Egmont

Egmont, Lamoral, Count (1522-1568), an illustrious Hollander, who is looked on as a martyr-patriot of the Low Countries. Having entered the army, he did good service under Charles V., and accompanied him to Africa in 1544. Under Philip II. he also distinguished himself in the battles of St. Quentin (1557) and Gravelines (1558). When, under the regency of Margaret of Parma, the nobles under the Prince of Orange conspired, Egmont tried to reconcile his duty to his country with that to the court he had so long served. The Duke of Alva caused the Counts Egmont and Hoorn to be beheaded, more, it would seem, with the politic idea of awing the insurgents than from any real belief in Egmont's disloyalty. While warmly attached to his country and to the members of the discontented faction, he was at the same time loyal to Spain and a staunch-Catholic. Between the two stools he came to the ground.