2.2 Unrest in the Low Countries

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2.2 Unrest in the Low Countries

        What caused all the unrest across the Low Countries?

What do we remember about the split within the Christian church?

Which monarch was also the ruler of the low countries in the 16th century?

Low countries in middle ages

• Untill 14th century: Collection of wealthy, independent duchies, counties and dioceses.
• Changed in 14th century thanks to the Duke of Burgundy
• towns grew fast: population active in trade and industry
• 16th century: Antwerp was commercial hub of Europe

Low countries under Charles v

• 1515: Charles V inherits the title of sovereign ruler over the low countries.

• Collection of 17 provinces

• Each province had own laws and customs 

Low countries under Charles V (2)

Levying taxes for war etc. was organized in the States- Provincial by leading nobles, clergy and representatives of towns.

States- Provincial only agreed on taxes to a ruler if he confirmed their existing privileges or granted new ones.

Charles V was represented by a Governer he also appointed a deputy in each province, a stadtholder (High rank within nobility).

Centralization of government

• Charles V ruled the low countries from Brussels, governing from a single place = Centralization. When Charles needed money he called all the provincial representatives in meetings of the States- General.  There was also a court of law in Mechelen. 

• Charles appointed learned judges and officials who'd been educated at university and were a member from the burgeoisie, this affected the positions, prestige and income of higher nobles.

This centralization went againt ancient customs and privileges. Provinces preferred to be as independant and preserve ancient privileges as much as possible = particularism. 

Why do you think the Dutch nobles weren't to happy with Charles' centralization- politics?

Do you think that the States- General agreed with an extra taxation by Charles? Use in your answer the word: privileges.

Placards against heretics

Charles V wanted his subject to remain Catholic -> he issued placards against the protestant heretics. 

City governments didn't always enforce the placards, because centralized legislation was not in their interest. Having different believes did not make you a criminal in their opinion.

Phillip II

• 1555: Charles V stepped down, his son Philip II became king of Spain/ ruler of the Low Countries.
• 1559: appointed Margaret of Parma to rule the Low Countries.
• ordered the enforcement of the Blood Placard, therefor he was not popular among moderate catholics because of inquisition.

Philip II (2)

Already dissatisfied lower nobility took action, high- ranking nobles refused to take sides publicly.

5 April 1566: they handed over the Petition of the Nobles to Margaret of Parma in Brussels.

They asked her to petition her brother the king to repeal the placards against heretics. 

* Geux = Beggars.

used as honorary name to everyone who resisted Philip II.

How did people who resisted Philip II call themselves?

1. Orangists
2. Anti- Philipians
3. Geuzen
4. The resistance

How come Philip II wasn't popular amongst all catholics?

What was a direct effect of the Petition of the Nobles?

Terms:

Sovereign ruler	Centralization
(17) Provinces	States- General
States- Provincial	Particularism
Privileges	Placards
Governor	Heretics
Stadtholder	Inquisition
Petition of Nobles	Geuzen

Important persons

Charles V

Philip II

Margaret of Parma

William of Orange

Henry of Brederode

Important dates

1550	Blood placard
1555	Charles V abdication
1559	Margaret of Parma appointed als ruler of the Low Counties
April 5th 1566	Petition of the Nobles

What caused all the unrest across the Low Countries?