Egmont and Hoorn Beheaded

June 5, 1568

The Flemish Catholic nobles Lamoral of Egmont and Philip de Montmorency, Count of Hoorn, were beheaded in Brussels's market square on Alba's orders, despite their Catholic loyalty. The executions shocked the Low Countries and converted many moderate nobles into committed rebels. Egmont had been admired as a hero of Gravelines and loyal servant of the crown, making his execution deeply shocking.