County of Nassau explained

Native Name:
Conventional Long Name:(Princely) County of Nassau
Principalities of Nassau
Common Name:Nassau
Common Languages:German (Rhine Franconian dialects, Moselle Franconian dialects)
Religion:Roman Catholic
Era:Middle Ages
Status:County
Empire:Holy Roman Empire
Government Type:County
Image Map Caption:County of Nassau in 1547
Year Start:1125
Year End:1806
Event Pre:City founded
Date Pre:915
Event Start:Rupert I claims title of count
Event1:Comital title acknowledged
Date Event1:1159
Event2:Partitioned multiple times
Date Event2:1255–1806
Event End:Remaining parts unified to form duchy
P1:Bishopric of Worms
Flag P1:Armoiries Eveche de Worms.svg
Border P1:no
S1:Duchy of Nassau
Flag S1:Flagge Herzogtum Nassau (1806-1866).svg
Capital:Nassau
Today:Germany

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 on the lower Lahn river in what is known today as Rhineland-Palatinate. The town of Nassau was founded in 915.[1] Dudo of Laurenburg held Nassau as a fiefdom as granted by the Bishopric of Worms. His son, Rupert, built the Nassau Castle there around 1125, declaring himself "Count of Nassau". This title was not officially acknowledged by the Bishop of Worms until 1159 under the rule of Rupert's son, Walram. By 1159, the County of Nassau effectively claimed rights of taxation, toll collection, and justice, at which point it can be considered to become a state.

The Nassauers held the territory between the Taunus and the Westerwald at the lower and middle Lahn. By 1128, they acquired the bailiwick of the Bishopric of Worms, which had numerous rights in the area, and thus created a link between their heritage at the lower Lahn and their possessions near Siegen. In the middle of the 12th century, this relationship was strengthened by the acquisition of parts of the Hesse-Thüringen feudal kingdom, namely the Herborner Mark, the Kalenberger Zent and the Court of Heimau (Löhnberg). Closely linked to this was the "Lordship of Westerwald", also in Nassau's possession at the time. At the end of the 12th century, the House acquired the Reichshof Wiesbaden, an important base in the southwest.

In 1255, after the Counts of Nassau acquired the estates of Weilburg, the sons of Count Henry II divided Nassau for the first time. Walram II received the county of Nassau-Weilburg. From 1328 on, his younger brother, Otto I, held the estates north of the Lahn river, namely the County of Nassau-Siegen and Nassau-Dillenburg. The boundary line was essentially the Lahn, with Otto receiving the northern part of the county with the cities of Siegen, Dillenburg, Herborn and Haiger and Walram retaining the section south of the river, including the cities of Weilburg and Idstein.

County of Nassau-Weilburg

Walram's son Adolf became King of Germany in 1292. His son Count Gerlach abdicated in 1344 and the county was divided under his sons in 1355

fell back to Nassau-Weilburg in 1605

In 1605, all parts of Nassau-Weilburg were again unified under Count Louis II; however, after his death in 1627, his sons divided the county again

After Nassau-Usingen had inherited Nassau-Ottweiler with former Nassau-Idstein and Nassau-Saarbrücken, it was reunified with Nassau-Weilburg and raised to the Duchy of Nassau in 1806.

County of Nassau-Dillenburg

After the death of Count Otto I, his county was divided between his sons in 1303:

In 1504, Henry III of Nassau-Dillenburg inherited the county's estates at Breda in the Duchy of Brabant, while his younger brother William became Count of Nassau-Dillenburg in 1516. After the son of Henry III, René of Châlon died in 1544, Count William's eldest son William the Silent became Prince of Orange and Lord of Breda, Stadtholder in the Low Countries from 1559 on. His younger brother, John VI, again reunited all Nassau-Dillenburg possessions in 1561, though the county was again divided after his death in 1606.

The Counts of Nassau-Dietz, descendants of William Frederick were stadtholders of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe and Princes of Orange from 1702 on. When they lost their Dutch possessions during the Napoleonic Wars, they were compensated with the Principality of Nassau-Orange-Fulda. Though they lost their German possessions in 1806, the House of Orange-Nassau, through female succession, was the reigning house of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg until 1890 and is still the royal house of the Netherlands.

Rulers

House of Nassau

Partitions of Nassau under House of Nassau rule

County of Laurenburg/ Nassau
(1093-1255)

County of
Northern Nassau

(Ottonian Line)
(1255-1303)

County of
Southern Nassau

(Walramian Line)
(1255-1355)
County of
Dillenburg

(1st creation)
(1303-1328)
      <---Nassau-Siegen--->County of
Hadamar

(1st creation)
(1303-1394)
      <---Nassau-Siegen--->
County of
Beilstein

(1343-1561)
      <---Nassau-Siegen--->
      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->County of
Sonnenberg

(1355-1404)
      <---Nassau-Wiesbaden--->
      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->
      <---Nassau-Siegen--->
County of
Weilburg

(1355-1806)
County of
Siegen

(1303-1652/64)

Barony of
Breda

(1403-1544)
Renamed as:

Principality of
Orange-Nassau

(1st creation,
Siegen-Breda line)

(1544-1702)[2]
      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->County of
Wiesbaden-Idstein

(1st creation)
(1355-1605)
(divided 1370-86; 1480-1509; 1554-56; 1564-66)
      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->
County of
Saarbrücken

(1st creation)
(1429-1574)
      <---Nassau-Siegen--->      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->
      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->
      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->
County of
Hadamar

(2nd creation)
(1620-1650)
Raised to:
Principality of
Hadamar

(1650-1711)
(In 1623 divided in Catholic and Protestant ruling lines)

Both lines raised to:
Catholic Principality
of Siegen

(1652-1743)
and

Protestant Principality
of Siegen

(1664-1734)
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->
      <---Nassau-Dillenburg--->
      <---Nassau-Dillenburg--->      <---Nassau-Weilburg--->      <---Nassau-Saarbrücken--->County of
Idstein

(2nd creation)
(1627-1688)

Raised to:
Principality of
Idstein

(1688-1721)
      <---Nassau-Dillenburg--->      <---Nassau-Usingen--->County of
Ottweiler

(1659-1721)
      <---Nassau-Saarbrücken--->
      <---Nassau-Dillenburg--->      <---Nassau-Dietz--->      <---Nassau-Usingen--->      <---Nassau-Saarbrücken--->

County of
Dillenburg

(2nd creation)
(1606-1654)

Raised to:

Principality of
Dillenburg

(1654-1739)
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->      <---Nassau-Usingen--->      <---Nassau-Saarbrücken--->

County of
Dietz

(1606-1654)
Raised to:

Principality of
Dietz

(1654-1702)
      <---Nassau-Usingen--->
County of
Saarbrücken

(2nd creation)
(1627-1728)
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->      <---Nassau-Usingen--->      <---Nassau-Saarbrücken--->
Renamed as:

Principality of
Orange-Nassau

(2nd creation, Dietz line)
(1702-1806)
County of Usingen
(1659-1688)
Raised to:
Principality of Usingen
(1688-1806)
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->      <---Nassau-Usingen--->Principality of
Saarbrücken

(1741-1797)
      <---Nassau-Dietz--->      <---Nassau-Usingen--->Annexed by France
      <---Duchy of Nassau--->

Principality of Orange-Nassau
(2nd creation, Dietz line)
(1813-1815)
Duchy of Nassau
(1806-1866)
      <---Duchy of Nassau--->
Annexed by Prussia

