GUEUX, or "The Beggars," the name assumed by the confederated nobles and other malcontents who opposed the tyrannical policy of Philip II. of Spain in the Low Countries. Philip having sent nine inquisitors to that country to put into execution the decrees of the council of Trent. provoked by this act the bitter resentment of the Protestants, as well as of the Catholics and nobility, who saw in it an attempt to curtail their ancient liberties. A party of opposition was thus formed, and, headed by counts Louis of Nassau and Henry de Brederode, declared in an act called the "compromise." which was remitted (April 5, 1566) to the regent Margaret, their fixed determination to ignore utterly the authority of the inquisitors. On the admission of a deputation front them to an audience, the regent seemed somewhat unnerved by their bold front, and inclined to yield to their demands; when one of her council approached her, and whispered that she "need not be afraid of these gatherings of beggars." The remark having been overheard by some of the deputation, the abusive epithet was assumed as the title of their association. As a sign of fraternity, each of the " beggars" wore a
medal called the " beggar's denier," made of gold or silver, and stamped on the obverse with the image of Philip II., and the inscription, " in everything faithful to the king;" and on the reverse with a wallet, such as the mendicant monks carried, held in two hands, with the works, "even to carrying of time wallet." The " beggars" maintained a long and vigorous contest against the despotic proceedings of Philip and his advisers, but were ultimately compelled to succumb to superior force. A branch of them, " the Beggars of the Sea," under the bold leadership of the savage count de la Kuck, were almost uniformly successful in their enterprises: they several times defeated the Spanish fleet, captured transports with supplies for Alva's army, captured several for tresses, and succored besieged places along the coast.