Louis Henry of Nassau-Dillenburg (9 May 1594 in
Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken (; french: link=no, Sarrebruck ; Rhine Franconian: ''Saarbrigge'' ; lb, Saarbrécken ; lat, Saravipons, lit=The Bridge(s) across the Saar river) is the capital and largest city of the state of Saarland, Germany. Saarbrücken is S ...
– 12 July 1662 in
Dillenburg
Dillenburg, officially Oranienstadt Dillenburg, is a town in Hesse's Gießen (region), Gießen region in Germany. The town was formerly the seat of the old Dillkreis district, which is now part of the Lahn-Dill-Kreis.
The town lies on the German-N ...
), was Count, and from 1654
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
of
Nassau-Dillenburg
The County of Nassau was a German state within the Holy Roman Empire and later part of the German Confederation. Its ruling dynasty, the male line of which is now extinct, was the House of Nassau.
Origins
Nassau, originally a county, developed ...
. During the
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history
The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (80 ...
, he was a senior officer. He climbed to the rank of
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
. Before 1635, he served on the
Protestant
Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
side; after 1635, he served in the imperial army.
Early life
He was born as the eight child and sixth son of the Count
George, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg
Count George of Nassau-Beilstein, later also Count of Nassau-Dillenburg, (1 September 1562 – 9 August 1623 in Dillenburg) was the third son of Count John VI "the Elder" of Nassau-Dillenburg (1536-1606) from his first marriage with Landgravin ...
and his wife, Countess Anna Amalie of
Nassau-Saarbrücken (1565–1605). Before ruling Nassau-Dillenburg, his father was reigning count of Nassau-Beilstein.
Early years
Louis Henry was first educated at the court in Dillenburg and later at
Herborn Academy The Herborn Academy ( la, Academia Nassauensis) was a Calvinist institution of higher learning in Herborn from 1584 to 1817. The Academy was a centre of encyclopaedic Ramism and the birthplace of both covenant theology and pansophism. Its faculty ...
. He then made a
Grand Tour
The Grand Tour was the principally 17th- to early 19th-century custom of a traditional trip through Europe, with Italy as a key destination, undertaken by upper-class young European men of sufficient means and rank (typically accompanied by a tuto ...
to
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
and the
Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
. He received his military training under Prince
Maurice of Orange-Nassau. As early as 1614, he participated in the relief of
Emmerich, which was besieged by the Spanish.
Louis Henry and his brother
Albert
Albert may refer to:
Companies
* Albert (supermarket), a supermarket chain in the Czech Republic
* Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the Netherlands
* Albert Market, a street market in The Gambia
* Albert Productions, a record label
* Alber ...
inherited Nassau-Dillenburg in 1623. They ruled jointly, until Albert died in 1626 and Louis Henry became the sole ruler.
Councillor Hoen and domestic policies
The Emperor had
outlaw
An outlaw, in its original and legal meaning, is a person declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, all legal protection was withdrawn from the criminal, so that anyone was legally empowered to persecute or kill them ...
ed the Counts of Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Hadamar for allegedly supporting Elector Palatine
Frederick V Frederick V or Friedrich V may refer to:
* Frederick V, Duke of Swabia (1164–1170)
*Frederick V, Count of Zollern (d.1289)
*Frederick V, Burgrave of Nuremberg (c. 1333–1398), German noble
*Frederick V of Austria (1415–1493), or Frederick III ...
. The Emperor had assigned their possessions to
John VIII of Nassau-Siegen. This ruling was never carried out, thanks to the efforts of
John Louis of Nassau-Hadamar. Even so, the military occupation of Nassau-Dillenburg from 1622 onwards, put a high strain on his land. Louis Henry saw reducing this damage as his main task. He only played a relatively small rôle himself. Policies were mainly drawn up and carried out by his councillor, the publicist and professor
Philipp Heinrich Hoen
Philipp is both a surname and a given name. Notable people with the name include:
"Philipp" has also been a shortened version of Philippson, a German surname especially prevalent amongst German Jews and Dutch Jews.
Surname
* Adolf Philipp (1864â ...
