Louis II, Count of Nassau-Weilburg
| Louis II, Count of Nassau-Weilburg | |
|---|---|
| Spouse(s) | Anna Maria of Hesse-Kassel |
| Noble family | House of Nassau |
| Father | Albert, Count of Nassau-Weilburg |
| Mother | Anna of Nassau-Dillenburg |
| Born |
9 August 1565 Weilburg |
| Died | 8 November 1627 (aged 62) Saarbrücken |
Louis II of Nassau-Weilburg (9 August 1565, Weilburg – 8 November 1627, Saarbrücken) was a count of Nassau-Weilburg.
Louis was the eldest son of Count Albert of Nassau-Weilburg-Ottweiler and Countess Anna of Nassau-Dillenburg. His family moved in 1575 from Weilburg to Ottweiler. After his education, he traveled through Europe, in particular the French-speaking part of Switzerland. He also visited France and princely courts in Germany. During his visit to William IV of Hesse-Kassel, he met William's daughter Anna Maria and fell in love with her. He married her on 4 Juni 1589.
After Albert died on 11 November 1593, the inheritance was divided among his three sons. Louis received the areas Ottweiler, Homburg, Kirchheim and Lahr in the left bank of the Rhine. His brothers William (died: 25 November 1597) and John Casimir (died: 29 March 1602) chose the Weilburg part, which also fell to Louis after they died. Louis also inherited the territories of his uncle Philip IV of Nassau-Saarbrücken (died: 12 March 1602) and John Louis II of Nassau-Wiesbaden (died: 9 June 1605), who was the last of his line. So he ended up combining the entire property of the Walram line in one hand.
Louis moved his seat of government to Saarbrücken Castle. He issued a series of regulations, and provided a better education for his population (e.g. through the establishment of the Louis Gymnasium Saarland in Saarbrücken and the promotion of elementary schools. He committed himself to make the Saar navigable and supported many construction projects. Prosperity increased during his reign. However, the Thirty Years' War also began during his reign.
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