biography
| name: |
Bossu or Boussu, Maximilien de Hénin de Liétard, Count of
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pronunciation:
[bosoo]
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1542–78)
|
| biography:
| Nobleman from Antwerp, the Southern Netherlands. He opposed the reformers, and in 1567 was appointed acting stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht by Margaret of Parma to replace William of Orange. He fought on the Spanish side and succeeded in holding Rotterdam, but could not recapture Brielle. In 1573 he defeated the Sea Beggars fleet on the Haarlemmermeer, leading to the capture of Haarlem. He was captured by the Sea Beggars in 1573, and an exchange was suggested with William's son, Philip William, whom Alva had taken to Spain. Philip II refused. Bossu now elected to join William's side. After the Pacification of Ghent he was freed, joined the disaffected Southern nobles, and was involved in arranging the Union of Brussels (1577), which confirmed the Pacification. Orange gave him command over some States-General troops, and he defended Brussels against Don John of Austria after the Battle of Gembloux (1568), before retiring with his army to Antwerp. |
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