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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/4847-h.zip b/4847-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe7631b --- /dev/null +++ b/4847-h.zip diff --git a/4847-h/4847-h.htm b/4847-h/4847-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f16d20d --- /dev/null +++ b/4847-h/4847-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18826 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + History of the United Netherlands, Volume I. by John Lothrop Motley + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the United Netherlands, 1584-1586, +Vol. I. Complete, by John Lothrop Motley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1584-86, Vol. I. (of IV) Complete + +Author: John Lothrop Motley + +Release Date: October 15, 2006 [EBook #4847] +Last Updated: November 3, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNITED NETHERLANDS, I. *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + 1584-1586<br /><br /> Volume I., Complete + </h2> + <h3> + From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By John Lothrop Motley + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7552/7552-h/7552-h.htm"><b>IMAGES + and QUOTES</b> </a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /> <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>THE UNITED NETHERLANDS</b> </a><br /><br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> 1584-1585 <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> 1585, Part 1, + Alexander Farnese, The Duke Of Parma <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> + CHAPTER V. </a> 1585, Part 2, Alexander Farnese, The Duke of + Parma <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER V. </a> 1585, + Part 3, Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VI. </a> 1585, Part 1 <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER VI. </a> 1585, Part 2 <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER VII. </a> 1585-1586, Part 1 + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER VII. </a> 1586, + Part 2 <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> 1586 + <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + The indulgence with which the History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic + was received has encouraged me to prosecute my task with renewed industry. + </p> + <p> + A single word seems necessary to explain the somewhat increased + proportions which the present work has assumed over the original design. + The intimate connection which was formed between the Kingdom of England + and the Republic of Holland, immediately after the death of William the + Silent, rendered the history and the fate of the two commonwealths for a + season almost identical. The years of anxiety and suspense during which + the great Spanish project for subjugating England and reconquering the + Netherlands, by the same invasion, was slowly matured, were of deepest + import for the future destiny of those two countries, and for the cause of + national liberty. The deep-laid conspiracy of Spain and Rome against human + rights deserves to be patiently examined, for it is one of the great + lessons of history. The crisis was long and doubtful, and the health—perhaps + the existence—of England and Holland, and, with them, of a great + part of Christendom, was on the issue. + </p> + <p> + History has few so fruitful examples of the dangers which come from + superstition and despotism, and the blessings which flow from the + maintenance of religious and political freedom, as those afforded by the + struggle between England and Holland on the one side, and Spain and Rome + on the other, during the epoch which I have attempted to describe. It is + for this reason that I have thought it necessary to reveal, as minutely as + possible, the secret details of this conspiracy of king and priest against + the people, and to show how it was baffled at last by the strong + self-helping energy of two free nations combined. + </p> + <p> + The period occupied by these two volumes is therefore a short one, when + counted by years, for it begins in 1584 and ends with the commencement of + 1590. When estimated by the significance of events and their results for + future ages, it will perhaps be deemed worthy of the close examination + which it has received. With the year 1588 the crisis was past; England was + safe, and the new Dutch commonwealth was thoroughly organized. It is my + design, in two additional volumes, which, with the two now published, will + complete the present work, to carry the history of the Republic down to + the Synod of Dort. After this epoch the Thirty Years' War broke out in + Germany; and it is my wish, at a future day, to retrace the history of + that eventful struggle, and to combine with it the civil and military + events in Holland, down to the epoch when the Thirty Years' War and the + Eighty Years' War of the Netherlands were both brought to a close by the + Peace of Westphalia. + </p> + <p> + The materials for the volumes now offered to the public were so abundant + that it was almost impossible to condense them into smaller compass + without doing injustice to the subject. It was desirable to throw full + light on these prominent points of the history, while the law of + historical perspective will allow long stretches of shadow in the + succeeding portions, in which less important objects may be more slightly + indicated. That I may not be thought capable of abusing the reader's + confidence by inventing conversations, speeches, or letters, I would take + this opportunity of stating—although I have repeated the remark in + the foot-notes—that no personage in these pages is made to write or + speak any words save those which, on the best historical evidence, he is + known to have written or spoken. + </p> + <p> + A brief allusion to my sources of information will not seem superfluous: I + have carefully studied all the leading contemporary chronicles and + pamphlets of Holland, Flanders, Spain, France, Germany, and England; but, + as the authorities are always indicated in the notes, it is unnecessary to + give a list of them here. But by far my most valuable materials are + entirely unpublished ones. + </p> + <p> + The archives of England are especially rich for the history of the + sixteenth century; and it will be seen, in the course of the narrative, + how largely I have drawn from those mines of historical wealth, the State + Paper Office and the MS. department of the British Museum. Although both + these great national depositories are in admirable order, it is to be + regretted that they are not all embraced in one collection, as much + trouble might then be spared to the historical student, who is now obliged + to pass frequently from the one place to the other, in order to, find + different portions of the same correspondence. + </p> + <p> + From the royal archives of Holland I have obtained many most important, + entirely unpublished documents, by the aid of which I have endeavoured to + verify, to illustrate, or sometimes to correct, the recitals of the elder + national chroniclers; and I have derived the greatest profit from the + invaluable series of Archives and Correspondence of the Orange-Nassau + Family, given to the world by M. Groen van Prinsterer. I desire to renew + to that distinguished gentleman, and to that eminent scholar M. Bakhuyzen + van den Brink, the expression of my gratitude for their constant kindness + and advice during my residence at the Hague. Nothing can exceed the + courtesy which has been extended to me in Holland, and I am deeply + grateful for the indulgence with which my efforts to illustrate the + history of the country have been received where that history is best + known. + </p> + <p> + I have also been much aided by the study of a portion of the Archives of + Simancas, the originals of which are in the Archives de l'Empire in Paris, + and which were most liberally laid before me through the kindness of M. le + Comte de La Borde. + </p> + <p> + I have, further; enjoyed an inestimable advantage in the perusal of the + whole correspondence between Philip II., his ministers, and governors, + relating to the affairs of the Netherlands, from the epoch at which this + work commences down to that monarch's death. Copies of this correspondence + have been carefully made from the originals at Simancas by order of the + Belgian Government, under the superintendence of the eminent archivist M. + Gachard, who has already published a synopsis or abridgment of a portion + of it in a French translation. The translation and abridgment of so large + a mass of papers, however, must necessarily occupy many years, and it may + be long, therefore, before the whole of the correspondence—and + particularly that portion of it relating to the epoch occupied by these + volumes sees the light. It was, therefore, of the greatest importance for + me to see the documents themselves unabridged and untranslated. This + privilege has been accorded me, and I desire to express my thanks to his + Excellency M. van de Weyer, the distinguished representative of Belgium at + the English Court, to whose friendly offices I am mainly indebted for the + satisfaction of my wishes in this respect. A letter from him to his + Excellency M. Rogier, Minister of the Interior in Belgium—who + likewise took the most courteous interest in promoting my views—obtained + for me the permission thoroughly to study this correspondence; and I + passed several months in Brussels, occupied with reading the whole of it + from the year 1584 to the end of the reign of Philip II. + </p> + <p> + I was thus saved a long visit to the Archives of Simancas, for it would be + impossible conscientiously to write the history of the epoch without a + thorough examination of the correspondence of the King and his ministers. + I venture to hope, therefore—whatever judgment may be passed upon my + own labours—that this work may be thought to possess an intrinsic + value; for the various materials of which it is composed are original, and—so + far as I am aware—have not been made use of by any historical + writer. + </p> + <p> + I would take this opportunity to repeat my thanks to M. Gachard, Archivist + of the kingdom of Belgium, for the uniform courtesy and kindness which I + have received at his-hands, and to bear my testimony to the skill and + critical accuracy with which he has illustrated so many passages of + Belgian and Spanish history. + </p> + <p> + 31, HERTFORD-STREET, MAY-FAIR, November 11th 1860. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE UNITED NETHERLANDS. + </h1> + <h3> + From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce—1609 + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Murder of Orange—Extension of Protestantism—Vast Power of Spain— + Religious Origin of the Revolt—Disposal of the Sovereignty—Courage + of the Estates of Holland—Children of William the Silent— + Provisional Council of State—Firm attitude of Holland and Zeeland— + Weakness of Flanders—Fall of Ghent—Adroitness of Alexander + Farnese. +</pre> + <p> + WILLIAM THE SILENT, Prince of Orange, had been murdered on the 10th of + July, 1584. It is difficult to imagine a more universal disaster than the + one thus brought about by the hand of a single obscure fanatic. For nearly + twenty years the character of the Prince had been expanding steadily as + the difficulties of his situation increased. Habit, necessity, and the + natural gifts of the man, had combined to invest him at last with an + authority which seemed more than human. There was such general confidence + in his sagacity, courage, and purity, that the nation had come to think + with his brain and to act with his hand. It was natural that, for an + instant, there should be a feeling as of absolute and helpless paralysis. + </p> + <p> + Whatever his technical attributes in the polity of the Netherlands—and + it would be difficult to define them with perfect accuracy—there is + no doubt that he stood there, the head of a commonwealth, in an attitude + such as had been maintained by but few of the kings, or chiefs, or high + priests of history. Assassination, a regular and almost indispensable + portion of the working machinery of Philip's government, had produced, in + this instance, after repeated disappointments, the result at last which + had been so anxiously desired. The ban of the Pope and the offered gold of + the King had accomplished a victory greater than any yet achieved by the + armies of Spain, brilliant as had been their triumphs on the blood-stained + soil of the Netherlands. + </p> + <p> + Had that "exceeding proud, neat, and spruce" Doctor of Laws, William + Parry, who had been busying himself at about the same time with his + memorable project against the Queen of England, proved as successful as + Balthazar Gerard, the fate of Christendom would have been still darker. + Fortunately, that member of Parliament had made the discovery in time—not + for himself, but for Elizabeth—that the "Lord was better pleased + with adverbs than nouns;" the well-known result being that the traitor was + hanged and the Sovereign saved. + </p> + <p> + Yet such was the condition of Europe at that day. A small, dull, elderly, + imperfectly-educated, patient, plodding invalid, with white hair and + protruding under jaw, and dreary visage, was sitting day after day; seldom + speaking, never smiling, seven or eight hours out of every twenty-four, at + a writing table covered with heaps of interminable despatches, in a + cabinet far away beyond the seas and mountains, in the very heart of + Spain. A clerk or two, noiselessly opening and shutting the door, from + time to time, fetching fresh bundles of letters and taking away others—all + written and composed by secretaries or high functionaries—and all to + be scrawled over in the margin by the diligent old man in a big + schoolboy's hand and style—if ever schoolboy, even in the sixteenth + century, could write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly; + couriers in the court-yard arriving from or departing for the uttermost + parts of earth-Asia, Africa America, Europe-to fetch and carry these + interminable epistles which contained the irresponsible commands of this + one individual, and were freighted with the doom and destiny of countless + millions of the world's inhabitants—such was the system of + government against which the Netherlands had protested and revolted. It + was a system under which their fields had been made desolate, their cities + burned and pillaged, their men hanged, burned, drowned, or hacked to + pieces; their women subjected to every outrage; and to put an end to which + they had been devoting their treasure and their blood for nearly the + length of one generation. It was a system, too, which, among other + results, had just brought about the death of the foremost statesman of + Europe, and had nearly effected simultaneously the murder of the most + eminent sovereign in the world. The industrious Philip, safe and tranquil + in the depths of the Escorial, saying his prayers three times a day with + exemplary regularity, had just sent three bullets through the body of + William the Silent at his dining-room door in Delft. "Had it only been + done two years earlier," observed the patient old man, "much trouble might + have been spared me; but 'tis better late than never." Sir Edward + Stafford, English envoy in Paris, wrote to his government—so soon as + the news of the murder reached him—that, according to his + information out of the Spanish minister's own house, "the same practice + that had been executed upon the Prince of Orange, there were practisers + more than two or three about to execute upon her Majesty, and that within + two months." Without vouching for the absolute accuracy of this + intelligence, he implored the Queen to be more upon her guard than ever. + "For there is no doubt," said the envoy, "that she is a chief mark to + shoot at; and seeing that there were men cunning enough to inchant a man + and to encourage him to kill the Prince of Orange, in the midst of + Holland, and that there was a knave found desperate enough to do it, we + must think hereafter that anything may be done. Therefore God preserve her + Majesty." + </p> + <p> + Invisible as the Grand Lama of Thibet, clothed with power as extensive and + absolute as had ever been wielded by the most imperial Caesar, Philip the + Prudent, as he grew older and feebler in mind and body seemed to become + more gluttonous of work, more ambitious to extend his sceptre over lands + which he had never seen or dreamed of seeing, more fixed in his + determination to annihilate that monster Protestantism, which it had been + the business of his life to combat, more eager to put to death every human + creature, whether anointed monarch or humble artizan, that defended heresy + or opposed his progress to universal empire. + </p> + <p> + If this enormous power, this fabulous labour, had, been wielded or + performed with a beneficent intention; if the man who seriously regarded + himself as the owner of a third of the globe, with the inhabitants + thereof, had attempted to deal with these extensive estates inherited from + his ancestors with the honest intention of a thrifty landlord, an + intelligent slave-owner, it would have yet been possible for a little + longer to smile at the delusion, and endure the practice. + </p> + <p> + But there was another old man, who lived in another palace in another + remote land, who, in his capacity of representative of Saint Peter, + claimed to dispose of all the kingdoms of the earth—and had been + willing to bestow them upon the man who would go down and worship him. + Philip stood enfeoffed, by divine decree, of all America, the East Indies, + the whole Spanish Peninsula, the better portion of Italy, the seventeen + Netherlands, and many other possessions far and near; and he contemplated + annexing to this extensive property the kingdoms of France, of England, + and Ireland. The Holy League, maintained by the sword of Guise, the pope's + ban, Spanish ducats, Italian condottieri, and German mercenaries, was to + exterminate heresy and establish the Spanish dominion in France. The same + machinery, aided by the pistol or poniard of the assassin, was to + substitute for English protestantism and England's queen the Roman + Catholic religion and a foreign sovereign. "The holy league," said + Duplessis-Mornay, one of the noblest characters of the age, "has destined + us all to the name sacrifice. The ambition of the Spaniard, which has + overleaped so many lands and seas, thinks nothing inaccessible." + </p> + <p> + The Netherland revolt had therefore assumed world-wide proportions. Had it + been merely the rebellion of provinces against a sovereign, the importance + of the struggle would have been more local and temporary. But the period + was one in which the geographical land-marks of countries were almost + removed. The dividing-line ran through every state, city, and almost every + family. There was a country which believed in the absolute power of the + church to dictate the relations between man and his Maker, and to utterly + exterminate all who disputed that position. There was another country + which protested against that doctrine, and claimed, theoretically or + practically, a liberty of conscience. The territory of these countries was + mapped out by no visible lines, but the inhabitants of each, whether + resident in France, Germany, England, or Flanders, recognised a + relationship which took its root in deeper differences than those of race + or language. It was not entirely a question of doctrine or dogma. A large + portion of the world had become tired of the antiquated delusion of a + papal supremacy over every land, and had recorded its determination, once + for all, to have done with it. The transition to freedom of conscience + became a necessary step, sooner or later to be taken. To establish the + principle of toleration for all religions was an inevitable consequence of + the Dutch revolt; although thus far, perhaps only one conspicuous man in + advance of his age had boldly announced that doctrine and had died in its + defence. But a great true thought never dies—though long buried in + the earth—and the day was to come, after long years, when the seed + was to ripen into a harvest of civil and religious emancipation, and when + the very word toleration was to sound like an insult and an absurdity. + </p> + <p> + A vast responsibility rested upon the head of a monarch, placed as Philip + II. found himself, at this great dividing point in modern history. To + judge him, or any man in such a position, simply from his own point of + view, is weak and illogical. History judges the man according to its point + of view. It condemns or applauds the point of view itself. The point of + view of a malefactor is not to excuse robbery and murder. Nor is the + spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence of the evil-doer at a time when + mortals were divided into almost equal troops. The age of Philip II. was + also the age of William of Orange and his four brethren, of Sainte + Aldegonde, of Olden-Barneveldt, of Duplessis-Mornay, La Noue, Coligny, of + Luther, Melancthon, and Calvin, Walsingham, Sidney, Raleigh, Queen + Elizabeth, of Michael Montaigne, and William Shakspeare. It was not an age + of blindness, but of glorious light. If the man whom the Maker of the + Universe had permitted to be born to such boundless functions, chose to + put out his own eyes that he might grope along his great pathway of duty + in perpetual darkness, by his deeds he must be judged. The King perhaps + firmly believed that the heretics of the Netherlands, of France, or of + England, could escape eternal perdition only by being extirpated from the + earth by fire and sword, and therefore; perhaps, felt it his duty to + devote his life to their extermination. But he believed, still more + firmly, that his own political authority, throughout his dominions, and + his road to almost universal empire, lay over the bodies of those + heretics. Three centuries have nearly past since this memorable epoch; and + the world knows the fate of the states which accepted the dogma which it + was Philip's life-work to enforce, and of those who protested against the + system. The Spanish and Italian Peninsulas have had a different history + from that which records the career of France, Prussia, the Dutch + Commonwealth, the British Empire, the Transatlantic Republic. + </p> + <p> + Yet the contest between those Seven meagre Provinces upon the sand-banks + of the North Sea, and—the great Spanish Empire, seemed at the moment + with which we are now occupied a sufficiently desperate one. Throw a + glance upon the map of Europe. Look at the broad magnificent Spanish + Peninsula, stretching across eight degrees of latitude and ten of + longitude, commanding the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with a genial + climate, warmed in winter by the vast furnace of Africa, and protected + from the scorching heats of summer by shady mountain and forest, and + temperate breezes from either ocean. A generous southern territory, + flowing with wine and oil, and all the richest gifts of a bountiful + nature-splendid cities—the new and daily expanding Madrid, rich in + the trophies of the most artistic period of the modern world—Cadiz, + as populous at that day as London, seated by the straits where the ancient + and modern systems of traffic were blending like the mingling of the two + oceans—Granada, the ancient wealthy seat of the fallen Moors—Toledo, + Valladolid, and Lisbon, chief city of the recently-conquered kingdom of + Portugal, counting, with its suburbs, a larger population than any city, + excepting Paris, in Europe, the mother of distant colonies, and the + capital of the rapidly-developing traffic with both the Indies—these + were some of the treasures of Spain herself. But she possessed Sicily + also, the better portion of Italy, and important dependencies in Africa, + while the famous maritime discoveries of the age had all enured to her + aggrandizement. The world seemed suddenly to have expanded its wings from + East to West, only to bear the fortunate Spanish Empire to the most dizzy + heights of wealth and power. The most accomplished generals, the most + disciplined and daring infantry the world has ever known, the + best-equipped and most extensive navy, royal and mercantile, of the age, + were at the absolute command of the sovereign. Such was Spain. + </p> + <p> + Turn now to the north-western corner of Europe. A morsel of territory, + attached by a slight sand-hook to the continent, and half-submerged by the + stormy waters of the German Ocean—this was Holland. A rude climate, + with long, dark, rigorous, winters, and brief summers, a territory, the + mere wash of three great rivers, which had fertilized happier portions of + Europe only to desolate and overwhelm this less-favoured land, a soil so + ungrateful, that if the whole of its four hundred thousand acres of arable + land had been sowed with grain, it could not feed the labourers alone, and + a population largely estimated at one million of souls—these were + the characteristics of the Province which already had begun to give its + name to the new commonwealth. The isles of Zeeland—entangled in the + coils of deep slow-moving rivers, or combating the ocean without—and + the ancient episcopate of Utrecht, formed the only other Provinces that + had quite shaken off the foreign yoke. In Friesland, the important city of + Groningen was still held for the King, while Bois-le-Duc, Zutphen, besides + other places in Gelderland and North Brabant, also in possession of the + royalists, made the position of those provinces precarious. + </p> + <p> + The limit of the Spanish or "obedient" Provinces, on the one hand, and of + the United Provinces on the other, cannot, therefore, be briefly and + distinctly stated. The memorable treason—or, as it was called, the + "reconciliation" of the Walloon Provinces in the year 1583-4—had + placed the Provinces of Hainault, Arthois, Douay, with the flourishing + cities Arran, Valenciennes, Lille, Tournay, and others—all Celtic + Flanders, in short-in the grasp of Spain. Cambray was still held by the + French governor, Seigneur de Balagny, who had taken advantage of the Duke + of Anjou's treachery to the States, to establish himself in an + unrecognized but practical petty sovereignty, in defiance both of France + and Spain; while East Flanders and South Brabant still remained a disputed + territory, and the immediate field of contest. With these limitations, it + may be assumed, for general purposes, that the territory of the United + States was that of the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the + obedient Provinces occupied what is now the territory of Belgium. + </p> + <p> + Such, then, were the combatants in the great eighty years' war for civil + and religious liberty; sixteen of which had now passed away. On the one + side, one of the most powerful and, populous world-empires of history, + then in the zenith of its prosperity; on the other hand, a slender group + of cities, governed by merchants and artisans, and planted precariously + upon a meagre, unstable soil. A million and a half of souls against the + autocrat of a third part of the known world. The contest seemed as + desperate as the cause was certainly sacred; but it had ceased to be a + local contest. For the history which is to occupy us in these volumes is + not exclusively the history of Holland. It is the story of the great + combat between despotism, sacerdotal and regal, and the spirit of rational + human liberty. The tragedy opened in the Netherlands, and its main scenes + were long enacted there; but as the ambition of Spain expanded, and as the + resistance to the principle which she represented became more general, + other nations were, of necessity, involved in the struggle. There came to + be one country, the citizens of which were the Leaguers; and another + country, whose inhabitants were Protestants. And in this lay the + distinction between freedom and absolutism. The religious question + swallowed all the others. There was never a period in the early history of + the Dutch revolt when the Provinces would not have returned to their + obedience, could they have been assured of enjoying liberty of conscience + or religious peace; nor was there ever a single moment in Philip II.'s + life in which he wavered in his fixed determination never to listen to + such a claim. The quarrel was in its nature irreconcilable and eternal as + the warfare between wrong and right; and the establishment of a + comparative civil liberty in Europe and America was the result of the + religious war of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The struggle + lasted eighty years, but the prize was worth the contest. + </p> + <p> + The object of the war between the Netherlands and Spain was not, + therefore, primarily, a rebellion against established authority for the + maintenance of civil rights. To preserve these rights was secondary. The + first cause was religion. The Provinces had been fighting for years + against the Inquisition. Had they not taken arms, the Inquisition would + have been established in the Netherlands, and very probably in England, + and England might have become in its turn a Province of the Spanish + Empire. + </p> + <p> + The death of William the Silent produced a sudden change in the political + arrangements of the liberated Netherlands. During the year 1583, the + United Provinces had elected Francis, Duke of Anjou, to be Duke of Brabant + and sovereign of the whole country, under certain constitutional + provisions enumerated in articles of solemn compact. That compact had been + grossly violated. The Duke had made a treacherous attempt to possess + himself of absolute power and to seize several important cities. He had + been signally defeated in Antwerp, and obliged to leave the country, + covered with ignominy. The States had then consulted William of Orange as + to the course to be taken in the emergency. The Prince had told them that + their choice was triple. They might reconcile themselves with Spain, and + abandon the contest for religious liberty which they had so long been + waging; they might reconcile themselves with Anjou, notwithstanding that + he had so utterly forfeited all claims to their consideration; or they + might fight the matter out with Spain single-handed. The last course was, + in his opinion, the most eligible one, and he was ready to sacrifice his + life to its furtherance. It was, however, indispensable, should that + policy be adopted, that much larger supplies should be voted than had + hitherto been raised, and, in general, that a much more extensive and + elevated spirit of patriotism should manifest itself than had hitherto + been displayed. + </p> + <p> + It was, on the whole, decided to make a second arrangement with the Duke + of Anjou, Queen Elizabeth warmly urging that course. At the same time, + however, that articles of agreement were drawn up for the installation of + Anjou as sovereign of the United Provinces, the Prince had himself + consented to accept the title of Count of Holland, under an ample + constitutional charter, dictated by his own lips. Neither Anjou nor Orange + lived to be inaugurated into the offices thus bestowed upon them. The Duke + died at Chateau-Thierry on the 10th June, and the Prince was assassinated + a month later at Delft. + </p> + <p> + What now was the political position of the United Provinces at this + juncture? The sovereignty which had been held by the Estates, ready to be + conferred respectively upon Anjou and Orange, remained in the hands of the + Estates. There was no opposition to this theory. No more enlarged view of + the social compact had yet been taken. The people, as such, claimed no + sovereignty. Had any champion claimed it for them they would hardly have + understood him. The nation dealt with facts. After abjuring Philip in 1581—an + act which had been accomplished by the Estates—the same Estates in + general assembly had exercised sovereign power, and had twice disposed of + that sovereign power by electing a hereditary ruler. Their right and their + power to do this had been disputed by none, save by the deposed monarch in + Spain. Having the sovereignty to dispose of, it seemed logical that the + Estates might keep it, if so inclined. They did keep it, but only in + trust. While Orange lived, he might often have been elected sovereign of + all the Provinces, could he have been induced to consent. After his death, + the Estates retained, ex necessitate, the sovereignty; and it will soon be + related what they intended to do with it. One thing is very certain, that + neither Orange, while he lived, nor the Estates, after his death, were + actuated in their policy by personal ambition. It will be seen that the + first object of the Estates was to dispossess themselves of the + sovereignty which had again fallen into their hands. + </p> + <p> + What were the Estates? Without, at the present moment, any farther + inquiries into that constitutional system which had been long + consolidating itself, and was destined to exist upon a firmer basis for + centuries longer, it will be sufficient to observe, that the great + characteristic of the Netherland government was the municipality. + </p> + <p> + Each Province contained a large number of cities, which were governed by a + board of magistrates, varying in number from twenty to forty. This + college, called the Vroedschap (Assembly of Sages), consisted of the most + notable citizens, and was a self-electing body—a close corporation—the + members being appointed for life, from the citizens at large. Whenever + vacancies occurred from death or loss of citizenship, the college chose + new members—sometimes immediately, sometimes by means of a double or + triple selection of names, the choice of one from among which was offered + to the stadtholder of the province. This functionary was appointed by the + Count, as he was called, whether Duke of Bavaria or of Burgundy, Emperor, + or King. After the abjuration of Philip, the governors were appointed by + the Estates of each Province. + </p> + <p> + The Sage-Men chose annually a board of senators, or schepens, whose + functions were mainly judicial; and there were generally two, and + sometimes three, burgomasters, appointed in the same way. This was the + popular branch of the Estates. But, besides this body of representatives, + were the nobles, men of ancient lineage and large possessions, who had + exercised, according to the general feudal law of Europe, high, low, and + intermediate jurisdiction upon their estates, and had long been recognized + as an integral part of the body politic, having the right to appear, + through delegates of their order, in the provincial and in the general + assemblies. + </p> + <p> + Regarded as a machine for bringing the most decided political capacities + into the administration of public affairs, and for organising the most + practical opposition to the system of religious tyranny, the Netherland + constitution was a healthy, and, for the age, an enlightened one. The + officeholders, it is obvious, were not greedy for the spoils of office; + for it was, unfortunately, often the case that their necessary expenses in + the service of the state were not defrayed. The people raised enormous + contributions for carrying on the war; but they could not afford to be + extremely generous to their faithful servants. + </p> + <p> + Thus constituted was the commonwealth upon the death of William the + Silent. The gloom produced by that event was tragical. Never in human + history was a more poignant and universal sorrow for the death of any + individual. The despair was, for a brief season, absolute; but it was soon + succeeded by more lofty sentiments. It seemed, after they had laid their + hero in the tomb, as though his spirit still hovered above the nation + which he had loved so well, and was inspiring it with a portion of his own + energy and wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Even on the very day of the murder, the Estates of Holland, then sitting + at Delft, passed a resolution "to maintain the good cause, with God's + help, to the uttermost, without sparing gold or blood." This decree was + communicated to Admiral de Warmont, to Count Hohenlo, to William Lewis of + Nassau, and to other commanders by land and sea. At the same time, the + sixteen members—for no greater number happened to be present at the + session—addressed letters to their absent colleagues, informing them + of the calamity which had befallen them, summoning them at once to + conference, and urging an immediate convocation of the Estates of all the + Provinces in General Assembly. They also addressed strong letters of + encouragement, mingled with manly condolence, upon the common affliction, + to prominent military and naval commanders and civil functionaries, + begging them to "bear themselves manfully and valiantly, without faltering + in the least on account of the great misfortune which had occurred, or + allowing themselves to be seduced by any one from the union of the + States." Among these sixteen were Van Zuylen, Van Nyvelt, the Seigneur de + Warmont, the Advocate of Holland, Paul Buys, Joost de Menin, and John van + Olden-Barneveldt. A noble example was thus set at once to their fellow + citizens by these their representatives—a manful step taken forward + in the path where Orange had so long been leading. + </p> + <p> + The next movement, after the last solemn obsequies had been rendered to + the Prince was to provide for the immediate wants of his family. For the + man who had gone into the revolt with almost royal revenues, left his + estate so embarrassed that his carpets, tapestries, household linen—nay, + even his silver spoons, and the very clothes of his wardrobe were disposed + of at auction for the benefit of his creditors. He left eleven children—a + son and daughter by the first wife, a son and daughter by Anna of Saxony, + six daughters by Charlotte of Bourbon, and an infant, Frederic Henry, born + six months before his death. The eldest son, Philip William, had been a + captive in Spain for seventeen years, having been kidnapped from school, + in Leyden, in the year 1567. He had already become so thoroughly + Hispaniolized under the masterly treatment of the King and the Jesuits, + that even his face had lost all resemblance to the type of his heroic + family, and had acquired a sinister, gloomy, forbidding expression, most + painful to contemplate. All of good that he had retained was a reverence + for his father's name—a sentiment which he had manifested to an + extravagant extent on a memorable occasion in Madrid, by throwing out of + window, and killing on the spot a Spanish officer who had dared to mention + the great Prince with insult. + </p> + <p> + The next son was Maurice, then seventeen years of age, a handsome youth, + with dark blue eyes, well-chiselled features, and full red lips, who had + already manifested a courage and concentration of character beyond his + years. The son of William the Silent, the grandson of Maurice of Saxony, + whom he resembled in visage and character, he was summoned by every drop + of blood in his veins to do life-long battle with the spirit of Spanish + absolutism, and he was already girding himself for his life's work. He + assumed at once for his device a fallen oak, with a young sapling + springing from its root. His motto, "Tandem fit surculus arbor," "the twig + shall yet become a tree"—was to be nobly justified by his career. + </p> + <p> + The remaining son, then a six months' child, was also destined to high + fortunes, and to win an enduring name in his country's history. For the + present he remained with his mother, the noble Louisa de Coligny, who had + thus seen, at long intervals, her father and two husbands fall victims to + the Spanish policy; for it is as certain that Philip knew beforehand, and + testified his approbation of, the massacre of St. Bartholomew, as that he + was the murderer of Orange. + </p> + <p> + The Estates of Holland implored the widowed Princess to remain in their + territory, settling a liberal allowance upon herself and her child, and + she fixed her residence at Leyden. + </p> + <p> + But her position was most melancholy. Married in youth to the Seigneur de + Teligny, a young noble of distinguished qualities, she had soon become + both a widow and an orphan in the dread night of St. Bartholomew. She had + made her own escape to Switzerland; and ten years afterwards she had + united herself in marriage with the Prince of Orange. At the age of + thirty-two, she now found herself desolate and wretched in a foreign land, + where she had never felt thoroughly at home. The widow and children of + William the Silent were almost without the necessaries of life. "I hardly + know," wrote the Princess to her brother-in-law, Count John, "how the + children and I are to maintain ourselves according to the honour of the + house. May God provide for us in his bounty, and certainly we have much + need of it." Accustomed to the more luxurious civilisation of France, she + had been amused rather than annoyed, when, on her first arrival in Holland + for her nuptials, she found herself making the journey from Rotterdam to + Delft in an open cart without springs, instead of the well-balanced + coaches to which she had been used, arriving, as might have been expected, + "much bruised and shaken." Such had become the primitive simplicity of + William the Silent's household. But on his death, in embarrassed + circumstances, it was still more straightened. She had no cause either to + love Leyden, for, after the assassination of her husband, a brutal + preacher, Hakkius by name, had seized that opportunity for denouncing the + French marriage, and the sumptuous christening of the infant in January, + as the deeds which had provoked the wrath of God and righteous + chastisement. To remain there in her widowhood, with that six months' + child, "sole pledge of her dead lord, her consolation and only pleasure," + as she pathetically expressed herself, was sufficiently painful, and she + had been inclined to fix her residence in Flushing, in the edifice which + had belonged to her husband, as Marquis of Vere. She had been persuaded, + however, to remain in Holland, although "complaining, at first, somewhat + of the unkindness of the people." + </p> + <p> + A small well-formed woman, with delicate features, exquisite complexion, + and very beautiful dark eyes, that seemed in after-years, as they looked + from beneath her coif, to be dim with unshed tears; with remarkable powers + of mind, angelic sweetness of disposition, a winning manner, and a gentle + voice, Louisa de Coligny became soon dear to the rough Hollanders, and was + ever a disinterested and valuable monitress both to her own child and to + his elder brother Maurice. + </p> + <p> + Very soon afterwards the States General established a State Council, as a + provisional executive board, for the term of three months, for the + Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Friesland, and such parts of + Flanders and Brabant as still remained in the Union. At the head of this + body was placed young Maurice, who accepted the responsible position, + after three days' deliberation. The young man had been completing his + education, with a liberal allowance from Holland and Zeeland, at the + University of Leyden; and such had been their tender care for the child of + so many hopes, that the Estates had given particular and solemn warning, + by resolution, to his governor during the previous summer, on no account + to allow him to approach the sea-shore, lest he should be kidnapped by the + Prince of Parma, who had then some war-vessels cruising on the coast. + </p> + <p> + The salary of Maurice was now fixed at thirty thousand florins a year, + while each of the councillors was allowed fifteen hundred annually, out of + which stipend he was to support at least one servant; without making any + claim for travelling or other incidental expenses. + </p> + <p> + The Council consisted of three members from Brabant, two from Flanders, + four from Holland, three from Zeeland, two from Utrecht, one from Mechlin, + and three from Friesland—eighteen in all. They were empowered and + enjoined to levy troops by land and sea, and to appoint naval and military + officers; to establish courts of admiralty, to expend the moneys voted by + the States, to maintain the ancient privileges of the country, and to see + that all troops in service of the Provinces made oath of fidelity to the + Union. Diplomatic relations, questions of peace and war, the treaty-making + power, were not entrusted to the Council, without the knowledge and + consent of the States General, which body was to be convoked twice a year + by the State Council. + </p> + <p> + Thus the Provinces in the hour of danger and darkness were true to + themselves, and were far from giving way to a despondency which under the + circumstances would not have been unnatural. + </p> + <p> + For the waves of bitterness were rolling far and wide around them. A + medal, struck in Holland at this period, represented a dismasted hulk + reeling through the tempest. The motto, "incertum quo fate ferent" (who + knows whither fate is sweeping her?) expressed most vividly the ship + wrecked condition of the country. Alexander of Parma, the most + accomplished general and one of the most adroit statesmen of the age, was + swift to take advantage of the calamity which had now befallen the + rebellious Provinces. Had he been better provided with men and money, the + cause of the States might have seemed hopeless. He addressed many letters + to the States General, to the magistracies of various cities, and to + individuals, affecting to consider that with the death of Orange had died + all authority, as well as all motive for continuing the contest with + Spain. He offered easy terms of reconciliation with the discarded monarch—always + reserving, however, as a matter of course, the religious question—for + it was as well known to the States as to Parma that there was no hope of + Philip making concessions upon that important point. + </p> + <p> + In Holland and Zeeland the Prince's blandishments were of no avail. His + letters received in various towns of those Provinces, offered, said one + who saw them, "almost every thing they would have or demand, even till + they should repent." But the bait was not taken. Individuals and + municipalities were alike stanch, remembering well that faith was not to + be kept with heretics. The example was followed by the Estates of other + Provinces, and all sent in to the General Assembly, soon in session at + Delft, "their absolute and irrevocable authority to their deputies to + stand to that which they, the said States General, should dispose of as to + their persons, goods and country; a resolution and agreement which never + concurred before among them, to this day, in what age or government + soever." + </p> + <p> + It was decreed that no motion of agreement "with the tyrant of Spain" + should be entertained either publicly or privately, "under pain to be + reputed ill patriots." It was also enacted in the city of Dort that any + man that brought letter or message from the enemy to any private person + "should be forthwith hanged." This was expeditious and business-like. The + same city likewise took the lead in recording its determination by public + act, and proclaiming it by sound of trumpet, "to live and die in the cause + now undertaken." + </p> + <p> + In Flanders and Brabant the spirit was less noble. Those Provinces were + nearly lost already. Bruges seconded Parma's efforts to induce its + sister-city Ghent to imitate its own baseness in surrendering without a + struggle; and that powerful, turbulent, but most anarchical little + commonwealth was but too ready to listen to the voice of the tempter. "The + ducats of Spain, Madam, are trotting about in such fashion," wrote envoy + Des Pruneaux to Catherine de Medici, "that they have vanquished a great + quantity of courages. Your Majesties, too, must employ money if you wish + to advance one step." No man knew better than Parma how to employ such + golden rhetoric to win back a wavering rebel to his loyalty, but he was + not always provided with a sufficient store of those practical arguments. + </p> + <p> + He was, moreover, not strong in the field, although he was far superior to + the States at this contingency. He had, besides his garrisons, something + above 18,000 men. The Provinces had hardly 3000 foot and 2500 horse, and + these were mostly lying in the neighbourhood of Zutphen. Alexander was + threatening at the same time Ghent, Dendermonde, Mechlin, Brussels, and + Antwerp. These five powerful cities lie in a narrow circle, at distances + varying from six miles to thirty, and are, as it were, strung together + upon the Scheldt, by which river, or its tributary, the Senne, they are + all threaded. It would have been impossible for Parma, with 100,000 men at + his back, to undertake a regular and simultaneous siege of these important + places. His purpose was to isolate them from each other and from the rest + of the country, by obtaining the control of the great river, and so to + reduce them by famine. The scheme was a masterly one, but even the + consummate ability of Farnese would have proved inadequate to the + undertaking, had not the preliminary assassination of Orange made the task + comparatively easy. Treason, faint-heartedness, jealousy, were the fatal + allies that the Governor-General had reckoned upon, and with reason, in + the council-rooms of these cities. The terms he offered were liberal. + Pardon, permission for soldiers to retreat with technical honour, liberty + to choose between apostacy to the reformed religion or exile, with a + period of two years granted to the conscientious for the winding up of + their affairs; these were the conditions, which seemed flattering, now + that the well-known voice which had so often silenced the Flemish + palterers and intriguers was for ever hushed. + </p> + <p> + Upon the 17th August (1584) Dendermonde surrendered, and no lives were + taken save those of two preachers, one of whom was hanged, while the other + was drowned. Upon the 7th September Vilvoorde capitulated, by which event + the water-communication between Brussels and Antwerp was cut off. Ghent, + now thoroughly disheartened, treated with Parma likewise; and upon the + 17th September made its reconciliation with the King. The surrender of so + strong and important a place was as disastrous to the cause of the + patriots as it was disgraceful to the citizens themselves. It was, + however, the result of an intrigue which had been long spinning, although + the thread had been abruptly, and, as it was hoped, conclusively, severed + several months before. During the early part of the year, after the + reconciliation of Bruges with the King—an event brought about by the + duplicity and adroitness of Prince Chimay—the same machinery had + been diligently and almost successfully employed to produce a like result + in Ghent. Champagny, brother of the famous Cardinal Granvelle, had been + under arrest for six years in that city. His imprisonment was not a strict + one however; and he avenged himself for what he considered very unjust + treatment at the hands of the patriots, by completely abandoning a cause + which he had once begun to favour. A man of singular ability, courage, and + energy, distinguished both for military and diplomatic services, he was a + formidable enemy to the party from which he was now for ever estranged. As + early as April of this year, secret emissaries of Parma, dealing with + Champagny in his nominal prison, and with the disaffected burghers at + large, had been on the point of effecting an arrangement with the royal + governor. The negotiation had been suddenly brought to a close by the + discovery of a flagrant attempt by Imbue, one of the secret adherents of + the King, to sell the city of Dendermonde, of which he was governor, to + Parma. For this crime he had been brought to Ghent for trial, and then + publicly beheaded. The incident came in aid of the eloquence of Orange, + who, up to the latest moment of his life, had been most urgent in his + appeals to the patriotic hearts of Ghent, not to abandon the great cause + of the union and of liberty. William the Silent knew full well, that after + the withdrawal of the great keystone-city of Ghent, the chasm between the + Celtic-Catholic and the Flemish-Calvinist Netherlands could hardly be + bridged again. Orange was now dead. The negotiations with France, too, on + which those of the Ghenters who still held true to the national cause had + fastened their hopes, had previously been brought to a stand-still by the + death of Anjou; and Champagny, notwithstanding the disaster to Imbize, + became more active than ever. A private agent, whom the municipal + government had despatched to the French court for assistance, was not more + successful than his character and course of conduct would have seemed to + warrant; for during his residence in Paris, he had been always drunk, and + generally abusive. This was not good diplomacy, particularly on the part + of an agent from a weak municipality to a haughty and most undecided + government. + </p> + <p> + "They found at this court," wrote Stafford to Walsingham, "great fault + with his manner of dealing that was sent from Gaunt. He was scarce sober + from one end of the week to the other, and stood so much on his tiptoes to + have present answer within three days, or else that they of Gaunt could + tell where to bestow themselves. They sent him away after keeping him + three weeks, and he went off in great dudgeon, swearing by yea and nay + that he will make report thereafter." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, they of Ghent did bestow themselves very soon thereafter upon + the King of Spain. The terms were considered liberal, but there was, of + course, no thought of conceding the great object for which the patriots + were contending—religious liberty. The municipal privileges—such + as they might prove to be worth under the interpretation of a royal + governor and beneath the guns of a citadel filled with Spanish troops—were + to be guaranteed; those of the inhabitants who did not choose to go to + mass were allowed two years to wind up their affairs before going into + perpetual exile, provided they behaved themselves "without scandal;" while + on the other hand, the King's authority as Count of Flanders was to be + fully recognised, and all the dispossessed monks and abbots to be restored + to their property. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, Champagny was rewarded for his exertions by being released + from prison and receiving the appointment of governor of the city: and, + after a very brief interval, about one-half of the population, the most + enterprising of its merchants and manufacturers, the most industrious of + its artizans, emigrated to Holland and Zeeland. The noble city of Ghent—then + as large as Paris, thoroughly surrounded with moats, and fortified with + bulwarks, ravelins, and counterscarps, constructed of earth, during the + previous two years, at great expense, and provided with bread and meat, + powder and shot, enough to last a year—was ignominiously + surrendered. The population, already a very reduced and slender one for + the great extent of the place and its former importance, had been + estimated at 70,000. The number of houses was 35,000, so that as the + inhabitants were soon farther reduced to one-half, there remained but one + individual to each house. On the other hand, the twenty-five monasteries + and convents in the town were repeopled—with how much advantage as a + set-off to the thousands of spinners and weavers who had wandered away, + and who in the flourishing days of Ghent had sent gangs of workmen through + the streets "whose tramp was like that of an army"—may be + sufficiently estimated by the result. + </p> + <p> + The fall of Brussels was deferred till March, and that of Mechlin (19th + July, 1585) and of Antwerp (19th August, 1585), till Midsummer of the + following year; but, the surrender of Ghent (10th March 1585) foreshadowed + the fate of Flanders and Brabant. Ostend and Sluys, however, were still in + the hands of the patriots, and with them the control of the whole Flemish + coast. The command of the sea was destined to remain for centuries with + the new republic. + </p> + <p> + The Prince of Parma, thus encouraged by the great success of his + intrigues, was determined to achieve still greater triumphs with his arms, + and steadily proceeded with his large design of closing the Scheldt—and + bringing about the fall of Antwerp. The details of that siege-one of the + most brilliant military operations of the age and one of the most + memorable in its results—will be given, as a connected whole, in a + subsequent series of chapters. For the present, it will be better for the + reader who wishes a clear view of European politics at this epoch, and of + the position of the Netherlands, to give his attention to the web of + diplomatic negotiation and court-intrigue which had been slowly spreading + over the leading states of Christendom, and in which the fate of the world + was involved. If diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to + deceive, never were more adroit diplomatists than those of the sixteenth + century. It would, however, be absurd to deny them a various range of + abilities; and the history of no other age can show more subtle, + comprehensive, indefatigable—but, it must also be added, often + unscrupulous—intellects engaged in the great game of politics in + which the highest interests of millions were the stakes, than were those + of several leading minds in England, France, Germany, and Spain. With such + statesmen the burgher-diplomatists of the new-born commonwealth had to + measure themselves; and the result was to show whether or not they could + hold their own in the cabinet as on the field. + </p> + <p> + For the present, however, the new state was unconscious of its latent + importance, The new-risen republic remained for a season nebulous, and + ready to unsphere itself so soon as the relative attraction of other great + powers should determine its absorption. By the death of Anjou and of + Orange the United Netherlands had became a sovereign state, an independent + republic; but they stood with that sovereignty in their hands, offering it + alternately, not to the highest bidder, but to the power that would be + willing to accept their allegiance, on the sole condition of assisting + them in the maintenance of their religious freedom. