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History of the United Netherlands, 1584-1609 Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the History of the United Netherlands, 1584-1609 novel. A total of 146 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : History of the United Netherlands, 1584-1609.by John Lothrop Motley.PREFACE.The indulgen
History of the United Netherlands, 1584-1609.by John Lothrop Motley.PREFACE.The indulgence with which the History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic was received has encouraged me to prosecute my task with renewed industry.A single word seems necessary to
- 1 History of the United Netherlands, 1584-1609.by John Lothrop Motley.PREFACE.The indulgence with which the History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic was received has encouraged me to prosecute my task with renewed industry.A single word seems necessary to
- 2 But the death of Francis of Anjou had brought about a considerable change in French policy. It was now more sharply defined than ever, a right-angled triangle of almost mathematical precision. The three Henrys and their partizans divided the realm into th
- 3 After three weeks' time, during which they "kept themselves continually concealed in Rouen," there arrived in that city a young nephew of Secretary Brulart, who brought letters empowering him to hear what they had in charge for the King. The envoys, no
- 4 Don Antonio remained in Paris, in a pitiable plight, and very much environed by dangers; for the Duke of Guise and his brother had undertaken to deliver him into the hands of Philip the Second, or those of his ministers, before the feast of St. John of th
- 5 He advised Walsingham to advance men and money, upon the security of Sluys and Ostend."I dare venture my life," said he, with much energy, "that were Norris, Bingham, Yorke, or Carlisle, in those ports, he would keep them during the Spanish King's lif
- 6 Walsingham had made up his mind that it was England, not France, that should take up the cause of the Provinces, and defend them at every hazard. He had been overruled, and the Queen's government had decided to watch the course of the French negotiation,
- 7 It was expecting a great deal to look for frankness and promptness from the Lord King of Spain, but the Queen-Mother considered that the Netherland envoys had put a whip into her hand. She was also determined to bring Philip up to the point, without showi
- 8 This was almost prophetic. When after so much talking and tampering, there began to be recrimination among the leaguers, Philip was very angry with his subordinate."Here is Mucio," said he, "trying to throw the blame of all the difficulties, which have
- 9 The Bearnese replied by a clever political squib. A terse and spirited paper found its way to Rome, and was soon affixed, to the statutes of Pasquin and Marforio, and in other public places of that city, and even to the gates of the papal palace. Without
- 10 He was a soldier, courageous, untiring, prompt in action, useful in council, and had distinguished himself in many a hard-fought field. Taken prisoner in the sanguinary skirmish at Maaslandssluys, he had been confined a year, and, for more than three mont
- 11 Still the bridge was believed to be a mere fable, a chimaera. Parma, men said, had become a lunatic from pride. It was as easy to make the Netherlands submit to the yoke of the Inquisition as to put a bridle on the Scheldt. Its depth; breadth, the ice-flo
- 12 "Hollach (Hohenlo) is gone from hence on Friday last," wrote Davison to Walsingham, "he will do what he may to recover his reputation lost in the attempt, of Bois-le-Duc; which, for the grief and trouble he hath conceived thereof, hath for the time gre
- 13 He had gone from Italy to Spain that he might offer his services to Philip, and give him the benefit of many original and ingenious inventions. Forced to dance attendance, day after day, among sneering courtiers and insolent placemen, and to submit to the
- 14 The Spaniards were so reduced by sickness that it was pitiful to see them. The Italians were not in much better condition, nor the Germans."As for the Walloons," said he, "they are deserting, as they always do.In truth, one of my princ.i.p.al dangers i
- 15 "And so we cut all their throats," said Parma, "the rebels on every side remaining at our mercy, and I having no doubt that my soldiers would avenge the loss of their friends."The English and the Scotch, under Balfour and Morgan, were the very last to
- 16 There was much bitter insinuation against the burgomaster--many violent demonstrations. "Aldegonde, they say, is going to see Parma," said one of the burghers, "which gives much dissatisfaction, because, 'tis feared that he will make a treaty accordin
- 17 This capitulation gave more satisfaction to the hungry portion of the Antwerpers than to the patriot party of the Netherlands. Sainte Aldegonde was vehemently and unsparingly denounced as a venal traitor. It is certain, whatever his motives, that his att.
