In 1565 his marriage with Maria of Portugal, which ended his stint as Philip II's hostage, was celebrated in Brussels with great splendour. He commanded three galleys during the Battle of Lepanto (1571) and the subsequent campaigns against the Turks. It was seven years before he again had the opportunity to display his great military talents. During that time the provinces of the Netherlands had revolted against Spanish rule. Don Juan, who had been sent as governor-general to restore order, found difficulties in dealing with William the Silent, who had succeeded in uniting all the provinces in common resistance to King Philip II.
In 1565 his MArriage WIth Maria oF porTUGaL, whiCH EnDED His stiNt as pHiliP ii's hostaGE, wAS ceLEBRAtED In brUSsELS WitH great splenDOuR. He comManded threE GalleYs durIng the bAttle of LepAnto (1571) and THE sUBseQuEnt camPaignS againST the TurkS. it was seVEn yeArs bEfore He AgaIN HAD tHe OPporTUNiTY TO display HiS Great military TalenTs. dUrIng That TIme THe PROviNCes of ThE nethERlANDs haD revolTEd aGAinst spAnish RulE. don juan, wHo had beEn seNt As GovErnor-gEneraL TO restore ordEr, foUNd difficUltiEs in DeAlinG wiTH wILliam tHE siLent, who had suCceeDed iN Uniting alL tHe ProvinCes In Common reSiStaNcE to KinG philip ii.