The Southern Provinces

Although the southern provinces at this time were far from independent, they did experience a significant amount of freedom in internal affairs. They controlled their own judiciary system and set up councils to aid the governor general. They also enjoyed the privileges established with the Joyeuse Entrée. This term, meaning “joyous entry” in French, was, during the European Middle Ages and the ancient régime, the ceremonial first visit of a prince to his country, traditionally the occasion for the granting or confirming of privileges. This particular Joyeuse Entrée refers to the charter of liberties, confirmed on Jan. 3 1356, which was presented to the duchy of Brabant (in the Low Countries) by Wenceslas, the duke of Luxembourg and brother of the Holy Roman emperor Charles IV, and his wife, Johanna, daughter and heiress of Brabant’s Duke John III (d. 1355). The Brabançons were afraid that Wenceslas, who was a foreigner and thus not to be trusted, might ignore their traditional liberties. Thus, the charter was meant to confirm Brabant’s liberties. It stated that Brabant could not be divided, that Brabant must be consulted on such essential issues as coinage of money, foreign alliances, and declarations of war, and that public offices would only be open to Brabançons. This charter eventually became the model for the charters of other provinces of the Low Countries.

Despite all this tradition of essential liberties being withheld within the territories, foreign affairs were strictly under the leadership of the Spanish throne, demonstrating who really held the power during this period.