In 1568, William I of Orange, stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland and Utrecht, and other noblemen dissatisfied with the Spanish rule in the Netherlands, the Geuzen, were determined to expel Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba, and his Spanish troops from the country.
Afterwards, when the Regent met with the Council of State, Orange tried to calm her, and another member, Charles de Berlaymont, allegedly remarked that the petitioners were no more than beggars (Geuzen), who deserved a good thrashing, and that the Regent need not be afraid of them.
Geuzen |
In 1572 he raised the Geuzen siege of Goes, and was later appointed Stadhouder of Zeeland by the Duke of Alba.