Why did William I move to Holland and Zeeland in October 1572?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Portrait of William I, Prince of Orange, by Adriaen Thomasz Key. He wears a dark embroidered coat, a white ruff collar, and a black cap, with a trimmed beard and mustache. — William I Portrait of William I, oil on panel by Adriaen Thomaszoon Key, c. 1579; in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

William I moved to Holland and landed at Enkhuizen on October 21, 1572, to join the rebellious northern provinces and consolidate their position following the failure of his military campaigns in the south.1

Earlier in 1572, the Sea Beggars had captured several ports in Holland and Zeeland, providing William with strategic bases for resistance against Spanish rule. While William had initially planned a coordinated attack from France, the Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day destroyed his hopes for French support, leading to the collapse of his southern military efforts and the disbanding of his mercenaries. By moving to the north, he was able to lead the resistance of the maritime provinces against the Spanish armies.12