Lamoral, Prince of Ligne
Lamoral, 1st Prince of Ligne (19 July 1563, in Château de Belœil – 6 February 1624, in Brussels) was a diplomat in the 17th century.
| Lamoral I | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| Count of Ligne | |||||
| Reign | 1583 – 1601 | ||||
| Predecessor | Philippe | ||||
| Prince of Ligne | |||||
| Reign | 1601 – 1624 | ||||
| Successor | Albert Henri | ||||
| Born | 19 July 1563 Château de Belœil | ||||
| Died | 6 February 1624 (aged 60) Brussels | ||||
| Spouse | Anne-Marie de Melun | ||||
| Issue | Yolande, Duchess of Croÿ Prince Alexander Florent, 1st Prince of Amblise Anne, Marquise de Guadalest Lambertine, Baroness de Montmartin Ernestine Yolande, Countess of Nassau-Siegen | ||||
| |||||
| House | House of Ligne | ||||
| Father | Philippe, Count of Ligne | ||||
| Mother | Margarethe de Lalaing | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
Biography
Lamoral, Count and after 1601 first Prince de Ligne and Prince d'Épinoy, was the son of Philip, Count of Ligne (died 1583), and Marguerite de Lalaing (died 1598), daughter of Philip, Count of Hoogstraten. He was the uncle of Rasse of Gavre, 1st Marquess of Ayseau.
In 1601 he received from Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor the hereditary title of Prince de Ligne.
As a diplomat, the first Prince de Ligne was involved in many historic events of his time. He represented Archduke Albert of Austria and Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain at the French court of Henri IV of France, in Spain and again in Paris, to congratulate King Louis XIII of France with his marriage with the daughter of Philip III of Spain. During this mission, he discussed several issues with the French political leaders.
In 1621 Prince Lamoral I was made grandee of Spain by King Philip IV of Spain for his services rendered to the Crown. He was also made a Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Marriage and children
In 1584 Lamoral married Anne-Marie de Melun (died 1634), Marquise de Roubaix, daughter of Hugues II de Melun (1520–1553). They had five children:
- Yolande (1585–1611), married in 1599 to Charles Alexandre de Croÿ, Marquis d’Havré (1581–1624), son of Charles Philippe; had one daughter.
- Florent (1588–1622), Marquis de Roubaix, married in 1608 with Louise (1594–1667), daughter of Henri de Lorraine-Chaligny. They had:
- Albert Henri (1615–1641), 2nd Prince de Ligne, married his cousin Claire-Marie of Nassau (1621–1695), daughter of Ernestine Yolande de Ligne and John VIII, Count of Nassau-Siegen; no issue.
- Claude Lamoral (1618–1679), 3rd Prince de Ligne, married his brother's widow; had issue.
- Anne (1590–1651), married Felipe Folch de Cardona; had one daughter.
- Lambertine (1593–1651), married Philibert de La Baume (1586–1610); had one daughter.
- Ernestine Yolande (1594–1668), married in 1618 to John VIII, Count of Nassau-Siegen (1583–1638); had issue.
References
Lamoral, Prince of Ligne Born: 19 July 1563 Died: 6 February 1624 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Philippe, Count of Ligne |
Count of Ligne 1583–1601 |
Himself as Prince |
| New creation | Prince of Ligne 1601–1624 |
Succeeded by Albert Henri |
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