Emmanuel de Croÿ-Solre

Emanuel, duc de Croÿ, Prince de Solre, (23 June 1718 – 30 March 1784) was a French soldier of the 18th century who attained the rank of Marshal of France.

Biography The only son of Philippe-Alexandre-Emmanuel de Croy, he was born a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire.

Appointed supernumerary inspector general of the infantry on 19 November 1756, he went to Corsica where he was commander at Ajaccio until 1 March 1757. Recalled to France, he was employed in the army of Germany and was present at the Battle of Hastenbeck, the Occupation of Hanover and the Battle of Krefeld in 1758. Upon the resignation of the Count of Maillebois on 23 May 1758, he was appointed inspector general of the infantry. On 1 May 1759, again employed in the army of Germany, he fought at the Battle of Minden and rescued a corps of 10,000 men, which the Duke of Brissac believed to be lost. For five hours, they had held their ground against forces three times their size.

Marriage and children Emmanuel de Croÿ married in 1741 Angélique-Adélaïde d'Harcourt (1719–1744), daughter of François d'Harcourt (Marshal of France). Together they had:

Adélaïde de Croÿ-Solre (1741–1822), married Joseph Anne Auguste, Duke of Croy-Havré (1744–1839), Duke of Havré, Lord of Tourcoing (1761–1789), Knight of the Golden Fleece. Anne Emmanuel, 8th Duke of Croÿ (1743-1803), Grandee of Spain, Field Marshal (1784), Knight of the Holy Spirit (1786), married Auguste Friederike zu Salm-Kyrburg (1747-1822), had issue.