This young noble was of the great Lalain family.
He was a younger brother of: Anthony, Count of Hoogstraaten--the unwavering friend of Orange.

He had been brought up in the family of his cousin, the Count de Lalain, governor of Hainault, and had inherited the title of Renneberg from an uncle, who was a dignitary of the church.

For more than a year there had been suspicions of his fidelity.

He was supposed to have been tampered with by the Duke of Terranova, on the first arrival of that functionary in the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, the Prince of Orange was unwilling to listen to the whispers against him.
Being himself the mark of calumny, and having a tender remembrance of the elder brother, he persisted in reposing confidence in a man who was in reality unworthy of his friendship.