William Hyacinth, Prince of Nassau-Siegen
Wilhelm Hyacinth of Nassau- Siegen ( born April 7, 1666 Brussels, † February 18, 1743 in Hadamar ) was Prince of Orange and Prince of Nassau-Siegen.
Life
Wilhelm Hyacinth was the son of Prince Johann Franz Desideratus of Nassau-Siegen and Eleonore Sophie of Baden. In 1695 he took up his residence in Siegen. The place had become in the same year are victims of a large fire, in which 350 buildings, two churches and the Nassauer Hof, the seat of the ruling family burned. His father built from 1696 in Siegen, the Lower Castle as a new family home.
December 17, 1699 to March 2, 1707 Wilhelm Hyacinth was ruler of Nassau-Siegen. Even as Crown Prince he had ( probably in reliance upon the inheritance assigned to it ) operated a lavish royal household. His hope had not so much focused on the paternal heritage of the Principality of Nassau-Siegen. He was also the nearest male relative of William III. of Orange and thus potential heir to the English king and ruler of the United Netherlands. William III. However, continued the Prince of Nassau -Diez as a heir. Wilhelm Hyacinth later led, therefore, only the title of Prince of Orange in Brabant.
His paternal inheritance should not fall to him undiminished. His father had married his second wife Isabella Clara Eugenia de la Serre and her and her children a generous bequest (1100 dollars per annum for it, 500 dollars for the two sons and two hundred dollars for the 5 daughters ) left. Wilhelm Hyacinth complained before the Supreme Court of Appeal against this legacy and it lost to 1702nd
In the same year William III died. in England. Wilhelm Hyacinth traveled to Paris to France's support regarding his rights of succession to secure. Hereditary claims made continue Johann Wilhelm Friso of Nassau- Dietz because of the will of William III. , As well as King Friedrich I of Prussia law.
However, King Louis XIV showed little interest to support a Protestant princes without military power base. Then Wilhelm Hyacinth traveled to the Principality of Orange, and announced there his possession. Louis XIV then declared the Prince Condé to the rightful heirs of the Principality of Orange, and occupied the principality military. Condé overwrote the Principality turn the crown of France. With the Peace of Utrecht in 1713 the French rule was finalized.
The royal household, with whom he wanted to emphasize his claim to the inheritance oranische, the trips and gifts costing far more than the revenue from the Principality of Nassau-Siegen services. Wilhelm Hyacinth therefore indebted at the Frankfurt banker De Rhön and Schone man against the pledge of villages Wilnsdorf and Wilgersdorf 20,000 thalers and increasing taxes across the country intolerable height. Another source of income (which his reputation in the country further destroyed ) were penalties in the amount unprecedented.
His violent temper and ambition were feared even in his own family. When his brother ( and successor ) Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Nassau-Siegen aroused his displeasure, was Wilhelm Hyacinth judge the cannons of his castle on the seat of his brother in order to demonstrate his power. This was before his action in the assembly of the estates of the kingdom of Westphalia Circle. When Wilhelm Hyacinth 1705 at the Viennese court seeking support his hereditary rights, and Nassau troops occupied Prussian victories. The people took advantage of the support to the rebellion and sacked and disarmed the castle.
The series of complaints about the conduct of the prince continued unabated. On July 15, 1706 Siegen was again (this time on behalf of the Imperial Court Councillor ) occupied by troops of the Palatinate- Neuburg and Prussia. The Chancellor Wilhelm Hyacinths, de Colomba, who at the tyranny played a major role, was arrested and exiled by judgment of December 20, 1710 for life from the German Reich. Wilhelm Hyacinth fled to his cousin Franz Alexander to Hadamar.
The uprisings against his reign of terror continued. On March 29, 1707 Wilhelm Hyacinth was an alleged leader of the rebellion, Friedrich Flender of the Hardt beheaded without any trial. This incident was taken by Emperor Joseph I as an opportunity to explain Wilhelm Hyacinth deprived of his principality. Firstly, two imperial councilors were employed as managers and the government then passed to Frederick William Adolphus. 1713 he was also the title of Count of Chalon, which he led as well, but known by France.
Wilhelm Hyacinth received an annual teaching load of 4000 thalers. The remaining assets were used for the claims of the stepmother and siblings, the creditors and a debt of honor to the family of Friedrich Flender. Neither a complaint to the emperor nor the Diet of Regensburg on restitution were successful.
Family
Wilhelm Hyacinth was married three times. First wife was Maria Francisca von Fürstenberg- Heiligenberg, which he married in Liege on April 9, 1687. She died on June 7, 1691, with whom he had three children.:
- Joseph Hyacinth Prince of Nassau-Siegen (1688-1688)
- Franz Josef Prince of Nassau-Siegen (1689-1703)
- N.N. Princess of Nassau-Siegen (1691-1692)
Second wife was Maria Anna von Hohenlohe- Waldenburg - Schillingsfuerst which he married in Frankfurt am Main on May 22, 1698. With her he had one daughter:
- Maria Anna Josepha Princess of Nassau-Siegen (1704-1723)
Only his third wife Maria Eva Sophia from Starhemberk, which he took to wife in Vienna on July 28, 1740, survived him. From this marriage no children were born. She died on 12 December in 1773.