Louis XV presents Reich Duke Wilhelm a carriage and escort

King Louis XV of France presents FM Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein a new carriage from the famed coach builder Louis-Philippe to honor his promotion to Field Marshall. The king was very impressed with Wilhelm's string of victories over the dreaded Prussians and wanted to demonstrate his admiration. In addition to the fine carriage, King Louis XV presented the Reich Duke a squadron of elite mounted musketeers equipped like his own Guard Musketeers. The Reich Duke and Duchess were overwhelmed by the generosity of King Louis XV and were anxious to tour the capital in style.

Spanish Army of the Beerstein Era

Tercio de Morados Viejo (Old Violets), Tercio de Amarillos Viejo (Old Yellows), Tercio de Gilbraltar, Tercio de Murcia, Tercio de Toledo, Tercio de Parma. Tercio de Lombardia, Tercio de Saboya, Tercio de Walloon, Tercio de Hibernia

Real Asturias Horse, Granada Horse, King's Dragoons. Alcaudete Dragoons
Spanish "Fuisliers de Artillery" and Walloon de Artillery" Batteries

Commodore wants to the lead troops, he thinks he's really a General!

Old Violets and Old Yellows in front, Swiss, Savoy, Irish, and Walloons supported by Walloon "Fusilier Artillery" behind

Savoy, Irish, and Walloon Infantry supported by Walloon "Fusilier de Artillery" battery

Tercio Gilbraltar, and Tercio Murcia in front supported by Tercio Toledo, Tercio Lombardia and the Spanish "Fusilier de Artillery" battery

Spanish Horse and Dragoons take the field

Reich Duchy of Beerstein College of Honors posts Honorees

ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ORDER OF THE TANKARD

Grand Master of the Order, F.M. Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein

Wilhelm II, Baron von Brewswick
Gen Reich Graf James Louis von Beerstein
Sir David Linienblatt of Tippelbruder
Roi Louis XV of Gallia
Herzog Frederick von Hesse-Seeland
George August Elector of Hunnunter
Furst Bruno von Ursa of the Principality of Saxe-Bearstein
Duke Konrad of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw
Furst Guntram Blauerwolf of the Principality of Hesse-Engleberg
Margraf Johannes I of Margravite of Nord Westfalen
Duke Karl Frederick of the Markgraaf of Raubenstadt
Hurtshog Stanken Fhartz von Frankfurter
Karl Frederick X of the Duchy of Tradgardland
Grand Duke Karl of the Duchy of Hetzenberg
Elector Ulrich von Luftberg of the Rheinstadt der Luftberg
Duc Alfonso of the Duchy of San Bruno
Albrecht Duke of Lagerburg
King Leopold IV of Wittenberg
Fitz-Badger Chancellor of the Soweiter League
Prinz Geoffrey of Cavenderia
Duchess Irma of Stracken
Grand Duke Alexander von Ostenburg-Buttinski of Stollen
Herzog Ignaz Hunsruck of Palz-Kognat-Obersayn
Prince Bishop Heinrich von Wullfenbuttell of Urer Gruntshuffen Herzog Georg Ludwig von Hesse SeelandCampbell of Argyll
Margrave Ludwig V of Markgraviate of Ost-Pommern
Duke Peter of Saschen-Vindow
Jean-Louis of the Presipality of Monte-Cristo
Grand Duchess Maria Marlene der Grolstein
Louis-Phillippe, Kingdom of St, Maurice
Duke Augustus von Lettow, Saxe-Huack
Wilhelm von Starkherz, Elector of Bleiherzen
King Phillip I, The Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales
Augustus II Rex, The Duchy of Alzeim
King Basil I of the Romans
Prinz Kelson von Tisch, Principality of Fleisch-Spatzlestadt
Joern Carlos XI, High King of the Union Real de Scandalusia
Landgraf Humphrey Bogart von Hesse-Fedora
King Hendrik I, elected King of Bestonia
King Karl Franz III of Unkerlant

