Editing Johann von Werth (section)

== Biography ==
Werth was born in 1591 most likely at [[Büttgen]] in the [[Duchy of Jülich]] as the eldest son of the farmer Johann von Wierdt († 1606) and Elisabeth Streithoven. He had seven brothers and sisters. His exact birthplace is not sure, other candidates are Puffendorf (today part of [[Baesweiler]]) and [[Linnich]].{{sfn|Reiterkorps}} In the past, historians also argued for [[Weert]] in [[Limburg (Netherlands)|Limburg]] because they confused him with [[Jan van der Croon]], another imperial general with similar vita.{{sfn|Lahrkamp|1962|p=3}}

Around 1610, he left home to become a soldier of fortune in the [[Wallonia|Walloon]] cavalry under [[Ambrogio Spinola]] in the [[Spanish Netherlands]]. Most likely, he fought in the [[War of the Jülich Succession]] and served afterwards in the garrison of [[Lingen, Germany|Lingen]]. The outbreak of the [[Thirty Years' War]] saw him moving to [[Bohemia]] in support of Holy Roman Emperor [[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand II]]. In the spanish regiment [[Baltasar von Marradas|Marradas]], he fought at [[Battle of White Mountain|White Mountain]] in 1620. In 1622, at the [[Siege of Jülich (1621–1622)|taking of Jülich]], he won promotion to the rank of lieutenant. He also participated at the [[Battle of Fleurus (1622)|battle of Fleurus]] in 1622 but his military actions over the next eight years are not known. In this time, he married the Dutch woman Gertrud van Gent, mother of his eldest children Lambertine Irmgard and Johann Anton.{{sfn|Lahrkamp|1962|pp=10–12}}

He served as an Oberstwachtmeister in a cavalry regiment in the [[Bavaria]]n army in 1630.{{sfn|Poten|1897|pp=103–111}} He obtained the command of a [[regiment]], both titular and effective, in 1632, and in 1633 and 1634 laid the foundations of his reputation as a swift and fearsome leader of [[cavalry]] forays. His achievements were even more conspicuous in the great pitched [[Battle of Nördlingen (1634)]], after which the emperor made him a ''[[Freiherr]]'' of the Empire, and the [[Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria|elector of Bavaria]] gave him the rank of [[Lieutenant field marshal]]. About this time, he armed his regiment with the [[musket]] in addition to the [[sword]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=524}}

[[Image:Jean, baron de Wert (bgw17 0615).jpg|thumb|250px|Johann von Werth as burgrave (governor) of Odenkirchen, oil on canvas]]
In 1635 and 1636 Werth's forays extended into [[Lorraine (province)|Lorraine]] and [[Luxembourg]], after which he projected an expedition into the heart of France. Starting in July 1636, from the country of the lower [[Meuse River|Meuse]], he raided far and wide, and even urged his commander-in-chief, [[Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria]], to "plant the Double Eagle on the [[Louvre]]". Though this was not attempted. Werth's horsemen appeared at [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]] before a French army of fifty thousand men at [[Compiègne]] forced the invaders to retreat. The memory of this raid lasted long, and the name of "Jean de Wert" figures in folk-songs and serves as a bogey to quieten unruly children.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=524}}

In 1637 Jean de Wert married Maria Isabella von Spaur in St. Verena, [[Straßberg, Zollernalbkreis|Straßberg]].

In 1637 Werth was once more in the [[Rhine]] valley, destroying convoys, relieving besieged towns and surprising the enemy's camps. In February 1638 he defeated the [[Weimar, Germany|Weimar]] troops in an engagement at [[Rheinfelden (Aargau)|Rheinfelden]], but shortly afterwards was made prisoner by [[Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar]]. His hopes of being exchanged for the [[Sweden|Swedish]] field marshal [[Gustaf Horn]] were dashed when Bernhard had to deliver up his captive to the French. Jean de Wert was brought to Paris, amidst great rejoicings from the country people. He was lionized by the society of the capital, visited in prison by high ladies. So light was his captivity that he said that nothing bound him but his word of honour. His eventual release was delayed until March 1642 because the Imperial government feared to see [[Gustav Horn, Count of Pori|Horn]] at the head of the Swedish army and would not allow an exchange.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=524}}

When at last Werth reappeared in the field it was as general of cavalry in the Imperial and Bavarian and [[Cologne]] services. His first campaign against the French marshal [[Jean-Baptiste Budes, Comte de Guébriant|Guebriant]] was uneventful, but his second (1643) in which Baron [[Franz von Mercy]] was his commander-in-chief, was the [[Battle of Tuttlingen]] in which Werth was instrumental in a surprise victory. In 1644 he was in the lower Rhine country, but he returned to Mercy's headquarters in time to fight in the [[Battle of Freiburg]]. In the following year he played a decisive role in the [[Second Battle of Nördlingen]]. Mercy was killed in this action, and Werth temporarily commanded the defeated arm until succeeded by Field-marshal [[Gottfried Huyn von Geleen|Geleen]]. Werth was disappointed, but remained thoroughly loyal to his soldierly code of honour, and found an outlet for his anger in renewed military activity.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=524}}

[[File:Wedding contract of Johann von Werth 1648 (SOkA Mladá Boleslav).jpg|thumb|left|Wedding contract of Johann von Werth 1648 (SOkA Mladá Boleslav)]]
In 1647 differences arose between the Elector and the Emperor as to the allegiance due from the Bavarian troops, in which, after long hesitation, Werth, fearing that the cause of the Empire and of the Catholic religion would be ruined if the Elector resumed control of the troops, attempted to take his men over the Austrian border. But they refused to follow and, escaping with great difficulty from the Elector's vengeance, Werth found a refuge in Austria. The Emperor was grateful for his conduct in this affair, ordered the Elector to rescind his ban.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=524}} The last campaign of the war (1648) was uneventful, and shortly after its close he retired to live on the estates which he had bought in the course of his career. And it was at one of these, [[Benátky nad Jizerou|Benatek]] {{convert|40|km|mi}} NE of [[Prague]] in [[Bohemia]], a gift from the emperor, that he died on 16 of January 1652. {{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=524}} He was buried in the church of Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Benátky.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

[[File:Jan van Werth - Alter Markt Köln (6512-14).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Johann von Werth memorial in Cologne; by [[Wilhelm Albermann]]]]
[[File:Schild Severinstorburg.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The Legend of Jan and Jriet at the St. Severinus City Gate of Cologne]]
[[File:Rathausturm Köln - Aegidius Gelenius, Joost van den Vondel und Jan von Werth (0831-33).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Johann von Werth (right) among the statues of the (currently) 125 most important people from 64 BC to 1985 AD at [[Cologne City Hall]]]]