The Geuzen (Sea Beggars) were adventurers, pirates and patriots who fought against the Spanish rule in the Dutch provinces.

The Sea Beggars attacked vessels of almost any nation as well as fishing villages and towns on the coast of the Dutch Provinces.

After completing his education, John was assigned to a parish in the Netherlands village of Hoornaar, where he served for the next twenty years.

On 1 April of that year Calvinists and a group called the Watergeuzen (Sea Beggars) conquered Brielle (Den Briel) and later Flushing.

[2] Meanwhile, a letter from William the Silent, Prince of Orange, enjoined all those in authority to leave priests and religious unmolested.