Karl Van Draak

Karl van Draak (1631-1709) was a Brunanter statesman, militaryman and king.

Biography
He was born in 1631 as Karl of Saxe-Meiningen to Princess Andrea Marie (1604-1666), the sister of King Willem II and Philip, Prince of Saxe-Meiningen (1601-1657). He resided at Vandijk Castle, his family home. Tragedy struck his family when his older sister Amalia died in 1635. Karl joined the Royal Guard in 1650. In the 1660s Karl was often bickering with his uncle, supporting greater democracy. Popular support for democracy led to civil war and Karl was soon made leader of the rebellion. When his uncle as killed during the Battle of Grijzestad, his cousin Maria Amalia was named queen. But by then the rebels had practically won and six days after her crowning she was forced to renounce her and her descendants' claims to the throne. In 1663 he signed into effect the Bill of Rights, establishing a base for democracy in the nation. When he died in 1709 he was succeded by his son, Marten I.

Family
He married Princess Agnes of Anhalt-Dessau (1644-1712) in 1662 at Grijzestad Cathedral. They had 5 children:
 * Princess Beatrice Marie (1663-1721)
 * Marten I (1665-1744)
 * Princess Alexandra (1667-1745)
 * Prince Karl (1669-1715)
 * Princess Angela (1671-1753)