Surname: | Nassau-Corroy |
Coat Of Arms: | Arms of Charles Florent Marie of Nassau-Corroy (1748-1804).svg |
Estates: | Castle of Corroy-le-Château Zwevegem Castle |
Parent House: | House of Nassau |
Titles: | Count of Corroy Count of Zwevegem Baron of Warcoing Lord of Frasnes-lez-Gosselies |
Founded: | recognised in 1530 |
Founder: | Henry III of Nassau-Breda |
The House of Nassau-Corroy was a bastard branch of the House of Nassau.[1] Unlike the main branch of the House of Nassau, this illegitimate branch was faithful to the king of Spain and Roman Catholic.[2]
The history of the Branch of Corroy was started by the marriage between Otto II of Nassau-Siegen and Adelaide of Vianden. The counts of Vianden built the castle of Corroy in the 13th century. Thus, the ancestors of Henry III already possessed the rights of the Chateau in Corroy.[3] The branch of Nassau-Corroy was founded by Alexis of Nassau-Corroy, the illegitimate son of Henry III of Nassau-Breda and his mistress Elisabeth Claire van Rosenbach. Alexis was recognised by emperor Charles V in 1530.[4] In 1540 René of Chalon gave the full rights of Corroy to his half-brother. In 1545 the branch was openly recognised by the Prince of Orange.[5] In 1693 Charles II created Joseph-Ignace 1st Count of Corroy. In 1717 the Counts of Corroy added Zwevegem to their possessions and were the last feudal lords in Zwevegem.[2] The familial crest is still the official coat of arms of the municipality Zwevegem.[6]
Alexis I of Nassau-Corroy
Legitimised bastard in 1530.[3]
Married to Wilhelmina of Bronkhorst Batenburg (1526 - 1601)