Countess Maria of Nassau (1556–1616)

Maria of Orange- Nassau ( born February 7, 1556 Breda, † October 10, 1616 in Buren ) was a daughter of Prince William I of Orange- Nassau and his first wife Anna of Egmond, Countess of Buren ( 1533-1558 ).

Life

After the early death of his mother Mary was given together with her brother Philip William of education at the court of Mary of Hungary, sister of Emperor Charles V. Due to the critical political situation and the looming war sent her father in 1567 to the German relatives Dillenburg, where they at the court of John VI. lived. Her brother stayed behind in Leiden and was eventually spent as a hostage to Spain.

John VI. considered Charles III. de Croy, Prince of Chimay (1560-1612) as a suitable marriage candidates to win him as an ally against Spain, but rejected it as Maria from Catholics.

William I had determined shortly before his death Mary as administrator of the estates of her brother caught. She had, however, so prevail against her half-brother Moritz, who claimed the title of Prince of Orange and the rule of Breda. They finally gave him his paternal inheritance, but was responsible for more the heritage of their mother, the counties of Buren and Leerdam.

On February 17, 1595 Maria married at the age of 39 years in Buren Count Philip of Hohenlohe- New Stone ( 1550-1606 ), whom she already met as 11 -year-old and lived in the Netherlands for twenty years. Philip was noticed by a very unsettled life change and already Mary's father was strictly against the possible marriage of Mary with Philip. The bad reputation of the husband in public strain on the relations of Mary to her half-brother Moritz in addition.

1595 returned Maria's brother Philip William from the Spanish adhesion to the Netherlands, but was incumbent still strict conditions. After 28 years, Mary met her brother in 1596 secretly in Kleve again.

In 1612 Mary Buren founded to continue administrator of maternal possessions, an orphanage. Their marriage was childless.