The Southern Netherlands , also called the Catholic Netherlands , were the part of the Low Countries largely controlled by Spain ( 1556 -- 1714 ) , later Austria ( 1714 -- 94 ) , and annexed by France ( 1794 -- 1815 ) .
The Southern Netherlands , also called the Catholic Netherlands , were part of the Low Countries . They were controlled by Spain ( 1556 -- 1714 ) , Austria ( 1714 -- 94 ) and added into France ( 1794 -- 1815 ) .