Philip of Marnix and ‘International Protestantism’: The Fears and Hopes of a Dutch Refugee in the 1570s

Abstract

This study focuses on aspirations and strategies of Philip of Marnix, one of the most famous Dutch refugees, best known as an effective and prolific counsellor to William of Orange. He served the leader of the Dutch Revolt as a publicist and a diplomat from 1568 onwards until William's death in 1584. Marnix embarked on several missions in order to convince foreign princes and other potential allies of the legitimacy of the uprising in the Netherlands against Spanish domination. Many of the contacts he established and consolidated during his travels and through his correspondence are part of a wider network that can be described as 'international Protestantism.' Marnix also contributed to the dynamics of European Calvinism by publishing well-translated and widely disseminated pamphlets and books on the Dutch Revolt and on confessional strife in general. This article highlights some of Marnix's fears and hopes relating to the existence and effectiveness of international Protestant solidarity as they are particularly expressed in his political writings and letters of the 1570s.