Source: National Archives & Historic Records of Holy Roman Empire
Prophets & Divine Messengers • Historical Archive • 🇫🇷 France • 1 views

Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle 🇫🇷

Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle (Known as "Cardinal Granvelle")
Cardinal, First Archbishop of Mechelen, Chief Statesman to Philip II of Spain
Born Aug 20, 1517 🇫🇷 Besançon (Franche-Comté), France
Passed Away Sep 21, 1586 Madrid, Spain
Lifespan 69 years old
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Notice / Correction
"Order and faith are the two pillars of the Christian state; when either trembles, the throne collapses."

Archival Overview

Powerful cardinal and minister of state who served Emperor Charles V and King Philip II, becoming the first Archbishop of Mechelen and Primate of the Netherlands during the turbulent eve of the Dutch Revolt.

Biographical Record

Precociously gifted in diplomacy and law, Granvelle succeeded his father as chief imperial counselor to Charles V at the Peace of Augsburg (1555). In 1559, Philip II appointed him principal minister to Governess Margaret of Parma in Brussels and engineered his elevation to Archbishop of Mechelen and Cardinal.

His rigid enforcement of anti-heresy edicts and reorganised bishoprics ignited fierce opposition from Netherlandish nobles, led by William the Silent and Count of Egmont, forcing Philip II to recall him in 1564. Granvelle later served as Viceroy of Naples and negotiated the Holy League victory at the Battle of Lepanto.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Besançon Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Jean)
Besançon, France
GPS: 47.2339, 6.0308
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