Table of rulers

RulerBornReignRuling partConsortDeathNotes
Dudo?1093 – 1117County of Laurenburg/
Nassau
Irmgard/Demudis of Arnstein
three children
c.1117Founder of the family and the county.
Rupert Ic.1090
First son of Dudo and Irmgard/Demudis of Arnstein
1117 – 1154County of Laurenburg/
Nassau
Beatrix of Limburg
before 1135
four children
c.1154
aged c.63/64
Sons of Dudo, ruled jointly. Arnold abdicated from the co-regency.
Arnold Ic.1090
Second son of Dudo and Irmgard/Demudis of Arnstein
1117 – 1148/50Unmarriedc.1148/50
aged c.58-60
Rupert IIc.1120
First son of Rupert I and Beatrix of Limburg
1154 – 1159County of Laurenburg/
Nassau
Beatrix
at least two children
c.1159
aged c.38-39
Sons of Rupert I, ruled jointly.
Arnold IIc.1137
Second son of Rupert I and Beatrix of Limburg
Unknown
at least one child
c.1159
aged c.21-22
Regency of Beatrix of Limburg (1159-1160)Cousins, ruled together. Rupert III, Arnold II's son, co- ruled with Henry I, Rupert II's son. In 1167, Henry I died in Rome during the August 1167 epidemic (after the Battle of Monte Porzio). His death made his brother Waleran replace him in the co-regency. In 1191, Rupert III's death made his son Herman the new co-regent, but he abdicated the next year. In 1193, Waleran I (then already sole ruler) would become the first legalized Count of Nassau.
Rupert III the Bellicosec.1130/40?
Son of Arnold II
1159 – 23/28 December 1191County of Laurenburg/
Nassau
Elysa of Leiningen
1169
two children
23/28 December 1191
aged c.51-61
Henry Ic.1140
First son of Rupert II and Beatrix
1159 – August 1167 UnmarriedAugust 1167
Rome
aged c.26/27
Waleran I1146
Second son of Rupert II and Beatrix
August 1167 – 1 February 1198Kunigunde of Ziegenhain
before 1135
four children
1 February 1198
aged 51/52
Hermanc.1170
Son of Rupert III and Elysa of Leiningen
23/28 December 1191 – 1192Unmarriedc.1210?
aged c.39/40?
Henry II the Richc.1180
First son of Waleran I and Kunigunde of Ziegenhain
1 February 1198 – 26 April 1250County of Nassau Matilda of Guelders
before 1221
eleven children
26 April 1250
aged c.69/70
Sons of Waleran I, ruled together. From 1230 to 1240, Rupert was a Knight of the Teutonic Order.
Rupert IVc.1180
Second son of Waleran I and Kunigunde of Ziegenhain
1 February 1198 – 1230Gertrude of Isenburg-Cleeberg
c. 11 December 1215
no children
c.1239
aged c.58/59
Henry II's sons, Waleran II and Otto I, who were ruling together, split the Nassau possessions on 17 December 1255, by a treaty called Prima divisio, which determined the Lahn river as border of the two halves: to the south, called Southern Nassau, was ruled by Waleran and his descendants, who became known as the Walramian Line, which became important in the County of Nassau and Luxembourg; to the north, called Northern Nassau the county was ruled by Otto and his descendants, who became known as the Ottonian Line, which would inherit parts of Nassau, France and the Netherlands.
Waleran IIc.1220
First son of Henry II and Matilda of Guelders
26 April 1250 – 16 December 1255County of NassauAdelaide of Katzenelnbogen
before 1250
seven children
24 January 1276
aged c.55/56
Children of Henry II, ruled jointly until 1255, when they issued the Prima divisio, regulating their division of lands:
16 December 1255 – 24 January 1276Southern Nassau
Otto I1224
Second son of Henry II and Matilda of Guelders
26 April 1250 – 16 December 1255County of NassauAgnes of Leiningen
before 1270
five children
between 3 May 1289 and 19 March 1290
aged c.64-66
16 December 1255 – 1289/90Northern Nassau
Adolph I1255
Second son of Waleran II and Adelaide of Katzenelnbogen
24 January 1276 – 2 July 1298County of Southern Nassau Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg
1270
eight children
2 July 1298
Göllheim
aged 42/43
In 1292 was crowned King of Germany.
Henry I[3] c.1270
First son of Otto I, Count of Nassau and Agnes of Leiningen
1289/90 – 1303County of Northern NassauAdelaide of Sponheim-Heinsberg
1302
five children
July/August 1343
aged 72/73
Sons of Otto I, ruled together until 1303, when they divided the land: Henry received Nassau-Siegen(Siegen, Ginsberg, Haiger, and the Westerwald), Emicho received Nassau-Hadamar and John received Nassau-Dillenburg. However, after the childless death of John, Nassau-Dillenburg (and the towns of Dillenburg, Herborn, and Beilstein) fell to Nassau-Siegen, which adopted the name Nassau-Dillenburg. Siegen and Dillenburg were united until 1606.
1303 – July/August 1343County of Siegen
Emicho Ic.1285
Second son of Otto I, Count of Nassau and Agnes of Leiningen
1289/90 – 1303County of Northern NassauAnna of Nuremberg
before 1297
eight children
7 June 1334
aged 48-49
1303 – 7 June 1334County of Hadamar
Johnc.1285
Fourth son of Otto I, Count of Nassau and Agnes of Leiningen
1289/90 – 1303County of Northern NassauUnmarried10 August 1328
aged 42-43
1303 – 10 August 1328County of Dillenburg
Nassau-Dillenburg was annexed to Nassau-Siegen
Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg1255
Limburg an der Lahn
Daughter of Gerlach IV, Count of Isenburg-Limburg and Imagina of Blieskastel
2 July 1298 – 29 September 1313County of Southern Nassau
(at Weilburg)
Adolph I
1270
eight children
29 September 1313
Wiesbaden
aged 57–58
While Adolf's widow, Imagina, received a seat at Weilburg (which after her death returned to the family), the children of the couple ruled jointly. Waleran abdicated in 1316, and in 1344 Gerlach did the same to pass the rule to his two elder sons, as his brothers didn't have male heirs.
Rupert V1280
Second son of Adolph I and Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg
2 July 1298 – 2 November 1304County of Southern NassauUnmarried2 November 1304
aged 23/24
Gerlach I1285
Third son of Adolph I and Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg
2 July 1298 – 1344Agnes of Hesse
1307
seven children

Irmgard of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim
before 4 January 1337
two children
7 January 1361
Wiesbaden-Sonnenberg (?)
aged 75/76
Waleran III1294
Fifth son of Adolph I and Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg
2 July 1298 – 1316Unmarried22 December 1324
aged 29/30
Johnc.1305
First son of Emicho I and Anna of Nuremberg
7 June 1334 – 20 January 1365Elisabeth of Waldeck
1331
ten children
20 January 1365
aged c.59/60
Children of Emicho I, ruled jointly.
Emicho IIc.1305
Second son of Emicho I and Anna of Nuremberg
7 June 1334 – 1 March 1359 Anna of Diez
no children
1 March 1359
aged c. 53/54
Otto II1305
First son of Henry I and Adelaide of Sponheim-Heinsberg
July/August 1343 – December 1350 or January 1351Adelaide of Vianden
23 December 1331
three children
December 1350/January 1351
Children of Henry I, divided the land: Otto inherited Siegen and Dillenburg, and Henry inherited Beilstein, partitioned from Dillenburg.
Henry I1307
Second son of Henry I and Adelaide of Sponheim-Heinsberg
July/August 1343 – 28 October 1378Imagina of Westerburg
1339
three children
28 October 1378
Beilstein
aged 70/71
Adelaide of Viandenc.1310
Daughter of Philip II, Count of Vianden and Adelaide of Arnsberg
December 1350 or January 1351 – 30 September 1376County of Siegen
(in Mengerskirchen and Tringenstein)
Otto II
23 December 1331
three children
30 September 1376
Mengerskirchen (?)
aged c.65/66
Heirs of Otto II. Adelaide, as Otto's widow, received seats Mengerskirchen and Tringenstein, while serving also as regent for her son John. After John attained majority, she continued her rule in her designated seats. During his long reign, John made lucrative acquisitions of various kinds and expanded the possessions of his family.
Regency of Adelaide of Vianden (1351-1362)
John I1339
Son of Otto II and Adelaide of Vianden
December 1350 or January 1351 – 4 September 1416Margaret of the Mark
30 November 1357
five children
4 September 1416
Herborn
aged 76/77
Adolph I1307
First son of Gerlach I, Count of Nassau and Agnes of Hesse
1344 – 25 November 1355County of Southern NassauMargaret of Nuremberg
1322
fourteen children
17 January 1370
Idstein
aged 62/63
Children of Gerlach I. The eldest two (Adolph and John) ruled first together in Nassau. In 1355, they formalized a division of the land between them and their other brothers:
  • Adolph inherited Idstein and passed it to his descendants.
  • John inherited Weilburg and passed it to his descendants.
  • Crato inherited Sonnenberg, died with no descendants, and was succeeded by his brother Rupert.
  • Rupert inherited his brother Crato's land of Sonnenberg, and, with no children left, passed it to his wife Anna.
25 November 1355 – 17 January 1370County of Idstein
John I1309
Second son of Gerlach I, Count of Nassau and Agnes of Hesse
1344 – 25 November 1355County of Southern Nassau Gertrude of Merenberg
1333
one child

