Treaty of Plessis-les-Tours
The Treaty of Plessis-les-Tours was signed on September 29, 1580 between the Dutch Staten Generaal (with the exception of Zeeland and Holland) and François, Duke of Anjou (supported by William the Silent). Based on the terms of the treaty, François assumed the title of "Protector of the Liberty of the Netherlands" and became sovereign of the Dutch Republic. The accord was ratified at Bordeaux on January 23, 1581.
When François attempted to take Antwerp in the French Fury in 17 January 1583, the citizens massacred his army. He withdrew from the Low Countries in June and died of malaria the following year.