v17_2174 - PRINCIPALITY OF CHÂTEAU-PORCIEN - CHARLES DE CROY Jeton

PRINCIPALITY OF CHÂTEAU-PORCIEN - CHARLES DE CROY

(1595-1612)

Charles de Croy was born at Beaumont Castle on July 1, 1560 and is the son of Philippe, third Duke of Arschot and fourth Prince of Chimay, and Jeanne, Lady of Comines and Halluin. In 1580 he married Marie de Brimeu, ten years his senior, who made him renounce the Catholic faith and his support for the King of Spain.. Separated in 1585, he abjured and returned to the king's service to participate in numerous military campaigns. In 1595, he inherited his father's domains: the principality of Chimay, the possessions of Comines-Halluin, the duchy of Arschot, the principality of Château-Porcien, the counties of Beaumont, Seninghem, the seigneuries of Avesnes, Lillers , Quiévrain, Beveren, etc.. Lavish nobleman, he lives like a prince and reigns over his domains. It even has a council and an audit chamber. A great collector, he looks for paintings, manuscripts, coins and medals. He had "albums" made, in fact atlases or cartularies with around 2,500 views (23 folio volumes) of his domains and then of the regions where he held responsibilities.. These albums remain a very valuable source for knowledge of the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century and are the work of the Valenciennes Adrien de Montigny. Charles de Croy died in 1612 without issue, his property passed to the Arenberg family.