WI: Lamoral, Count van Egmond, Escapes in 1568?

OTL, Willem of Nassau (a.k.a. William the Silent) took off out of Brussels in 1568 and urged his friend, Lamoral, Count of Egmond, to do the same. Egmont refused, and, alongside the Count van Hoorne, was arrested by order of Felipe II, and later executed (despite pleas for amnesty for both Egmont and Hoorne from all corners). Felipe refused and the Council of Blood (the nickname the Council of Troubles acquired for its ruthless manner of dealing with those brought before it, IIRC) had both executed. This led to a public outcry in the Netherlands, and Felipe's actions essentially threw a lit match into a powder keg.

Some context: before execution, Egmond was a major landowner in the Netherlands, as well as stadtholder of Flanders and Artois. When he died, that title (foremost landowner) devolved to Willem the Silent. Which meant that while Wim might've been put-out by his friend's execution, he did benefit directly from the situation (since most of Egmond's property was confiscated to the bishop of Liège).

So, what if Egmond decides to either listen to Willem of Nassau's advice to get the Hell out of dodge in 1568? Or even if he doesn't do that he somehow escapes capture (Egmond seems like an inherently noble character, so I don't think he would escape after jail, since he'd probably regard that as making him look guilty) - perhaps to his brother-in-law's court in Heidelberg?

@pompejus @Janprimus @Parma @Vitruvius @HJ Tulp @anyone else knowledgeable about Dutch history
 
Which meant that while Wim might've been put-out by his friend's execution, he did benefit directly from the situation
Are you sure about this? Maybe you confuse Lamoraals line with the seperate line of the first wife of Willem, Anna van Egmond Buren
Willem did directly inherit those posessions. The posessions of Lamoraal were first confiscated and some later returned to his direct descendants.
 
Are you sure about this? Maybe you confuse Lamoraals line with the seperate line of the first wife of Willem, Anna van Egmond Buren
Willem did directly inherit those posessions. The posessions of Lamoraal were first confiscated and some later returned to his direct descendants.

Was Willem not the biggest landowner in the Netherlands following Egmond's execution? Sorry if it seems stupid, but most history books I've come across list Willem the Silent as being one of the foremost (if not the foremost) landowners in the Netherlands. And that that was why he got involved in the 80YW.

As to benefitting directly, I meant that with Egmond removed, there was no one with a big enough powerbase who could sort of challenge Wim.
 
Was Willem not the biggest landowner in the Netherlands following Egmond's execution? Sorry if it seems stupid, but most history books I've come across list Willem the Silent as being one of the foremost (if not the foremost) landowners in the Netherlands. And that that was why he got involved in the 80YW.

As to benefitting directly, I meant that with Egmond removed, there was no one with a big enough powerbase who could sort of challenge Wim.
He was, but at that point in time that was irrelevant, because all the holdings inside the Netherlands were confiscated, however Willem also had lands in other parts of the HRE. After his flight he sold many of these to keep financing invading armies. It's IMO that personal sacrifice that made him in the end undisputed leader of the revolt. I say this because there were other nobles who had supported the protestants and who did fled, like Hendrik van Brederode. But his role was over when the spaniards took his main position in the Netherlands and he was left with nothing (He also died very quickly)
 
He was, but at that point in time that was irrelevant, because all the holdings inside the Netherlands were confiscated, however Willem also had lands in other parts of the HRE. After his flight he sold many of these to keep financing invading armies. It's IMO that personal sacrifice that made him in the end undisputed leader of the revolt. I say this because there were other nobles who had supported the protestants and who did fled, like Hendrik van Brederode. But his role was over when the spaniards took his main position in the Netherlands and he was left with nothing (He also died very quickly)

So even if Egmond were to survive, his lacking of estates outside of the Netherlands - like Brederode - meant that should Felipe confiscate those lands he was essentially up a creek?
 
So even if Egmond were to survive, his lacking of estates outside of the Netherlands - like Brederode - meant that should Felipe confiscate those lands he was essentially up a creek?
He will be without a real powerbase of his own and be totaly depended on his contacts. But this is where he has strenghts. His mariage links him with a very possible ally, the Pfalz and this could mean an extra support for the invading armies of Willem. Willem could decide to give him a high command within his invading armies as Lamoraal had already militairy experience. And this means a possible larger role in the later stages of the revolt and what comes after.
 
He will be without a real powerbase of his own and be totaly depended on his contacts. But this is where he has strenghts. His mariage links him with a very possible ally, the Pfalz and this could mean an extra support for the invading armies of Willem. Willem could decide to give him a high command within his invading armies as Lamoraal had already militairy experience. And this means a possible larger role in the later stages of the revolt and what comes after.

Agreed about the familial ties - through his wife to the Pfalz, through his mother to the Luxemburgs/Montmorencies and through his father, both to Willem's first wife and the late duke of Guelders (for whatever that's worth).

Not to mention, Egmond's Catholicism might convince some hesitant places to come down from the rafters and support the rebellion no? Particularly if they fear that the Calvinists are going to get too powerful?
 
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