Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange
| Frederick Henry | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Anthony van Dyck, c. 1629 | |
| Prince of Orange and Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel | |
| Reign | 23 April 1625 - 14 March 1647 |
| Predecessor | Maurice |
| Successor | William II |
| Born | 29 January 1584 Delft, Dutch Republic |
| Died | 14 March 1647 (aged 63) The Hague, Dutch Republic |
| Spouse | Amalia of Solms-Braunfels |
| Issue | William II, Prince of Orange Louise Henriette, Duchess of Prussia Henriette Amalia of Nassau Elisabeth of Nassau Isabella Charlotte of Nassau Albertine Agnes of Nassau Henriette Catherine, Princess of Anhalt-Dessau Henry Louis of Nassau Maria, Countess Palatine of Simmern-Kaiserslautern |
| House | Orange-Nassau |
| Father | William the Silent |
| Mother | Louise de Coligny |
| Religion | Dutch Reformed |
| Signature | |
Frederick Henry (Dutch: Frederik Hendrik; 29 January 1584 – 14 March 1647) was the sovereign prince of Orange and stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from his older half-brother's death on 23 April 1625 until his death on 14 March 1647. In the last seven years of his life, he was also the stadtholder of Groningen (1640-1647).
As the leading soldier in the Dutch wars against Spain, his main achievement was the successful Siege of 's-Hertogenbosch in 1629. It was the main Spanish base and a well-fortified city protected by an experienced Spanish garrison and by formidable water defenses. His strategy was the successful neutralization of the threat of inundation of the area around 's-Hertogenbosch' and his capture of the Spanish storehouse at Wesel. The successful sieges under his command earned him the epithet ‘city forcer’ (Dutch: stedendwinger). He was the paternal grandfather of William III, who later became King of England, Scotland & Ireland, through his only surviving son, William II.