Meindert van Ham

Meindert van Ham (Meinhard von Hamm, or Meinert van (den) Hamm(e)) (c. 1470-after 1545) was an army commander from Hamm in Westphalia.

He commanded an army of Landsknechts and offered his services to several rulers. He fought for 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 served several years as his right hand.

In 1536, during the Guelderian Wars, Meindert van Ham occupied and terrorized with 3000 man the Ommelanden, until he was defeated in the Battle of Heiligerlee (1536) by Georg Schenck van Toutenburg and Philip de Lalaing.

He is also known to have composed some poems and songs.

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