Philips of Marnix, lord of Saint-Aldegonde

Philips of Marnix, Lord of Saint-Aldegonde
Lord of Saint-Aldegonde, portrait by Jacques de Gheyn II
Lord Mayor of Antwerpen
In office 1583–1584
Lord of Saint-Aldegonde
In office 1558–1598
Preceded by	Jacob of Marnix
Personal details
Spouse(s)	Philippotte, Lady of Belle de Bailleul

Philips of Marnix, Lord of Saint-Aldegonde, Lord of West-Souburg (Dutch: Filips van Marnix, heer van Sint-Aldegonde, heer van West-Souburg, French: Philippe de Marnix, seigneur de Sainte-Aldegonde; Brussels, 7 March/20 July 1540 – Leiden, 15 December 1598) was a Flemish and Dutch writer and statesman, and the probable author of the text of the Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus.

Marnix of St. Aldegonde was born at Brussels, the son of Jacob of Marnix, baron of Pottes. He studied theology under John Calvin and Theodore Beza at Geneva. Returning to the Netherlands in 1560, he threw himself into the cause of the Reformation, taking an active part in the compromise of the nobles in 1565 and the assembly of Sint-Truiden. He issued a pamphlet in justification of the iconoclastic movement Beeldenstorm which devastated many churches in Flanders in 1566, and on the Duke of Alba's arrival next year had to flee the country.

After spending some time in Friesland and in the Electorate of the Palatinate he was in 1570 taken into the service of William, prince of Orange, and in 1572 was sent as his representative to the first meeting of the States-General assembled at Dordrecht. In 1573 he was taken prisoner by the Spaniards at Maaslandsluys, but was exchanged in the following year. He was sent as the representative of the insurgent provinces to Paris and London, where he attempted in vain to secure the effective assistance of Queen, Elizabeth I of England.