Johanna of Saarbrücken
1353
seven children
20 September 1371
Weilburg
aged 61/62
25 November 1355 – 20 September 1371County of Weilburg
Cratoc.1340
First son of Gerlach I, Count of Nassau and Irmgard of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim
25 November 1355 – 19 September 1356Unmarried19 September 1356
Poitiers
aged c.15/16
Rupert (VI) the Warriorc.1340
Second son of Gerlach I, Count of Nassau and Irmgard of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim
19 September 1356 – 4 September 1390Anna of Nassau-Hadamar
1362
no children
4 September 1390
Kirchheimbolanden
aged c.49/50
Elisabeth of Waldeckc.1305
Daughter of Henry IV, Count of Waldeck and Adelaide of Cleves
1365 – 1381County of Hadamar
(at Ems)
John
1331
ten children
c.1381
Ems (?)
aged 75/76
Heirs of John. Elisabeth, as widow, ruled at Ems; the county was shared by their two children: Henry and Emicho. The mental disorder of Emicho led to an establishment of a regency led by his brother-in-law, Rupert, Count of Nassau-Sonnenberg, and probably then his widow, Emicho's sister Anna. Neither Emicho nor Henry left descendants, and the county was thus inherited by Anna.
Henryc.1335
Hadamar
Fourth son of John and Elisabeth of Waldeck
1365 – 1368County of HadamarUnmarried1368
Hadamar
aged c. 32/33
Emicho IIIc.1335
Hadamar
Fifth son of John and Elisabeth of Waldeck
1365 – 13941394
Hadamar
aged c. 58/59
Gerlach II1333
First son of Adolph I and Margaret of Nuremberg
17 January 1370 – 1386County of IdsteinAgnes of Veldenz
c.1360
no children
1386
Idstein (?)
aged 52/53
Children of Adolph I, divided the land: Gerlach kept Idstein and Waleran inherited Wiesbaden. Waleran reunited Idstein after his brother's death.
Waleran IV1348 or 1354
Sixth son of Adolph I and Margaret of Nuremberg
17 January 1370 – 7 November 1393County of Idstein
(At Wiesbaden
1370-86)
Bertha of Westerburg
1374
two children
7 November 1393
Wiesbaden (?)
aged 38/39 or 44/45
1330
Saarbrücken
First daughter of John II, Count of Saarbrücken and Ghislette of Bar-Pierrefort
20 September 1371 – October 1381County of Weilburg
(at Neuweilnau)
John I, Count of Nassau-Weilburg
1353
seven children
October 1381
Neuweilnau (?)
aged 50/51
Joanna held her estate at Neuweilnau until her death; while providing the regency for her son on the rest of Weilburg; At his death, Philip would divide the land for his sons: the eldest received Nassau-Weilburg; the youngest, her original county of Saarbrücken.
Regencies of Joanna of Saarbrücken (1371-1381) and Frederick of Blankenheim, Bishop of Strasbourg (1381-1382)
1368
Weilburg
Son of John I and Joanna of Saarbrücken
20 September 1371 – 2 July 1429Anna of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim
1385
one child

Elisabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont
1412
four children
2 July 1429
Wiesbaden
aged 60/61
Henry IIc.1340
Beilstein
First son of Henry I, Count of Nassau-Beilstein and Imagina of Westerburg
24 February 1378 – 12 October 1412Catherine of Randerode
1383
four children
12 October 1412
Beilstein
aged 71/72
Sons of Henry I, ruled jointly.
Rainhardc.1345
Beilstein
Second son of Henry I, Count of Nassau-Beilstein and Imagina of Westerburg
24 February 1378 – c.1415Unmarriedc.1415
aged c.69/70?
Annac.1350
Hadamar
Second daughter of John, Count of Nassau-Hadamar and Elisabeth of Waldeck
4 September 1390 – 21 January 1404Rupert, Count of Nassau-Sonnenberg
1362
no children
21 January 1404
Wiesbaden-Sonnenberg
aged 53/54
Heir of her husband and her brother. In 1403, renounced the claims over Hadamar and, after her own death, Sonnenberg went to Weilburg line.
1394-1403
Nassau-Hadamar was annexed to Nassau-Siegen
Nassau-Sonnenberg was annexed to Nassau-Weilburg
Regency of Bertha of Westerburg (possibly[4]) (1393-c.1400)
Adolph II1386
Son of Waleran IV, Count of Nassau-Idstein and Bertha of Westerburg
7 November 1393 – 16 July 1426County of IdsteinMargaret of Baden
March 1418
six children
16 July 1426
aged 39/40
John Ic.1400?
First son of Henry I and Catherine of Randerode
1414/18 – July 1473Matilda of Isenburg-Grenzau
1415
four children

Johanna von Gemen
1477
one child
July 1473
aged 72/73
Sons of Henry II, ruled jointly.
Henry IIIc.1400?
Third son of Henry I and Catherine of Randerode
1414/18 – 12 September 1477Unmarried12 September 1477
aged 76/77
Adolph I1362
Dillenburg
First son of John I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Margaret of the Mark
1388 – 12 June 1420County of DiezJudith of Diez
(d.14 August 1397)
1384
one child

Kunigunde of Isenburg-Limburg
(d.15 March 1403)
1402
no children
12 June 1420
Diez (?)
aged 57/58
Sons of John I, ruled jointly, as Tetrarchs. Counts Adolph and Engelbert inherited via his wives half of Diez and Breda, respectively, which became, after their deaths, part of Nassau patrimony.
4 September 1416 – 1420County of Siegen
John II with the Helmetc.1365
Dillenburg
Second son of John I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Margaret of the Mark
4 September 1416 – May 1443UnmarriedMay 1443
Dillenburg
Engelbert I1370
Dillenburg
Third son of John I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Margaret of the Mark
1403 – 3 May 1442Barony of BredaJohanna van Polanen
1 August 1403
Breda
six children
3 May 1442
Breda
aged 71/72
4 September 1416 – 3 May 1442County of Siegen
John III the Younger1398
Dillenburg
Fifth son of John I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Margaret of the Mark
4 September 1416 – 18 April 1430Unmarried18 April 1430
Siegen (?)aged 31/32
Judithc.1385
Siegen or Diez
Daughter of Adolf I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Judith of Diez
12 June 1420 – 2 August 1424Godfried VII, Lord of Eppstein-Münzenberg
1401
five children
2 August 1424
aged 38/39
Inherited half of Diez (the other part was inherited by her uncles) and after her death passed to the Eppstein family. Nassau-Siegen eventually recovered parts of her share of Diez in 1530.
align=center colspan="8"Diez annexed to County of Eppstein; Recovered to Nassau-Siegen in 1530
Regency of Margaret of Baden (1426-1433)
John II1419
Wiesbaden or Idstein
Son of Adolph II and Margaret of Baden
16 July 1426 – 9 May 1480Maria of Nassau-Siegen
17 June 1437
Breda
six children
9 May 1480
Wiesbaden or Idstein
aged 60/61
Regency of Elisabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont (1429–1438)Sons of Philip I, Philip II and John II divided their inheritance. Philip II was the eldest and received Nassau-Weilburg; John received Saarbrücken. Between 1464 and 1490, Philip II also served as regent for count John Louis in Saarbrücken, together with Duke Eberhard I of Württemberg, following the death of the count's mother and previous regent. Philip II also associated,later in his reign, his own son, John III, who predeceased him.
Philip II12 March 1418
Weilburg
First son of Philip I and Elisabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont
2 July 1429 – 19 March 1492Margaret of Loon-Heinsberg
25 September 1440
two children

Veronica of Sayn-Wittgenstein
1477
no children
19 March 1492
Mainz
aged 74
John III27 June 1441
Weilburg
Son of Philip II and Margaret of Loon-Heinsberg
1472 – 15 July 1480 Elisabeth of Hesse, the Handsome
1464
two children
15 July 1480
Weilburg
aged 39
John II4 April 1423
Saarbrücken
Second son of Philip I, Count of Nassau-Weilburg and Elisabeth of Lorraine-Vaudémont
2 July 1429 – 15 July 1472Johanna of Loon-Heinsberg
30 November 1456
two children

Elisabeth of Württemberg-Urach
30 October 1470
one child
15 July 1472
Vehingen
aged 49
John IV1 August 1410
Breda
First son of Engelbert I and Johanna van Polanen
3 May 1442 – 3 February 1475Barony of BredaMary of Looz-Heinsberg
7 February 1440
six children
3 February 1475
Dillenburg
aged 64
Sons of Engelbert I, ruled jointly in Breda and Dillenburg until 1447. In this year they divided their lands: John kept Breda and Henry, Dillenburg. After the latter's death, the former reunited their possessions. Their sister Maria inherited some unknown possessions in the Netherlands (possibly in Breda), which she contested with her brother John,[5] and possibly passed to Nassau-Idstein.
3 May 1442 – 22 February 1447

18 January 1451 – 3 February 1475
County of Siegen
Maria2 February 1418
Breda
Second daughter of Engelbert I and Johanna van Polanen
3 May 1442 – 11 October 1472John II
17 June 1437
Breda
six children
11 October 1472
Idstein
aged 54
Henry II7 January 1414
Dillenburg
Second son of Engelbert I and Johanna van Polanen
3 May 1442 – 22 February 1447Barony of BredaGenoveva of Virneburg
1435
one child

Irmgard of Schleiden-Junkerath
after 1437
no children
18 January 1451
Radicofani
aged 37
3 May 1442 – 18 January 1451County of Siegen
Margaret1415
Dillenburg
First daughter of Engelbert I and Johanna van Polanen
3 May 1442 – 27 May 1467County of Siegen
(at Burbach)
Dietrich, Count of Sayn
24 November 1435
no children
27 May 1467
aged 51/52
Elisabeth19 October 1459
Saarbrücken
First daughter of John II and Johanna of Loon-Heinsberg
15 July 1472 – 9 March 1479County of Saarbrücken
(at Heinsberg, Diest, Zichem and Zeelhem)
William IV, Duke of Jülich-Berg
19 October 1472
Saarbrücken
no children
9 March 1479
aged 19
Children of John II. John Louis inherited the county in general, and his sister Elisabeth received a particular rule over a group of towns, which, after her death with no descendants, was resold by her husband to the House of Nassau, but to the Breda branch.
Regencies of Elisabeth of Württemberg-Urach and Eberhard I, Duke of Württemberg (1472-1474),
and Philip II, Count of Nassau-Weilburg (1474-1490)
John Louis19 October 1472
Saarbrücken
Son of John II and Elisabeth of Württemberg-Urach
15 July 1472 – 4 June 1545Elisabeth of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
29 January 1492
Saarbrücken
six children

