The Spanish Netherlands were a collection of States of the Holy Roman Empire in the Low Countries, held in personal union by the Spanish Habsburgs, but not annexed to the Spanish Crown, thus encompassing the second period in history of the Habsburg Netherlands, that lasted from 1556 to 1714. This region comprised most of the modern states of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg as well as parts of northern France and western Germany, with the capital being Brussels (and Bruges one of its main cities). The Army of Flanders was given the task of defending the territory.

In 1649, when Charles I of England was executed by the Cromwellian forces, “the young Charles, heir to the throne, … fled to Bruges [in Belgium] …, along with his brothers James and Henry, and about 200 loyal followers”.

In 1660, upon the English monarchy being restored, Charles I returned to England reigning until 1685 when his brother James, a Catholic, took over the throne as James II. The latter’s accession, however, was not without some opposition, James having spent, during his brother’s reign, long periods of time in exile in Scotland and Belgium (Bruges). “From 1679 to 1681 three successive Parliaments strove to exclude James from the succession by statute.”

Given the foregoing, it is not surprising to find a record of a “Franciscus Nolan” (Francis Nolan) being born in Bruges (Saint-Gilles parish) on May 14,1686, most likely the son of someone serving the English royal household. In the 1686 record, Francis’ parents are listed as a “Jacobus Nolan (James Nolan) and a “Maria Comyn” (Mary Cummins).

On May 14, 1686, in Brugge (Saint-Gilles), Belgium, a “Jacobus Nolan” [James Nolan] and a “Maria Comyn” [Mary Cummins] had a son named “Franciscus” [Francis].

RN Comment:

According to the family history of the Nowlins of Virginia (branch of the Shangarry Nolans), their ancestor was a Captain James Nolan who, in 1649, followed Charles II into exile. Could the James Nolan who had a son in Bruges in 1686 be the Captain James, ancestor to the Nowlins of Virginia? With regards to the “Nowlin” spelling of the family name, it is interesting to note that on the French isle of St. Pierre, off the western coast of Newfoundland, the Nolan family, in some records, is given as “Noliegne” which is close in pronunciation to the English “Nowlin/Nowling”.

Reference:

• Filae.com website – 1686 Birth Record for “Franciscus Nolan”
• Wiki Reference – In 1686 Belgium was part of the Netherlands
• Wiki Reference – English Royal Family in exile in Bruges in 1649+