Henry de Nassau, Lord Overkirk
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Henry, Count of Nassau, Lord of Overkirk (Dutch: Hendrik van Nassau-Ouwerkerk, French: Henry de Nassau d'Auverquerque) (1640–18 October 1708) was a Dutch military and second cousin of King William III of England and his Master of the Horse. Lord of Ouwerkerk and Woudenberg in the Netherlands, he was called by the English "Lord Overkirk" or "Count Overkirk".
Born in The Hague to Louis of Nassau-Beverweerd (illegitimate son of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange) and his wife Isabella van Hoorn, Overkirk was baptised there on 16 December 1640. He married Frances van Aerssen van Sommelsdijk at The Hague on 2 October 1667. Granted the title Count of Nassau (graaf van Nassau} by the Emperor Leopold I in 1679, he joined William III's invasion of England in 1688, and was appointed the king's Master of the Horse the following year. He resided in London, notably at Overkirk House, which later became part of 10 Downing Street.
Overkirk was one of the Duke of Marlborough's most trusted generals, and led the left wing of Marlborough's army at both Ramillies and Oudenarde. He was made a Field Marshal in 1704.
Overkirk died on 18 October 1708 at Roeselare in modern-day Belgium and is buried at Ouderkerk aan den IJssel in the Netherlands. His widow continued to live at Overkirk House until her own death in 1720.
Their children included:
[edit] Service Record
1674: present at the battle of Seneffe .
1678: present at the battle of St. Denis, where he saved the life of William III.
1693: present at the battle of Neerwinden.
1705: commanding the Dutch army while breaking the Lines of Brabant at the Battle of Elixheim.
1706: commanding the left wing at the battle of Ramillies, and playing a major part in the victory.
1708: commanding the left wing at the battle of Oudenaarde.
1708: Fell ill during the siege of Lille and died 4 days later of disease in camp at nearby Roeselare.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lord Dartmouth |
Master of the Horse to William III 1689–1702 |
Succeeded by In commission |
| Dutch nobility | ||
| Preceded by Title created |
Lord of Ouwerkerk ?–1708 |
Succeeded by Maurice Louis II of Nassau-Lalecq |
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