Philips of Marnix, Lord of Saint-Aldegonde

Philips van Marnix, Army of Mont Saint Aldegonde (* 1540 in Brussels, † December 15, 1598 in Leiden ) was a Dutch writer, soldier and politician.

Life

Marnix came from a noble family from Brussels. His father was Jacob van Marnix, Baron of Pottes. He studied under John Calvin in Geneva and Theodore de Beze. After completing his studies in 1560 Marnix returned full of hatred against Spanish rule to Brussels.

In 1566 he wrote the Compromise Act, in which members of the lower nobility demanded faith and cultural freedom and appealing against the introduction of the Inquisition objection. But already in the following year, he had to flee from the Spanish forces under the Duke of Alba, and he went into exile in Germany. He was followed by the attachment of Wilhelm I of Orange- Nassau, which he was instrumental in the founding of the Dutch government later.

1570 Marnix was appointed consultant William of Orange. Several diplomatic missions led him on behalf of his employer like Paris and London. In one of these orders, he was arrested in 1573 by the Spaniards and imprisoned in Maaslandsluys. But a year later, he could be replaced.

In 1583 he was additionally charged yet with the Office of the Mayor of Antwerp. As such, he wanted along with the scientists Simon Stevin, Daniel Heinsius, let Caspar van Baerle and the writers Karel van Kampen and Joost van den Vondel revive the rhetoricians ( Rederijkerkammer ). After the month-long siege of the city by the Spanish troops led by Alessandro Farnese, he had handed over to him on August 17, 1585 city.

Marnix is also the author of the text of the Wilhelmus, the national anthem of the Netherlands rumored.

At the age of 58 years Philips van Marnix died on December 15, 1598 in Leiden.

Works

• Edgar Quinet (ed.): oeuvre. Paris 1854.