During his career he became
stadtholder of
Gelderland (from 1556) and
Order of the Golden Fleece. He opposed the centralizing policy of
Philip II of Spain. During the
Dutch Revolt, however, he remained loyal to the crown of Spain, and in June 1568 defended
Groningen successfully against
Louis of Nassau. Dying without direct descendants, his titles passed on to his niece
Marie of Brimeu (born in 1550 – died in Liege on 18 April 1605), wife of
Lancelot of Berlaymont then (from 1580) of
Charles III de Croÿ. Marie, a convinced
Calvinist, had a decisive influence on her second husband, until their separation in 1584. ==References==