ABSTRACT
Until 1568, the northern Netherlands had belonged to the Habsburg Empire. A combination of economic crisis, a power struggle between the Dutch gentry and the �panish �ing o�er his policy and ta�es, and religious differences led to the re�olt of several provinces in the north against the Spanish Crown. This revolt resulted in a war of independence that would last for 80 years, until the Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648. In 1588, seven provinces proclaimed the Dutch Republic of �nited Pro�inces (hereafter ‘the �epublic’).1 The Republic was governed by the Estates General, in which all provinces were represented.
