Maximilian II, born in Vienna in 1527, was Holy Roman Emperor from 1564 until his death in 1576 and a member of the Austrian House of Habsburg. He assumed the imperial crown in 1564 after the death of his father, Ferdinand I. Ferdinand had already inherited a vast estate in 1516, which, in addition to the Habsburg core territories, also included Spain and the Netherlands. The dominance of the Austrian Habsburgs was further consolidated under Ferdinand's reign.
As early as 1529, while still an archduke, Ferdinand had a chapel built for his children. By 1551, Maximilian's chapel had its own musical ensemble, led by Jacobus Vaet. Vaet entered Habsburg service in 1553 after composing a motet for the wedding of Maximilian's sister. Pieter Maessens paved the way for Vaet to reach the Habsburg court.
Jacobus Vaet, one of the most important composers of the 16th century, died on January 8, 1567, at the age of approximately 37. Despite his short lifespan, he left behind a substantial body of work, including nine masses, 66 motets, and other liturgical compositions. His music was characterized by praise of God and the House of Habsburg, including so-called state motets composed specifically for the dynasty.