The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against the king, Philip II of Spain. By joining forces, they hoped to force him to stop his harsh administrative measures. In addition, some important political matters were regulated in areas such as defence, taxation and religion, which is why the treaty in question is also seen as a first version or precursor of a later constitution. The Union of Utrecht complemented the so-called General Union of 1576, established by the Pacification of Ghent, which is why it is also referred to as the Further Union.
Friesland joins Union of Utrecht
The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against...
Historical Significance
The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against the king, Philip II of Spain.
Events Before
Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, to Frobisher Bay, Canada. Eventually mines fools gold, famously used to pa
Martin Frobisher sails from Harwich, England, to Frobisher Bay, Canada. Eventually mines fools gold, famously used to pave the streets of London.
Battle of Gembloux (Gembloers); Spanish forces win decisive victor over coalition rebel forces
Battle of Gembloux (Gembloers); Spanish forces win decisive victor over coalition rebel forces
England grants Sir Humphrey Gilbert a patent to explore and colonize North America
England grants Sir Humphrey Gilbert a patent to explore and colonize North America
English explorer Martin Frobisher sights Baffin Island
Sir Martin Frobisher (1535/1539 – 22 November 1594) was an English sea captain and privateer who made three voyages to the New World looking for the North-west Passage.
Battle of Rijmenam: Spanish Habsburg forces defeated by Dutch troops (Eighty Years' War)
The Eighty Years' War or Dutch Revolt (1566/1568–1648) was an armed conflict in the Habsburg Netherlands between disparate groups of rebels and the Spanish government.
Events After
Francis Drake completes his circumnavigation of the world, sailing into Plymouth, England aboard the Golden Hind
Golden Hind was a galleon captained by Francis Drake in his circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580.
Prince William I of Orange welcomed in Amsterdam
William the Silent or William the Taciturn (Dutch: Willem de Zwijger; 24 April 1533 – 10 July 1584), more commonly known in the Netherlands as William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje), was the...
Drenthe joins the Union of Utrecht
The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against...
Battle at Hardenberg: Spanish troops beat rebels
Battle at Hardenberg: Spanish troops beat rebels
States of Utrecht forbid Catholic worship
States of Utrecht forbid Catholic worship
More from the 1570s
Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible begins his march to Novgorod
The massacre of Novgorod was an attack launched by Ivan the Terrible's oprichniki on the city of Novgorod, Russia, in 1570.
The Geuzen set fire to the city of Woudrichem
Woudrichem is a city and former municipality in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands.
Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours
Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from...
Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.
Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on March 23, 1579?
- The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against the king, Philip II of Spain. By joining forces, they hoped to force him to stop his harsh administrative measures. In addition, some important political matters were regulated in areas such as defence, taxation and religion, which is why the treaty in question is also seen as a first version or precursor of a later constitution.
- Why is Friesland joins Union of Utrecht significant?
- The Union of Utrecht (Dutch: Unie van Utrecht) was an alliance based on an agreement concluded on 23 January 1579 between a number of Dutch provinces and cities, to reach a joint commitment against the king, Philip II of Spain.