The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1578 part 1

The Rise of the Dutch Republic,
1578 part 1

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Title: The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1578
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4830] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 26,
2002]

Edition: 10
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1578 ***

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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg
Edition, Vol. 30
THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1578
By John Lothrop Motley
1855

CHAPTER V
.
Towns taken by Don John--Wrath excited against the aristocratic party
by the recent defeat--Attempts upon Amsterdam--"Satisfaction" of
Amsterdam and its effects--De Selles sent with royal letters from
Spain--Terms offered by Philip--Proclamation of Don John--
Correspondence between de Selles and the States-General--Between
the King and the Governor-General--New forces raised by the
States--St. Aldegonde at the Diet--Municipal revolution in
Amsterdam--The Prince's letter on the subject of the Anabaptists of
Middelburg-- The two armies inactive--De la None--Action at
Rijnemants--John Casimir--Perverse politics of Queen
Elizabeth--Alencon in the Netherlands--Portrait of the Duke--Orange's
position in regard to him--Avowed and supposed policy of the French

court--Anger of Elizabeth--Terms arranged between Alencon and the
Estates--Renewed negotiations with Don John--Severe terms offered
him--Interview of the English envoys with the Governor--Despondency
of Don John-- Orange's attempts to enforce a religious peace--His
isolation in sentiment--The malcontent party--Count John Governor of
Gelderland --Proposed form of religious peace--Proclamation to that
effect by Orange, in Antwerp--A petition in favor of the Roman Church
presented by Champagny and other Catholic nobles to the States--
General--Consequent commotion in Brussels--Champagny and others
imprisoned--Indolence and poverty of the two armies--Illness and
melancholy of Don John--His letters to Doria, to Mendoza, and to the
King--Death of Don John--Suspicions of poison--Pompous burial--
Removal of his body to Spain--Concluding remarks upon his character.
Don John having thus vindicated his own military fame and the
amazing superiority of the Spanish arms, followed up his victory by the
rapid reduction of many towns of second-rate importance Louvain,
Judoigne, Tirlemont, Aerschot, Bauvignes, Sichem, Nivelle, Roeux,
Soignies, Binch, Beaumont, Walcourt, Tviaubeuge, and Chimay, either
submitted to their conqueror, or were taken after short sieges. The usual
atrocities were inflicted upon the unfortunate inhabitants of towns
where resistance was attempted. The commandant of Sichem was
hanged out of his own window, along with several chief burghers and
officers, while the garrison was put to the sword, and the bodies cast
into the Denver. The only crime committed by these unfortunates was
to have ventured a blow or two in behalf of the firesides which they
were employed to protect.
In Brussels, on the other hand, there was less consternation excited by
these events than boundless rage against the aristocratic party, for the
defeat of Gemblours was attributed, with justice, to the intrigues and
the incapacity of the Catholic magnates. It was with difficulty that
Orange, going about by night from house to house, from street to street,
succeeded in calming the indignation of the people, and in preventing
them from sweeping in a mass to the residence of the leading nobles, in
order to inflict summary vengeance on the traitors. All looked to the
Prince as their only saviour, not a thought nor a word being wasted
upon Matthias. Not a voice was raised in the assembly to vindicate the
secret proceedings of the Catholic party, nor to oppose the measures

which the Prince might suggest. The terrible disaster had taught the
necessity of union. All parties heartily joined in the necessary steps to
place the capital in