biography
| name: |
Albert of Austria, Archduke
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| |
Dutch Albrecht van Oostenrijk, Aartshertog
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1559–1621)
|
| biography:
| The sixth son of Maximilian II and Maria of Austria (the daughter of Charles V), born in Wiener Neustadt, NE Austria. He was appointed cardinal-archbishop of Toledo by Philip II and became governor-general of The Netherlands in 1595. In 1598 he married Isabella, daughter of Philip II, and both were declared sovereign princes, with the Netherlands reverting to the Spanish throne if their marriage remained childless. He conducted a realistic foreign policy, negotiated the Twelve-year Truce, and made peace with France. The Archdukes, as they were commonly referred to, were responsible for promoting economic recovery after the secession of the Northern Netherlands, and promoted the Counter-Reformation, with its present-day heritage of Baroque art. |
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