William Bentinck, Earl of Portland
| The Earl of Portland | |
|---|---|
Hans Willem Bentinck by Hyacinthe Rigaud
|
|
| Born |
20 July 1649 Diepenheim, Overijssel |
| Died | 23 November 1709 (aged 60) Bulstrode Park, Buckinghamshire |
| Title | 1st Earl of Portland |
| Tenure | 1689-1709 |
| Other titles |
Baron Bentinck Baron Cirencester |
| Nationality | Dutch and English |
| Residence | Bulstrode Park |
| Offices | English Ambassador to France |
| Predecessor | Bernard, Baron Bentinck |
| Successor | Henry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland |
| Spouse(s) |
Anne Villiers Jane Martha Temple |
| Parents |
Bernard, Baron Bentinck Anna van Bloemendaal |
Hans William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland, Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim and Schoonheten,KG, PC (20 July 1649, Diepenheim, Overijssel – 23 November 1709, Bulstrode Park, Buckinghamshire) was a Dutch and English nobleman who became in an early stage the favourite of William, Prince of Orange, Stadtholder in the Netherlands, and future King of England. He was steady, sensible, modest and usually moderate. The friendship and cooperation stopped in 1699.
Hans Willem was the son of Bernard, Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim and descended from an ancient and noble family of Guelders and Overijssel. He was appointed first page of honour and chamberlain. When, in 1675, Prince William was attacked by smallpox, Bentinck nursed him assiduously, and this devotion secured for him the special and enduring friendship of William. From that point on, Bentinck had the Prince's confidence, and in their correspondence William was very open.
In 1677 he was sent to England to solicit for Prince William the hand of Mary, daughter of James, Duke of York and future King of England. He was again in England on William's behalf in 1683 and in 1685. Later, in 1688, when William was preparing to assist in the overthrow of (now King) James including an invasion by Dutch troops, Bentinck went to some of the German princes to secure their support, or at least their neutrality. He had also been, since 1687, a medium of communication between his master and his English friends. Bentinck superintended the arrangements for the invasion, including raising money, hiring an enormous transport fleet, organising a propaganda offensive, and preparing the possible landing sites, and also sailed to England with Prince William.
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