Hendrik Van der Noot
Encyclopedia
Hendrik Karel Nicolaas van der Noot (January 7, 1731, Brussels
– January 12, 1827, Strombeek
) was a jurist, lawyer and politician from Brabant. He was one of the main players of the Brabant Revolution
(1789–1790) against the Austrian rule of Emperor Joseph II
). This revolution led to the short-lived existence of the United States of Belgium
(January 11, 1790 - December 1790).
Two lawyers, Jan Frans Vonck
en Hendrik Van der Noot were the leaders of the revolt but each represented a different faction. The Vonckists were inspired by the French Revolution
(1789–1799) and sought a link-up with the people and the patriot army. De Statists led by Van der Noot strived for the restoration of old privileges of the nobility and the church such as the "Joyous Entry", the "Blijde Inkomst" and sought cooperation with the Dutch Republic
.
In contrast to Vonck, who was of the opinion that the Belgian people themselves had to fight against the Austrian despot, Van der Noot had more confidence in obtaining foreign support. In 1788 Van der Noot travelled to England
, the Dutch Republic
and Prussia
to get attention for the cause of Brabant liberty. Only Prussia, that itself had beaten the Dutch patriots in 1787, was inclined to support the Belgian patriots as they were at that time anti-Austrian. Van der Noot had less success seeking support from the last Grand Pensionary of Holland, Laurens Pieter van de Spiegel
.
In October 1789 Van der Noot and General Vander Meersch with a small patriot army from Breda
captured the entire province of Brabant. In his first concurred (or freed) town, Hoogstraten
, Van der Noot published his Manifesto of the Brabant People on October 24, 1789. The document explains why the people of Brabant have the right to disobedience against a ruler. The main argument is that the will of a nation is the highest law and if that is violated by a ruler the nation has the right to revolt against the ruler.
Van der Noot captured Turnhout, defeating the Austrians in the Battle of Turnhout
on October 27 and Ghent was taken on November 13. On November 17 the imperial regents Albert of Saxony and Archduchess Maria Christina fled Brussels. The remains of the imperial forces withdrew behind the citadel walls of Luxembourg and Antwerp.
Van der Noot declared Brabant independent, and all other provinces of the Austrian Netherlands with the exception of Luxembourg soon followed suit. On January 11, 1790 they signed a pact, establishing a confederation, headed by Van der Noot, under the name Verenigde Nederlandse Staten / États-Belgiques-Unis (United States of Belgium).
When Prussia abandoned the revolt after the signing the Convention of Reichenbach (July 27, 1790) with Austria the fragile state soon came under attack by the Austrian troops of Emperor Leopold II
. In November of 1790 Van der Noot had to flee to the Dutch Republic and thereafter to England. In 1792 he made an appeal for cooperation with the French occupiers (1794–1815). He returned to Brabant but was arrested 1796 and imprisoned in 's Hertogenbosch.
He died in 1826 in Strombeek and his tomb is located in the wall of the vicar's compound of the Sint-Amandsparochie in Strombeek-Bever.
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
– January 12, 1827, Strombeek
Strombeek-Bever
Strombeek-Bever is an urbanised town with about 11,500 inhabitants in the municipality of Grimbergen, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. A suburb on the north side of Brussels, it is separated from Grimbergen proper by the R0 ring road around the city...
) was a jurist, lawyer and politician from Brabant. He was one of the main players of the Brabant Revolution
Brabant Revolution
The Brabant Revolution took place between January 1789 and December 1790, when a popular revolt broke in the Austrian Netherlands against the unpopular reforms of the Emperor Joseph II...
(1789–1790) against the Austrian rule of Emperor Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
). This revolution led to the short-lived existence of the United States of Belgium
United States of Belgium
The United States of Belgium, part of Brabant.In October, he invaded Brabant and captured Turnhout, defeating the Austrians in the Battle of Turnhout on October 27. Ghent was taken on November 13, and on November 17 the imperial regents Albert of Saxony and Archduchess Maria Christina fled Brussels...
(January 11, 1790 - December 1790).
Two lawyers, Jan Frans Vonck
Jan Frans Vonck
Johannes Franciscus Vonck was a lawyer and one of the leaders of the Brabant Revolution from 1789-1790. This Revolution led to the founding of the United States of Belgium in January 1790. Vonck was the leader of the Vonckists faction which was named after him...
en Hendrik Van der Noot were the leaders of the revolt but each represented a different faction. The Vonckists were inspired by the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
(1789–1799) and sought a link-up with the people and the patriot army. De Statists led by Van der Noot strived for the restoration of old privileges of the nobility and the church such as the "Joyous Entry", the "Blijde Inkomst" and sought cooperation with the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
.
In contrast to Vonck, who was of the opinion that the Belgian people themselves had to fight against the Austrian despot, Van der Noot had more confidence in obtaining foreign support. In 1788 Van der Noot travelled to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
and Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
to get attention for the cause of Brabant liberty. Only Prussia, that itself had beaten the Dutch patriots in 1787, was inclined to support the Belgian patriots as they were at that time anti-Austrian. Van der Noot had less success seeking support from the last Grand Pensionary of Holland, Laurens Pieter van de Spiegel
Laurens Pieter van de Spiegel
Laurens Pieter van de Spiegel was Grand Pensionary of Zeeland and, from November 9, 1787 to February 4, 1795, of Holland. He was an Orangist, which means that he was a supporter of Prince William V of Orange. He became grand pensionary of Holland when the Prussian army had reinstated William V in...
.
In October 1789 Van der Noot and General Vander Meersch with a small patriot army from Breda
Breda
Breda is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance...
captured the entire province of Brabant. In his first concurred (or freed) town, Hoogstraten
Hoogstraten
Hoogstraten is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the city of Hoogstraten proper and the towns of Meer, Meerle, Meersel-Dreef, Minderhout and Wortel,...
, Van der Noot published his Manifesto of the Brabant People on October 24, 1789. The document explains why the people of Brabant have the right to disobedience against a ruler. The main argument is that the will of a nation is the highest law and if that is violated by a ruler the nation has the right to revolt against the ruler.
Van der Noot captured Turnhout, defeating the Austrians in the Battle of Turnhout
Battle of Turnhout (1789)
The Battle of Turnhout was a revolt against Austrian rule of the Southern Netherlands began in the Kempen region. On October 27, 1789, this led to a battle near Turnhout against the Austrian army, in which the latter was defeated. The rebel army was able to lure the Austrians in to the city were...
on October 27 and Ghent was taken on November 13. On November 17 the imperial regents Albert of Saxony and Archduchess Maria Christina fled Brussels. The remains of the imperial forces withdrew behind the citadel walls of Luxembourg and Antwerp.
Van der Noot declared Brabant independent, and all other provinces of the Austrian Netherlands with the exception of Luxembourg soon followed suit. On January 11, 1790 they signed a pact, establishing a confederation, headed by Van der Noot, under the name Verenigde Nederlandse Staten / États-Belgiques-Unis (United States of Belgium).
When Prussia abandoned the revolt after the signing the Convention of Reichenbach (July 27, 1790) with Austria the fragile state soon came under attack by the Austrian troops of Emperor Leopold II
Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor
Leopold II , born Peter Leopold Joseph Anton Joachim Pius Gotthard, was Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary and Bohemia from 1790 to 1792, Archduke of Austria and Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1765 to 1790. He was a son of Emperor Francis I and his wife, Empress Maria Theresa...
. In November of 1790 Van der Noot had to flee to the Dutch Republic and thereafter to England. In 1792 he made an appeal for cooperation with the French occupiers (1794–1815). He returned to Brabant but was arrested 1796 and imprisoned in 's Hertogenbosch.
He died in 1826 in Strombeek and his tomb is located in the wall of the vicar's compound of the Sint-Amandsparochie in Strombeek-Bever.