The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1577-78 | Page 7

would be reconciled to the measure,
and that by his intercession the King of Spain would be likewise
induced to acquiesce. He alluded, moreover, to the conference between
the Marquis of Havre and Orange at Gertruydenberg, and quoted the
opinion of the Prince that it would be unwise, after the invitation had
been given, to insult the Archduke and his whole imperial house, by
beating him with indignity upon his arrival. It was inevitable, said the

envoy, that differences of opinion should exist in large assemblies, but
according to information which he had recently received from Marquis
Havre, then in Brussels, affairs had already become smooth again. At
the conclusion of the conference, Walsingham repeated emphatically
that the only condition upon which the Queen would continue her
succor to the Netherlands was, that the Prince should be forthwith
appointed Lieutenant-General for the Archduke.
The immediate result of this movement was, that Matthias was received
at Antwerp by Orange at the head of two thousand cavalry, and
attended by a vast concourse of inhabitants. Had the Prince chosen a
contrary course, the Archduke might have been compelled to return,
somewhat ridiculously, to Vienna; but, at the same time, the anger of
the Emperor and of all Germany would have been aroused against
Orange and the cause he served. Had the Prince, on the contrary,
abandoned the field himself, and returned to Holland, he would have
left the game in the hands of his adversaries. Ever since he had made
what his brother John called that "dangerous gallows journey" to
Brussels, his influence had been culminating daily, and the jealousy of
the great nobles rising as rapidly. Had he now allowed himself to be
driven from his post, he would have exactly fulfilled their object. By
remaining, he counteracted their schemes.
By taking Matthias wholly into his own possession, he obtained one
piece the more in the great game which he was playing against his
antagonist in the Escorial. By making adroit use of events as they arose,
he made the very waves which were to sink him, carry his great cause
triumphantly onward.
The first result of the invitation to Matthias was the election of Orange
as Ruward of Brabant. This office was one of great historical dignity,
but somewhat anomalous in its functions. The province of Brabant,
having no special governor, was usually considered under the
immediate superintendence of the Governor-General. As the capital of
Brabant was the residence of that functionary, no inconvenience from
this course had been felt since the accession of the house of Burgundy.
At present, however, the condition of affairs was so peculiar--the seat
of government being empty without having been permanently
vacated--that a special opportunity vas offered for conferring both
honor and power on the Prince. A Ruward was not exactly dictator,

although his authority was universal. He was not exactly protector, nor
governor, nor stadholder. His functions were unlimited as to
time--therefore superior to those of an ancient dictator; they were
commonly conferred on the natural heir to the sovereignty--therefore
more lofty than those of ordinary stadholders. The individuals who had
previously held the office in the Netherlands had usually reigned
afterwards in their own right. Duke Albert, of the Bavarian line; for
example, had been Ruward of Hainault and Holland, for thirty years,
during the insanity of his brother, and on the death of Duke William
had succeeded to his title. Philip of Burgundy had declared himself
Ruward of Brabant in 1425, and had shortly afterwards deprived
Jacqueline of all her titles and appropriated them to himself. In the one
case the regent, in the second case the usurper, had become reigning
prince. Thus the movement of the jealous nobles against the Prince had
for its first effect his immediate appointment to an office whose chief
characteristic was, that it conducted to sovereignty.
The election was accomplished thus. The "members," or estates of
Brussels, together with the deans, guilds, and other of the principal
citizens of Antwerp, addressed a request to the states of Brabant, that
William of Orange should be appointed Ruward, and after long
deliberation the measure was carried. The unsolicited honor was then
solemnly offered to him. He refused, and was only, after repeated and
urgent entreaties, induced to accept the office. The matter was then
referred to the states-general, who confirmed the dignity, after some
demur, and with the condition that it might be superseded by the
appointment of a governor- general. He was finally confirmed as
Ruward on the 22d of October, to the boundless satisfaction of the
people, who celebrated the event by a solemn holiday in Antwerp,
Brussels, and other cities. His friends, inspired by the intrigues of his
enemies, had thus elevated the Prince to almost unlimited power; while
a strong expression in favor of his