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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
- 146 The wonder-man of Alkmaar, Cornelius Drebbel, who performed such astounding feats for the amus.e.m.e.nt of Rudolph of Germany and James of Britain, is also supposed to have invented the thermometer and the barometer. But this claim has been disputed. The
- 145 The republic was among the wealthiest and the most powerful of organized States. Her population might be estimated at three millions and a half, about equal to that of England at the same period. But she was richer than England. Nowhere in the world was s
- 144 It was the secret hope of the present monarch to repair the loss which the kingdom had suffered through the imbecility of his two immediate predecessors. But a great nation cannot with impunity permit itself to be despotically governed for thirty years by
- 143 The revenue of the United Provinces was estimated at between seven and eight millions of florins.It is superfluous to call attention again to the wonderful smallness of the means, the minuteness of the physical enginry, as compared with more modern manife
- 142 They had not conceded Catholic wors.h.i.+p.Mankind were amazed at this result--an event hitherto unknown in history.When before had a sovereign acknowledged the independence of his rebellious subjects, and signed a treaty with them as with equals? When be
- 141 Meantime, Archduke Albert sent his father confessor, Inigo Brizuela, to Spain, in order to make the treaty posed by Jeannin palatable to the king?The priest was to set forth to Philip, as only a ghostly confessor could do with full effect, that he need no
- 140 The personal friends of Barneveld and the whole truce party were in consternation. Even the enemies of the Advocate shrank appalled at the prospect of losing the services of the foremost statesman of the commonwealth at this critical juncture. There was a
- 139 "'Tis a mischievous old monkey," said Villeroy on another occasion, "that likes always to turn its tail instead of going directly to the purpose."The archduke, however, was very indulgent to his plenipotentiary. "My good mast
- 138 Certainly the prince fully deserved the confidence of the States, as well for his own signal services and chivalrous self-devotion, as for the unexampled sacrifices and achievements of William the Silent. His words had the true patriotic ring of his fathe
- 137 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 82, 1608 CHAPTER LI.Designs of Henry IV.--New marriage project between France and Spain
- 136 Especially, commercial greed induced the States to keep a firm clutch on the great river on which the once splendid city of Antwerp stood. Ever since that commercial metropolis had succ.u.mbed to Farnese, the republic had maintained the lower forts, by me
- 135 "'Tis strange," replied the Spaniards, "that you wish to have more than other powers--kings or republics--who never make any such pretensions.The Indies, East and West, are our house, privately possessed by us for more than a hundred years, and no one
- 134 ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: A sovereign remedy for the disease of liberty All the ministers and great functionaries received presents Because he had been successful (hated) But the habit of dissimulation was inveterate By turns, we all govern and are gover
- 133 As to the form of government, defective though it was, the leaders of the republic knew very well in whose interests such sly allusions to their domestic affairs were repeatedly ventured by the French envoys. In regard to treaties with foreign powers it w
- 132 Here is your chain, your ring, your banker's draught. Take them all back to your masters. Such gifts are not necessary to ensure a just peace, while to accept them would be a crime against liberty, which we are incapable of committing."Verreyken, astoni
- 131 The king thought that he had given so many proofs of his sincere friends.h.i.+p as to make doubt impossible; but he had found the contrary, for the States had accorded an armistice, and listened to overtures of peace, without deigning to consult him on th
- 130 Especially Barberini exerted all the powers at his command to bring about a good understanding between the kings of France and Spain. He pictured to Henry, in darkest colours, the blight that would come over religion and civilization if the progress of th
- 129 What need to dilate further upon such a minister and upon such a system of government? To bribe and to be bribed, to maintain stipendiaries in every foreign Government, to place the greatness of the empire upon the weakness, distraction, and misery of oth
- 128 The proof of Moorish guilt was deemed all-sufficient, especially as it was supported by supernatural evidence of the most portentous and convincing kind. For several days together a dark cloud, tinged with blood-red, had been seen to hang over Valencia.In
- 127 "Either I am entirely mistaken in my countrymen," answered Gevaerta, "or they are coming for the express purpose of offering you battle."The Spaniard laughed loud and long. The idea that those puny vessels could be bent on such a purpose seemed to him
- 126 Barneveld probably thought it not worth his while to reply that Philip, with those funds and those troops, had done his best to become King of France, and that his failure proved nothing for the argument either way.Neyen then returned once more to Brussel
- 125 The two leading commercial powers of the Old World were now to begin their great struggle for supremacy in the western hemisphere.A charter for what was called a West India Company was accordingly granted by the States-General. West India was understood t
- 124 It would be certainly difficult to match in history the effrontery of such a question. The republican envoy was asked point blank whether his country would resign her dearly gained liberty and give herself as a dowry for Philip the Second's three-yea
