The Dutch Revolt: Relationship Between Charles V And Phillip II

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The Dutch Revolt of the sixteenth century was the result of a change in ideas of sovereignty between Charles V and Phillip II. The recently unified provinces had revolted previously, and several cities had resisted the imposition of new Habsburg laws . However, the overall reaction to the rule of Charles V had been peaceful, given the personal relationship between the sovereign and the nobility of the provinces. This was strained at times, despite this, the concession of rights to nobles had ensured loyalty to the crown. This loyalty to the sovereign is represented in the Dutch national anthem, Het Wilhelmus, in the lyrics ‘den Koning van Hispanje /heb ik altijd geëerd’, translating to ‘To the king of Spain I’ve granted a lifelong loyalty’ . The change of power from Charles V to Phillip II, following his abdication, would place further stress on political relations already strained by actions of the crown. This was principally due to the differing views in leadership and the role of the sovereign. While Charles V had left a modicum of power to native nobles, Phillip II approached the elite differently . Many noted the lack of a close relationship with …show more content…

Netherlander nobility had grown accustomed to the relative freedom afforded to them by Charles V, and chafed under the control imposed by Phillip II . This control became stifling when decisions were paralyzed by the wait for correspondence, leaving Habsburg officials unable to respond to a local uprising led by native elites . Ultimately the revolt is the result of multiple factors, which centred on the shifting view of responsibilities of the sovereign. The nobility of the provinces were determined to retain some independence from the Habsburg empire, when threatened by the actions of Phillip II, they rebelled, establishing independence for the Low Countries and the start of the Netherlands as a world