Juliana of Stolberg was the mother of William 1 of Orange (Willem van Oranje), also known as William the Silent (Willem de Zwijger). Juliana was the daughter of Botho VIII of Stolberg-Wernigerode and Anna of Eppstein-Königstein. Her first marriage was in 1523 to Philip II of Hanau-Munzenberg, who died in 1529, her second one, on 20 September 1531, was to William, Count of Nassau. From this marriage she had in total twelve children.

Juliana was raised a Roman Catholic but changed her religion twice, first to Lutheranism and later to Calvinism. She, along with her husband, was a convinced protestant and raised their children in the protestant ways. In 1559 she was widowed again and never remarried. She remained living at Dillenburg castle, now belonging to her second son John, until she died in 1580.

Her entire live she kept in close contact with all her children, especially William (of Orange). When William began his rebellion against Philip II of Spain she supported her son morally and financially. Because of this financial support William was able to campaign against Spain in the Netherlands.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... f_Stolberg View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Aquarius • February 15 • Germany • Netherlands • Orange-Nassau • Reformation • Renaissance • Women • People