William Nassau de Zuylestein, 2nd Earl of Rochford
Encyclopedia
William Nassau de Zuylestein, 2nd Earl of Rochford (9 July 1682 – 27 July 1710) was a British peer
and member of the House of Lords
, styled Viscount Tunbridge from 1695 to 1709.
Tunbridge was returned as an Irish Member of Parliament
for Kilkenny City
in 1705, and was also returned to the British House of Commons
for Steyning
in 1708. However, his principal importance was as a military commander: he was an aide-de-camp
to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
in Flanders
in 1704, and was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel in the 32nd Regiment of Foot
in January 1706. On 12 April, he received a commission as the colonel of a new regiment of foot, part of the Irish army, and on 1 February 1707, he was appointed colonel of the 3rd Regiment of Dragoon
s (succeeding the late Lord Cutts
), which embarked for Spain in 1708.
In January 1709, he succeeded his father as Earl of Rochford
, and was commissioned a brigadier general
in January 1710. Rochford was killed on 27 July 1710 at the Battle of Almenar while leading his regiment. He was succeeded by his brother Frederick Nassau de Zuylestein, 3rd Earl of Rochford.
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
and member of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, styled Viscount Tunbridge from 1695 to 1709.
Tunbridge was returned as an Irish Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Kilkenny City
Kilkenny City (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Kilkenny City was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Kilkenny City was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
in 1705, and was also returned to the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
for Steyning
Steyning (UK Parliament constituency)
Steyning was a parliamentary borough in Sussex, England, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons sporadically from 1298 and continuously from 1467 until 1832...
in 1708. However, his principal importance was as a military commander: he was an aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Prince of Mindelheim, KG, PC , was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs through the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
in 1704, and was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel in the 32nd Regiment of Foot
32nd Regiment of Foot
The 32nd Regiment of Foot of the British Army was first raised in 1702 as a regiment of marines to fight in the War of Spanish Succession.It won its first battle honour in 1705 for the siege and capture of Gibraltar....
in January 1706. On 12 April, he received a commission as the colonel of a new regiment of foot, part of the Irish army, and on 1 February 1707, he was appointed colonel of the 3rd Regiment of Dragoon
Dragoon
The word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...
s (succeeding the late Lord Cutts
John Cutts, 1st Baron Cutts
Lieutenant-General John Cutts, 1st Baron Cutts PC , British soldier and author, came from an Essex family.After a short university career at Catharine Hall, Cambridge, he inherited the family estates, but showed a distinct preference for the life of court and camp...
), which embarked for Spain in 1708.
In January 1709, he succeeded his father as Earl of Rochford
Earl of Rochford
Earl of Rochford was a a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1695 for William Nassau de Zuylestein, one of the most trusted companions of his kinsman, William of Orange. He was made Viscount Tunbridge at the same time, also in the Peerage of England. He was the son of Frederick...
, and was commissioned a brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in January 1710. Rochford was killed on 27 July 1710 at the Battle of Almenar while leading his regiment. He was succeeded by his brother Frederick Nassau de Zuylestein, 3rd Earl of Rochford.