Lobbyen, vleien en herinneren: onderhandelen om privileges bij de Blijde Inkomst van Filips in Antwerpen (1549)

When in September 1549 prince Philip (later Philip II) held his Joyous Entree in the city of Antwerp, he swore allegiance to the Joyous Entree Charter of Brabant but also to the municipal privileges of Antwerp. In the months preceding that ceremonial event, the leaders of Antwerp had negotiated with the Emperor in order to extend the privileges of the city concerning its jurisdiction and the commerce of Antwerpeners. For that purpose, a petition was addressed to the monarch. This document reveals how the Antwerp government perceived its position vis-à-vis the centralizing princely authorities. It demonstrates that, besides inevitable and also sought cooperation between the different spheres of government, the newly developing state-formation processes triggered friction, and local aspirations for more autonomy as well. However, such feelings, and not even the political actions that stemmed from them, could prevent that royal policies became implemented, and they were not considered sufficient to reverse princely measures.