Statue commemorating the Counts of Egmont and Horne (in Brussels, by Charles-Auguste Fraikin).
The story of Graaf van Egmont (Count of Egmont) and Graaf Horne (Count of Horne) is a dramatic and pivotal moment in the history of the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) between Spain and the Netherlands, which ultimately led to the independence of the Dutch Republic.
In the mid-16th century, the Low Countries—which included present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—were under the rule of King Philip II of Spain. Philip, a devout Catholic, sought to suppress the growing influence of Protestantism in the region. His harsh policies, including the Inquisition and heavy taxation, sparked unrest among the local nobility and common people alike.
Among those who grew increasingly disillusioned were Lamoraal, Graaf van Egmont, and Filips van Montmorency, Graaf van Horne. Both were prominent nobles who initially supported Philip II but became critical of his oppressive rule. Despite their loyalty to the Spanish crown, they began to advocate for more tolerance towards Protestants and resisted the centralization of power in Madrid, favoring greater autonomy for the provinces.
In response to the unrest, Philip II appointed the Duke of Alba as governor of the Netherlands in 1567. The Duke of Alba, known for his ruthless methods, established the Council of Troubles, a court that became infamous as the Blood Council for its harsh persecution of suspected rebels and Protestants. Egmont and Horne, despite their previous loyalty to Spain, were arrested by Alba on charges of treason due to their opposition to Philip’s policies.
In June 1568, both Egmont and Horne were tried and found guilty of rebellion. Their execution was meant as a warning to other nobles and anyone who opposed Spanish rule. On June 5, 1568, they were publicly beheaded in the Grand Place (Grote Markt) in Brussels. This act shocked the population and became a rallying cry for resistance.
The execution of these two respected nobles ignited widespread outrage throughout the Low Countries. Their deaths are often seen as a key moment in the rise of rebellion against Spanish rule. Shortly afterward, William of Orange, who had been a fellow noble and ally of Egmont and Horne, led the revolt that would become the Eighty Years' War.
This war eventually led to the Dutch Revolt and the creation of the independent Dutch Republic in 1648, with the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia. The executions of Egmont and Horne became symbols of the struggle for freedom, and their martyrdom is remembered as a turning point in the fight for independence from Spanish tyranny.
Beheading of Lamoral, Count of Egmont and Philip de Montmorency, and Count of Horne, 5 June 1568 on the Grote Markt, Brussels.
