Aubert le Mire, Latinized Aubertus Miraeus (30 November 1573 – 19 October 1640) was an ecclesiastical historian in the

Spanish Netherlands Spanish Netherlands (Spanish: Países Bajos Españoles; Dutch: Spaanse Nederlanden; French: Pays-Bas espagnols; German: Spanische Niederlande.) (historically in Spanish: ''Flandes'', the name "Flanders" was used as a ''pars pro toto'') was the Ha ...

Life

Miraeus was born in

Brussels Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...

. His father was Guillaume le Mire and his mother Joanna Speeckaert, sister to the Capuchin preacher Bonaventura Speeckaert. P. Hildebrand, ''De Kapucijnen in de Nederlanden en het Prinsbisdom Luik'', vol. 7 (Antwerp, 1952), p. 144. After studying at

Douai Douai (, , ,; pcd, Doï; nl, Dowaai; formerly spelled Douay or Doway in English) is a city in the Nord département in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. Located on the river Scarpe some from Lille and from Arras, D ...

and

Leuven Leuven (, ) or Louvain (, , ; german: link=no, Löwen ) is the capital and largest city of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located about east of Brussels. The municipality itself comprises the historic ...

he was made canon of

Antwerp cathedral The Cathedral of Our Lady ( nl, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today's see of the Diocese of Antwerp started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been ...

in 1608 and secretary to his uncle,

Joannes Miraeus Joannes Miraeus, Latinized from Jean Le Mire (1560–1611) was the fourth bishop of Antwerp. Life Le Mire was born in Brussels on 6 January 1560. He was educated in the city, and began studies at Louvain University, but due to the unsettled c ...

, who was then Bishop of Antwerp. In 1611 he was appointed

almoner An almoner (} ' (alms), via the popular Latin '. History Christians have historically been encouraged to donate one-tenth of their income as a tithe to their church and additional offerings as needed for the poor. The first deacons, mentioned ...

and librarian to Archduke Albert of Austria, then sovereign of the Netherlands, and in 1624 he became

dean Dean may refer to: People * Dean (given name) * Dean (surname), a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origin * Dean (South Korean singer), a stage name for singer Kwon Hyuk * Dean Delannoit, a Belgian singer most known by the mononym Dean Titles * ...

of the cathedral of Antwerp and

vicar general A vicar general (previously, archdeacon) is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority and possesses the title of local ordinary. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ...

of the diocese. He remained in Antwerp until his death. He wrote numerous works in the fields of history, ecclesiastical history, and related disciplines. Some have suggested that his works lack thoroughness and accuracy.

Published works

Obituaries, biographies and funeral orations

*''Vita Justi Lipsii'', Antwerp, 1609 (an obituary of

Justus Lipsius Justus Lipsius (Joest Lips or Joost Lips; 18 October 1547 – 23 March 1606) was a Flemish Catholic philologist, philosopher, and humanist. Lipsius wrote a series of works designed to revive ancient Stoicism in a form that would be compatible w ...

, one of Miraeus's teachers at Louvain), dedicated to (1553–1633), bishop of

Kamianets-Podilskyi Kamianets-Podilskyi ( uk, Ка́м'яне́ць-Поді́льський, russian: Каменец-Подольский, Kamenets-Podolskiy, pl, Kamieniec Podolski, ro, Camenița, yi, קאַמענעץ־פּאָדאָלסק / קאַמעניץ, ...

1607–1614 (Revised editio
on Google Books
*''Gentis Spinulae illustrium elogia'', Cologne, 1611 (a compendium on the

Spinola family The House of Spinola, or Spinola family, was a leading Italian political family centered in the Republic of Genoa. Their influence was at its greatest extent in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Important members Guido Spinola was one o ...

, in memory of

Federico Spinola Federico Spinola (1571–1603) was an Italian naval commander in Spanish Habsburg service during the Dutch Revolt. Life Spinola was born in Genoa in 1571 and studied at the University of Salamanca in preparation for an intended ecclesiastical c ...

