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Henry III of Nassau-Dillenburg-Dietz
'Portrait of Hendrik III, Count of Nassau-Breda', oil on panel painting by Jan Gossart (Mabuse).jpg
Henry III by Jan Gossaert
Born 12 January 1483
Siegen, County of Nassau
Died 14 September 1538(1538-09-14) (aged 55)
Breda, Duchy of Brabant
Allegiance Habsburg dynasty
Rank Captain General
Battles/wars War of the League of Cambrai Italian War of 1521

Henry III of Nassau-Dillenburg-Dietz was an important count from the House of Nassau. He was born on January 12, 1483, in Siegen and passed away on September 14, 1538, in Breda. He was also known as the Lord of Breda and Dietz.

Henry was the son of Count John V of Nassau-Dillenburg and Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg. His younger brother, William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen, later became the father of the famous William the Silent.

Henry III's Important Career

In 1499, Henry's uncle, Count Engelbert II, invited him to the Burgundian Netherlands. Henry was chosen as his uncle's heir. He even traveled with Philip the Handsome to Castile between 1501 and 1503.

Becoming a Powerful Leader

When his uncle died in 1504, Henry inherited all the Nassau lands in the Netherlands. This included the rich area of Breda in the duchy of Brabant. The very next year, he was made a knight of the Golden Fleece. This was a very special award.

Henry traveled to Spain again from 1505 to 1506. He became a close friend and advisor to the young Charles V. In 1510, he became Charles's Chamberlain. This meant he managed Charles's household. Later, he became the Upper Chamberlain. Charles V trusted Henry so much that he didn't choose a new Upper Chamberlain after Henry died. Henry was also named the Grand Huntsman of Brabant. He held this important court position for his whole life.

Serving the Emperor and the Netherlands

In 1519, Henry was part of the group that helped Charles V become the king of the Romans. He was also there when Charles was crowned Emperor in Bologna in 1530. Henry was a member of Charles's Privy Council (a group of close advisors) starting in 1515. He also advised Archduchess Margaret of Austria from 1525 to 1526.

Henry served as a temporary Stadtholder (a governor) for parts of Guelders that were taken over. He was also the Stadtholder of Holland and Zeeland from 1515 to 1521. Henry spent more time in Spain between 1522 and 1530, traveling with Charles. He also visited Spain with his wife and son in 1533-1534.

Henry III as a Military Commander

Henry was a very important military leader in the Netherlands. In 1508, he defended Brabant from attacks by Guelders.

Leading Armies to Victory

From 1511 to 1513, he was the Captain General in the war against Guelders. He also fought alongside Maximilian of Austria against France until 1514. He took part in the battle of Guinegate (1513).

Henry led armies against Guelders and France again from 1516 to 1521. In 1518, he defeated the Black Band, who were working for Charles of Guelders. In 1521, he defeated Robert van der Marck, the Lord of Sedan. That same year, he stopped Francis I of France from invading Hainaut. After these victories, Henry successfully took over Tournai.

Castle Breda
The Castle of Breda after it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style.
Guilliam van Schoor and Gillis van Tilborgh 001
Guilliam van Schoor (landscape) and Gillis van Tilborch (figures). The Palace of Nassau in Brussels. 1658, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Henry III's Beliefs and Interests

Henry attended the Diet of Augsburg in 1530. At first, he was open to Martin Luther's ideas. However, he later followed Charles V's example and remained a strong Catholic.

Art and Architecture

Henry did not agree with his brother William's choice to become a Lutheran. But he continued to support him. Henry was very impressed by the Renaissance movement and its art. He saw many examples of this art during his travels to Spain and Italy.

For example, in 1536, he hired an Italian architect named Tomasso Vincidor da Bologna. Henry asked him to completely rebuild his castle at Breda in the Renaissance style. This was one of the first buildings of its kind north of the Alps. However, it seems his interest in art was not very deep. The famous scholar Desiderius Erasmus only called him a "platonic friend of science."

Henry III's Family Life and Death

Henry III was married three times during his life.

PraalgrafengelbrechtIIbreda
The grave monument of Engelbert II at the Grote kerk in Breda, Netherlands. Both Henry III and his son René are buried here.

Marriages and Children

  • On August 3, 1503, Henry married Françoise Louise of Savoy. They did not have any children.
  • In May 1515, Henry married Claudia of Châlon. They had one son, René of Châlon, born on February 5, 1519. René became the prince of Orange in 1530 after Claudia's brother, Philibert, passed away.
  • On June 26, 1524, Henry married Mencia de Mendoza y Fonseca. They had one son in March 1527, but he lived for only a few hours.

Henry did not have any other children from his marriages. However, he did have some children outside of marriage. These included Alexis of Nassau-Corroy and Isabelle of Nassau. Both were officially recognized after their father's death. They also had many descendants. One of them was Philippe François de Berghes, 1st Prince of Grimberghen.

Later Life and Legacy

Charles V strongly encouraged Henry's third marriage to Mencia de Mendoza y Fonseca. This was part of Charles's plan to bring together the noble families of Spain and the Low Countries. However, many Spaniards did not like Henry. They thought he was a loud and uncivilized German newcomer.

Henry III passed away in 1538. His only son, René, took over his titles. Sadly, René was killed in battle just a few years later in 1544. Henry is buried under the grave monument he built for his uncle Engelbert. This monument is in the Grote kerk (Great Church) in Breda.

Blason Nassau-Vianden
Coat of arms of Henry III. The 1st and 4th quarters show the arms of Nassau. The 2nd and 3rd show the arms of the lordship of Breda & Vianden.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Enrique III de Nassau-Breda para niños

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