Marnix

Marnix, Philip van, Comte de St. Aldegonde (1538-98), a famous Dutch patriot and writer, was born at Brussels and educated at Geneva. On his return to the Netherlands he put his Calvinistic principles into practice. He took an active part in the revolt against Spain, and in 1572 represented his friend William of Orange at the meeting of the Estates at Dort. He made great efforts as a diplomatist to obtain help from Elizabeth and from France, and to him was owing in great measure the formation of the Union of Utrecht. In 1583-84 he for more than a year defended Antwerp against the Spaniards, but his ultimate capitulation made him so unpopular that he spent the rest of his days in literary retirement, dying at Leyden in 1598.