Patent of nobility.

1 f. (59 x 64 cm), on vellum, expertly calligraphed in French, nicely painted gilt coat of arms (12,5 x 10,5 cm), folded (seal missing). In good condition.

Confirmation of nobility and creation of arms granted by Philip II, King of Spain, to Robert de Moens (d. 20 April 1609) as a reward for his 30 years of service as chamberlain and secretary to Philip William, Prince of Orange (1554-1618), the first son of William the Silent, the main leader of the Dutch Revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs. Philip William was seized in February 1568 while studying at the University of Leuven (aged 13 years old) and taken to Spain as a hostage to be raised as a good Catholic and loyal subject. He remained there until 1596 when he returned to the Southern Low Countries. Philip William did not embrace the Calvinist party and is known as "the Catholic prince of Orange". Robert de Moens, born in Zaventem, married Catherine Baudequin and was made Lord of Zelem (Limburg). His motto was "Loyal et Constant".
Ref. De Vegiano, Nobiliaire des Pays-Bas et du Comté de Bourgogne, I:1380. - Goethals, Dictionnaire généalogique et héraldique, I:146.
Joined, some documents relating to Moens: 1. Grant of an annual pension of 300 guilders in recognition of services signed by Philip William. Arévalo (Castile), 31 Dec. 1589. 1 f. (27 x 57 cm) (seal missing, lower blank margin cut, occ. tiny holes). A later hand mentions that de Moens also received 1000 ducats for his loyalty.-- 2. Donation of the lordship of Zelem and its dependencies signed by Philip William. Brussels, 12 Apr. 1597. 1 f. (38,5 x 52 cm), with a pendant seal in red wax (diam. 6,5 cm) (some min. offsetting, lower and upper parts of the seal broken and sl. used). The deed is countersigned "Par ordonnance de Monseigneur le Prince" by Hovelmans. Ref. Habets, J. - "De Heeren van Zeelhem bij Diest, volgens de leenregisters van de zaal van Curingen", in Dietsche Warande, 8 (1869), pp. 552-563 (the deed is edited pp. 556-558).-- 3. Purchase of the farm of Batenburg. 30 March 1598. 1 f. (26 x 60 cm) (some holes, seal missing).-- 4. Acquisition of the lordship of Peuthy. 31 Oct. 1601. Folio (36,5 x 26 cm): 6 ff., with a large pendant seal in red wax of Albert and Isabella (diam. 12 cm) (seal used). Enriched with documents relating to the ownership of this land by Catherine Baudequin. The first letters of the three documents were elegantly calligraphed.-- 5-6. Two documents relating to Catherine Baudequin, 1610, 1616. Various sizes, on vellum, in Dutch and French. (7 pcs)