Hans Albrecht von Barfus

Hans Albrecht von Barfus (1635 – 27 December 1704) was a field marshal in the service of Brandenburg and Prussia, serving briefly as prime minister under King Frederick I.

Military career Barfus was born in 1635 to a cuirassier captain and his wife. He served alongside the Swedes in 1656 during the Second Northern War (as a lieutenant), and, now serving the Elector of Brandenburg, quickly rose through the ranks, eventually being granted a colonelcy. By the time of the battle of Vienna he was a major-general, and served under King John of Poland during that campaign.

When the Elector died, Frederick III took the position. During the Nine Years War, Barfus commanded Brandenburg troops serving with the Dutch against France. In 1690, Barfus violently quarreled with a fellow Electoral officer, General von Schoning. The argument resulted in both men drawing their swords, enjoyed the premiership for only a brief time, as the Graf von Wartenburg rose to power later that year. However, when the Elector was crowned King of Prussia, Barfus traveled with him as the army representative. He was, also, in 1701 granted the Black Eagle, the highest Prussian military award at the time.