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Henrik HornSwedish marshal and admiral.
Date of Birth: 22.05.1618
Country:  Sweden |
Content:
Biography of Henrik Horn
Early Life and Military CareerHenrik Horn, a Swedish marshal and admiral, was born on May 22, 1618, in the family of Henrik Horn and his wife Anna Jonsdotter Snakenborg. He was born two months after the death of his father. In 1634, he became a second lieutenant in the Life Guards, and on May 15, 1635, he was promoted to cornet. On May 5, 1643, at the age of 25, he was appointed colonel of the Courland Regiment, and on December 19, 1645, he became colonel of the Finnish Cavalry Regiment. On April 30, 1651, he was ennobled alongside his cousin, Gustav Horn, with the title of Baron af Marienborg.
Rise to Prominence
On April 29, 1654, Horn was promoted to major general of cavalry, and in 1656, he became lieutenant general and the commander of the West Gothland Cavalry Regiment. From December 20, 1657, he served as the commander-in-chief of the Finnish army. On December 20, 1660, he was appointed a member of the Riksdag and also served as a judge in the appellate court. On July 27, 1665, he was promoted to field marshal.
Later Years and Naval Command
Henrik Horn distinguished himself in the Polish campaign and on February 16, 1666, he was appointed the Governor-General of Bremen-Verden. In 1677, despite having no naval experience, he was appointed the commander of the Swedish fleet and suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Koge Bay in the same year. In 1678, he was appointed the commander-in-chief of the Swedish forces in Livonia.