Catharina van Meurs-Saarwerden
14 February 1507
nine children
4 June 1545
Saarbrücken
aged 72
Engelbert II the Valorious17 May 1451
Breda
First son of John IV and Maria of Looz-Heinsberg
3 February 1475 – 31 May 1504Cymburgis of Baden
19 December 1468
Koblenz
no children
31 May 1504
Brussels
aged 53
Children of John IV, divided the land: Engelbert inherited Breda in the Netherlands (with the towns of Lek, Diest, Roosendaal en Nispen, Wouw, and Vianden) and John inherited Dillenburg (with the towns of Dillenburg, Siegen, Hadamar, Herborn, Vianden, Dietz). Both brothers were also Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands: Engelbert was a Stadtholder in Flanders (1499-1506) and Artois (1500-1504); John was Stadtholder in Guelders (1504-1505). Engelbert left no descendants, being succeeded by John's eldest son Henry III.
John V9 November 1455
Breda
Second son of John IV and Maria of Looz-Heinsberg
3 February 1475 – 30 July 1516Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg
11 February 1481
six children
30 July 1516
Siegen
aged 60
Henry IV1449
Beilstein
Son of John I and Johanna von Gemen
12 September 1477 – 26 May 1499Eva of Sayn
1464
ten children
26 May 1499
Beilstein
aged 49/50
Adolph III10 November 1443
Wiesbaden
Second son of John II and Maria of Nassau-Siegen
9 May 1480 – 6 July 1511County of Idstein
(At Wiesbaden
1480-1509)
Margaret of Hanau-Lichtenberg
20 June 1484
four children
6 July 1511
Wiesbaden
aged 67
Children of John II, divided the land: Philip kept Idstein and Adolph inherited Wiesbaden. Once more, the holder of Wiesbaden reunited the county. Adolph was also Stadtholder in Guelders (1481-1492).
Philip (I)1450
Idstein
Fourth son of John II and Maria of Nassau-Siegen
9 May 1480 – 16 June 1509County of Idstein
(At Idstein proper)
Margaret of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
1470
no children
16 June 1509
Idstein
aged 58/59
Louis I1473
Son of John III and Elisabeth of Hesse
19 March 1492 – 28 May 1523Maria Margaretha of Nassau-Wiesbaden-Idstein
19 April 1501
six children
28 May 1523
Weilburg
aged 49/50
John II1475
Beilstein
First son of Henry IV and Eva of Sayn
26 May 1499 – 18 August 1513Maria of Solms-Braunfels
1492
four children

Anna of Lippe
1510
no children
18 August 1513
Beilstein
aged 37/38
Children of Henry IV, ruled jointly.
Bernard1479/85
Beilstein
Third son of Henry IV and Eva of Sayn
26 May 1499 – 10 May 1556 Unmarried10 May 1556
Liebenscheid
aged 70/71 or 76/77
Henry III12 January 1483
Siegen
First son of John V, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg
31 May 1504 – 14 September 1538Louise-Françoise of Savoy
3 August 1503
no children

Claudia of Chalon
May 1515
one child

Mencía de Mendoza
26 June 1524
one child
14 September 1538
Breda
aged 55
Son of John V, inherited Nassau-Breda from his uncle Engelbrecht II. Also Stadtholder in Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht (1515-1521).
Philip I the Elder26 April 1492
Cologne
Son of Adolph III and Margaret of Hanau-Lichtenberg
6 July 1511 – 1554Adriana of Glymes
24 August 1514
Bergen op Zoom
six children
6 June 1558
Idstein
aged 66
Abdicated for his children, who divided the land once more.
John III17 November 1495
Beilstein
Son of John II and Maria of Solms-Braunfels
10 May 1556 – 13 December 1561Anna of Nassau-Weilburg
1523
no children
13 December 1561
Beilstein
aged
Ruled with his uncle, Bernard, since 18 August 1513 (his father's death). Had no descendants and after his death the county was annexed to Nassau-Dillenburg.
Nassau-Beilstein merged again in Nassau-Siegen
Elisabeth of Hesse-MarburgMay 1466
Marburg
First daughter of Henry III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse and Anna of Katzenelnbogen
30 July 1516 – 7/17 January 1523County of Siegen
(at Tringenstein)
John V
11 February 1481
six children
7 or 17 January 1523
Cologne
aged 56
Heirs of John V. William inherited Nassau-Siegen, and gave his mother a seat at Tringenstein. During William's reign (1530), parts of Judith's half of Dietz were recovered. From 1557 he obtained the County of Katznelnbogen.
William I the Rich10 April 1487
Dillenburg
Fourth son of John V and Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg
30 July 1516 – 6 October 1559Walburga of Egmont
29 October 1519
Koblenz
two children

Juliana of Stolberg
29 September 1531
Königstein
twelve children
6 October 1559
Dillenburgaged 72
Philip III20 September 1504
Weilrod
Son of Louis I and Maria Margaretha of Nassau-Idstein
28 May 1523 – 4 October 1559Elisabeth of Sayn-Hachenburg
2 March 1523
four children

Anna of Mansfeld-Hinterort
23 September 1536
one child

Amalia of Isenburg-Büdingen
17 August 1541
Büdingen
three children
4 October 1559
Weilburg
aged 55
René5 February 1519
Breda
Son of Henry III and Claudia of Chalon
14 September 1538 – 15 July 1544Principality of Orange
(1530–44)
Barony of Breda
(1538–44)
Anna of Lorraine
22 August 1540
Bar-le-Duc
one child
15 July 1544
Saint-Dizier
aged 25
Son of Henry III, inherited Nassau-Breda from his father and the Principality of Orange from his mother. He was also Stadtholder in Holland, Zealand and Utrecht (1540-1544).Left no descendants, and gave his patrimony to his cousin.
William I the Silent24 April 1533
Dillenburg
First son of William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Juliane of Stolberg-Wernigerode
15 July 1544 – 10 July 1584Principality of Orange
(with Barony of Breda)
Anna van Egmont
8 July 1551
Buren
three children

Anna of Saxony
24 August 1561
Leipzig
(annulled 14 December 1571)
five children

Charlotte of Bourbon
12 June 1575
Brielle
six children

Louise de Coligny
12 April 1583
Antwerp
one child
10 July 1584
Delft
aged 51
Eldest son of William the Rich, inherited his cousin's lands, and left his father's inheritance to his younger brothers. Also Count of Katzenelnbogen, Vianden, Dietz, Buren and Leerdam and Lord of IJsselstein, Baron of Breda, etc. He was also Stadtholder in Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht (1559-1567 and 1572-1584) and Frisia and Drenthe (1580-1584). Murdered in 1584.
Philip II25 July 1509
Saarbrücken
First son of John Louis and Catherine of Moers-Saarwerden
4 June 1545 – 19 June 1554Apollonia Catherine of Leiningen-Hartenburg
17 July 1535
no children
19 June 1554
Strasbourg
aged 44
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
John III5 April 1511
Saarbrücken
Second son of John Louis and Catherine of Moers-Saarwerden
19 June 1554 – 23 November 1574Unmarried23 November 1574
Saarbrücken
aged 63
Left no descendants. The land was absorbed by Nassau-Weilburg.
Nassau-Saarbrücken merged again in Nassau-Weilburg
Philip II the Younger1516
Idstein
First son of Philip I and Adriana of Glymes
1554 – 3 January 1566County of Idstein
(At Wiesbaden
1554-56 and 1564–66)
Unmarried3 January 1566
Wiesbaden-Sonnenberg
aged 49
Children of Philip I, divided the land. Adolph kept Idstein and Philip inherited Wiesbaden. After Adolph IV's death, Philip II reunited Idstein, but divided it again with another brother, Balthasar.
Adolph IV1518
Idstein
Second son of Philip I and Adriana of Glymes
1554 – 5 January 1556County of Idstein
(At Idstein)
Franziska of Luxembourg-Brienne
(1475-17 June 1566)
19 April 1543
four children
5 January 1556
Idstein
aged 38
Albert26 December 1537
Weilburg
Son of Philip III and Anna of Mansfeld-Hinterort
4 October 1559 – 11 November 1593County of Weilburg
(at Weilburg proper)
Anna of Nassau-Dillenburg
23 September 1536
fourteen children
11 November 1593
Ottweiler
aged 55
Sons of Philip I, ruled jointly. In 1574 annexed Nassau-Saarbrücken. Philip kept Neuweilnau until his death, which was then reabsorbed in Weilburg.
Philip IV14 October 1542
Weilburg
Son of Philip III and Amalie of Isenburg-Büdingen
4 October 1559 – 12 March 1602County of Weilburg
(at Neuweilnau)
Erica of Manderscheid-Blankenheim
9 April 1563
one child

