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Wilhelm "the Rich" Count von
Nassau-Dillenburg, (1487-1559)
son of Johann V, Count von Nassau-Dillenburg
and Landgraefin Elisabeth von Hessen
Born 10 April 1487 Dillenburg
Died 6 October 1559 Dillenburg
Married 29 October 1506 Koblenz
Walburga van Egmond
Born 1489
Died 7 March 1529
Married 1531
Juliana von Stolberg-Wernigerode
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When his father died in 1516, Wilhelm, as the younger son, inherited
the German possessions; the more important holdings in The Netherlands
having already gone to his elder brother, Heinrich III, in 1504. The family
of Nassau was of old and respected stock, more honest and less greedy than
other German nobles, though their financial status was rather precarious.
In 1506 Wilhelm married Walburga van Egmond, who died in 1529. Only
two daughters were born, Elisabeth (1515-1523) and Magdalena (1522-1567).
In 1531 he married a 25-year-old widow, Juliana von Stolberg-Wernigerode.
From this marriage twelve children were born, all but one growing up. Apart
from his fourteen legitimate children, he also had one illegitimate son.
Tradition has it that, when at last a son and heir was born, and even
though they were of only minor German nobility, Wilhelm went to the theologian,
Melanchton, asking him to draw his horoscope. As the result seemed rather
strange, they dismissed Melanchton's statement that young William (The
Silent) would inherit wealth and power, be encumbered with great troubles
in the middle of his life, and would meet with a violent end.
Wilhelm did not chase honours or positions, having declined (in 1528)
the Governorship of Luxembourg. He encouraged agriculture and founded schools,
and his careful manouevring kept Nassau out of Germany's religious turmoil.
In 1534 he officially changed to the Lutheran religion. In 1535 he joined
the Schmalkaldisch League. It was a great shock when, in 1544, his twenty-five
year old nephew, Rene de Chalon, Prince of Orange as well as owner of great
wealth and position, died in a minor battle and left all his possessions
to Wilhelm's son, the 11-year-old William, who having to change his religion,
became a Catholic when sent to The Netherlands for further education.
Wilhelm died before the religious turmoil in The Netherlands started
to affect his son's life. However, his widow, surviving him by almost twenty
one years, was a great support and today is still remembered in The Netherlands.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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