Burkhard von Erlach (Court Marshal)

Burkhard von Erlach (born October 28, 1566 in Bernburg (Saale) , † December 24, 1640 ibid) was a lawyer and court marshal at the princely court of Anhalt-Bernburg .

Life

He came from the Bernese noble family von Erlach and was the son of Burkhart von Erlach and his wife Adelheid Sigelmann from Delémont . By marrying Erlach's daughter Anna Lucretia von Erlach, Thomas von dem Knesebeck became his son-in-law.

After the early death of his parents, Erlach spent his childhood with his distant relative Charles de Praroman, who was the abbot of the Coland monastery in Burgundy. At the age of 14 Erlach was brought to the court in Dessau in 1580 in order to receive an appropriate school education here together with the future Prince Christian I of Anhalt-Bernburg . Erlach also accompanied his classmate and friend Prince Christian I on his cavalier tour through Italy, France, Great Britain and on the way back through the Netherlands. He also followed his friend on the campaign against Heinrich von Navarra and joined with him in the service of the Electorate of the Palatinate. Erlach's career spanned from the position of chamberlain to the post of ambassador to the district judge in the Upper Palatinate. Later he also became a nurse there. Prince Christian I, however, always remained directly connected to him as stable and steward. During the Battle of White Mountain Erlach not only saved his prince's life, but later also his forage wagon.

In 1622, Prince Ludwig I of Anhalt-Köthen accepted Erlach into the Fruit-Bringing Society . The prince gave him the company name of the healthy and the motto does not shy away from poison . The diamond <Ruta graveolens L.> was given to him as an emblem . Erlach's entry can be found in the Koethen Society Book under number 52. He wrote a rhyme law to thank for his inclusion, which is more reminiscent of a prayer:

Dear god, with all your hearts

of whole sell and created pure

Your help will be appreciated by the nearest

burdened with raht and tatt serve.

In Bernburg Erlach advanced to court marshal under Prince Christian I. When the prince died on April 17, 1630, Erlach remained loyal to the court and also served the successor, Prince Christian II of Anhalt-Bernburg .

literature

• Hans Ulrich von Erlach: 800 years Berner von Erlach. The story of a family , Benteli, Bern 1989, plate E (E 1 X).