Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1572-73

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4820] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 19, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK the Dutch Republic, 1572-73 ***

This eBook was produced by David Widger widger@cecomet.net

[Note:  There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the file for those who may wish to sample the author’s ideas before making an entire meal of them.  D.W.]

MOTLEY’S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION, VOLUME 20.

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

By John Lothrop Motley

1855

1572-73 [Chapter viii.]

Affairs in Holland and Zealand—­Siege of Tergoes by the patriots—­ Importance of the place—­Difficulty of relieving it—­Its position—­ Audacious plan for sending succor across the “Drowned Land”—­ Brilliant and successful expedition of Mondragon—­The siege raised—­ Horrible sack of Zutphen—­Base conduct of Count Van den Berg—­ Refusal of Naarden to surrender—­Subsequent unsuccessful deputation to make terms with Don Frederic—­Don Frederic before Naarden—­ Treachery of Romero—­The Spaniards admitted—­General massacre of the garrison and burghers—­The city burned to the ground—­Warm reception of Orange in Holland—­Secret negotiations with the Estates—­ Desperate character of the struggle between Spain and the provinces —­Don Frederic in Amsterdam—­Plans for reducing Holland—­Skirmish on the ice at Amsterdam—­Preparation in Harlem for the expected siege—­ Description of the city—­Early operations—­Complete investment—­ Numbers of besiegers and besieged—­Mutual barbarities—­Determined repulse of the first assault—­Failure of Batenburg’s expedition—­ Cruelties in city and camp—­Mining and countermining—­Second assault victoriously repelled—­Suffering and disease in Harlem—­Disposition of Don Frederic to retire—­Memorable rebuke by Alva—­Efforts of Orange to relieve the place—­Sonoy’s expedition—­Exploit of John Haring—­Cruel execution of prisoners on both sides—­Quiryn Dirkzoon and his family put to death in the city—­Fleets upon the lake—­ Defeat of the patriot armada—­Dreadful suffering and starvation in the city—­Parley with the besiegers—­Despair of the city—­Appeal to Orange—­Expedition under Batenburg to relieve the city—­His defeat and death—­Desperate condition of Harlem—­Its surrender at discretion—­Sanguinary executions—­General massacre—­Expense of the victory in blood and money—­Joy of Philip at the news.

While thus Brabant and Flanders were scourged back