The Netherlands found a leader in William, Prince of
Orange, later known as William the Silent, because of his customary
discreetness. He was of German birth, a convert to Protestantism, and the owner
of large estates in the Netherlands. William had fair ability as a general, a
statesmanlike grasp of the situation, and above all a stout, courageous heart
which never wavered in moments of danger and defeat. To rescue the Netherlands
from Spain he sacrificed his high position, his wealth, and eventually his
life.
SEPARATION OF THE NETHERLANDS
The ten southern provinces of the Netherlands, mainly
Roman Catholic in population, soon effected a reconciliation with Philip and
returned to their allegiance. They remained in Hapsburg hands for over two
centuries. Modern Belgium has grown out of them. The seven northern provinces,
where Dutch was the language and Protestantism the religion, formed in 1579
A.D. the Union of Utrecht. Two years later they declared their independence of
Spain. Thus the republic of the United Netherlands, often known as Holland, the
most important of the seven provinces, came into being.
