Schetz

Schetz or Schetz de Grobbendonk, originally von Schetzenbergh is a German Noble House. Most famous is the Flemish branch named Schetz, one of whose members became the first duke of Ursel.

It is believed that the origin of this family was in 13th-century Franconia, deriving from Schetzenberg or Schetzenberge. It is thought that Werner von Schetzenberge (died 1273), Herr von Polant und Schezsenberge, was one of the founders.

The family moved to the Netherlands where Erasmus of Schetzenberg bought the lordship of Grobbendonk. In 1548 they were created Baron of Gobbendonk, and in 1637, by Philip IV of Spain, Count of Grobbendonk.

Because of the economic importance of this family, many historians have researched the origin of their wealth. It is believed that Claes van Rechtergem, the father in law of Erasmus II, started the economic traffic with Italy. Continued by his son-in-law, who moved to Antwerp, their commercial empire became so important that the family controlled a large part of copper production in Aachen and the sugar traffic from Brazil. He became so wealthy that he was on personal terms with the Emperor, and his sons Bathasar, Melchior and Caspar became the most popular heirs of Antwerp. They easily married into the nobility and founded the dynasty of the House of Ursel.

Marriages to the Houses of Ursel, Van Straelen en Rockox guarantueed the house considerable political power in Antwerp. Melchior was responsible for the city treasury. The youngest of the brothers paid the bill at the end. When trade declined, he was left with a debt of 750.000 Florins.

The family has been Catholic for hundreds of years.

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Wikipedia