(''Hoenosius''). Hoen also administered the county during Henry Louis long periods of absence. He also represented the interests of the House of Nassau and the
Wetterau Association of Imperial Counts Wetterau Association of Imperial Counts was an association of comital families in the Wetterau and surrounding areas. It originated in the late Middle Ages and was formally disbanded when the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806.
400px, Map of ...
in the negotiations that led to the
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia (german: Westfälischer Friede, ) is the collective name for two peace treaties signed in October 1648 in the Westphalian cities of Osnabrück and Münster. They ended the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) and brought pea ...
.
In Protestant service
Louis Henry initially stood on the side of the
Protestant Union
The Protestant Union (german: Protestantische Union), also known as the Evangelical Union, Union of Auhausen, German Union or the Protestant Action Party, was a coalition of Protestant German states. It was formed on 14 May 1608 by Frederick I ...
. He joined the army of King
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Gustavus Adolphus (9 December Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates">N.S_19_December.html" ;"title="Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Old Style and New Style dates">N.S 19 December">Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="/now ...
as a colonel. He led an infantry regiment and later a cavalry regiment. His troops distinguished themselves in various battles, and Louis Henry himself showed personal bravery. He distinguished himself in particular during the storming of fortified cities and fortresses, such as the capture of
Braunfels in 1635.
In the imperial service
Later that year, when the war seemed to turn against the Swedes, Louis Henry changed sides and joined the imperial side. He served the emperor as a senior officer and united his forces with those of Landgrave
George II George II or 2 may refer to:
People
* George II of Antioch (seventh century AD)
* George II of Armenia (late ninth century)
* George II of Abkhazia (916–960)
* Patriarch George II of Alexandria (1021–1051)
* George II of Georgia (1072–1089) ...
of Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1637, he held the rank of
Major general
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
and marched into Saxony. He then enjoyed the imperial favour at the court in
Prague
Prague ( ; cs, Praha ; german: Prag, ; la, Praga) is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, and the historical capital of Bohemia. On the Vltava river, Prague is home to about 1.3 million people. The city has a temperate ...
. In 1654, he was rewarded for his services by being raised to
Imperial Prince
Prince of the Holy Roman Empire ( la, princeps imperii, german: Reichsfürst, cf. ''Fürst'') was a title attributed to a hereditary ruler, nobleman or prelate recognised as such by the Holy Roman Emperor.
Definition
Originally, possessors o ...
.
Domestic policies after 1649
After Hoen died in 1649, Louis Henry tried to enforce an
absolutist policy in Dillenburg. He was only partially successful. He also attempted to support
Herborn Academy The Herborn Academy ( la, Academia Nassauensis) was a Calvinist institution of higher learning in Herborn from 1584 to 1817. The Academy was a centre of encyclopaedic Ramism and the birthplace of both covenant theology and pansophism. Its faculty ...
, which had been badly affected by the war, but eventually lost interest.
Louis Henry died in 1662. Since his eldest son,
George Louis had already died in 1656, Dillenburg was inherited by his grandson
Henry
Henry may refer to:
People
*Henry (given name)
* Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...
.
Personal life
Louis Henry was married three times. His first wife was Katharina of
Sayn-Wittgenstein
Sayn-Wittgenstein was a county of medieval Germany, located in the Sauerland of eastern North Rhine-Westphalia.
History
Sayn-Wittgenstein was created when Count Salentin of Sayn-Homburg, a member of the House of Sponheim, married the heiress Cou ...
(1588–1651), the daughter of
Louis I, Count of Sayn-Wittgenstein Louis may refer to:
* Louis (coin)
* Louis (given name), origin and several individuals with this name
* Louis (surname)
* Louis (singer), Serbian singer
* HMS ''Louis'', two ships of the Royal Navy
See also
Derived or associated terms
* Lewis ( ...
. The couple had the following children:
* Anne (1616–1649), married:
*# in 1638 with Count Philip of
Wied (died 1638)
*# in 1646 with Count Christian of
Sayn-Wittgenstein
Sayn-Wittgenstein was a county of medieval Germany, located in the Sauerland of eastern North Rhine-Westphalia.
History
Sayn-Wittgenstein was created when Count Salentin of Sayn-Homburg, a member of the House of Sponheim, married the heiress Cou ...
