MANSFELD, Peter Ernest, Count of, was descended from one of the most illustrious families in Germany, and which has produced the greatest number of distinguished characters. In 1552, he was taken prisoner at Ivry, where he commanded; and he was afterwards of great service to the Catholics at the battle of Montcontour. In consequence of his great talents, he was employed in affairs of the utmost delicacy and importance. Being made governor of Luxemburg, he maintained tranquillity in that province, while the rest of the Low Countries was a prey to the horrors of civil war. In testimony of their
gratitude, the States caused the following inscription to be placed on the gate of the hotel de ville: In Belgio omnia dum vastat civile bellum, MANSFELDUS bello et pace fidus, hanc provinciam in fide continet servatque illasam, cum summo populi consensu et hilarium iucunditate. He was afterwards appointed to the command of the Low Countries; and died at Luxemburg, March 21. 1604, at the age of 87, with the title of Prince of the Holy Empire. His mausoleum, in bronze, which is to be seen in the chapel bearing his name, and adjoining to the church of the Recollects at Luxemburg, is an admirable work. Four highly finished weepers, with which this monument was ornamented, were carried off by Louis XIV. when he took this city in 1684. To a love of war, Mansfeld united a taste for the sciences; and he was a lover and encourager of the arts: he possessed a great and elevated mind; but, like many heroes ancient and modern, he was greedy of gain and lavish of blood. Abbé Schannat has written the history of the count of Mansfeld in Latin; printed at Luxemburg, 1707. Charles prince of Mansfeld, his lawful son, signalized himself in the wars of Flanders and Hungary; and died without issue in 1595, after having beaten the Turks who attempted to relieve the city of Gran (Strigonia), which he was besieging.