Also, Holland, at one point was conquered by Spain...........England, by France,,,,,,,,,,,,William the conqueror.........in 1066...............both had been part of the Roman empire..............which died at about 500 ad.................they are very connected.........with a deep and complicated history........

National consciousness[edit]

The outcome of the revolt against Spain, better known as the Eighty Years’ War, that had been fought over religious freedom and economic and political independence, and ended in total independence of the reformist northern provinces (see also Dutch Republic), almost certainly would have boosted national morale. Already in 1609 much of this was accomplished, when a temporary truce was signed with Spain, which would last for 12 years