History of the United Netherlands, 1590a

History of the United
Netherlands, 1590a

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Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1590(a)
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4861] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 9,
2002]

Edition: 10
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY
UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1590(a) ***

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HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS From the Death of
William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609
By John Lothrop Motley

MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg
Edition, Vol. 61
History of the United Netherlands, 1590(a)
CHAPTER XXI
.
Effect of the Assassination of Henry III.--Concentration of forces for
the invasion of France--The Netherlands determine on striking a blow
for freedom--Organization of a Dutch army--Stratagem to surprise the
castle of Breda--Intrepidity and success of the enterprise.
The dagger of Jacques Clement had done much, and was likely to do
more, to change the face of Europe. Another proof was afforded that
assassination had become a regular and recognised factor in the
political problems of the sixteenth century. Another illustration was
exhibited of the importance of the individual--even although that
individual was in himself utterly despicable--to the working out of
great historical results. It seemed that the murder of Henry III.--that

forlorn caricature of kingship and of manhood--was likely to prove
eminently beneficial to the cause of the Netherland commonwealth.
Five years earlier, the murder of William the Silent had seemed to
threaten its very existence.
For Philip the Prudent, now that France was deprived of a head,
conceived that the time had arrived when he might himself assume the
sovereignty of that kingdom. While a thing of straw, under the name of
Charles X. and shape of a Cardinal Bourbon, was set up to do battle
with that living sovereign and soldier, the heretic Bearnese, the Duke of
Parma was privately ordered to bend all his energies towards the
conquest of the realm in dispute, under pretence of assisting the Holy
League.
Accordingly, early in the year 1590, Alexander concentrated a
considerable force on the French frontier in Artois and Hainault,
apparently threatening Bergen-op-Zoom and other cities in South
Holland, but in reality preparing to invade France. The Duke of
Mayenne, who had assumed the title of lieutenant-general of that
kingdom, had already visited him at Brussels in order to arrange the
plan of the campaign.
While these measures were in preparation, an opportunity was likely to
be afforded to the Netherlanders of striking a blow or two for liberty
and independence; now that all the force that possibly could be spared
was to be withdrawn by their oppressors and to be used for the
subjugation of their neighbours. The question was whether there would
be a statesman and a soldier ready to make use of this golden
opportunity.
There was a statesman ripe and able who, since the death of the
Taciturn, had been growing steadily in the estimation of his
countrymen and who already was paramount in the councils of the
States-General. There was a soldier, still very young, who was
possessed of the strongest hereditary claims to the confidence and
affection of the United Provinces and who had been passing a studious
youth in making himself worthy of his father and his country.
Fortunately, too, the statesman and the soldier were working most
harmoniously together. John of Olden-Barneveld, with his great
experience and vast and steady intellect, stood side by side with young
Maurice of Nassau at this important crisis in the history of the new

commonwealth.
At length