Noble Residences is a research project financed by the Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds KU Leuven (BOF). The aim is to study the network, or system of multiple, complementary residences of the high nobility of the Low Countries during the ‘long’ Habsburg sixteenth century (1477-1635). The project investigates the lifestyle and cultural identity of the nobility as an integral part of ‘vivre noblement’, within an international perspective.

In September 2014 this project started with a PhD research on a representative case-study: the Croÿ dynasty. This dynasty was one of the highest ranking families in the Low Countries of the time. Originating from Picardy (France) they drifted across the Habsburg – Valois boundary to become one of the most powerful and influential families in Hainaut. By the end of the sixteenth century their high position at the Habsburg court was well-established. Charles of Croÿ (1560-1612) was duke of Aerschot & Croÿ, count of Beaumont, only ‘Grande de España’ outside of the Spanish territory and thus the highest ranking nobleman. Linked with these titles were residences, which are the main focus of this research.