Herbéviller, Louis de Bannerot, Comte d'
Hierarchical Path: War of the Spanish Succession (Main Page) >> Personalities >> Herbéviller, Louis de Bannerot, Comte d'
Herbéviller, Louis de Bannerot, Comte d'
Imperialist General-Feldwachtmeister (1688-1692), Feldmarschall-Lieutenant (1692-1700), General of Cavalry (1700-1704) Field-Marshal (1704-1706)
born 1639, near Lannoy
died 24 October 1709, Munich, Bavaria
Description
Louis was born in 1639 in a castle near Lannoy. His parents were Didier Bannerot and Henriette de Chauvirey.
In 1683, Herbéviller became colonel of the Austrian Coburg Dragoons and took part in the defence of Vienna. He then campaigned against the Turks in Hungary.
On 13 July 1688, Herbéviller is promoted to General-Feldwachtmeister (major-general).
On 11 July 1692, Herbéviller is promoted to Feldmarschall-Lieutenant.
On 25 May 1700, Herbéviller is promoted to General of Cavalry.
In 1702, at the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession, Herbéviller commanded an Imperialist corps on the Bohemian border.
In 1703, Herbéviller took part in the campaign on the Danube. By 10 February, his corps was still posted in Western Bohemia. By mid-August, this corps comprised only 2,000 foot and 1,500 horse with 4 three-pdr guns. At the beginning of September, it entered into Bavaria, and advanced up to Cham which Herbéviller vainly summoned. The place finally surrendered on 3 October. Herbéviller now wanted to advance on the city of Amberg but his corps was not strong enough to do so. He then asked the District of Franconia for reinforcements. On 29 October, after receiving a reinforcement of 2,500 men from Franconia under Major-General Count von Hohenzollern, Herbéviller appeared before Amberg with 4,000 men. He surrounded the place and established his headquarters at Kümmersbruck. On 30 October, he opened the trench. On 3 November, his artillery started the bombardment of Amberg. On 20 November, his sapeurs reached the counterscarp of Amberg. Breaching batteries were prepared and all was reading for a general assault. On 28 November, the place capitulated.
On 2 July 1704, Herbéviller commanded a division at the Battle of Schellenberg. He then took part in the capture of Regensburg and Straubing, where he acted as governor. On 4 August, he was promoted to field marshal.
In April 1705, Field Marshal Herbéviller replaced Heister as commander-in-chief in Hungary and Transylvania to quench the revolt of the Kurucs (rebels), led by Ferenc II Rákóczi. On 11 August, he defeated them at the Battle of Budmeritz. He then marched towards Transylvania to bring his support to Field Marshal Rabutin, who was besieged in Hermanstadt (present-day Sibiu/RO). On 4 November, Herbéviller's Corps reached Székelyhid (present-day Săcuen/RO) and then proceeded in the direction of Szilágy-Somlyó (present-day Șimleu Silvaniei/RO). On 11 November, he once more defeated the Kurucs at the Battle of Schibo. He then submitted Klausenburg (present-day Cluj/RO) and other places of Transylvania.
In August 1706, Herbéviller resigned from his command for reasons of age.
Louis de Bannerot, Comte d'Herbéviller died in Munich on 24 October 1709 and was buried in the Frauenkirche.
References
Meurant, Thierry: Louis de Bannerot, comte d'Herbéviller, maréchal autrichien (1639-1709)
N.B.: the section on Herbéviller’s service during the War of the Spanish Succession' is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
