John Francis Desideratus of Nassau-Siegen

John Francis Desideratus (Nozeroy, July 28, 1627 – Roermond, December 17, 1699) was count of Nassau-Siegen and stadtholder of Limburg and Upper Guelders.

Leven

John Francis Desideratus was the only son of the to Catholism converted Count John VIII of Nassau-Siegen and Ernestine Yolande de Ligne D'amblise. He succeeded his father in 1638 as count of Nassau-Siegen, but hat to cede in 1648 a part of the County to the Protestant branch of the family. He kept fighting his Protestant neighbours and suppressing the Calvinists in his territory. His reign was marked by bad management and debts.

John Francis Desideratus was as his father a general in Spanish service. In 1652 he became a Lord and in 1661 a Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece. From 1665 to 1684 he was Spanish stadtholder of Limburg and from 1680 to 1699 of Upper Guelders. He lived a large part of his life in Roermond, where he also died in 1699. Als Lord of Nassau-Siegen, he was succeeded by his son William Hyacinth of Nassau-Siegen.

Marriage and children

Johan Frans Desideratus married 3 times and had 12 children:

• in 1651 he married Johanna Claudia of Königsegg-Rotenfels-Aulendorf (1632–1663), and had one daughter
• in 1665 he married Eleonore Sophie of Baden (1641–1668), and had one son, his successor William Hyacinth of Nassau-Siegen.
• In 1669 he married Isabella Clara du Puget de la Serre (1651–1714), and had 10 children.