Revolt of Ghent

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Revolt of Ghent was an uprising against the Spanish Empire of Charles V in 1539. Flanders in general and Ghent in particular were an international centre of trade and industry and therefore an important source of revenues for Spain. The revolt was a reaction to high taxes, which the Flemish felt were only used to fight wars abroad – the conquest of Italy.[1]

The emperor - who was himself born in Ghent - personally came to the city to suppress the rebellion and obliged the city's nobles to walk in front of him, barefoot and with a noose (Dutch: strop) around the neck. Since this incident the people of Ghent have taken on the sobriquet Stroppendragers (noose bearers).

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kamen, Henry (2005). Spain, 1469–1714: a society of conflict, 3rd, Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson Education. 0-582-78464-6. 
 This Spanish history-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.
This Belgian history-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This Dutch history-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.
Languages