Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1566-74) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 645 pages of information about Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1566-74).

Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1566-74) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 645 pages of information about Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1566-74).

The Prince had, in truth, used the mutual animosity of Protestant sects to a good purpose; averting bloodshed by the very weapons with which the battle was to have been waged.  Had it been possible for a man like William the Silent to occupy the throne where Philip the Prudent sat, how different might have been the history of Spain and the fate of the Netherlands.  Gresham was right, however, in his conjecture that the Regent and court would not “take the business well.”  Margaret of Parma was incapable of comprehending such a mind as that of Orange, or of appreciating its efforts.  She was surrounded by unscrupulous and mercenary soldiers, who hailed the coming civil war as the most profitable of speculations.  “Factotum” Mansfeld; the Counts Aremberg and Meghem, the Duke of Aerschot, the Sanguinary Noircarmes, were already counting their share in the coming confiscations.  In the internecine conflict approaching, there would be gold for the gathering, even if no honorable laurels would wreath their swords.  “Meghen with his regiment is desolating the country,” wrote William of Orange to the Landgrave of Hesse, “and reducing many people to poverty.  Aremberg is doing the same in Friesland.  They are only thinking how, under the pretext of religion, they may grind the poor Christians, and grow rich and powerful upon their estates and their blood.”

The Seignior de Beauvoir wrote to the Duchess, claiming all the estates of Tholouse, and of his brother St. Aldegonde, as his reward for the Ostrawell victory, while Noircarmes was at this very moment to commence at Valenciennes that career of murder and spoliation which, continued at Mons a few years afterwards, was to load his name with infamy.

From such a Regent, surrounded by such councillors, was the work of William de Nassau’s hands to gain applause?  What was it to them that carnage and plunder had been spared in one of the richest and most populous cities in Christendom?  Were not carnage and plunder the very elements in which they disported themselves?  And what more dreadful offence against God and Philip could be committed than to permit, as the Prince had just permitted, the right of worship in a Christian land to Calvinists and Lutherans?  As a matter of course, therefore, Margaret of Parma denounced the terms by which Antwerp had been saved as a “novel and exorbitant capitulation,” and had no intention of signifying her approbation either to prince or magistrate.

1567 [Chapter X.]

Egmont and Aerschot before Valenciennes—­Severity of Egmont—­ Capitulation of the city—­Escape and capture of the ministers—­ Execution of La Grange and De Bray—­Horrible cruelty at Valenciennes—­Effects of the reduction of Valenciennes—­The Duchess at Antwerp—­Armed invasion of the provinces decided upon in Spain—­ Appointment of Alva—­Indignation of Margaret—­Mission of De Billy—­ Pretended visit of Philip—­Attempts of the Duchess to gain over Orange—­Mission
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Rise of the Dutch Republic, the — Complete (1566-74) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.