The beeldenstorm and the Spanish: Habsburg response (1566-1570)

Abstract

In most textbooks, the punitive and military mission of the Duke of Alba to the Netherlands in 1567 embodies the Spanish Habsburg response to the Beeldenstorm of the previous year. This representation however, obscures the measures taken in the heat of the moment by Governor General Margaret of Parma, while it also downplays the numerous policy discussions to find the 'right remedy' for iconoclasm. This article argues that repression formed but one part of a broader pacification strategy that also included mediation, reconciliation and reform. The tactic employed by the Spanish Habsburg authorities combined the punishment of prominent leaders with a recognition that most of the participants in the 'troubles' could neither be apprehended nor punished properly, so that a pardon would eventually be necessary. Just such a pardon was issued in July 1570. Even if King and governor-general regarded iconoclasm as outright sacrilege and as divine lèse-majesté committed by heretics, the central authorities framed their response primarily as a legitimate action against worldly lèse-majesté and rebellion, in the short term to silence the religious violence of the iconoclasts, and in the longer term to maintain the initiative in safeguarding order, justice and peace, including in matters religious.