Willem Hendrik van Nassau-Zuylestein
Willem Hendrik van Nassau-Zuylestein (born October 7, 1649 in The Hague , † July 12, 1708 in Leersum ) was a Dutch diplomat, officer and courtier of Wilhelm III. of Orange .
His father was Frederik van Nassau-Zuylestein (1624–1672), his mother Mary Killigrew (* 1627), a lady in waiting for Maria Henrietta Stuart , the wife of William II of Orange and mother of Wilhelm III. Frederik van Nassau-Zuylestein was governor of the underage Prince Wilhelm III, who was also his nephew. Willem Hendrik grew up with Wilhelm III, who was almost the same age. up, enjoyed his favor and served under him in the cavalry. In 1672 he succeeded his father as Lord of Zuylestein, Leersum and Waayenstein. In 1672 he was involved in the conspiracy to murder Cornelis de Witt and Johan de Witt . In 1687 he was sent to England on a diplomatic mission and gained the trust of James II and his wife. He became major general in the Netherlands and went with Wilhelm III in 1688. to England when he became king there after the deposition of James II. In 1689 he was naturalized as an English citizen and received a court office ( Master of the Robes ), which he held until 1695. In 1690 he became an English lieutenant general. In 1695 he was raised to the hereditary nobility of the Peerage of England as Earl of Rochford , Viscount Tunbridge and Baron Enfield . After he fell ill with gout (he was known as a friend of a good table) he withdrew to Leersum on his property (the manor Huis Zuylenstein).
In 1681 he married Jane Wroth (1659-1702), daughter of Sir Henry Wroth from Durants, and lady-in-waiting of Maria II , the wife of William III., With whom he had an affair before. With her he had three sons and three daughters.
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| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| New title created |
Earl of Rochford 1695-1709 |
William Nassau-de-Zuylestein |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Nassau-Zuylestein, Willem Hendrik van |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Dutch diplomat |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 7, 1649 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | The hague |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 12, 1708 |
| Place of death | Emptiness |