), dedicated to

Ambrogio Spinola Ambrogio Spinola Doria, 1st Marquess of Los Balbases and 1st Duke of Sesto (1569-25 September 1630) was an Italian ''condottiero'' and nobleman of the Republic of Genoa, who served as a Spanish general and won a number of important battles. He i ...

on Google Books
*''Laudatio funebris Rudolphi II'', Antwerp, 1612 (funeral oration for

Rudolph II Rudolf II (18 July 1552 – 20 January 1612) was Holy Roman Emperor (1576–1612), King of Hungary and Croatia (as Rudolf I, 1572–1608), King of Bohemia (1575–1608/1611) and Archduke of Austria (1576–1608). He was a member of the Hous ...

delivered in Antwerp Cathedral on 13 March 1612) –
on Google Books
*''De vita Alberti pii, sapientis, prudentis Belgarum principis commentarius'', Antwerp, 1622 (an obituary for

Albert VII, Archduke of Austria Albert may refer to: Companies * Albert (supermarket), a supermarket chain in the Czech Republic * Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the Netherlands * Albert Market, a street market in The Gambia * Albert Productions, a record label * Albert ...

), dedicated to

Philip IV of Spain Philip IV ( es, Felipe, pt, Filipe; 8 April 160517 September 1665), also called the Planet King (Spanish: ''Rey Planeta''), was King of Spain from 1621 to his death and (as Philip III) King of Portugal from 1621 to 1640. Philip is remembered f ...

on Google Books
*''Serenissimae principis Isabellae Clarae Eugeniae Hispaniarum Infantis laudatio funebris'', Antwerp, 1634 (a funeral oration for the Infanta

Isabella Clara Eugenia Isabella Clara Eugenia ( es, link=no, Isabel Clara Eugenia; 12 August 1566 – 1 December 1633), sometimes referred to as Clara Isabella Eugenia, was sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands in the Low Countries and the north of modern France with ...

), dedicated to the

Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand (also known as Don Fernando de Austria, Cardenal-Infante Fernando de España and as Ferdinand von Österreich; May 1609 or 1610 – 9 November 1641) was Governor of the Spanish Netherlands, Cardinal of the Holy Catholic ...

on Google Books

History and ecclesiastical history

*''Origines coenobiorum Benedictorum in Belgio'', Antwerp,

Hieronymus Verdussen Verdussen was a dynasty of printers in Antwerp, starting with Hieronymus Verdussen I in the late sixteenth century, and ending around 1800. Many other printers in Antwerp were also related to the Verdussens through marriage. They specialized in reli ...

, 1606 (on the origins of

Benedictine , image = Medalla San Benito.PNG , caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal , abbreviation = OSB , formation = , motto = (English: 'Pray and Work') , foun ...

monasticism in the Low Countries), dedicated to

Nicolas Mainfroy Nicolas Mainfroy (c.1570–1611) was the 71st abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Bertin in Saint-Omer from 1604 until his death, and represented the First Estate in the States of the County of Artois, which is now in France but was then part of ...

, abbot of Saint-Bertin
on Google Books
*''Rerum toto orbe gestarum chronica a Christo nato ad haec usque tempora'', Antwerp, Hieronymus Verdussen, 1608 (containing the chronicles of

Eusebius Eusebius of Caesarea (; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος ; 260/265 – 30 May 339), also known as Eusebius Pamphilus (from the grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος τοῦ Παμφίλου), was a Greek historian of Christianity, exegete, and Christian ...

St. Jerome Jerome (; la, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian priest, confessor, theologian, and historian; he is comm ...

Sigebert of Gembloux Sigebert of Gembloux (Sigebertus Gemblacensis; 1030 – 5 October 1112) was a medieval author, known mainly as a pro-Imperial historian of a universal chronicle, opposed to the expansive papacy of Gregory VII and Pascal II. Early in his life h ...

Anselm of Gembloux Anselm of Gembloux, Latinized Anselmus Gemblacensis (died 22 February 1136) was abbot of Gembloux Abbey 1115–1136, and continuator of the chronicle of Sigebert of Gembloux. Before his election he had been scholaster at Hautvilliers Abbey ( fr) ...

