History United Netherlands, 1585


CHAPTER V., Part 2.


Position of Alexander and his Army--La Motte attempts in vain
Ostend--Patriots gain Liefkenshoek--Projects of Gianibelli--Alarm on
the Bridge--The Fire Ships--The Explosion--Its Results--Death of the
Viscount of Ghent--Perpetual Anxiety of Farnese--Impoverished State
of the Spaniards--Intended Attack of the Kowenstyn--Second Attack of
the Kowenstyn--A Landing effected--A sharp Combat--The Dyke pierced
--Rally of the Spaniards--Parma comes to the Rescue--Fierce Struggle
on the Dyke--The Spaniards successful--Premature Triumph at Antwerp
--Defeat of the Patriots--The Ship War's End--Despair of the Citizens

Notwithstanding these triumphs, Parma was much inconvenienced by not
possessing the sea-coast of Flanders. Ostend was a perpetual stumbling-
block to him. He therefore assented, with pleasure to a proposition made
by La Motte, one of the most experienced and courageous of the Walloon
royalist, commanders, to attempt the place by surprise. And La Motte; at
the first blow; was more than half successful.

On the night of the 29th March, (1585) with two thousand foot and twelve
hundred cavalry, he carried the whole of the old port of Ostend. Leaving
a Walloon officer, in whom he had confidence, to guard the position
already gained, he went back in person for reinforcements. During his
advance, the same ill luck attended his enterprise which had blasted
Hohenlo's achievement at Bois-le-Duc. The soldiers he left behind him
deserted their posts for the sake of rifling the town. The officer in