 It was the end phase of the so-called Calvinist Republic of Ghent, which had controlled most of the County of Flanders since radical Protestants seized power on 28 October 1577, claiming a leading role for the city of Ghent in the struggle against the Spanish royal forces and Malcontent Catholics.Throughout its existence, the Calvinist Republic of Ghent (1577–1584) was riddled with internal strife between the factions surrounding the intolerant radical Calvinist Jan van Hembyze and the more moderate, Orangist (that is, sympathising with William the Silent, Prince of Orange) François van der Kethulle, lord of Ryhove, while Spanish and Malcontent troops made increasing territorial gains since 1578 and reconquered one place after the other.In 1579, Hembyze first banned Ryhove, then Ryhove had Hembyze removed from the city with Orange's help.