History United Netherlands, Volume 45, 1586



CHAPTER VII., Part 2.

Leicester's Letters to his Friends--Paltry Conduct of the Earl to
Davison--He excuses himself at Davison's Expense--His Letter to
Burghley--Effect of the Queen's Letters to the States--Suspicion and
Discontent in Holland--States excuse their Conduct to the Queen--
Leicester discredited in Holland--Evil Consequences to Holland and
England--Magic: Effect of a Letter from Leicester--The Queen
appeased--Her Letters to the States and the Earl--She permits the
granted Authority----Unhappy Results of the Queen's Course--Her
variable Moods--She attempts to deceive Walsingham--Her Injustice to
Heneage--His Perplexity and Distress--Humiliating Position of
Leicester--His melancholy Letters to the Queen--He receives a little
Consolation--And writes more cheerfully--The Queen is more
benignant--The States less contented than the Earl--His Quarrels
with them begin.

While these storms were blowing and "overblowing" in England, Leicester
remained greatly embarrassed and anxious in Holland. He had sown the
wind more extensively than he had dreamed of when accepting the
government, and he was now awaiting, with much trepidation, the usual
harvest: And we have seen that it was rapidly ripening. Meantime, the
good which he had really effected in the Provinces by the course he had
taken was likely to be neutralized by the sinister rumours as to his
impending disgrace, while the enemy was proportionally encouraged.
"I understand credibly," he said, "that the Prince of Parma feels himself