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:''This article is about the European aristocratic dynasty. For the former state ruled by this dynasty, the Countship and later Duchy of Nassau, see Nassau (state). For other uses, see Nassau (disambiguation)'' The House of Nassau is a diversified aristocratic dynasty in Europe. It is named after the lordship associated with Nassau Castle, located in present-day Nassau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The lords of Nassau were originally titled "Count of Nassau", then elevated to the princely class as "Princely Counts" (in German: ''gefürstete Grafen'', i.e. Counts who are granted all legal and aristocratic privileges of a Prince). At the end of the Holy Roman Empire and the Napoleonic Wars, they proclaimed themselves with the permission of the Congress of Vienna "Dukes of Nassau", forming the independent state Nassau (capital city: Wiesbaden), a territory which is at present mainly part of the German Federal State of Hesse (Hessen), and partially of the neighbouring State of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz). The Duchy was annexed in 1866 after the Austrian-Prussian War as an ally of Austria by Prussia. It was subsequently incorporated into the newly created Prussian Province of Hesse-Nassau. Today the term Nassau is used in Germany as a name for a geographical, historical and cultural region, but has no longer any political meaning. All Dutch and Luxembourgish monarchs since 1815 were senior members of the House of Nassau. However, in 1890 (for the Netherlands), respectively in 1912 (for Luxembourg), the male line of heirs to the two thrones became extinct, so that since then they descended in the ''female'' line from the House of Nassau. According to German tradition, the family name is passed on only in the male line of succession. The House would be therefore, from this (German) perspective, extinct since 1985.〔Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated in 1964, but she died in 1985〕 However, both Dutch and Luxembourgish monarchic traditions, constitutional rules and legislation in that matter differ from the German one, and thus both countries do ''not'' consider the House extinct. The Grand Duke of Luxembourg uses "Duke of Nassau" as his secondary title and a title of pretense to the dignity of Chief of the House of Nassau (being the most senior member of the eldest branch of the House), but not to lay any territorial claims to the former Duchy of Nassau (which is now part of the Federal Republic of Germany). == Origins == Count Dudo-Henry of Laurenburg (ca. 1060 – ca. 1123) is considered the founder of the House of Nassau. He is first mentioned in the purported founding-charter of Maria Laach Abbey in 1093 (although many historians consider the document to be fabricated). The Castle Laurenburg, located a few miles upriver from Nassau on the Lahn, was the seat of his lordship. His family probably descended from the Lords of Lipporn. In 1159, Nassau Castle became the ruling seat, and the house is now named after this castle. 06RK-Laurenburg-Wohnturm.jpg|Laurenburg Castle Aerial fg071.jpg|Nassau Castle The Counts of Laurenburg and Nassau expanded their authority under the brothers Robert (''Ruprecht'') I (1123–1154) and Arnold I of Laurenburg (1123–1148). Robert was the first person to call himself Count of Nassau, but the title was not confirmed until 1159, five years after Robert's death. Robert's son Walram I (1154–1198) was the first person to be legally titled Count of Nassau. The chronology of the Counts of Laurenburg is not certain and the link between Robert I and Walram I is especially controversial. Also, some sources consider Gerhard, listed as co-Count of Laurenburg in 1148, to be the son of Robert I's brother, Arnold I.〔(Family tree of the early House of Nassau ), retrieved on 2009-01-22.〕 However, Erich Brandenburg in his ''Die Nachkommen Karls des Großen'' states that it is most likely that Gerhard was Robert I's son, because Gerard was the name of Beatrix of Limburg's maternal grandfather.〔Table 11, Page 23 and note on page 151, quoted at (Genealogy of the Middle Ages ), retrieved on 2009-01-23〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「House of Nassau」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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