Klemens von Metternich
Klemens Metternich was born into the House of Metternich on 15 May 1773 to Franz George Karl Count Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein, a diplomat who had passed from the service of the Archbishopric of Trier to that of the Imperial court, and his wife Countess Maria Beatrice Aloisia von Kageneck. He was named in honour of Prince Clemens Wenceslaus of Saxony, the archbishop-elector of Trier and the past employer of his father. He was the eldest son and had one older sister. At the time of his birth the family possessed a ruined keep at Beilstein, a castle at Winneberg, an estate west of Koblenz, and another in Königswart, Bohemia, won during the 17th century. At this time Metternich's father, described as "a boring babbler and chronic liar" by a contemporary, was the Austrian ambassador to the courts of the three Rhenish electors (Trier, Cologne and Mainz). Metternich's education was handled by his mother, heavily influenced by their proximity to France; Metternich spoke French better than German. As a child he went on official visits with his father and, under the direction of Protestant tutor John Frederick Simon, was tutored in academic subjects, swimming, and horsemanship.
Carl Friedrich Heinrich, Graf von Wylich und Lottum
Carl Friedrich Heinrich Graf von Wylich und Lottum (5 November 1767 – 14 February 1841), also called Graf Lottum "(Count Lottum)", was a Prussian infantry general and minister of the State. He is the son of general Friedrich Wilhelm Graf von Wylich und Lottum and his wife.
Graf Lottum was born in Berlin and visited the Academie des Nobles, the principal educational establishment of the state, founded by Frederick the Great. On 9 April 1784 he became ensign of the Infantry Regiment of Anhalt-Bernburg, and on 26 October 1786 lieutenant. One year later, he was transferred to the newly formed fusilier battalion "von Schenck", also stationed in Halle. His battalion participated in the Dutch campaign of 1787. Shortly thereafter, as an ordonnance officer, he accompanied general Graf Schulenburg-Renert in the war against France. A fall from his horse in 1793 led to a fracture of his foot and rendered him unusable for field duties.