Elisabeth of Nassau-Dillenburg
3 October 1583
no children
12 March 1602
Saarbrücken
aged 59
John VI the Elder22 November 1536
Dillenburg
Second son of William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Juliane of Stolberg-Wernigerode
6 October 1559 – 8 October 1606Elisabeth of Leuchtenberg
6 June 1559
Dillenburg
thirteen children

Kunigunde Jakobäa of Palatinate-Simmern
13 September 1580
Dillenburg
four children

Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein
14 June 1586
Berleburg
seven children
8 October 1606
Dillenburg
aged 69
Younger brother of William the Silent, inherited his father's domains, which were divided after his own death. Also Stadtholder of Guelders (1578-1581).
Balthasar1520
Idstein
Third son of Philip I and Adriana of Glymes
1564 – 11 January 1568County of Idstein
(with Wiesbaden since 1566)
Margaret of Isenburg-Birstein
(4 December 1542 – 8 August 1613)
9 June/6 September 1564
one child
11 January 1568
Idstein
aged 48
Brother of Adolph IV and Philip II. Definitely reunited Idstein.
Regency of Margaret of Isenburg-Birstein (1568-1587)
John Louis I10 April 1567
Idstein
Son of Balthasar and Margaret of Isenburg-Birstein
11 January 1568 – 10 June 1596Maria of Nassau-Siegen
2 December 1588
Idstein
six children
10 June 1596
Idstein
aged 29
Philip William19 December 1554
Buren
Son of William I and Anna van Egmont
10 July 1584 – 20 February 1618Principality of Orange
(with Barony of Breda)
Éléonore de Bourbon
23 November 1606
Fontainebleau
no children
20 February 1618
Brussels
aged 63
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his half-brother Maurice.
Regency of Maria of Nassau-Siegen (1596-1605)Died as minors. After John Louis' death, his lands were annexed to Nassau-Weilburg.
John Philip26 March 1595
Idstein
First son of John Louis I and Maria of Nassau-Dillenburg
20 June 1596 – 29 August 1599Unmarried29 August 1599
Idstein
aged 4
John Louis II21 May 1596
Idstein
Second son of John Louis I and Maria of Nassau-Dillenburg
29 August 1599 – 19 June 1605Unmarried19 June 1605
Dillenburg
aged 9
Nassau-Idstein merged again in Nassau-Weilburg
Anna of Nassau-Siegen21 September 1541
Dillenburg
Third daughter of William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Juliane of Stolberg-Wernigerode
11 November 1593 – 12 February 1616County of Weilburg
(at Wehen)
Albert, Count of Nassau-Weilburg
23 September 1536
fourteen children
12 February 1616
Weilburg
aged 74
Heirs of Albert of Weilburg:
  • Anna, his widow, inherited the town of Wehen, which passed to one of her daughters-in-law;
  • Louis inherited Ottweiler.
  • William inherited Weilburg, which eventually passed to his brother Louis.
  • John Casimir inherited Gleiberg, which eventually passed to his brother Louis.

Louis reunited all Southern Nassau under Weilburg, but his sons divided it again.

Louis II9 August 1565
Weilburg
First son of Albert and Anna of Nassau-Siegen
11 November 1593 – 19 November 1597
(as count of Ottweiler)

19 November 1597 – 8 November 1627
(as count of Weilburg)
County of WeilburgAnna Maria of Hesse-Kassel
8 June 1589
Kassel
fourteen children
8 November 1627
Saarbrücken
aged 62
William25 August 1570
Weilburg
Fourth son of Albert and Anna of Nassau-Siegen
11 November 1593 – 19 November 1597Erica of Isenburg-Birstein
29 January 1596
Birstein
two children
19 November 1597
Burgschwalbach
aged 27
John Casimir24 September 1577
Ottweiler
Fifth son of Albert and Anna of Nassau-Siegen
11 November 1593 – 29 March 1602County of Weilburg
(at Gleiberg)
Elisabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt
10 May 1601
Weilburg
one child
29 March 1602
Wehen
aged 24
William Louis13 March 1560
Dillenburg
First son of John VI, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Elisabeth of Leuchtenberg
8 October 1606 – 13 July 1620Anna of Orange-Nassau
25 November 1587
Franeker
no children
13 July 1620
Leeuwarden
aged 60
Children of John VI, divided the land:
  • William Louis received Dillenburg, but left no descendants and was succeeded by his brother George. He was also Stadtholder in Frisia (1584-1620), Groningen (1594-1620), and Drenthe (1596-1620);
  • John VII received Siegen, and passed it to his descendants, who divided it once more;
  • George received Beilstein, and reunited it with Dillenburg after William Louis' death, passing both to his descendants;
  • Ernest Casimir received Dietz, and passed it to his descendants. He was also Stadtholder in Frisia (1620-1632), Groningen and Drenthe (1625-1632);
  • John Louis received Hadamar, and passed it to his descendants.
John VII the Middle7 June 1561
Siegen
Second son of John VI and Elisabeth of Leuchtenberg
8 October 1606 – 27 September 1623Magdalene of Waldeck-Wildungen
9 December 1581
Dillenburg
twelve children

Margaret of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg
27 August 1603
Dillenburg
thirteen children
27 September 1623
Siegen
aged 62
George1 September 1562
Dillenburg
Third son of John VI, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Elisabeth of Leuchtenberg
8 October 1606 – 9 August 1623County of Beilstein
(1606–23)

County of Dillenburg
(1620–23)
Anna Amalia of Nassau-Saarbrücken
1584
fourteen children

Amalia of Sayn-Wittgenstein
1605
one child
9 August 1623
Dillenburg
aged 60
Ernest Casimir22 December 1573
Dillenburg
Sixth son of John VI, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Elisabeth of Leuchtenberg
8 October 1606 – 2 June 1632Sophia Hedwig of Brunswick-Lüneburg
8 June 1607
Dillenburg
two children
2 June 1632
Roermond
aged 58
Regency of George II, Count of Sayn-Wittgenstein and John Albert I, Count of Solms-Braunfels (1606-1617)
John Louis6 August 1590
Dillenburg
Second son of John VI, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein
8 October 1606 – 10 March 1653County of Hadamar
(1606–50)

Principality of Hadamar
(1650–53)
Ursula of Lippe
1617
fourteen children
10 March 1653
Hadamar
aged 62
Elisabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt29 November 1579
Darmstadt
Second daughter of George I, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Magdalene of Lippe
12 February 1616 – 17 July 1655County of Weilburg
(at Wehen)
John Casimir, Count of Nassau-Gleiberg
10 May 1601
Weilburg
one child
17 July 1655
Wehen
aged 48
Widow of John Casimir, inherited from her mother-in-law her seat at Wehen. At her death, Wehen was inherited by Nassau-Idstein.
Maurice14 November 1567
Dillenburg
Second son of William I and Anna of Saxony
20 February 1618 – 23 April 1625Principality of Orange
(with Barony of Breda)
Unmarried23 April 1625
The Hague
aged 57
He was also Stadtholder in Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht (1584-1625), Guelders and Overjissel (1590-1625) and Groningen and Drenthe (1620-1625). Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his half-brother Frederick Henry.
John VIII the Younger29 September 1583
Dillenburg
Second son of John VII and Magdalene of Waldeck-Wildungen
27 September 1623 – 27 July 1638County of Siegen
(Catholic branch)
Ernestine Yolande de Ligne
13 August 1618
Brussels
thirteen children
27 July 1638
Ronse
aged 54
Sons of John VII, divided the land once more, this time in religious matters:
  • John VIII converted to Catholicism and received the part of the county south of the river Sieg and the original castle in Siegen (which after 1695 was called the "Upper Castle").
  • John Maurice remained Protestant, and received the part of the county north of the Sieg, and was also governor of Dutch Brazil and later of the Prussian province of Cleves, Mark, and Ravensberg. He also conquered the Freudenberg and Netphen districts from his half-brother John VIII, but lost them again four years later. Between 1638 and 1674, his brother George Frederick of Nassau-Siegen ruled his part of the country.
  • William received the district of Hilchenbach from John VIII, and also the Ferndorf and Krombach districts 1632–1636. After his own death his districts went back to the Catholic main line.
William13 August 1592
Dillenburg
Fifth son of John VII and Magdalene of Waldeck-Wildungen
1624 – 17 July 1642County of Siegen
(Protestant branch, at Hilchenbach)
Christiane of Erbach
17 January 1619
Siegen
seven children
17 July 1642
Orsoy
aged 49
John Maurice the Brazilian17 June 1604
Dillenburg
First son of John VII and Margaret of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg
1632 – 20 December 1679County of Siegen
(Protestant branch, 1632–64)

