Engelbert Maes Explained

Engelbert Maes
Office:President of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands
Term Start:1614
Term End:1630
Governor General:Isabel Clara Eugenia (1621–1633)
Predecessor:Jean Richardot
Successor:Pieter Roose
Birth Place:Antwerp, Duchy of Brabant, Habsburg Netherlands
Death Place:Brussels, Duchy of Brabant, Spanish Netherlands
Restingplace:Church of St Gudula, Brussels
Spouse:Pauline Schoyte
Relations:Karel Maes (brother); Philips Maes (brother)
Children:3
Parents:Jacobus Maes and Aleide de Tassis
Education:civil law
Alma Mater:Leuven University

Engelbert Maes (1545–1630), was chief-president of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands and Council of State from 1614 to 1630, making him a central figure in the government of the Habsburg Netherlands for sixteen years.[1]

Career

Engelbert was the son of Jacobus Maes, a member of the Council of Brabant, and Aleyde de Tassis. He was born in Antwerp and studied civil law at Leuven University, where he matriculated on 17 October 1560.[2] After graduation he served as pensionary of the city of Antwerp. Under Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma he became auditor general of the Army of Flanders and a member of the Great Council of Mechelen. In 1603 the Archdukes Albert and Isabella appointed him to their Privy Council, and in 1614 as president of the Privy Council and the Council of State.

He married Pauline Schoyte and together they had three children: Jean-Baptiste, later a member of the Council of Finance, and two daughters, Adrienne and Hélène, who married the brothers Jean and Charles della Faille. His wife died in 1618, he himself on 9 October 1630. He was buried in the Magdalen chapel of the Church of St Gudula (now Brussels cathedral).

Notes and References

  1. Joseph Lefèvre, "Maes (Engelbert)", Biographie Nationale de Belgique, vol. 37 (Brussels, 1971), 566-569.
  2. Björn Volckaert, De leden van de Geheime Raad der Zuidelijke Nederlanden onder het bewind van de aartshertogen en Filips IV, 1609-1653. Een prosopografische studie. Deel 2, thesis for the degree of licentiate of History, Ghent University, 2004.