 Riedesel was born June 6, 1662 at the hamlet of Melbach/Balde to Heyrich and Gerthrut (Dickel) Riedesel, the first of at least five children.He was christened Johann Mannus, though he is generally known as Mannus.Even so, he signed himself as "Hermannus" on occasion and (like most of the world) even spelled Riedesel in various fashions.