Gerard Proninck, called Deventer, was a respectable inhabitant of Bois-le-Duc, who had left that city after it had again become subject to the authority of Spain.  He was of decent life and conversation, but a restless and ambitious demagogue.  As a Brabantine, he was unfit for office; and yet, through Leicester’s influence and the intrigues of the democratic party, he obtained the appointment of burgomaster in the city of Utrecht.  The States-General, however, always refused to allow him to appear at their sessions as representative of that city.

Daniel de Burgrave was a Flemish mechanic, who, by the exertion of much energy and talent, had risen to the poet of procureur-general of Flanders.  After the conquest of the principal portion of that Province by Parma, he had made himself useful to the English governor-general in various ways, and particularly as a linguist.  He spoke English—­a tongue with which few Netherlanders of that day were familiar—­and as the Earl knew no other, except (very imperfectly) Italian, he found his services in speaking and writing a variety of languages very convenient.  He was the governor’s private secretary, and, of course, had no entrance to the council of state, but he was accused of frequently thrusting himself into their hall of sessions, where, under pretence of arranging the Earl’s table, or portfolio, or papers, he was much addicted to whispering into his master’s ear, listening to conversation,—­to eaves-dropping; in short, and general intrusiveness.

“A most faithful, honest servant is Burgrave,” said Leicester; “a substantial, wise man.  ’Tis as sufficient a man as ever I met withal of any nation; very well learned, exceeding wise, and sincere in religion.  I cannot commend the man too much.  He is the only comfort I have had of any of this nation.”

These three personages were the leaders of the Leicester faction.  They had much, influence with all the refugees from Flanders, Brabant, and the Walloon Provinces.  In Utrecht, especially, where the Earl mainly resided, their intrigues were very successful.  Deventer was appointed, as already stated, to the important post of burgomaster; many, of the influential citizens were banished, without cause or, trial; the upper branch of the municipal government, consisting of the clerical delegates of the colleges, was in an arbitrary manner abolished; and, finally, the absolute sovereignty of, the Province, without condition, was offered to the Queen, of England.

Leicester was now determined to carry out one of the great objects which the Queen had in view when she sent him to the Netherlands.  She desired thoroughly to ascertain the financial resources of the Provinces, and their capacity to defend themselves.  It was supposed by the States, and hoped by the Earl and by a majority of the Netherland people, that she would, in case the results were satisfactory, accept, after all, the sovereignty.  She certainly was