[2] Hendrik was born in 1573, sixth surviving son of Willem IV van den Bergh (1537—1586) and Maria of Nassau (1539—1599), eldest sister of William the Silent.

[5] Hendrik followed his father into the Spanish Army of Flanders, as did his brothers, four of whom died on active service; Oswald at Boksum in 1586, Adam at Groningen in 1590, Lodewijk at Steenwijk in 1592, and Adolf in 1609.

[6] When the Dutch War resumed in 1621 following the end of the Twelve Years' Truce, Hendrik served as deputy to the Spanish commander Ambrogio Spinola and took part in the sieges of Jülich, Breda and Groenlo.

Frustrated by what he perceived as Madrid's failure to provide enough money and men, Spinola resigned in January 1628 and Hendrik was appointed Maestre de campo of the Army of Flanders.

[8] Dutch military success, plus growing discontent with Spanish management of the war and its cost, meant elements within the Southern Netherlands now began seeking to end it.

[12] However, his past record and that of his father meant the Dutch did not fully trust him, while he was replaced as Stadtholder of Upper Guelders by Guillaume de Bette, a Spanish loyalist.