ABSTRACT

Marriage represented a key moment of transition for a dynasty as well as for the individuals involved. This chapter aims to explore how marriage acted as a life moment that shaped power relations within and beyond the House of OrangeNassau. It examines marriages that moved members out of the branch, as well as brought others in, ideally, to share its objectives. In doing so, it analyses how marriage enabled a change in status for individuals within the House and the consequences of these transitions for dynastic power structures and hierarchies. What kinds of networks could emerge through such negotiations and what were their influence and longevity? It examines who drove marriage negotiations, and how, and considers particularly the role of emotions in these negotiations as rhetorics, performances or alignments to be fostered, managed or enhanced through dynastic practices.