on William's advice that Charles sent his brother Ferdinand away from Spain. Ferdinand was loved by the people and Spanish-born, while Charles was distrusted as a foreigner. The fear was that Ferdinand might be used as a figurehead for a revolt. William arranged for his namesake twenty-year-old nephew to be appointed Archbishop of Toledo. He was thus able to enjoy the immense revenues the see generated from afar. This appointment landed Charles in trouble later, as the appointment of an unqualified young foreigner offended the sensibilities of the Spanish and helped provoke the Revolt of the Comuneros. William insisted that Charles become a candidate for the Imperial election in 1519 and was present at the Diet of Worms in 1521, where he was opposed to the violent persecution of Martin Luther and his followers. Charles broke with his advisors and went to war against France. William died in 1521 with the cause recorded as poison. Protestant followers of Martin Luther were blamed for this purported reprisal for the Edict of Worms which had been issued three days earlier on 25 May 1521. William was married to Marie de Hamal, but the marriage was childless. He was succeeded by his other nephew Philippe II de Croÿ. Cultural depiction In television, William de Croÿ was portrayed by Helio Pedregal in the Spanish fictional historical series Carlos, rey emperador (Carlos, King Emperor) References Citations Sources Hans Cools, Mannen met Macht (Walburg Pers, Zutphen, 2001) External links 1458 births 1521 deaths William de Croy Knights of the Golden Fleece People of the Habsburg Netherlands