Alain Lottin
Histoire et civilisations
From 1565 till 1569, a major rebellion took hold of the Flandre, Hainaut and Artois provinces. Noblemen came together and militated against the policies led by the king of Spain, Philip II, and his ministers. Soon, the rebels were given the nickname "Les Gueux" (or beggars), a derogatory term which they yet proudly reclaimed.