Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-66) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 669 pages of information about Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-66).

Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-66) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 669 pages of information about Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-66).

The Kings of Spain and Denmark were invited, and were represented by special ambassadors.  The Dukes of Brunswick, Lauenburg, Mecklenburg, the Elector and Margraves of Brandenburg, the Archbishop of Cologne, the Duke of Cleves, the Bishops of Naumburg, Meneburg, Meissen, with many other potentates, accepted the invitations, and came generally in person, a few only being represented by envoys.  The town councils of Erfurt, Leipsic, Magdeburg, and other cities, were also bidden.  The bridegroom was personally accompanied by his brothers John, Adolphus, and Louis; by the Burens, the Leuchtenbergs, and various other distinguished personages.

As the electoral residence at Leipsic was not completely finished, separate dwellings were arranged for each of the sovereign families invited, in private houses, mostly on the market-place.  Here they were to be furnished with provisions by the Elector’s officials, but they were to cook for themselves.  For this purpose all the princes had been requested to bring their own cooks and butlers, together with their plate and kitchen utensils.  The sovereigns themselves were to dine daily with the Elector at the town-house, but the attendants and suite were to take their meals in their own lodgings.  A brilliant collection of gentlemen and pages, appointed by the Elector to wait at his table, were ordered to assemble at Leipsic on the 22d, the guests having been all invited for the 23d.  Many regulations were given to these noble youths, that they might discharge their duties with befitting decorum.  Among other orders, they received particular injunctions that they were to abstain from all drinking among themselves, and from all riotous conduct whatever, while the sovereigns and potentates should be at dinner.  “It would be a shameful indecency,” it was urged, “if the great people sitting at table should be unable to hear themselves talk on account of the screaming of the attendants.”  This provision did not seem unreasonable.  They were also instructed that if invited to drink by any personage at the great tables they were respectfully to decline the challenge, and to explain the cause after the repast.

Particular arrangements were also made for the safety of the city.  Besides the regular guard of Leipsic, two hundred and twenty arquebuseers, spearsmen, and halberdmen, were ordered from the neighboring towns.  These were to be all dressed in uniform; one arm, side and leg in black, and the other in yellow, according to a painting distributed beforehand to the various authorities.  As a mounted patrole, Leipsic had a regular force of two men.  These were now increased to ten, and received orders to ride with their lanterns up and down all the streets and lanes, to accost all persons whom they might find abroad without lights in their hands, to ask them their business in courteous language, and at the same time to see generally to the peace and safety of the town.

Fifty arquebuseers were appointed to protect the town-house, and a burgher watch of six hundred was distributed in different quarters, especially to guard against fire.

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Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1555-66) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.