Principality of Siegen
(Protestant branch, 1664–79)
Unmarried20 December 1679
Kleve
aged 75
Louis Henry9 May 1594
Saarbrücken
Sixth son of George and Anna Amalia of Nassau-Saarbrücken
9 August 1623 – 12 July 1662County of Dillenburg
(1623–54)

Principality of Dillenburg
(1654–62)
Catherine of Sayn-Wittgenstein
1615
twelve children

Elizabeth of Salm-Dhaun
1653
no children

Sophia Margaretha of Nassau-Hadamar
1656
three children
12 July 1662
Dillenburg
aged 68
Sons of George, ruled jointly.
Albert1 November 1596
Dillenburg
Eighth son of George and Anna Amalia of Nassau-Saarbrücken
9 August 1623 – 16 June 1626Unmarried16 June 1626
Quakenbrück
aged 29
Frederick Henry29 January 1584
Delft
Son of William I and Louise de Coligny
23 April 1625 – 14 March 1647Principality of Orange
(with Barony of Breda)
Amalia of Solms-Braunfels
4 April 1625
The Hague
nine children
14 March 1647
The Hague
aged 63
He was also Stadtholder in Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders and Overjissel (1625-1647) and Groningen and Drenthe (1640-1647).
William Louis18 December 1590
Ottweiler
First son of Louis II, Count of Nassau-Weilburg and Anna Maria of Hesse-Kassel
8 November 1627 – 22 August 1640Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach
25 November 1615
Durlach
twelve children
22 August 1640
Metz
aged 49
Children of Louis II, divided the land:
  • William Louis received Saarbrücken;
  • John received Idstein, and (from 1651) Wiesbaden, Sonnenberg, Wehen, Burg-Schwalbach and Lahr. From 1675 he also served as regent for his nephew, John Ernest of Weilburg.
  • Ernest Casimir received Weilburg.
John24 November 1603
Saarbrücken
Seventh son of Louis II, Count of Nassau-Weilburg and Anna Maria of Hesse-Kassel
8 November 1627 – 23 May 1677Sibylla Magdalena of Baden-Durlach
6 June 1629
Strasbourg
nine children

Anna of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Falkenburg
6 December 1646
Strasbourg
seventeen children
23 May 1677
Idstein
aged 73
Ernest Casimir15 November 1607
Saarbrücken
Eighth son of Louis II and Anna Maria of Hesse-Kassel
8 November 1627 – 16 April 1655Anna Maria of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hachenburg
22 February 1634
Weilburg
six children
16 April 1655
Weilburg
aged 47
Henry Casimir I21 January 1612
Arnhem
Fourth son of Ernest Casimir I and Sophie Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
2 June 1632 – 13 July 1640Unmarried13 July 1640
Hulst
aged 28
Also Stadtholder in Frisia, Groningen and Drenthe. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Regency of Ernestine Yolande de Ligne (1638-1651)Had to cede a part of the county to the Protestant branch of the family in 1648. He kept fighting his Protestant neighbours and suppressing the Calvinists in his territory. His reign was marked by bad management and debts. However, in 1652, he was elevated to Imperial Prince. He was also Stadtholder in Limburg (1665-1684) and Upper Guelders (1680-1699).
John Francis Desideratus28 July 1627
Nozeroy
Son of John VIII and Ernestine Yolande de Ligne
27 July 1638 – 17 November 1699County of Siegen
(Catholic branch, 1638–52)

Principality of Siegen
(Catholic branch, 1652–99)
Johanna Claudia of Königsegg-Rotenfels-Aulendorf
14 May 1651
Vienna
ten children

Marie Eleonore Sophie of Baden-Rodemachern
31 May 1665
Rodemachern
four children

Isabella Clara du Puget de la Serre
9 February 1669
Brussels
ten children
17 November 1699
Roermond
aged 72
William Frederick7 August 1613
Arnhem
Fourth son of Ernest Casimir I and Sophie Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
13 July 1640 – 31 October 1664County of Dietz
(1632–54)

Principality of Dietz
(1654–64)
Albertine Agnes of Orange-Nassau
2 May 1652
Kleve
three children
31 October 1664
Leeuwarden
aged 51
Also Stadtholder in Frisia (1640-1664), Groningen and Drenthe (1650-1664).
Regency of Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach (1638-1642)Anna Amalia exerted regency of her son Crato, and, after his death, took the County of Saarwerden, while regent in the name of her second son in Saarbrücken. After her death, Saarwerden reunited with Saarbrücken. In 1659, John Louis divided the land with his other brothers, in which he received Ottweiler. Count of Nassau-Saarbrücken and (1659–80) in Ottweiler, Jungenheim, and Wöllstein. Between 1677 and 1680 he also served as regent for Count John Ernest of Nassau-Weilburg.
Crato7 April 1621
Second son of William Louis, Count of Nassau-Saarbrücken and Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach
22 August 1640 – 25 July 1642Unmarried25 July 1642
Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach9 July 1595
Durlach
Second daughter of George Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach and Juliana Ursula of Salm-Neuville
25 July 1642 – 18 November 1651County of Saarbrücken
(at Saarwerden)
William Louis, Count of Nassau-Saarbrücken
25 November 1615
Durlach
twelve children
18 November 1651
Saarbrücken
aged 56
Regency of Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach (1642-1651)
John Louis23 May 1625
Saarbrücken
Third son of William Louis, Count of Nassau-Saarbrücken and Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach
25 July 1642 – 1659County of SaarbrückenDorothea Catherine of Palatinate-Bischweiler
6 October 1649
Bischweiler
eight children
9 February 1690
Reichelsheim
aged 64
1659 – 9 February 1690County of Ottweiler
William II27 May 1626
The Hague
Son of Frederick Henry and Amalia of Solms-Braunfels
14 March 1647 – 6 November 1650Principality of Orange
(with Barony of Breda)
2 May 1641
London
one child
6 November 1650
The Hague
aged 24
He was also Stadtholder in Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, Overjissel, Groningen and Drenthe.
Mary of Great Britain4 November 1631
Westminster, London
First daughter of Charles I of England and Henrietta Maria of France
6 November 1650 – 24 December 1660Barony of Breda24 December 1660
Westminster, London
aged 29
Given her inherited seat in Breda, she may have had the entire hereditary barony, which passed then to her son.
Regencies of Mary of Great Britain (1650-1660) and Amalia of Solms-Braunfels (1650-1672)Also Stadtholder in Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht (1672-1702), Guelders and Overjissel (1675-1702), and Drenthe (1696-1702). Became King of England and Scotland (Great Britain) in 1688, jointly with his wife. Left no descendants. He named his cousin John William Friso of Nassau-Dietz as his heir in The Netherlands and the principality of Orange, passing over the claims of the Hohenzollerns of Brandenburg/Prussia.
William III4 November 1650
The Hague
Son of William II and Mary of Great Britain
6 November 1650 – 8 March 1702Principality of Orange
(with Barony of Breda from 1660)
Mary II, Queen of Great Britain
4 November 1677
Kensington, London
no children
8 March 1702
London
aged 51
Principality of Orange (and Breda) inherited by Nassau-Dietz
In 1702, the Nassau-Dietz branch followed the House of Orange that had become extinct with William III of England (d. 1702). The counts of Nassau-Dietz not only descended from William the Silent's brother, but in female line also from himself, as William Frederick, Prince of Nassau-Dietz, had married Countess Albertine Agnes of Nassau, the fifth daughter of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange in 1652.
Maurice Henry23 April 1626
Hadamar
Son of John Louis and Ursula of Lippe
10 March 1653 – 24 January 1679Ernestine Charlotte of Nassau-Siegen
30 January 1650
Siegen
six children

Maria Leopoldine of Nassau-Siegen
12 August 1669
Siegen
three children

Anna Louise of Manderscheid-Blankenheim
24 October 1675
Hachenburg
six children
24 January 1679
Hadamar
aged 52
Frederick26 April 1640
Metz
Son of Ernest Casimir and Anna Maria of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hachenburg
16 April 1655 – 8 September 1675Christiane Elisabeth von Sayn-Wittgenstein-Homburg
26 May 1663
three children
8 September 1675
Weilburg
aged 35
Gustav Adolph27 March 1632
Saarbrücken
Fifth son of William Louis, Count of Nassau-Saarbrücken and Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach
1659 – 9 October 1677Eleonora Clara of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein
14 June 1662
seven children
9 October 1677
Strasbourg
aged 45
Brothers of John Louis of Nassau-Saarbrücken (who retired to rule Ottweiler only), they divided the land: Gustav kept Saarbrücken, and Waleran inherited Usingen.
Walrad25 February 1635
Roermond
Seventh son of William Louis, Count of Nassau-Saarbrücken and Anna Amalia of Baden-Durlach
1659 – 17 October 1702County of Usingen
(1659–88)

Principality of Usingen
(1688-1702)
Catherine Françoise of Croÿ-Roeulx
16 June 1678
Mechelen
three children

Magdalena Elizabeth of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort
1686
no children
17 October 1702
Usingen
aged 66
Henry28 August 1641
Dillenburg
Son of George Louis, Heir of Dillenburg and Anna Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
12 July 1662 – 18 April 1701Dorothea Elizabeth of Brzeg
13 October 1663
sixteen children
18 April 1701
Ludwigsbrunn im Tiergarten
aged
Henry was a grandson of Louis Henry, as son of George Louis, Heir of Nassau-Dillenburg. Adolph, son of Louis Henry, ruled at Holzappel and Schaumburg. Adolph passed his fief to his youngest daughter.
Adolph23 January 1629
Dillenburg
Son of Louis Henry and Catherine of Sayn-Wittgenstein
12 July 1662 – 19 December 1676Principality of Dillenburg
(at Schaumburg)
Elisabeth Charlotte, Countess of Holzappel
1653
eight children
19 December 1676
Hadamar
aged 47
Regency of Albertine Agnes of Orange-Nassau (1664-1677)Also Stadtholder in Frisia, Groningen and Drenthe.
Henry Casimir II18 January 1657
The Hague
Son of William Frederick and Albertine Agnes of Orange-Nassau
31 October 1664 – 25 March 1696Henriëtte Amalia of Anhalt-Dessau
26 November 1683
Dessau
nine children
25 March 1696
Leeuwarden
aged 39
Regencies of John, Count of Nassau-Idstein (1675-1677) and John Louis, Count of Nassau-Ottweiler (1677-1680)
John Ernest13 June 1664
Weilburg
Son of Frederick and Christiane Elisabeth of Sayn-Wittgenstein
8 September 1675 – 27 February 1719Maria Polyxena of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Hartenburg
3 April 1683
nine children
27 February 1719
Heidelberg
aged 54
Regency of Elisabeth Charlotte, Countess of Holzappel (1676-1690)Youngest daughter of Adolf, was his heiress to the lordship of Schuaumburg, which through her marriage was inherited by Anhalt.
Charlotte28 September 1673
Northrhine-Westphalia
Sixth daughter of Adolph and Elisabeth Charlotte, Countess of Holzappel
19 December 1676 – 31 January 1700Principality of Dillenburg
(at Schaumburg)
Lebrecht, Prince of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym
12 April 1692
Schaumburg
five children
31 January 1700
Bernburg
aged 27
Schaumburg annexed to Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym
Louis Crato28 March 1663
Saarbrücken
First son of Gustav Adolph and Eleonora Clara of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein
9 October 1677 – 14 February 1713Philippine Henriette of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
25 April 1699
eight children
14 February 1713
Saarbrücken
aged 49
Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother Charles Louis.
George August26 February 1665
Idstein
Son of John and Anna of Leiningen-Dagsburg
23 May 1677 – 26 October 1721County of Idstein
(1677–88)

Principality of Idstein
(1688-1721)
Henriette Dorothea of Oettingen
22 September 1688
Kirchheim unter Teck
twelve children
26 October 1721
Biebrich
aged 66
Nassau-Idstein was annexed by Nassau-Saarbrücken
Regency of Francis Bernard of Nassau-Hadamar (1679-1694)Left no surviving descendants, and his lands were divided by Nassau-Siegen, Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Diez in 1717.
Francis Alexander27 January 1674
Hadamar
Son of Maurice Henry and Maria Leopoldine of Nassau-Siegen
24 January 1679 – 27 May 1711Elizabeth Catherine Felicitas of Hesse-Rotenburg
18 October 1695
Lovosice
(annulled 1705)
fourteen children
27 May 1711
Hadamar
aged 37
Nassau-Hadamar divided between Nassau-Dietz, Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Siegen
William Maurice18/28 January 1649
Terbog
20 December 1679 – 23 January 1691Principality of Siegen
(Protestant branch)
Ernestine Charlotte of Nassau-Schaumburg
6 February 1678
Schaumburg
two children
23 January 1691
Siegen
aged 41/42
Regency of Ernestine Charlotte of Nassau-Schaumburg (1691-1701)
Frederick William Adolf20 February 1680
Siegen
Son of William Maurice and Ernestine Charlotte of Nassau-Schaumburg
23 January 1691 – 13 February 1722Principality of Siegen
(Protestant branch)
Elisabeth Juliana Francisca of Hesse-Homburg
7 January 1702
five children

Amalie Louise of Courland
13 April 1708
eight children
13 February 1722
Siegen
aged 41
Regency of Henriëtte Amalia of Anhalt-Dessau (1696-1708)In 1702 became the heir of William III of Orange and thus the founder of the younger House of Orange-Nassau and of the Dutch royal family. However, he had to split the Dutch properties with the King of Prussia who also descended from William I. Also Stadtholder in Frisia and Groningen.
John William Friso14 August 1687
Dessau
Son of Henry Casimir II and Henriëtte Amalia of Anhalt-Dessau
25 March 1696 – 14 July 1711Principality of Dietz
(as Nassau-Dietz, 1696–1702; as Orange-Nassau, 1702–11)

Principality of Orange
Barony of Breda
(as Orange-Nassau, 1702–11)
Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel
26 April 1709
Kassel
two children
14 July 1711
Hollands Diep
aged 23
William Hyacinth3 April 1667
Brussels
Son of John Francis Desideratus and Eleonore Sophie of Baden-Rodemachern
17 December 1699 – 18 February 1743Principality of Siegen
(Catholic branch)
Maria Francisca of Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg
9 April 1687
Liège
three children

Maria Anna Josepha of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst
22 May 1698
Frankfurt
one child

Sophia of Starhemberg
28 July 1740
Vienna
no children
18 April 1743
Hadamar
aged 76
Son of John Francis Desideratus. Mismanaged the government of the principality and was removed from executive power 1707–1740. He inherited 1/6 of Nassau-Hadamar in 1711 and 1/2 of Nassau-Dillenburg in 1739. He ceded his part of Nassau-Dillenburg to William IV of Orange-Nassau in 1742 and received the latter's part of Nassau-Hadamar in return. He was succeeded by William IV of Orange-Nassau.
William II28 August 1670
Dillenburg
Second son of Henry and Dorothea Elizabeth of Brieg
18 April 1701 – 21 September 1724Johanna Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön-Norburg
13 January 1699
Harzgerode
two children
21 September 1724
Dillenburg
aged 54
Left no surviving descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
William Henry2 May 1684
's-Hertogenbosch
Son of Walrad and Catherine Françoise of Croÿ-Roeulx
17 October 1702 – 14 February 1718Charlotte Amalia of Nassau-Dillenburg
15 April 1706
Dillenburg
nine children
14 February 1718
Usingen
aged 33
Regency of Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1711-1729)Inherited a number of Nassau territories besides his paternal Nassau-Dietz.[6] He reunited all of the German possessions of the Ottonian Line of his family in his hand, renaming his county Nassau-Dillenburg, and styling himself Prince of Orange and Nassau. Also Stadtholder in Frisia and Groningen (1711-1747), Drenthe and Guelders (1722-1747) and Overjissel (1747). In 1747 reunited all the Stadtholderates under his rule, becoming the first Hereditary Stadtholder.
William IV1 September 1711
Leeuwarden
Son of John William Friso and Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel
1 September 1711 – 22 October 1751Principality of Orange
(in Barony of Breda only from 1713)

Principality of Dietz
(as Orange-Nassau)
Anne of Great Britain
25 March 1734
London
three children
22 October 1751
The Hague
aged 40
align=center colspan=8In 1713, Orange was annexed to France. From 1713, the use of the title was merely nominal
Charles Louis6 January 1665
Saarbrücken
Second son of Gustav Adolph and Eleonora Clara of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein
14 February 1713 – 6 December 1723Christiane Charlotte of Nassau-Ottweiler
22 April 1713
Saarbrücken
two children
6 December 1723
Idstein
aged 58
Left no descendants. The land went to his cousin from Nassau-Ottweiler.
Charles August17 September 1685
Weilburg
Son of John Ernest and Maria Polyxena of Leiningen-Hardenburg
27 February 1719 – 9 November 1753Augusta Friederike of Nassau-Idstein
17 August 1723
Wiesbaden
seven children
9 November 1753
Weilburg
aged 68
Regency of Amalie Louise of Courland (1722-1726)Left no surviving male descendants. After his death (which determined the extinction of the line) in 1734, Emperor Charles VI transferred the Protestant county of Nassau-Siegen to the House of Orange-Nassau as the inheritors.
Frederick William11 November 1706
Siegen
Son of Frederick William Adolf and Elisabeth Juliana Francisca of Hesse-Homburg
13 February 1722 – 2 March 1734Principality of Siegen
(Protestant branch)
Sophie Polyxena Concordia of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein
23 September 1728
five children
11 November 1734
Siegen
aged 27
Nassau-Siegen was annexed by Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Dietz
Frederick Louis13 November 1651
Ottweiler
Son of John Louis and Dorothea Catherine of Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Bischweiler
9 February 1690 – 6 December 1723County of OttweilerChristiane van Ahlefeldt
28 July 1680
eight children

