Philip de Montmorency, also known as Count of Horne, a stadtholder of Guelders, an admiral of Flanders, and a knight of the Golden Fleece, had in 1559 commanded the stately fleet that conveyed Habsburg ruler Philip II from the Netherlands to Spain, and he had remained at the Spanish court until 1563.

On his return to the Netherlands, he had placed himself with William, Prince of Orange, and Lamoral, Count of Egmont, at the head of the party which opposes the policy of Cardinal Granvelle.

A large group of lesser nobles form the Confederacy of Noblemen in early 1565,.

The leaders of the nobles, who sign a solemn league known as the Compromise, by which they bind themselves to assist in defending the rights and liberties of the Netherlands against the civil and religious despotism of Philip II, are William’s younger brother Louis, Count of Nassau, and Henry, Count of Bréderode.