Dutch Discontented
In response to increasing discontented with Habsburg rule, fueled by the Charles V’s abdication of the region to his son Philip II who reinforced the religious policies of his father. Philip further alienated the Dutch, when after leaving the area for Spain in 1559, issued a wholesale organizational reform of the Catholic Church in the Netherlands, introducing 14 new dioceses instead of the old three, paid for by a transfer of wealth from several rich abbeys.
The Dutch, led by William I of Orange, organized a recall election of the archbishop installed by Phillip and later persuaded the governing Council to seek for moderation of the heresy policies, a request that after much delay would be rejected by Phillip.
Iconoclasm (Beeldenstorm in Dutch)
In response to the on going persecution of Protestants by the government (Inquisitions), during the summer of 1566, escalating a practice that had begone in 1522, the Dutch citizens began destroying Catholic art and many forms of church fittings and decoration in unofficial or mob actions. During the period between 1566 and 1568 various skirmishes between Protestant militants and the government of Margaret, ultimately leading to the resignation of Margaret and her creation of the Council of Troubles (nicknamed the Council of Blood). Under this council, many high ranking officials were arrested, tried, and of the 9,000, about 1,000 were executed. During this time, several, including William of Orange, fled into exile.
Rebellion (1572 – 1609)
About this time, King Phillip was suffering from the expense of his war with the Ottoman Empire. To pay for this he ordered and increase in taxes in the Netherlands. William of Orange’s exile became the center for plans to invade the Netherlands. Beginning in 1572, parts of the region were in full revolted against Philip II of Spain & Habsburg.
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