Anjouin Period

(1700-1706)

   The Anjouin period refers to the years during the Spanish regime when Brussels was ruled by Philip d'Anjou, a grandson of Louis XIV, who mounted the Spanish throne as Philip V. French regiments entered Brussels in his name in 1701. Crowds welcomed the troops. The regime granted an amnesty to the insurrectionists of 1699, introduced reforms, and promoted economic development.

   The French defeat at Ramillies (23 May 1706) obliged partisans of Philip V, together with the governor, the elector Maximilian II Emmanuel, to leave Brussels. English and Dutch troops entered the city through the porte de Laeken on 27 May 1706. Efforts to promote greater centralization of powers through diminution of local liberties sparked growing disillusionment with the regime.