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Galen, Christoph Bernhard Matthaus Van

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Galen or Galenus Mattheus Van, D.D.

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a German prelate and general, was born in Westphalia in 1604. Having completed his studies, he travelled in Various parts of Europe, entered as colonel the service of the elector of Cologne, and made, from 1637 to 1647, several campaigns against the French and Swedes. At the treaty of peace at Munster, he accepted a canonship in that city, afterwards obtained the provostship, and in 1650 was elected bishop-prince. The inhabitants objected to some of his regulations, and he was obliged to adopt special measures to compel their obedience. In 1664 he was chosen one of the general directors of the army of the empire against the Turks. Returning to his bishopric, he allied himself in 1665 with Charles II, king of England, against the people of Holland, but Louis XIV interposed between the belligerent parties. In 1672 Galen took arms against the states-general, but Leopold I of Germany obliged him to make a treaty with them in 1674. This bishop, fierce and war-loving, died at Huy, September 19, 1678. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.