- 18 I have sought to induce him to perform the offices required, without giving him reason to expect any concession as to the exercise of religion. He persuades himself that, in the end, there will be some satisfaction obtained upon this point, and, under thi
- 19 Amid the desolation of France, Duplessis Mornay often solaced himself by distant communion with that kindred and sympathizing spirit."Plunged in public annoyances," he wrote to Sainte Aldegonde, "I find no consolation, except in conference with the goo
- 20 A similar letter was despatched by the same courier to the Earl of Leicester.On the 1st of May, Ortel had audience of the Queen, to deliver the letters from the States-General. He found that despatches, very encouraging and agreeable in their tenor, had a
- 21 He was now in his thirty-eighth year, having been born at Amersfoot on the 14th of September, 1547. He bore an imposing name, for the Olden-Barnevelds of Gelderland were a race of unquestionable and antique n.o.bility. His enemies, however, questioned his
- 22 Seeking protection for and against the people Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London We must all die once Wrath of bigots on both sides HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--16
- 23 "For mine own particular," he said, "I will say with the poet, 'Crede mihi, bene qui latuit bene vixit, Et intra fortunam debet quisque manere suam.'"For, notwithstanding the avidity with which Elizabeth had sought the cautionary towns, and the fier
- 24 as he chivalrously sings, he soon afterwards felt inclined for wider fields of honourable adventure. It was impossible that knight-errant so true should not feel keenest sympathy with an oppressed people struggling against such odds, as the Netherlanders
- 25 The Farneses claimed Portugal; so that children sprung from the bloodroyal of England blended with that of Parma, might choose to make those pretensions valid. But the objection was promptly solved by the Commander:--"The Queen of Scotland is sure to hav
- 26 The amba.s.sador, who knew more of Netherland politics and Netherland humours than any man did, approved of it. The interests of both England and Holland seemed to require it. No one but Leicester knew that her Majesty had forbidden it.Accordingly, no soo
- 27 "Whereas," she said, "we have been given to understand that the Earl of Leicester hath in a very contemptuous sort--contrary to our express commandment given unto him by ourself, accepted of an offer of a more absolute government made by the States unt
- 28 On the following morning s.h.i.+rley saw the Queen walking in the garden of the palace, and made bold to accost her. Thinking, as he said, "to test her affection to Lord Leicester by another means," the artful Sir Thomas stepped up to her, and observed
- 29 He protested, not without a show of reason, that he was like to be worse punished "for well-doing than any man that had committed a most heinous or traitorous offence," and he maintained that if he had not accepted the government, as he had done, "the
- 30 "The letters just brought in," wrote Heneage to Burghley, "have well relieved a most n.o.ble and sufficient servant, but I fear they will not restore the much-repaired wrecks of these far-decayed n.o.ble countries into the same state I found them in. A
- 31 "I stand now in somewhat better terms than I did," said he; "I was not in case till of late to deal roundly with them as I have now done. I have established a chamber of finances, against some of their wills, whereby I doubt not to procure great benefi
- 32 The Queen was further represented as taking great pains to excuse both the expedition of Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, and the mission of Leicester to the Provinces. She was said to throw the whole blame of these enterprises upon Walsingham and other i
- 33 Bodman.--"I supplicate your Lors.h.i.+ps to pardon me, but indeed that cannot be. My instructions forbid my showing the letter."Walsingham (rising).--"I will forthwith go to her Majesty, and fetch the original." A pause. Mr. Secretary returns in a few
- 34 The number of troops for the invading force should be thirty thousand infantry, besides five hundred light troopers, with saddles, bridles, and lances, but without horses, because, in Alexander's opinion, it would be easier to mount them in England. Of t
- 35 In the course of the few following days, a large number of boats was despatched before the very eyes of Parma, from Batenburg into Grave; Hohenlo, who had "most desperately adventured his person" throughout the whole affair, entering the town himself.A
- 36 Sir Philip Sidney had not been well satisfied by the comparative idleness in which, from these various circ.u.mstances; he had been compelled to remain. Early in the spring he had been desirous of making an attack upon Flanders by capturing the town of St
- 37 For the battle was a series of personal encounters in which high officers were doing the work of private, soldiers. Lord North, who had been lying "bed-rid" with a musket-shot in the leg, had got himself put on horseback, and with "one boot on and one
- 38 The laws of Holland and of the other United States were very strict on the subject of citizens.h.i.+p, and no one but a native was competent to hold office in each Province. Doubtless, such regulations were narrow-spirited; but to fly in the face of them
