Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1563-64

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4808] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 12, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK the Dutch republic, 1563-64 ***

This etext was produced by David Widger widger@cecomet.net

[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, PG EDITION, VOLUME 8.

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

John Lothrop Motley, D.C.L., LL.D.

1855

1563-1564 [Chapter IV.]

Joint letter to Philip, from Orange, Egmont, and Horn—­Egmont’s quarrel with Aerschot and with Aremberg—­Philip’s answer to the three nobles—­His instructions to the Duchess—­Egmont declines the King’s invitation to visit Spain—­Second letter of the three seigniors—­Mission of Armenteros—­Letter of Alva—­Secret letters of Granvelle to Philip—­The Cardinal’s insinuations and instructions—­ His complaints as to the lukewarmness of Berghen and Montigny in the cause of the inquisition—­Anecdotes to their discredit privately chronicled by Granvelle—­Supposed necessity for the King’s presence in the provinces—­Correspondence of Lazarus Schwendi—­Approaching crisis—­Anxiety of Granvelle to retire—­Banquet of Caspar Schetz—­ Invention of the foolscap livery—­Correspondence of the Duchess and of the Cardinal with Philip upon the subject—­Entire withdrawal of the three seigniors from the state council—­the King advises with Alva concerning the recall of Granvelle—­Elaborate duplicity of Philip’s arrangements—­His secret note to the Cardinal—­His dissembling letters to others—­Departure of Granvelle from the Netherlands—­Various opinions as to its cause—­Ludicrous conduct of Brederode and Hoogstraaten—­Fabulous statements in Granvelle’s correspondence concerning his recall—­Universal mystification—­The Cardinal deceived by the King—­Granvelle in retirement—­His epicureanism—­Fears in the provinces as to his return—­Universal joy at his departure—­Representations to his discredit made by the Duchess to Philip—­Her hypocritical letters to the Cardinal—­ Masquerade at Count Mansfeld’s—­Chantonnay’s advice to his brother—­ Review of Granvelle’s administration and estimate of his character.

On the 11th March, 1563, Orange, Horn, and Egmont united in a remarkable letter to the King.  They said that as their longer “taciturnity” might cause the ruin of his Majesty’s affairs,