Alteratie

The Alteratie of Amsterdam describes the overthrow of 26 May 1578 as the Spanish- catholic -minded Amsterdam city government was deposed by the Calvinist -minded rulers.

History

After the Pacification of Ghent in 1576, the city government of Amsterdam stood as a supporter of the Spaniards and of Catholicism in opposition to William I of Orange -Nassau and the States of Holland. The Reformed church was not recognized as a new state religion. But when Governor Juan de Austria recognized the pacification, Amsterdam followed his example, be subjected Orange and the States and was pardoned by them. As the continuation of the Eighty Years War with Spain devoured a lot of money and they needed the support of the rich and powerful city, also a reconciliation with the other Dutch cities was initiated by the States. Upon incidence of the Beggars in December 1577 the city regents finally signed this agreement. With this signature, the trade relations played a dominant role, because Amsterdam would have been excluded at a non- agreement of trade. On May 26, 1578 24 of 36 people counting Vroedschap was banished from the city by a commission of the Beggars. On May 29, a new Council ( Vroedschap ) formed consisting of 30 Calvinists and Catholics 10. These new protagonists included, among other families Bicker, De Graeff, Hooft van Huydecoper Maarsseveen and Pauw.

As a result of Alteratie the churches passed into the hands of the Calvinists and were given new names. Thus, from the St. Nicholas Church, the Old Church. The many monasteries within the city came into the hands of the city government, were given new names and new ( non-religious ) duties assigned, eg as orphanages and prisons.

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