Union and Religion

The Union of Utrecht devoted three articles to the religious disputes and their consequences. Yet within nine days of its conclusion the drafters had to publish two addenda to this part of the text: an ‘explanation of the 13th article of the Union’, and an ‘amplification of the 15th article’. Thereafter, no further additions or changes were made to the text of the Union, although there was every reason for it. It is therefore significant that the only explanations and additions concerned the religious issue.