House of Orange-Nassau

The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch Oranje-Nassau), is a family that has played a central role in the political life of the Netherlands since William I of Orange (also known as "William the Silent" and "Father of the Fatherland") organised the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule, which after the Eighty Years' War led to an independent Dutch state.

Early history: the House of Nassau

The first person to be called count of Nassau was Henry I, who lived in the first half of the 13th century. His sons Walram and Otto split the Nassau possessions. The descendants of Walram became known as the Walram Line, which became important in the Nassau county. The descendants of Otto became known as the Otton Line, which inherited parts of the Nassau county, France and the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Count - Nassau - 13th century - France - Netherlands

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The House of Orange-Nassau stem from the Otton Line. The second person was Engelbert I, who offered his services to the Duke of Burgundy, married a Dutch noblewoman and inherited lands in the Netherlands, with the barony of Breda as the core of the Dutch possessions.

Related Topics:
Duke - Burgundy - Barony - Breda

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The importance of the Nassaus grew throughout the 15th and 16th century.

Related Topics:
15th - 16th century

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Hendrik III of Nassau-Breda was appointed stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht by Charles of Ghent in the beginning of the 16th century. Henry was succeded by René of Châlon-Orange in 1538, who was, as his full name stated, Prince of Orange. When René died prematurely on the battlefield in 1544 his possessions passed to his nephew, William I of Orange. From then on the family members called themselves "Orange-Nassau."

Related Topics:
Hendrik III of Nassau-Breda - Stadtholder - Holland - Zeeland - Utrecht - Charles of Ghent - 1538 - Prince of Orange - 1544 - William I of Orange

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William of Orange was befriended by Charles V and his son Philip.

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