Geuzen
, the largely Calvinist Dutch
guerrilla
and privateering forces whose
military
actions initiated
the Netherlands
’ revolt against Spanish rule (1568?1609). The term was first applied derisively to the lesser nobility who, together with some of the great Netherlands magnates, in 1566 petitioned
Margaret of Parma
, governor-general of the Netherlands, to relax the religious persecution against Protestants. Receiving partial satisfaction of their grievances, the nobles, led by
Hendrik van Brederode
, gladly accepted the title of Geuzen (“Beggars”).
In 1567, however, Margaret’s Spanish successor, the
duque de Alba
, entered the Netherlands to restore the total power of
King Philip II
, and many dissidents fled abroad. Large numbers of these exiles returned in the next few years and formed land and naval
contingents
and, by the end of 1573, had secured the maritime provinces of
Holland
and Zeeland against Spanish attack.
Composed of common Calvinist troops led by noble commanders, the Geuzen, who were drawn from all of the Netherlands’ provinces, were centred in Holland and Zeeland. They were the revolt’s primary military force until 1576, when the other provinces joined in resistance to
Spain
and more regular military contingents were formed.