 In time the abbey had to provide priests for some forty parishes in these parts.With the erection of new dioceses (1559–60) in Belgium and the Netherlands, heavy burdens were cast on the abbey, for not only had it to provide funds for the new diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch, but the new bishop was put at its head as abbot.This state of affairs lasted until 1590, when, to obtain its independence, the abbey had to give up much property in support of the new diocese.