Engelbert II of Nassau facts for kids

Engelbert II of Nassau, known as Engelbrecht in Dutch (born May 17, 1451 – died May 31, 1504), was an important leader in his time. He was a count of Nassau and Vianden, and also the lord of several places like Breda. Engelbert was a skilled soldier and a trusted advisor in the court of the Duchy of Burgundy. He also loved and supported the arts, helping many artists.

A Young Leader's Life

Engelbert was born in Breda on May 17, 1451. His father was John IV of Nassau-Siegen, and his mother was Mary of Looz-Heinsberg. In 1468, he married Cimburga van Baden in Koblenz.

Engelbert became the lord of Breda in 1475 and held this title until 1504. In 1472, he made an agreement with his brother, John V, to receive lands west of the Rhine river. When he was 22, in 1473, Charles the Bold made him a knight in the special Order of the Golden Fleece.

Serving the Empire

After Charles the Bold passed away, Engelbert began working for Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. Maximilian had married Charles's daughter, Mary of Burgundy.

In 1479, Engelbert led troops in the Battle of Guinegate. He also helped stop a rebellion in Bruges.

In 1487, French forces captured him during the Battle of Béthune. He was released two years later after a very large payment was made. In 1496, he was chosen as the stadtholder (a kind of governor) of Flanders. By 1498, he became the President of the Grand Conseil, a high court.

In 1501, Emperor Maximilian named him Lieutenant-General of the Low Countries. From then until his death in 1504, Engelbert was the main representative of the Habsburg Empire in that region.

Coat of arms of Engelbert II of Nassau from an old book of coats of arms (around 1490).

His Final Years

Engelbert passed away on May 31, 1504, in Brussels. He was buried in the Grote Kerk (Great Church) in Breda. Since he had no children who could legally inherit his titles, he chose his nephew, Henry III of Nassau-Breda, to be his successor.

Engelbert II and the Arts

Engelbert was a big supporter of art, especially Flemish illuminated manuscripts. These were beautiful books with hand-painted pictures and decorations.

• His portrait, painted by an artist known as the Master of the Portraits of Princes, can be seen in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.
• He ordered one of the most amazing copies of the Roman de la Rose, a famous medieval poem. This book has 92 large, high-quality pictures, even though it was made around 1500.
• Another well-known book he owned was the Book of Hours of Engelbert of Nassau, made in the 1470s or 1480s.
• Some people even think he might have asked Hieronymous Bosch to paint the famous artwork The Garden of Earthly Delights.

Images for kids

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  The grave of Engelbert II at the Grote Kerk in Breda, Netherlands.