Louise Sophie of Hanau-Lichtenberg
27 September 1697
no children
25 May 1728
Saarbrücken
aged 76
Count of Nassau-Ottweiler (1680–1728), in Rixingen (1703–28), Idstein (1721–28), and in Wiesbaden, etc. (1723–28). In 1723 inherited Saarbrücken, reuniting Ottweiler with the newly inherited land. After his death, Saarbrücken briefly mergen with Nassau-Usingen.
6 December 1723 – 25 May 1728County of Saarbrücken
Nassau-Ottweiler merged again in Nassau-Saarbrücken
Christian12 August 1688
Dillenburg
Eighth son of Henry and Dorothea Elizabeth of Brieg
21 September 1724 – 28 August 1739Isabella Charlotte of Nassau-Dietz
1725
no children
28 August 1739
Straßebersbach
aged 51
Left no surviving descendants and his lands were inherited by Nassau-Dietz and catholic Nassau-Siegen.
Nassau-Dillenburg was inherited by Orange-Nassau (Nassau-Dietz) and catholic Nassau-Siegen
Regency of Charlotte Amalia of Nassau-Dillenburg (1718-1734)Sons of William Henry. Charles was the only heir, but in 1741 he divided the inheritance, and gave Saarbrücken to his brother (raised as a principality), and retained Usingen.
Charles31 December 1712
Usingen
First son of William Henry, Prince of Nassau-Usingen and Charlotte Amalia of Nassau-Dillenburg
14 February 1718 – 21 June 1775Christine Wilhelmine of Saxe-Eisenach
26 December 1734
four children

Magdalene Gross of Wiesbaden
after 1740
(morganatic)
four children
21 June 1775
Biebrich
aged 62
William Henry6 March 1718
Usingen
Second son of William Henry, Prince of Nassau-Usingen and Charlotte Amalia of Nassau-Dillenburg
1735 – 24 July 1768Principality of SaarbrückenSophie Erdmuthe of Erbach-Erbach
28 February 1742
Erbach
five children
24 July 1768
Saarbrücken
aged 50
Regencies of Anne of Great Britain (1751-1759, Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1759-1765), Louis Ernest, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern (1759-1766) and Carolina of Orange-Nassau (1765-1766)Also Hereditary Stadtholder of the Netherlands.
William V8 March 1748
The Hague
Son of William IV and Anne of Great Britain
22 October 1751 – 9 April 1806Principality of Dietz
(with Barony of Breda;as Orange-Nassau)
Wilhelmina of Prussia I
4 October 1767
Berlin
five children
9 April 1806
Braunschweig
aged 58
Charles Christian16 January 1735
Weilburg
Son of Charles August and Augusta Friederike of Nassau-Idstein
9 November 1753 – 28 November 1788Carolina of Orange-Nassau
5 March 1760
The Hague
fifteen children

Barbara Giessen
2 October 1788
(morganatic)
no children
28 November 1788
Münster-Dreissen
aged 53
Louis3 January 1745
Saarbrücken
Son of William Henry and Sophie Erdmuthe of Erbach-Erbach
24 July 1768 – 2 March 1794Principality of SaarbrückenWilhelmine of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
30 October 1766
Schwarzburg
one child

Katharina Kest
28 February 1787
(morganatic, legitimized 1787)
seven children
2 March 1794
Aschaffenburg
aged 49
Charles William9 November 1735
Usingen
First son of Charles and Christine Wilhelmine of Saxe-Eisenach
21 June 1775 – 17 May 1803Principality of UsingenCaroline Felizitas of Leiningen-Dagsburg
16 April 1760
one child
17 May 1803
Biebrich
aged 67
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
In 1783, the heads of various branches of the House of Nassau sealed the Nassau Family Pact (German: Erbverein) to regulate future succession in their states, and to establish a dynastic hierarchy whereby the Prince of Orange-Nassau-Dietz was recognised as President of the House of Nassau.[7]
Henry Louis9 March 1768
Saarbrücken
Son of Louis and Wilhelmine of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
2 March 1794 – 27 April 1797Principality of SaarbrückenMarie Françoise Maximilienne of Saint Mauris-Montbarrey
6 October 1785
no children
27 April 1797
Cadolzburg
(aged 29)
After his death Nassau-Saarbrücken was occupied by France.
Nassau-Saarbrücken was annexed by France
Frederick Augustus23 April 1738
Usingen
Second son of Charles and Christine Wilhelmine of Saxe-Eisenach
17 May 1803 – 24 March 1816Principality of UsingenLouise of Waldeck and Pyrmont
9 June 1775
seven children
24 March 1816
Wiesbaden
aged 77
From 1806 ruled jointly. Frederick William retained the title of Prince of Nassau, and Frederick Augustus maintained his title of Duke.
30 August 1806 – 24 March 1816Duchy of Nassau
Nassau-Usingen united with Nassau-Weilburg to form the Duchy of Nassau
Frederick William25 October 1768
The Hague
Son of Charles Christian and Carolina of Orange-Nassau
28 November 1788 – 9 January 1816County of WeilburgLouise Isabelle of Kirchberg
31 July 1788
Hachenburg
four children
9 January 1816
Weilburg
aged 47
30 August 1806 – 9 January 1816Duchy of Nassau
Nassau-Weilburg united with Nassau-Usingen to form the Duchy of Nassau
William VI24 August 1772
The Hague
Son of William V and Wilhelmina of
Prussia I
9 April – 12 July 1806

19 October 1813 – 31 May 1815
Principality of Dietz
(with Barony of Breda;as Orange-Nassau)
Wilhelmina of Prussia II
1 October 1791
Berlin
six children

Henrietta d'Oultremont
17 February 1841
(morganatic)
no children
12 December 1843
Berlin
aged 71
Ascended 9 April 1806, and on 27 October his lands were annexed to the Duchy of Nassau. He revived the Principality of Orange-Nassau, but in 1815 was proclaimed King of the Netherlands. His Nassau lands returned to the Duchy of Nassau. See List of monarchs of the Netherlands for extended information on the descendants of William.
In 1806 (and then again in 1815), Dietz and Breda were annexed to the Duchy of Nassau
William14 June 1792
Kirchheimbolanden
Son of Frederick William, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg and Louise Isabelle of Kirchberg
9 January 1816 – 24 March 1816
(as Prince of Weilburg)

24 March 1816 – 20 August 1839
(as Duke of Nassau)
Duchy of NassauLouise of Saxe-Hildburghausen
24 June 1814
Weilburg
eight children

Pauline of Württemberg
23 April 1829
Stuttgart
four children
20/30 August 1839
Kissingen
aged 47
Adolph24 July 1817
Wiesbaden
Son of William and Louise of Saxe-Hildburghausen
20 August 1839 – 20 September 1866Duchy of NassauElizabeth Mikhailovna of Russia
31 January 1844
St. Petersburg
no children

Adelheid-Marie of Anhalt-Dessau
23 April 1851
Dessau
five children
17 November 1905
Lenggries
aged 88
In 1866 lost his Nassau lands, but he was granted in 1890 the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg after the death of his cousin without male descendants. See List of monarchs of Luxembourg for extended information on the descendants of Adolph.
In 1866, Nassau was annexed to the Kingdom of Prussia

Nassau's successor states

See main article: article, List of monarchs of Luxembourg and List of monarchs of the Netherlands.

Kings and Queens of the Netherlands (from the House of Orange-Nassau-Dietz)

Following defunct German laws that no longer have relevance due to the end of German nobility, the House of Orange-Nassau(-Dietz) has been extinct since the death of Wilhelmina (1962). Dutch laws and the Dutch nation do not consider it extinct.

Grand Dukes of Luxembourg (from the House of Nassau-Weilburg)

See main article: article and Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Abramson. Scott F.. 2017-01-01. The Economic Origins of the Territorial State. International Organization. 71. 1. 97–130. 10.1017/S0020818316000308. 0020-8183. free.
  2. Renaming came with the inheritance of the Principality of Orange by René of Nassau-Breda, heir of the Barony of Breda.
  3. Despite being one of the main Ottonian successors of the original County of Nassau, the County of Siegen restarts the counting of Henrys, which doesn't happen, for example, with the names Waleran or Rupert in the Walramian line, which see its counting continued in following divisions.
  4. Actually it is known that Adolph was a minor at the time of his succession, but it's not stated anywhere who was his regent
  5. RI XIII H. 5 n. 149 in: Regesta Imperii Online.
  6. Namely 1/3 of Nassau-Hadamar in 1711, Protestant Nassau-Siegen in 1734, and 1/2 of Nassau-Dillenburg in 1739. In 1732, Frederick William I of Prussia left him his Dutch properties, including Huis ten Bosch palace and Het Loo Palace. He also ceded his part of Hadamar to William Hyacinth of Nassau-Siegen (1742), received the latter's part of Nassau-Dillenburg, and then succeeded him in his possessions (1743).
  7. Hay. Mark Edward. The House of Nassau between France and Independence, 1795–1814: Lesser Powers, Strategies of Conflict Resolution, Dynastic Networks. The International History Review. 1 June 2016. 38. 3. 482–504. 10.1080/07075332.2015.1046387. 155502574 .