, and others up to the year 1200, and a continuation of these chronicles by Miraeus up to 1608); dedicated to Joannes del Rio
on Google Books
*''Equitum redemtoris Jesu Christi ordo'', Antwerp, Hieronymus Verdussen, 1608 (on the foundation of the Order of Knights of the Redeemer), dedicated to

Vincenzo Gonzaga Vincenzo Ι Gonzaga (21 September 1562 – 9 February 1612) was ruler of the Duchy of Mantua and the Duchy of Montferrat from 1587 to 1612. Biography Vincenzo was the only son of Guglielmo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, and Archduchess Eleanor of Aust ...

on Google Books
*

Mathias Lambrecht Mathias Lambrecht (1539–1602) was the third bishop of Bruges. Life Lambrecht was born at Sint-Laureins in the Brugse Vrije around 1539. On 7 January 1569 he graduated Licentiate of Sacred Theology at Old University of Leuven, Leuven University. ...

, ''Historia Ecclesiastica. Oft een kerckelijcke historie'', revised and updated by Miraeus (Antwerp, Hieronymus Verdussen, 1609)
on Google Books
*''Origines equestrium sive militarium ordinum libri duo'', Antwerp, David Marten, 1609 (a volume on the origins of the

military order Military order may refer to: Orders * Military order (religious society), confraternity of knights originally established as religious societies during the medieval Crusades for protection of Christianity and the Catholic Church Military organi ...

s)
on Google Books
**published in French as ''Origine des chevaliers et ordres militaires'', Antwerp, David Marten, 1609, dedicated to Gaston Spinola, count of Bruay
on Google Books
; *''Politia ecclesiastica, sive de statu religionis Christianae per totum orbem'', Cologne, 1609; Lyon, Antoine Hillepotte, 1620
on Google Books
*''Ordinis carmelitani, ab Elia propheta primum incohati, ab Alberto patriarcha Ierusolymitano vitae regula temperati, a B. Teresia virgine Hispana ad primaevam disciplinam revocati, origo atque incrementa'', Antwerp, David Marten, 1610 (on the origins and history of the

Carmelite order , image = , caption = Coat of arms of the Carmelites , abbreviation = OCarm , formation = Late 12th century , founder = Early hermits of Mount Carmel , founding_location = Mount Ca ...

), dedicated to

, Infanta of Spain
on Google Books
*''Notitia episcopatuum orbis christiani'', Antwerp,

Plantin Press The Plantin Press at Antwerp was one of the focal centers of the fine printed book in the 16th century. History Christophe Plantin (c. 1520–1589) of Touraine was trained as a bookbinder. He fled from Paris where at least one printer had rece ...

, 1611, 1613, dedicated to

Guido Bentivoglio Guido Bentivoglio d'Aragona (4 October 15797 September 1644) was an Italian cardinal, statesman and historian. Early years A member of the Ferrara branch of the influential Bentivoglio family of Bologna, he was the younger son of marchese ...

on Google Books
*''Origines Benedictinae'', Cologne, Bernardus Gualterus, 1614 (on the origins of Benedictine monasticism), dedicated to Philippus Caverellius, abbot of St Vaast
on Google Books
*''Canonicorum regularium ordinis S. Augustini origines ac progressus'', Cologne, 1614 (a history of the Augustinian canons regular), dedicated to Remigius de Zaman, prior of Lo
on Google Books
*''De collegiis canonicorum'', Cologne, 1615 (on colleges of canons), dedicated to Charles Philippe de Rodoan,

bishop of Bruges The Diocese of Bruges (in Dutch Bisdom Brugge) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Belgium. It is a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolis (religious jurisdiction), metropolitan Arch ...

on Google Books
*''Geographia ecclesiastica'', Lyon, 1620 (an alphabetic list of Catholic dioceses throughout the world), dedicated to Gaspard de Mornieu
on Google Books
*''De bello Bohemico Ferdinandi II. feliciter gesto Commentarius'', Cologne, 1622 (a pro-Habsburg account of the

Bohemian Revolt The Bohemian Revolt (german: Böhmischer Aufstand; cs, České stavovské povstání; 1618–1620) was an uprising of the Bohemian estates against the rule of the Habsburg dynasty that began the Thirty Years' War. It was caused by both religi ...

