Adam Erdmann Trčka von Lípa (1599 – 23 February 1634) was a Bohemian nobleman and čkavonLílieutenant field marshal, who fought during the course of the Thirty Years' War. He became a close associate of Imperial Generalissimo Albrecht von Wallenstein. He was killed along with other loyal officers and Wallenstein himself, in the so-called Eger Bloodbath, a culmination of the internal purge within the Holy Roman army.
Biography
Adam was born in 1599, to Rudolph Trčka and Marie Magdalene von Lobkowitz. The Trčka and Lobkowitz families were two of the most powerful Bohemian noble families at the time, making him the heir of vast estates. Those included , Wlashim, Pilgram, Lounowitz, Jung Woschitz, Hermanmiestetz, Rziczan, Liechtenburg, Swietla, Habern, Seelau, Chotieborz, Opochno, Hohenbruck, Polná, Smidar and Kaunitz. The Trčkas supported the Bohemian Estates at the outbreak of the Bohemian Revolt in 1618, without directly taking part in the fighting. In the aftermath of the defeat of the rebels, numerous Trčka family estates were confiscated. Trčka entered the ranks of the Imperial army in 1626. On 28 August 1627, Trčka married Maximiliana von Harrach, the daughter of Karl von Harrach, Imperial privy councilor and one of the emperor's most influential advisors. Maximiliana's sisters were married to count Max von Waldstein-Wartenberg and Imperial Generalissimo Albrecht von Wallenstein respectively. He then converted from Utraquism to Catholicism, securing his position at the forefront of Bohemia's political elite during the contemporary recatholicization campaign in Bohemia. His parents followed his example, taking back their lost estates. Nevertheless, his mother Marie Magdalene continued to practise Utraquism in secret.
In the meantime, Trčka's military career progressed quickly as he had gained Wallenstein's trust, delivering his messages to the emperor Ferdinand II. On 18 February 1628, the emperor bestowed upon Trčka the title of Hochwohlgeboren. In 1629, a peasant uprising broke out in the districts of Neustadt and Nachod (Trčka and Wallenstein's personal estates), the rebels were opposed to the Catholicization of the area. Trčka suppressed the uprising with Wallenstein's aid. On 23 February 1630, Wallenstein ordered Imperial field marshal Ramboldo, Count of Collalto to transfer seven flags of his infantry regiment to Trčka, whom he promoted to colonel. The emperor declared the order to be invalid, after troops under Trčka's command were accused of extorting money from the citizens of Königgratz, Nimburg and Welwarn. On 1 October, Trčka received the 500-man, Haugwitz Harquebusier Regiment instead, possibly after disproving the allegations. Trčka spent the following year recruiting soldiers for the needs of the Imperial army. In October–November 1631, Trčka represented Wallenstein in secret meetings with Swedish envoy Jindřich Matyáš Thurn, who failed to persuade Wallenstein to switch sides and join the Swedish army. In 1632, Trčka campaigned in Bohemia and around Nuremberg, on 6 November his cavalry distinguished themselves in the Battle of Lützen. He was then sent to Preßnitz. He returned to Bohemia before he was able to carry his assignment due to the death of his mother on 8 January 1633. He inherited his mother's estates, as the will excluded his brother Wilhelm.
From July until September, he represented the Imperial side in negotiations with the Saxon general Hans Georg von Arnim-Boitzenburg, securing several truces. On 6 October, Wallenstein requested Trčka to be promoted from colonel to lieutenant field marshal, the order was approved by the emperor eight days later. He took part in the Silesian and Brandenburg campaigns of that year, which resulted in the capture of Grossglogau, Frankfurt, Görlitz, and Bautzen. He then marched back to Bohemia passing through Kittlitz, Schluckenau, Kritzitz and Leitmeritz where his force united with that of Matthias Gallas.