Figure 1 — Low Countries in the Time of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire (1519–1558)*
The Rise of Protestantism.The Despaigne family of Canterbury, England, originated in sixteenth century Belgium. In much of Europe that century saw the rise of Protestantism in the wake of considerable civil unrest. When it was over, the low countries lay divided. The area on the south bordering France was dominated by Catholics, the present-day Belgium. The area on the north was dominated by Protestants, today's Netherlands. To the Catholic governments Protestantism represented the kind of liberal mode of thought and action, an attitude they were unwilling to tolerate in peace. Trades people were recently rising socially and prospering financially. To them Protestantism held a great deal of appeal. | ||
Figure 1 — Low Countries in the Time of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire (1519–1558)*
Conflict with Catholicism.The roots of open conflict originated in the means by which the Catholic king of Spain, Philip II, subjected the low countries to his power in 1558. This man was intent on unifying his whole realm. Every citizen was to submit to follow the king's own Catholic convictions. By 1566 radical activities by the Protestants, such as breaking down the images of the saints (iconoclasm), had led to loss of life in Lannoy near Lille. Then came furious retaliation begun by the Duke of Alva and his dreaded "Council of Blood". Large numbers of Protestants were forced to either flee or recant. The treaty of Utrecht, struck in 1579, established the seven northern counties as a Protestant block. The treaty of Arras in 1582 ensured the allegiance of the southern counties including Artois and Hainaut to Philip II. The period 1579–82 thus marks the beginning of the modern distinction between Belgium and the Netherlands. | ||
Belgian roots.We have yet to document the European Protestantism of the Despains. In 1566 there was a confederation of (Protestant) noblemen who signed a compromise, among whom was a man named Philippe Despaingne or Hespaigne of Holland.1 This man, however, was probably Phlips van Spangen of Leyden and hence not related to the Belgian Despaignes.2 Another name that one may easily confuse with Despaigne is Despiennes of Mons. We find, for example, Johannes Despien of Mons matriculated at Louvain in 1507.3 | ||
