George of Austria

[1] He was an illegitimate son of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor and Margaretha of Edelsheim.

[2] He became Bishop of Brixen (Tyrol) between 1525 and 1537 and Archbishop of Valencia between 1538 and 1544.

In 1544 he became Prince-bishop of Liège by the influence of his nephew Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, a post he held until his death.

George strongly opposed any French influence in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, thus maintaining the strong grip of the Habsburgs, who controlled all surrounding lands.

In 1554, he was faced with a French invasion under King Henry II of France.