The Edict of 1577 (also known as the Perpetual Edict or the Eternal Edict) was signed on 12 February 1577 in
Marche-en-Famenne
Marche-en-Famenne (; ; literally "Marche in Famenne") is a city and municipality of Wallonia located in the Belgian province of Luxembourg.
The municipality consists of the following districts: Aye, Hargimont, Humain, Marche-en-Famenne, ...
by the new Spanish governor-general of the
Habsburg Netherlands
Habsburg Netherlands were the parts of the Low Countries that were ruled by sovereigns of the Holy Roman Empire's House of Habsburg. This rule began in 1482 and ended for the Northern Netherlands in 1581 and for the Southern Netherlands in 1797. ...
,
Don John of Austria
John of Austria (, ; 24 February 1547 – 1 October 1578) was the illegitimate son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles V recognized him in a codicil to his will. John became a military leader in the service of his half-brother, King Phil ...
. This accord provided for the removal of Spanish forces from the
Netherlands
, Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
. In addition, the edict agreed to uphold the tenets of the
Pacification of Ghent
The Pacification of Ghent, signed on 8 November 1576, was an alliance between the provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands. The main objectives were to remove Habsburg Spain, Spanish mercenaries who had made themselves hated by all sides due to their ...
in exchange for an understanding that the
States General would uphold the monarchy and Catholicism. The edict was initially well received. However, in July 1577, Don John began plans for a new campaign against the Dutch rebels.
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...
approved of both the Pacification of Ghent and the Edict of 1577, therefore offering loans and military aid to the Dutch. When it became clear that John would go back on his agreement, Elizabeth planned to defend the provinces with aid of £100,000 and troops against John if he attacked.
English money paid for
John Casimir, Count Palatine of Simmern, a Calvinist zealot, to lead mercenaries as far as Brabant,
[Pieter Geyl History of the Dutch speaking people] but the money supply dried up.
See also
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List of treaties
This list of treaties contains known agreements, pacts, peaces, and major contracts between states, armies, governments, and tribal groups.
Before 1200 CE
1200–1299
1300–1399
1400–1499
1500–1599
1600–1699
1700–1799
...
Citations
References
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External links
The Revolt of the Spanish Netherlands
1577 in the Habsburg Netherlands
Treaties of Flanders
Treaties of the Spanish Empire
Marche-en-Famenne
1577 treaties
{{Treaty-stub