De Nederlandse Opstand in de pamfletten 1566-1584

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The Revolt of the Netherlands in the Pamphlets
1566-1584
Summary

In the first part of this study the revolt of the Netherlands is described as a ‘Paper War’. The pamphlets are grouped round the most important events. Here completeness is out of the question. We consider the choice we made reasonable and representative.

First a survey is given of the pamphlets about the time of the Petition of the Nobles of April 5 1566. Noblemen and the Consistories of the Calvinists cooperate closely at this time. From the beginning of the revolt the Prince of Orange took a great interest in the pamphlets as a measure of opposing Spain.

In the years 1568-1572 on the occasion of his citation and his first campaign for the liberation of the Netherlands the Prince has quite a series of writings published in order to prove his own innocence, to justify his behaviour and to urge his compatriots to cooperation in the liberation of their own country. His minister of propaganda in this period, Jacob van Wesenbeke, writes several justifications and proclamations.

Oranje also has a hand in many pamphlets published by order of the States of Holland and Zealand from 1572 to 1576. In these years propaganda is mostly directed towards a concerted action of the 17 Netherland provinces against Spain. This concert is realized in the Pacification of Ghent of 1576.

A polemic of pamphlets of extreme violence flares up round the activities of Don Juan (1576-1578). Oranje frequently avails himself of his favourite device, the publication of intercepted letters. Meanwhile Marnix van St. Aldegonde has taken the place of van Wesenbeke as the propagandist of the revolt. Now more pamphlets are published by the Spanish side and its supporters, who show a growing interest in them.

The unity of the provinces, for many years already questionable, breaks down in 1579. One side reproaches the other.

On various occasions peace overtures are made always accompanied by

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pamphlets and publications. They are most frequent about the peace transactions of Cologne in 1579.

Since the religious pacification of 1578 pamphlets are published discussing the religious question from the standpoint of principle. A number of such pamphlets appears round the negotiations of Cologne, especially from the catholic side.

The most important event of the time from 1579 to 1584 treated by the pamphlets is the ‘Ban’ of Oranje and his Apology. In this period Oranje is fiercely attacked in hostile propaganda. Parma, the Spanish Governor, realises the value of this weapon.

When the Archduke Mathias of Austria and the Duke of Anjou are called to the Netherlands, their arrival is accompanied by a number of pamphlets. Anjou, who commits his notorious attack on Antwerp on January 17 1583, becomes a much debated figure. His opponents are chiefly to be found in the Netherland Geneva, Ghent. This town prefers a certain approach to Spain to serving Oranje's policy.

Many pamphlets consider the question of the best system of government for the Netherlands.

The attempts on the life of Oranje always bring out new pamphlets. After his death his followers continue the propaganda.

In the second part we discuss the ideas defended in the pamphlets. First the motives of the revolt. At first the theory is preferred that there is no resistance against the King but against his bad ministers and counsellors, who mislead him or keep him in ignorance. Most important are the motive from natural law permitting rebellion against a prince who has become a tyrant, and the motive from positive law, in which the privilege of the ‘Blijde Incomste’ takes a prominent place. Finally there is the religious motive: ‘One must obey God more than man’.

About some persons and events myths are formed by the pamphlets, e.g. Charles V and Philip II, Don Carlos, Egmont and Hoorne, the perfidy of the catholics and the massacre of St. Bartholomew, typical instances of Spanish cruelty, the governors Alva, Requesens and Don Juan. The opponents of Oranje invent myths about the Prince.

The form of government is a favorite theme of the pamphlets. As for monarchy the monarchomachic tendencies are very striking. Rule by nobility (aristocracy) has little sympathy. Democracy is most favoured in the pamphlets. There is an ample discussion of the question if the Swiss Confederation should be the ideal for the Netherlands. The authority of

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the States-General and Provincial is examined together with the defects inherent to these bodies.

In the chapter ‘Revolt and Religion’ we refer to the esteem for the catholics expressed in some pamphlets. On the other hand they assert that country cannot dispense with the adherents of the new religion. Among catholics there is a discussion of the lawfulness of support of the revolt. Both among catholics and protestants there are extremists, who reject toleration. Yet voices in favour of toleration are heard too. For the catholics this is an application of the principle. Of two evils choose the lesser. The protestants do not object to the presence of various religions in one state, but one religion remains the ideal. In the discussions the interpretation of the Pacification of Ghent takes up a prominent place.

Some aspects of form and contents are the subject of the last chapter. The form of the pamphlets depends on the education of the author, the authority by which they are issued, the public to which they are addressed. There are many clichés in the pamphlets as is evident e.g. from the opening lines. The writers make frequent use of proverbs and sayings, of legends and fables. The classical authors and the Bible are sources from which the authors draw abundantly. History, in the first place the story of the revolt, recurs in almost every pamphlet.