The struggle for Dutch independence also involved competing ideas about government. Rights and privileges held by Dutch nobles and cities were central to their political identity. Philip II expected the more autocratic authority familiar in much of his realm and failed to respect those local expectations. This explanation does not imply that Dutch nobles were morally better than their Spanish counterparts.
Chapter · 6:33-7:14
Dutch local privileges and Philip II's authority
The Dutch Revolt involved conflicting expectations of royal authority and the established rights of cities and nobles.