Carved up like a turkey...

The Spanish Netherlands, during this period, was the scene of constant warfare. Unfortunately, it was essentially a buffer between Protestant and Roman Catholic states, and was therefore “mercilessly carved up.” Specifically, Northern Brabant, Zeeland, and the region east of the Meuse River was ceded to the United Provinces (the Dutch Republic) in 1648. In addition, France took the county of Artois in 1659, and later large southern portions of Hainaut, Luxembourg, and Flanders. Finally, in 1648, the Peace of Münster closed the port of Antwerp, and important strategic location, to foreign trade