"Prinz Eugenius, der edle Ritter "

Françoise Campagnolo

 

History of Das Prinz Eugen Lied

Louis Jules de Savoie, Colonel of a Imperial Dragoons Regiment, died in Wien, during the turkish siege, the 12 july 1683, since his wounds he suffered at the fight of Petronel.

His brother, Eugene de Savoie heard the news, and immeditaley he left for Wien: the Emperor had said he wanted only one people from the House of Savoie in his Army. The Brother Louis Jules had died, now it was his time.

The Great Victory of the 12 september 1683 was the baptisem of fire for the young Eugene; he was then 20 years old. He fought with his Cousin the Margrave Ludwig von Baden.


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The 6 november he was at Linz, where the Emperor Leopold I, since his extremely good military values, and to assure this young chieftain in the imperial Army, promised him the Command of the first aviable Dragoon Regiment, since the bother's Regiment had et a new Colonel.

The 11 december 1683 Prinz Eugen became the Colonel of the Dragoon Regiment Kufstein. Eugene gave to this unit the new name of Dragoons Savoyen. Eugen wanted his Regiment to be a model for all the cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Army. He loved his Dragoons all his life long. Regiment Savoyen (N. 9) had new uniforms and equipment; new uniforms, weapons, horses and, of course, a new Regimental March. A new Regimental Fanfare 1683 was composed by Emil Kaiser.

The Regiment made a parade in the street of Wien, and it greatly surprized for its splendid magnificence all the citizen and the Emperor.

From the Fanfare by Emil Kaiser, in 1710 was played the "Prinz Eugen Marsch", written by a anonymous musician; the Marsch had at the end the same title but a completely different score.

During the War against the Turks, before his departure, the 14th may 1717, Eugen had a farewell visit to Empeor Chales VI, who gave him a precious golden Holycross, with the engraved the motto "Jesus Christ Generalissimo", reccomending to take care of himself and to give news as soon as possible. From the other side, Prinz Eugen asked the Emperor to cherish his Will [5].

In the mind of Prinz Eugen that had not to be a battle where you had to conquer a normal Victory or to suffer a sad defait: that affaire was a matter of life or death.

Or i will take Belgrade,
or the Turks will take me.
Prinz Eugen

The 19th October 1717 Prinz Eugen came back in Wien, where he met the Emperor Charles VI, who gave him a diamond-studded sword since his victory of Belgrade. This battle was the crowning achievement of his militar career, and it was also his last victory. A suitable and enduring way to commemorate the Battle of Belgrade was the famous song of one of the german troopers "Das Prinz Eugen Lied", probably composed on the notes of the "Prinz Eugen Marsch" by one of the bavarian soldiers that fought that day [1]. In fact, tuned up by a private, it was, uninterruptely, played in Austria and in all the Countries of Germany, proclaiming everywhere the Glory of the Victor of the Battle of Belgrade [2].

Regarded as the Greatest of the Generals that won over the Turkish foe, Eugene de Savoy was naturally rembered by austrian and german traditions as the last Defensor of the Christanity, der edle Ritter, the "Noble Knight", of the "Prinz Eugen Lied"[3].

The Prince was so celebrated in that way, since everywhere still enjoyed great favour the chivalry virtues of courage, loyalty and self-discipline; so not only the common people but also nobles played the Prinz Eugen Lied, the song of a man reverenced as "Sire des honnetes gens" [4].

The Battle of Belgrade was a great victory, and the song "der Prinz Eugen Lied" was soon composed, as we has seen. The notes of the song were written by di Jacques de St. Luc, Marsch in the "zur Ankunft des Prinzen Eugen".

Yet in 1865, on the old score, Josef Strauss wrote a new "Prinz Eugen Marsch" op. 186.

The traditions about Prinz Eugen, perfect Christian Hero, courageous General, nightmare of the Turks, Victor of the French, Noble Knight, flourished expecially in Austria and inside the Kingdom of Sardinia. Prinz Eugen was the cousin of the Duke of Savoy, and then the first King of Sardinia Victor Amadeus II. Both cousins fought together, and even against each other, several times. Their best coordinated action was the Battle of Turin, the 7 september 1706. So the Italian Armed Forces, of wich some units have their traditions from the old Piedmontese Regiments, and some of these fought under the Great Prince, and on their Flag Honours is still today present his memory… and also in the Music, of course. The Italian Cavalry March is the "Marcia del Principe Eugenio" (Prince Eugene March) [10].

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[1] Derek McKay, Eugenio di Savoia, ritratto di un condottiero 1663-1736, p. 205.

[2] Franz Herre, Eugenio di Savoia, il condottiero, lo statista, l'uomo, p. 185

[3] Derek McKay, cit, 304.

[4] Franz Herre, cit., 190.

[5] Ciro Paoletti, Il Principe Eugenio di Savoia, Ufficio Storico Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito, Roma, 2001, p. 489.

[6] Ciro Paoletti, ult. op. cit., 546. During WWII Italian Royal Navy had an excellent cruiser class "Condottieri"; one of them was the R.N. Eugenio di Savoia, while one of the Motorized Divisions of the Royal Army took the name of "1a Divisione Celere Principe Eugenio".

 

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Françoise Campagnolo        
"Petit Tambour de Turin 1706"