Elisabeth van der Noot d'Assche

Elisabeth, Countess van der Noot, Countess of Assche (July 22, 1899 in Brussels – March 27, 1974) was a Belgian aristocratic lady. During the Second World War, she became friendly with the highest circles of the German occupation authorities, whilst in a few occasions helping the resistance.

Elisabeth was the first child of the 9th Marquess of Assche, Edouard Dimitri van der Noot (1860–1928) and Adrienne Barbanson (1875–1944). On December 19, 1923, Elisabeth married the Roman aristocrat Constantino Ruspoli de Poggio-Suasa, who was making a diplomatic career. They had met each other while his father, Mario Ruspoli, 2nd Prince of Poggio Suasa, was an ambassador in Brussels (1919–1924). The spouses established themselves in the city, where they would have three children: Marcantonio (°28.11.1926–2003), Edoardo (°February 17, 1928) and Giovanni Marescotti (°06.03.1935). On January 8, 1930 they attended the wedding of the Italian crown prince Umberto and the Belgian princess Marie José.

At the outbreak of the war, Constantino joined the Italian army and became captain of the 11th Folgore Parachute Company. He was killed on October 25, 1942 at the Second Battle of El Alamein, while defending Hill 77, the most advanced Italian position, during operation Lightfoot.

The widow of the posthumously decorated commander had remained in Brussels. She became intimate with the occupying authorities in Belgium, amongst whom the military governor Alexander von Falkenhausen and his close collaborators, chief of the Command Staff Bodo von Harbou and civilian administrator Eggert Reeder.Freiherr von Falkenhausen had taken up quarters in the Palais d'Assche, where Elisabeth had grown up. "Elisa" became the unofficial 'public relations' of Falkenhausen.

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