1577 - Union of Brussels
Early in January 1577 the "Union of Brussels" was put forth. The document engaged all who joined to help Brussels in ejecting the foreign troops, in carrying out the Pacification, in maintaining the Catholic faith, in recognizing Philip's sovereignty, in defending the liberties and constitutions of the provinces. It was eagerly adopted; and even Holland and Zealand made no demur. When the paper, crowded with signatures, was laid before Don John of Austria, who meanwhile had arrived as regent, he also accepted it; and on the 17th February 1577 was signed the "Perpetual Edict," which ratified the Pacification of Ghent. Not until the troops were gone should Don John be received as governor-general. Philip II ratified the Edict a few weeks later.
Yet, after all, unity did not ensue from it. The natural divergency between north and south at once appeared; in character, in interests, above all, in religion, they had little in common; and when William of Orange refused to publish the edict in Holland and Zealand he was warmly supported by these provinces. This is perhaps the real point at which Dutch independence began. Don John entered Brussels in triumph, and, by conciliation and winning manners, had already broken up the union; the whole of the southern provinces withdrew from it at once, and that well-marked difference in political life, which, after so many changes, still distinguishes Belgian from Dutchman, was from that moment made clear.
Yet, though Don John had achieved so much, the result, after all, disappointed him; he was surrounded by difficulties, suspicions, and plots; he saw the failure of his larger schemes, and only the partial success of his effort to reduce the Netherlands; he recognized the dangers which the abilities and rivalry of William of Orange were preparing for him. This was soon shown in the seizure of Antwerp citadel by the patriots, and in the destruction of the hated fortifications, so long the sign and efficient cause of their subjection. Other castles, such as that of Ghent, were razed to the ground as soon as the fall of Antwerp citadel was known. Still less was Don John pleased by the election of his rival as protector (Ruwaard) of Brabant, and by his enthusiastic reception at Brussels. The States General on 07 December 1577 declared strongly against Don John's authority.
It was clear war must begin again; and the patriots raised an army nearly 20,000 strong, which was utterly defeated by Don John and Alexander Farnese, at Gembloux near Namur. But their campaign was wasted on isolated movements and town-taking, while William of Orange fell back unmolested to Antwerp. A sudden illness, so sudden as to arouse the common suspicion of poison, carried off the conqueror of Lepanto (01 October 1578), and Alexander of Parma succeeded him in the government.
The struggle now entirely passed into the southern provinces; Holland and Zealand were left to gather strength; the recovery of Amsterdam (1576) removed the one hindrance to their prosperity. While the south trusted to foreign help, some John Casimir, or duke of Anjou, the north quietly consolidated itself. In January 1579 the famous "Union of Utrecht" was proclaimed. The document professed to make no changes; it would but carry out the Pacification of Ghent by a closer junction of Holland and Zealand with Friesland, Guelderland with Zutphen, Utrecht, Overysiel, Groningen; united as one, these provinces should still retain their local uses and privileges so long as the archduke Matthias, who had been appointed governor-general in 1577, remained, his authority would be respected; on his withdrawal in 1580 the States General named as stadtholder William of Orange, who had already exercised the real authority over the provinces. A considerable number of southern cities, Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges, and others, as well as some of the nobles, also joined this union. Thus did the United Provinces at last come definitely into being.
During the next five years Spain devoted her efforts to the northern provinces alone; the union was unmolested. The Walloon provinces were reconciled to Spain; the others, with exception of Holland and Zealand, had accepted the Duke of Anjou as their sovereign; Holland and Zealand had proclaimed William of Orange as their chief, though he did not finally accept sovereign power and the title of count until August 1582, by a sort of cross division, the seven northern provinces, meeting at the Hague, on 26 July 1581 made an "Act of Abjuration," and issued their "Declaration of Independence," the five naming Anjou, the two William, as their sovereign in Philip's stead. Then Holland and Zealand framed an independent constitution, conservative of their ancient liberties,, as expressed in the "Great Privilege of the Lady Mary;" they declared themselves a free country, severed alike from Spain and from the empire.
But Spain was not yet ready to take up this challenge; and mean while she resorted to other weapons. A scandalous proclamation, offering rewards and honors to any ruffian who would serve church and king by murdering William of Orange, was now issued; and, roused by the double inducement, after many unsuccessful attempts, a paltry wretch on 10 July 1584 succeeded in assassinating the greatest man of his ago, the worthy "Father William" of the Dutch, and by one account the only ruler in the world's history who may fairly be compared with Washington.
