Charles II de Croÿ (31 July 1522 –
Quiévrain, 24 June 1551) was Seigneur de Croÿ, 2nd
Duke of Aarschot
The Duke of Aarschot (or ''Aerschot'') was one of the most important aristocratic titles in the Low Countries, named after the Brabantian city of Aarschot. The title was held by the House of Croÿ and the House of Arenberg. The present Duke is Leo ...
, 3rd
Prince of Chimay
Prince of Chimay is a title of Belgian nobility, Belgian and Dutch nobility associated with the town of Chimay in what is now Belgium. The title is currently held by Philippe de Caraman-Chimay, 22nd Prince de Chimay (b. 1948). The main residence ...
and 3rd Count of
Beaumont.
Early life
Charles, born on 31 July 1522, was the eldest son of
Philippe II de Croÿ, Duke of Aarschot, and Anne de Croÿ, Princess of Chimay (daughter and heir of
Charles I de Croÿ).
Career
After his mother's death in 1539, he inherited the Principality of Chimay, and after his father's death in 1549, the Duchy of Aarschot, thus uniting for the first time the two great titles of the
House of Croÿ
The House of Croÿ () is an old European noble family of princely and historically sovereignty, sovereign rank, which held a seat in the Reichstag (Holy Roman Empire), Imperial Diet from 1486, and was elevated to the rank of Princes of the Holy Ro ...
.
Personal life
In 1541, Charles married Louise of Lorraine (1521–1542), daughter of
Claude, Duke of Guise
Claude de Lorraine, Duke of Guise (20 October 1496 – 12 April 1550) was a French aristocrat and general. He became the first Duke of Guise in 1528.
He was a highly effective general for the French crown. His children and grandchildren were to ...
and
Antoinette de Bourbon. After Louise's death the following year, he married Antoinette of Burgundy (1529–1588) in 1549. Antoinette was the sister of
Maximilian II of Burgundy, who was married to Charles' sister, Louise de Croÿ (1524–1585).
Charles de Croÿ was murdered in 1551 in
Quiévrain. Because he had no children, all his titles and possessions went to his younger brother
Philippe III de Croÿ. His widow later married Jacques d’Anneux, Seigneur d'Aubencourt. His brother was succeeded by his son,
Charles III de Croÿ
Charles III de Croÿ (1 July 1560 – 12 January 1612) was Seigneur de Croÿ, 4th Duke of Aarschot, 5th Prince of Chimay and 5th Count of Beaumont, Belgium, Beaumont. He played an important role on both sides of the Dutch Revolt. He was an avid co ...
(who like Charles II, died childless).
Notes
References
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Croy, Charles II de
1522 births
1551 deaths
Princes of Chimay
Dukes of Aarschot
House of Croÿ