

1. Philipp Oktavian (1564-1591)
2. Dorothea, married Francisco Verdugo

• liaison with - Anna Benzerath
• children -

1. Peter Ernst II von Mansfeld

Military Career

As a young man Peter Ernst came to the Spanish Netherlands with Charles V. He participated in the expedition against Tunis in 1535 and became governor of Luxembourg in 1545.

In the 'Eighty Year's War', he took part in combat under John of Austria, the illegitimate half-brother of King Philip II of Spain and Alexander Farnese, cousin on his mother's side. When Farnese invaded France in 1590, Mansfeld was appointed Governor ad interim of the Spanish Netherlands. When Farnese died in 1592, Von Mansfeld effectively became the governor until Archduke Ernst of Austria took over in 1594

Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece