Justinus van Nassau

Justinus I. Bastard of Nassau ( * 1559, † June 26, 1631 in Leiden ) was a Dutch admiral.

Life

Justin was probably recognized as the illegitimate son of Prince William of Orange and Eve Elincx born in 1535 as a daughter of the mayor of the city of Emmerich from his father, and when he was come to years, sent to the University of Leiden. Then he accompanied the Duke of Anjou, at whose court he was befitting education until it is impossible to made ​​in the Netherlands.

As a volunteer, he participated in various enterprises, including to 's- Hertogenbosch and the attempt to relieve Antwerp part. When the latter failed and had the resignation of Lieutenant - Admiral of Zeeland, Willem van Bloys Treslong result, Justinus was, though still very young, elevated to this prestigious location. Until now, no sailor, he knew himself but soon with his service to make so familiar that the arrangements Armada and the transport fleet of Parma be kept separate, have been conducted with very great skill and stunning success of it. The blockade of the Flemish ports and currents remained from now subject to his supervision of the states and his half-brother Maurice of Orange, he received many awards. In 1595 he led a small Dutch troops department to France, Henry IV stand by, and distinguished himself in the field just like on the sea.

With Johan van Oldenbarnevelt him in 1595 the mission part, the peace between France and Spain through an embassy in France was then counteract. Here without success, had the same order as better in England. Then he was back to his service if, and participated with distinction at all supported by the seaside enterprises of Prince Maurice, until he took his dismissal after the twelve-year truce concluded in 1609, whereas governor of Breda. In this capacity, he defended the fortress against Ambrogio Spinola. Only lack of food forced him in July 1625 after a siege of eleven months to surrender. From now retired to Justin lived and died on 26 June 1631.

Family

Justinus of Nassau married on December 4, 1597 Anna von Merode (* January 9, 1567; † October 8, 1634 ). The couple had the following children:

• Wilhelm Moritz ( * June 1603, † 1638) ∞ September 13, 1631 Maria van Aerssen van Sommelsdijk († 1641)
• Luise Henriette (* 1604, † 1637-1645 ) February 27, 1632 ∞ Sir Henri Philip Herbert († 1644)
• Philip (* 1605, † 1672-1676 ) ∞ 1630 Anna Margaretha van Cortembach († 1662)