Justinus van Nassau

The Surrender of Breda by Diego Velázquez. Justinus of Nassau hands over the keys of the city to Ambrogio Spinola

Justinus van Nassau (1559 – 1631) was the only extramarital child of William the Silent. He was a Dutch army commander known for unsuccessfully defending Breda against the Spanish, and the depiction of his surrender on the famous picture by Diego Velázquez, The Surrender of Breda.

His mother was Eva Elincx, William's mistress between his first and second marriage. William of Orange recognized Justinus and raised him with his other children.

Justinus studied in Leiden and became lieutenant-Colonel on May 17, 1583. On February 28, 1585 he became lieutenant-admiral of Zealand, and fought in 1588 against the Spanish Armada, capturing two galleons.

From 1601 until 1625 he was governor of Breda. In 1625 he had to surrender Breda to the Spanish general Ambrogio Spinola after a siege of 11 months. Justinus was allowed to leave for Leiden.

Issue

On December 4, 1597, he married Anne, Baronesse de Mérode (January 9, 1567 - Leiden, October 8, 1634) and had three children.

• Willem Maurits van Nassau (June 1603 - Leiden, 1638), married Maria van Aerssen van Sommelsdijk and had issue:
  • Justinus, no issue.
  • Justina van Nassau (March 1635 - c. 1676), married George van Cats ter Coulster (1632 – 1676) and had issue:
    • Willem Maurits van Cats [1], (c. 1670 - December 1743).
  • Anna van Nassau (c. 1638 - Den Haag, 1721), married Willem Adriaan Count van Horn Batenburg and had issue.
• Louise Henriëtte van Nassau (1604 - between 1637 and 1645), no issue.
• Philips van Nassau (1605 - somewhere between 1672 and 1676), married and had issue.

He and his wife were buried in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden.

The following arms are recorded for Justinus, based on those of his father William the Silent. They show the bend-dexter of a legitimate child in white, rather than the bend-sinister of an illegitimate child.:

• 

  Arms of Justinus van Nassau.^[1]

1. ^ Rietstap, Johannes Baptist (1861). Armorial général, contenant la description des armoiries des familles nobles et patriciennes de l'Europe: précédé d'un dictionnaire des termes du blason. G.B. van Goor. p. 746. 

Family Tree

William I "the Silent" (1533-1584), Prince of Orange 1544, Stadholder of Holland, Zealand & Utrecht, assassinated by Spanish agent]]

Eva Elincx

Justinus van Nassau (1559 – 1631) Admiral & General, Gov of Breda 1601-1625

Anne, Baronesse de Mérode (1567 - 1634)

William (1603 - 1638) jonker van Nassau, heer van Grimhuizen

Louise Henriëtte van Nassau (1604 - bet 1637/45) married Henry Philip Herbert lt. col. in Dutch Army, 1 son, Philips Henry Herbert (1634-1657)

Philips van Nassau (1605 - between 1672/76) jonker van Nassau, heer van Grimhuizen, Hoekelom en Wijchen

Justinus II van Nassau (1633 – 1658) Jonker van Nassau heer van Grimhuizen

Justina van Nassau (1635 – 1721) married George van Cats (1632 – na 1676) heer van Cats, Coulster en Schagen

Anna Justina van Nassau (1638 – 1721) married Willem Adriaan II van Horne graaf van Horne, baron van Kessel en heer van Batenburg

Philips van Nassau died young

Anna Margaretha van Nassau (1634 - 1676) married (1) Diederik Schenk van Nydeggen heer van Blijenbeek, Afferden en Grubbenvorst married (2) Johan Gerard van Oostrum heer van Moersbergen, Cattenbroek en Zeist, col in Dutch Army, 2 daughters.

References