Floris of Montmorency

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Floris van Montmorency, baron of Montigny, was a noble and diplomat from the Spanish Netherlands. He was born around 1528 to Jozef van Montmorency, Count of Nevele, and Anna van Egmont the Elder, and he was the younger brother of Philip de Montmorency, Count of Horn. He trained as a soldier at the court of his relative Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France. After Emperor Charles V abdicated, Floris went to Spain. On his return, he became a Knight of the Golden Fleece, with support from William the Silent but against the wishes of Philip II of Spain. He was named Governor of the Tournaisis and, like other Flemish nobles, opposed Cardinal Granvelle. In April 1566, the Council of State sent him and John IV of Glymes to Spain to try to avoid war; Glymes was wounded, so Floris went alone. During the Beeldenstorm, Floris was arrested and kept under house arrest at the castle of Simancas. When Egmont and Horn were arrested in Brussels, Floris was condemned to death by the Council of Troubles. Instead of sending him back to the Low Countries for execution, Philip II had Floris strangled in secret, despite pleas from his wife Anna of Austria to release him, and rumors spread that he died of disease.