- 39 "E. R."P. S. Let Wilkes see that he is acceptable to you. If anything there be that W. shall desire answer of be such as you would have but me to know, write it to myself. You know I can keep both others' counsel and mine own. Mistrust not that anythin
- 40 "What man living would go to the field and have his officers divided almost into mortal quarrel? One blow but by any of their lackeys brings us altogether by the ears."It was clear that there was not room enough on the Netherland soil for the Earl of Le
- 41 Certainly the selection of Leicester to fill so important a post had not been a very fortunate one; and the enthusiasm which had greeted him, "as if he had been a Messiah," on his arrival, had very rapidly dwindled away, as his personal character became
- 42 History United Netherlands, Volume 51, 1587 CHAPTER XIII.Barneveld's Influence in the Provinces--Unpopularity of Leicester intrigues--of his Servants--Gossip of his Secretary-- Its mischievous Effects--The Quarrel of Norris and Hollock-- The Earl's Part
- 43 Such is the exact narrative, word for word, as given by Sir John and Edward Norris, in a solemn memorial to the Lords of Her Majesty's privy council, as well as to the state-council of the United Provinces. A very few days afterwards Leicester departed f
- 44 "For my courtesy and humanity," he said, "I refer me unto the magistrates themselves. But I think they sent rhetoricians, who could, allege of little grief, and speak pitiful, and truly I find your ears have been as pitiful in so timorously condemning
- 45 Schenk was accordingly absent, jobbing the Rheinberg siege, and in his place one Aristotle Patton, a Scotch colonel in the States' service, was commandant of Gelders. Now the thrifty Scot had an eye to business, too, and was no more troubled with qualms
- 46 The letters of credence were duly presented, but it was obvious from the beginning of the interview that the Queen was ill-disposed toward the deputies, and had not only been misinformed as to matters of fact, but as to the state of feeling of the Netherl
- 47 "Our sharp words continue," said the Secretary, "which doth greatly disquiet her Majesty, and discomfort her poor servants that attend her.The Lord-Treasurer remaineth still in disgrace, and, behind my back, her Majesty giveth out very hard
- 48 After this fabulous preamble, they proceeded to handle the matter of fact with logical precision. It was absurd, they said, that Mr. Wilkes and Lord Leicester should affect to confound the persons who appeared in the a.s.sembly with the States themselves;
- 49 But besides his instructions to smooth and expostulate, in which he had succeeded so well, and had been requited so ill; Buckhurst had received a still more difficult commission. He had been ordered to broach the subject of peace, as delicately as possibl
- 50 It was precisely among these slender d.y.k.es between Kadzand and Bruges that Alexander Farnese had now planted all the troops that he could muster in the field. It was his determination to conquer the city of Sluys; for the possession of that important s
- 51 The story of his mission has been completely detailed from the most authentic and secret doc.u.ments, and there is not a single line written to the Queen, to her ministers, to the States, to any public body or to any private friend, in England or elsewher
- 52 All this and more did the credulous Andrew greedily devour; and he lost no time in communicating the important intelligence to her Majesty and the Lord-Treasurer. He implored her, he said, upon his bare knees, prostrate on the ground, and from the most pr
- 53 ["There is provided for lights a great number of torches, and so tempered that no water can put them out. A great number of little mills for grinding corn, great store of biscuit baked and oxen salted, great number of saddles and boots also there is
- 54 should be let in to swallow the devoted city forever--the inhabitants having been previously allowed to take their departure. For it was a.s.sumed by her Majesty that to attempt resistance would be idle, and that Ostend could never stand a siege.The advic
- 55 Three days after the departure of Garnier, Dr. Dale and his attendants started upon their expedition from Ostend to Ghent--an hour's journey or so in these modern times.--The English envoys, in the sixteenth century, found it a more formidable undert
- 56 "Signor Ruggieri," said he, "you have propounded unto me speeches of two sorts: the one proceeds from Doctor Ruggieri, the other from the lord amba.s.sador of the most serene Queen of England. Touching the first, I do give you my hearty tha
- 57 The pair now made a thorough examination of the town and its neighbourhood, and, having finished their reconnoitring, made the best of their way back to Bruges. As it was then one of Alexander's favourite objects to reduce the city of Ostend, at the
- 58 "I have written two or three verses out of Virgil for the Queen to read,"said he, "which I pray your Lords.h.i.+p to present unto her. G.o.d grant her to weigh them. If your Lords.h.i.+p do read the whole discourse of Virgil in that place,
