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Hans de Witte

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Hans de Witte (1583–1630) was a German financier who was the main financial backer of Albrecht von Wallenstein's army during the Thirty Years War. After Wallenstein was dismissed by Ferdinand II, de Witte committed suicide.[1] Wallenstein was dismissed on 26 August 1630, De Witte committed suicide on 28 August 1630 and couldn't possibly have heard the news.[2] De Witte had become very wealthy in partnership with Wallenstein. Unable to service loans his credit rating dropped and other financiers avoided him . Wallenstein replied to his pleas by demanding immediately 20,000 gulden for the monthly upkeep of his court. De Witte threw himself down his well. On receiving the news Wallenstein sent a team to salvage any assets.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Parker, Geoffrey (2006) : The Thirty Years' War, Taylor & Francis e-Library, p.79.
  2. ^ Hugh Trevor-Roper, Golo Mann
  3. ^ Wallenstein his life narrated Golo Mann

Sources

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  • John G. Gagliardo. Germany Under the Old Regime, 1600-1790. New York: Longman, 1991. p. 78.
  • Fritz Redlich. "Military Entrepreneurship and the Credit System in the 16th Century". in Kykols: International Review of Social Sciences. Vol. 10, issue 2, p. 186-193. May 1957.