Lamoral, 1st Prince of Ligne

Lamoral I first Prince de Ligne (Château de Belœil, 19 July 1563 – Brussels, 6 February 1624), Count and since 1601 first Prince of Ligne and Prince d'Espinoy, was a Belgian diplomat of the 17th century.

Biography

He was the son of Philip, Count of Ligne (died 1583), and Marguerite de Lalaing (died 1598), daughter of Philip de Lalaing, count of Hoogstraten.

In 1601 he received from Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor the hereditary title of Prince de Ligne .

As a diplomat, the first Prince de Ligne was involved in many historic events of his time. He represented Archduke Albert of Austria (1559–1621) and Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain at the French Court of Henri IV of France, in Spain and again in Paris, to congratulate King Louis XIII of France with his marriage with the daughter of Philip III of Spain. During this mission, he discussed several issues with the French political leaders.

Prince Lamoral I was made in 1621 grandee of Spain by King Philip IV of Spain for his services rendered to the Crown. He was also made a Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Marriage and Children

Lamoral I married in 1584 Anne-Marie de Melun (died 1634), Marquise de Roubaix, daughter of Hugues II de Melun (1520–1553). They had 5 children :

1. Yolande (1585–1611), married in 1599 with Charles Alexandre de Croÿ, Marquess of Havré (1581–1624), one daughter.
2. Florent (1588–1622), Marquis de Roubaix, married in 1608 with Louise (1594–1667), daughter of Henri de Lorraine-Chaligny. They had :
   1. Albert Henri (1615–1641), 2nd Prince de Ligne, married his cousin Claire-Marie of Nassau (1621–1695), daughter of Ernestine Yolande de Ligne and John VIII, Count of Nassau-Siegen, no issue.
   2. Claude Lamoral (1618–1679), 3rd Prince de Ligne, married his brother's widow, had issue.
3. Anne (1590–1651), married Felipe Folch de Cardona, one daughter.
4. Lambertine (1593–1609) married Philibert de La Baume (1586–1610), one daughter.
5. Ernestine Yolande de Ligne (1594–1668), princesse de Ligne, married in 1618 with John VIII, Count of Nassau-Siegen (1583–1638), had issue.