Viglius
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This article is largely based on an article in the out-of-copyright Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, which was produced in 1911. (February 2023) |
Viglius (October 19, 1507, Swichum – May 5, 1577) was the name taken by Wigle Aytta van Zwichem, a Dutch statesman and jurist, a Frisian by birth.
Biography
He studied at various universities—Louvain, Dole and Bourges among others—devoting himself mainly to the study of jurisprudence, and afterwards visited many of the principal seats of learning in Europe. His great abilities attracted the notice of Erasmus and other celebrated men, and his renown was soon wide and general.[1]
Having lectured on law at the universities of Bourges and
In 1542 the official connection of Viglius with the Netherlands began. At the emperor's invitation he became a member of the council of
He was generally regarded as the author of the edict against toleration issued in 1550. A charge which he denied, maintaining, on the contrary, that he had vainly tried to induce Charles to modify its rigour. When the emperor abdicated in 1555 Viglius was anxious to retire also, but at the instance of King Philip II he remained at his post and was rewarded by being made coadjutor abbot of
In 1559, when
Viglius was an advocate of peace and moderation, and as such could not expect support or sympathy from hardliners from either side of the dispute and his moderate position became untenable. He was undoubtedly avaricious, and accumulated great wealth, part of which he left to found a hospital at his native place, Swichum, and a college at the University of Louvain. He married a rich lady, Jacqueline Damant, but had no children.[1]
He wrote a Tagebuch des Schmalkaldischen Donaukriegs, edited by A. von Drullel (Munich, 1877), and some of his lectures were published under the title Cornmentarii in decem Instilutionum i1ulos (Lyon, 1564). His Vita et opera historica are given in the Analecta Belgica of C. P. Hoynck van Papend recht (The Hague, 1743). See L. P. Gachard, Correspondance de Philippe II sur les affaires des Pays-Bas (Brussels, 184879) ; and Correspondance de Marguerite d'Autriche, duchesse de Parme, avec Philippe II (Brussels, 1867–81); and E. Poullet, Correspondance de cardinal de Granvelle (Brussels, 1877–81).[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Viglius". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 60–61. One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the