Charles II de Croÿ

Charles II de Croÿ was Seigneur de Croÿ, 2nd Duke of Aarschot, 3rd Prince of Chimay 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.

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.

Personal life

In 1541, Charles married Louise of Lorraine, daughter of Claude, Duke of Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon. After Louise's death the following year, he married Antoinette of Burgundy in 1549. Antoinette was the sister of Maximilian II of Burgundy, who was married to Charles' sister, Louise de Croÿ.
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.