Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1578

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4830] [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

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MOTLEY’S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 30

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1578

By John Lothrop Motley

1855

CHAPTER V.

Towns taken by Don John—­Wrath excited against the aristocratic party by the recent defeat—­Attempts upon Amsterdam—­“Satisfaction” of Amsterdam and its effects—­De Selles sent with royal letters from Spain—­Terms offered by Philip—­Proclamation of Don John—­ Correspondence between de Selles and the States-General—­Between the King and the Governor-General—­New forces raised by the States—­St. Aldegonde at the Diet—­Municipal revolution in Amsterdam—­The Prince’s letter on the subject of the Anabaptists of Middelburg—­ The two armies inactive—­De la None—­Action at Rijnemants—­John Casimir—­Perverse politics of Queen Elizabeth—­Alencon in the Netherlands—­Portrait of the Duke—­Orange’s position in regard to him—­Avowed and supposed policy of the French court—­Anger of Elizabeth—­Terms arranged between Alencon and the Estates—­Renewed negotiations with Don John—­Severe terms offered him—­Interview of the English envoys with the Governor—­Despondency of Don John—­ Orange’s attempts to enforce a religious peace—­His isolation in sentiment—­The malcontent party—­Count John Governor of Gelderland —­Proposed form of religious peace—­Proclamation to that effect by Orange, in Antwerp—­A petition in favor of the Roman Church presented by Champagny and other Catholic nobles to the States—­ General—­Consequent commotion in Brussels—­Champagny and others imprisoned—­Indolence and poverty of the two armies—­Illness and melancholy of Don John—­His letters to Doria, to Mendoza, and to the King—­Death of Don John—­Suspicions of poison—­Pompous burial—­ Removal of his body to Spain—­Concluding remarks upon his character.

Don John having thus vindicated his own military fame and the amazing superiority of the Spanish arms, followed up his victory by the rapid reduction of many towns of second-rate importance Louvain, Judoigne, Tirlemont, Aerschot, Bauvignes, Sichem, Nivelle, Roeux, Soignies,