Andreas von Österreich | |
|---|---|
| Margrave of Burgau Prince-Bishop of Constance Abbot of Murbach Prince-Bishop of Brixen Cardinal-Priest ofSanta Maria Nuova | |
 Late 16th-century portrait | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Province | Mainz |
| Metropolis | Mainz |
| Diocese | Constance |
| Installed | 1589 |
| Term ended | 12 November 1600 |
| Other post(s) | Abbot of Murbach, Bishop of Brixen |
| Orders | |
| Created cardinal | March 1574 byPope Gregory XIII |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 June 1558 Březnice CastleBřeznice,Kingdom of Bohemia |
| Died | 12 November 1600(1600-11-12) (aged 42) Rome,Papal States |
| Buried | Santa Maria dell'Anima, Rome |
Andreas von Österreich, Margrave of Burgau, also known asAndrew of Austria (15 June 1558 at Březnice Castle inBřeznice,Bohemia – 12 November 1600 in Rome), was acardinal, Bishop ofConstance and ofBrixen. He belonged to the Austrian nobility, descending from its ruling dynasty, theHouse of Habsburg.
Andrew and his younger brotherCharles grew up at Bresnitz Castle in Březnice, Bohemia, and later atAmbras Castle inInnsbruck, Tyrol. The marriage of their parents,Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria andPhilippine Welser, wasmorganatic. This meant that the brothers were not considered members of the Habsburgdynasty and could not use their father's title,Archduke of Austria, bearing instead that ofMargrave ofBurgau.
His father decided that Andrew should have a career in the clergy. In March 1574, Andrew travelled to Rome, wherePope Gregory XIII made him a cardinal, withSanta Maria Nuova as histitular church. Andrew was only 17 years old, his father having obtained the position for him.[1]
Andrew wasAbbot ofMurbach from 1587 until his death. From 1589, he was also Bishop of Constance and from 1589 Bishop of Brixen. In 1598 and 1599, he briefly served as acting Governor General of theHabsburg Netherlands while ArchdukeAlbert VII travelled to Spain to marry InfantaIsabella Clara Eugenia.
In 1600, he traveled to Rome to celebrate theJubilee, afterwards visiting Naples. On his return journey, he fell ill and died after receiving thelast rites from the Pope himself. He was buried inSanta Maria dell'Anima in Rome. Hismarble funeral monument in the church was completed by the sculptorsGillis van den Vliete andNicolas Mostaert around 1600 and includes a portrait of Andrew kneeling in prayer.[2]
Andrew had two illegitimate children with Dorotea de Montfort. They were raised by his brotherCharles and his wifeSibylle.
Margrave Andrew of Burgau Born: 15 June 1558 Died: 12 November 1600 | ||
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Bishop of Constance 1589-1600 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by John Thomas of Spauer | Bishop of Brixen 1591-1600 | Succeeded by |
