Friedrich Heinrich (Frederik Hendrik)

(1584-1647)
Frederick Henry, son of Prince William I of Orange and Louise de Coligny, the younger half-brother of Moritz of Nassau, which became Bezirksstatthalter the Dutch Republic in 1587. Born in Delft, 29 January 1584. Frederick Henry was educated at home by private tutors, and in 1594 entered the University of Leiden. In 1593 the States-General (the highest legislative body of the republic) appointed him commander of the regiment. Shortly thereafter, he became mayor in Gertreydenberge (near Oosterhout) and had served throughout the siege of the Spaniards. At age 16, joined the Council of State. In 1600 Colonel Walloon regiment took part in the battle of Nivporte. Friedrich Heinrich demonstrated excellent quality military commander during the siege of Grave and Sluys, in the struggle for the return Bredevoort (1606), as well as in the capture of Venlo (1606) and Erkelenz (1607). In the religious clashes that erupted during a so-called. Twelve-year truce between Holland and Spain (1609-1621), sided with more liberal remonstrantov (armininan), but not opposed to his brother Moritz.
In 1625, after the death of Moritz, was Bezirksstatthalter Dutch Republic. In a well-planned campaign continued its active struggle against the Spaniards, while achieving significant results. Took the city Grohl (1627), Hertogenbosch (1629), Maastricht, Roermond, and Sittard Streuli (all in 1632), Rheinberg, Shenkenshans and Breda (1637), Sas van Gent (1644) and Hulst (1647), for which was nicknamed the conqueror Cities. The military successes of Frederick Henry in many ways defined the modern southern border of the Netherlands. When it took office Bezirksstatthalter more pronounced authoritarian streak, which did not have before, and had become practically hereditary. Friedrich Heinrich took over the foreign policy of the state, initiated in 1635 an alliance with France, has as its goal the conquest of the southern Netherlands (sovr. Belgium) followed by their division between the United Provinces and France. Frederick Henry built many beautiful palaces - Nordeneyde in The Hague, Nivburg in Rijswijk, a large chateau in Honselarsdeyke. Frederick Henry died in The Hague on 14 March 1647.