Remi Drieux Explained

Remigius Driutius
Bishop of Bruges
Province:Mechelen
Diocese:Bruges
See:St. Donatian's Cathedral
Predecessor:Petrus Curtius
Successor:Mathias Lambrecht
Consecration:13 November 1569
Other Post:Bishop of Leeuwarden
Birth Name:Remi Drieux
Birth Date:1519
Birth Place:Volckerinckhove, County of Flanders, Habsburg Netherlands
Death Date:12 May 1594
Death Place:Bruges, County of Flanders, Spanish Netherlands
Religion:Roman Catholic
Parents:Remi Drieux and Catherine Fenaerts
Alma Mater:Leuven University

Remi Drieux, Latinized Remigius Driutius (1519–1594) was the first bishop of Leeuwarden and the second bishop of Bruges.

Early life and legal career

In 1519 Drieux was born in Volckerinckhove, County of Flanders (now in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France), the son of Remi Drieux and Catherine Fenaerts. He studied civil law and canon law at Leuven University, graduating doctor of both laws and in 1544 becoming professor of civil law. In 1557 he was appointed to the Great Council of Mechelen, the highest law court in the Habsburg Netherlands.[1]

Episcopal career

In 1560 Drieux was named first bishop of the newly founded diocese of Leeuwarden, his appointment confirmed in 1561. He never took possession of his see, and in 1569 was translated to Bruges. On 13 November 1569 he received episcopal consecration in Mechelen from Maximilien de Berghes, archbishop of Cambrai, assisted by Cornelius Jansen and Franciscus Sonnius.

In the night of 28–29 October 1577, while in Ghent for a meeting of the States of Flanders, Drieux was placed under arrest together with several other leading opponents of the Dutch Revolt, including the bishop of Ypres, Martin Rythovius. In 1579 he attempted to escape from captivity but was recaptured. He was released on 14 August 1581, as part of a prisoner exchange, and spent time as a refugee in Tournai, Kortrijk, and Oudenaarde. In 1584 he was able to return to Bruges and resume his functions as bishop.[2]

He died in Bruges on 12 May 1594.

Notes and References

  1. [Philippe Kervyn de Volkaersbeke|Baron Kervyn de Volkaersbeke]
  2. [A.J. van der Aa]