William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen

William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen
Portrait by Dutch artist Johannes Tideman (1671)
Count of Nassau-Siegen Count of Diez
Coat of arms
Reign	30 July 1516 – 6 October 1559
Predecessor	John V
Successor	John VI the Elder Louis Adolf Henry
Native name	Wilhelm I. Graf von Nassau-Siegen
Born	(1487-04-10)10 April 1487 Dillenburg
Died	6 October 1559(1559-10-06) (aged 72) Dillenburg
Buried	Fürstengruft [nl], Evangelische Stadtkirche [de], Dillenburg
Noble family	Nassau-Siegen
Spouse(s)	Walburga of Egmont ​ ​ (m. 1506; died 1529)​ Juliane of Stolberg-Wernigerode ​ ​ (m. 1531)​
Issue more...	William the Silent John VI the Elder
Father	John V
Mother	Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg

William I of Nassau-Siegen^{[note 1]} (German: Wilhelm I. Graf von Nassau-Siegen; 10 April 1487 – 6 October 1559), nicknamed the Elder (German: der Ältere) or the Rich (German: der Reiche), was Count of Nassau-Siegen^{[note 2]} and half of Diez from 1516 to 1559. He was a descendant of the Ottonian Line of the House of Nassau.

William's reign marked a notable period in the history of his house. During his reign, he introduced the Reformation in his territories,^[1][2][3] and the saw expansion of his county's territorial possessions. He promoted the Lutheran faith and played a key role in the political events of his time, including involvement in the Schmalkaldic League and negotiations leading to the Peace of Passau. William advanced the interests of his house through a policy of moderation, and contributed to its success.^[4]

A major challenge throughout his reign was the succession dispute over the County of Katzenelnbogen, which was contested by the Landgraviate of Hesse. This dispute was known as the War of the Katzenelnbogen Succession.^[5][6][7]

William was described as calm and persistent. He maintained firm religious convictions, and was resolute in asserting his rights in the Katzenelnbogische Erbfolgestreit.^[8] Through his diplomatic skills, he earned numerous mediation assignments within the Holy Roman Empire.^[9]

In Dutch history, he is primarily remembered as the father of Prince William the Silent.

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