The Union of Utrecht paved the way for the political unification of the seven northern provinces, creating the United Provinces of the Netherlands. This move not only consolidated the northern Dutch states against Spain but also led to the elimination of public Catholic worship. However, in the south, increasingly militant Protestantism led to violent clashes with Catholic factions. 

Unfortunately, William of Orange’s desire to see the Netherlands united despite religious differences didn’t eventuate. This was due to the polarisation between Catholics and Protestants in the North and also the impossibility of being Catholic and anti-Spanish. Once more the minefield of interconnected religio-political relations in Europe made religious liberty seem like a pipe dream.