List of governors of the Habsburg Netherlands
The Habsburg Netherlands were the Burgundian Netherlands to Charles V, the Spanish Netherlands, the Austrian Netherlands before and after the War of Spanish Succession and mainly consisted of present-day Belgium, initially, the modern Netherlands. During the French Revolution these territories were conquered by France and did not come then back to Austria.
The Habsburgs made this area rule by General governors and captains-general, who came from either his own family or the Catholic aristocracy loyal to the emperor. An exception was the era of 1596-1621, when the Spanish Netherlands under the independent rule of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, and his wife, Isabella Clara Eugenia, Infanta of Spain, stood. The couple ruled as titular Duke and Duchess of Burgundy Titular.
Spain's King Philip II had left daughter and son-in the Netherlands as a bridal dowry. Albrecht had previously been Cardinal - Archbishop of Toledo ( and as such also governor of the Spanish Netherlands ), but then had to leave the clergy. After Albrecht died childless, the Spanish Netherlands fell accordance with the contract back to Spain; Albrecht's widow reigned henceforth as a Spanish governor.
Burgundian Netherlands ( Seventeen Provinces)
Counter Farnese Matthias of Austria in 1578 made by the rebellious provinces to the governor. But he played no political role and could not prevail. He resigned in 1581, immediately before the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands from Spain declared itself independent.
Spanish Netherlands
By the Treaty of Rastatt in 1714 go the Southern Netherlands to the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg.