Union of Utrecht

   In 1579, Holland and some other provinces and cities entered into a treaty with the intention of cooperating more closely in political, religious, and military affairs. The southern parts of the Netherlands, in revolt against their overlord, Philip II of Spain, were more inclined toward reconciliation with their sovereign than were the northern provinces. Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Drenthe, parts of Frisia, and Groningen promised to cooperate as if they were one province, preserving, however, their traditional rights and privileges; to assist each other against their en emies; not to conclude a peace or any other treaty without the unan imous consent of all the partners in the union; to promote freedom of conscience in religious matters; and not to separate from the union. After renouncing their sovereign in 1581, the Treaty of the Union served as a constitution of the Seven Sovereign United Northern Provinces, a constitution that remained effective until the end of the old Republic in 1795.