), dedicated to Lucio Sanseverino
on Google Books
*''Ordinis Praemonstratensis chronicon'', Cologne, 1623 (chronicle of the

Premonstratensian The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (), also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines and, in Britain and Ireland, as the White Canons (from the colour of their habit), is a religious order of canons regular of the Catholic Church ...

order), dedicated to Adrianus Stalpartius, abbot of

Tongerlo Abbey Tongerlo Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery at Tongerlo in Westerlo near Antwerp, Belgium. History It was founded in 1128 in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Giselbert of Kasterlee, who not only gave the land, but also himself became a ...

on Google Books
*''Originum monasticarum libri IV'', Cologne, 1620 (on the origins of monastic orders), dedicated to Philippus Caverellius, abbot of St Vaast
on Google Books
*''De rebus Bohemicis liber singularis'', Lyon, 1621 (an overview of Czech history), dedicated to

Johann Lohel Johann Lohelius (1549 – November 2, 1622), better known as Johann Lohel, was the archbishop of Prague from September 18, 1612 until his death. Early life Born in 1549 in a poor family, Johann was piously brought up. At fifteen he was engaged as ...

on Google Books
*''Notitia ecclesiarum Belgii'', Antwerp, 1630, dedicated to

on google books
; (this work, together with other works of Miraeus on the ecclesiastical history of the Netherlands, was re-edited by

Johannes Franciscus Foppens Johannes is a Medieval Latin form of the personal name that usually appears as "John" in English language contexts. It is a variant of the Greek and Classical Latin variants (Ιωάννης, ''Ioannes''), itself derived from the Hebrew name '' Yeh ...

, under the title of ''Miraei opera diplomatica et Historica'', 4 vols., Brussels, 1723–48) *''De congregationibus clericorum in communi viventium'', Cologne, 1632 (a history of the origins of congregations of

clerks regular Clerics regular are clerics (mostly priests) who are members of a religious order under a rule of life (regular). Clerics regular differ from canons regular in that they devote themselves more to pastoral care, in place of an obligation to the p ...

, such as the

Theatines The Theatines officially named the Congregation of Clerics Regular ( la, Ordo Clericorum Regularium), abreviated CR, is a Catholic order of clerics regular of Pontifical Right for men founded by Archbishop Gian Pietro Carafa in Sept. 14, 1524. I ...

Jesuits The Society of Jesus ( la, Societas Iesu; abbreviation: SJ), also known as the Jesuits (; la, Iesuitæ), is a religious order (Catholic), religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rom ...

Barnabites , image = Barnabites.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = One version of the Barnabite logo. "P.A." refers to Paul the Apostle and the three hills symbolize the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. , a ...

Oratorians An Oratorian is a member of one of the following religious orders: * Oratory of Saint Philip Neri (Roman Catholic), who use the postnominal letters C.O. * Oratory of Jesus (Roman Catholic) * Oratory of the Good Shepherd (Anglican) * Teologisk Orator ...

, etc.), dedicated to Nicolaus Albertus de Oleksow Gniewosz envoy to the court of the

Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain Isabella Clara Eugenia ( es, link=no, Isabel Clara Eugenia; 12 August 1566 – 1 December 1633), sometimes referred to as Clara Isabella Eugenia, was sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands in the Low Countries and the north of modern France with ...

and later

bishop of Kujawy A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

on Google Books
*''Rerum Belgicarum chronicon'', Antwerp,

Willem Lesteens Guiliam or Willem Lesteens (1590–1661), Latinized Gulielmus Lesteenius, was a printer and publisher in the city of Antwerp, in the Spanish Netherlands. Life Lesteens was born in Antwerp on 19 April 1590, the son of Gaspard Lesteens and Cather ...