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Relations of the Republic to France—Queen's Severity towards + Catholics and Calvinists—Relative Positions of England and France— + Timidity of Germany—Apathy of Protestant Germany—Indignation of + the Netherlanders—Henry III. of France—The King and his Minions— + Henry of Guise—Henry of Navarre—Power of France—Embassy of the + States to France—Ignominious position of the Envoys—Views of the + French Huguenots—Efforts to procure Annexation—Success of Des + Pruneaux. +</pre> + <p> + The Prince of Orange had always favoured a French policy. He had ever felt + a stronger reliance upon the support of France than upon that of any other + power. This was not unreasonable, and so long as he lived, the tendency of + the Netherlands had been in that direction. It had never been the wish of + England to acquire the sovereignty of the Provinces. In France on the + contrary, the Queen Dowager, Catharine de' Medici had always coveted that + sovereignty for her darling Francis of Alencon; and the design had been + favoured, so far as any policy could be favoured, by the impotent monarch + who occupied the French throne. + </p> + <p> + The religion of the United Netherlands was Calvinistic. There were also + many Anabaptists in the country. The Queen of England hated Anabaptists, + Calvinists, and other sectarians, and banished them from her realms on + pain of imprisonment and confiscation of property. As firmly opposed as + was her father to the supremacy of the Bishop of Rome, she felt much of + the paternal reluctance to accept the spirit of the Reformation. Henry + Tudor hanged the men who believed in the Pope, and burnt alive those who + disbelieved in transubstantiation, auricular confession, and the other + 'Six Articles.' His daughter, whatever her secret religious convictions, + was stanch in her resistance to Rome, and too enlightened a monarch not to + see wherein the greatness and glory of England were to be found; but she + had no thought of tolerating liberty of conscience. All opposed to the + Church of England, whether Papists or Puritans, were denounced as + heretics, and as such imprisoned or banished. "To allow churches with + contrary rites and ceremonies," said Elizabeth, "were nothing else but to + sow religion out of religion, to distract good men's minds, to cherish + factious men's humours, to disturb religion and commonwealth, and mingle + divine and human things; which were a thing in deed evil, in example worst + of all; to our own subjects hurtful, and to themselves—to whom it is + granted, neither greatly commodious, nor yet at all safe."—[Camden] + The words were addressed, it is true, to Papists, but there is very little + doubt that Anabaptists or any other heretics would have received a similar + reply, had they, too, ventured to demand the right of public worship. It + may even be said that the Romanists in the earlier days of Elizabeth's + reign fared better than the Calvinists. The Queen neither banished nor + imprisoned the Catholics. She did not enter their houses to disturb their + private religious ceremonies, or to inquire into their consciences. This + was milder treatment than the burning alive, burying alive, hanging, and + drowning, which had been dealt out to the English and the Netherland + heretics by Philip and by Mary, but it was not the spirit which William + the Silent had been wont to manifest in his measures towards Anabaptists + and Papists alike. Moreover, the Prince could hardly forget that of the + nine thousand four hundred Catholic ecclesiastics who held benefices at + the death of Queen Mary, all had renounced the Pope on the accession of + Queen Elizabeth, and acknowledged her as the head of the church, saving + only one hundred and eighty-nine individuals. In the hearts of the nine + thousand two hundred and eleven others, it might be thought perhaps that + some tenderness for the religion from which they had so suddenly been + converted, might linger, while it could hardly be hoped that they would + seek to inculcate in the minds of their flocks or of their sovereign any + connivance with the doctrines of Geneva. + </p> + <p> + When, at a later period, the plotting of Catholics, suborned by the Pope + and Philip, against the throne and person of the Queen, made more rigorous + measures necessary; when it was thought indispensable to execute as + traitors those Roman seedlings—seminary priests and their disciples—who + went about preaching to the Queen's subjects the duty of carrying out the + bull by which the Bishop of Rome had deposed and excommunicated their + sovereign, and that "it was a meritorious act to kill such princes as were + excommunicate," even then, the men who preached and practised treason and + murder experienced no severer treatment than that which other "heretics" + had met with at the Queen's hands. Jesuits and Popish priests were, by Act + of Parliament, ordered to depart the realm within forty days. Those who + should afterwards return to the kingdom were to be held guilty of high + treason. Students in the foreign seminaries were commanded to return + within six months and recant, or be held guilty of high treason. Parents + and guardians supplying money to such students abroad were to incur the + penalty of a preamunire—perpetual exile, namely, with loss of all + their goods. + </p> + <p> + Many seminary priests and others were annually executed in England under + these laws, throughout the Queen's reign, but nominally at least they were + hanged not as Papists, but as traitors; not because they taught + transubstantiation, ecclesiastical celibacy, auricular confession, or even + Papal supremacy, but because they taught treason and murder—because + they preached the necessity of killing the Queen. It was not so easy, + however, to defend or even comprehend the banishment and imprisonment of + those who without conspiring against the Queen's life or throne, desired + to see the Church of England reformed according to the Church of Geneva. + Yet there is no doubt that many sectaries experienced much inhuman + treatment for such delinquency, both in the early and the later years of + Elizabeth's reign. + </p> + <p> + There was another consideration, which had its due weight in this balance, + and that was the respective succession to the throne in the two kingdoms + of France and England. Mary Stuart, the Catholic, the niece of the Guises, + emblem and exponent of all that was most Roman in Europe, the sworn friend + of Philip, the mortal foe to all heresy, was the legitimate successor to + Elizabeth. Although that sovereign had ever refused to recognize that + claim; holding that to confirm Mary in the succession was to "lay her own + winding sheet before her eyes, yea, to make her, own grave, while she + liveth and looketh on;" and although the unfortunate claimant of two + thrones was a prisoner in her enemy's hands, yet, so long as she lived, + there was little security for Protestantism, even in Elizabeth's lifetime, + and less still in case of her sudden death. On the other hand, not only + were the various politico-religious forces of France kept in equilibrium + by their action upon each other—so that it was reasonable to believe + that the House of Valois, however Catholic itself, would be always + compelled by the fast-expanding strength of French Calvinism, to observe + faithfully a compact to tolerate the Netherland churches—but, upon + the death of Henry III. the crown would be legitimately placed upon the + head of the great champion and chief of the Huguenots, Henry of Navarre. + </p> + <p> + It was not unnatural, therefore, that the Prince of Orange, a Calvinist + himself, should expect more sympathy with the Netherland reformers in + France than in England. A large proportion of the population of that + kingdom, including an influential part of the nobility, was of the + Huguenot persuasion, and the religious peace, established by royal edict, + had endured so long, that the reformers of France and the Netherlands had + begun to believe in the royal clemency, and to confide in the royal word. + Orange did not live to see the actual formation of the Holy League, and + could only guess at its secrets. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, it should be remembered that France at that day was a more + formidable state than England, a more dangerous enemy, and, as it was + believed, a more efficient protector. The England of the period, glorious + as it was for its own and all future ages, was, not the great British + Empire of to-day. On the contrary, it was what would now be considered, + statistically speaking, a rather petty power. The England of Elizabeth, + Walsingham, Burghley, Drake, and Raleigh, of Spenser and Shakspeare, + hardly numbered a larger population than now dwells in its capital and + immediate suburbs. It had neither standing army nor considerable royal + navy. It was full of conspirators, daring and unscrupulous, loyal to none + save to Mary of Scotland, Philip of Spain, and the Pope of Rome, and + untiring in their efforts to bring about a general rebellion. With Ireland + at its side, nominally a subject province, but in a state of chronic + insurrection—a perpetual hot-bed for Spanish conspiracy and + stratagem; with Scotland at its back, a foreign country, with half its + population exasperated enemies of England, and the rest but doubtful + friends, and with the legitimate sovereign of that country, "the daughter + of debate, who discord still did sow,"—[Sonnet by Queen Elizabeth.]—a + prisoner in Elizabeth's hands, the central point around which treason was + constantly crystallizing itself, it was not strange that with the known + views of the Queen on the subject of the reformed Dutch religion, England + should seem less desirable as a protector for the Netherlands than the + neighbouring kingdom of France. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth was a great sovereign, whose genius Orange always appreciated, + in a comparatively feeble realm. Henry of Valois was the contemptible + monarch of a powerful state, and might be led by others to produce + incalculable mischief or considerable good. Notwithstanding the massacre + of St. Bartholomew, therefore, and the more recent "French fury" of + Antwerp, Orange had been willing to countenance fresh negociations with + France. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth, too, it should never be forgotten, was, if not over generous, + at least consistent and loyal in her policy towards the Provinces. She was + not precisely jealous of France, as has been unjustly intimated on + distinguished authority, for she strongly advocated the renewed offer of + the sovereignty to Anjou, after his memorable expulsion from the + Provinces. At that period, moreover, not only her own love-coquetries with + Anjou were over, but he was endeavouring with all his might, though in + secret, to make a match with the younger Infanta of Spain. Elizabeth + furthered the negociation with France, both publicly and privately. It + will soon be narrated how those negociations prospered. + </p> + <p> + If then England were out of the question, where, except in France, should + the Netherlanders, not deeming themselves capable of standing alone, seek + for protection and support? + </p> + <p> + We have seen the extensive and almost ubiquitous power of Spain. Where she + did not command as sovereign, she was almost equally formidable as an + ally. The Emperor of Germany was the nephew and the brother-in-law of + Philip, and a strict Catholic besides. Little aid was to be expected from + him or the lands under his control for the cause of the Netherland revolt. + Rudolph hated his brother-in-law, but lived in mortal fear of him. He was + also in perpetual dread of the Grand Turk. That formidable potentate, not + then the "sick man" whose precarious condition and territorial inheritance + cause so much anxiety in modern days, was, it is true, sufficiently + occupied for the moment in Persia, and had been sustaining there a series + of sanguinary defeats. He was all the more anxious to remain upon good + terms with Philip, and had recently sent him a complimentary embassy, + together with some rather choice presents, among which were "four lions, + twelve unicorns, and two horses coloured white, black, and blue." + Notwithstanding these pacific manifestations towards the West, however, + and in spite of the truce with the German Empire which the Turk had just + renewed for nine years,—Rudolph and his servants still trembled at + every report from the East. + </p> + <p> + "He is much deceived," wrote Busbecq, Rudolph's ambassador in Paris, "who + doubts that the Turk has sought any thing by this long Persian war, but to + protect his back, and prepare the way, after subduing that enemy, to the + extermination of all Christendom, and that he will then, with all his + might, wage an unequal warfare with us, in which the existence of the + Empire will be at stake." + </p> + <p> + The envoy expressed, at the same period, however, still greater awe of + Spain. "It is to no one," he wrote, "endowed with good judgment, in the + least obscure, that the Spanish nation, greedy of empire, will never be + quiet, even with their great power, but will seek for the dominion of the + rest of Christendom. How much remains beyond what they have already + acquired? Afterwards, there will soon be no liberty, no dignity, for other + princes and republics. That single nation will be arbiter of all things, + than which nothing can be more miserable, nothing more degrading. It + cannot be doubted that all kings, princes, and states, whose safety or + dignity is dear to them, would willingly associate in arms to extinguish + the common conflagration. The death of the Catholic king would seem the + great opportunity 'miscendis rebus'." + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately neither Busbecq's master nor any other king or prince + manifested any of this commendable alacrity to "take up arms against the + conflagration." Germany was in a shiver at every breeze from East or + West-trembling alike before Philip and Amurath. The Papists were making + rapid progress, the land being undermined by the steady and stealthy + encroachments of the Jesuits. Lord Burghley sent many copies of his + pamphlet, in Latin, French, and Italian, against the Seminaries, to + Gebhard Truchsess; and the deposed archbishop made himself busy in + translating that wholesome production into German, and in dispersing it + "all Germany over." The work, setting duly forth "that the executions of + priests in England were not for religion but for treason," was + "marvellously liked" in the Netherlands. "In uttering the truth," said + Herle, "'tis likely to do great good;" and he added, that Duke Augustus of + Saxony "did now see so far into the sect of Jesuits, and to their inward + mischiefs, as to become their open enemy, and to make friends against them + in the Empire." + </p> + <p> + The love of Truchsess for Agnes Mansfeld had created disaster not only for + himself but for Germany. The whole electorate of Cologne had become the + constant seat of partisan warfare, and the resort of organised bands of + brigands. Villages were burned and rifled, highways infested, cities + threatened, and the whole country subjected to perpetual black mail + (brandschatzung)—fire-insurance levied by the incendiaries in person—by + the supporters of the rival bishops. Truchsess had fled to Delft, where he + had been countenanced and supported by Orange. Two cities still held for + him, Rheinberg and Neuss. On the other hand, his rival, Ernest of Bavaria; + supported by Philip II., and the occasional guest of Alexander of Parma, + had not yet succeeded in establishing a strong foothold in the territory. + Two pauper archbishops, without men or means of their own, were thus + pushed forward and back, like puppets, by the contending highwaymen on + either side; while robbery and murder, under the name of Protestantism or + Catholicism, were for a time the only motive or result of the contest. + </p> + <p> + Thus along the Rhine, as well as the Maas and the Scheldt, the fires of + civil war were ever burning. Deeper within the heart of Germany, there was + more tranquillity; but it was the tranquillity rather of paralysis than of + health. A fearful account was slowly accumulating, which was evidently to + be settled only by one of the most horrible wars which history has ever + recorded. Meantime there was apathy where there should have been + enthusiasm; parsimony and cowardice where generous and combined effort + were more necessary than ever; sloth without security. The Protestant + princes, growing fat and contented on the spoils of the church, lent but a + deaf ear to the moans of Truchsess, forgetting that their neighbour's + blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own. "They understand better, + 'proximus sum egomet mild'," wrote Lord Willoughby from Kronenburg, "than + they have learned, 'humani nihid a me alienum puto'. These German princes + continue still in their lethargy, careless of the state of others, and + dreaming of their ubiquity, and some of them, it is thought, inclining to + be Spanish or Popish more of late than heretofore." + </p> + <p> + The beggared archbishop, more forlorn than ever since the death of his + great patron, cried woe from his resting-place in Delft, upon Protestant + Germany. His tones seemed almost prophetic of the thirty years' wrath to + blaze forth in the next generation. "Courage is wanting to the people + throughout Germany," he wrote to William Lewis of Nassau. "We are becoming + the laughing-stock of the nations. Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf + will eat you. We shall find our destruction in our immoderate desire for + peace. Spain is making a Papistical league in Germany. Therefore is + Assonleville despatched thither, and that's the reason why our trash of + priests are so insolent in the empire. 'Tis astonishing how they are + triumphing on all sides. God will smite them. Thou dear God! What are our + evangelists about in Germany? Asleep on both ears. 'Dormiunt in utramque + aurem'. I doubt they will be suddenly enough awakened one day, and the cry + will be, 'Who'd have thought it?' Then they will be for getting oil for + the lamp, for shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen," and so + on, with a string of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza, or landgrave + William of Hesse. + </p> + <p> + In truth, one of the most painful features is the general aspect of + affairs was the coldness of the German Protestants towards the + Netherlands. The enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists was almost as + fatal as that between Protestants and Papists. There was even a talk, at a + little later period, of excluding those of the "reformed" church from the + benefits of the peace of Passau. The princes had got the Augsburg + confession and the abbey-lands into the bargain; the peasants had got the + Augsburg confession without the abbey-lands, and were to believe exactly + what their masters believed. This was the German-Lutheran + sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom. Neither prince nor peasant + stirred in behalf of the struggling Christians in the United Provinces, + battling, year after year, knee-deep in blood, amid blazing cities and + inundated fields, breast to breast with the yellow jerkined pikemen of + Spain and Italy, with the axe and the faggot and the rack of the Holy + Inquisition distinctly visible behind them. Such were the realities which + occupied the Netherlanders in those days, not watery beams of theological + moonshine, fantastical catechism-making, intermingled with scenes of riot + and wantonness, which drove old John of Nassau half frantic; with + banquetting and guzzling, drinking and devouring, with unchristian + flaunting and wastefulness of apparel, with extravagant and wanton + dancing, and other lewd abominations; all which, the firm old reformer + prophesied, would lead to the destruction of Germany. + </p> + <p> + For the mass, slow moving but apparently irresistible, of Spanish and + papistical absolutism was gradually closing over Christendom. The + Netherlands were the wedge by which alone the solid bulk could be riven + asunder. It was the cause of German, of French, of English liberty, for + which the Provinces were contending. It was not surprising that they were + bitter, getting nothing in their hour of distress from the land of Luther + but dogmas and Augsburg catechisms instead of money and gunpowder, and + seeing German reiters galloping daily to reinforce the army of Parma in + exchange for Spanish ducats. + </p> + <p> + Brave old La Noue, with the iron arm, noblest of Frenchmen and Huguenots—who + had just spent five years in Spanish bondage, writing military discourses + in a reeking dungeon, filled with toads and vermin, after fighting the + battle of liberty for a life-time, and with his brave son already in the + Netherlands emulating his father's valour on the same field—denounced + at a little later day, the lukewarmness of Protestant Germany with + whimsical vehemence:—"I am astounded," he cried, "that these princes + are not ashamed of themselves; doing nothing while they see the oppressed + cut to pieces at their gates. When will God grant me grace to place me + among those who are doing their duty, and afar from those who do nothing, + and who ought to know that the cause is a common one. If I am ever caught + dancing the German cotillon, or playing the German flute, or eating pike + with German sauce, I hope it may be flung in my teeth." + </p> + <p> + The great league of the Pope and Philip was steadily consolidating itself, + and there were but gloomy prospects for the counter-league in Germany. + There was no hope but in England and France. For the reasons already + indicated, the Prince of Orange, taking counsel with the Estates, had + resolved to try the French policy once more. The balance of power in + Europe, which no man in Christendom so well understood as he, was to be + established by maintaining (he thought) the equilibrium between France and + Spain. In the antagonism of those two great realms lay the only hope for + Dutch or European liberty. Notwithstanding the treason of Anjou, + therefore, it had been decided to renew negociations with that Prince. On + the death of the Duke, the envoys of the States were accordingly + instructed to make the offer to King Henry III. which had been intended + for his brother. That proposition was the sovereignty of all the + Netherlands, save Holland and Zeeland, under a constitution maintaining + the reformed religion and the ancient laws and privileges of the + respective provinces. + </p> + <p> + But the death of Francis of Anjou had brought about a considerable change + in French policy. It was now more sharply defined than ever, a + right-angled triangle of almost mathematical precision. The three Henrys + and their partizans divided the realm into three hostile camps—threatening + each other in simulated peace since the treaty of Fleig (1580), which had + put an end to the "lover's war" of the preceding year,—Henry of + Valois, Henry of Guise, and Henry of Navarre. + </p> + <p> + Henry III., last of the Valois line, was now thirty-three years of age. + Less than king, less even than man, he was one of those unfortunate + personages who seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous, and + to test the capacity of mankind to eat and drink humiliation as if it were + wholesome food. It proved how deeply engraved in men's minds of that + century was the necessity of kingship, when the hardy Netherlanders, who + had abjured one tyrant, and had been fighting a generation long rather + than return to him, were now willing to accept the sovereignty of a thing + like Henry of Valois. + </p> + <p> + He had not been born without natural gifts, such as Heaven rarely denies + to prince or peasant; but the courage which he once possessed had been + exhausted on the field of Moncontour, his manhood had been left behind him + at Venice, and such wit as Heaven had endowed him withal was now expended + in darting viperous epigrams at court-ladies whom he was only capable of + dishonouring by calumny, and whose charms he burned to outrival in the + estimation of his minions. For the monarch of France was not unfrequently + pleased to attire himself like a woman and a harlot. With silken flounces, + jewelled stomacher, and painted face, with pearls of great price adorning + his bared neck and breast, and satin-slippered feet, of whose delicate + shape and size he was justly vain, it was his delight to pass his days and + nights in a ceaseless round of gorgeous festivals, tourneys, processions; + masquerades, banquets, and balls, the cost of which glittering frivolities + caused the popular burthen and the popular execration to grow, from day to + day, more intolerable and more audible. Surrounded by a gang of "minions," + the most debauched and the most desperate of France, whose bedizened + dresses exhaled perfumes throughout Paris, and whose sanguinary encounters + dyed every street in blood, Henry lived a life of what he called pleasure, + careless of what might come after, for he was the last of his race. The + fortunes of his minions rose higher and higher, as their crimes rendered + them more and more estimable in the eyes of a King who took a woman's + pride in the valour of such champions to his weakness, and more odious to + a people whose miserable homes were made even more miserable, that the + coffers of a few court-favourites might be filled: Now sauntering, + full-dressed, in the public promenades, with ghastly little death's heads + strung upon his sumptuous garments, and fragments of human bones dangling + among his orders of knighthood—playing at cup and ball as he walked, + and followed by a few select courtiers who gravely pursued the same + exciting occupation—now presiding like a queen of beauty at a + tournament to assign the prize of valour, and now, by the advice of his + mother, going about the streets in robes of penitence, telling his beads + as he went, that the populace might be edified by his piety, and solemnly + offering up prayers in the churches that the blessing of an heir might be + vouchsafed to him,—Henry of Valois seemed straining every nerve in + order to bring himself and his great office into contempt. + </p> + <p> + As orthodox as he was profligate, he hated the Huguenots, who sought his + protection and who could have saved his throne, as cordially as he loved + the Jesuits, who passed their lives in secret plottings against his + authority and his person, or in fierce denunciations from the Paris + pulpits against his manifold crimes. Next to an exquisite and sanguinary + fop, he dearly loved a monk. The presence of a friar, he said, exerted as + agreeable an effect upon his mind as the most delicate and gentle tickling + could produce upon his body; and he was destined to have a fuller dose of + that charming presence than he coveted. + </p> + <p> + His party—for he was but the nominal chief of a faction, 'tanquam + unus ex nobis'—was the party in possession—the office-holders' + party; the spoilsmen, whose purpose was to rob the exchequer and to enrich + themselves. His minions—for the favourites were called by no other + name—were even more hated, because less despised than the King. + Attired in cloth of gold—for silk and satin were grown too coarse a + material for them—with their little velvet porringer-caps stuck on + the sides of their heads, with their long hair stiff with pomatum, and + their heads set inside a well-starched ruff a foot wide, "like St. John's + head in a charger," as a splenetic contemporary observed, with a nimbus of + musk and violet-powder enveloping them as they passed before vulgar + mortals, these rapacious and insolent courtiers were the impersonation of + extortion and oppression to the Parisian populace. They were supposed, not + unjustly, to pass their lives in dancing, blasphemy, dueling, dicing, and + intrigue, in following the King about like hounds, fawning at his feet, + and showing their teeth to all besides; and for virtues such as these they + were rewarded by the highest offices in church, camp, and state, while new + taxes and imposts were invented almost daily to feed their avarice and + supply their extravagance. France, doomed to feel the beak and talons of + these harpies in its entrails, impoverished by a government that robbed + her at home while it humiliated her abroad, struggled vainly in its + misery, and was now on the verge of another series of internecine combats—civil + war seeming the only alternative to a voluptuous and licentious peace. + </p> + <p> + "We all stood here at gaze," wrote ambassador Stafford to Walsingham, + "looking for some great matter to come of this sudden journey to Lyons; + but, as far as men can find, 'parturient montes', for there hath been + nothing but dancing and banquetting from one house to another, bravery in + apparel, glittering like the sun." He, mentioned that the Duke of + Epernon's horse, taking fright at a red cloak, had backed over a + precipice, breaking his own neck, while his master's shoulder merely was + put out of joint. At the same time the Duke of Joyeuse, coming over Mount + Cenis, on his return from Savoy, had broken his wrist. The people, he + said, would rather they had both broken their necks "than any other joint, + the King having racked the nation for their sakes, as he hath-done." + Stafford expressed much compassion for the French in the plight in which + they found themselves. "Unhappy people!" he cried, "to have such a King, + who seeketh nothing but to impoverish them to enrich a couple, and who + careth not what cometh after his death, so that he may rove on while he + liveth, and careth neither for doing his own estate good nor his + neighbour's state harm." Sir Edward added, however, in a philosophizing + vein, worthy of Corporal Nym, that, "seeing we cannot be so happy as to + have a King to concur with us to do us any good, yet we are happy to have + one that his humour serveth him not to concur with others to do us harm; + and 'tis a wisdom for us to follow these humours, that we may keep him + still in that humour, and from hearkening to others that may egg him on to + worse." + </p> + <p> + It was a dark hour for France, and rarely has a great nation been reduced + to a lower level by a feeble and abandoned government than she was at that + moment under the distaff of Henry III. Society was corrupted to its core. + "There is no more truth, no more justice, no more mercy," moaned President + L'Etoile. "To slander, to lie, to rob, to wench, to steal; all things are + permitted save to do right and to speak the truth." Impiety the most + cynical, debauchery the most unveiled, public and unpunished homicides, + private murders by what was called magic, by poison, by hired assassins, + crimes natural, unnatural, and preternatural, were the common + characteristics of the time. All posts and charges were venal. Great + offices of justice were sold to the highest bidder, and that which was + thus purchased by wholesale was retailed in the same fashion. Unhappy the + pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law. The great + ecclesiastical benefices were equally matter of merchandise, and married + men, women, unborn children, enjoyed revenues as dignitaries of the + church. Infants came into the world, it was said, like the mitre-fish, + stamped with the emblems of place. + </p> + <p> + "'Twas impossible," said L'Etoile, "to find a crab so tortuous and + backsliding as the government." + </p> + <p> + This was the aspect of the first of the three factions in France. Such was + the Henry at its head, the representative of royalty. + </p> + <p> + Henry with the Scar, Duke of Guise, the well-known chief of the house of + Lorraine, was the chief of the extreme papistical party. He was now + thirty-four years of age, tall, stately, with a dark, martial face and + dangerous eyes, which Antonio Moro loved to paint; a physiognomy made + still more expressive by the arquebus-shot which had damaged his left + cheek at the fight near Chateau-Thierry and gained him his name of + Balafre. Although one of the most turbulent and restless plotters of that + plotting age, he was yet thought more slow and heavy in character than + subtle, Teutonic rather than Italian. He was the idol of the Parisian + burghers. The grocers, the market-men, the members of the arquebus and + crossbow clubs, all doated on him. The fishwomen worshipped him as a god. + He was the defender of the good old religion under which Paris and the + other cities of France had thriven, the uncompromising opponent of the + new-fangled doctrines which western clothiers, and dyers, and + tapestry-workers, had adopted, and which the nobles of the + mountain-country, the penniless chevaliers of Bearn and Gascony and + Guienne, were ceaselessly taking the field and plunging France into misery + and bloodshed to support. But for the Balafre and Madam League—as + the great Spanish Catholic conspiracy against the liberties of France, and + of England, and of all Europe, was affectionately termed by the Paris + populace—honest Catholics would fare no better in France than they + did in England, where, as it was well known, they were every day subjected + to fearful tortures: The shopwindows were filled with coloured engravings, + representing, in exaggerated fashion, the sufferings of the English + Catholics under bloody Elizabeth, or Jezebel, as she was called; and as + the gaping burghers stopped to ponder over these works of art, there were + ever present, as if by accident, some persons of superior information who + would condescendingly explain the various pictures, pointing out with a + long stick the phenomena most worthy of notice. These caricatures proving + highly successful, and being suppressed by order of government, they were + repeated upon canvas on a larger scale, in still more conspicuous + situations, as if in contempt of the royal authority, which sullied itself + by compromise with Calvinism! The pulpits, meanwhile, thundered + denunciations on the one hand against the weak and wicked King, who + worshipped idols, and who sacrificed the dearly-earned pittance of his + subjects to feed the insolent pomp of his pampered favourites; and on the + other, upon the arch-heretic, the arch-apostate, the Bearnese Huguenot, + who, after the death of the reigning monarch, would have the effrontery to + claim his throne, and to introduce into France the persecutions and the + horrors under which unhappy England was already groaning. + </p> + <p> + The scarce-concealed instigator of these assaults upon the royal and upon + the Huguenot faction was, of course, the Duke of Guise,—the man + whose most signal achievement had been the Massacre of St. Bartholomew—all + the preliminary details of that transaction having been arranged by his + skill. So long as Charles IX. was living, the Balafre had created the + confusion which was his element, by entertaining and fomenting the + perpetual intrigues of Anjou and Alencon against their brother; while the + altercations between them and the Queen Mother and the furious madman who + then sat upon the throne, had been the cause of sufficient disorder and + calamity for France. On the death of Charles IX. Guise had sought the + intimacy of Henry of Navarre, that by his means he might frustrate the + hopes of Alencon for the succession. During the early period of the + Bearnese's residence at the French court the two had been inseparable, + living together, going to the same festivals, tournaments, and + masquerades, and even sleeping in the same bed. "My master," was ever + Guise's address to Henry; "my gossip," the young King of Navarre's reply. + But the crafty Bearnese had made use of the intimacy only to read the + secrets of the Balafre's heart; and on Navarre's flight from the court, + and his return to Huguenotism, Guise knew that he had been played upon by + a subtler spirit than his own. The simulated affection was now changed + into undisguised hatred. Moreover, by the death of Alencon, Navarre now + stood next the throne, and Guise's plots became still more extensive and + more open as his own ambition to usurp the crown on the death of the + childless Henry III. became more fervid. + </p> + <p> + Thus, by artfully inflaming the populace of Paris, and through his + organized bands of confederates—that of all the large towns of + France, against the Huguenots and their chief, by appeals to the religious + sentiment; and at the same time by stimulating the disgust and indignation + of the tax-payers everywhere at the imposts and heavy burthens which the + boundless extravagance of the court engendered, Guise paved the way for + the advancement of the great League which he represented. The other two + political divisions were ingeniously represented as mere insolent + factions, while his own was the true national and patriotic party, by + which alone the ancient religion and the cherished institutions of France + could be preserved. + </p> + <p> + And the great chief of this national patriotic party was not Henry of + Guise, but the industrious old man who sat writing despatches in the + depths of the Escorial. Spanish counsels, Spanish promises, Spanish ducats—these + were the real machinery by which the plots of Guise against the peace of + France and of Europe were supported. Madam League was simply Philip II. + Nothing was written, officially or unofficially, to the French government + by the Spanish court that was not at the same time communicated to "Mucio"—as + the Duke of Guise was denominated in the secret correspondence of Philip, + and Mucio was in Philip's pay, his confidential agent, spy, and + confederate, long before the actual existence of the League was generally + suspected. + </p> + <p> + The Queen-Mother, Catharine de' Medici, played into the Duke's hands. + Throughout the whole period of her widowhood, having been accustomed to + govern her sons, she had, in a certain sense, been used to govern the + kingdom. By sowing dissensions among her own children, by inflaming party + against party, by watching with care the oscillations of France—so + than none of the great divisions should obtain preponderance—by + alternately caressing and massacring the Huguenots, by cajoling or + confronting Philip, by keeping, as she boasted, a spy in every family that + possessed the annual income of two thousand livres, by making herself the + head of an organized system of harlotry, by which the soldiers and + politicians of France were inveigled, their secrets faithfully revealed to + her by her well-disciplined maids of honour, by surrounding her + unfortunate sons with temptation from earliest youth, and plunging them by + cold calculation into deepest debauchery, that their enervated faculties + might be ever forced to rely in political affairs on the maternal counsel, + and to abandon the administration to the maternal will; such were the arts + by which Catharine had maintained her influence, and a great country been + governed for a generation—Machiavellian state-craft blended with the + more simple wiles of a procuress. + </p> + <p> + Now that Alencon was dead, and Henry III. hopeless of issue, it was her + determination that the children of her daughter, the Duchess of Lorraine, + should succeed to the throne. The matter was discussed as if the throne + were already vacant, and Guise and the Queen-Mother, if they agreed in + nothing else, were both cordial in their detestation of Henry of Navarre. + The Duke affected to support the schemes in favour of his relatives, the + Princes of Lorraine, while he secretly informed the Spanish court that + this policy was only a pretence. He was not likely, he said, to advance + the interests of the younger branch of a house of which he was himself the + chief, nor were their backs equal to the burthen. It was necessary to + amuse the old queen, but he was profoundly of opinion that the only + sovereign for France, upon the death of Henry, was Philip II. himself. + This was the Duke's plan of arriving, by means of Spanish assistance, at + the throne of France; and such was Henry le Balafre, chief of the League. + </p> + <p> + And the other Henry, the Huguenot, the Bearnese, Henry of Bourbon, Henry + of Navarre, the chieftain of the Gascon chivalry, the king errant, the + hope and the darling of the oppressed Protestants in every land—of + him it is scarce needful to say a single word. At his very name a figure + seems to leap forth from the mist of three centuries, instinct with ruddy + vigorous life. Such was the intense vitality of the Bearnese prince, that + even now he seems more thoroughly alive and recognizable than half the + actual personages who are fretting their hour upon the stage. + </p> + <p> + We see, at once, a man of moderate stature, light, sinewy, and strong; a + face browned with continual exposure; small, mirthful, yet commanding blue + eyes, glittering from beneath an arching brow, and prominent cheekbones; a + long hawk's nose, almost resting upon a salient chin, a pendent moustache, + and a thick, brown, curly beard, prematurely grizzled; we see the mien of + frank authority and magnificent good humour, we hear the ready sallies of + the shrewd Gascon mother-wit, we feel the electricity which flashes out of + him, and sets all hearts around him on fire, when the trumpet sounds to + battle. The headlong desperate charge, the snow-white plume waving where + the fire is hottest, the large capacity for enjoyment of the man, rioting + without affectation in the 'certaminis gaudia', the insane gallop, after + the combat, to lay its trophies at the feet of the Cynthia of the minute, + and thus to forfeit its fruits; all are as familiar to us as if the seven + distinct wars, the hundred pitched battles, the two hundred sieges; in + which the Bearnese was personally present, had been occurrences of our own + day. + </p> + <p> + He at least was both king and man, if the monarch who occupied the throne + was neither. He was the man to prove, too, for the instruction of the + patient letter-writer of the Escorial, that the crown of France was to be + won with foot in stirrup and carbine in hand, rather than to be caught by + the weaving and casting of the most intricate nets of diplomatic intrigue, + though thoroughly weighted with Mexican gold. + </p> + <p> + The King of Navarre was now thirty-one years old; for the three Henrys + were nearly of the same age. The first indications of his existence had + been recognized amid the cannon and trumpets of a camp in Picardy, and his + mother had sung a gay Bearnese song as he was coming into the world at + Pau. Thus, said his grandfather, Henry of Navarre, thou shalt not bear to + us a morose and sulky child. The good king, without a kingdom, taking the + child, as soon as born, in the lapel of his dressing-gown, had brushed his + infant lips with a clove of garlic, and moistened them with a drop of + generous Gascon wine. Thus, said the grandfather again, shall the boy be + both merry and bold. There was something mythologically prophetic in the + incidents of his birth. + </p> + <p> + The best part of Navarre had been long since appropriated by Ferdinand of + Aragon. In France there reigned a young and warlike sovereign with four + healthy boys. But the new-born infant had inherited the lilies of France + from St. Louis, and a later ancestor had added to the escutcheon the motto + "Espoir." His grandfather believed that the boy was born to revenge upon + Spain the wrongs of the House of Albret, and Henry's nature seemed ever + pervaded with Robert of Clermont's device. + </p> + <p> + The same sensible grandfather, having different views on the subject of + education from those manifested by Catherine de Medici towards her + children, had the boy taught to run about bare-headed and bare-footed, + like a peasant, among the mountains and rocks of Bearn, till he became as + rugged as a young bear, and as nimble as a kid. Black bread, and beef, and + garlic, were his simple fare; and he was taught by his mother and his + grandfather to hate lies and liars, and to read the Bible. + </p> + <p> + When he was fifteen, the third religious war broke out. Both his father + and grandfather were dead. His mother, who had openly professed the + reformed faith, since the death of her husband, who hated it, brought her + boy to the camp at Rochelle, where he was received as the chief of the + Huguenots. His culture was not extensive. He had learned to speak the + truth, to ride, to shoot, to do with little sleep and less food. He could + also construe a little Latin, and had read a few military treatises; but + the mighty hours of an eventful life were now to take him by the hand, and + to teach him much good and much evil, as they bore him onward. He now saw + military treatises expounded practically by professors, like his uncle + Condo, and Admiral Coligny, and Lewis Nassau, in such lecture-rooms as + Laudun, and Jarnac, and Montcontour, and never was apter scholar. + </p> + <p> + The peace of Arnay-le-Duc succeeded, and then the fatal Bartholomew + marriage with the Messalina of Valois. The faith taught in the mountains + of Bearn was no buckler against the demand of "the mass or death," + thundered at his breast by the lunatic Charles, as he pointed to thousands + of massacred Huguenots. Henry yielded to such conclusive arguments, and + became a Catholic. Four years of court imprisonment succeeded, and the + young King of Navarre, though proof to the artifices of his gossip Guise, + was not adamant to the temptations spread for him by Catherine de' Medici. + In the harem entertained for him in the Louvre many pitfalls entrapped + him; and he became a stock-performer in the state comedies and tragedies + of that plotting age. + </p> + <p> + A silken web of palace-politics, palace-diplomacy, palace revolutions, + enveloped him. Schemes and counter-schemes, stratagems and conspiracies, + assassinations and poisonings; all the state-machinery which worked so + exquisitely in fair ladies' chambers, to spread havoc and desolation over + a kingdom, were displayed before his eyes. Now campaigning with one royal + brother against Huguenots, now fighting with another on their side, now + solicited by the Queen-Mother to attempt the life of her son, now implored + by Henry III. to assassinate his brother, the Bearnese, as fresh + antagonisms, affinities; combinations, were developed, detected, + neutralized almost daily, became rapidly an adept in Medicean + state-chemistry. Charles IX. in his grave, Henry III. on the throne, + Alencon in the Huguenot camp—Henry at last made his escape. The + brief war and peace of Monsieur succeeded, and the King of Navarre + formally abjured the Catholic creed. The parties were now sharply defined. + Guise mounted upon the League, Henry astride upon the Reformation, were + prepared to do battle to the death. The temporary "war of the amorous" was + followed by the peace of Fleix. + </p> + <p> + Four years of peace again; four fat years of wantonness and riot preceding + fourteen hungry famine-stricken years of bloodiest civil war. The + voluptuousness and infamy of the Louvre were almost paralleled in vice, if + not in splendour, by the miniature court at Pau. Henry's Spartan + grandfather would scarce have approved the courses of the youth, whose + education he had commenced on so simple a scale. For Margaret of Valois, + hating her husband, and living in most undisguised and promiscuous + infidelity to him, had profited by her mother's lessons. A seraglio of + maids of honour ministered to Henry's pleasures, and were carefully + instructed that the peace and war of the kingdom were playthings in their + hands. While at Paris royalty was hopelessly sinking in a poisonous marsh, + there was danger that even the hardy nature of the Bearnese would be + mortally enervated by the atmosphere in which he lived. + </p> + <p> + The unhappy Henry III., baited by the Guises, worried by Alencon and his + mother, implored the King of Navarre to return to Paris and the Catholic + faith. M. de Segur, chief of Navarre's council, who had been won over + during a visit to the capital, where he had made the discovery that "Henry + III. was an angel, and his ministers devils," came back to Pau, urging his + master's acceptance of the royal invitation. Henry wavered. Bold + D'Aubigne, stanchest of Huguenots, and of his friends, next day privately + showed Segur a palace-window opening on a very steep precipice over the + Bayae, and cheerfully assured him that he should be flung from it did he + not instantly reverse his proceedings, and give his master different + advice. If I am not able to do the deed myself, said D'Aubigne, here are a + dozen more to help me. The chief of the council cast a glance behind him, + saw a number of grim Puritan soldiers, with their hats plucked down upon + their brows, looking very serious; so made his bow, and quite changed his + line of conduct. + </p> + <p> + At about the same time, Philip II. confidentially offered Henry of Navarre + four hundred thousand crowns in hand, and twelve hundred thousand yearly, + if he would consent to make war upon Henry III. Mucio, or the Duke of + Guise, being still in Philip's pay, the combination of Leaguers and + Huguenots against the unfortunate Valois would, it was thought, be a good + triangular contest. + </p> + <p> + But Henry—no longer the unsophisticated youth who had been used to + run barefoot among the cliffs of Coarasse—was grown too crafty a + politician to be entangled by Spanish or Medicean wiles. The Duke of Anjou + was now dead. Of all the princes who had stood between him and the throne, + there was none remaining save the helpless, childless, superannuated + youth, who was its present occupant. The King of Navarre was legitimate + heir to the crown of France. "Espoir" was now in letters of light upon his + shield, but he knew that his path to greatness led through manifold + dangers, and that it was only at the head of his Huguenot chivalry that he + could cut his way. He was the leader of the nobles of Gascony, and + Dauphins, and Guienne, in their mountain fastnesses, of the weavers, cutlers, + and artizans, in their thriving manufacturing and trading towns. It was + not Spanish gold, but carbines and cutlasses, bows and bills, which could + bring him to the throne of his ancestors. + </p> + <p> + And thus he stood the chieftain of that great austere party of Huguenots, + the men who went on, their knees before the battle, beating their breasts + with their iron gauntlets, and singing in full chorus a psalm of David, + before smiting the Philistines hip and thigh. + </p> + <p> + Their chieftain, scarcely their representative—fit to lead his + Puritans on the battle-field, was hardly a model for them elsewhere. Yet, + though profligate in one respect, he was temperate in every other. In + food, wine, and sleep, he was always moderate. Subtle and crafty in + self-defence, he retained something of his old love of truth, of his + hatred for liars. Hardly generous perhaps, he was a friend of justice, + while economy in a wandering King, like himself, was a necessary virtue, + of which France one day was to feel the beneficent action. Reckless and + headlong in appearance, he was in truth the most careful of men. On the + religious question, most cautious of all, he always left the door open + behind him, disclaimed all bigotry of opinion, and earnestly implored the + Papists to seek, not his destruction, but his instruction. Yet prudent as + he was by nature in every other regard, he was all his life the slave of + one woman or another, and it was by good luck rather than by sagacity that + he did not repeatedly forfeit the fruits of his courage and conduct, in + obedience to his master-passion. + </p> + <p> + Always open to conviction on the subject of his faith, he repudiated the + appellation of heretic. A creed, he said, was not to be changed like a + shirt, but only on due deliberation, and under special advice. In his + secret heart he probably regarded the two religions as his chargers, and + was ready to mount alternately the one or the other, as each seemed the + more likely to bear him safely in the battle. The Bearnese was no Puritan, + but he was most true to himself and to his own advancement. His highest + principle of action was to reach his goal, and to that principle he was + ever loyal. Feeling, too, that it was the interest of France that he + should succeed, he was even inspired—compared with others on the + stage—by an almost lofty patriotism. + </p> + <p> + Amiable by nature and by habit, he had preserved the most unimpaired + good-humour throughout the horrible years which succeeded St. Bartholomew, + during which he carried his life in his hand, and learned not to wear his + heart upon his sleeve. Without gratitude, without resentment, without + fear, without remorse, entirely arbitrary, yet with the capacity to use + all men's judgments; without convictions, save in regard to his dynastic + interests, he possessed all the qualities, necessary to success. He knew + how to use his enemies. He knew how to use his friends, to abuse them, and + to throw them away. He refused to assassinate Francis Alencon at the + bidding of Henry III., but he attempted to procure the murder of the + truest of his own friends, one of the noblest characters of the age—whose + breast showed twelve scars received in his services—Agrippa + D'Aubigne, because the honest soldier had refused to become his pimp—a + service the King had implored upon his knees. + </p> + <p> + Beneath the mask of perpetual careless good-humour, lurked the keenest + eye, a subtle, restless, widely combining brain, and an iron will. Native + sagacity had been tempered into consummate elasticity by the fiery + atmosphere in which feebler natures had been dissolved. His wit was as + flashing and as quickly unsheathed as his sword. Desperate, apparently + reckless temerity on the battle-field was deliberately indulged in, that + the world might be brought to recognise a hero and chieftain in a King. + The do-nothings of the Merovingian line had been succeeded by the Pepins; + to the effete Carlovingians had come a Capet; to the impotent Valois + should come a worthier descendant of St. Louis. This was shrewd Gascon + calculation, aided by constitutional fearlessness. When despatch-writing, + invisible Philips, stargazing Rudolphs, and petticoated Henrys, sat upon + the thrones of Europe, it was wholesome to show the world that there was a + King left who could move about in the bustle and business of the age, and + could charge as well as most soldiers at the head of his cavalry; that + there was one more sovereign fit to reign over men, besides the glorious + Virgin who governed England. + </p> + <p> + Thus courageous, crafty, far-seeing, consistent, untiring, imperturbable, + he was born to command, and had a right to reign. He had need of the + throne, and the throne had still more need of him. + </p> + <p> + This then was the third Henry, representative of the third side of the + triangle, the reformers of the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + And before this bubbling cauldron of France, where intrigues, foreign and + domestic, conflicting ambitions, stratagems, and hopes, were whirling in + never-ceasing tumult, was it strange if the plain Netherland envoys should + stand somewhat aghast? + </p> + <p> + Yet it was necessary that they should ponder well the aspect of affairs; + for all their hopes, the very existence of themselves and of their + religion, depended upon the organization which should come of this chaos. