Nassau-Corroy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Count of Zwevegem
Baron of Warcoing
Lord of Frasnes-lez-Gosselies
| Nassau-Corroy | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Parent house | House of Nassau |
| Founded | 16th century |
| Founder | Alexis of Nassau-Corroy |
| Titles | Count of Corroy Count of Zwevegem Baron of Warcoing Lord of Frasnes-lez-Gosselies |
| Estate(s) | Castle of Corroy-le-Château Zwevegem Castle |
| Dissolution | 1832 |
Nassau-Corroy was the name of an illegitimate branch of the House of Nassau.[1] Unlike the main branch of the House of Nassau, the branch of Nassau-Corroy was Roman Catholic and faithful to the king of Spain.[2]
The history of the branch of Nassau-Corroy was started by the marriage between Otto II of Nassau-Siegen and Adelaide of Vianden. The counts of Vianden had built the Castle of Corroy-le-Château in the 13th century. Thus, the ancestors of Henry III of Nassau-Breda already possessed the rights of the castle in Corroy.[3]
The branch of Nassau-Corroy was founded by Alexis of Nassau-Corroy, the bastard son of Henry III of Nassau-Breda and his mistress Elisabeth Claire van Rosenbach. In 1530, Alexis was recognised by emperor Charles V.[4] In 1540, René of Chalon gave the full rights of Corroy to his half-brother. In 1545, the branch was openly recognised by the Prince of Orange.[5]
In 1693, Charles II of Spain granted Joseph-Ignace the title of Count of Corroy. In 1717, the Counts of Corroy added Zwevegem to their possessions and were the last feudal lords in Zwevegem.[2] The familial arms are still the official coat of arms of the municipality of Zwevegem.[6]
