Historical Timeline

Timeline of Netherlands

53 dated events spanning the recorded history of Netherlands.

Chronology

53 events spanning the history of Netherlands. BCE/CE dating.

1 – 100
The Frisians settled in what is now the Netherlands
A Teutonic tribe known as the Frisians (or Friesians) settled in what is now the Netherlands in the first century A.D.
600 – 700
Frisians clashed with the Franks
In the seventh century the Frisians clashed with the Franks and resisted Christianity, but succumbed to Frankish rule and accepted Christianity a century later. Citizens of the Netherlands’s province of Friesland are still called Frisians and the Frisian language is still spoken there.
1100
Wittem Castle in Limburg dates to this time.
Wittem Castle in Limburg dates to this time.
1421
A flood that drowns 10,000 people
A storm on St. Elizabeth’s Day breaks dikes along the Maas and Waal rivers, causing a flood that drowns 10,000 people.
1421
Beginning of the Eighty Years’ War
Dutch rally against Spain in the beginning of the Eighty Years’ War.
1460
The courtyard Episcopal palace at Atrecht had witch burnings
The courtyard Episcopal palace at Atrecht had witch burnings.
1477
Beginning of the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs.
Beginning of the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs.
1506
The Netherlands is inherited by the future Habsburg Emperor and King of Spain Charles V
The Netherlands is inherited by the future Habsburg Emperor and King of Spain Charles V.
1516
The Catholic King Charles I of Spain ruled the Netherlands
The Catholic King Charles I of Spain ruled the Netherlands.
1572
William of Orange was recognized as viceroy of Holland, Friesland and Utrecht.
William of Orange was recognized as viceroy of Holland, Friesland and Utrecht.

1573 – 1574
The siege of Leiden between the rebels and the Spanish
The siege of Leiden between the rebels and the Spanish. 1574 The dikes were opened allowing a Dutch fleet to sail over the flood waters and rescue Leiden.
1579
The Treaty of Utrecht
The Union of Utrecht brought together seven northern, Protestant provinces of the Netherlands against the Catholics. Known as the United Provinces, they become the foundation of the Dutch Republic. The Treaty of Utrecht was signed, marking the beginning of the Dutch Republic.
1581
The United Provinces declare their independence from Spain.
The United Provinces declare their independence from Spain.
1581
The Dutch declared their independence from Spain
The Dutch declared their independence from Spain.
1584
Assassination of William of Orange, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau
William of Orange (1533-1584), Prince of Orange (1544-1584), Count of Nassau (1559-1584), and first stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, was assassinated by Burgundian Balthasar Gerard (25) with a handgun. Philip II of Spain had called for a volunteer assassin due to William’s reluctance take a public stand on religious issues. William was succeeded by his 17-year-old son, Maurice of Nassau.
1600 – 1700
Britain waged wars against the Dutch.
Britain waged wars against the Dutch.

Premium ContentJoinORSign In

Instant Access $2

Back to Netherlands

Timeline of Netherlands

Chronology

The Frisians settled in what is now the Netherlands

Frisians clashed with the Franks

Wittem Castle in Limburg dates to this time.

A flood that drowns 10,000 people

Beginning of the Eighty Years’ War

The courtyard Episcopal palace at Atrecht had witch burnings

Beginning of the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs.

The Netherlands is inherited by the future Habsburg Emperor and King of Spain Charles V

The Catholic King Charles I of Spain ruled the Netherlands

William of Orange was recognized as viceroy of Holland, Friesland and Utrecht.