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered, however, that those statesmen—even the wisest + or the best-informed of them—could not take so correct a view of + France and its politics as it is possible for us, after the lapse of three + centuries, to do. The interior leagues, subterranean schemes, conflicting + factions, could only be guessed at; nor could the immediate future be + predicted, even by such far-seeing politicians as William of Orange; at a + distance, or Henry of Navarre, upon the spot. + </p> + <p> + It was obvious to the Netherlanders that France, although torn by faction, + was a great and powerful realm. There had now been, with the brief + exception of the lovers' war in 1580, a religious peace of eight years' + duration. The Huguenots had enjoyed tranquil exercise of their worship + during that period, and they expressed perfect confidence in the good + faith of the King. That the cities were inordinately taxed to supply the + luxury of the court could hardly be unknown to the Netherlanders. + Nevertheless they knew that the kingdom was the richest and most populous + of Christendom, after that of Spain. Its capital, already called by + contemporaries the "compendium of the world," was described by travellers + as "stupendous in extent and miraculous for its numbers." It was even said + to contain eight hundred thousand souls; and although, its actual + population did not probably exceed three hundred and twenty thousand, yet + this was more than double the number of London's inhabitants, and thrice + as many as Antwerp could then boast, now that a great proportion of its + foreign denizens had been scared away. Paris was at least by one hundred + thousand more populous than any city of Europe, except perhaps the remote + and barbarous Moscow, while the secondary cities of France, Rouen in the + north, Lyons in the centre, and Marseilles in the south, almost equalled + in size, business, wealth, and numbers, the capitals of other countries. + In the whole kingdom were probably ten or twelve millions of inhabitants, + nearly as many as in Spain, without her colonies, and perhaps three times + the number that dwelt in England. + </p> + <p> + In a military point of view, too, the alliance of France was most valuable + to the contiguous Netherlands. A few regiments of French troops, under the + command of one of their experienced Marshals, could block up the Spaniards + in the Walloon Provinces, effectually stop their operations against Ghent, + Antwerp, and the other great cities of Flanders and Brabant, and, with the + combined action of the United Provinces on the north, so surround and + cripple the forces of Parma, as to reduce the power of Philip, after a few + vigorous and well-concerted blows, to an absolute nullity in, the Low + Countries. As this result was of as vital importance to the real interests + of France and of Europe, whether Protestant or Catholic, as it was to the + Provinces, and as the French government had privately manifested a strong + desire to oppose the progress of Spain towards universal empire, it was + not surprising that the States General, not feeling capable of standing + alone, should make their application to France. This they had done with + the knowledge and concurrence of the English government. What lay upon the + surface the Netherland statesmen saw and pondered well. What lurked + beneath, they surmised as shrewdly as they could, but it was impossible, + with plummet and fathom-line ever in hand, to sound the way with perfect + accuracy, where the quicksands were ever shifting, and the depth or + shallowness of the course perpetually varying. It was not easy to discover + the intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions, and + whose changing policy was controlled by so many hidden currents. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, as already indicated, the envoys and those whom they represented + had not the same means of arriving at a result as are granted to us. + Thanks to the liberality of many modern governments of Europe, the + archives where the state-secrets of the buried centuries have so long + mouldered, are now open to the student of history. To him who has patience + and industry many mysteries are thus revealed, which no political sagacity + or critical acumen could have divined. He leans over the shoulder of + Philip the Second at his writing-table, as the King spells patiently out, + with cipher-key in hand, the most concealed hieroglyphics of Parma or + Guise or Mendoza. He reads the secret thoughts of "Fabius,"—[The + name usually assigned to Philip himself in the Paris-Simancas + Correspondence.]—as that cunctative Roman scrawls his marginal + apostilles on each despatch; he pries into all the stratagems of Camillus, + Hortensius, Mucius, Julius, Tullius, and the rest of those ancient heroes + who lent their names to the diplomatic masqueraders of the 16th century; + he enters the cabinet of the deeply-pondering Burghley, and takes from the + most private drawer the memoranda which record that minister's unutterable + doubtings; he pulls from the dressing-gown folds of the stealthy, + softly-gliding Walsingham the last secret which he has picked from the + Emperor's pigeon-holes, or the Pope's pocket, and which, not Hatton, nor + Buckhurst, nor Leicester, nor the Lord Treasurer, is to see; nobody but + Elizabeth herself; he sits invisible at the most secret councils of the + Nassaus and Barneveldt and Buys, or pores with Farnese over coming + victories, and vast schemes of universal conquest; he reads the latest bit + of scandal, the minutest characteristic of king or minister, chronicled by + the gossiping Venetians for the edification of the Forty; and, after all + this prying and eavesdropping, having seen the cross-purposes, the + bribings, the windings, the fencings in the dark, he is not surprised, if + those who were systematically deceived did not always arrive at correct + conclusions. + </p> + <p> + Noel de Caron, Seigneur de Schoneval, had been agent of the States at the + French court at the time of the death of the Duke of Anjou. Upon the + occurrence of that event, La Mouillerie and Asseliers were deputed by the + Provinces to King Henry III., in order to offer him the sovereignty, which + they had intended to confer upon his brother. Meantime that brother, just + before his death, and with the privity of Henry, had been negotiating for + a marriage with the younger daughter of Philip II.—an arrangement + somewhat incompatible with his contemporaneous scheme to assume the + sovereignty of Philip's revolted Provinces. An attempt had been made at + the same time to conciliate the Duke of Savoy, and invite him to the + French court; but the Duc de Joyeuse, then on his return from Turin, was + bringing the news, not only that the match with Anjou was not favored—which, + as Anjou was dead, was of no great consequence—but that the Duke of + Savoy was himself to espouse the Infanta, and was therefore compelled to + decline the invitation to Paris, for fear of offending his father-in-law. + Other matters were in progress, to be afterwards indicated, very much + interfering with the negotiations of the Netherland envoys. + </p> + <p> + When La Mouillerie and Asseliers arrived at Rouen, on their road from + Dieppe to Paris, they received a peremptory order from the Queen-Mother to + proceed no farther. This prohibition was brought by an unofficial + personage, and was delivered, not to them, but to Des Pruneaux, French + envoy to the States General, who had accompanied the envoys to France. + </p> + <p> + After three weeks' time, during which they "kept themselves continually + concealed in Rouen," there arrived in that city a young nephew of + Secretary Brulart, who brought letters empowering him to hear what they + had in charge for the King. The envoys, not much flattered by such + cavalier treatment on the part of him to, whom they were offering a crown, + determined to digest the affront as they best might, and, to save time, + opened the whole business to this subordinate stripling. He received from + them accordingly an ample memoir to be laid before his Majesty, and + departed by the post the same night. Then they waited ten days longer, + concealed as if they had been thieves or spies, rather than the + representatives of a friendly power, on a more than friendly errand. + </p> + <p> + At last, on the 24th July 1854, after the deputies had been thus shut up a + whole month, Secretary Brulart himself arrived from Fontainebleau. + </p> + <p> + He stated that the King sent his royal thanks to the States for the offer + which they had made him, and to the deputies in particular for taking the + trouble of so long a journey; but that he did not find his realm in + condition to undertake a foreign war so inopportunely. In every other + regard, his Majesty offered the States "all possible favours and + pleasures." + </p> + <p> + Certainly, after having been thus kept in prison for a month, the + ambassadors had small cause to be contented with this very cold + communication. To be forbidden the royal presence, and to be turned out of + the country without even an official and accredited answer to a + communication in which they had offered the sovereignty of their + fatherland, was not flattering to their dignity. "We little thought," said + they to Brulart, after a brief consultation among themselves, "to receive + such a reply as this. It displeases us infinitely that his Majesty will + not do us the honour to grant us an audience. We must take the liberty of + saying, that 'tis treating the States, our masters, with too much + contempt. Who ever heard before of refusing audience to public personages? + Kings often grant audience to mere letter-carriers. Even the King of Spain + never refused a hearing to the deputies from the Netherlands when they + came to Spain to complain of his own government. The States General have + sent envoys to many other kinds and princes, and they have instantly + granted audience in every case. His Majesty, too, has been very + ill-informed of the contracts which we formerly made with the Duke of + Anjou, and therefore a personal interview is the more necessary." As the + envoys were obstinate on the point of Paris, Brulart said "that the King, + although he should himself be at Lyons, would not prevent any one from + going to the capital on his own private affairs; but would unquestionably + take it very ill if, they should visit that city in a public manner, and + as deputies." + </p> + <p> + Des Pruneaux professed himself "very grievous at this result, and desirous + of a hundred deaths in consequence." + </p> + <p> + They stated that they should be ready within a month to bring an army of + 3,000 horse and 13,000 foot into the field for the relief of Ghent, + besides their military operations against Zutphen; and that the enemy had + recently been ignominiously defeated in his attack upon Fort Lille, and + had lost 2,000 of his best soldiers. + </p> + <p> + Here were encouraging facts; and it certainly was worth the while of the + French sovereign to pause a moment before rejecting without a hearing, the + offer of such powerful and conveniently-situated provinces. + </p> + <p> + Des Pruneaux, a man of probity and earnestness, but perhaps of + insufficient ability to deal with such grave matters as now fell almost + entirely upon his shoulders, soon afterwards obtained audience of the + King. Being most sincerely in favour of the annexation of the Netherlands + to France, and feeling that now or never was the opportunity of bringing + it about, he persuaded the King to send him back to the Provinces, in + order to continue the negotiation directly with the States General. The + timidity and procrastination of the court could be overcome no further. + </p> + <p> + The two Dutch envoys, who had stolen secretly to Paris, were indulged in a + most barren and unmeaning interview with the Queen-Mother. Before their + departure from France, however, they had the advantage of much + conversation with leading members of the royal council, of the parliaments + of Paris and Rouen, and also with various persons professing the reformed + religion. They endeavoured thus to inform themselves, as well as they + could, why the King made so much difficulty in accepting their + propositions, and whether, and by what means, his Majesty could be induced + to make war in their behalf upon the King of Spain. + </p> + <p> + They were informed that, should Holland and Zeeland unite with the rest of + the Netherlands, the King "without any doubt would undertake the cause + most earnestly." His councillors, also—even those who had been most + active in dissuading his Majesty from such a policy—would then be + unanimous in supporting the annexation of the Provinces and the war with + Spain. In such a contingency, with the potent assistance of Holland and + Zeeland, the King would have little difficulty, within a very short time, + in chasing every single Spaniard out of the Netherlands. To further this + end, many leading personages in France avowed to the envoys their + determination "to venture their lives and their fortunes, and to use all + the influence which they possessed at court." + </p> + <p> + The same persons expressed their conviction that the King, once satisfied + by the Provinces as to conditions and reasons, would cheerfully go into + the war, without being deterred by any apprehension as to the power of + Spain. It was, however, fitting that each Province should chaffer as + little as possible about details, but should give his Majesty every + reasonable advantage. They should remember that they were dealing with "a + great, powerful monarch, who was putting his realm in jeopardy, and not + with a Duke of Anjou, who had every thing to gain and nothing to lose." + </p> + <p> + All the Huguenots, with whom the envoys conversed, were excessively + sanguine. Could the King be once brought they said, to promise the + Netherlands his protection, there was not the least fear but that he would + keep his word. He would use all the means within his power; "yea, he would + take the crown from his head," rather than turn back. Although reluctant + to commence a war with so powerful a sovereign, having once promised his + help, he would keep his pledge to the utmost, "for he was a King of his + word," and had never broken and would never break his faith with those of + the reformed religion. + </p> + <p> + Thus spoke the leading Huguenots of France, in confidential communication + with the Netherland envoys, not many months before the famous edict of + extermination, published at Nemours. + </p> + <p> + At that moment the reformers were full of confidence; not foreseeing the + long procession of battles and sieges which was soon to sweep through the + land. Notwithstanding the urgency of the Papists for their extirpation, + they extolled loudly the liberty of religious worship which Calvinists, as + well as Catholics, were enjoying in France, and pointed to the fact that + the adherents of both religions were well received at court, and that they + shared equally in offices of trust and dignity throughout the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + The Netherland envoys themselves bore testimony to the undisturbed + tranquillity and harmony in which the professors of both religions were + living and worshipping side by side "without reproach or quarrel" in all + the great cities which they had visited. They expressed the conviction + that the same toleration would be extended to all the Provinces when under + French dominion; and, so far as their ancient constitutions and privileges + were concerned, they were assured that the King of France would respect + and maintain them with as much fidelity as the States could possibly + desire. + </p> + <p> + Des Pruneaux, accompanied by the two States' envoys, departed forthwith + for the Netherlands. On the 24th August, 1584 he delivered a discourse + before the States General, in which he disclosed, in very general terms, + the expectations of Henry III., and intimated very clearly that the + different Provinces were to lose no time in making an unconditional offer + to that monarch. With regard to Holland and Zeeland he observed that he + was provided with a special commission to those Estates. It was not long + before one Province after the other came to the conclusion to offer the + sovereignty to the King without written conditions, but with a general + understanding that their religious freedom and their ancient constitutions + were to be sacredly respected. Meantime, Des Pruneaux made his appearance + in Holland and Zeeland, and declared the King's intentions of espousing + the cause of the States, and of accepting the sovereignty of all the + Provinces. He distinctly observed, however, that it was as sovereign, not + as protector, that his Majesty must be recognised in Holland and Zeeland, + as well as in the rest of the country. + </p> + <p> + Upon this grave question there was much debate and much difference of + opinion. Holland and Zeeland had never contemplated the possibility of + accepting any foreign sovereignty, and the opponents of the present scheme + were loud and angry, but very reasonable in their remarks. + </p> + <p> + The French, they said, were no respecters of privileges nor of persons. + The Duke of Anjou had deceived William of Orange and betrayed the + Provinces. Could they hope to see farther than that wisest and most + experienced prince? Had not the stout hearts of the Antwerp burghers + proved a stronger defence to Brabant liberties than the "joyous entry" on + the dread day of the "French fury," it would have fared ill then and for + ever with the cause of freedom and religion in the Netherlands. The King + of France was a Papist, a Jesuit. He was incapable of keeping his pledges. + Should they make the arrangement now proposed and confer the sovereignty + upon him, he would forthwith make peace with Spain, and transfer the + Provinces back to that crown in exchange for the duchy of Milan, which + France had ever coveted. The Netherlands, after a quarter of a century of + fighting in defence of their hearths and altars, would find themselves + handed over again, bound and fettered, to the tender mercies of the + Spanish Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + The Kings of France and of Spain always acted in concert, for religion was + the most potent of bonds. Witness the sacrifice of thousands of French + soldiers to Alva by their own sovereign at Mons, witness the fate of + Genlis, witness the bloody night of St. Bartholomew, witness the Antwerp + fury. Men cited and relied upon the advice of William of Orange as to this + negotiation with France. But Orange never dreamed of going so far as now + proposed. He was ever careful to keep the Provinces of Holland and Zeeland + safe from every foreign master. That spot was to be holy ground. Not out + of personal ambition. God forbid that they, should accuse his memory of + any such impurity, but because he wished one safe refuge for the spirit of + freedom. + </p> + <p> + Many years long they had held out by land and sea against the Spaniards, + and should they now, because this Des Pruneaux shrugged his shoulders, be + so alarmed as to open the door to the same Spaniard wearing the disguise + of a Frenchman? + </p> + <p> + Prince Maurice also made a brief representation to the States' Assembly of + Holland, in which, without distinctly opposing the negotiation with + France, he warned them not to proceed too hastily with so grave a matter. + He reminded them how far they had gone in the presentation of the + sovereignty to his late father, and requested them, in their dealings with + France, not to forget his interests and those of his family. He reminded + them of the position of that family, overladen with debt contracted in + their service alone. He concluded by offering most affectionately his + service in any way in which he, young and inexperienced as he knew himself + to be, might be thought useful; as he was long since resolved to devote + his life to the welfare of his country. + </p> + <p> + These passionate appeals were answered with equal vehemence by those who + had made up their minds to try the chances of the French sovereignty. Des + Pruneaux, meanwhile, was travelling from province to province, and from + city to city, using the arguments which have already been sufficiently + indicated, and urging a speedy compliance with the French King's + propositions. At the same time, in accordance with his instructions, he + was very cautious to confine himself to generalities, and to avoid + hampering his royal master with the restrictions which had proved so + irksome to the Duke of Anjou. + </p> + <p> + "The States General demanded a copy of my speech," he wrote the day after + that harangue had been delivered, "but I only gave them a brief outline; + extending myself [25th August, 1584] as little as I possibly could, + according to the intention and command of your Majesty. When I got here, I + found them without hope of our assistance, and terribly agitated by the + partizans of Spain. There was some danger of their going over in a panic + to the enemy. They are now much changed again, and the Spanish partizans + are beginning to lose their tongues. I invite them, if they intend to + address your Majesty, to proceed as they ought towards a veritably grand + monarch, without hunting up any of their old quibbles, or reservations of + provinces, or any thing else which could inspire suspicion. I have sent + into Gelderland and Friesland, for I find I must stay here in Holland and + Zeeland myself. These two provinces are the gates and ramparts through + which we must enter. 'Tis, in my opinion, what could be called superb, to + command all the sea, thus subject to the crown of France. And France, too, + with assistance of this country, will command the land as well. They are + much astonished here, however, that I communicate nothing of the intention + of your Majesty. They say that if your Majesty does not accept this offer + of their country, your Majesty puts the rope around their necks." + </p> + <p> + The French envoy was more and more struck with the brilliancy of the prize + offered to his master. "If the King gets these Provinces," said he to + Catharine, "'t will be the most splendid inheritance which Prince has ever + conquered." + </p> + <p> + In a very few weeks the assiduity of the envoy and of the French party was + successful. All the other provinces had very soon repeated the offer which + they had previously made through Asseliers and La Mouillerie. By the + beginning of October the opposition of Holland was vanquished. The estates + of that Province—three cities excepted, however—determined "to + request England and France to assume a joint protectorate over the + Netherlands. In case the King of France should refuse this proposition, + they were then ready to receive him as prince and master, with knowledge + and consent of the Queen of England, and on such conditions as the United + States should approve." + </p> + <p> + Immediately afterwards, the General Assembly of all the States determined + to offer the sovereignty to King Henry "on conditions to be afterwards + settled." + </p> + <p> + Des Pruneaux, thus triumphant, received a gold chain of the value of two + thousand florins, and departed before the end of October for France. + </p> + <p> + The departure of the solemn embassy to that country, for the purpose of + offering the sovereignty to the King, was delayed till the beginning of + January. Meantime it is necessary to cast a glance at the position of + England in relation to these important transactions. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to deceive + Enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists + Find our destruction in our immoderate desire for peace + German-Lutheran sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom + Intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions + Lord was better pleased with adverbs than nouns + Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf will eat you + Necessity of kingship + Neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own + Nor is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence + Pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law + Seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous + Shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen + String of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza + The very word toleration was to sound like an insult + There was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm + Tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health + Write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. 1584-1585 + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Policy of England—Schemes of the Pretender of Portugal—Hesitation + of the French Court—Secret Wishes of France—Contradictory Views as + to the Opinions of Netherlanders—Their Love for England and + Elizabeth—Prominent Statesmen of the Provinces—Roger Williams the + Welshman Views of Walsingham, Burghley, and the Queen—An Embassy to + Holland decided upon—Davison at the Hague—Cautious and Secret + Measures of Burghley—Consequent Dissatisfaction of Walsingham— + English and Dutch Suspicion of France—Increasing Affection of + Holland for England. +</pre> + <p> + The policy of England towards the Provinces had been somewhat hesitating, + but it had not been disloyal. It was almost inevitable that there should + be timidity in the councils of Elizabeth, when so grave a question as that + of confronting the vast power of Spain was forcing itself day by day more + distinctly upon the consideration of herself and her statesmen. It was + very clear, now that Orange was dead, that some new and decided step would + be taken. Elizabeth was in favour of combined action by the French and + English governments, in behalf of the Netherlands—a joint + protectorate of the Provinces, until such time as adequate concessions on + the religious question could be obtained from Spain. She was unwilling to + plunge into the peril and expense of a war with the strongest power in the + world. She disliked the necessity under which she should be placed of + making repeated applications to her parliament, and of thus fostering the + political importance of the Commons; she was reluctant to encourage + rebellious subjects in another land, however just the cause of their + revolt. She felt herself vulnerable in Ireland and on the Scottish border. + Nevertheless, the Spanish power was becoming so preponderant, that if the + Netherlands were conquered, she could never feel a moment's security + within her own territory. If the Provinces were annexed to France, on the + other hand, she could not contemplate with complacency the increased power + thus placed in the hands of the treacherous and jesuitical house of + Valois. + </p> + <p> + The path of the Queen was thickly strewed with peril: her advisers were + shrewd, far-seeing, patriotic, but some of them were perhaps over + cautious. The time had, however, arrived when the danger was to be faced, + if the whole balance of power in Europe were not to come to an end, and + weak states, like England and the Netherlands, to submit to the tyranny of + an overwhelming absolutism. The instinct of the English sovereign, of + English statesmen, of the English nation, taught them that the cause of + the Netherlands was their own. Nevertheless, they were inclined to look on + yet a little longer, although the part of spectator had become an + impossible one. The policy of the English government was not treacherous, + although it was timid. That of the French court was both the one and the + other, and it would have been better both for England and the Provinces, + had they more justly appreciated the character of Catharine de' Medici and + her son. + </p> + <p> + The first covert negotiations between Henry and the States had caused much + anxiety among the foreign envoys in France. Don Bernardino de Mendoza, who + had recently returned from Spain after his compulsory retreat from his + post of English ambassador, was now established in Paris, as + representative of Philip. He succeeded Tasais—a Netherlander by + birth, and one of the ablest diplomatists in the Spanish service—and + his house soon became the focus of intrigue against the government to + which he was accredited—the very head-quarters of the League. His + salary was large, his way of living magnificent, his insolence + intolerable. + </p> + <p> + "Tassis is gone to the Netherlands," wrote envoy Busbecq to the Emperor, + "and thence is to proceed to Spain. Don Bernardino has arrived in his + place. If it be the duty of a good ambassador to expend largely, it would + be difficult to find a better one than he; for they say 'tis his intention + to spend sixteen thousand dollars yearly in his embassy. I would that all + things were in correspondence; and that he were not in other respects so + inferior to Tassis." + </p> + <p> + It is, however, very certain that Mendoza was not only a brave soldier, + but a man of very considerable capacity in civil affairs, although his + inordinate arrogance interfered most seriously with his skill as a + negotiator. He was, of course, watching with much fierceness the progress + of these underhand proceedings between the French court and the rebellious + subjects of his master, and using threats and expostulations in great + profusion. "Mucio," too, the great stipendiary of Philip, was becoming + daily more dangerous, and the adherents of the League were multiplying + with great celerity. + </p> + <p> + The pretender of Portugal, Don Antonio, prior of Crato, was also in Paris; + and it was the policy of both the French and the English governments to + protect his person, and to make use of him as a rod over the head of + Philip. Having escaped, after the most severe sufferings, in the mountains + of Spain, where he had been tracked like a wild beast, with a price of + thirty thousand crowns placed upon his head, he was now most anxious to + stir the governments of Europe into espousing his cause, and into + attacking Spain through the recently acquired kingdom of Portugal. + Meantime, he was very desirous of some active employment, to keep himself + from starving, and conceived the notion, that it would be an excellent + thing for the Netherlands and himself, were he to make good to them the + loss of William the Silent. + </p> + <p> + "Don Antonio," wrote Stafford, "made a motion to me yesterday, to move her + Majesty, that now upon the Prince of Orange's death, as it is a necessary + thing for them to have a governor and head, and him to be at her Majesty's + devotion, if her Majesty would be at the means to work it for him, she + should be assured nobody should be more faithfully tied in devotion to her + than he. Truly you would pity the poor man's case, who is almost next door + to starving in effect." + </p> + <p> + A starving condition being, however, not the only requisite in a governor + and head to replace the Prince of Orange, nothing came of this motion. Don + Antonio remained in Paris, in a pitiable plight, and very much environed + by dangers; for the Duke of Guise and his brother had undertaken to + deliver him into the hands of Philip the Second, or those of his + ministers, before the feast of St. John of the coming year. Fifty thousand + dollars were to be the reward of this piece of work, combined with other + services; "and the sooner they set about it the better," said Philip, + writing a few months later, "for the longer they delay it, the less easy + will they find it."' + </p> + <p> + The money was never earned, however, and meantime Don Antonio made himself + as useful as he could, in picking up information for Sir Edward Stafford + and the other opponents of Spanish policy in Paris. + </p> + <p> + The English envoy was much embarrassed by the position of affairs. He felt + sure that the French monarch would never dare to enter the lists against + the king of Spain, yet he was accurately informed of the secret + negotiations with the Netherlands, while in the dark as to the ultimate + intentions of his own government. + </p> + <p> + "I was never set to school so much," he wrote to Walsingham (27th July, + 1584), "as I have been to decipher the cause of the deputies of the Low + Countries coming hither, the offers that they made the King here, and the + King's manner of dealing with them!" + </p> + <p> + He expressed great jealousy at the mystery which enveloped the whole + transaction; and much annoyance with Noel de Caron, who "kept very secret, + and was angry at the motion," when he endeavoured to discover the business + in which they were engaged. Yet he had the magnanimity to request + Walsingham not to mention the fact to the Queen, lest she should be + thereby prejudiced against the States. + </p> + <p> + "For my part," said he, "I would be glad in any thing to further them, + rather than to hinder them—though they do not deserve it—yet + for the good the helping them at this time may bring ourselves." + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the deputies went away from France, and the King went to Lyons, + where he had hoped to meet both the Duke of Savoy and the King of Navarre. + But Joyeuse, who had been received at Chambery with "great triumphs and + tourneys," brought back only a broken wrist, without bringing the Duke of + Savoy; that potentate sending word that the "King of Spain had done him + the honour to give him his daughter, and that it was not fit for him to do + any thing that might bring jealousy." + </p> + <p> + Henry of Navarre also, as we have seen, declined the invitation sent him, + M. de Segur not feeling disposed for the sudden flight out of window + suggested by Agrippa D' Aubigne; so that, on the whole, the King and his + mother, with all the court, returned from Lyons in marvellous ill humour. + </p> + <p> + "The King storms greatly," said Stafford, "and is in a great dump." It was + less practicable than ever to discover the intentions of the government; + for although it was now very certain that active exertions were making by + Des Pruneaux in the Provinces, it was not believed by the most sagacious + that a serious resolution against Spain had been taken in France. There + was even a talk of a double matrimonial alliance, at that very moment, + between the two courts. + </p> + <p> + "It is for certain here said," wrote Stafford, "that the King of Spain + doth presently marry the dowager of France, and 'tis thought that if the + King of Spain marry, he will not live a year. Whensoever the marriage be," + added the envoy, "I would to God the effect were true, for if it be not by + some such handy work of God, I am afraid things will not go so well as I + could wish." + </p> + <p> + There was a lull on the surface of affairs, and it was not easy to sound + the depths of unseen combinations and intrigues. + </p> + <p> + There was also considerable delay in the appointment and the arrival of + the new deputies from the Netherlands; and Stafford was as doubtful as + ever as to the intentions of his own government. + </p> + <p> + "They look daily here for the States," he wrote to Walsingham (29th Dec. + 1584), "and I pray that I may hear from you as soon as you may, what + course I shall take when they be here, either hot or cold or lukewarm in + the matter, and in what sort I shall behave myself. Some badly affected + have gone about to put into the King's head, that they never meant to + offer the sovereignty, which, though the King be not thoroughly persuaded + of, yet so much is won by this means that the King hearkeneth to see the + end, and then to believe as he seeth cause, and in the meantime to speak + no more of any such matter than if it had never been moved." + </p> + <p> + While his Majesty was thus hearkening in order to see more, according to + Sir Edward's somewhat Hibernian mode of expressing himself, and keeping + silent that he might see the better, it was more difficult than ever for + the envoy to know what course to pursue. Some persons went so far as to + suggest that the whole negotiation was a mere phantasmagoria devised by + Queen Elizabeth—her purpose being to breed a quarrel between Henry + and Philip for her own benefit; and "then, seeing them together by the + ears, as her accustomed manner was, to let them go alone, and sit still to + look on." + </p> + <p> + The King did not appear to be much affected by these insinuations against + Elizabeth; but the doubt and the delay were very harassing. "I would to + God," wrote the English envoy, "that if the States mean to do anything + here with the King, and if her. Majesty and the council think it fit, they + would delay no time, but go roundly either to an agreement or to a breach + with the King. Otherwise, as the matter now sleepeth, so it will die, for + the King must be taken in his humour when he begins to nibble at any bait, + for else he will come away, and never bite a full bite while he liveth." + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt that the bait, at which Henry nibbled with much avidity, + was the maritime part of the Netherlands. Holland and Zeeland in the + possession of either England or Spain, was a perpetual inconvenience to + France. The King, or rather the Queen-Mother and her advisers—for + Henry himself hardly indulged in any profound reflections on + state-affairs,—desired and had made a sine qua non of those + Provinces. It had been the French policy, from the beginning, to delay + matters, in order to make the States feel the peril of their position to + the full. + </p> + <p> + "The King, differing and temporising," wrote Herle to the Queen, "would + have them fall into that necessity and danger, as that they should offer + unto him simply the possession of all their estates. Otherwise, they were + to see, as in a glass, their evident and hasty ruin." + </p> + <p> + Even before the death of Orange, Henry had been determined, if possible, + to obtain possession of the island of Walcheren, which controlled the + whole country. "To give him that," said Herle, "would be to turn the hot + end of the poker towards themselves, and put the cold part in the King's + hand. He had accordingly made a secret offer to William of Orange, through + the Princess, of two millions of livres in ready money, or, if he + preferred it, one hundred thousand livres yearly of perpetual inheritance, + if he would secure to him the island of Walcheren. In that case he + promised to declare war upon the King of Spain, to confirm to the States + their privileges, and to guarantee to the Prince the earldoms of Holland + and Zeeland, with all his other lands and titles." + </p> + <p> + It is superfluous to say that such offers were only regarded by the Prince + as an affront. It was, however, so necessary, in his opinion; to maintain + the cause of the reformed churches in France, and to keep up the + antagonism between that country and Spain, that the French policy was not + abandoned, although the court was always held in suspicion. + </p> + <p> + But on the death of William, there was a strong reaction against France + and in favour of England. Paul Buys, one of the ablest statesmen of the + Netherlands, Advocate of Holland, and a confidential friend of William the + Silent up to the time of his death, now became the leader of the English + party, and employed his most strenuous efforts against the French + treaty-having "seen the scope of that court." + </p> + <p> + With regard to the other leading personages, there was a strong + inclination in favour of Queen Elizabeth, whose commanding character + inspired great respect. At the same time warmer sentiments of adhesion + seem to have been expressed towards the French court, by the same + individuals, than the mere language of compliment justified. + </p> + <p> + Thus, the widowed Princess of Orange was described by Des Pruneaux to his + sovereign, as "very desolate, but nevertheless doing all in her power to + advance his interests; the Count Maurice, of gentle hopes, as also most + desirous of remaining his Majesty's humble servant, while Elector + Truchsess was said to be employing himself, in the same cause, with very + great affection." + </p> + <p> + A French statesman resident in the Provinces, whose name has not been + preserved, but who was evidently on intimate terms with many eminent + Netherlanders, declared that Maurice, "who had a mind entirely French, + deplored infinitely the misfortunes of France, and regretted that all the + Provinces could not be annexed to so fair a kingdom. I do assure you," he + added, "that he is in no wise English." + </p> + <p> + Of Count Hohenlo, general-in-chief of the States' army under Prince + Maurice, and afterwards his brother-in-law, the same gentleman spoke with + even greater confidence. "Count d'Oloc," said he (for by that ridiculous + transformation of his name the German general was known to French and + English), "with whom I have passed three weeks on board the fleet of the + States, is now wholly French, and does not love the English at all. The + very first time I saw him, he protested twice or thrice, in presence of + members of the States General and of the State Council, that if he had no + Frenchmen he could never carry on the war. He made more account," he said, + "of two thousand French than of six thousand others, English, or Germans." + </p> + <p> + Yet all these distinguished persons—the widowed Princess of Orange, + Count Maurice, ex-elector Truchsess, Count Holenlo—were described to + Queen Elizabeth by her confidential agent, then employed in the Provinces, + as entirely at that sovereign's devotion. + </p> + <p> + "Count Maurice holds nothing of the French, nor esteems them," said Herle, + "but humbly desired me to signify unto your Majesty that he had in his + mind and determination faithfully vowed his service to your Majesty, which + should be continued in his actions with all duty, and sealed with his + blood; for he knew how much his father and the cause were beholden ever to + your Highness's goodness." + </p> + <p> + The Princess, together with her sister-in-law Countess Schwartzenburg, and + the young daughters of the late Prince were described on the same occasion + "as recommending their service unto her Majesty with a most tender + affection, as to a lady of all ladies." "Especially," said Herle, "did the + two Princesses in most humble and wise sort, express a certain fervent + devotion towards your Majesty." + </p> + <p> + Elector Truchsess was spoken of as "a prince well qualified and greatly + devoted to her Majesty; who, after many grave and sincere words had of her + Majesty's virtue, calling her 'la fille unique de Dieu, and le bien + heureuse Princesse', desired of God that he might do her service as she + merited." + </p> + <p> + And, finally, Count Hollock—who seemed to "be reformed in sundry + things, if it hold" (a delicate allusion to the Count's propensity for + strong potations), was said "to desire humbly to be known for one that + would obey the commandment of her Majesty more than of any earthly prince + living besides." + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that there was a strong party in favour of an appeal + to England rather than to France. The Netherlanders were too shrewd a + people not to recognize the difference between the king of a great realm, + who painted his face and wore satin petticoats, and the woman who + entertained ambassadors, each in his own language, on gravest affairs of + state, who matched in her wit and wisdom the deepest or the most sparkling + intellects of her council, who made extemporaneous Latin orations to her + universities, and who rode on horseback among her generals along the lines + of her troops in battle-array, and yet was only the unmarried queen of a + petty and turbulent state. + </p> + <p> + "The reverend respect that is borne to your Majesty throughout these + countries is great," said William Herle. They would have thrown themselves + into her arms, heart and soul, had they been cordially extended at that + moment of their distress; but she was coy, hesitating, and, for reasons + already sufficiently indicated, although not so conclusive as they seemed, + disposed to temporize and to await the issue of the negotiations between + the Provinces and France. + </p> + <p> + In Holland and Zeeland especially, there was an enthusiastic feeling in + favour of the English alliance. "They recommend themselves," said Herleo + "throughout the country in their consultations and assemblies, as also in + their common and private speeches, to the Queen of England's only favour + and goodness, whom they call their saviour, and the Princess of greatest + perfection in wisdom and sincerity that ever governed. Notwithstanding + their treaty now on foot by their deputies with France, they are not more + disposed to be governed by the French than to be tyrannized over by the + Spaniard; concluding it to be alike; and even 'commutare non sortem sed + servitutem'." + </p> + <p> + Paul Buys was indefatigable in his exertions against the treaty with + France, and in stimulating the enthusiasm for England and Elizabeth. He + expressed sincere and unaffected devotion to the Queen on all occasions, + and promised that no negotiations should take place, however secret and + confidential, that were not laid before her Majesty. "He has the chief + administration among the States," said Herle, "and to his credit and + dexterity they attribute the despatch of most things. He showed unto me + the state of the enemy throughout the provinces, and of the negotiation in + France, whereof he had no opinion at all of success, nor any will of his + own part but to please the Prince of Orange in his life-time." + </p> + <p> + It will be seen in the sequel whether or not the views of this experienced + and able statesman were lucid and comprehensive. It will also be seen + whether his strenuous exertions in favour of the English alliance were + rewarded as bountifully as they deserved, by those most indebted to him. + </p> + <p> + Meantime he was busily employed in making the English government + acquainted with the capacity, disposition, and general plans of the + Netherlanders. + </p> + <p> + "They have certain other things in consultation amongst the States to + determine of," wrote Herle, "which they were sworn not to reveal to any, + but Buys protested that nothing should pass but to your liking and surety, + and the same to be altered and disposed as should seem good to your + Highness's own authority; affirming to me sincerely that Holland and + Zeeland, with the rest of the provinces, for the estimation they had of + your high virtue and temperancy, would yield themselves absolutely to your + Majesty and crown for ever, or to none other (their liberties only + reserved), whereof you should have immediate possession, without + reservation of place or privilege." + </p> + <p> + The important point of the capability of the Provinces to defend + themselves, about which Elizabeth was most anxious to be informed, was + also fully elucidated by the Advocate. "The means should be such, + proceeding from the Provinces," said he, "as your Majesty might defend + your interest therein with facility against the whole world." He then + indicated a plan, which had been proposed by the States of Brabant to the + States General, according to which they were to keep on foot an army of + 15,000 foot and 5000 horse, with which they should be able, "to expulse + the enemy and to reconquer their towns and country lost, within three + months." Of this army they hoped to induce the Queen to furnish 5000 + English footmen and 500 horse, to be paid monthly by a treasurer of her + own; and for the assistance thus to be furnished they proposed to give + Ostend and Sluys as pledge of payment. According to this scheme the + elector palatine, John Casimir, had promised to furnish, equip, and pay + 2000 cavalry, taking the town of Maestricht and the country of Limburg, + when freed from the enemy, in pawn for his disbursements; while Antwerp + and Brabant had agreed to supply 300,000 crowns in ready money for + immediate use. Many powerful politicians opposed this policy, however, and + urged reliance upon France, "so that this course seemed to be lame in many + parts."—[Letter of Herle]. + </p> + <p> + Agents had already been sent both to England and France, to procure, if + possible, a levy of troops for immediate necessity. The attempt was + unsuccessful in France, but the Dutch community of the reformed religion + in London subscribed nine thousand and five florins. This sum, with other + contributions, proved sufficient to set Morgan's regiment on foot, which + soon after began to arrive in the Netherlands by companies. "But if it + were all here at once," said Stephen Le Sieur, "'t would be but a + breakfast for the enemy." + </p> + <p> + The agent for the matter in England was De Griyse, formerly bailiff of + Bruges; and although tolerably successful in his mission, he was not + thought competent for so important a post, nor officially authorised for + the undertaking. While procuring this assistance in English troops he had + been very urgent with the Queen to further the negotiations between the + States and France; and Paul Buys was offended with him as a mischief-maker + and an intriguer. He complained of him as having "thrust himself in, to + deal and intermeddle in the affairs of the Low Countries unavowed," and + desired that he might be closely looked after. + </p> + <p> + After the Advocate, the next most important statesman in the provinces + was, perhaps, Meetkerk, President of the High Court of Flanders, a man of + much learning, sincerity, and earnestness of character; having had great + experience in the diplomatic service of the country on many important + occasions. "He stands second in reputation here," said Herle, "and both + Buys and he have one special care in all practises that are discovered, to + examine how near anything may concern your person or kingdom, whereof they + will advertise as matter shall fall out in importance." + </p> + <p> + John van Olden-Barneveldt, afterwards so conspicuous in the history of the + country, was rather inclined, at this period, to favour the French party; + a policy which was strenuously furthered by Villiers and by Sainte + Aldegonde. + </p> + <p> + Besides the information furnished to the English government, as to the + state of feeling and resources of the Netherlands, by Buys, Meetkerk, and + William Herle, Walsingham relied much upon the experienced eye and the + keen biting humour of Roger Williams. + </p> + <p> + A frank open-hearted Welshman, with no fortune but his sword, but as true + as its steel, he had done the States much important service in the + hard-fighting days of Grand Commander Requesens and of Don John of + Austria. With a shrewd Welsh head under his iron morion, and a stout Welsh + heart under his tawny doublet, he had gained little but hard knocks and a + dozen wounds in his campaigning, and had but recently been ransomed, + rather grudgingly by his government, from a Spanish prison in Brabant. He + was suffering in health from its effects, but was still more distressed in + mind, from his sagacious reading of the signs of the times. Fearing that + England was growing lukewarm, and the Provinces desperate, he was + beginning to find himself out of work, and was already casting about him + for other employment. Poor, honest, and proud, he had repeatedly declined + to enter the Spanish service. Bribes, such as at a little later period + were sufficient to sully conspicuous reputations and noble names, among + his countrymen in better circumstances than his own, had been freely but + unsuccessfully offered him. To serve under any but the English or States' + flag in the Provinces he scorned; and he thought the opportunity fast + slipping away there for taking the Papistical party in Europe handsomely + by the beard. He had done much manful work in the Netherlands, and was + destined to do much more; but he was now discontented, and thought himself + slighted. In more remote regions of the world, the thrifty soldier thought + that there might be as good harvesting for his sword as in the + thrice-trampled stubble of Flanders. + </p> + <p> + "I would refuse no hazard that is possible to be done in the Queen's + service," he said to Walsingham; "but I do persuade myself she makes no + account of me. Had it not been for the duty that nature bound me towards + her and my country, I needed not to have been in that case that I am in. + Perhaps I could have fingered more pistoles than Mr. Newell, the late + Latiner, and had better usage and pension of the Spaniards than he. Some + can tell that I refused large offers, in the misery of Alost, of the + Prince of Parma. Last of all, Verdugo offered me very fair, being in + Loccum, to quit the States' service, and accept theirs, without treachery + or betraying of place or man." + </p> + <p> + Not feeling inclined to teach Latin in Spain, like the late Mr. Newell, or + to violate oaths and surrender fortresses, like brave soldiers of fortune + whose deeds will be afterwards chronicled, he was disposed to cultivate + the "acquaintance of divers Pollacks," from which he had received + invitations. "Find I nothing there," said he, "Duke Matthias has promised + me courtesy if I would serve in Hungary. If not, I will offer service to + one of the Turk's bashaws against the Persians." + </p> + <p> + Fortunately, work was found for the trusty Welshman in the old fields. His + brave honest face often reappeared; his sharp sensible tongue uttered much + sage counsel; and his ready sword did various solid service, in leaguer, + battle-field, and martial debate, in Flanders, Holland, Spain, and France. + </p> + <p> + For the present, he was casting his keen glances upon the negotiations in + progress, and cavilling at the general policy which seemed predominant. + </p> + <p> + He believed that the object of the French was to trifle with the States, + to protract interminably their negotiations, to prevent the English + government from getting any hold upon the Provinces, and then to leave + them to their fate. + </p> + <p> + He advised Walsingham to advance men and money, upon the security of Sluys + and Ostend. + </p> + <p> + "I dare venture my life," said he, with much energy, "that were Norris, + Bingham, Yorke, or Carlisle, in those ports, he would keep them during the + Spanish King's life." + </p> + <p> + But the true way to attack Spain—a method soon afterwards to be + carried into such brilliant effect by the naval heroes of England and the + Netherlands—the long-sighted Welshman now indicated; a combined + attack, namely, by sea upon the colonial possessions of Philip. + </p> + <p> + "I dare be bound," said he, "if you join with Treslong, the States + Admiral, and send off, both, three-score sail into his Indies, we will + force him to retire from conquering further, and to be contented to let + other princes live as well as he." + </p> + <p> + In particular, Williams urged rapid action, and there is little doubt, + that had the counsels of prompt, quick-witted, ready-handed soldiers like + himself, and those who thought with him, been taken; had the stealthy but + quick-darting policy of Walsingham prevailed over the solemn and stately + but somewhat ponderous proceedings of Burghley, both Ghent and Antwerp + might have been saved, the trifling and treacherous diplomacy of Catharine + de' Medici neutralized, and an altogether more fortunate aspect given at + once to the state of Protestant affairs. + </p> + <p> + "If you mean to do anything," said he, "it is more than time now. If you + will send some man of credit about it, will it please your honour, I will + go with him, because I know the humour of the people, and am acquainted + with a number of the best. I shall be able to show him a number of their + dealings, as well with the French as in other affairs, and perhaps will + find means to send messengers to Ghent, and to other places, better than + the States; for the message of one soldier is better than twenty boors." + </p> + <p> + It was ultimately decided—as will soon be related—to send a + man of credit to the Provinces. Meantime, the policy of England continued + to be expectant and dilatory, and Advocate Buys, after having in vain + attempted to conquer the French influence, and bring about the annexation + of the Provinces to England, threw down his office in disgust, and retired + for a time from the contest. He even contemplated for a moment taking + service in Denmark, but renounced the notion of abandoning his country, + and he will accordingly be found, at a later period, conspicuous in public + affairs. + </p> + <p> + The deliberations in the English councils were grave and anxious, for it + became daily more obvious that the Netherland question was the hinge upon + which the whole fate of Christendom was slowly turning. To allow the + provinces to fall back again into the grasp of Philip, was to offer + England herself as a last sacrifice to the Spanish Inquisition. This was + felt by all the statesmen in the land; but some of them, more than the + rest, had a vivid perception of the danger, and of the necessity of + dealing with it at once. + </p> + <p> + To the prophetic eye of Walsingham, the mists of the future at times were + lifted; and the countless sails of the invincible Armada, wafting defiance + and destruction to England, became dimly visible. He felt that the great + Netherland bulwark of Protestantism and liberty was to be defended at all + hazards, and that the death-grapple could not long be deferred. + </p> + <p> + Burghley, deeply pondering, but less determined, was still disposed to + look on and to temporize. