Title:  The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1567

Author:  John Lothrop Motley

Release Date:  January, 2004 [EBook #4814] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 19, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK the Dutch Republic, 1567 ***

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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, PG EDITION, VOLUME 14.

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

By John Lothrop Motley

1855

1567 [Part III., Alva, chapter 1.]

Continued dissensions in the Spanish cabinet—­Ruy Gomez and Alva—­ Conquest of the Netherlands entrusted to the Duke—­Birth, previous career and character of Alva—­Organization of the invading army—­ Its march to the provinces—­Complaints of Duchess Margaret—­Alva receives deputations on the frontier—­Interview between the Duke and Egmont—­Reception of Alva by the Duchess of Parma—­Circular letters to the cities requiring their acceptance of garrisons—­Margaret’s secret correspondence—­Universal apprehension—­Keys of the great cities demanded by Alva—­Secret plans of the government, arranged before the Duke’s departure—­Arrest of Orange, Egmont, Horn, and others, determined upon—­Stealthy course of the government towards them—­Infatuation of Egmont—­Warnings addressed to him by De Billy and others—­Measures to entrap Count Horn—­Banquet of the Grand Prior—­The Grand Prior’s warning to Egmont—­Evil counsels of Noircarmes—­Arrests of Egmont, Horn, Bakkerzeel and Straalen—­ Popular consternation—­Petulant conduct of Duchess Margaret—­ Characteristic comments of Granvelle—­His secret machinations and disclaimers—­Berghen and Montigny—­Last moments of Marquis Berghen—­ Perfidy of Ruy Gomez—­Establishment of the “Blood-Council”—­Its leading features—­Insidious behavior of Viglius—­Secret correspondence, concerning the President, between Philip and Alva—­ Members of the “Blood-Council”—­Portraits of Vargas and Hessels—­ Mode of proceeding adopted by the council—­Wholesale executions—­ Despair in the provinces—­The resignation of Duchess Margaret accepted—­Her departure from the Netherlands—­Renewed civil war in France—­Death of Montmorency—­Auxiliary troops sent by Alva to France—­Erection of Antwerp citadel—­Description of the citadel.

The armed invasion of the Netherlands was the necessary consequence of all which had gone before.  That the inevitable result had been so long deferred lay