Lennart Torstenson

Count Lennart Torstenson (August 17, 1603 - April 7, 1651) was a Swedish soldier and military engineer and the son of Torsten Lennartson, commandant of Älvsborg Fortress.

Related Topics:
August 17 - 1603 - April 7 - 1651 - Swedish - Soldier - Military engineer - Älvsborg Fortress

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He was born at Forstena in Westrogothia. At the age of fifteen he became one of the pages of the young King Gustavus Adolphus and served during the Prussian campaigns of 1628 - 1629. It is told that at one battle Gustavus Adolphus sent Torstenson with an order to one of the officers. On his way Torstenson noticed that the enemy had changed his dispositions and altered the Kings orders. On returning to Gustavus Adolphus the King had noticed the new development. When Torstenson told Gustavus Adolphus what he have done the King rose his hand but then changed his mind and said "Lennart, this could have cost you your life, but maybe you are better suited to be a general than a page at royal the court." Just a couple of years later, in 1629 Torstenson was set over the Swedish artillery, which under his guidance materially contributed to the victories of Breitenfeld and Lech. The same year he was taken prisoner at Alte Veste and shut up for nearly a year at Ingolstadt. Under Johan Banér he rendered distinguished service at the Battle of Wittstock and during the energetic defence of Pomerania in 1637 - 1638, as well as at the Battle of Chemnitz and in the raid into Bohemia in 1639. Illness, contracted at his imprisonment, compelled him to return to Sweden in 1641, when he was made a member of the Privy Council.

Related Topics:
Forstena - Westrogothia - Gustavus Adolphus - Prussia - 1628 - 1629 - Artillery - Breitenfeld - Lech - Alte Veste - Ingolstadt - Johan Banér - Battle of Wittstock - Pomerania - 1637 - 1638 - Battle of Chemnitz - Bohemia - 1639 - 1641 - Privy Council

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