The Netherlands and the declining Anglo-Spanish Relations, 1570-85

What happened to sea beggars in 1572?

They were expelled from English ports

What are sea beggars?

Dutch pirates licensed by Protestant leader William of Orange. They used ships to attack Spanish vessels during the revolt against Phillip II of Spain

Why were they in English ports?

Liz had allowed them to shelter in English ports for a time because England was Protestant and hostile to Spanish power

Why were they expelled in 1572?

To avoid provoking Spain

What happened after they were expelled?

When they left England, they sailed to the Dutch coast and captured the port town of Brille

Why did this cause a full revolt?

Their capture of Brille inspired many Dutch towns to rise up against Spanish rule, turning scattered resistance into a large-scale rebellion against Spain

What did 17 provinces in the Netherlands do in 1576?

Rose against the Spanish Army

Why did they rise against the Spanish Army?

The Spanish Fury- mutiny of Spanish troops in the Netherlands

What did the provinces produce and what did it ask for?

‘Pacification of Ghent’, which asked for all foreign troops to be removed (Spanish) and asks for their own control

Who favoured this?

Liz

Why was Duke of Anjou a potential suitor?

Keep influence in France as French were preparing to invade Netherlands and the provinces were fighting amonst themselves

How did the situation get worse in the Netherlands?

The division began between the provinces, creating 2 separate states

What were the 2 separate states called?

• Union of Utrecht (Northern and Protestant)

• Union of Arras (Southern and Catholic)

Who was the Duke of Parma?

New general governor of Netherlands (Spanish support) and wanted to reconquest the North

What made Liz more anti-Spanish in 1580?

Spain took control of Portugal through an invasion

Examples of Anti-Spanish behaviour from Liz

• Supported the pretender Don Antonio

• Knighting Drake to annoy the Spanish

• Treating the Spanish ambassador in court poorly by dismissing him

What happens with Portugal and Phillip?

• Death of King Henry in Portugal

• Phillip gains control

• Don Antonio is a member of the Royal family but is illegitimate

• Liz supports his claim

What happened to Parma’s attempt of claiming the north?

Gained momentum, leaving just Holland and Zeeland in Protestant hands

What happened to the Rebel leader William of Orange in 1584?

Assassinated

What Treaty do Phillip and the Catholic league in France join together?

Treaty of Loinville 1584

Why does this upset Liz?

The Guise family was part of the Catholic league in France