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, far-seeing and anxious, but somewhat hesitating, still clung to + the idea of a joint protectorate. She knew that the reestablishment of + Spanish authority in the Low Countries would be fatal to England, but she + was not yet prepared to throw down the gauntlet to Philip. She felt that + the proposed annexation of the Provinces to France would be almost as + formidable; yet she could not resolve, frankly and fearlessly, to assume, + the burthen of their protection. Under the inspiration of Burghley, she + was therefore willing to encourage the Netherlanders underhand; preventing + them at every hazard from slackening in their determined hostility to + Spain; discountenancing, without absolutely forbidding, their proposed + absorption by France; intimating, without promising, an ultimate and + effectual assistance from herself. Meantime, with something of feline and + feminine duplicity, by which the sex of the great sovereign would so often + manifest itself in the most momentous affairs, she would watch and wait, + teasing the Provinces, dallying with the danger, not quite prepared as yet + to abandon the prize to Henry or Philip, or to seize it herself. + </p> + <p> + The situation was rapidly tending to become an impossible one. + </p> + <p> + Late in October a grave conference was held council, "upon the question + whether her Majesty should presently relieve the States of the Low + Countries." + </p> + <p> + It was shown, upon one side, that the "perils to the Queen and to the + realm were great, if the King of Spain should recover Holland and Zeeland, + as he had the other countries, for lack of succour in seasonable time, + either by the French King or the Queen's Majesty." + </p> + <p> + On the other side, the great difficulties in the way of effectual + assistance by England, were "fully remembered." + </p> + <p> + "But in the end, and upon comparison made," said Lord Burghley, summing + up, "betwixt the perils on the one part, and the difficulties on the + other," it was concluded that the Queen would be obliged to succumb to the + power of Spain, and the liberties of England be hopelessly lost, if Philip + were then allowed to carry out his designs, and if the Provinces should be + left without succour at his mercy. + </p> + <p> + A "wise person" was accordingly to be sent into Holland; first, to + ascertain whether the Provinces had come to an actual agreement with the + King of France, and, if such should prove to be the case, to enquire + whether that sovereign had pledged himself to declare war upon Philip. In + this event, the wise person was to express her Majesty's satisfaction that + the Provinces were thus to be "relieved from the tyranny of the King of + Spain." + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, if it should appear that no such conclusive + arrangements had been made, and that the Provinces were likely to fall + again victims to the "Spanish tyranny," her Majesty would then "strain + herself as far as, with preservation of her own estate, she might, to + succour them at this time." + </p> + <p> + The agent was then to ascertain "what conditions the Provinces would + require" upon the matter of succour, and, if the terms seemed reasonable, + he would assure them that "they should not be left to the cruelties of the + Spaniards." + </p> + <p> + And further, the wise person, "being pressed to answer, might by + conference of speeches and persuasions provoke them to offer to the Queen + the ports of Flushing and Middelburg and the Brill, wherein she meant not + to claim any property, but to hold them as gages for her expenses, and for + performances of their covenants." + </p> + <p> + He was also to make minute inquiries as to the pecuniary resources of the + Provinces, the monthly sums which they would be able to contribute, the + number of troops and of ships of war that they would pledge themselves to + maintain. These investigations were very important, because the Queen, + although very well disposed to succour them, "so nevertheless she was to + consider how her power might be extended, without ruin or manifest peril + to her own estate." + </p> + <p> + It was also resolved, in the same conference, that a preliminary step of + great urgency was to "procure a good peace with the King of Scots." + Whatever the expense of bringing about such a pacification might be, it + was certain that a "great deal more would be expended in defending the + realm against Scotland," while England was engaged in hostilities with + Spain. Otherwise, it was argued that her Majesty would be "so impeached by + Scotland in favour of the King of Spain, that her action against that King + would be greatly weakened." + </p> + <p> + Other measures necessary to be taken in view of the Spanish war were also + discussed. The ex-elector of Cologne, "a man of great account in Germany," + was to be assisted with money to make head against his rival supported by + the troops of Philip. + </p> + <p> + Duke Casimir of the Palatinate was to be solicited to make a diversion in + Gelderland. + </p> + <p> + The King of France was to be reminded of his treaty with England for + mutual assistance in case of the invasion by a foreign power of either + realm, and to be informed "not only of the intentions of the Spaniards to + invade England, upon their conquest of the Netherlands, but of their + actual invasion of Ireland." + </p> + <p> + It was "to be devised how the King of Navarre and Don Antonio of Portugal, + for their respective titles, might be induced to offend and occupy the + King of Spain, whereby to diminish his forces bent upon the Low + Countries." + </p> + <p> + It was also decided that Parliament should be immediately summoned, in + which, besides the request of a subsidy, many other necessary, provisions + should be made for her Majesty's safety. + </p> + <p> + "The conclusions of the whole," said Lord Burghley, with much earnestness, + "was this. Although her Majesty should hereby enter into a war presently, + yet were she better to do it now, while she may make the same out of her + realm, having the help of the people of Holland, and before the King of + Spain shall have consummated his conquests in those countries, whereby he + shall be so provoked with pride, solicited by the Pope, and tempted by the + Queen's own subjects, and shall be so strong by sea, and so free from all + other actions and quarrels,—yea, shall be so formidable to all the + rest of Christendom, as that her Majesty shall no wise be able, with her + own power, nor with aid of any other, neither by sea nor land, to + withstand his attempts, but shall be forced to give place to his + insatiable malice, which is most terrible to be thought of, but miserable + to suffer." + </p> + <p> + Thus did the Lord Treasurer wisely, eloquently, and well, describe the + danger by which England was environed. Through the shield of Holland the + spear was aimed full at the heart of England. But was it a moment to + linger? Was that buckler to be suffered to fall to the ground, or to be + raised only upon the arm of a doubtful and treacherous friend? Was it an + hour when the protection of Protestantism and of European liberty against + Spain was to be entrusted to the hand of a feeble and priest-ridden + Valois? Was it wise to indulge any longer in doubtings and dreamings, and + in yet a little more folding of the arms to sleep, while that insatiable + malice, so terrible to be thought of, so miserable to feel, was bowing + hourly more formidable, and approaching nearer and nearer? + </p> + <p> + Early in December, William Davison, gentleman-in-ordinary of her Majesty's + household, arrived at the Hague; a man painstaking, earnest, and zealous, + but who was fated, on more than one great occasion, to be made a + scape-goat for the delinquencies of greater personages than himself. + </p> + <p> + He had audience of the States General on the 8th December. He then + informed that body that the Queen had heard, with, sorrowful heart, of the + great misfortunes which the United Provinces had sustained since the death + of the Prince of Orange; the many cities which they had lost, and the + disastrous aspect of the common cause. Moved by the affection which she + had always borne the country, and anxious for its preservation, she had + ordered her ambassador Stafford to request the King of France to + undertake, jointly with herself, the defence of the provinces against the + king of Spain. Not till very lately, however, had that envoy succeeded in + obtaining an audience, and he had then received "a very cold answer." It + being obvious to her Majesty, therefore, that the French government + intended to protract these matters indefinitely, Davison informed the + States that she had commissioned him to offer them "all possible + assistance, to enquire into the state of the country, and to investigate + the proper means of making that assistance most useful." He accordingly + requested the appointment of a committee to confer with him upon the + subject; and declared that the Queen did not desire to make herself + mistress of the Provinces, but only to be informed how she best could aid + their cause. + </p> + <p> + A committee was accordingly appointed, and a long series of somewhat + concealed negotiations was commenced. As the deputies were upon the eve of + their departure for France, to offer the sovereignty of the Provinces to + Henry, these proceedings were necessarily confused, dilatory, and at tines + contradictory. + </p> + <p> + After the arrival of the deputies in France, the cunctative policy + inspired by the Lord Treasurer was continued by England. The delusion of a + joint protectorate was still clung to by the Queen, although the conduct + of France was becoming very ambiguous, and suspicion growing darker as to + the ultimate and secret purport of the negotiations in progress. + </p> + <p> + The anxiety and jealousy of Elizabeth were becoming keener than ever. If + the offers to the King were unlimited; he would accept them, and would + thus become as dangerous as Philip. If they were unsatisfactory, he would + turn his back upon the Provinces, and leave them a prey to Philip. Still + she would not yet renounce the hope of bringing the French King over to an + ingenuous course of action. It was thought, too, that something might be + done with the great malcontent nobles of Flanders, whose defection from + the national cause had been so disastrous, but who had been much + influenced in their course, it was thought, by their jealousy of William + the Silent. + </p> + <p> + Now that the Prince was dead, it was thought probable that the Arschots, + and Havres, Chimays, and Lalaings, might arouse themselves to more + patriotic views than they had manifested when they espoused the cause of + Spain. + </p> + <p> + It would be desirable to excite their jealousy of French influence, and, + at the same time, to inspire throughout the popular mind the fear of + another tyranny almost as absolute as that of Spain. "And if it be + objected," said Burghley, "that except they shall admit the French King to + the absolute dominion, he will not aid them, and they, for lack of + succour, be forced to yield to the Spaniard, it may be answered that + rather than they should be wholly subjected to the French, or overcome by + the Spaniard, her Majesty would yield unto them as much as, with + preservation of her estate, and defence of her own country, might be + demanded." + </p> + <p> + The real object kept in view by the Queen's government was, in short, to + obtain for the Provinces and for the general cause of liberty the greatest + possible amount of assistance from Henry, and to allow him to acquire in + return the least possible amount of power. The end proposed was a + reasonable one, but the means employed savoured too much of intrigue. + </p> + <p> + "It may be easily made probable to the States," said the Lord Treasurer, + "that the government of the French is likely to prove as cumbersome and + perilous as that of the Spaniards; and likewise it may probably be doubted + how the French will keep touch and covenants with them, when any + opportunity shall be offered to break them; so that her Majesty thinketh + no good can be looked for to those countries by yielding this large + authority to the French. If they shall continue their title by this grant + to be absolute lords, there is no end, for a long time, to be expected of + this war; and, contrariwise, if they break off, there is an end of any + good composition with the King of Spain." + </p> + <p> + Shivering and shrinking, but still wading in deeper and deeper, inch by + inch, the cautious minister was fast finding himself too far advanced to + retreat. He was rarely decided, however, and never lucid; and least of all + in emergencies, when decision and lucidity would have been more valuable + than any other qualities. + </p> + <p> + Deeply doubting, painfully balancing, he at times drove the unfortunate + Davison almost distraught. Puzzled himself and still more puzzling to + others, he rarely permitted the Netherlanders, or even his own agents, to + perceive his drift. It was fair enough, perhaps, to circumvent the French + government by its own arts, but the Netherlanders meanwhile were in danger + of sinking into despair. + </p> + <p> + "Thus," wrote the Lord Treasurer to the envoy, "I have discoursed to you + of these uncertainties and difficulties, things not unknown to yourself, + but now being imparted to you by her Majesty's commandment, you are, by + your wisdom, to consider with whom to deal for the stay of this French + course, and yet, so to use it (as near as you may) that they of the French + faction there be not able to charge you therewith, by-advertising into + France. For it hath already appeared, by some speeches past between our + ambassador there and Des Pruneaux, that you are had in some jealousy as a + hinderer of this French course, and at work for her Majesty to have some + entrance and partage in that country. Nevertheless our ambassador; by his + answer, hath satisfied them to think the contrary." + </p> + <p> + They must have been easily satisfied, if they knew as much of the dealings + of her Majesty's government as the reader already knows. To inspire doubt + of the French, to insinuate the probability of their not "keeping touch + and covenant," to represent their rule as "cumbersome and perilous," was + wholesome conduct enough towards the Netherlanders—and still more + so, had it been accompanied with frank offers of assistance—but it + was certainly somewhat to "hinder the courses of the French." + </p> + <p> + But in truth all parties were engaged for a season in a round game of + deception, in which nobody was deceived. + </p> + <p> + Walsingham was impatient, almost indignant at this puerility. "Your + doings, no doubt of it," he wrote to Davison, "are observed by the French + faction, and therefore you cannot proceed so closely but it will be + espied. Howsoever it be, seeing direction groweth from hence, we cannot + but blame ourselves, if the effects thereof do not fall out to our + liking." + </p> + <p> + That sagacious statesman was too well informed, and too much accustomed to + penetrate the designs of his antagonists, to expect anything from the + present intrigues. + </p> + <p> + To loiter thus, when mortal blows should be struck, was to give the + Spanish government exactly that of which it was always most gluttonous—time; + and the Netherlanders had none of it to spare. "With time and myself, + there are two of us," was Philip II.'s favourite observation; and the + Prince of Parma was at this moment sorely perplexed by the parsimony and + the hesitations of his own government, by which his large, swift and most + creative genius was so often hampered. + </p> + <p> + Thus the Spanish soldiers, deep in the trenches, went with bare legs and + empty stomachs in January; and the Dutchmen, among their broken dykes, + were up to their ears in mud and water; and German mercenaries, in the + obedient Provinces, were burning the peasants' houses in order to sell the + iron to buy food withal; while grave-visaged statesmen, in comfortable + cabinets, wagged their long white beards at each other from a distance, + and exchanged grimaces and protocols which nobody heeded. + </p> + <p> + Walsingham was weary of this solemn trifling. "I conclude," said he to + Davison, "that her Majesty—with reverence be it spoken—is ill + advised, to direct you in a course that is like to work so great peril. I + know you will do your best endeavour to keep all things upright, and yet + it is hard—the disease being now come to this state, or, as the + physicians term it, crisis—to carry yourself in such sort, but that + it will, I fear, breed a dangerous alteration in the cause." + </p> + <p> + He denounced with impatience, almost with indignation, the insincerity and + injustice of these intolerable hesitations. "Sorry am I," said he, "to see + the course that is taken in this weighty cause, for we will neither help + those poor countries ourselves, nor yet suffer others to do it. I am not + ignorant that in time to come the annexing of these countries to the crown + of France may prove prejudicial to England, but if France refuse to deal + with them, and the rather for that we shall minister some cause of + impediment by a kind of dealing underhand, then shall they be forced to + return into the hands of Spain, which is like to breed such a present + peril towards her Majesty's self, as never a wise man that seeth it, and + loveth her, but lamenteth it from the bottom of his heart." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham had made up his mind that it was England, not France, that + should take up the cause of the Provinces, and defend them at every + hazard. He had been overruled, and the Queen's government had decided to + watch the course of the French negotiation, doing what it could, + underhand, to prevent that negotiation from being successful. The + Secretary did not approve of this disingenuous course. At the same time he + had no faith in the good intentions of the French court. + </p> + <p> + "I could wish," said he, "that the French King were carried with that + honourable mind into the defence of these countries that her Majesty is, + but France has not been used to do things for God's sake; neither do they + mean to use our advice or assistance in making of the bargain. For they + still hold a jealous conceit that when Spain and they are together by the + ears, we will seek underhand to work our own peace." Walsingham, + therefore, earnestly deprecated the attitude provisionally maintained by + England. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, early in January, (Jan. 3, 1585) the deputation from the + Provinces had arrived in France. The progress of their 1585 negotiation + will soon be related, but, before its result was known, a general + dissatisfaction had already manifested itself in the Netherlands. The + factitious enthusiasm which had been created in favour of France, as well + as the prejudice against England, began to die out. It became probable in + the opinion of those most accustomed to read the signs of the times, that + the French court was acting in connivance with Philip, and that the + negotiation was only intended to amuse the Netherlanders, to circumvent + the English, and to gain time both for France and Spain. It was not + believed that the character of Henry or the policy of his mother was + likely to the cause of any substantial aid to the cause of civil liberty + or Protestant principles. + </p> + <p> + "They look for no better fruit from the commission to France," wrote + Davison, who surveyed the general state of affairs with much keenness and + breadth of vision, "than a dallying entertainment of the time, neither + leaving them utterly hopeless, nor at full liberty to seek for relief + elsewhere, especially in England, or else some pleasing motion of peace, + wherein the French King will offer his mediation with Spain. Meantime the + people, wearied with the troubles, charges, and hazard of the war, shall + be rocked asleep, the provision for their defence neglected, some + Provinces nearest the danger seduced, the rest by their defection + astonished, and the enemy by their decay and confusions, strengthened. + This is the scope whereto the doings of the French King, not without + intelligence with the Spanish sovereign, doth aim, whatever is pretended." + </p> + <p> + There was a wide conviction that the French King was dealing falsely with + the Provinces. It seemed certain that he must be inspired by intense + jealousy of England, and that he was unlikely, for the sake of those whose + "religion, popular liberty, and rebellion against their sovereign," he + could not but disapprove, to allow Queen Elizabeth to steal a march upon + him, and "make her own market with Spain to his cost and disadvantage." + </p> + <p> + In short, it was suspected—whether justly or not will be presently + shown—that Henry III. "was seeking to blear the eyes of the world, + as his brother Charles did before the Massacre of St. Bartholomew." As the + letters received from the Dutch envoys in France became less and less + encouraging, and as the Queen was informed by her ambassador in Paris of + the tergiversations in Paris, she became the more anxious lest the States + should be driven to despair. She therefore wrote to Davison, instructing + him "to nourish in them underhand some hope—as a thing proceeding + from himself—that though France should reject them, yet she would + not abandon them." + </p> + <p> + He was directed to find out, by circuitous means, what towns they would + offer to her as security for any advances she might be induced to make, + and to ascertain the amount of monthly contributions towards the support + of the war that they were still capable of furnishing. She was beginning + to look with dismay at the expatriation of wealthy merchants and + manufacturers going so rapidly forward, now that Ghent had fallen and + Brussels and Antwerp were in such imminent peril. She feared that, while + so much valuable time had been thrown away, the Provinces had become too + much impoverished to do their own part in their own defence; and she was + seriously alarmed at rumours which had become prevalent of a popular + disposition towards treating for a peace at any price with Spain. It soon + became evident that these rumours were utterly without foundation, but the + other reasons for Elizabeth's anxiety were sufficiently valid. + </p> + <p> + On the whole, the feeling in favour of England was rapidly gaining ground. + In Holland especially there was general indignation against the French + party. The letters of the deputies occasioned "murmur and mislike" of most + persons, who noted them to contain "more ample report of ceremonies and + compliments than solid argument of comfort." + </p> + <p> + Sir Edward Stafford, who looked with great penetration into the heart of + the mysterious proceedings at Paris, assured his government that no better + result was to be looked for, "after long dalliance and entertainment, than + either a flat refusal or such a masked embracing of their cause, as would + rather tend to the increasing of their miseries and confusion than relief + for their declining estate." While "reposing upon a broken reed," they + were, he thought, "neglecting other means more expedient for their + necessities." + </p> + <p> + This was already the universal opinion in Holland. Men now remembered, + with bitterness, the treachery of the Duke of Anjou, which they had been + striving so hard to forget, but which less than two years ago had nearly + proved fatal to the cause of liberty in the Provinces. A committee of the + States had an interview with the Queen's envoy at the Hague; implored her + Majesty through him not to abandon their cause; expressed unlimited regret + for the course which had been pursued, and avowed a determination "to + pluck their heads out of the collar," so soon as the opportunity should + offer. + </p> + <p> + They stated, moreover, that they had been directed by the assembly to lay + before him the instructions for the envoys to France, and the articles + proposed for the acceptance of the King. The envoy knew his business + better than not to have secretly provided himself with copies of these + documents, which he had already laid before his own government. + </p> + <p> + He affected, however, to feel hurt that he had been thus kept in ignorance + of papers which he really knew by heart. "After some pretended quarrel," + said he, "for their not acquainting me therewith sooner, I did accept + them, as if I had before neither seen nor heard of them." + </p> + <p> + This then was the aspect of affairs in the provinces during the absence of + the deputies in France. It is now necessary to shift the scene to that + country. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Reception of the Dutch Envoys at the Louvre—Ignominious Result of + the Embassy—Secret Influences at work—Bargaining between the + French and Spanish Courts—Claims of Catharine de' Medici upon + Portugal—Letters of Henry and Catharine—Secret Proposal by France + to invade England—States' Mission to Henry of Navarre—Subsidies + of Philip to Guise—Treaty of Joinville—Philip's Share in the + League denied by Parma—Philip in reality its Chief—Manifesto of + the League—Attitude of Henry III. and of Navarre—The League + demands a Royal Decree—Designs of France and Spain against England + —Secret Interview of Mendoza and Villeroy—Complaints of English + Persecution—Edict of Nemours—Excommunication of Navarre and his + Reply. +</pre> + <p> + The King, notwithstanding his apparent reluctance, had, in Sir Edward + Stafford's language, "nibbled at the bait." He had, however, not been + secured at the first attempt, and now a second effort was to be made, + under what were supposed to be most favourable circumstances. In + accordance with his own instructions, his envoy, Des Pruneaux, had been + busily employed in the States, arranging the terms of a treaty which + should be entirely satisfactory. It had been laid down as an indispensable + condition that Holland and Zeeland should unite in the offer of + sovereignty, and, after the expenditure of much eloquence, diplomacy, and + money, Holland and Zeeland had given their consent. The court had been for + some time anxious and impatient for the arrival of the deputies. Early in + December, Des Pruneaux wrote from Paris to Count Maurice, urging with some + asperity, the necessity of immediate action. + </p> + <p> + "When I left you," he said, "I thought that performance would follow + promises. I have been a little ashamed, as the time passed by, to hear + nothing of the deputies, nor of any excuse on the subject. It would seem + as though God had bandaged the eyes of those who have so much cause to + know their own adversity." + </p> + <p> + To the States his language was still more insolent. "Excuse me, + Gentlemen," he said, "if I tell you that I blush at hearing nothing from + you. I shall have the shame and you the damage. I regret much the capture + of De Teligny, and other losses which are occasioned by your delays and + want of resolution." + </p> + <p> + Thus did the French court, which a few months before had imprisoned, and + then almost ignominiously dismissed the envoys who came to offer the + sovereignty of the Provinces, now rebuke the governments which had ever + since been strenuously engaged in removing all obstacles to the entire + fulfillment of the King's demands. The States were just despatching a + solemn embassy to renew that offer, with hardly any limitation as to + terms. + </p> + <p> + The envoys arrived on January 3rd, 1585, at Boulogne, after a stormy + voyage from Brielle. Yet it seems incredible to relate, that, after all + the ignominy heaped upon the last, there was nothing but solemn trifling + in reserve for the present legation; although the object of both embassies + was to offer a crown. The deputies were, however, not kept in prison, upon + this occasion, nor treated like thieves or spies. They were admirably + lodged, with plenty of cooks and lacqueys to minister to them; they fared + sumptuously every day, at Henry's expense, and, after they had been six + weeks in the kingdom, they at last succeeded in obtaining their first + audience. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th February the King sent five "very splendid, richly-gilded, + court-coach-waggons" to bring the envoys to the palace. At one o'clock + they arrived at the Louvre, and were ushered through four magnificent + antechambers into the royal cabinet. The apartments through which they + passed swarmed with the foremost nobles, court-functionaries, and ladies + of France, in blazing gala costume, who all greeted the envoys with + demonstrations of extreme respect: The halls and corridors were lined with + archers, halbardiers, Swiss guards, and grooms "besmeared with gold," and + it was thought that all this rustle of fine feathers would be somewhat + startling to the barbarous republicans, fresh from the fens of Holland. + </p> + <p> + Henry received them in his cabinet, where he was accompanied only by the + Duke of Joyeuse—his foremost and bravest "minion"—by the Count + of Bouscaige, M. de Valette, and the Count of Chateau Vieux. + </p> + <p> + The most Christian King was neatly dressed, in white satin doublet and + hose, and well-starched ruff, with a short cloak on his shoulders, a + little velvet cap on the side of his head, his long locks duly perfumed + and curled, his sword at his side, and a little basket, full of puppies, + suspended from his neck by a broad ribbon. He held himself stiff and + motionless, although his face smiled a good-humoured welcome to the + ambassadors; and he moved neither foot, hand, nor head, as they advanced. + </p> + <p> + Chancellor Leoninus, the most experienced, eloquent, and tedious of men, + now made an interminable oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts; + and the King made a short and benignant reply, according to the hallowed + formula in such cases provided. And then there was a presentation to the + Queen, and to the Queen-Mother, when Leoninus was more prolix than before, + and Catharine even more affectionate than her son; and there were + consultations with Chiverny and Villeroy, and Brulart and Pruneaux, and + great banquets at the royal expense, and bales of protocols, and drafts of + articles, and conditions and programmes and apostilles by the hundred + weight, and at last articles of annexation were presented by the envoys, + and Pruneaux looked at and pronounced them "too raw and imperative," and + the envoys took them home again, and dressed them and cooked them till + there was no substance left in them; for whereas the envoys originally + offered the crown of their country to France, on condition that no + religion but the reformed religion should be tolerated there, no + appointments made but by the States, and no security offered for advances + to be made by the Christian King, save the hearts and oaths of his new + subjects—so they now ended by proposing the sovereignty + unconditionally, almost abjectly; and, after the expiration of nearly + three months, even these terms were absolutely refused, and the deputies + were graciously permitted to go home as they came. The annexation and + sovereignty were definitely declined. Henry regretted and sighed, + Catharine de' Medici wept—for tears were ever at her command—Chancellor + Chiverny and Secretary Brulart wept likewise, and Pruneaux was overcome + with emotion at the parting interview of the ambassadors with the court, + in which they were allowed a last opportunity for expressing what was + called their gratitude. + </p> + <p> + And then, on the lath March, M. d'Oignon came to them, and presented, on + the part of the King, to each of the envoys a gold chain weighing + twenty-one ounces and two grains. + </p> + <p> + Des Pruneaux, too—Des Pruneaux who had spent the previous summer in + the Netherlands, who had travelled from province to province, from city to + city, at the King's command, offering boundless assistance, if they would + unanimously offer their sovereignty; who had vanquished by his importunity + the resistance of the stern Hollanders, the last of all the Netherlanders + to yield to the royal blandishments—Des Pruneaux, who had "blushed"—Des + Pruneaux who had wept—now thought proper to assume an airy tone, + half encouragement, half condolence. + </p> + <p> + "Man proposes, gentlemen," said he "but God disposes. We are frequently + called on to observe that things have a great variety of times and terms. + Many a man is refused by a woman twice, who succeeds the third time," and + so on, with which wholesome apothegms Des Pruneaux faded away then and for + ever from the page of Netherland history. + </p> + <p> + In a few days afterwards the envoys took shipping at Dieppe, and arrived + early in April at the Hague. + </p> + <p> + And thus terminated the negotiation of the States with France. + </p> + <p> + It had been a scene of elaborate trifling on the King's part from + beginning to end. Yet the few grains of wheat which have thus been + extracted from the mountains of diplomatic chaff so long mouldering in + national storehouses, contain, however dry and tasteless, still something + for human nourishment. It is something to comprehend the ineffable + meanness of the hands which then could hold the destiny of mighty empires. + Here had been offered a magnificent prize to France; a great extent of + frontier in the quarter where expansion was most desirable, a protective + network of towns and fortresses on the side most vulnerable, flourishing, + cities on the sea-coast where the marine traffic was most lucrative, the + sovereignty of a large population, the most bustling, enterprising, and + hardy in Europe—a nation destined in a few short years to become the + first naval and commercial power in the world—all this was laid at + the feet of Henry Valois and Catharine de' Medici, and rejected. + </p> + <p> + The envoys, with their predecessors, had wasted eight months of most + precious time; they had heard and made orations, they had read and written + protocols, they had witnessed banquets, masquerades, and revels of + stupendous frivolity, in honour of the English Garter, brought solemnly to + the Valois by Lord Derby, accompanied by one hundred gentlemen + "marvellously, sumptuously, and richly accoutred," during that dreadful + winter when the inhabitants of Brussels, Antwerp, Mechlin—to save + which splendid cities and to annex them to France, was a main object of + the solemn embassy from the Netherlands—were eating rats, and cats, + and dogs, and the weeds from the pavements, and the grass from the + churchyards; and were finding themselves more closely pressed than ever by + the relentless genius of Farnese; and in exchange for all these losses and + all this humiliation, the ambassadors now returned to their constituents, + bringing an account of Chiverny's magnificent banquets and long orations, + of the smiles of Henry III., the tears of Catharine de' Medici, the + regrets of M. des Pruneaux, besides sixteen gold chains, each weighing + twenty-one ounces and two grains. + </p> + <p> + It is worth while to go for a moment behind the scene; We have seen the + actors, with mask and cothurn and tinsel crown, playing their well-conned + parts upon the stage. Let us hear them threaten, and whimper, and chaffer + among themselves. + </p> + <p> + So soon as it was intimated that Henry III. was about to grant the + Netherland, envoys an audience, the wrath of ambassador Mendoza was + kindled. That magniloquent Spaniard instantly claimed an interview with + the King, before whom, according to the statement of his colleagues, doing + their best to pry into these secrets, he blustered and bounced, and was + more fantastical in his insolence than even Spanish envoy had ever been + before. + </p> + <p> + "He went presently to court," so Walsingham was informed by Stafford, "and + dealt very passionately with the King and Queen-Mother to deny them + audience, who being greatly offended with his presumptuous and malapert + manner of proceeding, the King did in choler and with some sharp speeches, + let him plainly understand that he was an absolute king, bound to yield + account of his doings to no man, and that it was lawful for him to give + access to any man within his own realm. The Queen-Mother answered him + likewise very roundly, whereupon he departed for the time, very much + discontented." + </p> + <p> + Brave words, on both sides, if they had ever been spoken, or if there had + been any action corresponding to their spirit. + </p> + <p> + But, in truth, from the beginning, Henry and his mother saw in the + Netherland embassy only the means of turning a dishonest penny. Since the + disastrous retreat of Anjou from the Provinces, the city of Cambray had + remained in the hands of the Seigneur de Balagny, placed there by the + duke. The citadel, garrisoned by French troops, it was not the intention + of Catharine de' Medici to restore to Philip, and a truce on the subject + had been arranged provisionally for a year. Philip, taking Parma's advice + to prevent the French court, if possible, from "fomenting the Netherland + rebellion," had authorized the Prince to conclude that truce, as if done + on his own responsibility, and not by royal order. Meantime, Balagny was + gradually swelling into a petty potentate, on his own account, making + himself very troublesome to the Prince of Parma, and requiring a great + deal of watching. Cambray was however apparently acquired for France. + </p> + <p> + But, besides this acquisition, there was another way of earning something + solid, by turning this Netherland matter handsomely to account. Philip II. + had recently conquered Portugal. Among the many pretensions to that crown, + those of Catherine de' Medici had been put forward, but had been little + heeded. The claim went back more than three hundred years, and to + establish its validity would have been to convert the peaceable possession + of a long line of sovereigns into usurpation. To ascend to Alphonso III. + was like fetching, as it was said, a claim from Evander's grandmother. + Nevertheless, ever since Philip had been upon the Portuguese throne, + Catherine had been watching the opportunity, not of unseating that + sovereign, but of converting her claim into money. + </p> + <p> + The Netherland embassy seemed to offer the coveted opportunity. There was, + therefore, quite as much warmth at the outset, on the part of Mendoza, in + that first interview after the arrival of the deputies, as had been + represented. There was however less dignity and more cunning on the part + of Henry and Catherine than was at all suspected. Even before that + conference the King had been impatiently expecting overtures from the + Spanish envoy, and had been disappointed. "He told me," said Henry, "that + he would make proposals so soon as Tassis should be gone, but he has done + nothing yet. He said to Gondi that all he meant was to get the truce of + Cambray accomplished. I hope, however, that my brother, the King of Spain, + will do what is right in regard to madam my mother's pretensions. 'Tis + likely that he will be now incited thereto, seeing that the deputies of + all the Netherland provinces are at present in my kingdom, to offer me + carte blanche. I shall hear what they have to say, and do exactly what the + good of my own affairs shall seem to require. The Queen of England, too, + has been very pressing and urgent with me for several months on this + subject. I shall hear, too, what she has to say, and I presume, if the + King of Spain will now disclose himself, and do promptly what he ought, + that we may set Christendom at rest." + </p> + <p> + Henry then instructed his ambassador in Spain to keep his eyes wide open, + in order to penetrate the schemes of Philip, and to this end ordered him + an increase of salary by a third, that he might follow that monarch on his + journey to Arragon. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Mendoza had audience of his Majesty. "He made a very pressing + remonstrance," said the King, "concerning the arrival of these deputies, + urging me to send them back at once; denouncing them as disobedient rebels + and heretics. I replied that my kingdom was free, and that I should hear + from them all that they had to say, because I could not abandon madam my + mother in her pretensions, not only for the filial obedience which I owe + her, but because I am her only heir. Mendoza replied that he should go and + make the same remonstrance to the Queen-Mother, which he accordingly did, + and she will herself write you what passed between them. If they do not + act up to their duty down there I know how to take my revenge upon them." + </p> + <p> + This is the King's own statement—his veriest words—and he was + surely best aware of what occurred between himself and Mendoza, under + their four eyes only. The ambassador is not represented as extremely + insolent, but only pressing; and certainly there is little left of the + fine periods on Henry's part about listening to the cry of the oppressed, + or preventing the rays of his ancestors' diadem from growing pale, with + which contemporary chronicles are filled. + </p> + <p> + There was not one word of the advancement and glory of the French nation; + not a hint of the fame to be acquired by a magnificent expansion of + territory, still less of the duty to deal generously or even honestly with + an oppressed people, who in good faith were seeking an asylum in exchange + for offered sovereignty, not a syllable upon liberty of conscience, of + religious or civil rights; nothing but a petty and exclusive care for the + interests of his mother's pocket, and of his own as his mother's heir. + This farthing-candle was alone to guide the steps of "the high and mighty + King," whose reputation was perpetually represented as so precious to him + in all the conferences between his ministers and the Netherland deputies. + Was it possible for those envoys to imagine the almost invisible meanness + of such childish tricks? + </p> + <p> + The Queen-Mother was still more explicit and unblushing throughout the + whole affair. + </p> + <p> + "The ambassador of Spain," she said, "has made the most beautiful + remonstrances he could think of about these deputies from the Netherlands. + All his talk, however, cannot persuade me to anything else save to + increase my desire to have reparation for the wrong that has been done me + in regard to my claims upon Portugal, which I am determined to pursue by + every means within my power. Nevertheless I have told Don Bernardino that + I should always be ready to embrace any course likely to bring about a + peaceful conclusion. He then entered into a discussion of my rights, + which, he said, were not thought in Spain to be founded in justice. But + when I explained to him the principal points (of which I possess all the + pieces of evidence and justification), he hardly knew what to say, save + that he was astounded that I had remained so long without speaking of my + claims. In reply, I told him ingenuously the truth." + </p> + <p> + The truth which the ingenuous Catharine thus revealed was, in brief, that + all her predecessors had been minors, women, and persons in situations not + to make their rights valid. Finding herself more highly placed, she had + advanced her claims, which had been so fully recognized in Portugal, that + she had been received as Infanta of the kingdom. All pretensions to the + throne being now through women only, hers were the best of any. At all + this Don Bernardino expressed profound astonishment, and promised to send + a full account to his master of "the infinite words" which had passed + between them at this interview! + </p> + <p> + "I desire," said Catharine, "that the Lord King of Spain should open his + mind frankly and promptly upon the recompense which he is willing to make + me for Portugal, in order that things may pass rather with gentleness than + otherwise." + </p> + <p> + It was expecting a great deal to look for frankness and promptness from + the Lord King of Spain, but the Queen-Mother considered that the + Netherland envoys had put a whip into her hand. She was also determined to + bring Philip up to the point, without showing her own game. "I will never + say," said Catharine—ingenuous no longer—"I will never say how + much I ask, but, on the contrary, I shall wait for him to make the offer. + I expect it to be reasonable, because he has seen fit to seize and occupy + that which I declare to be my property." + </p> + <p> + This is the explanation of all the languor and trifling of the French + court in the Netherland negotiation. A deep, constant, unseen current was + running counter to all the movement which appeared upon the surface. The + tergiversations of the Spanish cabinet in the Portugal matter were the + cause of the shufflings of the French ministers on the subject of the + Provinces. + </p> + <p> + "I know well," said Henry a few days later, "that the people down there, + and their ambassador here, are leading us on with words, as far as they + can, with regard to the recompense of madam my mother for her claims upon + Portugal. But they had better remember (and I think they will), that out + of the offers which these sixteen deputies of the Netherlands are bringing + me—and I believe it to be carte blanche—I shall be able to pay + myself. 'Twill be better to come promptly to a good bargain and a brief + conclusion, than to spin the matter out longer." + </p> + <p> + "Don Bernardino," said the Queen-Mother on the same day, "has been keeping + us up to this hour in hopes of a good offer, but 'tis to be feared, for + the good of Christendom, that 'twill be too late. The deputies are come, + bringing carte blanche. Nevertheless, if the King of Spain is willing to + be reasonable, and that instantly, it will be well, and it would seem as + if God had been pleased to place this means in our hands." + </p> + <p> + After the conferences had been fairly got under way between the French + government and the envoys, the demands upon Philip for a good bargain and + a handsome offer became still more pressing. + </p> + <p> + "I have given audience to the deputies from the Provinces," wrote Henry, + "and the Queen-Mother has done the same. Chancellor Chiverny, Villequier, + Bellievre, and Brulart, will now confer with them from day today. I now + tell you that it will be well, before things go any farther, for the King + of Spain to come to reason about the pretensions of madam mother. This + will be a means of establishing the repose of Christendom. I shall be very + willing to concur in such an arrangement, if I saw any approximation to it + on the part of the King or his ministers. But I fear they will delay too + long, and so you had better tell them. Push them to the point as much as + possible, without letting them suspect that I have been writing about it, + for that would make them rather draw back than come forward." + </p> + <p> + At the same time, during this alternate threatening and coaxing between + the French and the Spanish court, and in the midst of all the solemn and + tedious protocolling of the ministry and the Dutch envoys, there was a + most sincere and affectionate intercourse maintained between Henry III. + and the Prince of Parma. The Spanish Governor-General was assured that + nothing but the warmest regard was entertained for him and his master on + the part of the French court. Parma had replied, however, that so many + French troops had in times past crossed the frontier to assist the rebels, + that he hardly knew what to think. He expressed the hope, now that the + Duke of Anjou was dead, that his Christian Majesty would not countenance + the rebellion, but manifest his good-will. + </p> + <p> + "How can your Highness doubt it," said Malpierre, Henry's envoy, "for his + Majesty has given proof enough of his good will, having prevented all + enterprises in this regard, and preferred to have his own subjects cut + into pieces rather than that they should carry out their designs. Had his + Majesty been willing merely to connive at these undertakings, 'tis + probable that the affairs of your highness would not have succeeded so + well as they have done." + </p> + <p> + With regard to England, also, the conduct of Henry and his mother in these + negotiations was marked by the same unfathomable duplicity. There was an + appearance of cordiality on the surface; but there was deep plotting, and + bargaining, and even deadly hostility lurking below. We have seen the + efforts which Elizabeth's government had been making to counteract the + policy which offered the sovereignty of the provinces to the French + monarch. At the same time there was at least a loyal disposition upon the + Queen's part to assist the Netherlands, in concurrence with Henry. The + demeanour of Burghley and his colleagues was frankness itself, compared + with the secret schemings of the Valois; for at least peace and good-will + between the "triumvirate" of France, England and the Netherlands, was + intended, as the true means of resisting the predominant influence of + Spain. + </p> + <p> + Yet very soon after the solemn reception by Henry of the garter brought by + Lord Derby, and in the midst of the negotiations between the French court + and the United Provinces, the French king was not only attempting to + barter the sovereignty offered him by the Netherlanders against a handsome + recompense for the Portugal claim, but he was actually proposing to the + King of Spain to join with him in an invasion of England! Even Philip + himself must have admired and respected such a complication of villany on + the part of his most Christian brother. He was, however, not disposed to + put any confidence in his schemes. + </p> + <p> + "With regard to the attempt against England," wrote Philip to Mendoza, + "you must keep your eyes open—you must look at the danger of letting + them, before they have got rid of their rivals and reduced their heretics, + go out of their own house and kingdom, and thus of being made fools of + when they think of coming back again. Let them first exterminate the + heretics of France, and then we will look after those of England; because + 'tis more important to finish those who are near than those afar off. + Perhaps the Queen-Mother proposes this invasion in order to proceed more + feebly with matters in her own kingdom; and thus Mucio (Duke of Guise) and + his friends will not have so safe a game, and must take heed lest they be + deceived." + </p> + <p> + Thus it is obvious that Henry and Catharine intended, on the whole, to + deceive the English and the Netherlanders, and to get as good a bargain + and as safe a friendship from Philip as could be manufactured out of the + materials placed in the French King's hands by the United Provinces. + Elizabeth honestly wished well to the States, but allowed Burghley and + those who acted with him to flatter themselves with the chimera that Henry + could be induced to protect the Netherlands without assuming the + sovereignty of that commonwealth. The Provinces were fighting for their + existence, unconscious of their latent strength, and willing to trust to + France or to England, if they could only save themselves from being + swallowed by Spain. As for Spain itself, that country was more practised + in duplicity even than the government of the Medici-Valois, and was of + course more than a match at the game of deception for the franker + politicians of England and Holland. + </p> + <p> + The King of Navarre had meanwhile been looking on at a distance. Too keen + an observer, too subtle a reasoner to doubt the secret source of the + movements then agitating France to its centre, he was yet unable to + foresee the turn that all these intrigues were about to take. He could + hardly doubt that Spain was playing a dark and desperate game with the + unfortunate Henry III.; for, as we have seen, he had himself not long + before received a secret and liberal offer from Philip II., if he would + agree to make war upon the King. But the Bearnese was not the man to play + into the hands of Spain, nor could he imagine the possibility of the + Valois or even of his mother taking so suicidal a course. + </p> + <p> + After the Netherland deputies had received their final dismissal from the + King, they sent Calvart, who had been secretary to their embassy, on a + secret mission to Henry of Navarre, then resident at Chartres. + </p> + <p> + The envoy communicated to the Huguenot chief the meagre result of the long + negotiation with the French court. Henry bade him be of good cheer, and + assured him of his best wishes for their cause. He expressed the opinion + that the King of France would now either attempt to overcome the Guise + faction by gentle means, or at once make war upon them. The Bishop of Acqs + had strongly recommended the French monarch to send the King of Navarre, + with a strong force, to the assistance of the Netherlands, urging the + point with much fervid eloquence and solid argument. Henry for a moment + had seemed impressed, but such a vigorous proceeding was of course + entirely beyond his strength, and he had sunk back into his effeminate + languor so soon as the bold bishop's back was turned. + </p> + <p> + The Bearnese had naturally conceived but little hope that such a scheme + would be carried into effect; but he assured Calvart, that nothing could + give him greater delight than to mount and ride in such a cause. + </p> + <p> + "Notwithstanding," said the Bearnese, "that the villanous intentions of + the Guises are becoming plainer and plainer, and that they are obviously + supplied with Spanish dollars, I shall send a special envoy to the most + Christian King, and, although 'tis somewhat late, implore him to throw his + weight into the scale, in order to redeem your country from its misery. + Meantime be of good heart, and defend as you have done your hearths, your + liberty, and the honour of God." + </p> + <p> + He advised the States unhesitatingly to continue their confidence in the + French King, and to keep him informed of their plans and movements; + expressing the opinion that these very intrigues of the Guise party would + soon justify or even force Henry III. openly to assist the Netherlands. + </p> + <p> + So far, at that very moment, was so sharp a politician as the Bearnese + from suspecting the secret schemes of Henry of Valois. Calvart urged the + King of Navarre to assist the States at that moment with some slight + subsidy. Antwerp was in such imminent danger as to fill the hearts of all + true patriots with dismay; and a timely succour, even if a slender one, + might be of inestimable value. + </p> + <p> + Henry expressed profound regret that his own means were so limited, and + his own position so dangerous, as to make it difficult for him to manifest + in broad daylight the full affection which he bore the Provinces. + </p> + <p> + "To my sorrow," said he, "your proposition is made in the midst of such + dark and stormy weather, that those who have clearest sight are unable to + see to what issue these troubles of France are tending." