Background
He was the eldest son of Philippe III de Croÿ, Duke of Aarschot, and Jeanne of Halewijn. His military career began in 1577 as lieutenant of his father"s regiment of Walloon infantry.
He was the eldest son of Philippe III de Croÿ, Duke of Aarschot, and Jeanne of Halewijn. His military career began in 1577 as lieutenant of his father"s regiment of Walloon infantry.
Her influence over Charles was so great that he abandoned his Catholic faith and his loyalty to the King of Spain. He was not able to stop the advance of Alexander Farnese and decided to reconcile with Spain in March, 1584. Later that year, he handed over Bruges to the Spanish and in 1585 he did the same with Ghent.
Over the next few years he fought alongside Farnese and was present at the Sieges of Grave, Venlo, Neuss and Sluis.
His most important victory was the taking of Bonn on September 13, 1588. In 1590 he joined the Spanish troops that supported the Catholic League in the French Wars of Religion.
Both his marriages remained childless. Charles was an important art collector and is famous for his Albums, a collection of detailed illustrated maps of all his domains.