Verena Villiger

Franz Peter König was a Swiss mercenary officer from Fribourg serving Venice and the Spanish Habsburg line during the Thirty Years War. From his relatively humble background, he managed to rise by following the unconventional path of seeking service in Venice and for the Spanish Habsburg line. Had he tried to enter into French service his social superiors from Fribourg would have prevented his rise to colonel. He made his career by being close to the Italian Rambald Collalto, an important military entrepreneur in Habsburg service who managed to acquire formerly protestant land in Moravia (as did König). After years of successful service in Germany during the Thirty Years War, König was toppled by an intrigue. König had most probably had an affair with a fellow officer's wife. The officer accused König of treason when some of König's officers murdered men from that officer's regiment in a tavern. Imprisoned and tortured in Tirol, König finally managed to regain his freedom but not his job. His former employers were afraid that König might hold a grudge against them and turn over a fortress or city he would have been assigned. The French likewise didn't trust a newcomer who had worked for decades for their enemy (and lacked the social background). Thus, König became a rich salt merchant in his native Fribourg (acquiring the Palace that now houses the Musée Art et Histoire, having his portrait painted that now graces that museum) and shortly before his death occupying the top political post of his city. A stellar life indeed, ably told by a team of historian's of that museum.… (mehr)