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, with much generosity and manliness, he promised Calvart to + send two thousand soldiers, at his own charges, to the Provinces without + delay; and authorised that envoy to consult with his agent at the court of + the French King, in order to obtain the royal permission for the troops to + cross the frontier. + </p> + <p> + The crownless and almost houseless King had thus, at a single interview, + and in exchange for nothing but good wishes, granted what the most + Christian monarch of France had refused, after months of negotiation, and + with sovereignty as the purchase-money. The envoy, well pleased, sped as + swiftly as possible to Paris; but, as may easily be imagined, Henry of + Valois forbade the movement contemplated by Henry of Navarre. + </p> + <p> + "His Majesty," said Villeroy, secretary of state, "sees no occasion, in so + weighty a business, thus suddenly to change his mind; the less so, because + he hopes to be able ere long to smooth over these troubles which have + begun in France. Should the King either openly or secretly assist the + Netherlands or allow them to be assisted, 'twould be a reason for all the + Catholics now sustaining his Majesty's party to go over to the Guise + faction. The Provinces must remain firm, and make no pacification with the + enemy. Meantime the Queen of England is the only one to whom God has given + means to afford you succour. One of these days, when the proper time + comes, his Majesty will assist her in affording you relief." + </p> + <p> + Calvart, after this conference with the King of Navarre, and subsequently + with the government, entertained a lingering hope that the French King + meant to assist the Provinces. "I know well who is the author of these + troubles," said the unhappy monarch, who never once mentioned the name of + Guise in all those conferences, "but, if God grant me life, I will give + him as good as he sends, and make him rue his conduct." + </p> + <p> + They were not aware after how many strange vacillations Henry was one day + to wreak this threatened vengeance. As for Navarre, he remained upon the + watch, good humoured as ever, more merry and hopeful as the tempest grew + blacker; manifesting the most frank and friendly sentiments towards the + Provinces, and writing to Queen Elizabeth in the chivalrous style so dear + to the heart of that sovereign, that he desired nothing better than to be + her "servant and captain-general against the common enemy." + </p> + <p> + But, indeed, the French King was not so well informed as he imagined + himself to be of the authorship of these troubles. Mucio, upon whose head + he thus threatened vengeance, was but the instrument. The concealed hand + that was directing all these odious intrigues, and lighting these flames + of civil war which were so long to make France a scene of desolation, was + that of the industrious letter-writer in the Escorial. That which Henry of + Navarre shrewdly suspected, when he talked of the Spanish dollars in the + Balafre's pocket, that which was dimly visible to the Bishop of Acqs when + he told Henry III. that the "Tagus had emptied itself into the Seine and + Loire, and that the gold of Mexico was flowing into the royal cabinet," + was much more certain than they supposed. + </p> + <p> + Philip, in truth, was neglecting his own most pressing interests that he + might direct all his energies towards entertaining civil war in France. + That France should remain internally at peace was contrary to all his + plans. He had therefore long kept Guise and his brother, the Cardinal de + Lorraine, in his pay, and he had been spending large sums of money to + bribe many of the most considerable functionaries in the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + The most important enterprises in the Netherlands were allowed to + languish, that these subterranean operations of the "prudent" monarch of + Spain should be pushed forward. The most brilliant and original genius + that Philip had the good fortune to have at his disposal, the genius of + Alexander Farnese, was cramped and irritated almost to madness, by the + fetters imposed upon it, by the sluggish yet obstinate nature of him it + was bound to obey. Farnese was at that moment engaged in a most arduous + military undertaking, that famous siege of Antwerp, the details of which + will be related in future chapters, yet he was never furnished with men or + money enough to ensure success to a much more ordinary operation. His + complaints, subdued but intense, fell almost unheeded on his master's ear. + He had not "ten dollars at his command," his cavalry horses were all dead + of hunger or had been eaten by their riders, who were starving to death + themselves, his army had dwindled to a "handful," yet he still held on to + his purpose, in spite of famine, the desperate efforts of indefatigable + enemies, and all the perils and privations of a deadly winter. He, too, + was kept for a long time in profound ignorance of Philip's designs. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, while the Spanish soldiers were starving in Flanders, Philip's + dollars were employed by Mucio and his adherents in enlisting troops in + Switzerland and Germany, in order to carry on the civil war in France. The + French king was held systematically up to ridicule or detestation in every + village-pulpit in his own kingdom, while the sister of Mucio, the Duchess + of Montpensier, carried the scissors at her girdle, with which she + threatened to provide Henry with a third crown, in addition to those of + France and Poland, which he had disgraced—the coronal tonsure of a + monk. The convent should be, it was intimated, the eventual fate of the + modern Childeric, but meantime it was more important than ever to + supersede the ultimate pretensions of Henry of Navarre. To prevent that + heretic of heretics, who was not to be bought with Spanish gold, from ever + reigning, was the first object of Philip and Mucio. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, on the last day of the year 1584, a secret treaty had been + signed at Joinville between Henry of Guise and his brother the Duc de + Mayenne, holding the proxies of their brother the Cardinal and those of + their uncles, Aumale and Elbeuf, on the one part, and John Baptist Tassis + and Commander Moreo, on the other, as representatives of Philip. This + transaction, sufficiently well known now to the most superficial student + of history, was a profound mystery then, so far as regarded the action of + the Spanish king. It was not a secret, however, that the papistical party + did not intend that the Bearnese prince should ever come to the throne, + and the matter of the succession was discussed, precisely as if the throne + had been vacant. + </p> + <p> + It was decided that Charles, paternal uncle to Henry of Navarre, commonly + called the Cardinal Bourbon, should be considered successor to the crown, + in place of Henry, whose claim was forfeited by heresy. Moreover, a great + deal of superfluous money and learning was expended in ordering some + elaborate legal arguments to be prepared by venal jurisconsults, proving + not only that the uncle ought to succeed before the nephew, but that + neither the one nor the other had any claim to succeed at all. The pea + having thus been employed to do the work which the sword alone could + accomplish, the poor old Cardinal was now formally established by the + Guise faction as presumptive heir to the crown. + </p> + <p> + A man of straw, a superannuated court-dangler, a credulous trifler, but an + earnest Papist as his brother Antony had been, sixty-six years old, and + feeble beyond his years, who, his life long, had never achieved one manly + action, and had now one foot in the grave; this was the puppet placed in + the saddle to run a tilt against the Bearnese, the man with foot ever in + the stirrup, with sword rarely in its sheath. + </p> + <p> + The contracting parties at Joinville agreed that the Cardinal should + succeed on the death of the reigning king, and that no heretic should ever + ascend the throne, or hold the meanest office in the kingdom. They agreed + further that all heretics should be "exterminated" without distinction + throughout France and the Netherlands. In order to procure the necessary + reforms among the clergy, the council of Trent was to be fully carried + into effect. Philip pledged himself to furnish at least fifty thousand + crowns monthly, for the advancement of this Holy League, as it was + denominated, and as much more as should prove necessary. The sums advanced + were to be repaid by the Cardinal on his succeeding to the throne. All the + great officers of the crown, lords and gentlemen, cities, chapters, and + universities, all Catholics, in short, in the kingdom, were deemed to be + included in the league. If any foreign Catholic prince desired to enter + the union, he should be admitted with the consent of both parties. Neither + his Catholic majesty nor the confederated princes should treat with the + most Christian King, either directly or indirectly. The compact was to + remain strictly secret—one copy of it being sent to Philip, while + the other was to be retained by Cardinal Bourbon and his fellow leaguers. + </p> + <p> + And now—in accordance with this program—Philip proceeded + stealthily and industriously to further the schemes of Mucio, to the + exclusion of more urgent business. Noiseless and secret himself, and + delighting in clothing so much as to glide, as it were, throughout Europe, + wrapped in the mantle of invisibility, he was perpetually provoked by the + noise, the bombast, and the bustle, which his less prudent confederates + permitted themselves. While Philip for a long time hesitated to confide + the secret of the League to Parma, whom it most imported to understand + these schemes of his master, the confederates were openly boasting of the + assistance which they were to derive from Parma's cooperation. Even when + the Prince had at last been informed as to the state of affairs, he + stoutly denied the facts of which the leaguers made their vaunt; thus + giving to Mucio and his friends a lesson in dissimulation. + </p> + <p> + "Things have now arrived at a point," wrote Philip to Tassis, 15th March, + 1585, "that this matter of the League cannot and ought not to be concealed + from those who have a right to know it. Therefore you must speak clearly + to the Prince of Parma, informing him of the whole scheme, and enjoining + the utmost secrecy. You must concert with him as to the best means of + rendering aid to this cause, after having apprised him of the points which + regarded him, and also that of the security of Cardinal de Bourbon, in + case of necessity." + </p> + <p> + The Prince was anything but pleased, in the midst of his anxiety and his + almost superhuman labour in the Antwerp siege, to be distracted, + impoverished, and weakened, in order to carry out these schemes against + France; but he kept the secret manfully. + </p> + <p> + To Malpierre, the French envoy in Brussels—for there was the closest + diplomatic communication between Henry III. and Philip, while each was + tampering with the rebellious subjects of the other—to Malpierre + Parma flatly contradicted all complicity on the part of the Spanish King + or himself with the Holy League, of which he knew Philip to be the + originator and the chief. + </p> + <p> + "If I complain to the Prince of Parma," said the envoy, "of the companies + going from Flanders to assist the League, he will make me no other reply + than that which the President has done—that there is nothing at all + in it—until they are fairly arrived in France. The President + (Richardot) said that if the Catholic King belonged to the League, as they + insinuate, his Majesty would declare the fact openly." + </p> + <p> + And a few days later, the Prince himself averred, as Malpierre had + anticipated, that "as to any intention on the part of himself or his + Catholic Majesty, to send succour to the League, according to the boast of + these gentlemen, he had never thought of such a thing, nor had received + any order on the subject from his master. If the King intended to do + anything of the kind, he would do it openly. He protested that he had + never seen anything, or known anything of the League." + </p> + <p> + Here was a man who knew how to keep a secret, and who had no scruples in + the matter of dissimulation, however enraged he might be at seeing men and + money diverted from his own masterly combinations in order to carry out + these schemes of his master. + </p> + <p> + Mucio, on the contrary, was imprudent and inclined to boast. His contempt + for Henry III, made him blind to the dangers to be apprehended from Henry + of Navarre. He did little, but talked a great deal. + </p> + <p> + Philip was very anxious that the work should be done both secretly and + thoroughly. "Let the business be finished before Saint John's day," said + he to Tassis, when sending fifty thousand dollars for the use of the + brothers Guise. "Tell Iniquez to warn them not to be sluggish. Let them + not begin in a lukewarm manner, but promise them plenty of assistance from + me, if they conduct themselves properly. Let them beware of wavering, or + of falling into plans of conciliation. If they do their duty, I will do + mine." + </p> + <p> + But the Guise faction moved slowly despite of Philip's secret promptings. + The truth is, that the means proposed by the Spanish monarch were + ludicrously inadequate to his plans, and it was idle to suppose that the + world was to be turned upside down for his benefit, at the very low price + which he was prepared to pay. + </p> + <p> + Nothing less than to exterminate all the heretics in Christendom, to place + himself on the thrones of France and of England, and to extinguish the + last spark of rebellion in the Netherlands, was his secret thought, and + yet it was very difficult to get fifty thousand dollars from him from + month to month. Procrastinating and indolent himself, he was for ever + rebuking the torpid movements of the Guises. + </p> + <p> + "Let Mucio set his game well at the outset," said he; "let him lay the axe + to the root of the tree, for to be wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening + the knife for himself." + </p> + <p> + This was almost prophetic. When after so much talking and tampering, there + began to be recrimination among the leaguers, Philip was very angry with + his subordinate. + </p> + <p> + "Here is Mucio," said he, "trying to throw the blame of all the + difficulties, which have arisen, upon us. Not hastening, not keeping his + secret, letting the execution of the enterprise grow cold, and lending an + ear to suggestions about peace, without being sure of its conclusion, he + has turned his followers into cowards, discredited his cause, and given + the King of France opportunity to strengthen his force and improve his + party. These are all very palpable things. I am willing to continue my + friendship for them, but not, if, while they accept it, they permit + themselves to complain, instead of manifesting gratitude." + </p> + <p> + On the whole, however, the affairs of the League seemed prosperous. There + was doubtless too much display among the confederates, but there was a + growing uneasiness among the royalists. Cardinal Bourbon, discarding his + ecclesiastical robes and scarlet stockings, paraded himself daily in + public, clothed in military costume, with all the airs of royalty. Many + persons thought him mad. On the other hand, Epergnon, the haughty + minion-in-chief, who governed Henry III., and insulted all the world, was + becoming almost polite. + </p> + <p> + "The progress of the League," said Busbecq, "is teaching the Duc d' + Epergnon manners. 'Tis a youth of such insolence, that without uncovering + he would talk with men of royal descent, while they were bareheaded. 'Tis + a common jest now that he has found out where his hat is." + </p> + <p> + Thus, for a long time, a network of secret political combinations had been + stretching itself over Christendom. There were great movements of troops + throughout Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, slowly concentrating + themselves upon France; yet, on the whole, the great mass of the + populations, the men and women who were to pay, to fight, to starve, to be + trampled upon, to be outraged, to be plundered, to be burned out of houses + and home, to bleed, and to die, were merely ignorant, gaping spectators. + That there was something very grave in prospect was obvious, but exactly + what was impending they knew no more than the generation yet unborn. Very + noiselessly had the patient manager who sat in the Escorial been making + preparations for that European tragedy in which most of the actors had + such fatal parts assigned them, and of which few of the spectators of its + opening scenes were doomed to witness the conclusion. A shifting and + glancing of lights, a vision of vanishing feet, a trampling and bustling + of unseen crowds, movements of concealed machinery, a few incoherent + words, much noise and confusion vague and incomprehensible, till at last + the tinkling of a small bell, and a glimpse of the modest manager stealing + away as the curtain was rising—such was the spectacle presented at + Midsummer 1585. + </p> + <p> + And in truth the opening picture was effective. Sixteen black-robed, + long-bearded Netherland envoys stalking away, discomfited and indignant + upon one side; Catharine de' Medici on the other, regarding them with a + sneer, painfully contorted into a pathetic smile; Henry the King, robed in + a sack of penitence, trembling and hesitating, leaning on the arm of + Epergnon, but quailing even under the protection of that mighty swordsman; + Mucio, careering, truncheon in hand, in full panoply, upon his war-horse, + waving forward a mingled mass of German lanzknechts, Swiss musketeers, and + Lorraine pikemen; the redoubtable Don Bernardino de Mendoza, in front, + frowning and ferocious, with his drawn sword in his hand; Elizabeth of + England, in the back ground, with the white-bearded Burghley and the + monastic Walsingham, all surveying the scene with eyes of deepest meaning; + and, somewhat aside, but in full view, silent, calm, and imperturbably + good-humoured, the bold Bearnese, standing with a mischievous but + prophetic smile glittering through his blue eyes and curly beard—thus + grouped were the personages of the drama in the introductory scenes. + </p> + <p> + The course of public events which succeeded the departure of the + Netherland deputies is sufficiently well known. The secret negotiations + and intrigues, however, by which those external facts were preceded or + accompanied rest mainly in dusty archives, and it was therefore necessary + to dwell somewhat at length upon them in the preceding pages. + </p> + <p> + The treaty of Joinville was signed on the last day of the year 1584. + </p> + <p> + We have seen the real nature of the interview of Ambassador Mendoza with + Henry III. and his mother, which took place early in January, 1585. + Immediately after that conference, Don Bernardino betook himself to the + Duke of Guise, and lost no time in stimulating his confederate to prompt + but secret action. + </p> + <p> + The Netherland envoys had their last audience on the 18th March, and their + departure and disappointment was the signal for the general exhibition and + explosion. The great civil war began, and the man who refused to annex the + Netherlands to the French kingdom soon ceased to be regarded as a king. + </p> + <p> + On the 31st March, the heir presumptive, just manufactured by the Guises, + sent forth his manifesto. Cardinal Bourbon, by this document, declared + that for twenty-four years past no proper measures had been taken to + extirpate the heresy by which France was infested. There was no natural + heir to the King. Those who claimed to succeed at his death had deprived + themselves, by heresy, of their rights. Should they gain their ends, the + ancient religion would be abolished throughout the kingdom, as it had been + in England, and Catholics be subjected to the same frightful tortures + which they were experiencing there. New men, admitted to the confidence of + the crown, clothed with the highest honours, and laden with enormous + emoluments, had excluded the ancient and honoured functionaries of the + state, who had been obliged to sell out their offices to these upstart + successors. These new favourites had seized the finances of the kingdom, + all of which were now collected into the private coffers of the King, and + shared by him with his courtiers. The people were groaning under new taxes + invented every day, yet they knew nothing of the distribution of the + public treasure, while the King himself was so impoverished as to be + unable to discharge his daily debts. Meantime these new advisers of the + crown had renewed to the Protestants of the kingdom the religious + privileges of which they had so justly been deprived, yet the religious + peace which had followed had not brought with it the promised diminution + of the popular burthens. Never had the nation been so heavily taxed or + reduced to such profound misery. For these reasons, he, Cardinal Bourbon, + with other princes of the blood, peers, gentlemen, cities, and + universities, had solemnly bound themselves by oath to extirpate heresy + down to the last root, and to save the people from the dreadful load under + which they were languishing. It was for this that they had taken up arms, + and till that purpose was accomplished they would never lay them down. + </p> + <p> + The paper concluded with the hope that his Majesty would not take these + warlike demonstrations amiss; and a copy of the document was placed in the + royal hands. + </p> + <p> + It was very obvious to the most superficial observer, that the manifesto + was directed almost as much against the reigning sovereign as against + Henry of Navarre. The adherents of the Guise faction, and especially + certain theologians in their employ, had taken very bold grounds upon the + relations between king and subjects, and had made the public very familiar + with their doctrines. It was a duty, they said, "to depose a prince who + did not discharge his duty. Authority ill regulated was robbery, and it + was as absurd to call him a king who knew not how to govern, as it was to + take a blind man for a guide, or to believe that a statue could influence + the movements of living men." + </p> + <p> + Yet to the faction, inspired by such rebellious sentiments, and which was + thundering in his face such tremendous denunciations, the unhappy Henry + could not find a single royal or manly word of reply. He threw himself on + his knees, when, if ever, he should have assumed an attitude of command. + He answered the insolence of the men, who were parading their contempt for + his authority, by humble excuses, and supplications for pardon. He threw + his crown in the dust before their feet, as if such humility would induce + them to place it again upon his head. He abandoned the minions who had + been his pride, his joy, and his defence, and deprecated, with an abject + whimper, all responsibility for the unmeasured ambition and the insatiable + rapacity of a few private individuals. He conjured the party-leaders, who + had hurled defiance in his face, to lay down their arms, and promised that + they should find in his wisdom and bounty more than all the advantages + which they were seeking to obtain by war. + </p> + <p> + Henry of Navarre answered in a different strain. The gauntlet had at last + been thrown down to him, and he came forward to take it up; not insolently + nor carelessly, but with the cold courtesy of a Christian knight and + valiant gentleman. He denied the charge of heresy. He avowed detestation + of all doctrines contrary to the Word of God, to the decrees of the + Fathers of the Church, or condemned by the Councils. + </p> + <p> + The errors and abuses which had from time to time crept into the church, + had long demanded, in the opinion of all pious persons, some measures of + reform. After many bloody wars, no better remedy had been discovered to + arrest the cause of these dire religious troubles, whether in France or + Germany, than to permit all men to obey the dictates of their own + conscience. The Protestants had thus obtained in France many edicts by + which the peace of the kingdom had been secured. He could not himself be + denounced as a heretic, for he had always held himself ready to receive + instruction, and to be set right where he had erred. To call him + "relapsed" was an outrage. Were it true, he were indeed unworthy of the + crown, but the world knew that his change at the Massacre of St. + Bartholomew had been made under duresse, and that he had returned to the + reformed faith when he had recovered his liberty. Religious toleration had + been the object of his life. In what the tyranny of the popes and the + violence of the Spaniards had left him of his kingdom of Navarre, + Catholics and Protestants enjoyed a perfect religious liberty. No man had + the right, therefore, to denounce him as an enemy of the church, or a + disturber of the public repose, for he had ever been willing to accept all + propositions of peace which left the rights of conscience protected. + </p> + <p> + He was a Frenchman, a prince of France, a living member of the kingdom; + feeling with its pains, and bleeding with its wounds. They who denounced + him were alien to France, factitious portions of her body, feeling no + suffering, even should she be consuming with living fire. The Leaguers + were the friends and the servants of the Spaniards, while he had been born + the enemy, and with too good reason, of the whole Spanish race. + </p> + <p> + "Let the name of Papist and of Huguenot," he said, "be heard no more among + us. Those terms were buried in the edict of peace. Let us speak only of + Frenchmen and of Spaniards. It is the counter-league which we must all + unite to form, the natural union of the head with all its members." + </p> + <p> + Finally, to save the shedding of so much innocent blood, to spare all the + countless miseries of civil war, he implored the royal permission to + terminate this quarrel in person, by single combat with the Duke of Guise, + one to one, two to two, or in as large a number as might be desired, and + upon any spot within or without the kingdom that should be assigned. "The + Duke of Guise," said Henry of Navarre, "cannot but accept my challenge as + an honour, coming as it does from a prince infinitely his superior in + rank; and thus, may God defend the right." + </p> + <p> + This paper, drawn up by the illustrious Duplessis-Mornay, who was to have + been the second of the King of Navarre in the proposed duel, was signed 10 + June 1585. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate Henry III., not so dull as to doubt that the true object + of the Guise party was to reduce him to insignificance, and to open their + own way to the throne, was too impotent of purpose to follow the dictates + which his wisest counsellors urged and his own reason approved. His choice + had lain between open hostility with his Spanish enemy and a more terrible + combat with that implacable foe wearing the mask of friendship. He had + refused to annex to his crown the rich and powerful Netherlands, from + dread of a foreign war; and he was now about to accept for himself and + kingdom all the horrors of a civil contest, in which his avowed antagonist + was the first captain of the age, and his nominal allies the stipendiaries + of Philip II. + </p> + <p> + Villeroy, his prime minister, and Catharine de' Medici, his mother, had + both devoted him to disgrace and ruin. The deputies from the Netherlands + had been dismissed, and now, notwithstanding the festivities and exuberant + demonstrations of friendship with which the Earl of Derby's splendid + embassy had been greeted, it became necessary to bind Henry hand and foot + to the conspirators, who had sworn the destruction of that Queen, as well + as his own, and the extirpation of heresy and heretics in every realm of + Christendom. + </p> + <p> + On the 9th June the league demanded a royal decree, forbidding the + practice of all religion but the Roman Catholic, on pain of death. In vain + had the clear-sighted Bishop of Acqs uttered his eloquent warnings. + Despite such timely counsels, which he was capable at once of appreciating + and of neglecting, Henry followed slavishly the advice of those whom he + knew in his heart to be his foes, and authorised the great conspiracy + against Elizabeth, against Protestantism, and against himself. + </p> + <p> + On the 5th June Villeroy had expressed a wish for a very secret interview + with Mendoza, on the subject of the invasion of England. + </p> + <p> + "It needed not this overture," said that magniloquent Spaniard, "to + engender in a person of my talents, and with the heart of a Mendoza, venom + enough for vengeance. I could not more desire than I did already to assist + in so holy a work; nor could I aspire to greater honour than would be + gained in uniting those crowns (of France and Spain) in strict friendship, + for the purpose of extirpating heresy throughout Europe, and of chastising + the Queen of England—whose abominations I am never likely to forget, + having had them so long before my eyes—and of satisfying my just + resentment for the injuries she has inflicted on myself. It was on this + subject," continued the ambassador, "that Monsieur de Villeroy wished a + secret interview with me, pledging himself—if your Majesty would + deign to unite yourself with this King, and to aid him with your forces—to + a successful result." + </p> + <p> + Mendoza accordingly expressed a willingness to meet the ingenuous + Secretary of State—who had so recently been assisting at the + banquets and rejoicings with Lord Derby and his companions, which had so + much enlivened the French capital—and assured him that his most + Catholic Majesty would be only too glad to draw closer the bonds of + friendship with the most Christian King, for the service of God and the + glory of his Church. + </p> + <p> + The next day the envoy and the Secretary of State met, very secretly, in + the house of the Signor Gondi. Villeroy commenced his harangue by an + allusion to the current opinion, that Mendoza had arrived in France with a + torch in his hand, to light the fires of civil war in that kingdom, as he + had recently done in England. + </p> + <p> + "I do not believe," replied Mendoza, "that discreet and prudent persons in + France attribute my actions to any such motives. As for the ignorant + people of the kingdom, they do not appal me, although they evidently + imagine that I have imbibed, during my residence in England, something of + the spirit of the enchanter Merlin, that, by signs and cabalistic words + alone, I am thought capable of producing such commotions." + </p> + <p> + After this preliminary flourish the envoy proceeded to complain bitterly + of the most Christian King and his mother, who, after the propositions + which they had made him, when on his way to Spain, had, since his return, + become so very cold and dry towards him. And on this theme he enlarged for + some time. + </p> + <p> + Villeroy replied, by complaining, in his turn, about the dealings of the + most Catholic King, with the leaguers and the rebels of France; and + Mendoza rejoined by an intimation that harping upon past grievances and + suspicions was hardly the way to bring about harmony in present matters. + </p> + <p> + Struck with the justice of this remark, the French Secretary of State + entered at once upon business. He made a very long speech upon the tyranny + which "that Englishwoman" was anew inflicting upon the Catholics in her + kingdom, upon the offences which she had committed against the King of + Spain, and against the King of France and his brothers, and upon the + aliment which she had been yielding to the civil war in the Netherlands + and in France for so many years. He then said that if Mendoza would + declare with sincerity, and "without any of the duplicity of a minister"—that + Philip would league himself with Henry for the purpose of invading + England, in order to reduce the three kingdoms to the Catholic faith, and + to place their crowns on the head of the Queen of Scotland, to whom they + of right belonged; then that the King, his master, was most ready to join + in so holy an enterprise. He begged Mendoza to say with what number of + troops the invasion could be made; whether Philip could send any from + Flanders or from Spain; how many it would be well to send from France, and + under what chieftain; in what manner it would be best to communicate with + his most Catholic Majesty; whether it were desirable to despatch a secret + envoy to him, and of what quality such agent ought to be. He also observed + that the most Christian King could not himself speak to Mendoza on the + subject before having communicated the matter to the Queen-Mother, but + expressed a wish that a special carrier might be forthwith despatched to + Spain; for he might be sure that, on an affair of such weight, he would + not have permitted himself to reveal the secret wishes of his master, + except by his commands. + </p> + <p> + Mendoza replied, by enlarging with much enthusiasm on the facility with + which England could be conquered by the combined power of France and + Spain. If it were not a very difficult matter before—even with the + jealousy between the two crowns—how much less so, now that they + could join their fleets and armies; now that the arming by the one prince + would not inspire the other with suspicion; now that they would be certain + of finding safe harbour in each other's kingdoms, in case of unfavourable + weather and head-winds, and that they could arrange from what ports to + sail, in what direction, and under what commanders. He disapproved, + however, of sending a special messenger to Spain, on the ground of wishing + to keep the matter entirely secret, but in reality—as he informed + Philip—because he chose to keep the management in his own hands; + because he could always let slip Mucio upon them, in case they should play + him false; because he feared that the leaking out of the secret might + discourage the Leaguers, and because he felt that the bolder and more + lively were the Cardinal of Bourbon and his confederates, the stronger was + the party of the King, his master, and the more intimidated and dispirited + would be the mind and the forces of the most Christian King. "And this is + precisely the point," said the diplomatist, "at which a minister of your + Majesty should aim at this season." + </p> + <p> + Thus the civil war in France—an indispensable part of Philip's + policy—was to be maintained at all hazards; and although the + ambassador was of opinion that the most Christian King was sincere in his + proposition to invade England, it would never do to allow any interval of + tranquillity to the wretched subjects of that Christian King. + </p> + <p> + "I cannot doubt," said Mendoza, "that the making of this proposal to me + with so much warmth was the especial persuasion of God, who, hearing the + groans of the Catholics of England, so cruelly afflicted, wished to force + the French King and his minister to feel, in the necessity which surrounds + them, that the offending Him, by impeding the grandeur of your Majesty, + would be their total ruin, and that their only salvation is to unite in + sincerity and truth with your Majesty for the destruction of the + heretics." + </p> + <p> + Therefore, although judging from the nature of the French—he might + imagine that they were attempting to put him to sleep, Mendoza, on the + whole, expressed a conviction that the King was in earnest, having arrived + at the conclusion that he could only get rid of the Guise faction by + sending them over to England. "Seeing that he cannot possibly eradicate + the war from his kingdom," said the envoy, "because of the boldness with + which the Leaguers maintain it, with the strong assistance of your + Majesty, he has determined to embrace with much fervour, and without any + deception at all, the enterprise against England, as the only remedy to + quiet his own dominions. The subjugation of those three kingdoms, in order + to restore them to their rightful owner, is a purpose so holy, just, and + worthy of your Majesty, and one which you have had so constantly in view, + that it is superfluous for me to enlarge upon the subject. Your Majesty + knows that its effects will be the tranquillity and preservation of all + your realms. The reasons for making the attempt, even without the aid of + France, become demonstrations now that she is unanimously in favour of the + scheme. The most Christian King is resolutely bent—so far as I can + comprehend the intrigues of Villeroy—to carry out this project on + the foundation of a treaty with the Guise party. It will not take much + time, therefore, to put down the heretics here; nor will it consume much + more to conquer England with the armies of two such powerful Princes. The + power of that island is of little moment, there being no disciplined + forces to oppose us, even if they were all unanimous in its defence; how + much less then, with so many Catholics to assist the invaders, seeing them + so powerful. If your Majesty, on account of your Netherlands, is not + afraid of putting arms into the hands of the Guise family in France, there + need be less objection to sending one of that house into England, + particularly as you will send forces of your own into that kingdom, by the + reduction of which the affairs of Flanders will be secured. To effect the + pacification of the Netherlands the sooner, it would be desirable to + conquer England as early as October." + </p> + <p> + Having thus sufficiently enlarged upon the sincerity of the French King + and his prime minister, in their dark projects against a friendly power, + and upon the ease with which that friendly power could be subjected, the + ambassador begged for a reply from his royal master without delay. He + would be careful, meantime, to keep the civil war alive in France—thus + verifying the poetical portrait of himself, the truth of which he had just + been so indignantly and rhetorically denying—but it was desirable + that the French should believe that this civil war was not Philip's sole + object. He concluded by drawing his master's attention to the sufferings + of the English Catholics. "I cannot refrain," he said, "from placing + before your eyes the terrible persecutions which the Catholics are + suffering in England; the blood of the martyrs flowing in so many kinds of + torments; the groans of the prisoners, of the widows and orphans; the + general oppression and servitude, which is the greatest ever endured by a + people of God, under any tyrant whatever. Your Majesty, into whose hands + God is now pleased to place the means, so long desired, of extirpating and + totally destroying the heresies of our time, can alone liberate them from + their bondage." + </p> + <p> + The picture of these kings, prime ministers, and ambassadors, thus + plotting treason, stratagem, and massacre, is a dark and dreary one. The + description of English sufferings for conscience' sake, under the + Protestant Elizabeth, is even more painful; for it had unfortunately too + much, of truth, although as wilfully darkened and exaggerated as could be + done by religious hatred and Spanish bombast. The Queen was surrounded by + legions of deadly enemies. Spain, the Pope, the League, were united in one + perpetual conspiracy against her; and they relied on the cooperation of + those subjects of hers whom her own cruelty was converting into traitors. + </p> + <p> + We read with a shudder these gloomy secrets of conspiracy and wholesale + murder, which make up the diplomatic history of the sixteenth century, and + we cease to wonder that a woman, feeling herself so continually the mark + at which all the tyrants and assassins of Europe were aiming—although + not possessing perhaps the evidences of her peril so completely as they + have been revealed to us—should come to consider every English + Papist as a traitor and an assassin. It was unfortunate that she was not + able to rise beyond the vile instincts of the age, and by a magnanimous + and sublime toleration, to convert her secret enemies into loyal subjects. + </p> + <p> + And now Henry of Valois was to choose between league and counter-league, + between Henry of Guise and Henry of Navarre, between France and Spain. The + whole chivalry of Gascony and Guienne, the vast swarm of industrious and + hardy Huguenot artisans, the Netherland rebels, the great English Queen, + stood ready to support the cause of French nationality, and of all + nationalities, against a threatening world-empire, of religious liberty + against sacerdotal absolutism, and the crown of a King, whose only merit + had hitherto been to acquiesce in a religious toleration dictated to him + by others, against those who derided his authority and insulted his + person. The bold knight-errant of Christendom, the champion to the + utterance against Spain, stood there with lance in rest, and the King + scarcely hesitated. + </p> + <p> + The League, gliding so long unheeded, now reared its crest in the very + palace of France, and full in the monarch's face. With a single shudder + the victim fell into its coils. + </p> + <p> + The choice was made. On the 18th of July (1585) the edict of Nemours was + published, revoking all previous edicts by which religious peace had been + secured. Death and confiscation of property were now proclaimed as the + penalty of practising any religious rites save those of the Roman Catholic + Church. Six months were allowed to the Nonconformists to put their affairs + in order, after which they were to make public profession of the Catholic + religion, with regular attendance upon its ceremonies, or else go into + perpetual exile. To remain in France without abjuring heresy was + thenceforth a mortal crime, to be expiated upon the gallows. As a matter + of course, all Huguenots were instantaneously incapacitated from public + office, the mixed chambers of justice were abolished, and the cautionary + towns were to be restored. On the other hand, the Guise faction were to + receive certain cities into their possession, as pledges that this + sanguinary edict should be fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + Thus did Henry III. abjectly kiss the hand which smote him. His mother, + having since the death of Anjou no further interest in affecting to favour + the Huguenots, had arranged the basis of this treaty with the Spanish + party. And now the unfortunate King had gone solemnly down to the + Parliament of Paris, to be present at the registration of the edict. The + counsellors and presidents were all assembled, and as they sat there in + their crimson robes, they seemed, to the excited imagination of those who + loved their country, like embodiments of the impending and most sanguinary + tragedy. As the monarch left the parliament-house a faint cry of 'God save + the King' was heard in the street. Henry hung his head, for it was long + since that cry had met his ears, and he knew that it was a false and + languid demonstration which had been paid for by the Leaguers. + </p> + <p> + And thus was the compact signed—an unequal compact. Madam League was + on horseback, armed in proof, said a contemporary; the King was on foot, + and dressed in a shirt of penitence. The alliance was not an auspicious + one. Not peace, but a firebrand—'facem, non pacem'—had the + King held forth to his subjects. + </p> + <p> + When the news came to Henry of Navarre that the King had really + promulgated this fatal edict, he remained for a time, with amazement and + sorrow, leaning heavily upon a table, with his face in his right hand. + When he raised his head again—so he afterwards asserted—one + side of his moustachio had turned white. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Gregory XIII., who had always refused to sanction the League, was + dead, and Cardinal Peretti, under the name of Sixtus V., now reigned in + his place. Born of an illustrious house, as he said—for it was a + house without a roof—this monk of humble origin was of inordinate + ambition. Feigning a humility which was but the cloak to his pride, he was + in reality as grasping, self-seeking, and revengeful, as he seemed gentle + and devout. It was inevitable that a pontiff of this character should + seize the opportunity offered him to mimic Hildebrand, and to brandish on + high the thunderbolts of the Church. + </p> + <p> + With a flaming prelude concerning the omnipotence delegated by Almighty + God to St. Peter and his successors—an authority infinitely superior + to all earthly powers—the decrees of which were irresistible alike + by the highest and the meanest, and which hurled misguided princes from + their thrones into the abyss, like children of Beelzebub, the Pope + proceeded to fulminate his sentence of excommunication against those + children of wrath, Henry of Navarre and Henry of Conde. They were + denounced as heretics, relapsed, and enemies of God (28th Aug.1585). The + King was declared dispossessed of his principality of Bearne, and of what + remained to him of Navarre. He was stripped of all dignities, privileges, + and property, and especially proclaimed incapable of ever ascending the + throne of France. + </p> + <p> + The Bearnese replied by a clever political squib. A terse and spirited + paper found its way to Rome, and was soon affixed, to the statutes of + Pasquin and Marforio, and in other public places of that city, and even to + the gates of the papal palace. Without going beyond his own doors, his + Holiness had the opportunity of reading, to his profound amazement, that + Mr. Sixtus, calling himself Pope, had foully and maliciously lied in + calling the King of Navarre a heretic. This Henry offered to prove before + any free council legitimately chosen. If the Pope refused to submit to + such decision, he was himself no better than excommunicate and Antichrist, + and the King of Navarre thereby declared mortal and perpetual war upon + him. The ancient kings of France had known how to chastise the insolence + of former popes, and he hoped, when he ascended the throne, to take + vengeance on Mr. Sixtus for the insult thus offered to all the kings of + Christendom—and so on, in a vein which showed the Bearnese to be a + man rather amused than blasted by these papal fireworks. + </p> + <p> + Sixtus V., though imperious, was far from being dull. He knew how to + appreciate a man when he found one, and he rather admired the cheerful + attitude maintained by Navarre, as he tossed back the thunderbolts. He + often spoke afterwards of Henry with genuine admiration, and declared that + in all the world he knew but two persons fit to wear a crown—Henry + of Navarre and Elizabeth of England. "'Twas pity," he said, "that both + should be heretics." + </p> + <p> + And thus the fires of civil war had been lighted throughout Christendom, + and the monarch of France had thrown himself head foremost into the + flames. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Hibernian mode of expressing himself + His inordinate arrogance + His insolence intolerable + Humility which was but the cloak to his pride + Longer they delay it, the less easy will they find it + Oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts + Round game of deception, in which nobody was deceived + Wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening the knife for himself + With something of feline and feminine duplicity + 'Twas pity, he said, that both should be heretics +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. 1585, Part 1, Alexander Farnese, The Duke Of Parma + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Position and Character of Farnese—Preparations for Antwerp Siege— + Its Characteristics—Foresight of William the Silent—Sainte + Aldegonde, the Burgomaster—Anarchy in Antwerp—Character of Sainte + Aldegonde—Admiral Treslong—Justinus de Nassau—Hohenlo—Opposition + to the Plan of Orange—Liefkenshoek—Head—Quarters of Parma at + Kalloo—Difficulty of supplying the City—Results of not piercing + the Dykes—Preliminaries of the Siege—Successes of the Spaniards— + Energy of Farnese with Sword and Pen—His Correspondence with the + Antwerpers—Progress of the Bridge—Impoverished Condition of Parma + —Patriots attempt Bois-le-Duc—Their Misconduct—Failure of the + Enterprise—The Scheldt Bridge completed—Description of the + Structure +</pre> + <p> + The negotiations between France and the Netherlands have been massed, in + order to present a connected and distinct view of the relative attitude of + the different countries of Europe. The conferences and diplomatic + protocolling had resulted in nothing positive; but it is very necessary + for the reader to understand the negative effects of all this + dissimulation and palace-politics upon the destiny of the new + commonwealth, and upon Christendom at large. The League had now achieved a + great triumph; the King of France had virtually abdicated, and it was now + requisite for the King of Navarre, the Netherlands, and Queen Elizabeth, + to draw more closely together than before, if the last hope of forming a + counter-league were not to be abandoned. The next step in political + combination was therefore a solemn embassy of the States-General to + England. Before detailing those negotiations, however, it is proper to + direct attention to the external public events which had been unrolling + themselves in the Provinces, contemporaneously with the secret history + which has been detailed in the preceding chapters. + </p> + <p> + By presenting in their natural groupings various distinct occurrences, + rather than by detailing them in strict chronological order, a clearer + view of the whole picture will be furnished than could be done by + intermingling personages, transactions, and scenery, according to the + arbitrary command of Time alone. + </p> + <p> + The Netherlands, by the death of Orange, had been left without a head. On + the other hand, the Spanish party had never been so fortunate in their + chief at any period since the destiny of the two nations had been blended + with each other. Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, was a general and a + politician, whose character had been steadily ripening since he came into + the command of the country. He was now thirty-seven years of age—with + the experience of a sexagenarian. No longer the impetuous, arbitrary, + hot-headed youth, whose intelligence and courage hardly atoned for his + insolent manner and stormy career, he had become pensive, modest, almost + gentle. His genius was rapid in conception, patient in combination, + fertile in expedients, adamantine in the endurance or suffering; for never + did a heroic general and a noble army of veterans manifest more military + virtue in the support of an infamous cause than did Parma and his handful + of Italians and Spaniards. That which they considered to be their duty + they performed. The work before them they did with all their might. + </p> + <p> + Alexander had vanquished the rebellion in the Celtic provinces, by the + masterly diplomacy and liberal bribery which have been related in a former + work. Artois, Hainault, Douay, Orchies, with the rich cities of Lille, + Tournay, Valenciennes, Arras, and other important places, were now the + property of Philip. These unhappy and misguided lands, however, were + already reaping the reward of their treason. Beggared, trampled upon, + plundered, despised, they were at once the prey of the Spaniards, and the + cause that their sister-states, which still held out, were placed in more + desperate condition than ever. They were also, even in their abject + plight, made still more forlorn by the forays of Balagny, who continued in + command of Cambray. Catharine de' Medici claimed that city as her + property, by will of the Duke of Anjou. A strange title—founded upon + the treason and cowardice of her favourite son—but one which, for a + time, was made good by the possession maintained by Balagny. That usurper + meantime, with a shrewd eye to his own interests, pronounced the truce of + Cambray, which was soon afterwards arranged, from year to year, by + permission of Philip, as a "most excellent milch-cow;" and he continued to + fill his pails at the expense of the "reconciled" provinces, till they + were thoroughly exhausted. + </p> + <p> + This large south-western section of the Netherlands being thus permanently + re-annexed to the Spanish crown, while Holland, Zeeland, and the other + provinces, already constituting the new Dutch republic, were more + obstinate in their hatred of Philip than ever, there remained the rich and + fertile territory of Flanders and Brabant as the great debateable land. + Here were the royal and political capital, Brussels, the commercial + capital, Antwerp, with Mechlin, Dendermonde, Vilvoorde, and other places + of inferior importance, all to be struggled for to the death. With the + subjection of this district the last bulwark between the new commonwealth + and the old empire would be overthrown, and Spain and Holland would then + meet face to face. + </p> + <p> + If there had ever been a time when every nerve in Protestant Christendom + should be strained to weld all those provinces together into one great + commonwealth, as a bulwark for European liberty, rather than to allow them + to be broken into stepping-stones, over which absolutism could stride + across France and Holland into England, that moment had arrived. Every + sacrifice should have been cheerfully made by all Netherlanders, the + uttermost possible subsidies and auxiliaries should have been furnished by + all the friends of civil and religious liberty in every land to save + Flanders and Brabant from their impending fate. + </p> + <p> + No man felt more keenly the importance of the business in which he was + engaged than Parma. He knew his work exactly, and he meant to execute it + thoroughly. Antwerp was the hinge on which the fate of the whole country, + perhaps of all Christendom, was to turn. "If we get Antwerp," said the + Spanish soldiers—so frequently that the expression passed into a + proverb—"you shall all go to mass with us; if you save Antwerp, we + will all go to conventicle with you." + </p> + <p> + Alexander rose with the difficulty and responsibility of his situation. + His vivid, almost poetic intellect formed its schemes with perfect + distinctness. Every episode in his great and, as he himself termed it, his + "heroic enterprise," was traced out beforehand with the tranquil vision of + creative genius; and he was prepared to convert his conceptions into + reality, with the aid of an iron nature that never knew fatigue or fear. + </p> + <p> + But the obstacles were many. Alexander's master sat in his cabinet with + his head full of Mucio, Don Antonio, and Queen Elizabeth; while Alexander + himself was left neglected, almost forgotten. His army was shrinking to a + nullity. The demands upon him were enormous, his finances delusive, almost + exhausted. To drain an ocean dry he had nothing but a sieve. What was his + position? He could bring into the field perhaps eight or ten thousand men + over and above the necessary garrisons. He had before him Brussels, + Antwerp, Mechlin, Ghent, Dendermonde, and other powerful places, which he + was to subjugate. Here was a problem not easy of solution. Given an army + of eight thousand, more or less, to reduce therewith in the least possible + time, half-a-dozen cities; each containing fifteen or twenty thousand men + able to bear arms. To besiege these places in form was obviously a mere + chimera. Assault, battery, and surprises—these were all out of the + question. + </p> + <p> + Yet Alexander was never more truly heroic than in this position of vast + entanglement. Untiring, uncomplaining, thoughtful of others, prodigal of + himself, generous, modest, brave; with so much intellect and so much + devotion to what he considered his duty, he deserved to be a patriot and a + champion of the right, rather than an instrument of despotism. + </p> + <p> + And thus he paused for a moment—with much work already accomplished, + but his hardest life-task before him; still in the noon of manhood, a fine + martial figure, standing, spear in hand, full in the sunlight, though all + the scene around him was wrapped in gloom—a noble, commanding shape, + entitled to the admiration which the energetic display of great powers, + however unscrupulous, must always command. A dark, meridional physiognomy, + a quick; alert, imposing head; jet black, close-clipped hair; a bold + eagle's face, with full, bright, restless eye; a man rarely reposing, + always ready, never alarmed; living in the saddle, with harness on his + back—such was the Prince of Parma; matured and mellowed, but still + unharmed by time. + </p> + <p> + The cities of Flanders and Brabant he determined to reduce by gaining + command of the Scheldt. The five principal ones Ghent, Dendermonde, + Mechlin, Brussels Antwerp, lie narrow circle, at distances from each other + varying from five miles to thirty, and are all strung together by the + great Netherland river or its tributaries. His plan was immensely + furthered by the success of Balthasar Gerard, an ally whom Alexander had + despised and distrusted, even while he employed him. The assassination of + Orange was better to Parma than forty thousand men. A crowd of allies + instantly started up for him, in the shape of treason, faintheartedness, + envy, jealousy, insubordination, within the walls of every beleaguered + city. Alexander knew well how to deal with those auxiliaries. Letters, + artfully concocted, full of conciliation and of promise, were circulated + in every council-room, in almost every house. + </p> + <p> + The surrender of Ghent—brought about by the governor's eloquence, + aided by the golden arguments which he knew so well how to advance—had + by the middle of September (19th Sept. 1584), put him in possession of + West Flanders, with the important exception of the coast. Dendermonde + capitulated at a still earlier day; while the fall of Brussels, which held + out till many persons had been starved to death, was deferred till the + 10th March of the following year, and that of Mechlin till midsummer. + </p> + <p> + The details of the military or political operations, by which the + reduction of most of these places were effected, possess but little + interest. The siege of Antwerp, however, was one of the most striking + events of the age; and although the change in military tactics and the + progress of science may have rendered this leaguer of less technical + importance than it possessed in the sixteenth century, yet the + illustration that it affords of the splendid abilities of Parma, of the + most cultivated mode of warfare in use at that period, and of the internal + politics by which the country was then regulated, make it necessary to + dwell upon the details of an episode which must ever possess enduring + interest. + </p> + <p> + It is agreeable to reflect, too, that the fame of the general is not + polluted with the wholesale butchery, which has stained the reputation of + other Spanish commanders so indelibly. There was no killing for the mere + love of slaughter. With but few exceptions, there was no murder in cold + blood; and the many lives that were laid down upon those watery dykes were + sacrificed at least in bold, open combat; in a contest, the ruling spirits + of which were patriotism, or at least honour. + </p> + <p> + It is instructive, too, to observe the diligence and accuracy with which + the best lights of the age were brought to bear upon the great problem + which Parma had undertaken to solve. All the science then at command was + applied both by the Prince and by his burgher antagonists to the + advancement of their ends. Hydrostatics, hydraulics, engineering, + navigation, gunnery, pyrotechnics, mining, geometry, were summoned as + broadly, vigorously, and intelligently to the destruction or preservation + of a trembling city, as they have ever been, in more commercial days, to + advance a financial or manufacturing purpose. Land converted into water, + and water into land, castles built upon the breast of rapid streams, + rivers turned from their beds and taught new courses; the distant ocean + driven across ancient bulwarks, mines dug below the sea, and canals made + to percolate obscene morasses—which the red hand of war, by the very + act, converted into blooming gardens—a mighty stream bridged and + mastered in the very teeth of winter, floating ice-bergs, ocean-tides, and + an alert and desperate foe, ever ready with fleets and armies and + batteries—such were the materials of which the great spectacle was + composed; a spectacle which enchained the attention of Europe for seven + months, and on the result of which, it was thought, depended the fate of + all the Netherlands, and perhaps of all Christendom. + </p> + <p> + Antwerp, then the commercial centre of the Netherlands and of Europe, + stands upon the Scheldt. The river, flowing straight, broad, and full + along the verge of the city, subtends the arc into which the place + arranges itself as it falls back from the shore. Two thousand ships of the + largest capacity then known might easily find room in its ample harbours. + The stream, nearly half a mile in width, and sixty feet in depth, with a + tidal rise and fall of eleven feet, moves, for a few miles, in a broad and + steady current between the provinces of Brabant and Flanders. Then, + dividing itself into many ample estuaries, and gathering up the level + isles of Zeeland into its bosom, it seems to sweep out with them into the + northern ocean. Here, at the junction of the river and the sea, lay the + perpetual hope of Antwerp, for in all these creeks and currents swarmed + the fleets of the Zeelanders, that hardy and amphibious race, with which + few soldiers or mariners could successfully contend, on land or water. + </p> + <p> + Even from the beginning of the year 1584 Parma had been from time to time + threatening Antwerp. The victim instinctively felt that its enemy was + poising and hovering over head, although he still delayed to strike. Early + in the summer Sainte Aldegonde, Recorder Martini, and other official + personages, were at Delft, upon the occasion of the christening ceremonies + of Frederic Henry, youngest child of Orange. The Prince, at that moment, + was aware of the plans of Parma, and held a long conversation with his + friends upon the measures which he desired to see immediately undertaken. + Unmindful of his usual hospitality, he insisted that these gentlemen + should immediately leave for Antwerp. Alexander Farnese, he assured them, + had taken the firm determination to possess himself of that place, without + further delay. He had privately signified his purpose of laying the axe at + once to the root of the tree, believing that with the fall of the + commercial capital the infant confederacy of the United States would fall + likewise. In order to accomplish this object, he would forthwith attempt + to make himself master of the banks of the Scheldt, and would even throw a + bridge across the stream, if his plans were not instantly circumvented. + </p> + <p> + William of Orange then briefly indicated his plan; adding that he had no + fears for the result; and assuring his friends, who expressed much anxiety + on the subject, that if Parma really did attempt the siege of Antwerp it + should be his ruin. The plan was perfectly simple. The city stood upon a + river. It was practicable, although extremely hazardous, for the enemy to + bridge that river, and by so doing ultimately to reduce the place. But the + ocean could not be bridged; and it was quite possible to convert Antwerp, + for a season, into an ocean-port. Standing alone upon an island, with the + sea flowing around it, and with full and free marine communication with + Zeeland and Holland, it might safely bid defiance to the land-forces, even + of so great a commander as Parma. To the furtherance of this great measure + of defence, it was necessary to destroy certain bulwarks, the chief of + (10th June, 1584) which was called the Blaw-garen Dyke; and Sainte + Aldegonde was therefore requested to return to the city, in order to cause + this task to be executed without delay. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be more judicious than this advice. The low lands along the + Scheldt were protected against marine encroachments, and the river itself + was confined to its bed, by a magnificent system of dykes, which extended + along its edge towards the ocean, in parallel lines. Other barriers of a + similar nature ran in oblique directions, through the wide open pasture + lands, which they maintained in green fertility, against the + ever-threatening sea. The Blaw-garen, to which the prince mainly alluded, + was connected with the great dyke upon the right bank of the Scheldt. + Between this and the city, another bulwark called the Kowenstyn Dyke, + crossed the country at right angles to the river, and joined the other two + at a point, not very far from Lillo, where the States had a strong + fortress. + </p> + <p> + The country in this neighbourhood was low, spongy, full of creeks, small + meres, and the old bed of the Scheldt. Orange, therefore, made it very + clear, that by piercing the great dyke just described, such a vast body of + water would be made to pour over the land as to submerge the Kowenstyn + also, the only other obstacle in the passage of fleets from Zeeland to + Antwerp. The city would then be connected with the sea and its islands, by + so vast an expanse of navigable water, that any attempt on Parma's part to + cut off supplies and succour would be hopeless. Antwerp would laugh the + idea of famine to scorn; and although this immunity would be purchased by + the sacrifice of a large amount of agricultural territory the price so + paid was but a slender one, when the existence of the capital, and with it + perhaps of the whole confederacy was at stake. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde and Martini suggested, that, as there would be some + opposition to the measure proposed, it might be as well to make a similar + attempt on the Flemish side, in preference, by breaking through the dykes + in the neighbourhood of Saftingen. Orange replied, by demonstrating that + the land in the region which he had indicated was of a character to ensure + success, while in the other direction there were certain very unfavourable + circumstances which rendered the issue doubtful. The result was destined + to prove the sagacity of the Prince, for it will be shown in the sequel, + that the Saftingen plan, afterwards really carried out, was rather + advantageous than detrimental to the enemy's projects. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde, accordingly, yielded to the arguments and entreaties of + his friend, and repaired without delay to Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + The advice of William the Silent—as will soon be related—was + not acted upon; and, within a few weeks after it had been given, he was in + his grave. Nowhere was his loss more severely felt than in Antwerp. It + seemed, said a contemporary, that with his death had died all authority. + The Prince was the only head which the many-membered body of that very + democratic city ever spontaneously obeyed. Antwerp was a small republic—in + time of peace intelligently and successfully administered—which in + the season of a great foreign war, amid plagues, tumults, famine, and + internal rebellion, required the firm hand and the clear brain of a single + chief. That brain and hand had been possessed by Orange alone. + </p> + <p> + Before his death he had desired that Sainte Aldegonde should accept the + office of burgomaster of the city. Nominally, the position was not so + elevated as were many of the posts which that distinguished patriot had + filled. In reality, it was as responsible and arduous a place as could be + offered to any man's acceptance throughout the country. Sainte Aldegonde + consented, not without some reluctance. He felt that there was odium to be + incurred; he knew that much would be expected of him, and that his means + would be limited. His powers would be liable to a constant and various + restraint. His measures were sure to be the subject of perpetual cavil. If + the city were besieged, there were nearly one hundred thousand mouths to + feed, and nearly one hundred thousand tongues to dispute about furnishing + the food. + </p> + <p> + For the government of Antwerp had been degenerating from a well-organised + municipal republicanism into anarchy. The clashing of the various bodies + exercising power had become incessant and intolerable. The burgomaster was + charged with the chief executive authority, both for peace and war. + Nevertheless he had but a single vote in the board of magistrates, where a + majority decided. Moreover, he could not always attend the sessions, + because he was also member of the council of Brabant. Important measures + might therefore be decided by the magistracy, not only against his + judgment, but without his knowledge. Then there was a variety of boards or + colleges, all arrogating concurrent—which in truth was + conflicting-authority. There was the board of militia-colonels, which + claimed great powers. Here, too, the burgomaster was nominally the chief, + but he might be voted down by a majority, and of course was often absent. + Then there were sixteen captains who came into the colonels' sessions + whenever they liked, and had their word to say upon all subjects broached. + If they were refused a hearing, they were backed by eighty other captains, + who were ready at any moment to carry every disputed point before the + "broadcouncil." + </p> + <p> + There were a college of ward-masters, a college of select men, a college + of deacons, a college of ammunition, of fortification, of ship-building, + all claiming equal authority, and all wrangling among themselves; and + there was a college of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all the rest + together. + </p> + <p> + Once a week there was a session of the board or general council. Dire was + the hissing and confusion, as the hydra heads of the multitudinous + government were laid together. Heads of colleges, presidents of chambers, + militia-chieftains; magistrates, ward-masters, deans of fishmongers, of + tailors, gardeners, butchers, all met together pell-mell; and there was no + predominant authority. This was not a convenient working machinery for a + city threatened with a siege by the first captain of the age. Moreover + there was a deficiency of regular troops: The burgher-militia were well + trained and courageous, but not distinguished for their docility. There + was also a regiment of English under Colonel Morgan, a soldier of great + experience, and much respected; but, as Stephen Le Sieur said, "this + force, unless seconded with more, was but a breakfast for the enemy." + Unfortunately, too, the insubordination, which was so ripe in the city, + seemed to affect these auxiliaries. A mutiny broke out among the English + troops. Many deserted to Parma, some escaped to England, and it was not + until Morgan had beheaded Captain Lee and Captain Powell, that discipline + could be restored. + </p> + <p> + And into this scene of wild and deafening confusion came Philip de Marnix, + Lord of Sainte Aldegonde. + </p> + <p> + There were few more brilliant characters than he in all Christendom. He + was a man, of a most rare and versatile genius. Educated in Geneva at the + very feet of Calvin, he had drunk, like mother's milk, the strong and + bitter waters of the stern reformer's, creed; but he had in after life + attempted, although hardly with success, to lift himself to the height of + a general religious toleration. He had also been trained in the severe and + thorough literary culture which characterised that rigid school. He was a + scholar, ripe and rare; no holiday trifler in the gardens of learning. He + spoke and wrote Latin like his native tongue. He could compose poignant + Greek epigrams. He was so familiar with Hebrew, that he had rendered the + Psalms of David out of the original into flowing Flemish verse, for the + use of the reformed churches. That he possessed the modern tongues of + civilized Europe, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, was a matter of + course. He was a profound jurisconsult, capable of holding debate against + all competitors upon any point of theory or practice of law, civil, + municipal, international. He was a learned theologian, and had often + proved himself a match for the doctors, bishops, or rabbin of Europe, in + highest argument of dogma, creed, or tradition. He was a practised + diplomatist, constantly employed in delicate and difficult negotiations by + William the Silent, who ever admired his genius, cherished his friendship, + and relied upon his character. He was an eloquent orator, whose memorable + harangue, beyond all his other efforts, at the diet of Worms, had made the + German princes hang their heads with shame, when, taking a broad and + philosophical view of the Netherland matter, he had shown that it was the + great question of Europe; that Nether Germany was all Germany; that + Protestantism could not be unravelled into shreds; that there was but one + cause in Christendom—that of absolutism against national liberty, + Papacy against the reform; and that the seventeen Provinces were to be + assisted in building themselves into an eternal barrier against Spain, or + that the "burning mark of shame would be branded upon the forehead of + Germany;" that the war, in short, was to be met by her on the threshold; + or else that it would come to seek her at home—a prophecy which the + horrible Thirty Years' War was in after time most signally to verify. + </p> + <p> + He was a poet of vigour and originality, for he had accomplished what has + been achieved by few; he had composed a national hymn, whose strophes, as + soon as heard, struck a chord in every Netherland heart, and for three + centuries long have rung like a clarion wherever the Netherland tongue is + spoken. "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe," regarded simply as a literary + composition, has many of the qualities which an ode demands; an electrical + touch upon the sentiments, a throb of patriotism, sympathetic tenderness, + a dash of indignation, with rhythmical harmony and graceful expression; + and thus it has rung from millions of lips, from generation to generation. + </p> + <p> + He was a soldier, courageous, untiring, prompt in action, useful in + council, and had distinguished himself in many a hard-fought field. Taken + prisoner in the sanguinary skirmish at Maaslandssluys, he had been + confined a year, and, for more than three months, had never laid his head, + as he declared, upon the pillow without commending his soul as for the + last time to his Maker, expecting daily the order for his immediate + execution, and escaping his doom only because William the Silent + proclaimed that the proudest head among the Spanish prisoners should fall + to avenge his death; so that he was ultimately exchanged against the + veteran Mondragon. + </p> + <p> + From the incipient stages of the revolt he had been foremost among the + patriots. He was supposed to be the author of the famous "Compromise of + the Nobles," that earliest and most conspicuous of the state-papers of the + republic, and of many other important political documents; and he had + contributed to general literature many works of European celebrity, of + which the 'Roman Bee-Hive' was the most universally known. + </p> + <p> + Scholar, theologian, diplomatist, swordsman, orator, poet, pamphleteer, he + had genius for all things, and was eminent in all. He was even famous for + his dancing, and had composed an intelligent and philosophical treatise + upon the value of that amusement, as an agent of civilisation, and as a + counteractor of the grosser pleasures of the table to which Upper and + Nether Germans were too much addicted. + </p> + <p> + Of ancient Savoyard extraction, and something of a southern nature, he had + been born in Brussels, and was national to the heart's core. + </p> + <p> + A man of interesting, sympathetic presence; of a physiognomy where many of + the attaching and attractive qualities of his nature revealed themselves; + with crisp curling hair, surmounting a tall, expansive forehead—full + of benevolence, idealism, and quick perceptions; broad, brown, melancholy + eyes, overflowing with tenderness; a lean and haggard cheek, a rugged + Flemish nose; a thin flexible mouth; a slender moustache, and a peaked and + meagre beard; so appeared Sainte Aldegonde in the forty-seventh year of + his age, when he came to command in Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + Yet after all—many-sided, accomplished, courageous, energetic, as he + was—it may be doubted whether he was the man for the hour or the + post. He was too impressionable; he had too much of the temperament of + genius. Without being fickle, he had, besides his versatility of + intellect, a character which had much facility in turning; not, indeed, in + the breeze of self-interest, but because he seemed placed in so high and + clear an atmosphere of thought that he was often acted upon and swayed by + subtle and invisible influences. At any rate his conduct was sometimes + inexplicable. He had been strangely fascinated by the ignoble Duke of + Anjou, and, in the sequel, it will be found that he was destined to + experience other magnetic or magical impulses, which were once thought + suspicious, and have remained mysterious even to the present day. + </p> + <p> + He was imaginative. He was capable of broad and boundless hopes. He was + sometimes prone to deep despair. His nature was exquisitely tempered; too + fine and polished a blade to be wielded among those hydra-heads by which + he was, now surrounded; and for which the stunning sledgehammer of + arbitrary force was sometimes necessary. + </p> + <p> + He was perhaps deficient in that gift, which no training and no culture + can bestow, and which comes from above alone by birth-right divine—that + which men willingly call master, authority; the effluence which came so + naturally from the tranquil eyes of William the Silent. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Sainte Aldegonde was prepared to do his best, and all his + best was to be tasked to the utmost. His position was rendered still more + difficult by the unruly nature of some of his coordinates. + </p> + <p> + "From the first day to the last," said one who lived in Antwerp during the + siege, "the mistakes committed in the city were incredible." It had long + been obvious that a siege was contemplated by Parma. A liberal sum of + money had been voted by the States-General, of which Holland and Zeeland + contributed a very large proportion (two hundred thousand florins); the + city itself voted another large subsidy, and an order was issued to + purchase at once and import into the city at least a year's supply of + every kind of provisions of life and munitions of war. + </p> + <p> + William de Blois, Lord of Treslong, Admiral of Holland and Zeeland, was + requested to carry out this order, and superintend the victualling of + Antwerp. But Treslong at once became troublesome. He was one of the old + "beggars of the sea," a leader in the wild band who had taken possession + of the Brill, in the teeth of Alva, and so laid the foundation of the + republic. An impetuous noble, of wealthy family, high connections, and + refractory temper—a daring sailor, ever ready for any rash + adventure, but possessed of a very moderate share of prudence or + administrative ability, he fell into loose and lawless courses on the + death of Orange, whose firm hand was needed to control him. The French + negotiation had excited his profound disgust, and knowing Sainte Aldegonde + to be heart and soul in favour of that alliance, he was in no haste + whatever to carry out his orders with regard to Antwerp. He had also an + insignificant quarrel with President Meetkerk. The Prince of Parma—ever + on the watch for such opportunities—was soon informed of the + Admiral's discontent, and had long been acquainted with his turbulent + character. Alexander at once began to inflame his jealousy and soothe his + vanity by letters and messengers, urging upon him the propriety of + reconciling himself with the King, and promising him large rewards and + magnificent employments in the royal service. Even the splendid insignia + of the Golden Fleece were dangled before his eyes. It is certain that the + bold Hollander was not seduced by these visions, but there is no doubt + that he listened to the voice of the tempter. He unquestionably neglected + his duty. Week after week he remained, at Ostend, sneering at the French + and quaffing huge draughts in honour of Queen Elizabeth. At last, after + much time had elapsed, he agreed to victual Antwerp if he could be + furnished with thirty krom-stevens,—a peculiar kind of vessel, not + to be found in Zeeland. The krom-stevens were sent to him from Holland. + Then, hearing that his negligence had been censured by the States-General, + he became more obstinate than ever, and went up and down proclaiming that + if people made themselves disagreeable to him he would do that which + should make all the women and children in the Netherlands shriek and + tremble. What this nameless horror was to be he never divulged, but + meantime he went down to Middelburg, and swore that not a boat-load of + corn should go up to Antwerp until two members of the magistracy, whom he + considered unpleasant, had been dismissed from their office. Wearied with + all this bluster, and imbued with grave suspicion as to his motives, the + States at last rose upon their High Admiral and threw him into prison. He + was accused of many high crimes and misdemeanours, and, it was thought, + would be tried for his life. He was suspected and even openly accused of + having been tampered with by Spain, but there was at any rate a deficiency + of proof. + </p> + <p> + "Treslong is apprehended," wrote Davison to Burghley, "and, is charged to + have been the cause that the fleet passed not up to Antwerp. He is + suspected to have otherwise forgotten himself, but whether justly or not + will appear by his trial. Meantime he is kept in the common prison of + Middelburg, a treatment which it is thought they would not offer him if + they had not somewhat of importance against him." + </p> + <p> + He was subsequently released at the intercession of Queen Elizabeth, and + passed some time in England. He was afterwards put upon trial, but no + accuser appearing to sustain the charges against him, he was eventually + released. He never received a command in the navy again, but the very rich + sinecures of Grand Falconer and Chief Forester of Holland were bestowed + upon him, and he appears to have ended his days in peace and plenty. + </p> + <p> + He was succeeded in the post of Admiral of Holland and Zeeland by Justinus + de Nassau, natural son of William the Silent, a young man of much promise + but of little experience. + </p> + <p> + General Count Hohenlo, too, lieutenant for young Maurice, and virtual + commander-in-chief of the States' forces, was apt to give much trouble. A + German noble, of ancient descent and princely rank; brave to temerity, + making a jest of danger; and riding into a foray as if to a merry-making; + often furiously intoxicated, and always turbulent and uncertain; a + handsome, dissipated cavalier, with long curls floating over his + shoulders, an imposing aristocratic face, and a graceful, athletic figure, + he needed some cool brain and steady hand to guide him—valuable as + he was to fulfil any daring project but was hardly willing to accept the + authority of a burgomaster. While the young Maurice yet needed tutelage, + while "the sapling was growing into the tree," Hohenlo was a dangerous + chieftain and a most disorderly lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + With such municipal machinery and such coadjutors had Sainte Aldegonde to + deal, while, meantime, the delusive French negociation was dragging its + slow length along, and while Parma was noiselessly and patiently + proceeding with his preparations. + </p> + <p> + The burgomaster—for Sainte Aldegonde, in whom vulgar ambition was + not a foible, had refused the dignity and title of Margrave of Antwerp, + which had been tendered him—had neglected no effort towards carrying + into effect the advice of Orange, given almost with his latest breath. The + manner in which that advice was received furnished a striking illustration + of the defective machinery which has been pourtrayed. + </p> + <p> + Upon his return from Delft, Sainte Aldegonde had summoned a meeting of the + magistracy of Antwerp. He laid before the board the information + communicated by Orange as to Parma's intentions. He also explained the + scheme proposed for their frustration, and urged the measures indicated + with so much earnestness that his fellow-magistrates were convinced. The + order was passed for piercing the Blauw-garen Dyke, and Sainte Aldegonde, + with some engineers, was requested to view the locality, and to take order + for the immediate fulfilment of the plan. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately there were many other boards in session besides that of the + Schepens, many other motives at work besides those of patriotism. The + guild of butchers held a meeting, so soon as the plan suggested was known, + and resolved with all their strength to oppose its execution. + </p> + <p> + The butchers were indeed furious. Twelve thousand oxen grazed annually + upon the pastures which were about to be submerged, and it was represented + as unreasonable that all this good flesh and blood should be sacrificed. + At a meeting of the magistrates on the following day, sixteen butchers, + delegates from their guild, made their appearance, hoarse with + indignation. They represented the vast damage which would be inflicted + upon the estates of many private individuals by the proposed inundation, + by this sudden conversion of teeming meadows, fertile farms, thriving + homesteads, prolific orchards, into sandy desolation. Above all they + depicted, in glowing colours and with natural pathos, the vast destruction + of beef which was imminent, and they urged—with some show of reason—that + if Parma were really about to reduce Antwerp by famine, his scheme + certainly would not be obstructed by the premature annihilation of these + wholesome supplies. + </p> + <p> + That the Scheldt could be, closed in any manner was, however, they said, a + preposterous conception. That it could be bridged was the dream of a + lunatic. Even if it were possible to construct a bridge, and probable that + the Zeelanders and Antwerpers would look on with folded arms while the + work proceeded, the fabric, when completed, would be at the mercy of the + ice-floods of the winter and the enormous power of the ocean-tides. The + Prince of Orange himself, on a former occasion, when Antwerp was Spanish, + had attempted to close the river with rafts, sunken piles, and other + obstructions, but the whole had been swept away, like a dam of bulrushes, + by the first descent of the ice-blocks of winter. It was witless to + believe that Parma contemplated any such measure, and utterly monstrous to + believe in its success. + </p> + <p> + Thus far the butchers. Soon afterwards came sixteen colonels of militia, + as representatives of their branch of the multiform government. These + personages, attended by many officers of inferior degree, sustained the + position of the butchers with many voluble and vehement arguments. Not the + least convincing of their conclusions was the assurance that it would be + idle for the authorities to attempt the destruction of the dyke, seeing + that the municipal soldiery itself would prevent the measure by main + force, at all hazards, and without regard to their own or others' lives. + </p> + <p> + The violence of this opposition, and the fear of a serious internecine + conflict at so critical a juncture, proved fatal to the project. Much + precious time was lost, and when at last the inhabitants of the city awoke + from their delusion, it was to find that repentance, as usual, had come + many hours too late. + </p> + <p> + For Parma had been acting while his antagonists had been wrangling. He was + hampered in his means, but he was assisted by what now seems the + incredible supineness of the Netherlanders. Even Sainte Aldegonde did not + believe in the possibility of erecting the bridge; not a man in Antwerp + seemed to believe it. "The preparations," said one who lived in the city, + "went on before our very noses, and every one was ridiculing the Spanish + commander's folly." + </p> + <p> + A very great error was, moreover, committed in abandoning Herenthals to + the enemy. The city of Antwerp governed Brabant, and it would have been + far better for the authorities of the commercial capital to succour this + small but important city, and, by so doing, to protract for a long time + their own defence. Mondragon saw and rejoiced over the mistake. "Now 'tis + easy to see that the Prince of Orange is dead," said the veteran, as he + took possession, in the Icing's name, of the forsaken Herenthals. + </p> + <p> + Early in the summer, Parma's operations had been, of necessity, desultory. + He had sprinkled forts up and down the Scheldt, and had gradually been + gaining control of the navigation upon that river. Thus Ghent and + Dendermonde, Vilvoorde, Brussels, and Antwerp, had each been isolated, and + all prevented from rendering mutual assistance. Below Antwerp, however, + was to be the scene of the great struggle. Here, within nine miles of the + city, were two forts belonging to the States, on opposite sides of the + stream, Lille, and Liefkenshoek. It was important for the Spanish + commander to gain possession of both; before commencing his contemplated + bridge. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately for the States, the fortifications of Liefkenshoek, on the + Flemish side of the river, had not been entirely completed. Eight hundred + men lay within it, under Colonel John Pettin of Arras, an old patriotic + officer of much experience. Parma, after reconnoitring the place in + person, despatched the famous Viscount of Ghent—now called Marquis + of Roubaix and Richebourg—to carry it by assault. The Marquis sent + one hundred men from his Walloon legion, under two officers, in whom he + had confidence, to attempt a surprise, with orders, if not successful, to + return without delay. They were successful. The one hundred gained + entrance into the fort at a point where the defences had not been put into + sufficient repair. + </p> + <p> + They were immediately followed by Richebourg, at the head of his regiment. + The day was a fatal one. It was the 10th July, 1584 and William of Orange + was falling at Delft by the hand of Balthazar Gerard. Liefkenshoek was + carried at a blow. Of the eight hundred patriots in the place, scarcely a + man escaped. Four hundred were put to the sword, the others were hunted + into the river, when nearly all were drowned. Of the royalists a single + man was killed, and two or three more were wounded. "Our Lord was + pleased," wrote Parma piously to Philip, that we "should cut the throats + of four hundred of them in a single instant, and that a great many more + should be killed upon the dykes; so that I believe very few to have + escaped with life. We lost one man, besides two or three wounded." A few + were taken prisoners, and among them was the commander John Pettin. He was + at once brought before Richebourg, who was standing in the presence of the + Prince of Parma. The Marquis drew his sword, walked calmly up to the + captured Colonel, and ran him through the body. Pettin fell dead upon the + spot. The Prince was displeased. "Too much choler, Marquis, too much + choler,"—said he reprovingly. "Troppa colera, Signor Marchese, a + questa." But Richebourg knew better. He had, while still Viscount of + Ghent, carried on a year previously a parallel intrigue with the royalists + and the patriots. The Prince of Parma had bid highest for his services, + and had, accordingly, found him a most effectual instrument in completing + the reduction of the Walloon Provinces. The Prince was not aware, however, + that his brave but venal ally had, at the very same moment, been secretly + treating with William of Orange; and as it so happened that Colonel Pettin + had been the agent in the unsuccessful negotiation, it was possible that + his duplicity would now be exposed. The Marquis had, therefore, been + prompt to place his old confederate in the condition wherein men tell no + tales, and if contemporary chronicles did not bely him, it was not the + first time that he had been guilty of such cold-blooded murder. The choler + had not been superfluous. + </p> + <p> + The fortress of Lille was garrisoned by the Antwerp volunteers, called the + "Young Bachelors." Teligny, the brave son of the illustrious "Iron-armed" + La None, commanded in chief: and he had, besides the militia, a company of + French under Captain Gascoigne, and four hundred Scotchmen under Colonel + Morgan—perhaps two thousand men in all. + </p> + <p> + Mondragon, hero of the famous submarine expeditions of Philipsland and + Zierickzee, was ordered by Parma to take the place at every hazard. With + five thousand men—a large proportion of the Spanish effective force + at that moment—the veteran placed himself before the fort, taking + possession, of the beautiful country-house and farm of Lille, where he + planted his batteries, and commenced a regular cannonade. The place was + stronger than Liefkenshoek, however, and Teligny thoroughly comprehended + the importance of maintaining it for the States. Mondragon dug mines, and + Teligny countermined. The Spanish daily cannonade was cheerfully responded + to by the besieged, and by the time Mondragon had shot away fifty thousand + pounds of powder, he found that he had made no impression upon the + fortress, while the number of his troops had been diminishing with great + rapidity. Mondragon was not so impetuous as he had been on many former + occasions. He never ventured an assault. At last Teligny made a sortie at + the head of a considerable force. A warm action succeeded, at the + conclusion of which, without a decided advantage on either side, the + sluice-gate in the fortress was opened, and the torrent of the Scheldt, + swollen by a high tide, was suddenly poured upon the Spaniards. Assailed + at once by the fire from the Lillo batteries, and by the waters of the + river, they were forced to a rapid retreat. This they effected with great + loss, but with signal courage; struggling breast high in the waves, and + bearing off their field-pieces in their arms in the very face of the + enemy. + </p> + <p> + Three weeks long Mondragon had been before Fort Lille, and two thousand of + his soldiers had been slain in the trenches. The attempt was now + abandoned. Parma directed permanent batteries to be established at + Lillo-house, at Oordam, and at other places along the river, and proceeded + quietly with his carefully-matured plan for closing the river. + </p> + <p> + His own camp was in the neighbourhood of the villages of Beveren, Kalloo, + and Borght. Of the ten thousand foot and seventeen hundred horse, which + composed at the moment his whole army, about one-half lay with him, while + the remainder were with Count Peter Ernest Mansfield, in the neighbourhood + of Stabroek. Thus the Prince occupied a position on the left bank of the + Scheldt, nearly opposite Antwerp, while Mansfield was stationed upon the + right bank, and ten miles farther down the river. From a point in the + neighbourhood of Kalloo, Alexander intended to throw a fortified bridge to + the opposite shore. When completed, all traffic up the river from Zeeland + would be cut off; and as the country on the land-side; abut Antwerp, had + been now reduced, the city would be effectually isolated. If the Prince + could hold his bridge until famine should break the resistance of the + burghers, Antwerp would fall into his hands. + </p> + <p> + His head-quarters were at Kalloo, and this obscure spot soon underwent a + strange transformation. A drowsy placid little village—with a modest + parish spire peeping above a clump of poplars, and with half a dozen + cottages, with storks nests on their roofs, sprinkled here and there among + pastures and orchards—suddenly saw itself changed as it were into a + thriving bustling town; for, saving the white tents which dotted the green + turf in every direction, the aspect of the scene was, for a time, almost + pacific. It was as if, some great manufacturing enterprise had been set on + foot, and the world had suddenly awoke to the hidden capabilities of the + situation. + </p> + <p> + A great dockyard and arsenal suddenly revealed themselves—rising + like an exhalation—where ship-builders, armourers, blacksmiths, + joiners, carpenters, caulkers, gravers, were hard at work all day long. + The din and hum of what seemed a peaceful industry were unceasing. From + Kalloo, Parma dug a canal twelve miles long to a place called Steeken, + hundreds of pioneers being kept constantly at work with pick and spade + till it was completed. Through this artificial channel—so soon as + Ghent and Dendermonde had fallen—came floats of timber, fleets of + boats laden with provisions of life and munitions of death, + building-materials, and every other requisite for the great undertaking, + all to be disembarked at Kalloo. The object was a temporary and + destructive one, but it remains a monument of the great general's energy + and a useful public improvement. The amelioration of the fenny and barren + soil, called the Waesland, is dated from that epoch; and the spot in + Europe which is the most prolific, and which nourishes the largest + proportion of inhabitants to the square mile, is precisely the long dreary + swamp which the Prince thus drained for military purposes, and converted + into a garden. Drusus and Corbulo, in the days of the Roman Empire, had + done the same good service for their barbarian foes. + </p> + <p> + At Kalloo itself, all the shipwrights, cutlers, masons, brass-founders, + rope-makers, anchor-forgers, sailors, boatmen, of Flanders and Brabant, + with a herd of bakers, brewers, and butchers, were congregated by express + order of Parma. In the little church itself the main workshop was + established, and all day long, week after week, month after month, the + sound of saw and hammer, adze and plane, the rattle of machinery, the cry + of sentinels, the cheers of mariners, resounded, where but lately had been + heard nothing save the drowsy homily and the devout hymn of rustic + worship. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless the summer and autumn wore on, and still the bridge was + hardly commenced. The navigation of the river—although impeded and + rendered dangerous by the forts which Parma held along the banks—was + still open; and, so long as the price of corn in Antwerp remained three or + four times as high as the sum for which it could be purchased in Holland + and Zeeland, there were plenty of daredevil skippers ready to bring + cargoes. Fleets of fly-boats, convoyed by armed vessels, were perpetually + running the gauntlet. Sharp actions on shore between the forts of the + patriots and those of Parma, which were all intermingled promiscuously + along the banks, and amphibious and most bloody encounters on ship-board, + dyke, and in the stream itself, between the wild Zeelanders and the fierce + pikemen of Italy and Spain, were of repeated occurrence. Many a lagging + craft fell into the enemy's hands, when, as a matter of course, the men, + women, and children, on board, were horribly mutilated by the Spaniards, + and were then sent drifting in their boat with the tide—their arms, + legs, and ears lopped off up to the city, in order that—the + dangerous nature of this provision-trade might be fully illustrated. + </p> + <p> + Yet that traffic still went on. It would have continued until Antwerp had + been victualled for more than a year, had not the city authorities, in the + plentitude of their wisdom, thought proper to issue orders for its + regulation. On the 25th October (1584) a census was taken, when the number + of persons inside the walls was found to be ninety thousand. For this + population it was estimated that 300,000 veertell, or about 900,000 + bushels of corn, would be required annually. The grain was coming in very + fast, notwithstanding the perilous nature of the trade; for wheat could be + bought in Holland for fifty florins the last, or about fifteen pence + sterling the bushel, while it was worth five or six florins the veertel, + or about four shillings the bushel, in Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + The magistrates now committed a folly more stupendous than it seemed + possible for human creatures, under such circumstances, to compass. They + established a maximum upon corn. The skippers who had run their cargoes + through the gauntlet, all the way from Flushing to Antwerp, found on their + arrival, that, instead of being rewarded, according to the natural laws of + demand and supply, they were required to exchange their wheat, rye, + butter, and beef, against the exact sum which the Board of Schepens + thought proper to consider a reasonable remuneration. Moreover, in order + to prevent the accumulation of provisions in private magazines, it was + enacted, that all consumers of grain should be compelled to make their + purchases directly from the ships. These two measures were almost as fatal + as the preservation of the Blaw-garen Dyke, in the interest of the + butchers. Winter and famine were staring the city in the face, and the + maximum now stood sentinel against the gate, to prevent the admission of + food. The traffic ceased without a struggle. Parma himself could not have + better arranged the blockade. + </p> + <p> + Meantime a vast and almost general inundation had taken place. The aspect + of the country for many miles around was strange and desolate. The sluices + had been opened in the neighbourhood of Saftingen, on, the Flemish side, + so that all the way from Hulst the waters were out, and flowed nearly to + the gates of Antwerp. A wide and shallow sea rolled over the fertile + plains, while church-steeples, the tops of lofty trees, and here and there + the turrets of a castle, scarcely lifted themselves above the black + waters; the peasants' houses, the granges, whole rural villages, having + entirely disappeared. The high grounds of Doel, of Kalloo, and Beveren, + where Alexander was established, remained out of reach of the flood. Far + below, on the opposite side of the river, other sluices had been opened, + and the sea had burst over the wide, level plain. The villages of + Wilmerdonk, Orderen, Ekeren, were changed to islands in the ocean, while + all the other hamlets, for miles around, were utterly submerged. + </p> + <p> + Still, however, the Blaw-garen Dyke and its companion the Kowenstyn + remained obstinately above the waters, forming a present and more fatal + obstruction to the communication between Antwerp and Zeeland than would be + furnished even by the threatened and secretly-advancing bridge across the + Scheldt. Had Orange's prudent advice been taken, the city had been safe. + Over the prostrate dykes, whose destruction he had so warmly urged, the + ocean would have rolled quite to the gates of Antwerp, and it would have + been as easy to bridge the North Sea as to control the free navigation of + the patriots over so wide a surface. + </p> + <p> + When it was too late, the butchers, and colonels, and captains, became + penitent enough. An order was passed, by acclamation, in November, to do + what Orange had recommended in June. It was decreed that the Blaw-garen + and the Kowenstyn should be pierced. Alas, the hour had long gone by. + Alexander of Parma was not the man to undertake the construction of a + bridge across the river, at a vast expense, and at the same time to permit + the destruction of the already existing barrier. There had been a time for + such a deed. The Seigneur de Kowenstyn, who had a castle and manor on and + near the dyke which bore his name, had repeatedly urged upon the Antwerp + magistracy the propriety of piercing this bulwark, even after their + refusal to destroy the outer barrier. Sainte Aldegonde, who vehemently + urged the measure, protested that his hair had stood on end, when he + found, after repeated entreaty, that the project was rejected. The + Seigneur de Kowenstyn, disgusted and indignant, forswore his patriotism, + and went over to Parma. The dyke fell into the hands of the enemy. And now + from Stabroek, where old Mansfeid lay with his army, all the way across + the flooded country, ran the great bulwark, strengthened with new + palisade-work and block-houses, bristling with Spanish cannon, pike, and + arquebus, even to the bank of the Scheldt, in the immediate vicinity of + Fort Lille. At the angle of its junction with the main dyke of the river's + bank, a strong fortress called Holy Cross (Santa Cruz) had been + constructed. That fortress and the whole line of the Kowenstyn were held + in the iron grip of Mondragon. To wrench it from him would be no child's + play. Five new strong redoubts upon the dyke, and five or six thousand + Spaniards established there, made the enterprise more formidable than it + would have been in June. It had been better to sacrifice the twelve + thousand oxen. Twelve thousand Hollanders might now be slaughtered, and + still the dyke remain above the waves. + </p> + <p> + Here was the key to the fate of Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, the opening of the Saftingen Sluice had done Parma's + work for him. Even there, too, Orange had been prophetic. Kalloo was high + and dry, but Alexander had experienced some difficulty in bringing a fleet + of thirty vessels, laden with cannon and other valuable materials, from + Ghent along the Scheldt, into his encampment, because it was necessary for + them, before reaching their destination, to pass in front of Antwerp. The + inundation, together with a rupture in the Dyke of Borght, furnished him + with a watery road; over which his fleet completely avoided the city, and + came in triumph to Kalloo. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde, much provoked by this masterly movement on the part of + Parma, had followed the little squadron closely with some armed vessels + from the city. A sharp action had succeeded, in which the burgomaster, not + being properly sustained by the Zeeland ships on which he relied, had been + defeated. Admiral Jacob Jacobzoon behaved with so little spirit on the + occasion that he acquired with the Antwerp populace the name of "Run-away + Jacob," "Koppen gaet loppen;" and Sainte Aldegonde declared, that, but for + his cowardice, the fleet of Parma would have fallen into their hands. The + burgomaster himself narrowly escaped becoming a prisoner, and owed his + safety only to the swiftness of his barge, which was called the "Flying + Devil." + </p> + <p> + The patriots, in order to counteract similar enterprises in future, now + erected a sconce, which they called Fort Teligny; upon the ruptured dyke + of Borght, directly in front of the Borght blockhouse, belonging to the + Spaniards, and just opposite Fort Hoboken. Here, in this narrow passage, + close under the walls of Antwerp, where friends and foes were brought + closely, face to face, was the scene of many a sanguinary skirmish, from + the commencement of the siege until its close. + </p> + <p> + Still the bridge was believed to be a mere fable, a chimaera. Parma, men + said, had become a lunatic from pride. It was as easy to make the + Netherlands submit to the yoke of the Inquisition as to put a bridle on + the Scheldt. Its depth; breadth, the ice-floods of a northern winter, the + neighbourhood of the Zeeland fleets, the activity of the Antwerp + authorities, all were pledges that the attempt would be signally + frustrated. + </p> + <p> + And they should have been pledges—more than enough. Unfortunately, + however, there was dissension within, and no chieftain in the field, no + sage in the council, of sufficient authority to sustain the whole burthen + of the war, and to direct all the energies of the commonwealth. Orange was + dead. His son, one day to become the most illustrious military commander + in Europe, was a boy of seventeen, nominally captain-general, but in + reality but a youthful apprentice to his art. Hohenlo was wild, wilful, + and obstinate. Young William Lewis Nassau, already a soldier of marked + abilities, was fully occupied in Friesland, where he was stadholder, and + where he had quite enough to do in making head against the Spanish + governor and general, the veteran Verdugo: Military operations against + Zutphen distracted the attention of the States, which should have been + fixed upon Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + Admiral Treslong, as we have seen, was refractory, the cause of great + delinquency on the part of the fleets, and of infinite disaster to the + commonwealth. More than all, the French negotiation was betraying the + States into indolence and hesitation; and creating a schism between the + leading politicians of the country. Several thousand French troops, under + Monsieur d'Allaynes, were daily expected, but never arrived; and thus, + while English and French partisans were plotting and counter-plotting, + while a delusive diplomacy was usurping the place of lansquenettes and + gun-boats—the only possible agents at that moment to preserve + Antwerp—the bridge of Parma was slowly advancing. Before the winter + had closed in, the preparatory palisades had been finished. + </p> + <p> + Between Kalloo and Ordam, upon the opposite side, a sandbar had been + discovered in the river's bed, which diminished the depth of the stream, + and rendered the pile-driving comparatively easy. The breadth of the + Scheldt at this passage was twenty-four hundred feet; its depth, sixty + feet. Upon the Flemish side, near Kalloo, a strong fort was erected, + called Saint Mary, in honour of the blessed Virgin, to whom the whole + siege of Antwerp had been dedicated from the beginning. On the opposite + bank was a similar fort, flamed Philip, for the King. From each of these + two points, thus fortified, a framework of heavy timber, supported upon + huge piles, had been carried so far into the stream on either side that + the distance between the ends had at last been reduced to thirteen hundred + feet. The breadth of the roadway—formed of strong sleepers firmly + bound together—was twelve feet, along which block-houses of great + thickness were placed to defend the whole against assault. + </p> + <p> + Thus far the work had been comparatively easy. To bridge the remaining + open portion of the river, however, where its current was deepest and + strongest, and where the action of tide, tempest, and icebergs, would be + most formidable, seemed a desperate undertaking; for as the enterprise + advanced, this narrow open space became the scene of daily amphibious + encounters between the soldiers and sailors of Parma and the forces of the + States. Unfortunately for the patriots, it was only skirmishing. Had a + strong, concerted attack, in large force, from Holland and Zeeland below + and from the city above, been agreed upon, there was hardly a period, + until very late in the winter, when it might not have had the best chances + of success. With a vigorous commander against him, Parma, weak in men, and + at his wits' end for money, might, in a few hours, have seen the labour of + several months hopelessly annihilated. On the other hand, the Prince was + ably seconded by his lieutenant, Marquis Richebourg, to whom had been + delegated the immediate superintendence of the bridge-building in its + minutest details. He was never idle. Audacious, indefatigable, ubiquitous, + he at least atoned by energy and brilliant courage for his famous treason + of the preceding year, while his striking and now rapidly approaching doom + upon the very scene of his present labours, made him appear to have been + building a magnificent though fleeting monument to his own memory. