invites the Archduke Mathias to accept the Government of the Netherlands—­Wise Conduct of the Prince of Orange—­Ryhove and Hembyse possess themselves of supreme Power at Ghent—­The Prince of Orange goes there and establishes Order—­The Archduke Mathias is installed—­The Prince of Parma arrives in the Netherlands, and gains the Battle of Gemblours—­Confusion of the States-General—­The Duke of Alencon comes to their Assistance—­Dissensions among the Patriot Chiefs—­Death of Don John of Austria—­Suspicions of his having been Poisoned by Order of Philip II.—­The Prince of Parma is declared Governor-General—­The Union of Utrecht—­The Prince of Parma takes the Field—­The Congress of Cologne rendered fruitless by the Obstinacy of Philip—­The States-General assemble at Antwerp, and issue a Declaration of National Independence—­The Sovereignty of the Netherlands granted to the Duke of Alencon.

CHAPTER XII

TO THE MURDER OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE

A.D. 1580—­1584

Proscription of the Prince of Orange—­His celebrated Apology—­Philip proposes sending back the Duchess of Parma as Stadtholderess—­Her son refuses to act jointly with her, and is left in the exercise of his Power—­The Siege of Cambray undertaken by the Prince of Parma, and gallantly defended by the Princess of Epinoi—­The Duke of Alencon created Duke of Anjou—­Repairs to England, in hopes of marrying Queen Elizabeth—­He returns to the Netherlands unsuccessful, and is inaugurated at Antwerp—­The Prince of Orange desperately wounded by an Assassin—­Details on John Jaureguay and his Accomplices—­The People suspect the French of the Crime—­ Rapid Recovery of the Prince, who soon resumes his accustomed Activity—­Violent Conduct of the Duke of Anjou, who treacherously attempts to seize on Antwerp—­He is defeated by the Townspeople—­ His Disgrace and Death—­Ungenerous Suspicions of the People against the Prince of Orange, who leaves Flanders in Disgust—­Treachery of the Prince of Chimay and others—­Treason of Hembyse—­He is executed at Ghent—­The States resolve to confer the Sovereignty on the Prince of Orange—­He is murdered at Delft—­Parallel between him and the Admiral Coligny—­Execution of Balthazar Gerard, his Assassin—­Complicity of the Prince of Parma.

CHAPTER XIII

TO THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER, PRINCE OF PARMA

A.D. 1584—­1592

Effects of William’s Death on the History of his Country—­Firm Conduct of the United Provinces—­They reject the Overtures of the Prince of Parma—­He reduces the whole of Flanders—­Deplorable Situation of the Country—­Vigorous Measures of the Northern States—­Antwerp besieged—­Operations of the Siege—­Immense Exertions of the Besiegers—­The Infernal Machine—­Battle on the Dike of Couvestien—­Surrender of Antwerp—­Extravagant