- 123 On the 12th of November he broke up his camp and withdrew to a village called Zelem. On the same day the marquis, having relieved the city, without paying the expected price, retired in another direction, and established what was left of his army in the p
- 122 During the main operations already sketched in the Netherlands, and during those vastly more important oriental movements to which the reader's attention has just been called, a detached event or two deserves notice.Twice during the summer campaign o
- 121 Maurice, arriving at Deventer, and being now strengthened by his cousin Lewis William with such garrison troops as could be collected, learned the mortifying news with sentiments almost akin to despair. It was now to be a race for Coeworden, and the fleet
- 120 Thus an important portion of Zeeland was restored, to its natural owners.A seaport which in those days was an excellent one, and more than a compensation for the isolated fis.h.i.+ng village already beleaguered for upwards of three years, had been capture
- 119 But there was one serious impediment to the contemplated construction of the new earth-works. They had no earth. Nearly everything solid had been already scooped away in the perpetual delving. The sea-d.y.k.es had been robbed of their material, so that th
- 118 The interview had lasted four hours. When it was concluded, James summoned Cecil, and in presence of the amba.s.sador and of some of the counsellors, lectured him soundly on his presumption in disobeying the royal commands in his recent negotiations with
- 117 De Rosny on the termination of his audience, was escorted in great state by the Earl of Northumberland to the barges.A few days later, the amba.s.sador had another private audience, in which the king expressed himself with apparent candour concerning the
- 116 There should be three religions, said Elizabeth--not counting the dispensation from Mecca, about which Turk and Hun might be permitted to continue their struggle on the crepuscular limits of civilization.Everywhere else there should be toleration only for
- 115 I reserve for a subsequent chapter such rapid glances at the interior condition of that kingdom with which it seemed the destiny of the Dutch republic to be perpetually at war, as may be necessary to ill.u.s.trate the leading characteristics of the third
- 114 The stadholder, against his will--for Maurice was never cruel--felt himself obliged to teach the cardinal better jurisprudence and better humanity for the future. In order to show him that there was but one belligerent law on sea and on land, he ordered t
- 113 The same fishermen and fighting men, whom we have but lately seen sailing forth from Zeeland and Friesland to confront the dangers of either pole, were now contending in the Indian seas with the Portuguese monopolists of the tropics.A century long, the ge
- 112 Fifteen hundred of the enemy's dead were counted and registered by Auditor Fleming. The whole number of the slain and drowned was reckoned as high as two thousand, which was at least, a quarter of the whole besieging army. And so ended this winter ni
- 111 a.s.saults, sorties, repulses, ambuscades were also of daily occurrence, and often with very sanguinary results; but it would be almost as idle now to give the details of every encounter that occurred, as to describe the besieging of a snow-fort by school
- 110 Fables have even been told which indicated the popular belief in an intensity of resentment on the part of the prince, which certainly did not exist till long afterwards."Ah, scoundrel!" the stadholder was said to have exclaimed, giving the Advo
- 109 During this "b.l.o.o.d.y bit," as Vere called it, between the infantry on both sides, the little battery of two field-pieces planted on the highest hillock of the downs had been very effective. Meantime, while the desperate and decisive struggle
- 108 Meanwhile, the States' army before Nieuport, not dreaming of any pending interruption to their labours, proceeded in a steady but leisurely manner to invest the city. Maurice occupied himself in tracing the lines of encampment and entrenchment, and o
- 107 At a little later period, at the time of certain informal and secret conferences at Gertruydenberg, the queen threatened the envoy with her severest displeasure, should the States dare to treat with Spain without her permission. "Her Majesty called o
- 106 CHAPTER x.x.xVII.Military Operations in the Netherlands--Designs of the Spanish Commander--Siege of Orsoy--Advance upon Rheinberg--Murder of the Count of Broeck and his garrison--Capture of Rees and Emmerich-- Outrages of the Spanish soldiers in the peace
- 105 But the agony was soon over. By the 1st September the s.h.i.+p was hard and fast. The ice was as immoveable as the dry land, and she would not move again that year even if she ever floated. Those pilgrims from the little republic were to spend the winter
- 104 By John Lothrop Motley History United Netherlands, Volume 71, 1598-1599 CHAPTER x.x.xVI.Commercial prospects of Holland--Travels of John Huygen van Linschoten Their effect on the trade and prosperity of the Netherlands--Progress of nautical and geographic
- 103 Thus the revenues of his foreign dominions being nearly consumed by their necessary expenses, the measure of his positive wealth was to be found in the riches of Spain. But Spain at that day was not an opulent country. It was impossible that it should be
- 102 The body was to be brought to the church, and placed in the stately tomb already prepared for its reception. "Ma.s.s being performed," said the king, "the prelate shall place me in the grave which shall be my last house until I go to my ete
- 101 But Villeroy told him that it was useless to say a word on that subject.His king insisted on the restoration of the place. Otherwise he would make no peace. It was enough, he said, that his Majesty said nothing about Navarre.Richardot urged that at the ti
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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'
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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;
- 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