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde, shut up in Antwerp, and hampered by dissension within + and obstinate jealousy without the walls, did all in his power to + frustrate the enemy's enterprise and animate the patriots. Through the + whole of the autumn and early winter, he had urged the States of Holland + and Zeeland to make use of the long winter nights, when moonless and + stormy, to attempt the destruction of Parma's undertaking, but the fatal + influences already indicated were more efficient against Antwerp than even + the genius of Farnese; and nothing came of the burgomaster's entreaties + save desultory skirmishing and unsuccessful enterprises. An especial + misfortune happened in one of these midnight undertakings. Teligny + ventured forth in a row-barge, with scarcely any companions, to notify the + Zeelanders of a contemplated movement, in which their co-operation was + desired. It was proposed that the Antwerp troops should make a fictitious + demonstration upon Fort Ordam, while at the same moment the States' troops + from Fort Lillo should make an assault upon the forts on Kowenstyn Dyke; + and in this important enterprise the Zeeland vessels were requested to + assist. But the brave Teligny nearly forfeited his life by his rashness, + and his services were, for a long time, lost to the cause of liberty. It + had been better to send a less valuable officer upon such hazardous yet + subordinate service. The drip of his oars was heard in the darkness. He + was pursued by a number of armed barges, attacked, wounded severely in the + shoulder, and captured. He threw his letters overboard, but they were + fished out of the water, carried to Parma, and deciphered, so that the + projected attack upon the Kowenstyn was discovered, and, of necessity, + deferred. As for Teligny, he was taken, as a most valuable prize, into the + enemy's camp, and was soon afterwards thrust into prison at Tournay, where + he remained six years—one year longer than the period which his + illustrious father had been obliged to consume in the infamous dungeon at + Mons. Few disasters could have been more keenly felt by the States than + the loss of this brilliant and devoted French chieftain, who, young as he + was, had already become very dear to the republic; and Sainte Aldegonde + was severely blamed for sending so eminent a personage on that dangerous + expedition, and for sending him, too, with an insufficient convoy. + </p> + <p> + Still Alexander felt uncertain as to the result. He was determined to + secure Antwerp, but he yet thought it possible to secure it by + negotiation. The enigmatical policy maintained by France perplexed him; + for it did not seem possible that so much apparent solemnity and + earnestness were destined to lead to an impotent and infamous conclusion. + He was left, too, for a long time in ignorance of his own master's secret + schemes, he was at liberty to guess, and to guess only, as to the projects + of the league, he was without adequate means to carry out to a certain + triumph his magnificent enterprise, and he was in constant alarm lest he + should be suddenly assailed by an overwhelming French force. Had a man sat + upon the throne of Henry III., at that moment, Parma's bridge-making and + dyke-fortifying skilful as they were—would have been all in vain. + Meantime, in uncertainty as to the great issue, but resolved to hold + firmly to his purpose, he made repeated conciliatory offers to the States + with one hand, while he steadily prosecuted his aggressive schemes with + the other. + </p> + <p> + Parma had become really gentle, almost affectionate, towards the + Netherlanders. He had not the disposition of an Alva to smite and to + blast, to exterminate the rebels and heretics with fire and sword, with + the axe, the rack, and the gallows. Provided they would renounce the great + object of the contest, he seemed really desirous that they should escape + further chastisement; but to admit the worship of God according to the + reformed creed, was with him an inconceivable idea. To do so was both + unrighteous and impolitic. He had been brought up to believe that mankind + could be saved from eternal perdition only by believing in the + infallibility of the Bishop of Rome; that the only keys to eternal + paradise were in the hands of St. Peter's representative. Moreover, he + instinctively felt that within this religious liberty which the + Netherlanders claimed was hidden the germ of civil liberty; and though no + bigger than a grain of mustard-seed, it was necessary to destroy it at + once; for of course the idea of civil liberty could not enter the brain of + the brilliant general of Philip II. + </p> + <p> + On the 13th of November he addressed a letter to the magistracy and + broad-council of Antwerp. He asserted that the instigators of the + rebellion were not seeking to further the common weal, but their own + private ends. Especially had this been the ruling motive with the prince + of Orange and the Duke of Anjou, both of whom God had removed from the + world, in order to manifest to the States their own weakness, and the + omnipotence of Philip, whose prosperity the Lord was constantly + increasing. It was now more than time for the authorities of the country + to have regard for themselves, and for the miseries of the poor people. + The affection Which he had always felt for the Provinces from which he had + himself sprung and the favours which he had received from them in his + youth, had often moved him to propose measures, which, before God and his + conscience, he believed adequate to the restoration of peace. But his + letters had been concealed or falsely interpreted by the late Prince of + Orange, who had sought nothing but to spread desolation over the land, and + to shed the blood of the innocent. He now wrote once more, and for the + last time, in all fervour and earnestness, to implore them to take + compassion on their own wives and children and forlorn fatherland, to turn + their eyes backward on the peace and prosperity which they had formerly + enjoyed when obedient to his Majesty, and to cast a glance around them + upon the miseries which were so universal since the rebellion. He exhorted + them to close their ears to the insidious tongues of those who were + leading them into delusion as to the benevolence and paternal sweetness of + their natural lord and master, which were even now so boundless that he + did not hesitate once more to offer them his entire forgiveness. If they + chose to negotiate, they would find everything granted that with right and + reason could be proposed. The Prince concluded by declaring that he made + these advances not from any doubt as to the successful issue of the + military operations in which he was engaged, but simply out of paternal + anxiety for the happiness of the Provinces. Did they remain obstinate, + their ultimate conditions would be rendered still more severe, and + themselves, not he, would be responsible for the misery and the bloodshed + to ensue. + </p> + <p> + Ten days afterwards, the magistrates, thus addressed—after + communication with the broad-council—answered Parma's. 23rd Nov., + letter manfully, copiously, and with the customary but superfluous + historical sketch. They begged leave to entertain a doubt as to the + paternal sweetness of a king who had dealt so long in racks and gibbets. + With Parma's own mother, as they told the Prince, the Netherlanders had + once made a treaty, by which the right to worship God according to their + consciences had been secured; yet for maintaining that treaty they had + been devoted to indiscriminate destruction, and their land made desolate + with fire and sword. Men had been massacred by thousands, who had never + been heard in their own defence, and who had never been accused of any + crime, "save that they had assembled together in the name of God, to pray + to Him through their only mediator and advocate Jesus Christ, according to + His command." + </p> + <p> + The axis of the revolt was the religious question; and it was impossible + to hope anything from a monarch who was himself a slave of the + Inquisition, and who had less independence of action than that enjoyed by + Jews and Turks, according to the express permission of the Pope. Therefore + they informed Parma that they had done with Philip for ever, and that in + consequence of the extraordinary wisdom, justice, and moderation, of the + French King, they had offered him the sovereignty of their land, and had + implored his protection. + </p> + <p> + They paid a tribute to the character of Farnese, who after gaining + infinite glory in arms, had manifested so much gentleness and disposition + to conciliate. They doubted not that he would, if he possessed the power, + have guided the royal councils to better and more generous results, and + protested that they would not have delayed to throw themselves into his + arms, had they been assured that he was authorized to admit that which + alone could form the basis of a successful negotiation—religious + freedom. They would in such case have been willing to close with him, + without talking about other conditions than such as his Highness in his + discretion and sweetness might think reasonable. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, as they observed in conclusion, they were precluded, by their + present relations with France, from entering into any other negotiation; + nor could they listen to any such proposals without deserving to be + stigmatized as the most lewd, blasphemous, and thankless mortals, that + ever cumbered the earth. + </p> + <p> + Being under equal obligations both to the Union and to France, they + announced that Parma's overtures would be laid before the French + government and the assembly of the States-General. + </p> + <p> + A day was to come, perhaps, when it would hardly seem lewdness and + blasphemy for the Netherlanders to doubt the extraordinary justice and + wisdom of the French King. Meantime, it cannot be denied that they were at + least loyal to their own engagements, and long-suffering where they had + trusted and given their hearts. + </p> + <p> + Parma replied by another letter, dated December 3rd. He assured the + citizens that Henry III. was far too discreet, and much too good a friend + to Philip II., to countenance this rebellion. If he were to take up their + quarrel, however, the King of Spain had a thousand means of foiling all + his attempts. As to the religious question—which they affirmed to be + the sole cause of the war—he was not inclined to waste words upon + that subject; nevertheless, so far as he in his simplicity could + understand the true nature of a Christian, he could not believe that it + comported with the doctrines of Jesus, whom they called their only + mediator, nor with the dictates of conscience, to take up arms against + their lawful king, nor to burn, rob, plunder, pierce dykes, overwhelm + their fatherland, and reduce all things to misery and chaos, in the name + of religion. + </p> + <p> + Thus moralizing and dogmatizing, the Prince concluded his letter, and so + the correspondence terminated. This last despatch was communicated at once + both to the States-General and to the French government, and remained + unanswered. Soon afterwards the Netherlands and England, France and Spain, + were engaged in that vast game of delusion which has been described in the + preceding chapters. Meantime both Antwerp and Parma remained among the + deluded, and were left to fight out their battle on their own resources. + </p> + <p> + Having found it impossible to subdue Antwerp by his rhetoric, Alexander + proceeded with his bridge. It is impossible not to admire the steadiness + and ingenuity with which the Prince persisted in his plans, the courage + with which he bore up against the parsimony and neglect of his sovereign, + the compassionate tenderness which he manifested for his patient little + army. So much intellectual energy commands enthusiasm, while the + supineness on the other side sometimes excites indignation. There is even + a danger of being entrapped into sympathy with tyranny, when the cause of + tyranny is maintained by genius; and of being surprised into indifference + for human liberty, when the sacred interests of liberty are endangered by + self-interest, perverseness, and folly. + </p> + <p> + Even Sainte Aldegonde did not believe that the bridge could be completed. + His fears were that the city would be ruined rather by the cessation of + its commerce than by want of daily food. Already, after the capture of + Liefkenshoek and the death of Orange, the panic among commercial people + had been so intense that seventy or eighty merchants, representing the + most wealthy mercantile firms in Antwerp, made their escape from the + place, as if it had been smitten with pestilence, or were already in the + hands of Parma. All such refugees were ordered to return on peril of + forfeiting their property. Few came back, however, for they had found + means of converting and transferring their funds to other more secure + places, despite the threatened confiscation. It was insinuated that + Holland and Zeeland were indifferent to the fate of Antwerp, because in + the sequel the commercial cities of those Provinces succeeded to the vast + traffic and the boundless wealth which had been forfeited by the + Brabantine capital. The charge was an unjust one. At the very commencement + of the siege the States of Holland voted two hundred thousand florins for + its relief; and, moreover, these wealthy refugees were positively denied + admittance into the territory of the United States, and were thus forced + to settle in Germany or England. This cessation of traffic was that which + principally excited the anxiety of Aldegonde. He could not bring himself + to believe in the possibility of a blockade, by an army of eight or ten + thousand men, of a great and wealthy city, where at least twenty thousand + citizens were capable of bearing arms. Had he thoroughly understood the + deprivations under which Alexander was labouring, perhaps he would have + been even more confident as to the result. + </p> + <p> + "With regard to the affair of the river Scheldt," wrote Parma to Philip, + "I should like to send your Majesty a drawing of the whole scheme; for the + work is too vast to be explained by letters. The more I examine it, the + more astonished I am that it should have been conducted to this point; so + many forts, dykes, canals, new inventions, machinery, and engines, have + been necessarily required." + </p> + <p> + He then proceeded to enlighten the King—as he never failed to do in + all his letters—as to his own impoverished, almost helpless + condition. Money, money, men! This was his constant cry. All would be in + vain, he said, if he were thus neglected. "'Tis necessary," said he, "for + your Majesty fully to comprehend, that henceforth the enterprise is your + own. I have done my work faithfully thus far; it is now for your Majesty + to take it thoroughly to heart; and embrace it with the warmth with which + an affair involving so much of your own interests deserves to be + embraced." + </p> + <p> + He avowed that without full confidence in his sovereign's sympathy he + would never have conceived the project. "I confess that the enterprise is + great," he said, "and that by many it will be considered rash. Certainly I + should not have undertaken it, had I not felt certain of your Majesty's + full support." + </p> + <p> + But he was already in danger of being forced to abandon the whole scheme—although + so nearly carried into effect—for want of funds. "The million + promised," he wrote, "has arrived in bits and morsels, and with so many + ceremonies, that I haven't ten crowns at my disposal. How I am to maintain + even this handful of soldiers—for the army is diminished to such a + mere handful that it would astonish your Majesty—I am unable to + imagine. It would move you to witness their condition. They have suffered + as much as is humanly possible." + </p> + <p> + Many of the troops, indeed, were deserting, and making their escape, + beggared and desperate, into France, where, with natural injustice, they + denounced their General, whose whole heart was occupied with their + miseries, for the delinquency of his master, whose mind was full of other + schemes. + </p> + <p> + "There past this way many Spanish soldiers," wrote Stafford from Paris, + "so poor and naked as I ever saw any. There have been within this + fortnight two hundred at a time in this town, who report the extremity of + want of victuals in their camp, and that they have been twenty-four months + without pay. They exclaim greatly upon the Prince of Parma. Mendoza seeks + to convey them away, and to get money for them by all means he can." + </p> + <p> + Stafford urged upon his government the propriety of being at least as + negligent as Philip had showed himself to be of the Spaniards. By + prohibiting supplies to the besieging army, England might contribute, + negatively, if not otherwise, to the relief of Antwerp. "There is no + place," he wrote to Walsingham, "whence the Spaniards are so thoroughly + victualled as from us. English boats go by sixteen and seventeen into + Dunkirk, well laden with provisions." + </p> + <p> + This was certainly not in accordance with the interests nor the benevolent + professions of the English ministers. + </p> + <p> + These supplies were not to be regularly depended upon however. They were + likewise not to be had without paying a heavy price for them, and the + Prince had no money in his coffer. He lived from hand to mouth, and was + obliged to borrow from every private individual who had anything to lend. + Merchants, nobles, official personages, were all obliged to assist in + eking out the scanty pittance allowed by the sovereign. + </p> + <p> + "The million is all gone," wrote Parma to his master; "some to Verdugo in + Friesland; some to repay the advances of Marquis Richebourg and other + gentlemen. There is not a farthing for the garrisons. I can't go on a + month longer, and, if not supplied, I shall be obliged to abandon the + work. I have not money enough to pay my sailors, joiners, carpenters, and + other mechanics, from week to week, and they will all leave me in the + lurch, if I leave them unpaid. I have no resource but to rely on your + Majesty. Otherwise the enterprise must wholly fail." + </p> + <p> + In case it did fail, the Prince wiped his hands of the responsibility. He + certainly had the right to do so. + </p> + <p> + One of the main sources of supply was the city of Hertogenbosch, or + Bois-le-Duc. It was one of the four chief cities of Brabant, and still + held for the King, although many towns in its immediate neighbourhood had + espoused the cause of the republic. The States had long been anxious to + effect a diversion for the relief of Antwerp, by making an attack on + Bois-le-Duc. Could they carry the place, Parma would be almost inevitably + compelled to abandon the siege in which he was at present engaged, and he + could moreover spare no troops for its defence. Bois-le-Duc was a + populous, wealthy, thriving town, situate on the Deeze, two leagues above + its confluence with the Meuse, and about twelve leagues from Antwerp. It + derived its name of `Duke's Wood' from a magnificent park and forest, once + the favourite resort and residence of the old Dukes of Brabant, of which + some beautiful vestiges still remained. It was a handsome well-built city, + with two thousand houses of the better class, besides more humble + tenements. Its citizens were celebrated for their courage and belligerent + skill, both on foot and on horseback. They were said to retain more of the + antique Belgic ferocity which Caesar had celebrated than that which had + descended to most of their kinsmen. The place was, moreover, the seat of + many prosperous manufactures. Its clothiers sent the products of their + looms over all Christendom, and its linen and cutlery were equally + renowned. + </p> + <p> + It would be a most fortunate blow in the cause of freedom to secure so, + thriving and conspicuous a town, situated thus in the heart of what seemed + the natural territory of the United States; and, by so doing, to render + nugatory the mighty preparations of Parma against Antwerp. Moreover, it + was known that there was no Spanish or other garrison within its walls, so + that there was no opposition to be feared, except from the warlike nature + of the citizens. + </p> + <p> + Count Hohenlo was entrusted, early in January, with this important + enterprise. He accordingly collected a force of four thousand infantry, + together with two hundred mounted lancers; having previously reconnoitered + the ground. He relied very much, for the success of the undertaking, on + Captain Kleerhagen, a Brussels nobleman, whose wife was a native of + Bois-le-Duc, and who was thoroughly familiar with the locality. One dark + winter's night, Kleerhagen, with fifty picked soldiers, advanced to the + Antwerp gate of Bois-le-Duc, while Hohenlo, with his whole force, lay in + ambuscade as near as possible to the city. + </p> + <p> + Between the drawbridge and the portcullis were two small guard-houses, + which, very carelessly, had been left empty. Kleerhagen, with his fifty + followers, successfully climbed into these lurking-places, where they + quietly ensconced themselves for the night. At eight o'clock of the + following morning (20th January) the guards of the gate drew up the + portcullis, and reconnoitered. At the same instant, the ambushed fifty + sprang from their concealment, put them to the sword, and made themselves + masters of the gate. None of the night-watch escaped with life, save one + poor old invalided citizen, whose business had been to draw up the + portcullis, and who was severely wounded, and left for dead. The fifty + immediately summoned all of Rohenlo's ambuscade that were within hearing, + and then, without waiting for them, entered the town pell-mell in the best + of spirits, and shouting victory! victory! till they were hoarse. A single + corporal, with two men, was left to guard the entrance. Meantime, the old + wounded gate-opener, bleeding and crippled, crept into a dark corner, and + laid himself down, unnoticed, to die. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards Hohenlo galloped into the town, clad in complete armour, + his long curls floating in the wind, with about two hundred troopers + clattering behind him, closely followed by five hundred pike-men on foot. + </p> + <p> + Very brutally, foolishly, and characteristically, he had promised his + followers the sacking of the city so soon as it should be taken. They + accordingly set about the sacking, before it was taken. Hardly had the + five or six hundred effected their entrance, than throwing off all + control, they dispersed through the principal streets, and began bursting + open the doors of the most opulent households. The cries of "victory!" + "gained city!" "down with the Spaniards!" resounded on all sides. Many of + the citizens, panic-struck, fled from their homes, which they thus + abandoned to pillage, while, meantime, the loud shouts of the assailants + reached the ears of the sergeant and his two companies who had been left + in charge of the gate. Fearing that they should be cheated of their + rightful share in the plunder, they at once abandoned their post, and set + forth after their comrades, as fast as their legs could carry them. + </p> + <p> + Now it so chanced—although there was no garrison in the town—that + forty Burgundian and Italian lancers, with about thirty foot-soldiers, had + come in the day before to escort a train of merchandise. The Seigneur de + Haultepenne, governor of Breda, a famous royalist commander—son of + old Count Berlaymont, who first gave the name of "beggars" to the + patriots-had accompanied them in the expedition. The little troop were + already about to mount their horses to depart, when they became aware of + the sudden tumult. Elmont, governor of the city, had also flown to the + rescue, and had endeavoured to rally the burghers. Not unmindful of their + ancient warlike fame, they had obeyed his entreaties. Elmont, with a + strong party of armed citizens, joined himself to Haultepenne's little + band of lancers. They fired a few shots at straggling parties of + plunderers, and pursued others up some narrow streets. They were but an + handful in comparison with the number of the patriots, who had gained + entrance to the city. They were, however, compact, united, and resolute. + The assailants were scattered, disorderly, and bent only upon plunder. + When attacked by an armed and regular band, they were amazed. They had + been told that there was no garrison; and behold a choice phalanx of + Spanish lancers, led on by one of the most famous of Philip's Netherland + chieftains. They thought themselves betrayed by Kleerhagen, entrapped into + a deliberately arranged ambush. There was a panic. The soldiers, dispersed + and doubtful, could not be rallied. Hohenlo, seeing that nothing was to be + done with his five hundred, galloped furiously out of the gate, to bring + in the rest of his troops who had remained outside the walls. The prize of + the wealthy city of Bois-le-Duc was too tempting to be lightly abandoned; + but he had much better have thought of making himself master of it himself + before he should present it as a prey to his followers. + </p> + <p> + During his absence the panic spread. The States' troops, bewildered, + astonished, vigorously assaulted, turned their backs upon their enemies, + and fled helter-skelter towards the gates, through which they had first + gained admittance. But unfortunately for them, so soon as the corporal had + left his position, the wounded old gate-opener, in a dying condition, had + crawled forth on his hands and knees from a dark hole in the tower, cut, + with a pocket-knife, the ropes of the portcullis, and then given up the + ghost. Most effective was that blow struck by a dead man's hand. Down came + the portcullis. The flying plunderers were entrapped. Close behind them + came the excited burghers—their antique Belgic ferocity now fully + aroused—firing away with carbine and matchlock, dealing about them + with bludgeon and cutlass, and led merrily on by Haultepenne and Elmont + armed in proof, at the head of their squadron of lancers. The unfortunate + patriots had risen very early in the morning only to shear the wolf. Some + were cut to pieces in the streets; others climbed the walls, and threw + themselves head foremost into the moat. Many were drowned, and but a very + few effected their escape. Justinus de Nassau sprang over the parapet, and + succeeded in swimming the ditch. Kleerhagen, driven into the Holy Cross + tower, ascended to its roof, leaped, all accoutred as he was, into the + river, and with the assistance of a Scotch soldier, came safe to land. + Ferdinand Truchsess, brother of the ex-elector of Cologne, was killed. + Four or five hundred of the assailants—nearly all who had entered + the city—were slain, and about fifty of the burghers. + </p> + <p> + Hohenlo soon came back, with Colonel Ysselstein, and two thousand fresh + troops. But their noses, says a contemporary, grew a hundred feet long + with surprise when they saw the gate shut in their faces. It might have + occurred to the Count, when he rushed out of the town for reinforcements, + that it would be as well to replace the guard, which—as he must have + seen—had abandoned their post. + </p> + <p> + Cursing his folly, he returned, mavellously discomfited, and deservedly + censured, to Gertruydenberg. And thus had a most important enterprise; + which had nearly been splendidly successful, ended in disaster and + disgrace. To the recklessness of the general, to the cupidity which he had + himself awakened in his followers, was the failure alone to be attributed. + Had he taken possession of the city with a firm grasp at the head of his + four thousand men, nothing could have resisted him; Haultepenne, and his + insignificant force, would have been dead, or his prisoners; the basis of + Parma's magnificent operations would have been withdrawn; Antwerp would + have been saved. + </p> + <p> + "Infinite gratitude," wrote Parma to Philip, "should be rendered to the + Lord. Great thanks are also due to Haultepenne. Had the rebels succeeded + in their enterprise against Bolduc, I should have been compelled to + abandon the siege of Antwerp. The town; by its strength and situation, is + of infinite importance for the reduction both of that place and of + Brussels, and the rebels in possession of Bolduc would have cut off my + supplies." + </p> + <p> + The Prince recommended Haultepenne most warmly to the King as deserving of + a rich "merced." The true hero of the day, however—at least the + chief agent in the victory was the poor, crushed, nameless victim who had + cut the ropes of the portcullis at the Antwerp gate. + </p> + <p> + Hohenlo was deeply stung by the disgrace which he had incurred. For a time + he sought oblivion in hard drinking; but—brave and energetic, though + reckless—he soon became desirous of retrieving his reputation by + more successful enterprises. There was no lack of work, and assuredly his + hands were rarely idle. + </p> + <p> + "Hollach (Hohenlo) is gone from hence on Friday last," wrote Davison to + Walsingham, "he will do what he may to recover his reputation lost in the + attempt, of Bois-le-Duc; which, for the grief and trouble he hath + conceived thereof, hath for the time greatly altered him." + </p> + <p> + Meantime the turbulent Scheldt, lashed by the storms of winter, was + becoming a more formidable enemy to Parma's great enterprise than the + military demonstrations of his enemies, or the famine which was making + such havoc, with his little army. The ocean-tides were rolling huge + ice-blocks up and down, which beat against his palisade with the noise of + thunder, and seemed to threaten its immediate destruction. But the work + stood firm. The piles supporting the piers, which had been thrust out from + each bank into the stream, had been driven fifty feet into the river's + bed, and did their duty well. But in the space between, twelve hundred and + forty feet in width, the current was too deep for pile-driving and a + permanent bridge was to be established upon boats. And that bridge was to + be laid across the icy and tempestuous flood, in the depth of winter, in + the teeth of a watchful enemy, with the probability of an immediate + invasion from France, where the rebel envoys were known to be negotiating + on express invitation of the King—by half-naked, half-starving + soldiers and sailors, unpaid for years, and for the sake of a master who + seemed to have forgotten their existence. + </p> + <p> + "Thank God," wrote Alexander, "the palisade stands firm in spite of the + ice. Now with the favour of the Lord, we shall soon get the fruit we have + been hoping, if your Majesty is not wanting in that to which your + grandeur, your great Christianity, your own interests, oblige you. In + truth 'tis a great and heroic work, worthy the great power of your + Majesty." "For my own part," he continued, "I have done what depended upon + me. From your own royal hand must emanate the rest;—men, namely, + sufficient to maintain the posts, and money enough to support them there." + </p> + <p> + He expressed himself in the strongest language concerning the danger to + the royal cause from the weak and gradually sinking condition of the army. + Even without the French intrigues with the rebels, concerning which, in + his ignorance of the exact state of affairs, he expressed much anxiety, it + would be impossible, he said, to save the royal cause without men and + money. + </p> + <p> + "I have spared myself," said the Prince, "neither day nor night. Let not + your Majesty impute the blame to me if we fail. Verdugo also is uttering a + perpetual cry out of Friesland for men—men and money." + </p> + <p> + Yet, notwithstanding all these obstacles, the bridge was finished at last. + On the 25th February, (1585) the day sacred to Saint Matthew, and of + fortunate augury to the Emperor Charles, father of Philip and grandfather + of Alexander, the Scheldt was closed. + </p> + <p> + As already stated, from Fort Saint Mary on the Kalloo side, and from Fort + Philip, not far from Ordain on the Brabant shore of the Scheldt, strong + structures, supported upon piers, had been projected, reaching, + respectively, five hundred feet into the stream. These two opposite ends + were now connected by a permanent bridge of boats. There were thirty-two + of these barges, each of them sixty-two feet in length and twelve in + breadth, the spaces between each couple being twenty-two feet wide, and + all being bound together, stem, stern, and midships, by quadruple hawsers + and chains. Each boat was anchored at stem and stern with loose cables. + Strong timbers, with cross rafters, were placed upon the boats, upon which + heavy frame-work the planked pathway was laid down. A thick parapet of + closely-fitting beams was erected along both the outer edges of the whole + fabric. Thus a continuous and well-fortified bridge, two thousand four + hundred feet in length, was stretched at last from shore to shore. Each of + the thirty-two boats on which the central portion of the structure + reposed, was a small fortress provided with two heavy pieces of artillery, + pointing, the one up, the other down the stream, and manned by thirty-two + soldiers and four sailors, defended by a breastwork formed of gabions of + great thickness. + </p> + <p> + The forts of Saint Philip and St. Mary, at either end of the bridge, had + each ten great guns, and both were filled with soldiers. In front of each + fort, moreover, was stationed a fleet of twenty armed vessels, carrying + heavy pieces of artillery; ten anchored at the angle towards Antwerp, and + as many looking down the river. One hundred and seventy great guns, + including the armaments of the boats under the bridge of the armada and + the forts, protected the whole structure, pointing up and down the stream. + </p> + <p> + But, besides these batteries, an additional precaution had been taken. On + each side, above and below the bridge, at a moderate distance—a bow + shot—was anchored a heavy, raft floating upon empty barrels. Each + raft was composed of heavy timbers, bound together in bunches of three, + the spaces between being connected by ships' masts and lighter spar-work, + and with a tooth-like projection along the whole outer edge, formed of + strong rafters, pointed and armed with sharp prongs and hooks of iron. + Thus a serried phalanx, as it were, of spears stood ever on guard to + protect the precious inner structure. Vessels coming from Zeeland or + Antwerp, and the floating ice-masses, which were almost as formidable, + were obliged to make their first attack upon these dangerous outer + defences. Each raft; floating in the middle of the stream, extended twelve + hundred, and fifty-two feet across, thus protecting the whole of the + bridge of boats and a portion of that resting upon piles. + </p> + <p> + Such was the famous bridge of Parma. The magnificent undertaking has been + advantageously compared with the celebrated Rhine-bridge of Julius Caesar. + When it is remembered; however; that the Roman work was performed in + summer, across a river only half as broad as the Scheldt, free from the + disturbing, action of the tides; and flowing through an unresisting + country; while the whole character of the structure; intended only to, + serve for the single passage of an army, was far inferior to the massive + solidity of Parma's bridge; it seems not unreasonable to assign the + superiority to the general who had surmounted all the obstacles of a + northern winter, vehement ebb and flow from the sea, and enterprising and + desperate enemies at every point. + </p> + <p> + When the citizens, at last, looked upon the completed fabric, converted + from the "dream," which they had pronounced it to be, into a terrible + reality; when they saw the shining array of Spanish and Italian legions + marching and counter-marching upon their new road; and trampling, as it + were; the turbulent river beneath their feet; when they witnessed the + solemn military spectacle with which the Governor-General celebrated his + success, amid peals of cannon and shouts of triumph from his army, they + bitterly bewailed their own folly. Yet even then they could hardly believe + that the work had been accomplished by human agency, but they loudly + protested that invisible demons had been summoned to plan and perfect this + fatal and preter-human work. They were wrong. There had been but one demon—one + clear, lofty intelligence, inspiring a steady and untiring hand. The demon + was the intellect of Alexander Farnese; but it had been assisted in its + labour by the hundred devils of envy, covetousness, jealousy, selfishness, + distrust, and discord, that had housed, not, in his camp, but in the ranks + of those who were contending for their hearths and altars. + </p> + <p> + And thus had the Prince arrived at success in spite of every obstacle. He + took a just pride in the achievement, yet he knew by how many dangers he + was still surrounded, and he felt hurt at his sovereign's neglect. "The + enterprise at Antwerp," he wrote to Philip on the day the bridge was + completed, "is so great and heroic that to celebrate it would require me + to speak more at large than I like, to do, for fear of being tedious to + your Majesty. What I will say, is that the labours and difficulties have + been every day so, great, that if your Majesty knew them, you would + estimate, what we have done more highly than-you do; and not forget us so + utterly, leaving us to die of hunger." + </p> + <p> + He considered the fabric in itself almost impregnable, provided he were + furnished with the means to maintain what he had so painfully constructed. + </p> + <p> + "The whole is in such condition," said he, "that in opinion of all + competent military judges it would stand though all Holland and Zeeland + should come to destroy our palisades. Their attacks must be made at + immense danger, and disadvantage, so severely can we play upon them with + our artillery and musketry. Every boat is, garnished with the most dainty + captains and soldiers, so that if the enemy should attempt to assail us + now, they would come back with broken heads." + </p> + <p> + Yet in the midst of his apparent triumph he had, at times, almost despair + in his heart. He felt really at the last gasp. His troops had dwindled to + the mere shadow of an army, and they were forced to live almost upon air. + The cavalry had nearly vanished. The garrisons in the different cities + were starving. The burghers had no food for the soldiers nor for + themselves. "As for the rest of the troops," said Alexander, "they are + stationed where they have nothing to subsist upon, save salt water and the + dykes, and if the Lord does not grant a miracle, succour, even if sent by + your Majesty, will arrive too late." He assured his master, that he could + not go on more than five or six days longer, that he had been feeding his + soldiers for a long time from hand to mouth, and that it would soon be + impossible for him to keep his troops together. If he did not disband them + they would run away. + </p> + <p> + His pictures were most dismal, his supplications for money very moving but + he never alluded to himself. All his anxiety, all his tenderness, were for + his soldiers. "They must have food," he said: "'Tis impossible to sustain + them any longer by driblets, as I have done for a long time. Yet how can I + do it without money? And I have none at all, nor do I see where to get a + single florin." + </p> + <p> + But these revelations were made only to his master's most secret ear. His + letters, deciphered after three centuries, alone make manifest the almost + desperate condition in which the apparently triumphant general was placed, + and the facility with which his antagonists, had they been well guided and + faithful to themselves, might have driven him into the sea. + </p> + <p> + But to those adversaries he maintained an attitude of serene and smiling + triumph. A spy, sent from the city to obtain intelligence for the anxious + burghers, had gained admission into his lines, was captured and brought + before the Prince. He expected, of course, to be immediately hanged. On + the contrary, Alexander gave orders that he should be conducted over every + part of the encampment. The forts, the palisades, the bridge, were all to + be carefully exhibited and explained to him as if he had been a friendly + visitor entitled to every information. He was requested to count the + pieces of artillery in the forts, on the bridge, in the armada. After + thoroughly studying the scene he was then dismissed with a safe-conduct to + the city. + </p> + <p> + "Go back to those who sent you," said the Prince. "Convey to them the + information in quest of which you came. Apprize them of every thing which + you have inspected, counted, heard explained. Tell them further, that the + siege will never be abandoned, and that this bridge will be my sepulcher + or my pathway into Antwerp." + </p> + <p> + And now the aspect of the scene was indeed portentous. The chimera had + become a very visible bristling reality. There stood the bridge which the + citizens had ridiculed while it was growing before their faces. There + scowled the Kowenstyn—black with cannon, covered all over with + fortresses which the butchers had so sedulously preserved. From Parma's + camp at Beveren and Kalloo a great fortified road led across the river and + along the fatal dyke all the way to the entrenchments at Stabroek, where + Mansfeld's army lay. Grim Mondragon held the "holy cross" and the whole + Kowenstyn in his own iron grasp. A chain of forts, built and occupied by + the contending hosts of the patriots and the Spaniards, were closely + packed together along both banks of the Scheldt, nine miles long from + Antwerp to Lillo, and interchanged perpetual cannonades. The country all + around, once fertile as a garden, had been changed into a wild and wintry + sea where swarms of gun-boats and other armed vessels manoeuvred and + contended with each other over submerged villages and orchards, and among + half-drowned turrets and steeples. Yet there rose the great bulwark—whose + early destruction would have made all this desolation a blessing—unbroken + and obstinate; a perpetual obstacle to communication between Antwerp and + Zeeland. The very spirit of the murdered Prince of Orange seemed to rise + sadly and reproachfully out of the waste of waters, as if to rebuke the + men who had been so deaf to his solemn warnings. + </p> + <p> + Brussels, too, wearied and worn, its heart sick with hope deferred, now + fell into despair as the futile result of the French negotiation became + apparent. The stately and opulent city had long been in a most abject + condition. Many of its inhabitants attempted to escape from the horrors of + starving by flying from its walls. Of the fugitives, the men were either + scourged back by the Spaniards into the city, or hanged up along the + road-side. The women were treated, leniently, even playfully, for it was + thought an excellent jest to cut off the petticoats of the unfortunate + starving creatures up to their knees, and then command them to go back and + starve at home with their friends and fellow-citizens. A great many + persons literally died of hunger. Matrons with large families poisoned + their children and themselves to avoid the more terrible death by + starving. At last, when Vilvoorde was taken, when the baseness of the + French King was thoroughly understood, when Parma's bridge was completed + and the Scheldt bridled, Brussels capitulated on as favourable terms as + could well have been expected. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + College of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all + Military virtue in the support of an infamous cause + Not distinguished for their docility + Repentance, as usual, had come many hours too late +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. 1585, Part 2., Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 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 +</pre> + <p> + 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. + </p> + <p> + 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 command, instead of + keeping them to their duty, joined in the chase. The citizens roused + themselves, attacked their invaders, killed many of them, and put the rest + to flight. When La Motte returned; he found the panic general. His whole + force, including the fresh soldiers just brought to the rescue, were + beside themselves with fear. He killed several with his own hand, but the + troops were not to be rallied. His quick triumph was changed into an + absolute defeat. + </p> + <p> + Parma, furious at the ignominious result of a plan from which so much had + been expected, ordered the Walloon captain, from whose delinquency so much + disaster had resulted, to be forthwith hanged. "Such villainy," said he, + "must never go unpunished." + </p> + <p> + It was impossible for the Prince to send a second expedition to attempt + the reduction of Ostend, for the patriots were at last arousing themselves + to the necessity of exertion. It was very obvious—now that the + bridge had been built, and the Kowenstyn fortified—that one or the + other was to be destroyed, or Antwerp abandoned to its fate. + </p> + <p> + The patriots had been sleeping, as it were, all the winter, hugging the + delusive dream of French sovereignty and French assistance. No language + can exaggerate the deadly effects from the slow poison of that + negotiation. At any rate, the negotiation was now concluded. The dream was + dispelled. Antwerp must now fall, or a decisive blow must be struck by the + patriots themselves, and a telling blow had been secretly and maturely + meditated. Certain preparatory steps were however necessary. + </p> + <p> + The fort of Liefkenshoek, "darling's corner," was a most important post. + The patriots had never ceased to regret that precious possession, lost, as + we have seen, in so tragical a manner on the very day of Orange's death. + Fort Lillo, exactly opposite, on the Brabant shore of the Scheldt, had + always been securely held by them; and was their strongest position. Were + both places in their power, the navigation of the river, at least as far + as the bridge, would be comparatively secure. + </p> + <p> + A sudden dash was made upon Liefkenshoek. A number of armed vessels sailed + up from Zeeland, under command of Justinus de Nassau. They were assisted + from Fort Lillo by a detachment headed by Count Hohenlo. These two + officers were desirous of retrieving the reputation which they had lost at + Bois-le-Duc. They were successful, and the "darling" fort was carried at a + blow. After a brief cannonade, the patriots made a breach, effected a + landing, and sprang over the ramparts. The Walloons and Spaniards fled in + dismay; many of them were killed in the fort, and along the dykes; others + were hurled into the Scheldt. The victors followed up their success by + reducing, with equal impetuosity, the fort of Saint Anthony, situate in + the neighbourhood farther down the river. They thus gained entire command + of all the high ground, which remained in that quarter above the + inundation, and was called the Doel. + </p> + <p> + The dyke, on which Liefkenshoek stood, led up the river towards Kalloo, + distant less than a league. There were Parma's head-quarters and the + famous bridge. But at Fort Saint Mary; where the Flemish head of that + bridge rested, the dyke was broken. Upon that broken end the commanders of + the expedition against Liefkenshoek were ordered to throw up an + entrenchment, without loss of a moment, so soon as they should have gained + the fortresses which they were ordered first to assault. Sainte Aldegonde + had given urgent written directions to this effect. From a redoubt + situated thus, in the very face of Saint Mary's, that position, the + palisade-work, the whole bridge, might be battered with all the artillery + that could be brought from Zeeland. + </p> + <p> + But Parma was beforehand with them. Notwithstanding his rage and + mortification that Spanish soldiers should have ignominiously lost the + important fortress which Richebourg had conquered so brilliantly nine + months before, he was not the man to spend time in unavailing regrets. His + quick eye instantly, detected the flaw which might soon be fatal. In the + very same night of the loss of Liefkenshoek, he sent as strong a party as + could be spared, with plenty of sappers and miners, in flat-bottomed boats + across from Kalloo. As the morning dawned, an improvised fortress, with + the Spanish flag waving above its bulwarks, stood on the broken end of the + dyke. That done, he ordered one of the two captains who had commanded in + Liefkenshoek and Saint Anthony to be beheaded on the same dyke. The other + was dismissed with ignominy. Ostend was, of course, given up; "but it was + not a small matter," said Parma, "to fortify ourselves that very night + upon the ruptured place, and so prevent the rebels from doing it, which + would have been very mal-a-propos." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the rebels had achieved a considerable success; and now or + never the telling blow, long meditated, was to be struck. + </p> + <p> + There lived in Antwerp a subtle Mantuan, Gianibelli by name, who had + married and been long settled in the city. He had made himself busy with + various schemes for victualling the place. He had especially urged upon + the authorities, at an early period of the siege, the propriety of making + large purchases of corn and storing it in magazines at a time when + famine-price had by no means been reached. But the leading men had then + their heads full of a great ship, or floating castle, which they were + building, and which they had pompously named the 'War's End,' 'Fin de la + Guerre.' We shall hear something of this phenomenon at a later period. + Meanwhile, Gianibelli, who knew something of shipbuilding, as he did of + most other useful matters, ridiculed the design, which was likely to cost, + in itself before completion, as much money as would keep the city in bread + for a third of a year. + </p> + <p> + Gianibelli was no patriot. He was purely a man of science and of great + acquirements, who was looked upon by the ignorant populace alternately as + a dreamer and a wizard. He was as indifferent to the cause of freedom as + of despotism, but he had a great love for chemistry. He was also a + profound mechanician, second to no man of his age in theoretic and + practical engineering. + </p> + <p> + He had gone from Italy to Spain that he might offer his services to + Philip, and give him the benefit of many original and ingenious + inventions. Forced to dance attendance, day after day, among sneering + courtiers and insolent placemen, and to submit to the criticism of + practical sages and philosophers of routine, while, he was constantly + denied an opportunity of explaining his projects, the quick-tempered + Italian had gone away at last, indignant. He had then vowed revenge upon + the dulness by which his genius had been slighted, and had sworn that the + next time the Spaniards heard the name of the man whom they had dared to + deride, they should hear it with tears. + </p> + <p> + He now laid before the senate of Antwerp a plan for some vessels likely to + prove more effective than the gigantic 'War's End,' which he had + prophesied would prove a failure. With these he pledged himself to destroy + the bridge. He demanded three ships which he had selected from the city + fleet; the 'Orange,' the 'Post,' and the 'Golden Lion,' measuring, + respectively, one hundred and fifty, three hundred and fifty, and five + hundred tons. Besides these, he wished sixty flat-bottomed scows, which he + proposed to send down the river, partially submerged, disposed in the + shape of a half moon, with innumerable anchors and grapnel's thrusting + themselves out of the water at every point. This machine was intended to + operate against the raft. + </p> + <p> + Ignorance and incredulity did their work, as usual, and Gianbelli's + request was refused. As a quarter-measure, nevertheless, he was allowed to + take two smaller vessels of seventy and eighty tons. The Italian was + disgusted with parsimony upon so momentous an occasion, but he at the same + time determined, even with these slender materials, to give an exhibition + of his power. + </p> + <p> + Not all his the glory, however, of the ingenious project. Associated with + him were two skilful artizans of Antwerp; a clockmaker named Bory, and a + mechanician named Timmerman—but Gianibelli was the chief and + superintendent of the whole daring enterprise. + </p> + <p> + He gave to his two ships the cheerful names of the 'Fortune' and the + 'Hope,' and set himself energetically to justify their titles by their + efficiency. They were to be marine volcanos, which, drifting down the + river with tide, were to deal destruction where the Spaniards themselves + most secure. + </p> + <p> + In the hold of each vessel, along the whole length, was laid down a solid + flooring of brick and mortar, one foot thick and five feet wide. Upon this + was built a chamber of marble mason-work, forty feet long, three and a + half feet broad, as many high, and with side-walks [walls? D.W.] five feet + in thickness. + </p> + <p> + This was the crater. It was filled with seven thousand of gunpowder, of a + kind superior to anything known, and prepared by Gianibelli himself. It + was covered with a roof, six feet in thickness, formed of blue tombstones, + placed edgewise. Over this crater, rose a hollow cone, or pyramid, made of + heavy marble slabs, and filled with mill-stones, cannon balls, blocks of + marble, chain-shot, iron hooks, plough-coulters, and every dangerous + missile that could be imagined. The spaces between the mine and the sides + of each ship were likewise filled with paving stones, iron-bound stakes, + harpoons, and other projectiles. The whole fabric was then covered by a + smooth light flooring of planks and brick-work, upon which was a pile of + wood: This was to be lighted at the proper time, in order that the two + vessels might present the appearance of simple fire-ships, intended only + to excite a conflagration of the bridge. On the 'Fortune' a slow match, + very carefully prepared, communicated with the submerged mine, which was + to explode at a nicely-calculated moment. The eruption of the other + floating volcano was to be regulated by an ingenious piece of clock-work, + by which, at the appointed time, fire, struck from a flint, was to inflame + the hidden mass of gunpowder below. + </p> + <p> + In addition to these two infernal machines, or "hell-burners," as they + were called, a fleet of thirty-two smaller vessels was prepared. Covered + with tar, turpentine, rosin, and filled with inflammable and combustible + materials, these barks were to be sent from Antwerp down the river in + detachments of eight every half hour with the ebb tide. The object was to + clear the way, if possible, of the raft, and to occupy the attention of + the Spaniards, until the 'Fortune' and the `Hope' should come down upon + the bridge. + </p> + <p> + The 5th April, (1885) being the day following that on which the successful + assault upon Liefkenshoek and Saint Anthony had taken place, was fixed for + the descent of the fire-ships. So soon as it should be dark, the + thirty-two lesser burning-vessels, under the direction of Admiral Jacob + Jacobzoon, were to be sent forth from the neighborhood of the 'Boor's + Sconce'—a fort close to the city walls—in accordance with the + Italian's plan. "Run-a-way Jacob," however, or "Koppen Loppen," had earned + no new laurels which could throw into the shade that opprobrious + appellation. He was not one of Holland's naval heroes, but, on the whole, + a very incompetent officer; exactly the man to damage the best concerted + scheme which the genius of others could invent. Accordingly, Koppen-Loppen + began with a grave mistake. Instead of allowing the precursory fire-ships + to drift down the stream, at the regular intervals agreed upon, he + despatched them all rapidly, and helter skelter, one after another, as + fast as they could be set forth on their career. Not long afterwards, he + sent the two "hellburners," the 'Fortune' and the 'Hope,' directly in + their wake. Thus the whole fiery fleet had set forth, almost at once, upon + its fatal voyage. + </p> + <p> + It was known to Parma that preparations for an attack were making at + Antwerp, but as to the nature of the danger he was necessarily in the + dark. He was anticipating an invasion by a fleet from the city in + combination with a squadron of Zeelanders coming up from below. So soon as + the first vessels, therefore, with their trains not yet lighted, were + discovered bearing down from the city, he was confirmed in his conjecture. + His drama and trumpets instantly called to arms, and the whole body of his + troops was mustered upon the bridge; the palisades, and in the nearest + forts. Thus the preparations to avoid or to contend with the danger, were + leading the Spaniards into the very jaws of destruction. Alexander, after + crossing and recrossing the river, giving minute directions for repelling + the expected assault, finally stationed himself in the block-house at the + point of junction, on the Flemish aide, between the palisade and the + bridge of boats. He was surrounded by a group of superior officers, among + whom Richebourg, Billy, Gaetano, Cessis, and the Englishman Sir Rowland + Yorke, were conspicuous. + </p> + <p> + It was a dark, mild evening of early spring. As the fleet of vessels + dropped slowly down the river, they suddenly became luminous, each ship + flaming out of the darkness, a phantom of living fire. The very waves of + the Scheldt seemed glowing with the conflagration, while its banks were + lighted up with a preternatural glare. It was a wild, pompous, theatrical + spectacle. The array of soldiers on both aides the river, along the dykes + and upon the bridge, with banners waving, and spear and cuirass glancing + in the lurid light; the demon fleet, guided by no human hand, wrapped in + flames, and flitting through the darkness, with irregular movement; but + portentous aspect, at the caprice of wind and tide; the death-like silence + of expectation, which had succeeded the sound of trumpet and the shouts of + the soldiers; and the weird glow which had supplanted the darkness-all + combined with the sense of imminent and mysterious danger to excite and + oppress the imagination. + </p> + <p> + Presently, the Spaniards, as they gazed from the bridge, began to take + heart again. One after another, many of the lesser vessels drifted blindly + against the raft, where they entangled themselves among the hooks and + gigantic spearheads, and burned slowly out without causing any extensive + conflagration. Others grounded on the banks of the river, before reaching + their destination. Some sank in the stream. + </p> + <p> + Last of all came the two infernal ships, swaying unsteadily with the + current; the pilots of course, as they neared the bridge, having + noiselessly effected their escape in the skiffs. The slight fire upon the + deck scarcely illuminated the dark phantom-like hulls. Both were carried + by the current clear of the raft, which, by a great error of judgment, as + it now appeared, on the part of the builders, had only been made to + protect the floating portion of the bridge. The 'Fortune' came first, + staggering inside the raft, and then lurching clumsily against the dyke, + and grounding near Kalloo, without touching the bridge. There was a + moment's pause of expectation. At last the slow match upon the deck burned + out, and there was a faint and partial explosion, by which little or no + damage was produced. + </p> + <p> + Parma instantly called for volunteers to board the mysterious vessel. The + desperate expedition was headed by the bold Roland York, a Londoner, of + whom one day there was more to be heard in Netherland history. The party + sprang into the deserted and now harmless volcano, extinguishing the + slight fires that were smouldering on the deck, and thrusting spears and + long poles into the hidden recesses of the hold. There was, however, + little time to pursue these perilous investigations, and the party soon + made their escape to the bridge. + </p> + <p> + The troops of Parma, crowding on the palisade, and looking over the + parapets, now began to greet the exhibition with peals of derisive + laughter. It was but child's play, they thought, to threaten a Spanish + army, and a general like Alexander Farnese, with such paltry fire-works as + these. Nevertheless all eyes were anxiously fixed upon the remaining + fire-ship, or "hell-burner," the 'Hope,' which had now drifted very near + the place of its destination. Tearing her way between the raft and the + shore, she struck heavily against the bridge on the Kalloo side, close to + the block-house at the commencement of the floating portion of the bridge. + A thin wreath of smoke was seen curling over a slight and smouldering fire + upon her deck. + </p> + <p> + Marquis Richebourg, standing on the bridge, laughed loudly at the + apparently impotent conclusion of the whole adventure. It was his last + laugh on earth. A number of soldiers, at Parma's summons, instantly sprang + on board this second mysterious vessel, and occupied themselves, as the + party on board the 'Fortune' had done, in extinguishing, the flames, and + in endeavoring to ascertain the nature of the machine. Richebourg boldly + directed from the bridge their hazardous experiments. