Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem

Don Pedro Coloma (Nájera, 16 August 1556 - Brussels, 27 December 1622[1]), Baron of Bornhem (currently Bornem) and Lord of Bobadilla, was a Spanish officer in the Army of Flanders who established a noble line in the Habsburg Netherlands, a branch of the famous House of Coloma.

Statue of Pedro Coloma in front of Bornem Abbey
Tomb in Bornem church

Family

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Coloma was the son of Juan Coloma, a knight in the Order of Santiago, and Doña Maria Fernandez, Lady of Bobadilla.[2] In 1585 he married Jeanne l'Escuyer, Viscountess of Dourlens (currently Doullens), with whom he had three sons: Alexander, a captain of light cavalry, who succeeded him but died childless in 1625; Diego, who served as a gentleman in the household of Philip III of Spain; and Pierre, who continued the line.[2]

Career

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Coloma arrived in the Low Countries in 1577, to fight against the Dutch Revolt, and in 1586 bought the lordship of Bornhem in Flanders. He built a manor house on the site of Bornem Castle.[3] He also restored and improved the medieval duck decoy[3][4] on the estate, and in 1603 founded a religious community that is now Bornem Abbey.[5]

References

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  1. ^ The authors give 1621 as the year of Pedro Coloma's death, while his grave indicates 1622.
  2. ^ a b Jean Charles Joseph de Vegiano, Nobiliaire des Pays-Bas et du comté de Bourgogne, edited by J.S.F.J.L. de Herckenrode, vol. 1, part 1 (Ghent, 1865), pp. 501-502.
  3. ^ a b "Kasteeldomein Marnix van Sint-Aldegonde". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.
  4. ^ "Eendenkooi aan de Oude Schelde te Bornem en Weert". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.
  5. ^ "Sint-Bernardusabdij". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.