ORDER OF THE GOBLET

Grand Master of the Order, Sir David Linienblatt of Tippelbruder

F.M. Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein
Wilhelm II Baron von Brewswick
Gen Reich Graf James Louis von Beerstein
Professor Marcin Odlianicki-Poczobut of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw
Professor Heinrich Altman of the Principality of Hesse-Engleberg
Professor Ludwig von Striff of the Margravite of Nord Westfalen
Professor Iago Knappenburger of the Duchy of Hetzenberg
Ritter von Meltzer of the Markgraaf of Raubenstadt
Colonel Honking Thirst of the Markgraaf of Raubenstadt
Graf William von Zelle, Ambassador of the Elector of Hunnunter
Duc d'Au Contraire, Ambassador of the Rheinstadt der Luftberg
Hauptman von Links, Ambassador of Frankszonia
Signori Moretti Ambassador of Cavenderia
Princess Theofilia, Principality of Morea
Lieutenant Horatio Horngeblase, Grand Duchy of Hetzenberg
Colonel Finley, 4th Dragoons, Republic of Neues Sudland
Major Tross, Bree's Battery, Holy Mormoan Kingdom of New Wales
Colonel Tallaferro, Mountain Fusiliers, Principality of Andorronia
Colonel von Schafbeck, Regiment von Schafbeck, Saxe-Bearstein
Colonel Stummel, Regiment Stummel, Frundsberg Frei Stadt
Colonel Braunswiger-Yech, Bad Rotten Muskytears, Frankszonia
Colonel MacDour, Dun Haggis Highlanders, Saxe-Urqhuart
Captain Zillmann, Princess Haley's Hussars, Holy Mormoan Kingdom
Prinzessin Victoria, Vivandieres, Presipality of Monte-Cristo
Archbishop Gunter von Drunk, Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Ludwig von Boozewick, Amb. Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Gunter von Biergarden, Amb. Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Heinrich von Hops, Ambassador Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Kurt von Barley, Ambassador Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Rupert von Pilsner, Ambassador Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Wilhelm von Ales, Ambassador Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Ulrich von Carling, Ambassador Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Rupert von Brewmister, Amb. Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Wilhelm von Corona, Ambassador Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Ludwig von Warsteiner, Amb. Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Heinrich von Maltzmann, Amb. Reich Duchy of Beerstein
Gen Graf Joffery von Slitz, Reich Duchy of Beerstein

MILITARY ORDER OF THE GOLDEN CROWN

Grand Master of the Order, F.M. Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein

Gen Reich Graf James Louis von Beerstein
Maj Gen Reich Graf Lothar Blutundedonner Baron von Alesgarden
Maj Gen Reich Graf Adolph von Coors Baron von Blatzberg
Generaloffizer Reich Graf Picklemany of Frankszonia
Gen Reich Graf Mackay of the Duchy of Tradgardland
Gen Reich Graf Joffery Baron von Lista
Gen Ludwig Third Baron of Brewski
Elector Ulrich von Luftberg of the Rheinstadt der Luftberg
Admiral Graf Rupert von Hopstadt of the Austrian Imperial Navy
Gen Rauppen-Schlepper, Grand Duchy of Hetzenberg

Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein's Biography

Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein,
Protector of Brewswick, and “Lion of the Empire”
Austrian Field Marshal 1758
Born April 13, 1707, Vienna

Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein is the son and grandson of military men. His father, William, Baron von Beerstein, was an Irish noble who followed King James II in his exile in 1690 and entered the Imperial service. In 1716, William, Baron von Beerstein was made a Count of the Empire (Reich Graf) by Emperor Charles VI. Meanwhile, Wilhelm’s uncle, Richard von Beerstein, became a Field Marshal in the Russian army.

In 1705, William, Baron von Beerstein married Louise von Link of Vienna. Wilhelm and his younger brother James Louis spent their childhood at the Viennese Court.

In 1721, Wilhelm was then sent to the Cavalry Academy at Leibnitz in Germany. When Frederick William I of Prussia refused to commission young Wilhelm, he returned to Vienna and used his family connections obtained his commission as a Cornet of cavalry.

In 1723, Wilhelm entered the Austrian service as a standard bearer in his father’s regiment. During the campaign in Sicily, Wilhelm was cited for bravery on several occasions and brevetted to Captain of the second squadron.

