Philip of Noircarmes facts for kids

Philippe René Nivelon Louis de Sainte-Aldegonde, Lord of Noircarmes (around 1530 – Utrecht, 5 March 1574) was an important leader and soldier from the Habsburg Netherlands. He served Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Philip II of Spain. He became well-known for stopping rebellions by Calvinists, especially in Valenciennes in 1566-1567. He was also a member of the Council of Troubles at the start of the Eighty Years' War. He served as the governor (called a stadtholder) of Hainaut from 1566, and later of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht from 1573 until he died.

Who Was Noircarmes?

Noircarmes, as he is often called in history books, was the son of Jean de Sainte-Aldegonde. His family was an old noble family from Saint-Omer. His mother was Marie de Rubempré. His father, who died in 1538, was an important helper and advisor to Emperor Charles V. Philippe himself is mentioned as a page (a young attendant) to Charles in 1547.

Noircarmes married Bonne de Lannoy on 7 September 1554. They had a son named Maximilien-Lamoral and a daughter.

Stopping Rebellions in the Netherlands

In the early 1560s, Noircarmes was part of the Council of State, which advised Margaret of Parma, the ruler of the Netherlands. He disagreed with other important nobles like William of Orange, Count Egmont, and Count Horne. They suggested being careful after a group of nobles made a protest in 1566, known as the Compromise of Nobles.

When social unrest started in August 1566, with Calvinists holding open-air sermons and then destroying religious statues and art (called the Iconoclastic Fury), Noircarmes believed strong action was needed to stop them.

In July 1566, he became the temporary governor and chief official of Hainaut. He was also put in charge of the king's soldiers in that area.

The Siege of Valenciennes

In December 1566, Margaret of Parma asked Noircarmes to stop a Calvinist rebellion in Valenciennes. This rebellion was led by Guido de Bres. Noircarmes surrounded the city to attack it, and he captured it on 23 March 1567. Guido de Bres and many other citizens of Valenciennes were put to death.

Before this, Noircarmes had already captured the rebellious city of Tournai and executed many Calvinists there. Next, he went to 's-Hertogenbosch and Maastricht. He forced these cities to accept soldiers loyal to the king. Finally, in May, he went to Holland and quickly punished Gouda, Schoonhoven, and Amsterdam.

Joining the Duke of Alba

Meanwhile, King Philip II had sent Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba to the Netherlands with an army to bring back control. Noircarmes met Alba and made a very good first impression. When Alba created his Council of Troubles in September 1567, he made Noircarmes its vice-president. This special court was set up to punish people who rebelled against the king. Noircarmes then convinced Count Egmont not to try and avoid being caught by Alba. (Egmont was later put to death).

As a member of the Council of State, Noircarmes advised against Alba's plans to start new taxes, like the "Tenth Penny." However, Alba did not listen to this advice.

Later Actions and Death

After the city of Mons was captured by Louis of Nassau in May 1572, Noircarmes was given the job of punishing the people of Mons for their rebellion. Then, in October 1572, he went with Alba to Mechelen and encouraged the Spanish soldiers to attack and rob that city. After that, he joined Alba's son, Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Duke of Alba, on his trip to Holland to punish people there. He also took part in the Siege of Haarlem in 1573.

In October 1573, Maximilien de Hénin-Liétard, the king's governor of Holland, was captured by the rebels. Noircarmes was then chosen to take his place. However, during the Siege of Alkmaar, Noircarmes was injured. He died from these wounds in Utrecht on 5 March 1574.

See also

In Spanish: Felipe de Noircarmes para niños