The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1580-82

鈀The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 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]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII

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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 or exchange, but none of the prisoners in the hands of the patriots were considered a fair equivalent. The hideous proposition was even made by Philip the Second to