William I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg
| William I | |
|---|---|
| Count of Nassau-Dillenburg | |
 William I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg | |
| Spouse(s) |
Walburga of Egmont Juliane of Stolberg-Wernigerode |
| Noble family | Nassau |
| Father | John V of Nassau-Dillenburg |
| Mother | Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg |
| Born |
10 April 1487 Dillenburg |
| Died |
6 October 1559 (aged 72) Dillenburg |
William I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg (nicknamed William the Rich, Dutch: Willem de Rijke; 10 April 1487 – 6 October 1559) was a count of Nassau-Dillenburg from the House of Nassau. He was not wealthy; his nickname the Rich refers to him having many children.
William was born in Dillenburg as the younger son of Count John V of Nassau-Dillenburg and Landgravine Elisabeth, daughter of Landgrave Henry III of Hesse-Marburg and Anna of Katzenelnbogen He was the brother of count Henry III of Nassau-Breda and the father of William I of Orange.
His eldest son William inherited the principality of Orange. The early House of Orange-Nassau descends from the younger William, while the later House of Orange-Nassau (and the Dutch royal family) descends from both the younger William and his younger brother John.
Family and children
William of Nassau was married twice. Firstly, he married on 29 October 1519 Countess Walburga of Egmont (29 October 1490 – March 1529), daughter of John III of Egmont. She gave him two daughters:
- Elisabeth ( October 1520 – 31 January 1523)
- Magdalene ( 6 October 1522 – 18 August 1567), married on 16 July 1538 to Count Herman of Neuenahr and Moers
After her death, he married on 20 September 1531 Countess Juliane of Stolberg-Wernigerode (15 February 1506 – 18 June 1580). They had twelve children:
- William I of Orange (24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584)
- Hermanna (b. 9 August 1534), died young
- John VI "The Elder" (22 November 1536 – 28 October 1606)
- Louis of Nassau (10 January 1538 – 14 April 1574)
- Maria (15 March 1539 – May 1599), married on 11 November 1556 to Count William IV of Berg-s'Heerenberg
- Adolf (11 July 1540 – 23 May 1568)
- Anna (21 September 1541 – 12 February 1616), married on 16 June 1559 to Count Albert of Nassau-Weilburg
- Elisabeth (25 September 1542 – 18 November 1603), married 16 June 1559 to Count Conrad of Solms-Braunfels
- Catharine (19 December 1543 – 25 December 1624), married on 17 November 1560 to Count Günther XLI of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt
- Juliana (10 August 1546 – 31 August 1588), married 14 June 1575 to Count Albrecht VII of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
- Magdalena (15 December 1547 – 16 May 1633), married on 27 January 1567 to Count Wolfgang of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim
- Henry (15 October 1550 – 14 April 1574)
| William I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg Born: 10 April 1487 Died: 6 October 1559 | ||
| Preceded by John V |
Count of Nassau-Dillenburg 1516–1559 |
Succeeded by John VI |