European Kingdoms

Counts of Holland (House of Habsburg) (Netherlands) (Low Countries)
AD 1482 - 1581

Within the Low Countries, the Habsburgs took over governance of the county of Holland, ending a line of less imperial rulers such as those of Burgundy Holland.

1482 - 1494

Became HRE (1493). Passed Holland to his son.

1487 - 1492

The Second Flemish Revolt is fuelled by the massively-increased taxes, frequent epidemics which are decimating the population of the Netherlands, and economic hardship. The failure of Maximilian's French campaign is the trigger. The revolt is sparked in Ghent in November 1487. When Maximilian attempts to blockade the city, Bruges joins the revolt, capturing Maximilian himself.

The empire sends further troops, backed by Antwerp, with 1488 being a period of chaos across the Southern Netherlands. In the end Maximilian is freed despite his best intentions of negotiating a peaceful outcome, and Albert 'the Bold' of Saxony is drafted in as the governor of the Netherlands to suppress the revolt by 1492.

1494 - 1495

The Habsburg Netherlands (the 'Seventeen Provinces' or 'Belgica Regia') pass to the son of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy. That son is Philip, later king consort of Castile.

In the following year an alliance is formed between Naples, the Pope, Milan, Venice, and the emperor in order to defend Italy from Charles VIII of France. This marks the beginning of the highly destructive Italian Wars which last until 1559.

1494 - 1506

Son. Became Philip I of Castile (1504).

1506 - 1515

Restored, as regent for Charles II. HRE (1493-1519).

1515 - 1555

Son of Philip II. Charles I of Spain (1516-1556).

1549

By means of the edict of the 'Pragmatic Sanction', Emperor Charles V (and Charles II of the Netherlands) reorganises the Habsburg Netherlands (the 'Seventeen Provinces') into one indivisible territory, and an entity in its own right, one which stands apart from the Holy Roman empire and from France.

1555 - 1581

Philip II of Spain (1556-1598). Deposed by the Dutch.

1555 - 1581

The Iconoclasm dispute breaks out in the Habsburg Low Countries, specifically in Steenvoorde (now in French Flanders), just twenty kilometres from the Kemmelberg as the crow flies (see feature link).

The duke of Alba is sent to the Netherlands to quell the burgeoning revolt. From the rebellious provinces of Holland and Zeeland in the north, the west of Flanders, Brabant, and the vicinity of Tournai, the 'forest beggars' spread all over the Low Countries. More and more ordinary citizens band together and head the resistance movement.

1556

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (Charles II of the Habsburg Netherlands) now abdicates, dividing the empire. His son, Philip II, becomes king of Spain with its Spanish Empire colonies, and governor of the Habsburg Netherlands. His brother, Ferdinand, receives the Holy Roman empire, Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary.

Philip heads what now becomes the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs, and his Netherlands become the Spanish Netherlands. Younger members of the royal house are also confirmed as dukes of Carinthia and counts of Tyrol, both following Ferdinand's death in 1564.

William I, count of Nassau, prince of Orange (born in Nassau), is officially proclaimed stadhouder of the counties of Holland and Zeeland and the diocese of Utrecht, governing in the name of Phillip II.