François de Busleyden was born around c. 1455 in Arlon to an old Luxembourgish family from Bauschleyden. His parents were Gilles I and Jeanne Elisabeth de Mussey of Marville, Meuse.[1] His brothers were Gilles II, Valérien, and Jérôme de Busleyden.[2]
François de Busleyden was named canon of Saint Lambert's Cathedral, Liège before 1485 by the Old University of Leuven, replacing J de Herbeys, and on 22 August 1485, he was elected provost of the Liége chapter, succeeding Jean de Lalaing.[3]
Maximilian I employed François de Busleyden, known for his education, in times of need.[4] François de Busleyden was then appointed as the tutor of Prince Philip, father of Charles V.[5] In reward for his services, he was granted the bishopric of Besançon.[4]
François de Busleyden acquired the land for the Hof van Busleyden in Mechelen in 1494.[6] In 1496, the city, wishing to recognize his services, granted him land adjoining his residence.[7] Construction began in 1503 and finished in 1507.[6]
On 12 October 1498, he became Archbishop of Besançon. Succeeding Charles de Neufchâtel, he held the position until his death. He became a cardinal. Under his episcopate, two acts from 1499 and 1501 regulated the curial rights of the church of Mandeure, agreed upon by Archbishop François de Busleyden and Richard Tissot.[8]
In Brussels in 1501, he was among the signors of Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy's third matrimonial contract.[9] He also acted as a signor of the marriage contract between Claude and Charles V on 10 August 1501 in Lyon.
On 3 November 1501, Archbishop François left Brussels for Spain with Philip the Handsome, King of Castille.[10]