- 59 He received no commission from the Queen for several months. When it at last reached him, it seemed inadequate, and he became more sullen than ever. He declared that he would rather serve the Queen as a private soldier, at his own expense--"lean as h
- 60 Meantime; while Guise was making his promenade through the city, exchanging embraces with the rabble; and listening to the coa.r.s.e congratulations and obscene jests of the porters and fishwomen, the poor King sat crying all day long in the Louvre. The Q
- 61 The Queen.--"I think differently."De Dieu.--"There is no place within his dominions where he has permitted the exercise of the pure religion. He has never done so."The Queen.--"He conceded it in the pacification of Ghent."De
- 62 Howard had got to sea, and was cruising all the stormy month of March in the Channel with his little unprepared squadron; expecting at any moment--such was the profound darkness which, enveloped the world at that day--that the sails of the Armada might ap
- 63 Nevertheless he never seemed to be aware that Farnese could not invade England quite by himself, and was perpetually expecting to hear that he had done so."Holland and Zeeland," wrote Alexander to Philip, "have been arming with their accust
- 64 HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 By John Lothrop Motley History United Netherlands, Volume 58, 1588 Both Fleets off Calais--A Night of Anxiety--Project of Howard and Winter--Impat
- 65 "I tell you, on the credit of a poor gentleman," he said, "that there were five hundred discharges of demi-cannon, culverin, and demi-culverin, from the Vanguard; and when I was farthest off in firing my pieces, I was not out of shot of the
- 66 The Earl of Pembroke offered to serve at the head of three hundred horse and five hundred footmen, armed at his own cost, and all ready to "hazard the blood of their hearts" in defence of her person. "Accept hereof most excellent sovereign,
- 67 Hereupon, on the night of August 10th, the envoy--"like a wise man," as Stafford observed--sent off four couriers, one after another, with the great news to Spain, that his master's heart might be rejoiced, and caused a pamphlet on the subj
- 68 It was a wild autumnal night, moonless, pitch-dark, with a storm of wind and rain. The waters were out--for the d.y.k.es had been cut in all 'directions by the defenders of the city--and, with exception of some elevated points occupied by Parma'
- 69 A burnt cat fears the fire A free commonwealth--was thought an absurdity Act of Uniformity required Papists to a.s.sist All business has been transacted with open doors And thus this gentle and heroic spirit took its flight Are wont to hang their piety on
- 70 "Who goes there?" he demanded in his turn."A friend," again replied Heraugiere, striking him dead with a single blow as he spoke.Others emerged with torches. Heraugiere was slightly wounded, but succeeded, after a brief struggle, in ki
- 71 The supreme power, after the deposition of Philip, and the refusal by France and by England to accept the sovereignty of the provinces, was definitely lodged in the States-General. But the States-General did not technically represent the people. Its membe
- 72 But the divine right of kings, a.s.sociating itself with the power supreme of the Church, was struggling to maintain that old mastery of mankind which awakening reason was inclined to dispute. Countries and nations being regarded as private property to be
- 73 A census taken at the beginning of the siege had showed a populace of two hundred thousand souls, with a sufficiency of provisions, it was thought, to last one month. But before the terrible summer was over--so completely had the city been invested--the b
- 74 The envoy was especially enthusiastic, however, in regard to the French cavalry. "There are near six thousand horse," said he, "whereof gentlemen above four thousand, about twelve hundred other French, and eight hundred reiters. I never saw
- 75 The pike was eighteen feet long at least, and pikemen as well as halberdsmen carried rapiers.There were three buckler-men to each company, introduced by Maurice for the personal protection of the leader of the company. The prince was often attended by one
- 76 During the whole of the a.s.sault, a vigorous cannonade had been kept up upon other parts of the town, and houses and church-towers were toppling down in all directions. Meanwhile the inhabitants--for it was Sunday--instead of going to service were driven
- 77 Denis, and his reference to the judgment of Solomon, formed the text to his whole career.The brunt of the war now fell upon Brittany and Normandy. Three thousand Spaniards under Don John de Aquila had landed in the port of Blavet which they had fortified,
- 78 When would such an opportunity occur again?The king's wound proved not very dangerous, although for many days troublesome, and it required, on account of his general state of health, a thorough cure. Meantime the royalists fell back from Aumale and N
- 79 To the military student the siege may possess importance as marking a transitional epoch in the history of the beleaguering science. To the general reader, as in most of the exploits of the young Poliorcetes, its details have but slender interest. Perhaps
