History of the United Netherlands, 1595-96 | Page 5

a
Calvinist, while his wife was still a determined heretic. It is true that
she was separated from her husband. He was a man of more quickness
and acuteness than his father had been, but if possible more
mischievous both to friend and foe; being subtle, restless, intriguing,
fickle; ambitious, and deceitful. The Prince of Orange was considered a
man of very ordinary intelligence, not more than half witted, according

to Queen Elizabeth, and it was probable that the peculiar circumstances
of his life would extinguish any influence that he might otherwise have
attained with either party. He was likely to affect a neutral position and,
in times of civil war, to be neutral is to be nothing.
Arenberg, unlike the great general on the Catholic side who had made
the name illustrious in the opening scenes of the mighty contest, was
disposed to quiet obscurity so far as was compatible with his rank.
Having inherited neither fortune nor talent with his ancient name, he
was chiefly occupied with providing for the wants of his numerous
family. A good papist, well-inclined and docile, he was strongly
recommended for the post of admiral, not because he had naval
acquirements, but because he had a great many children. The Marquis
of Havre, uncle to the Duke of Arschot, had played in his time many
prominent parts in the long Netherland tragedy. Although older than he
was when Requesens and Don John of Austria had been governors, he
was not much wiser, being to the full as vociferous, as false, as insolent,
as self-seeking, and as mischievous as in his youth. Alternately making
appeals to popular passions in his capacity of high-born demagogue, or
seeking crumbs of bounty as the supple slave of his sovereign, he was
not more likely to acquire the confidence of the cardinal than he had
done that of his predecessors.
The most important and opulent grandee of all the provinces was the
Count de Ligne, who had become by marriage or inheritance Prince of
Espinay, Seneschal of Hainault, and Viscount of Ghent. But it was only
his enormous estates that gave him consideration, for he was not
thought capable of either good or bad intentions. He had, however, in
times past, succeeded in the chief object of his ambition, which was to
keep out of trouble, and to preserve his estates from confiscation. His
wife, who governed him, and had thus far guided him safely, hoped to
do so to the end. The cardinal was informed that the Golden Fleece
would be all- sufficient to keep him upon the right track.
Of the Egmonts, one had died on the famous field of Ivry, another was
an outlaw, and had been accused of participation in plots of
assassination against William of Orange; the third was now about the
archduke's court, and was supposed, to be as dull a man--as Ligne, but
likely to be serviceable so long as he could keep his elder brother out of
his inheritance. Thus devoted to Church and King were the sons of the

man whose head Philip had taken off on a senseless charge of treason.
The two Counts Van den Berg--Frederic and Herman--sons of the sister
of William the Silent, were, on the whole, as brave, efficient, and
trustworthy servants of the king and cardinal as were to be found in the
obedient, provinces.
The new governor had come well provided with funds, being supplied
for the first three-quarters of the year with a monthly: allowance of
1,100,000 florins. For reasons soon to appear, it was not probable that
the States-General would be able very, soon to make a vigorous
campaign, and it was thought best for the cardinal to turn his immediate
attention to France.
The negotiations for, effecting an alliance offensive and defensive,
between the three powers most interested in opposing the projects of
Spain for universal empire, were not yet begun, and will be reserved for
a subsequent chapter. Meantime there had been much informal
discussion and diplomatic trifling between France and England for the
purpose of bringing about a sincere co-operation of the two crowns
against the Fifth Monarchy--as it was much the fashion to denominate
Philip's proposed dominion.
Henry had suggested at different times to Sir Robert Sidney, during his
frequent presence in France as special envoy for the queen, the
necessity of such a step, but had not always found a hearty sympathy.
But as the king began to cool in his hatred to Spain, after his
declaration of war against that power, it seemed desirable to Elizabeth
to fan his resentment afresh, and to revert to those propositions which
had been so coolly received when made. Sir Harry Umton, ambassador
from her Majesty, was accordingly provided with especial letters on the
subject from the queen's own hand,