Herman de Lynden

Herman de Lynden (Liège, 1547- June 5, 1603, Reckheim), baron of Reckheim and of the Holy Roman Empire, was a military leader serving the Prince-Bishopric of Liège and the Holy Roman Empire. He led troops during the Eighty Years' War and the Cologne War. He also held several high-ranking positions, notably Governor of Cologne and Grand-Mayor of Liège. Early life Herman was the son of Thierry de Lynden (1491-1566), who had been first State council and Grand-Master to four different Prince-bishops of Liège. After purchasing the Lordship of Rekem, he later obtained from the Holy Roman Emperor the establishment of this domain in free barony of the Empire. Italian wars He first served as a soldier in the Italian War of 1551–1559 under the command of famous admiral Andrea Doria, participating among others to the liberation of Porto Ercole, then besieged by Piero Strozzi. After the Italian wars, he served in Hungary until 1567. Eighty Years' War After returning to the Low Countries, he participated in the capture of Rotterdam, then received a company of 300 Low Germans to fight with Maximilien de Hénin-Liétard, with whom he participated in the Siege of Mons (1572), the Siege of Haarlem and Noerdange. Subsequently, he participated in the Battle of Mookerheyde, and was responsible for the defense of the Muiderslot, in Muiden.