Events in the year 1787 in the Austrian Netherlands and Prince-bishopric of Liège (predecessor states of modern Belgium).
Incumbents
Habsburg Netherlands Monarch – Joseph II
Governors General – Maria Christina of Austria-Lorraine with Albert Casimir of Saxony
Minister Plenipotentiary – Ludovico di Belgiojoso; Sir Joseph Murray (acting, 19 July to 27 October); Ferdinand von Trauttmansdorff
Prince-Bishopric of Liège Prince-Bishop – César-Constantin-François de Hoensbroeck
Events 1 January – Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, decrees the abolition of existing law courts and the institution of new law courts for the Duchy of Brabant,D. De Stobbeleir, "Verzet tegen de hervormingen van Jozef II en de staatsgreep van 18 juni 1789", tr. M. Erkens, in Doorheen de nationale geschiedenis, vol. 1 (State Archives in Belgium, Brussels, 1980), pp. 262–267. to take effect from 1 May 1787,"Causes of the discontents in the Austrian Netherlands", The Annual Register, 29 (1789), p. 208. On Google Books. and a General Council of Government. 29 January – States of Brabant, meeting in Brussels, admonish the Emperor that the Joyous Entry cannot be unilaterally altered.Paul F. State, Historical Dictionary of Brussels (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015). 20 April – Council of Brabant declares its own abolition unconstitutional. 23 April – Henri Van der Noot presents his "Mémoire sur les droits du peuple brabançon" to the States of Brabant.Janet Polasky, Revolution in Brussels, 1787–1793 (Brussels, 1982). Online. 26 April – States of Brabant refuse to vote taxes until their grievances are addressed. 28 May – Governors General Maria Christina and Albert suspend implementation of Joseph II's reforms. 4 June – Guilds of Brussels assemble to enroll militiamen. 19 July – Ludovico di Belgiojoso recalled as minister plenipotentiary; replaced as acting minister by Sir Joseph Murray July and August – First public disturbances that will become the Brabant Revolution. 20 September – Fighting between Austrian troops and citizen militiamen in Brussels. 21 September – Joseph II's interim minister plenipotentiary, Sir Joseph Murray, suspends the abolition of the Council of Brabant. 27 October – Ferdinand von Trauttmansdorff arrives as minister plenipotentiary. 17 December – Joseph II issues three new reform edicts.
Publications François-Xavier de Feller, Catéchisme philosophique ou Recueil d'observations propres a défendre la religion chrétienne contre ses ennemis (revised edition; Liège)Vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3 on Google Books. Charles Lambert d'Outrepont, Considérations sur la constitution des duchés de Brabant et de Limbourg.On Google Books
Art and architecture
Buildings Church of St. James on Coudenberg in Brussels
Births 28 April – Jean-Joseph Raikem, politician (died 1875) 30 April – Charles d'Hane de Steenhuyze, politician (died 1858) 16 November – François-Joseph Navez, painter (died 1869) 3 December Eduard de Lannoy, composer (died 1853) Philippe Veranneman de Watervliet, mayor of Bruges (died 1844)
Deaths 20 May – Jean Des Roches (born 1740), scholar
References