The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1560-61

The Rise of the Dutch Republic,
1560-61

The Project Gutenberg EBook Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1560-61, by
Motley #6 in our series by John Lothrop Motley
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Title: The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1560-61
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4806] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 12,
2002]

Edition: 10
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1560-61 ***

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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION,
VOLUME 6.
THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC
JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, D.C.L., LL.D.
1855

1560-1561 [

CHAPTER II
.]
Agitation in the Netherlands--The ancient charters resorted to as
barriers against the measures of government--"Joyous entrance" of
Brabant--Constitution of Holland--Growing unpopularity of Antony
Perrenot, Archbishop of Mechlin--Opposition to the new bishoprics, by
Orange, Egmont, and other influential nobles--Fury of the people at the
continued presence of the foreign soldiery--Orange resigns the
command of the legion--The troops recalled--Philip's personal attention
to the details of persecution--Perrenot becomes Cardinal de
Granvelle--All the power of government in his hands--His increasing
unpopularity--Animosity and violence of Egmont towards the
Cardinal--Relations between Orange and Granvelle--Ancient friendship
gradually changing to enmity--Renewal of the magistracy at

Antwerp--Quarrel between the Prince and Cardinal--Joint letter of
Orange and Egmont to the King--Answer of the King--Indignation of
Philip against Count Horn--Secret correspondence between the King
and Cardinal--Remonstrances against the new bishoprics--Philip's
private financial statements--Penury of the exchequer in Spain and in
the provinces--Plan for debasing the coin--Marriage of William the
Silent with the Princess of Lorraine circumvented--Negotiations for his
matrimonial alliance with Princess Anna of Saxony-- Correspondence
between Granvelle and Philip upon the subject-- Opposition of
Landgrave Philip and of Philip the Second--Character and conduct of
Elector Augustus--Mission of Count Schwartzburg-- Communications
of Orange to the King and to Duchess Margaret-- Characteristic letter
of Philip--Artful conduct of Granvelle and of the Regent--Visit of
Orange to Dresden--Proposed "note" of Elector Augustus--Refusal of
the Prince--Protest of the Landgrave against the marriage--Preparations
for the wedding at Leipzig--Notarial instrument drawn up on the
marriage day--Wedding ceremonies and festivities--Entrance of
Granvelle into Mechlin as Archbishop-- Compromise in Brabant
between the abbeys and bishops.
The years 1560 and 1561 were mainly occupied with the agitation and
dismay produced by the causes set forth in the preceding chapter.
Against the arbitrary policy embodied in the edicts, the new bishoprics
and the foreign soldiery, the Netherlanders appealed to their ancient
constitutions. These charters were called "handvests" in the vernacular
Dutch and Flemish, because the sovereign made them fast with his
hand. As already stated, Philip had made them faster than any of the
princes of his house had ever done, so far as oath and signature could
accomplish that purpose, both as hereditary prince in 1549, and as
monarch in 1555. The reasons for the extensive and unconditional
manner in which he swore to support the provincial charters, have been
already indicated.
Of these constitutions, that of Brabant, known by the title of the
'joyeuse entree, blyde inkomst', or blithe entrance, furnished the most
decisive barrier against the present wholesale tyranny. First and
foremost, the "joyous entry" provided "that the prince of the land
should not elevate the clerical state higher than of old has been
customary and by former princes settled; unless by consent of the other

two estates, the nobility and the cities."
Again; "the prince can prosecute no one of his subjects nor any foreign
resident, civilly or criminally, except in the ordinary and open courts of
justice in the province, where the accused may answer and defend
himself with the help of advocates."
Further; "the prince shall appoint