Karel Maes

Karel Maes, Latinized Carolus Masius (1559–1612) was bishop of Ypres and later bishop of Ghent in the Habsburg Netherlands.[1]

Carolus Masius
Bishop of Ghent
ProvinceMechelen
DioceseGhent
SeeSt Bavo's
Installed1610
Term ended1612
PredecessorPieter Damant
SuccessorFranciscus van der Burch
Orders
Consecration24 June 1607
Personal details
Born1559
Brussels, Duchy of Brabant, Habsburg Netherlands
Died21 May 1612
Ghent, County of Flanders, Habsburg Netherlands
BuriedCrypt of St Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsJacobus Maes and Aleyde de Tassis
Previous post(s)Bishop of Ypres
MottoDeo duce
Coat of armsCarolus Masius's coat of arms

Life

Maes was born in Brussels in 1559, the son of Jacobus Maes, a member of the Council of Brabant, and Aleyde de Tassis. He received holy orders and on 10 May 1590 was appointed dean of Antwerp Cathedral. He went on to become grand almoner to the Archdukes Albert and Isabella.[2]

He was consecrated bishop of Ypres on 24 June 1607, in succession to Petrus Simons.[2] This was the beginning of a period of peace (due to the ceasefire preceding the Twelve Years' Truce of 1609–1621) and of rebuilding after the devastations of the Dutch Revolt.

After Pieter Damant's death he was transferred to the diocese of Ghent, taking possession of the see on 5 November 1610. In 1611 he co-consecrated Johannes Malderus as bishop of Antwerp.[2] His notable exertions to restore order to his diocese undermined his health, and he died in Ghent on 21 May 1612.[2] Canon Antoine De Smet delivered his eulogy. His main legatee was Marguerite Maes, but he also left a number of relics to his cathedral.[2] He was buried in the cathedral crypt. His monument was damaged in 1666, and a new one designed by Rombaut Pauwels was erected in the choir.[2]

Monument of Bishop Maes by Rombaut Pauwels

References
  1. Frans De Potter, Het bisdom en de bisschoppen van Gent, Vyt, 1865, pp. 10-11
  2. Charles Piot, "Maes (Charles)", Biographie Nationale de Belgique, vol. 13 (Brussels, 1895), 130-131.
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