Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain
Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain, French general, was born on 15 April 1707, at the Château of Vertamboz.
Biography
Early life and education
Educated at Jesuit schools, he intended to enter the priesthood, but at the last minute obtained from Louis XV an appointment as sub-lieutenant. He left France, according to the gossip of the time, because of a duel; served under the Elector Palatine; fought for Hungary against the Turks, and on the outbreak of the war of the Austrian Succession joined the army of the elector of Bavaria, displaying such bravery that he was promoted to the grade of lieutenant field-marshal.Netherlands
He left Bavaria on the death of Charles VII, and after brief service under Frederick the Great joined Marshal Saxe in the Netherlands. He distinguished himself especially at Lauffeld, Rocoux and Maastricht. On the outbreak of the Seven Years' War he was appointed lieutenant-general, and although he showed greater ability than any of his fellow-commanders and was admired by his soldiers, he fell a victim to court intrigues, professional jealousy and hostile criticism.Denmark
He resigned his commission in 1760 and accepted an appointment as field marshal from Frederick V of Denmark-Norway, being charged in 1762 with the reorganization of the Danish army.In 1767, he and his circle, wished to make Birgitte Sofie Gabel the official mistress of Christian VII of Denmark-Norway in order to divert him from politics and take over the de facto power over the government themselves. The plan failed because Gabel did not wish to become the king's mistress, as she found him repulsive and was in love with Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel, and the same year, Støvlet-Cathrine became the king's official mistress instead.