René of Chalon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
René of Chalon, Prince of Orange
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René of Chalon
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| Prince of Orange | |
| Reign | 3 August 1530 – 15 July 1544 |
| Predecessor | Philibert |
| Successor | William I |
| Born | 5 February 1519 Breda, Duchy of Brabant |
| Died | 15 July 1544 (aged 25) Saint-Dizier, Kingdom of France |
| Buried | Grote Kerk (Breda) |
| Noble family | Chalon-Arlay and Nassau-Breda |
| Spouse(s) | Anna of Lorraine |
| Father | Henry III of Nassau-Breda |
| Mother | Claudia of Chalon |
René of Chalon (born February 5, 1519, died July 15, 1544) was an important European noble. He was known as the Prince of Orange and also served as a stadtholder (a kind of governor) in several regions like Holland and Zeeland. He played a key role in connecting two powerful families, the House of Chalon and the House of Nassau.
Contents
René's Early Life
René was born in Breda, a city in what is now the Netherlands. He was the only son of Count Henry III of Nassau-Breda and Claudia of Chalon. His mother's brother, Philibert of Chalon, was the last Prince of Orange from his family line.
Becoming Prince of Orange
When Philibert died in 1530, René inherited the title of Prince of Orange. This was a very important title. There was one special condition: René had to use the name and coat of arms of the Chalon-Orange family. This is why history remembers him as René of Chalon, not René of Nassau-Breda.
Marriage and Family
On August 20, 1540, René of Chalon married Anna of Lorraine. They were married in Bar-le-Duc. In the same year, he became a Knight of the Golden Fleece. This was a very high honor.
René and Anna had only one child, a daughter named Maria. Sadly, Maria lived for only three weeks. She was buried in the Grote Kerk (Great Church) in Breda.
René's Death
In 1544, René took part in a big battle called the siege of St. Dizier. He was fighting for Emperor Charles V. During the battle, René was badly wounded. He died at the age of 25, with the Emperor by his side.
René was buried in the Grote Kerk in Breda, next to his baby daughter. There is also a special monument, a tomb, in the church of St. Etienne in Bar-le-Duc that honors him.
Who Inherited Orange?
René of Chalon had no children who lived. In his will, he decided to leave all his lands and titles, including the important Princedom of Orange, to his cousin. This cousin was William of Nassau-Dillenburg.
A New Family Line
This was a big change! The title of Prince of Orange had always passed down through the Chalon family. Now, it went to William, who was from René's father's side of the family. William had no direct blood connection to the original House of Orange.
René had one condition for William: he had to receive a Catholic education. William's father agreed to this for his young son. Emperor Charles V also approved this plan.
So, in 1544, William added "of Orange" to his name. He became the founder of the House of Orange-Nassau. This family would become very important in the history of the Netherlands. The title of Prince of Orange had already moved between families before, but this was the first time it went to a family not related by blood to the original Orange rulers.
Images for kids
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René of Chalon
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Coat of arms of René of Chalon as Prince of Orange.
