The family, of Belgium origin, were refugees fleeing from persecution by the Spanish rulers of the Netherlands. Philip, the King of Spain, had sent the Duke of Alba to the Netherlands in 1567 with a large army to punish those opposed to Spanish rule, to enforce adherence to Roman Catholicism, and to re-establish Philip's authority.
Ang pamilya, ng Belgium pinagmulan, ay refugees fleeing mula sa pagpapahirap sa pamamagitan ng Spanish rulers ng Netherlands. Philip, ang Hari ng Espanya, ay nagpadala ng Duke ng Alba sa Netherlands sa 1,567 na may isang malaking hukbo upang parusahan ang mga patakaran laban sa Espanyol, na ipatupad malasakit sa Katolisismo, at para ma-establish muli Philip's authority.