The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1580-82

The Rise of the Dutch Republic,
1580-82

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1580-82
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Title: The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1580-82
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4833] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 26,
2002]

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Language: English
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DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1580-82 ***

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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg
Edition, Vol. 33
THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1580-1582
By John Lothrop Motley
1855

CHAPTER IV
.
Captivity of La Noue--Cruel propositions of Philip--Siege of
Groningen--Death of Barthold Enter--His character--Hohenlo
commands in the north--His incompetence--He is defeated on
Hardenberg Heath-- Petty operations--Isolation of
Orange--Dissatisfaction and departure of Count John--Remonstrance of
Archduke Matthias--Embassy to Anjou-- Holland and Zealand offer the
sovereignty to Orange--Conquest of Portugal--Granvelle proposes the
Ban against the Prince--It is published--The document analyzed--The
Apology of Orange analyzed and characterized--Siege of Steenwyk by
Renneberg--Forgeries--Siege relieved--Death of Renneberg--Institution
of the "land-Council"-- Duchess of Parma sent to the
Netherlands--Anger of Alexander-- Prohibition of Catholic worship in

Antwerp, Utrecht, and elsewhere-- Declaration of Independence by the
United Provinces--Negotiations with Anjou--The sovereignty of
Holland and Zealand provisionally accepted by Orange--Tripartition of
the Netherlands--Power of the Prince described--Act of Abjuration
analyzed--Philosophy of Netherland politics.--Views of the government
compact--Acquiescence by the people in the action of the
estates--Departure of Archduke Matthias.
The war continued in a languid and desultory manner in different parts
of the country. At an action near Ingelmunster, the brave and
accomplished De la Noue was made prisoner. This was a severe loss to
the states, a cruel blow to Orange, for he was not only one of the most
experienced soldiers, but one of the most accomplished writers of his
age. His pen was as celebrated as his sword. In exchange for the
illustrious Frenchman the states in vain offered Count Egmont, who
had been made prisoner a few weeks before, and De Belles, who was
captured shortly afterwards. Parma answered contemptuously, that he
would not give a lion for two sheep. Even Champagny was offered in
addition, but without success. Parma had written to Philip, immediately
upon the capture, that, were it not for Egmont, Seller, and others, then
in the power of Oranges he should order the execution of La Noue.
Under the circumstances, however, he had begged to be in formed as to
his Majesty's pleasure, and in the meantime had placed the prisoner in
the castle of Limburg, under charge of De Billy.
[Strada, d. 2, iii. 155, 156. Parma is said to have hinted to Philip that
De Billy would willingly undertake, the private assassination of La
Noue.--Popeliniere, Hist. des Pays Bas; 1556- 1584.]
His Majesty, of course, never signified his pleasure, and the illustrious
soldier remained for five years in a loathsome dungeon more befitting a
condemned malefactor than a prisoner of war. It was in the donjon keep
of the castle, lighted only by an aperture in the roof, and was therefore
exposed to the rain and all inclemencies of the sky, while rats, toads,
and other vermin housed in the miry floor. Here this distinguished
personage, Francis with the Iron Arm, whom all Frenchmen, Catholic
or Huguenot, admired far his genius, bravery, and purity of character,
passed five years of close confinement. The government was most
anxious to take his life, but the captivity of Egmont and others
prevented the accomplishment of their wishes. During this long period,

the wife and numerous friends of La Noue were unwearied in, their
efforts to effect his ransom