time he ordered some squadrons of cavalry which he had kept in reserve to charge on the flank of the advancing foe.  The effect was instantaneous.  The Spaniards were thrown into confusion, broke and fled.  The victory was complete.  The archduke only just escaped capture, and of his army 5000 perished and a large number were taken prisoners, among these the Admiral of Aragon.  Almost by a miracle was the States’ army thus rescued from a desperate position.  Maurice’s hard-won triumph greatly enhanced his fame, for the battle of Nieuport destroyed the legend of the invincibility of the Spanish infantry in the open field.  The victorious general, however, was not disposed to run any further risks.  He accordingly retreated to Ostend and there embarked his troops for the ports from which they had started.  The expedition had been very costly and had been practically fruitless.  Oldenbarneveldt and those who had acted with him were deeply disappointed at the failure of their plans for the capture of Dunkirk and were far from satisfied with Maurice’s obstinate refusal to carry out any further offensive operations.  From this time there arose a feeling of soreness between the advocate and the stadholder, which further differences of opinion were to accentuate in the coming years.

The vigour and powers of leadership displayed by their new sovereigns in meeting the invasion of Flanders by the States’ army, though a defeat in the field had been suffered at Nieuport, had inspired their subjects in the southern Netherlands with confidence and loyalty.  Albert had proved himself a brave commander, and his efforts had at least been successful in compelling the enemy to withdraw within his own borders.

Ostend had long been a thorn in the side of the government at Brussels and energetic steps were soon taken to besiege it.  But the possession of Ostend was important also to Elizabeth, and she promised active assistance.  The larger part of the garrison was, indeed, formed of English troops, and Sir Francis Vere was governor of the town.  The siege which ensued was one of the memorable sieges of history, it lasted for more than three years (July 15,1601, to September 20,1604) and was productive of great feats of valour, skill and endurance on the part alike of besiegers and besieged.  The States’ army under Maurice, though it did not march to the relief of Ostend, endeavoured to divert the attention of Albert from his objective by attacks directed elsewhere.  In 1601 the fortresses of Rheinberg and Meurs on the Rhine were captured, and an attack made upon Hertogenbosch.  In 1602 the important town of Grave on the Meuse was taken and a raid made into Brabant and Luxemburg.