Biography:
Alva (1510-82): Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, ##the Duke of Alva, played an important role in Spanish politics under Philip II. In 1567 he was sent to the Netherlands to restore order. The 'Iron Duke' attempted to destroy any manifestation of rebellion with a regime associated in the Netherlanders' mind with terror and tyranny, but in 1572 he failed to suppress the second wave of the Revolt. He returned to Spain the following year. For more on Alba, @click here [English-language webpage on the Duke of Alva at the site of Wikipedia Encyclopaedia].
Charles V (1500-58): Duke of Burgundy (which included the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Franche-Comt?),(from 1515), King of Spain and her Italian possessions (from 1516), Archduke of Austria (1519-21), and elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1519. Charles V was ruler of the largest Christian empire in Europe since Charlemagne. Each of his extensive dominions developed its own constitutional arrangements. He abdicated in 1555 and divided his dominions between his son, Philip (who became King of Spain and Lord of the Netherlands), and his brother, Ferdinand of Austria (who became Emperor). Died in 1558. For more on Charles V, @click here [English-language webpage on Charles V at the site of Wikipedia Encyclopaedia].
Don Luís de Requesens: Grand Commander of Castile, succeeded Alva as governor-general and captain-general of the Netherlands in November 1573. Like Alva, Requesens failed to suppress the open military insurgence in Holland and Zeeland. Launched formal peace-talks with the rebels in Breda in 1575 (which foundered under the demands of the rebels). His sudden death in March 1576 precipitated a power vacuum in the Low Countries.
Egmont (1522-68): Lamoral, Count of Egmont, was one of the prominent high nobles of the Low Countries. Stadholder of Flanders and Artois and member of the Council of State (the most important of the 'Collateral Councils' which advised the governor-general). Egmont was one of the leaders of the 'League of the Great' (1562-66). Arrested by Alva and executed at Brussels in 1568. For more on Egmont, @click here [English-language webpage on the Count of Egmont at the site of Wikipedia Encyclopaedia].
Granvelle (1517-86): Antoine Perrenot, Lord of Granvelle, was one of Philip II's top civil servants. Appointed archbishop of Mechelen in 1560. As the principal exponent of Philip’s policy, he was removed from his office by the king in 1564, due to the opposition of the high nobles.
Hoorne (1518-68): Philippe de Montmorency, Count of Hoorne, was a prominent Netherlands nobleman, member of the Council of State and of the 'League of the Great'. Like Egmont he was convicted and beheaded for treason because, as stadholder, he had been too tolerant of Protestants.
Don Juan of Austria (1547-78): Bastard son of Charles V and Philip II's only brother, became governor-general of the Netherlands in 1576. Upon his arrival in Low Countries Don Juan swore to uphold the Pacification of Ghent but hopes of a settlement were soon destroyed.
Philip II (1527-98): King of Spain and Lord of the Netherlands from 1555. His policies of strengthening central government and religious persecution were among the principal causes of the Revolt. ##Philip II can not be described as an inflexible absolutist monarch. Instead historians now regard him as a ruler who at critical moments in the Revolt showed himself unwilling to make substantial compromises. For more on Philip II, @click here [English-language webpage on Philip II at the site of Wikipedia Encyclopaedia].
Requesens (1528-76): Don Lu's de Requesens, Grand Commander of Castile, succeeded Alva as governor-general and captain-general of the Netherlands in November 1573. Like Alva, Requesens failed to suppress the open military insurgence in Holland and Zeeland. Launched formal peace-talks with the rebels in Breda in 1575 (which foundered under the demands of the rebels). His sudden death in March 1576 precipitated a power vacuum in the Low Countries.
##William, Prince of Orange (1533-84): Eldest son of a German Lutheran aristocratic family, inherited vast lands in the Low Countries. Received a Catholic education at the court of Charles V in Brussels, became member of the Council of State and was appointed Stadholder of Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht in 1559. ##Orange became the leader of the Revolt and was acclaimed Stadholder of Holland by the provincial estates in 1572. He was assassinated in 1584. William of Orange remains a seminal figure of Dutch mythology. For more on William of Orange, @click here [English-language webpage on William of Orange at the site of Wikipedia Encyclopaedia].