Johann von Aldringen

He and his constant comrade Matthias Gallas were ennobled on the same day, and in the course of the Italian campaign of 1630 the two officers married the two daughters of Count d'Arco.

[2] Aldringer served as Count Rambold Collalto's major-general in this campaign and was present at the taking of Mantua on 18 July 1630 during the War of Mantuan Succession.

Back in Germany in 1631, he served after Breitenfeld as Tilly's artillery commander, and, elevated to the dignity of count of the Empire, he was present at the battle of the Lech, where he was wounded.

Made field-marshal after the assault of the Alte Veste near Nuremberg, at which he had been second in command under the Herzog von Friedland (with whom he was a great favourite), he was next placed at the head of the corps formed by Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria to support Wallenstein.

Finally Count Aldringer was won over by the court party which sought to displace the too successful duke of Friedland.