Lamoraal, Count of Egmond and Prince of Gavre, also probably the richest
nobleman in The Netherlands, married her on 8 April 1544 in Spiers. To
show his favour, Emperor Charles V attended the extravagant celebrations.
Sabina and Lamoraal became the parents of twelve children. In The Netherlands
Lamoraal reclaimed land which, in honour of Sabina, was named Beierland;
the dykes, protecting the land, are still in use in the twentieth century.
For many years she watched the deteriorating political situation in
The Netherlands where her husband was one of the leading nobles. Probably
since 1559, Lamoraal belonged to the dissatisfied Dutch nobles resenting
the foreign rule over, and army in, The Netherlands.
However, he was still faithful to the Lord of The Netherlands, Philip
II, King of Spain. Remaining a trusted servant of the King, his position
was undermined by the machinations of Cardinal Granvelle, the advisor of
the Governess, Margarete of Parma. The Dutch resented the foreign rulers
forced upon them by King Philip II as well as being expected to finance
the wars of Spain. Combined with the growing influence of Luther and Calvin,
it was a collision course which could only explode.
The proud Lamoraal despised the lowly-born Granvelle and assumed precedence
over all Dutch nobles, including the Prince of Orange. However, although
the Prince of Orange did not object, his wife, Anna of Saxony, and Sabina
quarrelled over their respective positions at Court. However, ignoring
the quarrels of their wives, Lamoraal and the Prince of Orange still remained
friends.
When The Netherlands were on the brink of civil war, the Duke of Alva
was sent to assist Margarete of Parma. Before his arrival, the Prince of
Orange tried to convince Lamoraal that it was no longer safe for them in
The Netherlands. Tradition has it that on their departure Lamoraal said
goodbye with: "Goodbye Prince without land", to which the Prince was supposed
to have answered with: "Goodbye Count without a head".
Lamoraal, as faithful servant of the Spanish king, welcomed Alva in
Tirlemont near Brussels, but was coolly received. On 9 September 1567,
the Duke of Alva presented Sabina with expensive tokens of his esteem.
The same evening, Lamoraal dined with Fernando de Toledo, an illegitimate
son of Alva, and received a request to come to the Duke. Fernando advised
Lamoraal to jump on his horse and escape; but, not after discussions, Alva,
pretending a sudden illness, left the room and Lamoraal, with the Count
of Hoorne, was taken prisoner. As soon both were taken, Alva's secretary,
Alborno, went to their homes and confiscated their correspondence, hoping
to find proof of treachery. Alva sent the Count d'Arenberg to Sabina to
tell her that justice would take place and, if found innocent, Lamoraal
would be released. When, fearing poisoning, Lamoraal refused to eat, Alva
allowed Sabina to supply his meals. Sabina complained to King Philip II
over her husband's treatment while imprisoned and that she was not allowed
to visit him.
On 10 January 1568, Lamoraal and Hoorne were officially accused. Their
imprisonment had been illegal; also it was made clear to their legal advisors,
once they had access to them, that their efforts would be ignored as well
as their rights as knights of the Order of The Golden Fleece. The court
action took till the first of June 1568 and, on the fourth of June, they
were found to be guilty of treason. Even before this announcement, Lamoraal's
possessions had been confiscated and Sabina was reduced to poverty. During
the nine months of imprisonment, Sabina and the wife of Hoorne approached
the king, the Emperor and anyone they hoped could intervene. However, the
king remained silent, ignoring even the Emperor's pleas, and, on 5 June
1568, both Lamoraal and Hoorne were beheaded.
Before his death Lamoraal had written to Sabina a letter which started
with: "Only friend of my heart, my dearly beloved Sabina. Let this letter
be the last proof of my tenderness, my unbreakable love as your husband.
In contradiction to my strength, I cry, not out of fear
but for you, your innocent suffering, your sad fate and that of our
children. Tyranny has taken me from your arms, liars have removed me from
our little children."
With all her children, accompanied by only a few of her servants, Sabina
fled and asked for refuge in the convent at Cambre. However, the Abbess,
fearing Alva's reprisals, was hard to persuade. Only after Sabina's relatives,
already nuns in this convent, spoke out did the
Abbess allow Sabina and her eleven children entry. In the meantime,
Sabina's homes were ransacked and, through Alva, her famous tapestries
went to the Escorial in Spain.
Sabina asked for the intervention of her cousin, Albrecht III of Bavaria;
but he and her brother, Elector Wolfgang, were unable to persuade Alva
to restore to Sabina any of her estates. Dietrichstein, ambassador of the
Emperor and on strict orders from him, requested that Sabina should have
her husband's possessions returned. Sabina even wrote to Philip II, but
he did not reply, as neither did Alva. Indeed, Alva then suggested to Philip
II that Sabina and her daughters should become nuns and taken to Spain,
where her sons could be educated. However, Philip II ignored this advice
and decided to give her an annuity of Fl.12,000.-. Though a small the amount,
Sabina found room to assist others when in need while still being pursued
by creditors. In 1571 Alva allowed Sabina and her children to return to
Castle Gaesbeek, which had belonged to her husband.
Even Pope Gregory was unable to persuade King Philip to return Lamoraal's
possessions to his innocent children. However, after long negotiations,
Sabina witnessed the restitution; but just ten years after her husband's
death, she died on 19 June 1578 in Antwerp.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
