Holland by Night

The 16th century would be a very tumultuous time for the city. As a result of the trade freedom and the relationship with Baltic cities like Riga and Danzig, Amsterdam developed to one of the biggest grain markets of Europe during the 16th century, its harbour only overshadowed by that of Antwerp. The city grew in size, as the population grew from 9000 in 1500 to 100.000 in 1600.
The economic growth in the Netherlands had also caused social changes. Developments, as the growth of literacy, amongst its people had made the Netherlands fertile for new ideas. Many of these new ideas, oft religious, found willing ears among the intellectual and political elite. 
In 1535 a group of Anabaptists tried to take possession of the city. As their brethren in Münster, they believed that the end of time had come and they tried to prepare the city for the coming of the kingdom of God. Their demonstration on the dam ended in their bloody massacre by the city's troops. The year 1555 saw a further step in the repression of Protestantism, with the publication of "het bloedplakkaat" (writ of blood) by King Charles V. All forms of heterodoxy were now punnishable by death. In 1566 "de beeldenstorm" (iconoclasm) hit the city. It was at this time that the conflict between the Dutch people and their Spanish king over tax, rule and religion came to a boil. 
In 1567 king Philip II sent a staunched supporter of the repression of the Protestants, the Duke of Alva, to the Netherlands. His mission was to eradicate heresy, but in reality he and his retinue of Spanish soldiers occupied the Netherlands. This finally pushed the Dutch people over the edge and in 1568 the Dutch Revolt broke out. Appalled by the mess the former prince had made of "his" city Albrecht decided to cleanse the city of all rebellious elements. He was determined to recreate the city according to his antiquated visions. 
In 1572 a group of Dutch rebels called the "Watergeuzen" captured the city of Den Briel. This sparked similar rebellions in the provinces of Holland and Zeeland. Two Ventrue refugees used these rebellions to grasp power and take control of the situation. Peter Fritzenklein took up the princedom of Rotterdam, Hellrich that of Alkmaar. Only a short time in power, they manipulated their cities into joining the rebellion. They urged Albrecht to follow suit and tried to convince him that the rebellion was the future. But Albrecht was to deeply rooted in Medieval thought and refused them. He had them forcefully removed from the city, as he considered them rebels without any respect for their elders. Rumours even indicated a dialogue between Albrecht and the Lasombra in the Spanish retinue (perhaps the first indications of his defection to the Sabbat). 
His ideas and actions had a detrimental effect on the city, as many rich and reformed merchants left the city. At first it seemed that history might prove him right. In 1572 the Spaniards lay Zutphen and Naarden under contribution. In 1573 with the help of Albrecht and his city troops they conquered Haarlem and even laid siege to Alkmaar. Things where looking grim for Fritzenklein and Hellrich. But in 1574 the war took a different turn as the Watergeuzen defeated a Royal Spanish fleet and conquered the city of Middelburg and liberated the city of Leiden. 
Fritzenklein and Hellrich decided to use shift of power to get rid of Albrecht. Amsterdam had become almost completely isolated and its growth had come to standstill. On 11 January 1578 the long reign of Albrecht in Holland came to a bloody end. A hastily called Camarilla tribunal, presided by Fritzenklein, Van Hellrich and the Brujah archon Mercurius convicted him of treason to the Camarilla and of being in collusion with the Sabbat, and he was summarily executed. With mutual consent of the council Hellrich became the new prince of Amsterdam.
On February 8th the city reached a peace with the rest of Holland ("de Satisfactie"). The new prince wasted little time and on the 26th of May followed the "Alteratie", the revolution that removed the Old Roman Catholic city government from power and officially put the city in the camp of the Prince of Orange, the leader of the revolt. The old magistrature, led by the burgomaster, deserted the city that evening in two boats. 
The city received great economic benefits from its new position. In the meantime, the fortunes of war had turned back in the Spanish favour again. The Spanish king proscribed William of Orange. On the 26th of June 1581 the States of the Netherlands published the "Plakaat van Verlatinghe" (Edict of Abandonment) to declare their independence. 
The next problem that faced the States was, who would lead the new "liberated" Lowlands. In 1581 on the advice of William of Orange, sovereignty of the Dutch Provinces was first offered to duke Francois of Anjou, a brother of the French king. Van Hellrich and Fritzenklein quickly blocked this move, as it would surely bring the control of their territories in the hands of the Toreador. They further deemed it necessary that William of Orange was a growing danger, and should be removed. He was assassinated in July 1584 by Balthasar Gerardsz.