THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1574-1576

By John Lothrop Motley

1855


1574-1576 [CHAPTER III.]

Latter days of the Blood Council--Informal and insincere
negotiations for peace--Characteristics of the negotiators and of
their diplomatic correspondence--Dr. Junius--Secret conferences
between Dr. Leoninus and Orange--Steadfastness of the Prince--
Changes in the internal government of the northern provinces--
Generosity and increasing power of the municipalities--Incipient
jealousy in regard to Orange rebuked--His offer of resignation
refused by the Estates--His elevation to almost unlimited power--
Renewed mediation of Maximilian--Views and positions of the parties
--Advice of Orange--Opening of negotiations at Breda--Propositions
and counter-propositions--Adroitness of the plenipotentiaries on
both sides--Insincere diplomacy and unsatisfactory results--Union of
Holland and Zealand under the Prince of Orange--Act defining his
powers--Charlotte de Bourbon--Character, fortunes, and fate of Anna
of Saxony--Marriage of Orange with Mademoiselle de Bourbon--
Indignation thereby excited--Horrible tortures inflicted upon
Papists by Sonoy in North Holland--Oudewater and Schoonoven taken by
Hierges--The isles of Zealand--A submarine expedition projected--
Details of the adventure--Its entire success--Death of Chiappin
Vitelli--Deliberations in Holland and Zealand concerning the
renunciation of Philip's authority--Declaration at Delft--Doubts as