Title held 1556–1572 Name Charles Brimeu | Died 1572, Zwolle, Netherlands | |
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Charles de Brimeu (born in 1524 or 1525, † in Zwolle in 1572), was the last count of Meghem, lord of Humbercourt, of Houdain and Éperlecques, stadtholder of Gelderland (from 1556) and Order of the Golden Fleece. He opposed the centralizing policy of Philip II of Spain.
He was born as son of Eustache of Brimeu. His grandfather was Guy of Brimeu, beheaded in Ghent. 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.