Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1577-78

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4829] [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, 1577-78 ***

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, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 29

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1577-1578

By John Lothrop Motley

1855

CHAPTER IV.

Orange invited to visit Brussels—­His correspondence upon the subject with the estates—­general—­Triumphant journey of the Prince to the capital——­Stop put by him to the negotiations with Don John —­New and stringent demands made upon the Governor—­His indignation —­Open rupture—­Intrigue of Netherland grandees with Archduke Matthias—­Policy of Orange—­Attitude of Queen Elizabeth—­Flight of Matthias from Vienna—­Anxiety of Elizabeth—­Adroitness of the Prince—­The office of Reward—­Election of Orange to that dignity—­ His complaints against the great nobles—­Aerschot Governor of Flanders—­A storm brewing in Ghent—­Ryhove and Imbize—­Blood- Councillor Hessels—­Arrogance of the aristocratic party in Flanders —­Ryhove’s secret interview with Orange—­Outbreak at Ghent—­Arrest of Aerschot, Hessels, and others of the reactionary party—­The Duke liberated at demand of Orange—­The Prince’s visit to Ghent—­ Rhetorical demonstrations—­The new Brussels Union characterized—­ Treaty with England—­Articles by which Matthias is nominally constituted Governor-General—­His inauguration at Brussels—­ Brilliant and fantastic ceremonies—­Letter of Don John to the Emperor—­His anger with England—­An army collecting—­Arrival of Alexander Farnese—­Injudicious distribution of offices in the States’ army—­The States’ army fall back upon Gemblours, followed by Don John—­Tremendous overthrow of the patriots—­Wonderful disparity in the respective losses of the two armies.

While these matters were in progress, an important movement was made by the estates-general.  The Prince of Orange was formally and urgently invited to come to Brussels to aid them with his counsel and presence.  The condemned traitor had not set foot in the capital for eleven years.  We have narrated the circumstance of his departure, while the advancing trumpets of Alva’s army were almost heard in