EGMONT, LAMORAL. Count, PRINCE OF GAVRE, was b. in the castle of La IIamaide, in Hainault, in 1522; and inherited his property and titles from his elder brother Charles. He accompanied Charles V. on his expedition against Algiers in 1541, and followed that monarch afterwards in all his campaigns, but without distinguishing himself greatly. After the accession of Philip to the throne, E. commanded, with great success, the cavalry, in the battle of St. Quentin, 1557, and next year in that of Gravelines; and when Philip finally returned to Spain, he left E. governor of Flan ders and Artois. In this position, E. entered into alliance with the party in the Netherlands that were dissatisfied with the Catholic policy of Philip, and from a courtier became all at once a man of the people. His proud, imperious character, however, and his subsequent conduct, have induced many to suppose that, like his bosom-friend, the prince of Orange, he was less actuated in this by high motives than by self-interest, or at least by disappointed ambition. The more common opinion, however, is, that he was a humane and virtuous patriot, who, although indifferent to Protestantism as a religion, was anxious to do justice to all the members of that oppressod faith. When Margaret, duchess of Parma, against the will of the Protestant party, was made regent-general of the Netherlands, E. and the prince of Orange entered the council of state, and held the command of the few Spanish troops. At first he sided with the party who were discontented with the infringement of the liberties of the provinces, and the introduction of the inquisition; but when insurrection broke out, he at last broke with the prince of Orange and the " Beggars' league," as it was called. He seemed to have restored order, and to be maintaining it, when, in April, 1567, the duke of Alba was sent as lieut.men. to the Netherlands. The prince of Orange and other
chiefs of the insurrection left the country; E. wishing to save his private property, remained, thinking his return to the court had secured his safety. When Alba entered Brussels, 22d Aug., E. went to meet him, and sought to secure his favor by presents. He appeared to have gained his confidence, when suddenly, after a sitting of the coun cil, he and count Hoorn were treacherously seized, and carried to the citadel of Ghent. The states of Brabant sought to withdraw E. from the bloody tribunal, as it was called, instituted by Alba, and E., as a knight of the Golden Fleece, denied its competency. But all in vain. He was called upon to justify himself against 90 counts of accusa tion; and as he persisted in protesting against the incompetency of the court, and thus left many of the points unar.swered, he was held guilty of contumacy, and along with count Hoorn condemned to death. On the folio wing day, June 4, 1568, they were both the market-place of Brussels. Although E. hoped for pardon to the last, and intercession was made for him from the highest quarters, he died with the greatest composure. It is related that as he received the fatal stroke, Johanna Lavil, who had been his mistress, fell down dead, and the people, in a paroxysm of sympathydipped handkerchiefs in the blood that seemed shed in martyrdom to freedom. E. legiti mate children, of whom 3 were sons. The whole of his property, movable and immov able, was confiscated with the greatest rigor. See Correspondanee de Marguerite d'Aut riche, Duchesse de Parma (Bruss. 1842), and Correspondance de Philippe II. sur les ..4ffaires des Pays-Bas (Bruss. 1848-51, 2 vols.). Goethe has made the death of E. the subject of a tragedy.