Spanish Netherlands
The southern provinces of the Low Countries under Spanish Habsburg sovereignty. Ruled by Archdukes who appointed prelates and governed civil and ecclesiastical affairs. Van der Burch's father was loyal to Philip II amid the upheavals of the region. The Most Serene Archduke appointed Van der Burch to the bishopric of Ghent and later nominated him as Archbishop of Cambrai.
Preliminaries
-
TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI.
— Van der Burch's father loyal to Philip II amid upheavals
"he stood firm and unshaken in loyalty to his Prince amid the wondrous and grievous upheavals and storms of these Low Countries, and for this reason was most dear to the Catholic King Philip II"
-
TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI.
— The Archduke appointed Van der Burch to the bishopric of Ghent
"you were called to the bishopric of Ghent by our Most Serene Archduke, who in selecting prelates applies a keen and singular judgment"
-
TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI.
— The Archduke nominated Van der Burch as Archbishop of Cambrai
"His Most Serene Highness the Archduke was considering transferring you from the bishopric of Ghent and had nominated you as Archbishop of Cambrai"