Divided Loyalties: Angevin Partisans in the Southern Netherlands in the Aftermath of the War of the Spanish Succession

Abstract

During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), opposing groups of supporters of the two pretenders to the Spanish throne, Philip of Anjou (Philip V of Spain) and the Archduke Charles (Emperor Charles VI of Austria), emerged. Subsequently, loyalties in the Southern Netherlands became divided, a problem which continued until the claimants settled their differences in 1725. This article examines the various reasons underlying their support for either of the two pretenders, and the attitude of the Emperor towards his opponents. While he forced his adversaries to emigrate and confiscated their properties, he pragmatically tried to bind the elites to his person as much as possible, even those who previously had shown an attachment to other regimes. The article further argues that this situation can be explained by the fact that the new Austrian regime needed the cooperation of these elites. The problem of divided loyalties was brought about by the multiple changes in sovereign, within the span of two decades, which had weakened bonds of loyalty. Many inhabitants of the Southern Netherlands had been forced to choose sides and in this choice personal interests often prevailed over political convictions.