Andrew of Austria

Andrew of Austria, Margrave of Burgau (German: Andreas von Österreich; 15 June 1558 – 12 November 1600) was a cardinal who belonged to the Austrian nobility, descending from its ruling dynasty, the House of Habsburg.

Youth Andrew and his younger brother Charles grew up at Bresnitz Castle in Březnice, Bohemia, and later at Ambras Castle in Innsbruck, Tyrol. The marriage of their parents, Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria and Philippine Welser, was morganatic. This meant that the brothers were not considered members of the Habsburg dynasty and could not use their father's title, Archduke of Austria, bearing instead that of Margrave of Burgau.

His father decided that Andrew should have a career in the clergy. In March 1574, Andrew travelled to Rome, where Pope Gregory XIII made him a cardinal, with Santa Maria Nuova as his titular church. Andrew was only 17 years old, his father having obtained the position for him.

Later life Andrew was Abbot of Murbach 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 the Habsburg Netherlands while Archduke Albert VII travelled to Spain to marry Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia.

In 1600, he traveled to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee, afterwards visiting Naples. On his return journey, he fell ill and died after receiving the last rites from the Pope himself. He was buried in Santa Maria dell'Anima in Rome. His marble funeral monument in the church was completed by the sculptors Gillis van den Vliete and Nicolas Mostaert around 1600 and includes a portrait of Andrew kneeling in prayer.

Issue Andrew had two illegitimate children with Dorotea de Montfort. They were raised by his brother Charles and his wife Sibylle.

Hans-Georg Degli Abizzi (b. 1583), married Susanna Yperhofen von Yperhofstal Susanna Degli Abizzi (1584–1653), married Johann Schratz with issue

Male-line family tree