The ministers of the reformed religion, and the chiefs of the liberal party, all denounced the image-breaking.  The Prince of Orange deplored the riots.  The leading confederate nobles characterised the insurrection as insensate, and many took severe measures against the ministers and reformers.  The regent was beside herself with indignation and terror.  Philip, when he heard the news, fell into a paroxysm of frenzy.  “It shall cost them dear!” he cried.  “I swear it by the soul of my father!”

The religious war, before imminent, became inevitable.  The duchess, inspired by terror, proposed to fly to Mons, but was restrained by the counsels of Orange, Horn, and Egmont.  On August 25 came the crowning act of what the reformers considered their most complete triumph, and the regent her deepest degradation.  It was found necessary, under the alarming aspect of affairs, that liberty of worship, in places where it had been already established, should be accorded to the new religion.  Articles of agreement to this effect were drawn up and exchanged between the government and Louis of Nassau and fifteen others of the confederacy.

A corresponding pledge was signed by them, that as long as the regent was true to her engagement they would consider their previously existing league annulled, and would cordially assist in maintaining tranquillity, and supporting the authority of his majesty.  The important “Accord” was then duly signed by the duchess.  It declared that the Inquisition was abolished, that his majesty would soon issue a new general edict, expressly and unequivocally protecting the nobles against all evil consequences from past transactions, and that public preaching according to the forms of the new religion was to be practised in places where it had already taken place.

Thus, for a fleeting moment, there was a thrill of joy throughout the Netherlands.  But it was all a delusion.  While the leaders of the people were exerting themselves to suppress the insurrection, and to avert ruin, the secret course pursued by the government, both at Brussels and at Madrid, may be condensed into the formula—­dissimulation, procrastination, and, again, dissimulation.

The “Accord” was revoked by the duchess, and peremptory prohibition of all preaching within or without city walls was proclaimed.  Further, a new oath of allegiance was demanded from all functionaries.  The Prince of Orange spurned the proposition and renounced all his offices, desiring no longer to serve a government whose policy he did not approve, and a king by whom he was suspected.  Terrible massacres of Protestant heretics took place in many cities.

IV.—­Alva the Terrible