The Count of Maçon and the Union of Arras

In 1578 the Count of Maçon, member of the powerful Charolais family, arrives in the Netherlands. The Count of Maçon has good character and is efficient, as well as being both a good general and politician. In him William of Orange gets a powerful opponent. The Count of Maçon quickly understands that Burgundy can keep its mastery of the Netherlands only if it plays on the desires of the Catholic provinces. In 1579 Burgundy manages to get some of the southern Catholic provinces into the Union of Arras, which makes peace with Burgundy. However, some of the Northern provinces now create the Union of Utrecht - the first sign of a new Dutch nation. Later on, the Count of Maçon uses the Union of Arras as a safe base for an invasion of the North and the northerners are only saved by the murder-attempt on the Count of Maçon's two elder brothers in 1588, forcing him to leave for Burgundy immediately.