THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1576

By John Lothop Motley

1855



CHAPTER IV.

Assumption of affairs by the state council at Brussels--Hesitation
at Madrid--Joachim Hopper--Mal-administration--Vigilance of Orange--
The provinces drawn more closely together--Inequality of the
conflict--Physical condition of Holland--New act of Union between
Holland and Zealand--Authority of the Prince defined and enlarged--
Provincial polity characterized--Generous sentiments of the Prince--
His tolerant spirit--Letters from the King--Attitude of the great
powers towards the Netherlands--Correspondence and policy of
Elizabeth--Secret negotiations with France and Alencon--Confused and
menacing aspect of Germany--Responsible, and laborious position of
Orange--Attempt to relieve Zierickzee--Death of Admiral Boisot--
Capitulation of the city upon honourable terms--Mutiny of the
Spanish troops in Schouwen--General causes of discontent--Alarming
increase of the mutiny--The rebel regiments enter Brabant--Fruitless
attempts to pacify them--They take possession of Alost--Edicts,
denouncing them, from the state council--Intense excitement in
Brussels and Antwerp--Letters from Philip brought by Marquis Havre--
The King's continued procrastination--Ruinous royal confirmation of
the authority assumed by the state council--United and general
resistance to foreign military oppression--The German troops and the