Talk:List of governors of the Habsburg Netherlands

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Re: Use of the term "Netherlands". In the 17th and 18th centuries, my understanding is that when said term was used, it would almost always have been used to refer to the Spanish/Austrian Netherlands. The "northern Netherlands" would have been called the "United Provinces" or, informally and technically incorrectly, "Holland." So, is it necessary to say that it was the "Southern Netherlands" which were occupied by the British and Dutch from 1706 to 1714? Among other things, the article is obviously about the Habsburg a.k.a. Southern Netherlands. And the presence of the Dutch as occupiers obviously connotes that we are not referring to the United Provinces... john 10:12, 23 Nov 2003 (UTC)

It was the presence of the Dutch as occupiers that made me change that sentence. To say that the Dutch occupied the Netherlands looks strange to me. As far as I know, the term the Netherlands covered all of the Low Countries until the end of the 18 century. The United Provinces were also called the (Seven) United Netherlands. When talking about Belgium during that period, I would always say the "Southern", "Spanish", or "Austrian" Netherlands. Eugene van der Pijll 10:27, 23 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Actually, they were all the Netherlands at least until 1830, although I still think the term was more commonly used for the southern Netherlands...but yeah, fair enough. john 20:55, 23 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Er, what should be done about Archduke Matthias? He was invited to be governor of the Netherlands by the rebels, and held the position from 1578 to 1581, technically on behalf of Philip II (who did not recognize him). I'm going to add him with a note. john k 00:52, 28 July 2006 (UTC)