Meindert van Ham

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Meindert van Ham, also known as Meinhard von Hamm or Meinert van den Hamm(e), was born around 1470 and died after 1545. He came from Hamm in Westphalia and was a commander who led an army of Landsknechts (mercenary soldiers). He worked for several rulers, including Balthasar Oomkens von Esens, Christian III of Denmark, George, Duke of Saxony, and Charles of Guelders. He was a contemporary of Maarten van Rossum and later served as his right-hand man for several years. In 1536, during the Guelders Wars, Meindert Van Ham led 3,000 men to occupy and terrorize the Ommelanden, but was defeated at the Battle of Heiligerlee by Georg Schenck van Toutenburg and Philip de Lalaing, 2nd Count of Hoogstraten. He was captured and spent a long time as a prisoner in Vilvoorde; what happened after his release is not known. He also wrote some poems and songs.