Carl Philipp, Reichsgraf von Wylich und Lottum


Carl Philipp, Graf von Wylich und Lottum was a Prussian Field Marshal.

Early life

Philipp Carl was the son of Johann Sigismund von Wylich und Lottum and Josina von Wittenhorst-Sonsfeld. He entered the Dutch army in 1668 and fought in the Franco-Dutch War, ending the war as lieutenant colonel.

Military career

On August 1, 1687, he entered the service of the Margraviate of Brandenburg as colonel at the head of a regiment. He became Commandant of Wesel, and on September 1, 1692 Governor of Minden. He fought the French again between 1691 and 1693 in the Low Countries. On September 20, 1698 he became governor of the Spandau Citadel. On January 17, 1701 he became a Knight in the Order of the Black Eagle and was made a Count by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I.
At the outbreak of the War of Spanish Succession he was made supreme commander of the Prussian troops in the Netherlands. In 1703 he besieged Rheinberg and Geldern, and later Lille and Tournai. He fought in the Battle of Blenheim and played an important role in the victories in the Battle of Oudenaarde and the Battle of Malplaquet.
On February 27, 1713 the new King Frederick William I of Prussia named him Field Marshal and member of the Secret War Council. When Prussia received the Duchy of Cleves, Lottum became President of this territory.

Personal life

Philipp Karl von Wylich und Lottum married Maria Dorothea von Schwerin. After her death he remarried in 1696 Albertine Charlotte Freiin von Quadt Wickerad zu Zoppenbruch. He had 7 daughters and 6 sons, of whom Johann Christoph and Ludwig became Prussian Generals.