- 80 The States-General were dissatisfied, all the Netherlanders were dissatisfied--and not entirely without reason--that the English, with whom the republic was on terms not only of friends.h.i.+p but of alliance, should burn their s.h.i.+ps on the high seas,
- 81 It was a species of triangular contest--so far as the chief actors were concerned--for that vacant throne. Philip, Mayenne, Henry of Navarre, with all the adroitness which each possessed, were playing for the splendid prize.Of Philip it is not necessary t
- 82 He had taken particular pains to secure his daughter's right in Brittany, while the d.u.c.h.ess of Mercoeur, by the secret orders of her husband, had sent a certain ecclesiastic to Spain to make over the sovereignty of this province to the Infanta. P
- 83 And thus through the whole of the two memorable campaigns made by Alexander in France, he never failed to give his master the most accurate pictures of the country, and an interior view of its politics; urging above all the absolute necessity of providing
- 84 Clement took to his bed with sickness brought on by all this violence, but had nothing for it but to meet Pisani and other agents of the same cause with a peremptory denial, and send most, stringent messages to his legate in Paris, who needed no prompting
- 85 he wrote to the beautiful Gabrielle, "and was importuned with 'G.o.d save you' till bed-time. In regard to the Leaguers I am of the order of St.Thomas. I am beginning to-morrow morning to talk to the bishops, besides those I told you about
- 86 CHAPTER x.x.x.Prince Maurice lays siege to Gertruydenberg--Advantages of the new system of warfare--Progress of the besieging operations--Superiority of Maurice's manoeuvres--Adventure of Count Philip of Na.s.sau-- Capitulation of Gertruydenberg--Mut
- 87 The besieging army numbered in all nine thousand one hundred and fifty men of all arms, and they lost during the eighty-five days' siege three hundred killed and four hundred wounded.After the conclusion of these operations, and the thorough remodell
- 88 These men were indignant at the imbecility of the course pursued in the obedient provinces. They knew that the incapacity of the Government to relieve the sieges of Gertruydenberg and Groningen had excited the contempt of Europe, and was producing a most
- 89 Renichon then disguised himself as a soldier, proceeded to Antwerp, where he called himself Michael de Triviere, and thence made his way to Breda, provided with letters from Berlaymont. He was, however, arrested on suspicion not long after his arrival the
- 90 By John Lothrop Motley History United Netherlands, Volume 67, 1595 CHAPTER x.x.xI.Formal declaration of war against Spain--Marriage festivities--Death of Archduke Ernest--His year of government--Fuentes declared governor-general--Disaffection of the Duke
- 91 Maurice was a vigorous young commander, but there was a man to be dealt with who had been called the "good old Mondragon" when the prince was in his cradle; and who still governed the citadel of Antwerp, and was still ready for an active campaig
- 92 History United Netherlands, Volume 68, 1595-1596 CHAPTER x.x.xII.Archduke Cardinal Albert appointed governor of the Netherlands-- Return of Philip William from captivity--His adherence to the King of Spain--Notice of the Marquis of Varambon, Count Varax,
- 93 The king had feared some such proposition as this, and had intimated as much to the States' envoy, Calvaert, who had walked with him down to the strand, and had left him when the conference began. Henry was not easily thrown from his equanimity nor w
- 94 For a vast war in which the four leading powers of the earth were engaged, the events, to modern eyes, of the campaign of 1596 seem sufficiently meagre. Meantime, during all this campaigning by land and sea in the west, there had been great but profitless
- 95 So ended the Turkish campaign of the year 1596. Ancel, accordingly, fared ill in his negotiations with Germany. On the other hand Mendoza, Admiral of Arragon, had been industriously but secretly canva.s.sing the same regions as the representative of the S
- 96 The whole force of Varax, at least five thousand strong, was advancing in close marching order towards the narrow pa.s.sage by which only they could emerge from the heath. Should they reach this point in time, and thus effect their escape, it would be use
- 97 Such; in brief, was the substance of the long Latin harangue by which it was thought possible to induce those st.u.r.dy republicans and Calvinists to renounce their vigorous national existence and to fall on their knees before the most Catholic king. This
- 98 interest of the State is in a continuation of the war."But Havre, adept in diplomatic chicane as he undoubtedly was, would have found it difficult to find any man of intelligence or influence in that rebellious commonwealth, of which he was once a se
- 99 There seems but a change of masks, of costume, of phraseology, combined with a noisy but eternal monotony. Yet while men are produced and are whirled away again in endless succession, Man remains, and to all appearance is perpetual and immortal even on th
- 100 But her desire for peace and her determination to get back her money overpowered at that time all other considerations.The States wished to govern themselves, she said; why then could they not make arrangements against all dangers, and why could they not