John I, Count of Nassau-Siegen | |
|---|---|
| Count of Nassau-Siegen | |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Reign | 1350/1351–1416 |
| Predecessor | Otto II |
| Successor | |
| Full name | John I, Count of Nassau-Siegen |
| Native name | Johann I. Graf von Nassau-Siegen |
| Born | c. 1339 |
| Died | 4 September 1416 (aged 76–77) Herborn Castle |
| Buried | Keppel Abbey |
| Noble family | House of Nassau-Siegen |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret of the Mark |
| Issue Detail | |
| Father | Otto II of Nassau-Siegen |
| Mother | Adelaide of Vianden |
Count John I of Nassau-Siegen[note 1] (c. 1339 – 4 September 1416), German: Johann I. Graf von Nassau-Siegen, was since 1362 Count of Nassau-Siegen[note 2] (a part of the County of Nassau). He descended from the Ottonian Line of the House of Nassau.
John was involved in numerous feuds throughout his life. The chivalric spirit of that time created a multitude of unions and alliances. John was a co-founder or at least an active member of several of these alliances, always ready for quarrels and knightly combat.[1] Through negotiations, and when necessary also through skilfully conducted feuds, he secured his country many kinds of benefits, for example income from old, hitherto little-used Rhine tolls.[2] In this way, the courageous count not only kept his father's inheritance unbroken and even debt-free during difficult times and a long life, but also triumphed over his opponents, who wanted to shorten and challenge it, sometimes in the open field, sometimes before courts of arbitration.[3]
During his long, mostly restless reign, he not only made lucrative acquisitions of various kinds, but also expanded the possessions of his house,[3] most notable through the succession dispute over the County of Nassau-Hadamar.[3][4][5][6] John amply compensated the losses his unfortunate father had inflicted by overcoming great obstacles.[7]
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