Category History

In the decades between the end of the Habsburg-Burgundian Netherlands and the rise of the Dutch Golden Age, the Low Countries saw a generation of war, politics, and culture leave its mark. Here are some of those stories.

Georg Loesser and Nuremberg’s House of Twelve Brothers

When it’s Saturday morning, you’re still groggy, and your coffee-loving girlfriend says she’s out of her caffeinated bean juice. šŸ™ Like and follow Rebels or Beggars on Instagram, Facebook, and online! ā˜™ facebook.com/rebelsorbeggarsā˜™ instagram.com/rebelsorbeggarsā˜™ rebelsorbeggars.com This 1605 portrait depicts Georgā€¦

Map of Northwest Europe, c. 1560

The Europe of the mid sixteenth century, at the dawn of the Dutch Revolt, was one of contrasts: a transitory peace between major powers with roiling social and religious turmoil about to boil over into war and carnage that would continue into the following century.

By this point in European history, you'll note many familiar names, but an equal number of borders and states that exist in vastly different ways in the 21st Century.

The Spanish Habsburgs & Their Governors

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V united the Low Countries under his personal rule and eventually abdicated in favor of his son Philip in 1555. From that point on, a revolving cast of Habsburg family members and close retainers would govern the Low Countries as the region descended into revolt and open war.

Map of the Seventeen Provinces and Neighboring Domains

In 1548, much of the Low Countries (modern Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and parts of northern France) were brought together into a single political entity called the Seventeen Provinces - directly under the control of Charles V.

Though united by proximity, there were sharp divisions of history, culture, and language cutting through the provinces - divisions which would become highlighted by the political, religious, and military struggles which would follow.