In 1515 George of Saxe-Meissen sold to him his rights over Friesland.

Henry of Bavaria, who in opposition to his wishes had been elected Bishop of Utrecht, was compelled (1528) to cede to him the temporalities of the see, retaining the spiritual office only.

Charles thus added the Upper and Lower _Sticht_--Utrecht and Overyssel--to his dominions.

He made himself (1536) master of Groningen and Drente after a long and obstinate struggle with Charles of Gelderland, and seven years later he forced Charles' successor, William of Juelich and Cleves, to renounce in his favour his claims to Gelderland and Zutphen.

During the reign of Charles V the States-General were summoned many times, chiefly for the purpose of voting subsidies, but it was only on special and solemn occasions, that the representatives of all the seventeen provinces were present, as for instance when Philip received their homage in 1549 and when Charles V announced his abdication in 1555.