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Belgium - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about Belgium |
 | | In the 16th century Protestantism took a hold in the Spanish Netherlands, and the religious and secular tyranny of the ardently Catholic Philip II of Spain led to a revolt, starting in 1568. |
| | For a time it seemed as though the whole country would gain independence, but the military and diplomatic successes of Alexander, Prince of Parma (the Spanish governor), exacerbated the religious differences of the rebels (many of whom remained Catholic). |
| | This enabled Parma to regain the southern provinces, and the capture of Antwerp in 1585 ensured that the southern provinces (modern-day Belgium and Luxembourg) remained under Spanish rule. |
| encyclopedia.farlex.com /Belgium (4427 words) |
