Entry of the Duke of Anjou into Antwerp, 19 February 1582

Philip II was not recognised as ruler of the Low Countries, so a new one was needed. Francis, Duke of Anjou and brother of the French king, found himself ready to take on this task, settling in Antwerp in early 1582 on condition that they officially renounced their allegiance to the Prudent King. The States General issued the decree of abandonment in which it was declared that the King of Spain had abandoned his responsibilities by failing to defend the people of the Low Countries. He was therefore to be replaced as their monarch. With a small French army, the new sovereign led a small French army to take Antwerp by force in January 1583. Faced with Anjou’s huge failure, he abandoned the Low Countries, offering them to Elizabeth of England, who again declined, taking them on the model of republican government.

Collection: Images

Project: 5. Power and powers in the history of Europe: oligarchies, political participation and democracy., 6. Under a cloak of terror: violence and armed conflict in Europe.

Chronology: XVI, XVII

Scope: Secondary education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-4867