(died 1675)
*
George Louis (1618–1656), Hereditary Prince of Nassau-Dillenburg, married in 1638 with Princess Augusta Anna
Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, the daughter of Duke
Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Henry may refer to:
People
*Henry (given name)
* Henry (surname)
* Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry
Royalty
* Portuguese royalty
** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal
** Henry, Count of Portugal ...
(1612–1673)
* Elisabeth (1619–1665)
* Juliana (1620–1622)
* Albert (1621–1622)
* Catherine (1622–1631)
* Louise (1623–1665), married in 1646 Count
John Louis of Isenburg-Offenbach
John Louis of Isenburg-Offenbach (German: Johann Ludwig von Isenburg-Offenbach, 14 February 1622 — 23 February 1685) was the Count Isenburg-Offenbach
Isenburg-Offenbach was the name of a state of the Holy Roman Empire, based around Offenbach ...
(died 1685)
* Unnamed daughter (1624)
* Henry (1626–1627)
* Magdalena (1628–1663), married in 1662 with Count Christian Maurice of
Isenburg-Büdingen
Isenburg-Büdingen was a County of southern Hesse, Germany, located in Büdingen. It was originally a part of the County of Isenburg.
There were two different Counties of the same name. The first (1341–1511) was a partition of Isenburg-Cleberg ...
(died 1664)
*
Adolph (1629–1676), Prince of
Nassau-Schaumburg, married in 1653 with Countess Elisabeth Charlotte von
Holzappel (1640–1707), the daughter of
Peter Melander, Count of Holzappel and his wife, Baroness Agnes von Efferen genannt Hall (1697-1666)
* Philip (1630–1657)
* twins (1631)
* Maria Eleonora (1632–1633)
After Catherine's death, he married Wild- and
Rhinegravine Elizabeth of
Salm-Dhaun (1593–1656), widow of Count Philipp Ludwig zu
Ysenburg und Büdingen (1593–1616) and of Count Reinhard, Count zu
Solms-Hungen (1573–1630). She was the daughter of Wild- and
Rhinegrave
(feminine: ) is a historical title of the German nobility, usually translated as "count". Considered to be intermediate among noble ranks, the title is often treated as equivalent to the British title of "earl" (whose female version is "coun ...
Adolph Henry of
Salm-Dhaun-Neufviller (1557–1606) and his wife, Countess Countess Juliana von
Nassau-Dillenburg
The County of Nassau was a German state within the Holy Roman Empire and later part of the German Confederation. Its ruling dynasty, the male line of which is now extinct, was the House of Nassau.
Origins
Nassau, originally a county, developed ...
(1565–1630). However, she died soon after the wedding.
In 1656, he married his third wife. She was Princess Sophie Magdalene of
Nassau-Hadamar
Nassau-Hadamar is the name of two side lines of the Ottonian main line of the House of Nassau. The older line of the counts of Nassau-Hadamar existed from 1303 to 1394; the younger line existed from 1607 to 1711 and received the hereditary title o ...
(1622–1658), the daughter of Prince
John Louis of Nassau-Hadamar
John Louis of Nassau-Hadamar, ( Dillenburg, 6 August 1590 – Hadamar, 10 March 1653) and also known in German as Johann Ludwig, was a German nobleman and member of the House of Nassau who is best known for his role as an aide to the head of the ...
and his wife, Countess Ursula zur
Lippe
Lippe () is a ''Kreis'' (district) in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Herford, Minden-Lübbecke, Höxter, Paderborn, Gütersloh, and district-free Bielefeld, which forms the region Ostwestfalen-Lippe.
The d ...
(1598–1638). They had three children:
* Augustus (1657–1680)
* Charles (1658–1659)
* Louis (1658–1658)
Ancestors
References
*
*
External links
* https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092432/http://www.royaltyguide.nl/families/nassau/nassaudillenburg3.htm
{{DEFAULTSORT:Louis Henry Nassau Dillenburg
Counts of Nassau
Princes of Nassau
Generals of the Holy Roman Empire
Military personnel of the Thirty Years' War
House of Nassau
1594 births
1662 deaths
17th-century German military personnel