Karel Willem Sparre

Willem Karel, Baron of Sparre, (19 July 1661 – 27 October 1710) was a Dutch States Army officer and nobleman. In this capacity, he took part in the Nine Years' War and played a prominent role in the War of the Spanish Succession. He would die of an injury sustained during the bloody Battle of Malplaquet.

Karel Willem Sparre
Born	19 July 1661 Sweden
Died	27 October 1710 (aged 48–49) Brussel, Spanish Netherlands
Allegiance	Swedish Empire (1688–1691) Dutch Republic (1691–1709)
Service / branch	Infantry
Rank	Lieutenant general
Unit	Dutch States Army
Battles / wars	Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession Battle of Cádiz Battle of Vigo Bay Battle of Stekene Attack on Fort Saint Philippe Battle of Ramillies Siege of Ostend Battle of Oudenarde Siege of Lille Battle of Malplaquet

Sicco van Goslinga, one of the Dutch field deputies that accompanied the allied army, and personal friend of Sparre had this to say about Sparre:

Sparre, descended from one of the great families of Sweden, had an outstanding intellect, a penetrating judgment, courage as much as one can have, good conduct and vigilance; he had that quick eye, which is so rare and yet so necessary for a commander in battle; he saw everything, provided for everything, was in one word fit to command an entire army...

Sources

• Van Nimwegen, Olaf (2020). De Veertigjarige Oorlog 1672-1712: de strijd van de Nederlanders tegen de Zonnekoning (The 40 Years War 1672-1712: the Dutch struggle against the Sun King) (in Dutch). Prometheus. ISBN 978-90-446-3871-4.
• Wijn, J.W. (1956). Het Staatsche Leger: Deel VIII Het tijdperk van de Spaanse Successieoorlog (The Dutch States Army: Part VIII-1 The era of the War of the Spanish Succession) (in Dutch). Martinus Nijhoff.
• Knoop, Willem Jan (1867). Krijgs – en geschiedkundige geschriften. Deel 8 [Military and historical writings. Volume 8] (in Dutch). H. A. M. Roelants.