The Weekend Special - The Netherlands - William The Silent - Rebel & War
In 1565, a group of noblemen including Williams younger brother Louis formed the
Confederacy of Noblemen.
They offered Margaret of Parma (illegitimate daughter of Charles V
and governor of The Netherlands) a petition to end the persecution of protestants.
Margaret of Parma could not agree with that petition.
From August till October 1566, a wave of iconoclasm
(known in Dutch as the Beeldenstorm) took place.
Confederacy of Noblemen.
Source picture: Wikipedia
and governor of The Netherlands) a petition to end the persecution of protestants.
Margaret of Parma could not agree with that petition.
From August till October 1566, a wave of iconoclasm
(known in Dutch as the Beeldenstorm) took place.
Source painting: Wikipedia
Following the 'Beeldenstorm' Margaret of Parma wanted to
agree with the petition and asked if the
Noblemen would restore the order.
In 1567, it became clear that she not fulfill her promises.
Later the Duke of Alba (known as the Iron Duke) was appointed to restore the order.
William I laid down his functions and returned to Nassau.
In 1567, Alba established the Council of Troubles
(nicknamed the Council of Blood) to judge
about the rebels and the iconoclasm. William I was declared out of law.
As one of the most influential politicians, William I emerged as
the leader of the resistance.
He financed the group 'Watergeuzen'.
Source picture: Wikipedia
William I raised an army. Two battles later, there was the start of the
Eighty Years'War.
The Duke of Alba invented new taxes.
In 1572, the 'Watergeuzen' conquered Brielle 'Den Briel'.
More and more Dutch cities recognized the Prince as leader.
The Duke of Alba left the Netherlands in 1573.
In 1579, the Union of Utrecht was signed
(this is not the Treaty of Utrecht(1713)).
Comments