THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1576-1577

By John Lothrop Motley

1855



PART V.

DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA.


1576-1577 [CHAPTER I.]

Birth and parentage of Don John--Barbara Blomberg--Early education
and recognition by Philip--Brilliant military career--Campaign
against the Moors--Battle of Lepanto--Extravagant ambition--Secret
and rapid journey of the new Governor to the Netherlands--Contrast
between Don John and William of Orange--Secret instructions of
Philip and private purposes of the Governor--Cautious policy and
correspondence of the Prince--Preliminary, negotiations with Don
John at Luxemburg characterized--Union of Brussels--Resumption of
negotiations with the Governor at Huy--The discussions analyzed and
characterized--Influence of the new Emperor Rudolph II. and of his
envoys--Treaty of Marche en Famine, or the Perpetual Edict, signed--
Remarks upon that transaction--Views and efforts of Orange in
opposition to the treaty--His letter, in name of Holland and
Zealand, to the States-General--Anxiety of the royal government to
gain over the Prince--Secret mission of Leoninus--His instructions