Adolf of Nassau (Dillenburg, 11 July 1540 – Heiligerlee, 23 May 1568) was a count of Nassau, also known as Adolphus of Nassau. He was the fourth son and sixth child of William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen and Juliana of Stolberg. He was the second youngest brother of William the Silent.
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Life and death
He studied at Wittenberg and in 1566 fought against the Turks, then pushing into Europe. In 1568 his brother William the Silent took up arms against Philip II of Spain and Adolf fought beside him in Brabant. Adolf then joined the force under his brother Louis of Nassau in the north, where he died at the Battle of Heiligerlee after his horse bolted and crossed Spanish lines.
The Spanish troops at Heiligerlee were commanded by Jan van Ligne, duke of Arenberg (or Aremberg), who also died in the battle.
The death of Adolf of Nassau is mentioned in the Dutch national anthem (4th verse):
Graef Adolff is ghebleven, In Vriesland in den slaech,
"Count Adolf has died, in Friesland, in this battle"