Page "Valenciennes" Paragraph 7

In 1524, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, arrived at Valenciennes, and — even when Henry II of France allied with him against the Protestants in 1552 — Valenciennes became ( c. 1560 ) an early center of Calvinism and in 1562 was location of the first act of resistance against persecution of Protestants in the Spanish Netherlands.

On the " Journée des Mals Brûlés " ( Bad Burnings Day ) in 1562, a mob freed some Protestants condemned to die at the stake.

In the wave of iconoclastic attacks called the Beeldenstorm that swept the Low Countries in the summer of 1566, the city was the furthest south to see an attack.

In the " révolte des gueux " Philip II of Spain's forces massed at the porte d ' Anzin ( in a fortress known as " La Redoute ") were besieged by Valenciennes in 1576.

In 1580, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma took Valenciennes and Protestantism was eradicated there, but despite these conflicts Valenciennes remained under Spanish protection.

With its manufacturers of wool and fine linens, the city was able to become economically independent.