In 1732, the 25 years old Wilhelm was already a Lieutenant Colonel in his father’s Dragoon Regiment von Beerstein. His conduct in the Italian theatre of operation, amply justified his promotion.

In 1735, Wilhelm was promoted to the rank of Colonel and given his own Cuirassier Regiment. During the War of the Polish Succession, he took part in the campaigns in Italy and on the Rhine. At Tirol, he distinguished himself and was wounded leading his regiment, which destroyed two Dragoon Regiments and captured three heavy guns. While recovering from his wounds in Vienna, he met and married Countess Lynda von Lynn another exile from Ireland.

In 1736, Major General Graf William von Beerstein was killed in a sharp battle with the Turks in Transylvania. Being the eldest son, Wilhelm inherited the title Reich Graf von Beerstein. He immediately petitioned Maria Theresa for the opportunity to avenge his father and destroy the Turks.

From 1737 to 1740, Reich Graf Wilhelm continued to add to his distinctions during the war against the Turks. As a result of his actions during the Battle of Frotzka, he was promoted to the rank of Major General. Returning to Vienna, he leaned Countess Lynda had produced an heir, Wilhelm II von Beerstein.

From 1741 to 1742, Reich Graf Wilhelm was cited for exceptional leadership and courage. At the beginning of the War of the Austrian Succession, he was opposed the Prussian invasion of Silesia with insufficient forces. However, his judicious dispositions slowed the progress of the invaders and allowed Austria to assemble a field army. Nevertheless, Wilhelm was forced to retire to Moravia where he joined the army under Count Neipperg. He took part to the battle of Mollwitz and was severely wounded. Upon recovering, he participated in the ensuing campaigns of 1742. His brigade was present at Chotusitz and Czaslam.

In 1743, Reich Graf Wilhelm was promoted to Lieutenant General and lead the advanced guard of Khevenhüller's army during the victorious Danube campaign.

In 1744, Reich Graf Wilhelm served under Field Marshal Traun. He was responsible for the rearguard of the army, which allowed the Austrian army to disengage from the French and to attack Frederick II of Prussia. He was present at Prague.

In 1745, Reich Graf Wilhelm held important commands in the battles of Hohenfriedberg and Soor, and was later promoted to the rank of Feldzeugmeister.

In 1746 and 1747 Reich Graf Wilhelm served in the Low Countries where he took part to the battle of Wallenberg. Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary and Archduchess of Austria, held Wilhelm in high esteem for his long service. She raised him to Reich Duke, appointed him Knight of the Golden Fleece and made him Commandant of Vienna.

In 1748, Reich Duke Wilhelm was entrusted with the reorganization of the Austrian army. The most noticeable improvements were done in the artillery by Prince Wenzel Liechtenstein and to the infantry by the introduction of the iron ramrod.

In 1749, the new regulations resulting from Reich Duke Wilhelm’s work were issued to the entire army. When Hungarian Duke Stanislaw died without an heir, Maria Theresa presented the Duchy of Stanislaw to Reich Duke Wilhelm. With her permission the Duchy was re-titled the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. With peace finally at hand, Reich Duke Wilhelm and his family retired to their Duchy to establish a new life. Hearing the great news of the family’s good fortune, Graf James Louis returned from Russia with his wife Sofia. Graf James Louis had his own outstanding military career raising the rank of Major General in the Russian service. For many years he had been under the tutelage of his uncle Field Marshal Richard von Beerstein.

From 1750 to 1758, peace and prosperity reigned in the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. The magnificent National Cathedral was completed, the Reichstag was implemented, the beer industry flourished, and the University of Pabst was established. It was a wonderful time to be a proud citizen of Beerstein.

In 1758, Prussian again threatened the Empire and the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. The Austrians suffered a stinging defeat at Ostendorf and caused the Reich Duke to mobilize his small army. His first battle with the Prussians was a hard fought draw at Hopsberg. Appealing for aid, four foreign generals arrived to bolster the army. The results were immediately seen in the victories of Alesgarden and Blatzberg. Empress Maria Theresa promoted Wilhelm to Field Marshal, invested him into the Order of Maria Theresa, declared him “Reich Protector” of the Barony of Brewswick, and named him “Lion of the Empire.”