Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1578

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4831] [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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[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. 31

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1578

By John Lothrop Motley

1855

PART VI.

ALEXANDER OF PARMA

1578-1584.

CHAPTER I.

Birth, education, marriage, and youthful character of Alexander Farnese—­His private adventures—­Exploits at Lepanto and at Gemblours—­He succeeds to the government—­Personal appearance and characteristics—­Aspect of affairs—­Internal dissensions—­Anjou at Mons—­John Casimir’s intrigues at Ghent—­Anjou disbands his soldiers—­The Netherlands ravaged by various foreign troops—­Anarchy and confusion in Ghent—­Imbize and Ryhove—­Fate of Hessels and Visch—­New Pacification drawn up by Orange—­Representations of Queen Elizabeth—­Remonstrance of Brussels Riots and image-breaking in Ghent—­Displeasure of Orange—­His presence implored at Ghent, where he establishes a Religious Peace—­Painful situation of John Casimir —­Sharp rebukes of Elizabeth—­He takes his departure—­His troops apply to Farnese, who allows them to leave the country—­Anjou’s departure and manifesto—­Elizabeth’s letters to the states-general with regard to him—­Complimentary addresses by the Estates to the Duke—­Death of Bossu—­Calumnies against Orange—­Venality of the malcontent grandees—­La Motte’s treason—­Intrigues of the Prior of Renty—­Saint Aldegonde at Arras—­The Prior of St. Vaast’s exertions —­Opposition of the clergy in the Walloon provinces to the taxation of the general government—­Triangular contest—­Municipal revolution in Arras led by Gosson and others—­Counter-revolution—­Rapid trials and executions—­“Reconciliation” of the malcontent chieftains—­ Secret treaty of Mount St. Eloi:  Mischief made by the Prior of Renty—­His accusations against the reconciled lords—­Vengeance taken upon him—­Counter movement by the liberal party—­Union of Utrecht—­ The Act analyzed and characterized.

A fifth governor now stood in the place which had