Charle-Philippe van de Werve (1706–1776), count of Vorselaar, formed part of a very old, important and noble family of Antwerp. He was the son of Baron Charles-Henri van de Werve, Lord of Schilde, Lord of Giessen-Oudkerk, Lord of Wavre-Notre-Dame and Lord of Wavrans; and his wife Eléonore-Louise de Varick. He married Marie-Anne de Pret, only daughter of the very rich Philippe-Louis de Pret (Lord of Vorselaar, Lord of Rielen and Lord of Lichtaert) and his wife Anne-Marie Moretus (whose ancestor Christophe Plantin was). He became the first count of Vorselaar and Baron of Lichtaert and of Rielen.