Engelbert I, Graf von Nassau-Dillenburg,
(1370-1442)
born circa 1370
died 3 May 1442 Breda, The Netherlands
married 1 August 1403
Johanna van Polanen, Heiress of Breda, de Lek, Oosterhout, Niervaart
born 10 January 1392
died 15 May 1445 Breda
Born around 1370, he studied at Cologne intending to become a priest.
However, in 1403, fearing the extinction of his family he married Johanna
van Polanen, a very rich heiress. He fathered six children by her as well
as two illegitimate children. Having obtained his wife's
rich inheritance, he also inherited the Nassau-Dillenburg territories
as well as those of the Counts of Vianden in Luxembourg. He lived mainly
in The Netherlands and became an advisor to the Duke of Brabant for whom
he went to Prague in 1409 to collect the Duke's second wife.
The Duke of Brabant fell in the battle of Agincourt on 25 October 1415
and it was Engelbert who assured the succession of the Duke's minor son.
In 1426 Engelbert founded the University of Louvain. In 1442 he died in
Breda
Source: Leo van de Pas
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