, 1636 (a chronicle of the history of the Low Countries from 58 BC to AD 1635), dedicated to the

on Google Books

Bibliography and diplomatics

*''Elogia Belgica sive illustrium Belgii scriptorum'', Antwerp, 1609, dedicated to the city council of Antwerp
on Google Books
*''Elenchus historicorum et aliorum scriptorum, nondum typis editorum, qui in Belgicis potissimum bibliothecis manuscripti exstant'', Brussels, 1622 (a handlist of authors of manuscripts in Belgian libraries) -
on Google Books
*''Codex donationum piarum'', Brussels, 1624 (an anthology of medieval dotations), dedicated to Petrus Peckius
on Google Books
*''Diplomatum Belgicorum libri duo'', Brussels, 1628 (a collection of

diplomatics Diplomatics (in American English, and in most anglophone countries), or diplomatic (in British English), is a scholarly discipline centred on the critical analysis of documents: especially, historical documents. It focuses on the conventions, p ...

), dedicated to Cardinal de la Cueva
on Google Books
*''Donationum Belgicarum libri II'', Antwerp, 1629 (an anthology of medieval dotations), dedicated to

City of Brussels The City of Brussels (french: Ville de Bruxelles or alternatively ''Bruxelles-Ville'' ; nl, Stad Brussel or ''Brussel-Stad'') is the largest municipality and historical City centre, centre of the Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, as well a ...

, baron of

Zaventem Zaventem () is a Belgian municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant. It is located in the Dijleland area, one of the three large recreational areas which together form the '' Groene Gordel'' ("Green Belt") around the Brussels-Capital Region. ...

on Google Books
*''Bibliotheca ecclesiastica'', 2 vols, Antwerp, 1639–49; a compilation of short sketches of ecclesiastical writers by

Jerome Jerome (; la, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian presbyter, priest, Confessor of the Faith, confessor, th ...

Gennadius of Massilia Gennadius of Massilia (died c. 496), also known as Gennadius Scholasticus or Gennadius Massiliensis, was a 5th-century Christian priest and historian. His best-known work is ''De Viris Illustribus'' ("Of Famous Men"), a biography of over 90 conte ...

Isidore of Seville Isidore of Seville ( la, Isidorus Hispalensis; c. 560 – 4 April 636) was a Spanish scholar, theologian, and archbishop of Seville. He is widely regarded, in the words of 19th-century historian Montalembert, as "the last scholar of ...

Ildefonsus Ildefonsus or Ildephonsus (rarely ''Ildephoses'' or ''Ildefonse''; Spanish: San Ildefonso; c. 8 December 607 – 23 January 667) was a scholar and theologian who served as the metropolitan Bishop of Toledo for the last decade of his life. His ...

Honorius Augustodunensis Honorius Augustodunensis (c. 1080 – c. 1140), commonly known as Honorius of Autun, was a very popular 12th-century Christian theologian who wrote prolifically on many subjects. He wrote in a non-scholastic manner, with a lively style, and his wor ...

, and

Henry of Ghent Henry of Ghent (c. 1217 – 29 June 1293) was a scholastic philosopher, known as '' Doctor Solemnis'' (the "Solemn Doctor"), and also as Henricus de Gandavo and Henricus Gandavensis. Life Henry was born in the district of Mude, near Ghent. He ...

, furnished with notes by Miraeus; dedicated to

Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares Gaspar de Guzmán y Pimentel, 1st Duke of Sanlúcar, 3rd Count of Olivares, GE, known as the Count-Duke of Olivares (taken by joining both his countship and subsequent dukedom) (6 January 1587 – 22 July 1645), was a Spanish royal favourit ...

on Google Books

Letters

Some of his letters were published by Burbure in ''Messager des Sciences Historiques de Belgique'' (1859)

References

;Attribution *. Cites: *C.-B. De Ridder, ''Aubert Le Mire, sa vie, ses écrits: mémoire historique et critique''. Mémoires couronnés et mémoires des savants étrangers, publiés par l’Académie royale des sciences, des lettres et des beaux-arts de Belgique, 31; Brussels: Hayez, 1863. {{DEFAULTSORT:Miraeus, Aubert 1573 births 1640 deaths 17th-century historians from the Holy Roman Empire Writers from Brussels Old University of Leuven alumni University of Douai alumni Writers of the Spanish Netherlands