Group

Netherlands, Habsburg

Substate Defunct 1482 CE – 1581 CE Capital Brussels > Bruxelles Brussels Belgium

Habsburg Netherlands is the collective name of Holy Roman Empire fiefs in the Low Countries held by the House of Habsburg and later by the Spanish Empire, also known as the Spanish Netherlands.

The rule begins in 1482, when after the death of the Valois-Burgundy duke Charles the Bold the Burgundian Netherlands falls to the Habsburg dynasty by the marriage of Charles's daughter Mary of Burgundy to Archduke Maximilian I of Austria.

Known as Seventeen Provinces, they are held by the Spanish Empire from 1556, and are therefore also known as the Spanish Netherlands from this time on.

In 1581, the Seven United Provinces secede to form the Dutch Republic; the remaining Spanish Southern Netherlands eventually pass on to Habsburg Austria.

Member Cities

Moran, J. (n.d.). Netherlands, Habsburg. History Atlas. Retrieved 19 September 2026, from https://www.historyatlas.com/groups/netherlands-habsburg/

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