The Dutch contribution the the Miracle part 2. The 80 years war. Dutch Independence. The Sea Beggars and Maurice of Nassau are an irresistible combination. The determination of the Hapsburg kings to keep their provinces is immovable. The Duke of Alba and his Blood Court, the Inquisition, the Spanish Fury and the sacking of Antwerp all get a look in this background episode. We move pretty fast but touch on themes of radicals (these would be Calvinists) rising to influence during unsettled times, taxation, money and war and the importance of tolerance to a commercial society and the determination of the Counter Reformation to put a sword through the idea of tolerance. They will even burn Catholics who don’t oppress Protestants hard enough.