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Duke of Alba Departs for the Netherlands
In 1567, Philip II of Spain sent Fernando, Duke of Alba, with elite troops to the Netherlands as governor-general to crush by force the religious unr…
Timeline
- 1567Madrid · SpainFacing the 1566 Iconoclastic Fury and the nobles' petition, Philip II decided to abandon Margaret's moderate course, appointing Alba governor-general of the Netherlands with broad military and judicial powers.
- 1567Brussels · NetherlandsAlba entered the Netherlands with about 10,000 Spanish and Italian veteran troops, establishing military rule in Brussels, while opposition nobles such as William of Orange were forced into exile.
- 1567Brussels · NetherlandsAlba established the Council of Troubles, known as the 'Council of Blood', which tried heresy and treason suspects without local courts; Dutch notables such as Egmont were subsequently executed.
Sources
- Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd duke of Alba https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fernando-Alvarez-de-Toledo-3rd-duke-of-Alba
- The Dutch Revolt — Geoffrey Parker (1977)