The Nassau Orphans

In 1675 Matteus Smallegange, an Orangist from Zealand, published his Geslacht-rekening der doorluchtigste vorsten van Nassau en Oraenjen, waer in den oorspronk, aenwas en voorgank der selver, met het gene sy verricht hebben sedert den jare 682 tot het jaer 1675: [the dynastic account of the serene princes of Nassau and Orange, in which the origins, growth and advancement of the same, with all they have achieved since the year 682 until the year 1675]. ¹ It is about the Nassau dynasty, which had only recently regained the stadholderate of most of the provinces of the Dutch Republic after the stadholderless era of 1650–1672. This event warranted new attention for the family’s place in the history of the Dutch Republic. Accordingly, Smallegange stated in his preface that he wished to inform – or perhaps rather to remind – his fellow Dutchmen about the Nassaus, their glorious descent from the Romans and the many honours they had received over time from a list of emperors, from Julius Caesar to Charles V. His stress was on those members of the dynasty that had contributed to the defence of ‘our Netherland’ with their unspeakable valor, bravery and wise policy, especially William I, Maurice, Frederick Henry and – in his own time – William III. ²