Holland - The History of the Netherlands | Page 2

II.--His Character and Government--His Wars with
France, and with the Pope--Peace with the Pope--Battle of St.
Quentin--Battle of Gravelines--Peace of Câteau-Cambresis--Death of
Mary of England--Philip's Despotism--Establishes a Provisional
Government--Convenes the States--General at Ghent--His Minister
Granvelle--Goes to Zealand--Embarks for Spain--Prosperity revives--
Effects of the Provisional Government--Marguerite of Palma--
Character of Granvelle--Viglius de Berlaimont--Departure of the
spanish Troops--Clergy--Bishops--National Discontent--Granvelle
appointed Cardinal--Edict against Heresy--Popular Indignation--
Reformation--State of Brabant--Confederacy against Granvelle-- Prince
of Orange--Counts Egmont and Horn join the Prince against
Granvelle--Granvelle recalled--Council of Trent--Its Decrees received
with Reprobation--Decrees against Reformers--Philip's
Bigotry--Establishment of the Inquisition--Popular Resistance.

CHAPTER VIII
COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION
A.D. 1566
Commencement of the Revolution--Defence of the Prince of
Orange--Confederacy of the Nobles--Louis of Nassau--De
Brederode--Philip de St. Aldegonde--Assembly of the Council of
State--Confederates enter Brussels--Take the Title of Gueux--Quit
Brussels, and disperse in the Provinces--Measures of Government--
Growing Power of the Confederates--Progress of the Reformation--
Field Preaching--Herman Stricker--Boldness of the Protestants-- Peter
Dathen--Ambrose Ville--Situation of Antwerp--The Prince repairs to it,
and saves it--Meeting of the Confederates at St. Trond---The Prince of
Orange and Count Egmont treat with them-- Tyranny of Philip and
Moderation of the Spanish Council--Image Breakers--Destruction of
the Cathedral, of Antwerp--Terror of Government--Firmness of
Viglius--Arbitration between the Court and the People--Concessions
made by Government--Restoration of Tranquillity.
CHAPTER IX
TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF REQUESENS
A.D. 1566--1573
Philip's Vindictiveness and Hypocrisy--Progress of
Protestantism--Gradual Dissolution of the Conspiracy--Artifices of
Philip and the Court to disunite the Protestants--Firmness of the Prince
of Orange--Conference at Termonde--Egmont abandons the Patriot
Cause--Fatal Effects of his Conduct--Commencement of
Hostilities--Siege of Valenciennes--Protestant Synod at
Antwerp--Haughty Conduct of the Government--Royalists Repulsed at
Bois-le-duc--Battle of Osterweel, and Defeat of the Patriots--Antwerp
again saved by the Firmness and Prudence of the Prince of
Orange--Capitulation of Valenciennes--Success of the Royalists--Death

of De Brederode--New Oath of Allegiance; Refused by the Prince of
Orange and others--The Prince resolves on voluntary Banishment, and
departs for Germany--His Example is followed by the Lords--Extensive
Emigration--Arrival of the Duke of Orleans--Egmont's
Humiliation--Alva's Powers--Arrest of Egmont and others---Alva's first
Acts of Tyranny--Council of Blood--Recall of the Government--Alva's
Character--He summons the Prince of Orange, who is tried by
Contumacy--Horrors committed by Alva--Desolate State of the
Country--Trial and Execution of Egmont and Horn--The Prince of
Orange raises an Army in Germany, and opens his first Campaign in
the Netherlands--Battle of Heiligerlee--Death of Adolphus of
Nassau--Battle of Jemminghem--Success and skilful Conduct of
Alva--Dispersion of the Prince of Orange's Army--Growth of the naval
Power of the Patriots--Inundation in Holland and Friesland--Alva
reproached by Philip--Duke of Medina-Celi appointed Governor--Is
attacked, and his fleet destroyed by the Patriots--Demands his
Recall--Policy of the English Queen, Elizabeth--The Dutch take
Brille--General Revolt in Holland and Zealand--New Expedition of the
Prince of Orange--Siege of Mons--Success of the Prince--Siege of
Haarlem--Of Alkmaer--Removal of Alva--Don Luis Zanega y
Requesens appointed Governor-General.
CHAPTER X
TO THE PACIFICATION OF GHENT
A.D. 1573--1576
Character of Requesens--His conciliating Conduct--Renews the War
against the States--Siege of Middleburg--Generosity of the Prince of
Orange--Naval Victory--State of Flanders--Count Louis of
Nassau--Battle of Mookerheyde--Counts Louis and Henry
slain--Mutiny of the Spanish Troops--Siege of Leyden--Negotiations
for Peace at Breda--The Spaniards take Zuriczee--Requesens dies--The
Government devolves on the Council of State--Miserable State of the
Country, and Despair of the Patriots--Spanish Mutineers--The
States-General are convoked, and the Council arrested by the Grand

Bailiff of Brabant--The Spanish Mutineers sack and capture Maestricht,
and afterward Antwerp--The States-General assemble at Ghent and
assume the Government--The Pacification of Ghent.
CHAPTER XI
TO THE RENUNCIATION OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF SPAIN
AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
A.D. 1576--1580
Don John of Austria, Governor-General, arrives in the
Netherlands--His Character and Conduct--The States send an Envoy to
Elizabeth of England--She advances them a Loan of Money--The
Union of Brussels--The Treaty of Marche-en-Famenne, called the
Perpetual Edict--The impetuous Conduct of Don John excites the
public Suspicion--He seizes on the Citadel of Namur--The Prince of
Orange is named Protector of Brabant--The People destroy the Citadels
of Antwerp and other Towns--The Duke of Arschot is named Governor
of Flanders--He invites the Archduke Mathias to accept the
Government of the Netherlands--Wise Conduct of the Prince of
Orange--Ryhove and Hembyse possess themselves of supreme Power
at Ghent--The Prince of Orange goes there and establishes Order--The
Archduke Mathias is installed--The Prince of Parma arrives in the
Netherlands, and gains the Battle of Gemblours--Confusion of the
States-General--The Duke of Alencon comes to their
Assistance--Dissensions among the Patriot Chiefs--Death of Don John
of Austria--Suspicions of his having been Poisoned by Order of Philip
II.--The Prince of Parma is declared Governor-General--The Union of
Utrecht--The Prince of Parma takes the Field--The Congress of
Cologne rendered fruitless by the Obstinacy of Philip--The
States-General assemble at Antwerp, and issue a Declaration of
National Independence--The Sovereignty of the Netherlands granted to
the Duke of Alencon.
CHAPTER XII

TO THE MURDER OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE
A.D. 1580--1584
Proscription of the Prince of Orange--His celebrated Apology--Philip
proposes sending