Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1574-76

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4824] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 26, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK the Dutch republic, 1574-76 ***

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MOTLEY’S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Volume 24

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1574-1576

By John Lothrop Motley

1855

1574-1576 [Chapter III.]

Latter days of the Blood Council—­Informal and insincere negotiations for peace—­Characteristics of the negotiators and of their diplomatic correspondence—­Dr. Junius—­Secret conferences between Dr. Leoninus and Orange—­Steadfastness of the Prince—­ Changes in the internal government of the northern provinces—­ Generosity and increasing power of the municipalities—­Incipient jealousy in regard to Orange rebuked—­His offer of resignation refused by the Estates—­His elevation to almost unlimited power—­ Renewed mediation of Maximilian—­Views and positions of the parties —­Advice of Orange—­Opening of negotiations at Breda—­Propositions and counter-propositions—­Adroitness of the plenipotentiaries on both sides—­Insincere diplomacy and unsatisfactory results—­Union of Holland and Zealand under the Prince of Orange—­Act defining his powers—­Charlotte de Bourbon—­Character, fortunes, and fate of Anna of Saxony—­Marriage of Orange with Mademoiselle de Bourbon—­ Indignation thereby excited—­Horrible tortures inflicted upon Papists by Sonoy in North Holland—­Oudewater and Schoonoven taken by Hierges—­The isles of Zealand—­A submarine expedition projected—­ Details of the adventure—­Its entire success—­Death of Chiappin Vitelli—­Deliberations in Holland and Zealand concerning the renunciation of Philip’s authority—­Declaration at Delft—­Doubts as to which of the Great Powers the sovereignty should be offered—­ Secret international relations—­Mission to England—­Unsatisfactory negotiations with Elizabeth—­Position of the Grand Commander—­Siege of Zieriekzee—­Generosity of Count John—­Desperate project of the Prince—­Death and character of Requesens.

The Council of Troubles, or, as it will be for ever denominated in history, the Council of Blood, still existed, although the Grand Commander, upon his arrival in the Netherlands, had advised his sovereign to consent to the immediate abolition of so odious an institution.  Philip accepting the advice of his governor and his cabinet, had accordingly authorized him by a letter of the 10th of March, 1574, to take that step if he continued to believe it advisable.