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment a certain ensign De Vega, who stood near the Prince of + Parma, close to the block-house, approached him with vehement entreaties + that he should retire. Alexander refused to stir from the spot, being + anxious to learn the result of these investigations. Vega, moved by some + instinctive and irresistible apprehension, fell upon his knees, and + plucking the General earnestly by the cloak, implored him with such + passionate words and gestures to leave the place, that the Prince + reluctantly yielded. + </p> + <p> + It was not a moment too soon. The clockwork had been better adjusted than + the slow match in the 'Fortune.' Scarcely had Alexander reached the + entrance of Saint Mary's Fort, at the end of the bridge, when a horrible + explosion was heard. The 'Hope' disappeared, together with the men who had + boarded her, and the block-house, against which she had struck, with all + its garrison, while a large portion of the bridge, with all the troops + stationed upon it, had vanished into air. It was the work of a single + instant. The Scheldt yawned to its lowest depth, and then cast its waters + across the dykes, deep into the forts, and far over the land. The earth + shook as with the throb of a volcano. A wild glare lighted up the scene + for one moment, and was then succeeded by pitchy darkness. Houses were + toppled down miles away, and not a living thing, even in remote places, + could keep its feet. The air was filled with a rain of plough-shares, + grave-stones, and marble balls, intermixed with the heads, limbs, and + bodies, of what had been human beings. Slabs of granite, vomited by the + flaming ship, were found afterwards at a league's distance, and buried + deep in the earth. A thousand soldiers were destroyed in a second of time; + many of them being torn to shreds, beyond even the semblance of humanity. + </p> + <p> + Richebourg disappeared, and was not found until several days later, when + his body was discovered; doubled around an iron chain, which hung from one + of the bridge-boats in the centre of the river. The veteran Robles, + Seigneur de Billy, a Portuguese officer of eminent service and high + military rank, was also destroyed. Months afterwards, his body was + discovered adhering to the timber-work of the bridge, upon the ultimate + removal of that structure, and was only recognized by a peculiar gold + chain which he habitually wore. Parma himself was thrown to the ground, + stunned by a blow on the shoulder from a flying stake. The page, who was + behind him, carrying his helmet, fell dead without a wound, killed by the + concussion of the air. + </p> + <p> + Several strange and less tragical incidents occurred. The Viscomte de + Bruxelles was blown out of a boat on the Flemish side, and descended safe + and, sound into another in the centre of the stream. Captain Tucci, clad + in complete armour, was whirled out of a fort, shot perpendicularly into + the air, and then fell back into the river. Being of a cool temperament, a + good swimmer, and very pious, he skilfully divested himself of cuirass and + helmet, recommended himself to the Blessed Virgin, and swam safely ashore. + Another young officer of Parma's body-guard, Francois de Liege by name, + standing on the Kalloo end of the bridge, rose like a feather into the + clouds, and, flying quite across the river, alighted on the opposite bank + with no further harm than a contused shoulder. He imagined himself (he + said afterwards) to have been changed into a cannon-ball, as he rushed + through the pitchy atmosphere, propelled by a blast of irresistible fury. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The chief authorities used in the foregoing account of this famous + enterprise are those already cited on a previous page, viz.: the MS. + Letters of the Prince of Parma in the Archives of Simancas; Bor, ii. + 596, 597; Strada, H. 334 seq.; Meteren, xii. 223; Hoofd Vervolgh, + 91; Baudartii Polemographia, ii. 24-27; Bentivoglio, etc., I have + not thought it necessary to cite them step by step; for all the + accounts, with some inevitable and unimportant discrepancies, agree + with each other. The most copious details are to be found in Strada + and in Bor.] +</pre> + <p> + It had been agreed that Admiral Jacobzoon should, immediately after the + explosion of the fire-ships, send an eight-oared barge to ascertain the + amount of damage. If a breach had been effected, and a passage up to the + city opened, he was to fire a rocket. At this signal, the fleet stationed + at Lillo, carrying a heavy armament, laden with provisions enough to + relieve Antwerp from all anxiety, and ready to sail on the instant, was at + once to force its way up the river. + </p> + <p> + The deed was done. A breach, two hundred feet in width was made. Had the + most skilful pilot in Zeeland held the helm of the 'Hope,' with a choice + crew obedient to his orders, he could not have guided her more carefully + than she had been directed by wind and tide. Avoiding the raft which lay + in her way, she had, as it were, with the intelligence of a living + creature, fulfilled the wishes of the daring genius that had created her; + and laid herself alongside the bridge, exactly at the most telling point. + She had then destroyed herself, precisely at the right moment. All the + effects, and more than all, that had been predicted by the Mantuan wizard + had come to pass. The famous bridge was cleft through and through, and a + thousand picked men—Parma's very "daintiest"—were blown out of + existence. The Governor-General himself was lying stark and stiff upon the + bridge which he said should be his triumphal monument or his tomb. His + most distinguished officers were dead, and all the survivors were dumb and + blind with astonishment at the unheard of, convulsion. The passage was + open for the fleet, and the fleet, lay below with sails spread, and oars + in the rowlocks, only waiting for the signal to bear up at once to the + scene of action, to smite out of existence all that remained of the + splendid structure, and to carry relief and triumph into Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + Not a soul slept in the city. The explosion had shook its walls, and + thousands of people thronged the streets, their hearts beating high with + expectation. It was a moment of exquisite triumph. The 'Hope,' word of + happy augury, had not been relied upon in vain, and Parma's seven months + of patient labour had been annihilated in a moment. Sainte Aldegonde and + Gianibelli stood in the 'Boors' Sconce' on the edge of the river. They had + felt and heard the explosion, and they were now straining their eyes + through the darkness to mark the flight of the welcome rocket. + </p> + <p> + That rocket never rose. And it is enough, even after the lapse of three + centuries, to cause a pang in every heart that beats for human liberty to + think of the bitter disappointment which crushed these great and + legitimate hopes. The cause lay in the incompetency and cowardice of the + man who had been so unfortunately entrusted with a share in a noble + enterprise. + </p> + <p> + Admiral Jacobzoon, paralyzed by the explosion, which announced his own + triumph, sent off the barge, but did not wait for its return. The boatmen, + too, appalled by the sights and sounds which they had witnessed, and by + the murky darkness which encompassed them, did not venture near the scene + of action, but, after rowing for a short interval hither and thither, came + back with the lying report that nothing had been accomplished, and that + the bridge remained unbroken. Sainte Aldegonde and Gianibelli were beside + themselves with rage, as they surmised the imbecility of the Admiral, and + devoted him in their hearts to the gallows, which he certainly deserved. + The wrath of the keen Italian may be conceived, now that his ingenious and + entirely successful scheme was thus rendered fruitless by the blunders of + the incompetent Fleming. + </p> + <p> + On the other side, there was a man whom no danger could appall. Alexander + had been thought dead, and the dismay among his followers was universal. + He was known to have been standing an instant before the explosion on the + very block-house where the 'Hope' had struck. After the first terrible + moments had passed, his soldiers found their general lying, as if in a + trance, on the threshold of St. Mary's Fort, his drawn sword in his hand, + with Cessis embracing his knees, and Gaetano extended at his side, stunned + with a blow upon the head. + </p> + <p> + Recovering from his swoon, Parma was the first to spring to his feet. + Sword in hand, he rushed at once upon the bridge to mark the extent of the + disaster. The admirable structure, the result of so much patient and + intelligent energy, was fearfully shattered; the bridge, the river, and + the shore, strewed with the mangled bodies of his soldiers. He expected, + as a matter of certainty, that the fleet from below would instantly force + its passage, destroy, the remainder of his troops-stunned as they were + with the sudden catastrophe complete the demolition of the bridge, and + then make its way to Antwerp, with ample reinforcements and supplies. And + Alexander saw that the expedition would be successful. Momently expecting + the attack, he maintained his courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with + despair in his heart. + </p> + <p> + His winter's work seemed annihilated, and it was probable that he should + be obliged to raise the siege. Nevertheless, he passed in person from rank + to rank, from post to post, seeing that the wounded were provided for, + encouraging those that remained unhurt, and endeavouring to infuse a + portion of his own courage into the survivors of his panic-stricken army. + </p> + <p> + Nor was he entirely unsuccessful, as the night wore on and the expected + assault was still delayed. Without further loss of time, he employed his + men to collect the drifting boats, timber, and spar-work, and to make a + hasty and temporary restoration—in semblance at least—of the + ruined portion of his bridge. And thus he employed himself steadily all + the night, although expecting every instant to hear the first broadside of + the Zeeland cannon. When morning broke, and it became obvious that the + patriots were unable or unwilling to follow up their own success, the + Governor-General felt as secure as ever. He at once set about the thorough + repairs of his great work, and—before he could be again molested—had + made good the damage which it had sustained. + </p> + <p> + It was not till three days afterwards that the truth was known in Antwerp. + Hohenlo then sent down a messenger, who swam, under the bridge, + ascertained the exact state of affairs, and returned, when it was too + late, with the first intelligence of the triumph which had been won and + lost. The disappointment and mortification were almost intolerable. And + thus had. Run-a-way Jacob, 'Koppen Loppen,' blasted the hopes of so many + wiser and braver spirits than his own. + </p> + <p> + The loss to Parma and to the royalist cause in Marquis Richebourg, was + very great. The death of De Billy, who was a faithful, experienced, and + courageous general, was also much lamented. "The misfortune from their + death," said Parma, "is not to be exaggerated. Each was ever ready to do + his duty in your Majesty's service, and to save me much fatigue in all my + various affairs. Nevertheless," continued the Prince, with great piety, + "we give the Lord thanks for all, and take as a favour everything which + comes from His hand." + </p> + <p> + Alexander had indeed reason to deplore the loss of Robert de Melun, + Viscount of Ghent, Marquis of Roubaix and Richebourg. He was a most + valuable officer. His wealth was great. It had been recently largely + increased by the confiscation of his elder brother's estates for his + benefit, a measure which at Parma's intercession had been accorded by the + King. That brother was the patriotic Prince of Espinoy, whom we have + recently seen heading the legation of the States to France. And Richebourg + was grateful to Alexander, for besides these fraternal spoils, he had + received two marquisates through his great patron, in addition to the + highest military offices. Insolent, overbearing, truculent to all the + world, to Parma he was ever docile, affectionate, watchful, obsequious. A + man who knew not fatigue, nor fear, nor remorse, nor natural affection, + who could patiently superintend all the details of a great military work, + or manage a vast political intrigue by alternations of browbeating and + bribery, or lead a forlorn hope, or murder a prisoner in cold blood, or + leap into the blazing crater of what seemed a marine volcano, the Marquis + of Richebourg had ever made himself most actively and unscrupulously + useful to his master. Especially had he rendered invaluable services in + the reduction, of the Walloon Provinces, and in the bridging of the + Scheldt, the two crowning triumphs of Alexander's life. He had now passed + from the scene where he had played so energetic and dazzling a part, and + lay doubled round an iron cable beneath the current of the restless river. + </p> + <p> + And in this eventful night, Parma, as always, had been true to himself and + to his sovereign. "We expected," said he, "that the rebels would instantly + attack us on all sides after the explosion. But all remained so astonished + by the unheard-of accident, that very few understood what was going on. It + seemed better that I—notwithstanding the risk of letting myself be + seen—should encourage the people not to run away. I did so, and + remedied matters a little but not so much as that—if the enemy had + then attacked us—we should not have been in the very greatest risk + and peril. I did not fail to do what I am obliged to do, and always hope + to do; but I say no more of what passed, or what was done by myself, + because it does not become me to speak of these things." + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this discomfiture, the patriots kept up heart, and were + incessantly making demonstrations against Parma's works. Their proceedings + against the bridge, although energetic enough to keep the Spanish + commander in a state of perpetual anxiety, were never so efficient however + as on the memorable occasion when the Mantuan engineer and the Dutch + watchmaker had exhausted all their ingenuity. Nevertheless, the rebel + barks swarmed all over the submerged territory, now threatening this post, + and now that, and effecting their retreat at pleasure; for nearly the + whole of Parma's little armada was stationed at the two extremities of his + bridge. Many fire-ships were sent down from time to time, but Alexander + had organized a systematic patrol of a few sentry-boats, armed with + scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in front of the rafts, and + protected them against invasion. + </p> + <p> + Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole + more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted. The perturbation of + spirit among the Spaniards when any of these 'demon fine-ships,' as they + called them, appeared bearing down upon their bridge, was excessive. It + could not be forgotten, that the `Hope' had sent into space a thousand of + the best soldiers of the little army within one moment of time. + </p> + <p> + Such rapid proceedings had naturally left an uneasy impression on the + minds of the survivors. The fatigue of watching was enormous. Hardly an + officer or soldier among the besieging forces knew what it was to sleep. + There was a perpetual exchanging of signals and beacon-fires and rockets + among the patriots—not a day or night, when a concerted attack by + the Antwerpers from above, and the Hollanders from below, with gun-boats + and fire-ships, and floating mines, and other devil's enginry, was not + expected. + </p> + <p> + "We are always upon the alert," wrote Parma, "with arms in our hands. + Every one must mount guard, myself as well as the rest, almost every + night, and the better part of every day." + </p> + <p> + He was quite aware that something was ever in preparation; and the + nameless, almost sickening apprehension which existed among his + stout-hearted veterans, was a proof that the Mantuan's genius—notwithstanding + the disappointment as to the great result—had not been exercised + entirely in vain. The image of the Antwerp devil-ships imprinted itself + indelibly upon the Spanish mind, as of something preternatural, with which + human valour could only contend at a disadvantage; and a day was not very + far distant—one of the memorable days of the world's history, big + with the fate of England, Spain, Holland, and all Christendom—when + the sight of a half-dozen blazing vessels, and the cry of "the Antwerp + fireships," was to decide the issue of a most momentous enterprise. The + blow struck by the obscure Italian against Antwerp bridge, although + ineffective then, was to be most sensibly felt after a few years had + passed, upon a wider field. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the uneasiness and the watchfulness in the besieging army were + very exhausting. "They are never idle in the city," wrote Parma. "They are + perpetually proving their obstinacy and pertinacity by their industrious + genius and the machines which they devise. Every day we are expecting some + new invention. On our side we endeavour to counteract their efforts by + every human means in our power. Nevertheless, I confess that our merely + human intellect is not competent to penetrate the designs of their + diabolical genius. Certainly, most wonderful and extraordinary things have + been exhibited, such as the oldest soldiers here have never before + witnessed." + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Alexander saw himself growing weaker and weaker. His force had + dwindled to a mere phantom of an army. His soldiers, ill-fed, + half-clothed, unpaid, were fearfully overworked. He was obliged to + concentrate all the troops at his disposal around Antwerp. Diversions + against Ostend, operations in Friesland and Gelderland, although most + desirable, had thus been rendered quite impossible. + </p> + <p> + "I have recalled my cavalry and infantry from Ostend," he wrote, "and Don + Juan de Manrique has fortunately arrived in Stabroek with a thousand good + German folk. The commissary-general of the cavalry has come in, too, with + a good lot of the troops that had been encamped in the open country. + Nevertheless, we remain wretchedly weak—quite insufficient to + attempt what ought to be done. If the enemy were more in force, or if the + French wished to make trouble, your Majesty would see how important it had + been to provide in time against such contingencies. And although our + neighbours, crestfallen, and rushing upon their own destruction, leave us + in quiet, we are not without plenty of work. It would be of inestimable + advantage to make diversions in Gelderland and Friesland, because, in that + case, the Hollanders, seeing the enemy so near their own borders, would be + obliged to withdraw their assistance from Antwerp. 'Tis pity to see how + few Spaniards your Majesty has left, and how diminished is our army. Now, + also, is the time to expect sickness, and this affair of Antwerp is + obviously stretching out into large proportions. Unless soon reinforced, + we must inevitably go to destruction. I implore your Majesty to ponder the + matter well, and not to defer the remedy." + </p> + <p> + His Majesty was sure to ponder the matter well, if that had been all. + Philip was good at pondering; but it was equally certain that the remedy + would be deferred. Meantime Alexander and his starving but heroic little + army were left to fight their battles as they could. + </p> + <p> + His complaints were incessant, most reasonable, but unavailing. With all + the forces he could muster, by withdrawing from the neighbourhood of + Ghent, Brussels, Vilvoorde, and from all the garrisons, every man that + could be spared, he had not strength enough to guard his own posts. To + attempt to win back the important forts recently captured by the rebels on + the Doel, was quite out of the question. The pictures he painted of his + army were indeed most dismal. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards were so reduced by sickness that it was pitiful to see them. + The Italians were not in much better condition, nor the Germans. "As for + the Walloons," said he, "they are deserting, as they always do. In truth, + one of my principal dangers is that the French civil wars are now tempting + my soldiers across the frontier; the country there is so much richer, and + offers so much more for the plundering." + </p> + <p> + During the few weeks which immediately followed them famous descent of the + 'Hope' and the 'Fortune,' there had accordingly been made a variety of + less elaborate, but apparently mischievous, efforts against the bridge. On + the whole, however, the object was rather to deceive and amuse the + royalists, by keeping their attention fixed in that quarter, while a great + attack was, in reality, preparing against the Kowenstyn. That strong + barrier, as repeatedly stated, was even a more formidable obstacle than + the bridge to the communication between the beleagured city and their + allies upon the outside. Its capture and demolition, even at this late + period, would open the navigation to all the fleets of Zeeland. + </p> + <p> + In the undertaking of the 5th of April all had been accomplished that + human ingenuity could devise; yet the triumph had been snatched away even + at the very moment when it was complete. A determined and vigorous effort + was soon to be made upon the Kowenstyn, in the very face of Parma; for it + now seemed obvious that the true crisis was to come upon that fatal dyke. + The great bulwark was three miles long. It reached from Stabroek in + Brabant, near which village Mansfeld's troops were encamped, across the + inundated country, up to the line of the Scheldt. Thence, along the + river-dyke, and across the bridge to Kalloo and Beveren, where Parma's + forces lay, was a continuous fortified road some three leagues in length; + so that the two divisions of the besieging army, lying four leagues apart, + were all connected by this important line. + </p> + <p> + Could the Kowenstyn be pierced, the water, now divided by that great + bulwark into two vast lakes, would flow together in one continuous sea. + Moreover the Scheldt, it was thought, would, in that case, return to its + own cannel through Brabant, deserting its present bed, and thus leaving + the famous bridge high and dry. A wide sheet of navigable water would then + roll between Antwerp and the Zeeland coasts, and Parma's bridge, the + result of seven months' labour, would become as useless as a child's + broken toy. + </p> + <p> + Alexander had thoroughly comprehended the necessity of maintaining the + Kowenstyn. All that it was possible to do with the meagre forces at his + disposal, he had done. He had fringed both its margins, along its whole + length, with a breastwork of closely-driven stakes. He had strengthened + the whole body of the dyke with timber-work and piles. Upon its river-end, + just at the junction with the great Scheldt dyke, a strong fortress, + called the Holy Cross, had been constructed, which was under the special + command of Mondragon. Besides this, three other forts had been built, at + intervals of about a mile, upon the dyke. The one nearest to Mondragon was + placed at the Kowenstyn manor-house, and was called Saint James. This was + entrusted to Camillo Bourbon del Monte, an Italian officer, who boasted + the blood royal of France in his veins, and was disposed on all occasions + to vindicate that proud pedigree by his deeds. The next fort was Saint + George's, sometimes called the Black Sconce. It had been built by La + Motte, but it was now in command of the Spanish officer, Benites. The + third was entitled the Fort of the Palisades, because it had been + necessary to support it by a stockade-work in the water, there being + absolutely not earth enough to hold the structure. It was placed in the + charge of Captain Gamboa. These little castles had been created, as it + were, out of water and upon water, and under a hot fire from the enemy's + forts and fleets, which gave the pioneers no repose. + </p> + <p> + "'Twas very hard work," said Parma, "our soldiers are so exposed during + their labour, the rebels playing upon them perpetually from their + musket-proof vessels. They fill the submerged land with their boats, + skimming everywhere as they like, while we have none at all. We have been + obliged to build these three forts with neither material nor space; making + land enough for the foundation by bringing thither bundles of hurdles and + of earth. The fatigue and anxiety are incredible. Not a man can sleep at + night; not an officer nor soldier but is perpetually mounting guard. But + they are animated to their hard work by seeing that I share in it, like + one of themselves. We have now got the dyke into good order, so far as to + be able to give them a warm reception, whenever they choose to come." + </p> + <p> + Quite at the farther or land end of the Kowenstyn, was another fort, + called the Stabroek, which commanded and raked the whole dyke, and was in + the neighbourhood of Mansfeld's head-quarters. + </p> + <p> + Placed as were these little citadels upon a slender, and—at brief + distance—invisible thread of land, with the dark waters rolling + around them far and near, they presented an insubstantial dream-like + aspect, seeming rather like castles floating between air and ocean than + actual fortifications—a deceptive mirage rather than reality. There + was nothing imaginary, however, in the work which they were to perform. + </p> + <p> + A series of attacks, some serious, others fictitious, had been made, from + time to time, upon both bridge and dyke; but Alexander was unable to + inspire his soldiers with his own watchfulness. Upon the 7th of May a more + determined attempt was made upon the Kowenstyn, by the fleet from Lillo. + Hohenlo and Colonel Ysselstein conducted the enterprise. The sentinels at + the point selected—having recently been so often threatened by an + enemy, who most frequently made a rapid retreat, as to have grown weary + and indifferent-were surprised, at dawn of day, and put to the sword. "If + the truth must be told," said Parma, "the sentries were sound asleep." + Five hundred Zeelanders, with a strong party of sappers and miners, fairly + established themselves upon the dyke, between St. George's and Fort + Palisade. The attack, although spirited at its commencement, was doomed to + be unsuccessful. A co-operation, agreed upon by the fleet from Antwerp, + failed through a misunderstanding. Sainte Aldegonde had stationed certain + members of the munition-chamber in the cathedral tower, with orders to + discharge three rockets, when they should perceive a beacon-fire which he + should light in Fort Tholouse. The watchmen mistook an accidental + camp-fire in the neighbourhood for the preconcerted signal, and sent up + the rockets. Hohenlo understanding, accordingly, that the expedition was + on the point of starting from Antwerp, hastened to perform his portion of + the work, and sailed up from Lillo. He did his duty faithfully and well, + and established himself upon the dyke, but found himself alone and without + sufficient force to maintain his position. The Antwerp fleet never sailed. + It was even whispered that the delinquency was rather intended than + accidental; the Antwerpers being supposed desirous to ascertain the result + of Hohenlo's attempt before coming forth to share his fate. Such was the + opinion expressed by Farnese in his letters to Philip, but it seems + probable that he was mistaken. Whatever the cause, however, the fact of + the Zeelanders' discomfiture was certain. The St. George battery and that + of the Palisade were opened at once upon them, the balls came plunging + among the sappers and miners before they had time to throw up many + spade-fulls of earth, and the whole party were soon dead or driven from + the dyke. The survivors effected their retreat as they best could, leaving + four of their ships behind them and three or four hundred men. + </p> + <p> + "Forty rebels lay dead on the dyke," said Parma, "and one hundred and + fifty more, at least, were drowned. The enemy confess a much larger loss + than the number I state, but I am not a friend of giving details larger + than my ascertained facts; nor do I know how many were killed in the + boats." + </p> + <p> + This enterprise was but a prelude, however, to the great undertaking which + had now been thoroughly matured. Upon the 26th May, another and most + determined attack was to be made upon the Kowenstyn, by the Antwerpers and + Hollanders acting in concert. This time, it was to be hoped, there would + be no misconception of signals. "It was a determination," said Parma, "so + daring and desperate that there was no substantial reason why we should + believe they would carry it out; but they were at last solemnly resolved + to die or to effect their purpose." + </p> + <p> + Two hundred ships in all had been got ready, part of them under Hohenlo + and Justinus de Nassau, to sail up from Zeeland; the others to advance + from Antwerp under Sainte Aldegonde. Their destination was the Kowenstyn + Dyke. Some of the vessels were laden with provisions, others with gabions, + hurdles, branches, sacks of sand and of wool, and with other materials for + the rapid throwing up of fortifications. + </p> + <p> + It was two o'clock, half an hour before the chill dawn of a May morning, + Sunday, the 26th of the month. The pale sight of a waning moon was faintly + perceptible in the sky. Suddenly the sentinels upon the Kowenstyn—this + time not asleep—descried, as they looked towards Lillo, four fiery + apparitions gliding towards them across the waves. The alarm was given, + and soon afterwards the Spaniards began to muster, somewhat reluctantly, + upon the dyke, filled as they always were with the mysterious dread which + those demon-vessels never failed to inspire. + </p> + <p> + The fire-ships floated slowly nearer, and at last struck heavily against + the stockade-work. There, covered with tar, pitch, rosin, and gunpowder, + they flamed, flared, and exploded, during a brief period, with much + vigour, and then burned harmlessly out. One of the objects for which they + had been sent—to set fire to the palisade—was not + accomplished. The other was gained; for the enemy, expecting another + volcanic shower of tombstones and plough-coulters, and remembering the + recent fate of their comrades on the bridge, had retired shuddering into + the forts. Meantime, in the glare of these vast torches, a great swarm of + gunboats and other vessels, skimming across the leaden-coloured waters, + was seen gradually approaching the dyke. It was the fleet of Hohenlo and + Justinus de Nassau, who had been sailing and rowing since ten o'clock of + the preceding night. The burning ships lighted them on their way, while it + had scared the Spaniards from their posts. + </p> + <p> + The boats ran ashore in the mile-long space between forts St. George and + the Palisade, and a party of Zeelanders, Admiral Haultain, governor of + Walcheren, at their head, sprang upon the dyke. Meantime, however, the + royalists, finding that the fire-ships had come to so innocent an end, had + rallied and emerged from their forts. Haultain and his Zeelanders, by the + time they had fairly mounted the dyke, found themselves in the iron + embrace of several hundred Spaniards. After a brief fierce struggle, face + to face, and at push of pike, the patriots reeled backward down the bank, + and took refuge in their boats. Admiral Haultain slipped as he left the + shore, missed a rope's end which was thrown to him, fell into the water, + and, borne down by the weight of his armour, was drowned. The enemy, + pursuing them, sprang to the waist in the ooze on the edge of the dyke, + and continued the contest. The boats opened a hot fire, and there was a + severe skirmish for many minutes, with no certain result. It was, however, + beginning to go hard with the Zeelanders, when, just at the critical + moment, a cheer from the other side of the dyke was heard, and the Antwerp + fleet was seen coming swiftly to the rescue. The Spaniards, taken between + the two bands of assailants, were at a disadvantage, and it was impossible + to prevent the landing of these fresh antagonists. The Antwerpers sprang + ashore. Among the foremost was Sainte Aldegonde, poet, orator, hymn-book + maker, burgomaster, lawyer, polemical divine—now armed to the teeth + and cheering on his men, in the very thickest of the fight. The diversion + was successful, and Sainte Aldegonde gallantly drove the Spaniards quite + off the field. The whole combined force from Antwerp and Zeeland now + effected their landing. Three thousand men occupied all the space between + Fort George and the Palisade. + </p> + <p> + With Sainte Aldegonde came the unlucky Koppen Loppen, and all that could + be spared of the English and Scotch troops in Antwerp, under Balfour and + Morgan. With Hohenlo and Justinus de Nassau came Reinier Kant, who had + just succeeded Paul Buys as Advocate of Holland. Besides these came two + other men, side by side, perhaps in the same boat, of whom the world was + like to hear much, from that time forward, and whose names are to be most + solemnly linked together, so long as Netherland history shall endure; one, + a fair-faced flaxen-haired boy of eighteen, the other a square-visaged, + heavy-browed man of forty—Prince Maurice and John of + Olden-Barneveldt. The statesman had been foremost to urge the claim of + William the Silent's son upon the stadholderate of Holland and Zeeland, + and had been, as it were, the youth's political guardian. He had himself + borne arms more than once before, having shouldered his matchlock under + Batenburg, and marched on that officer's spirited but disastrous + expedition for the relief of Haarlem. But this was the life of those Dutch + rebels. Quill-driving, law-expounding, speech-making, diplomatic missions, + were intermingled with very practical business in besieged towns or open + fields, with Italian musketeers and Spanish pikemen. And here, too, young + Maurice was taking his first solid lesson in the art of which he was one + day to be so distinguished a professor. It was a sharp beginning. Upon + this ribband of earth, scarce six paces in breadth, with miles of deep + water on both sides—a position recently fortified by the first + general of the age, and held by the famous infantry of Spain and Italy—there + was likely to be no prentice-work. + </p> + <p> + To assault such a position was in truth, as Alexander had declared it to + be, a most daring and desperate resolution on the part of the States. + "Soldiers, citizens, and all," said Parma, "they are obstinate as dogs to + try their fortune." + </p> + <p> + With wool-sacks, sand-bags, hurdles, planks, and other materials brought + with them, the patriots now rapidly entrenched themselves in the position + so brilliantly gained; while, without deferring for an instant the great + purpose which they had come to effect, the sappers and miners fastened + upon the ironbound soil of the dyke, tearing it with pick, mattock, and + shovel, digging, delving, and throwing up the earth around them, busy as + human beavers, instinctively engaged in a most congenial task. + </p> + <p> + But the beavers did not toil unmolested. The large and determined force of + Antwerpers and English, Hollanders and Zeelanders, guarded the + fortifications as they were rapidly rising, and the pioneers as they were + so manfully delving; but the enemy was not idle. From Fort Saint James, + next beyond Saint George, Camillo del Monte led a strong party to the + rescue. There was a tremendous action, foot to foot, breast to breast, + with pike and pistol, sword and dagger. Never since the beginning of the + war had there been harder fighting than now upon that narrow isthmus. + "'Twas an affair of most brave obstinacy on both sides," said Parma, who + rarely used strong language. "Soldiers, citizens, and all—they were + like mad bulldogs." Hollanders, Italians, Scotchmen, Spaniards, + Englishmen, fell thick and fast. The contest was about the entrenchments + before they were completed, and especially around the sappers and miners, + in whose picks and shovels lay the whole fate of Antwerp. Many of the + dyke-breakers were digging their own graves, and rolled, one after + another, into the breach which they were so obstinately creating. Upon + that slender thread of land the hopes of many thousands were hanging. To + tear it asunder, to roll the ocean-waves up to Antwerp, and thus to snatch + the great city triumphantly from the grasp of Philip—to accomplish + this, the three thousand had come forth that May morning. To prevent it, + to hold firmly that great treasure entrusted to them, was the + determination of the Spaniards. And so, closely pent and packed, + discharging their carbines into each other's faces, rolling, coiled + together, down the slimy sides of the dyke into the black waters, + struggling to and fro, while the cannon from the rebel fleet and from the + royal forts mingled their roar with the sharp crack of the musketry, + Catholics and patriots contended for an hour, while still, through all the + confusion and uproar, the miners dug and delved. + </p> + <p> + At last the patriots were victorious. They made good their entrenchments, + drove the Spaniards, after much slaughter, back to the fort of Saint + George on the one side, and of the Palisade on the other, and cleared the + whole space between the two points. The centre of the dyke was theirs; the + great Kowenstyn, the only key by which the gates of Antwerp could be + unlocked, was in the deliverers' hands. They pursued their victory, and + attacked the Palisade Fort. Gamboa, its commandant, was severely wounded; + many other officers dead or dying; the outworks were in the hands of the + Hollanders; the slender piles on which the fortress rested in the water + were rudely shaken; the victory was almost complete. + </p> + <p> + And now there was a tremendous cheer of triumph. The beavers had done + their work, the barrier was bitten through and through, the salt water + rushed like a river through the ruptured dyke. A few moments later, and a + Zeeland barge, freighted with provisions, floated triumphantly into the + waters beyond, now no longer an inland sea. The deed was done—the + victory achieved. Nothing more was necessary than to secure it, to tear + the fatal barrier to fragments, to bury it, for its whole length, beneath + the waves. Then, after the isthmus had been utterly submerged, when the + Scheldt was rolled back into its ancient bed, when Parma's famous bridge + had become useless, when the maritime communication between Antwerp and + Holland had been thoroughly established, the Spaniards would have nothing + left for it but to drown like rats in their entrenchments or to abandon + the siege in despair. All this was in the hands of the patriots. The + Kowenstyn was theirs. The Spaniards were driven from the field, the + batteries of their forts silenced. For a long period the rebels were + unmolested, and felt themselves secure. + </p> + <p> + "We remained thus some three hours," says Captain James, an English + officer who fought in the action, and described it in rough, soldierly + fashion to Walsingham the same day, "thinking all things to be secure." + Yet in the very supreme moment of victory, the leaders, both of the + Hollanders and of the Antwerpers, proved themselves incompetent to their + position. With deep regret it must be admitted, that not only the reckless + Hohenlo, but the all-accomplished Sainte Aldegonde, committed the gravest + error. In the hour of danger, both had comported themselves with perfect + courage and conduct. In the instant of triumph, they gave way to puerile + exultation. With a celerity as censurable as it seems incredible, both + these commanders sprang into the first barge which had thus floated across + the dyke, in order that they might, in person, carry the news of the + victory to Antwerp, and set all the bells ringing and the bonfires + blazing. They took with them Ferrante Spinola, a mortally-wounded Italian + officer of rank, as a trophy of their battle, and a boatload of beef and + flour, as an earnest of the approaching relief. + </p> + <p> + While the conquerors were thus gone to enjoy their triumph, the conquered, + though perplexed and silenced, were not yet disposed to accept their + defeat. They were even ignorant that they were conquered. They had been + forced to abandon the field, and the patriots had entrenched themselves + upon the dyke, but neither Fort Saint George nor the Palisade had been + carried, although the latter was in imminent danger. + </p> + <p> + Old Count Peter Ernest Mansfeld—a grizzled veteran, who had passed + his childhood, youth, manhood, and old age, under fire—commanded at + the land-end of the dyke, in the fortress of Stabroek, in which + neighbourhood his whole division was stationed. Seeing how the day was + going, he called a council of war. The patriots had gained a large section + of the dyke. So much was certain. Could they succeed in utterly + demolishing that bulwark in the course of the day? If so, how were they to + be dislodged before their work was perfected? It was difficult to assault + their position. Three thousand Hollanders, Antwerpers, Englishmen—"mad + bulldogs all," as Parma called them—showing their teeth very + mischievously, with one hundred and sixty Zeeland vessels throwing in + their broadsides from both margins of the dyke, were a formidable company + to face. + </p> + <p> + "Oh for one half hour of Alexander in the field!" sighed one of the + Spanish officers in council. But Alexander was more than four leagues + away, and it was doubtful whether he even knew of the fatal occurrence. + Yet how to send him a messenger. Who could reach him through that valley + of death? Would it not be better to wait till nightfall? Under the cover + of darkness something might be attempted, which in the daylight would be + hopeless. There was much anxiety, and much difference of opinion had been + expressed, when Camillo Capizucca, colonel of the Italian Legion, obtained + a hearing. A man bold in words as in deeds, he vehemently denounced the + pusillanimity which would wait either for Parma or for nightfall. "What + difference will it make," he asked, "whether we defer our action until + either darkness or the General arrives? In each case we give the enemy + time enough to destroy the dyke, and thoroughly to relieve the city. That + done, what good can be accomplished by our arms? Then our disheartened + soldiers will either shrink from a fruitless combat or march to certain + death." Having thus, very warmly but very sagaciously, defined the + position in which all were placed, he proceeded to declare that he + claimed, neither for himself nor for his legion, any superiority over the + rest of the army. He knew not that the Italians were more to be relied + upon than others in the time of danger, but this he did know, that no man + in the world was so devoted as he was to the Prince of Parma. To show that + devotion by waiting with folded arms behind a wall until the Prince should + arrive to extricate his followers, was not in his constitution. He claimed + the right to lead his Italians against the enemy at once—in the + front rank, if others chose to follow; alone, if the rest preferred to + wait till a better leader should arrive. + </p> + <p> + The words of the Italian colonel sent a thrill through all who heard him. + Next in command under Capizucca was his camp-marshal, an officer who bore + the illustrious name of Piccolomini—father of the Duke Ottavio, of + whom so much was to be heard at a later day throughout the fell scenes of + that portion of the eighty years' tragedy now enacting, which was to be + called the Thirty Years' War of Germany. The camp-marshal warmly seconded + the proposition of his colonel. Mansfeld, pleased with such enthusiasm + among his officers, yielded to their wishes, which were, in truth, his + own. Six companies of the Italian Legion were in his encampment while the + remainder were stationed, far away, upon the bridge, under command of his + son, Count Charles. Early in the morning, before the passage across the + dyke had been closed the veteran condottiere, pricking his ears as he + snuffed the battle from afar, had contrived to send a message to his son. + </p> + <p> + "Charles, my boy," were his words, "to-day we must either beat them or + burst." + </p> + <p> + Old Peter Ernest felt that the long-expected, long-deferred assault was to + be made that morning in full force, and that it was necessary for the + royalists, on both bridge and dyke, to hold their own. Piccolomini now + drew up three hundred of his Italians, picked veterans all, and led them + in marching order to Mansfeld. That general at the same moment, received + another small but unexpected reinforcement. A portion of the Spanish + Legion, which had long been that of Pedro Pacchi, lay at the extreme verge + of the Stabroek encampment, several miles away. Aroused by the distant + cannonading, and suspecting what had occurred, Don Juan d'Aquila, the + colonel in command, marched without a moment's delay to Mansfeld's + head-quarters, at the head of all the force he could muster—about + two hundred strong. With him came Cardona, Gonzales de Castro, Toralva, + and other distinguished officers. As they arrived, Capizucca was just + setting forth for the field. There arose a dispute for precedence between + the Italians and the Spaniards. Capizucca had first demanded the privilege + of leading what seemed a forlorn hope, and was unwilling to yield his + claim to the new comer. On the other hand, the Spaniards were not disposed + to follow where they felt entitled to lead. The quarrel was growing warm, + when Aquila, seizing his Italian rival by the hand, protested that it was + not a moment for friends to wrangle for precedence. + </p> + <p> + "Shoulder to shoulder," said he, "let us go into this business, and let + our blows rather fall on our enemies' heads than upon each other's." This + terminated the altercation. The Italians and Spaniards—in battle + array as they were—all dropped on their knees, offered a brief + prayer to the Holy Virgin, and then, in the best possible spirits, set + forth along the dyke. Next to fort Stabroek—whence they issued—was + the Palisade Fort, nearly a mile removed, which the patriots had nearly + carried, and between which and St. George, another mile farther on, their + whole force was established. + </p> + <p> + The troops under Capizucca and Aquila soon reached the Palisade, and + attacked the besiegers, while the garrison, cheered by the unexpected + relief, made a vigorous sortie. There was a brief sharp contest, in which + many were killed on both sides; but at last the patriots fell back upon + their own entrenchments, and the fort was saved. Its name was instantly + changed to Fort Victory, and the royalists then prepared to charge the + fortified camp of the rebels, in the centre of which the dyke-cutting + operations were still in progress. At the same moment, from the opposite + end of the bulwark, a cry was heard along the whole line of the dyke. From + Fort Holy Cross, at the Scheldt end, the welcome intelligence was suddenly + communicated—as if by a magnetic impulse—that Alexander was in + the field! + </p> + <p> + It was true. Having been up half the night, as usual, keeping watch along + his bridge, where he was ever expecting a fatal attack, he had retired for + a few hours' rest in his camp at Beveren. Aroused at day-break by the roar + of the cannon, he had hastily thrown on his armour, mounted his horse, + and, at the head of two hundred pikemen, set forth for the scene of + action. Detained on the bridge by a detachment of the Antwerp fleet, which + had been ordered to make a diversion in that quarter, he had, after + beating off their vessels with his boat-artillery, and charging Count + Charles Mansfeld to heed well the brief injunction of old Peter Ernest, + made all the haste he could to the Kowenstyn. Arriving at Fort Holy Cross, + he learned from Mondragon how the day was going. Three thousand rebels, he + learned, were established on the dyke, Fort Palisade was tottering, a + fleet from both sides was cannonading the Spanish entrenchments, the salt + water was flowing across the breach already made. His seven months' work, + it seemed, had come to nought. The navigation was already open from the + sea to Antwerp, the Lowenstyn was in the rebels' hands. But Alexander was + not prone to premature despair. "I arrived," said he to Philip in a letter + written on the same evening, "at the very nick of time." A less hopeful + person might have thought that he had arrived several hours too late. + Having brought with him every man that could be spared from Beveren and + from the bridge, he now ordered Camillo del Monte to transport some + additional pieces of artillery from Holy Cross and from Saint James to + Fort Saint Georg. At the same time a sharp cannonade was to be maintained + upon the rebel fleet from all the forts. + </p> + <p> + Mondragon, with a hundred musketeers and pikemen, was sent forward + likewise as expeditiously as possible to Saint George. No one could be + more alert. The battered veteran, hero of some of the most remarkable + military adventures that history has ever recorded,' fought his way on + foot, in the midst of the fray, like a young ensign who had his first + laurels to win. And, in truth, the day was not one for cunning manoeuvres, + directed, at a distance, by a skillful tactician. It was a brisk close + contest, hand to hand and eye to eye—a Homeric encounter, in which + the chieftains were to prove a right to command by their personal prowess. + Alexander, descending suddenly—dramatically, as it were—when + the battle seemed lost—like a deity from the clouds-was to justify, + by the strength of his arm, the enthusiasm which his name always awakened. + Having, at a glance, taken in the whole situation, he made his brief + arrangements, going from rank to rank, and disposing his troops in the + most effective manner. He said but few words, but his voice had always a + telling effect. + </p> + <p> + "The man who refuses, this day, to follow me," he said, "has never had + regard to his own honour, nor has God's cause or the King's ever been dear + to his heart." + </p> + <p> + His disheartened Spaniards and Italians—roused as by a magic trumpet—eagerly + demanded to be led against the rebels. And now from each end of the dyke, + the royalists were advancing toward the central position occupied by the + patriots. While Capizucca and Aquila were occupied at Fort Victory, Parma + was steadily cutting his way from Holy Cross to Saint George. On foot, + armed with sword and shield, and in coat of mail, and marching at the head + of his men along the dyke, surrounded by Bevilacqua, Bentivoglio, + Manriquez, Sforza, and other officers of historic name and distinguished + courage, now upon the summit of the causeway, now on its shelving banks, + now breast-high in the waters, through which lay the perilous path, + contending at every inch with the scattered bands of the patriots, who + slowly retired to their entrenched camp, and with the Antwerp and Zeeland + vessels, whose balls tore through the royalist ranks, the General at last + reached Saint George. On the preservation of that post depended the whole + fortune of the day, for Parma had already received the welcome + intelligence that the Palisade—now Fort Victory—had been + regained. He instantly ordered an outer breast-work of wool-sacks and + sand-bags to be thrown up in front of Saint George, and planted a battery + to play point-blank at the enemy's entrenchments. Here the final issue was + to be made. + </p> + <p> + The patriots and Spaniards were thus all enclosed in the mile-long space + between St. George and the Palisade. Upon that narrow strip of earth, + scarce six paces in width, more than five thousand men met in mortal + combat—a narrow arena for so many gladiators, hemmed in on both + sides by the sea. The patriots had, with solemn ceremony, before starting + upon their enterprise, vowed to destroy the dyke and relieve Antwerp, or + to perish in the attempt. They were true to their vow. Not the ancient + Batavians or Nervii had ever manifested more tenacity against the Roman + legions than did their descendants against the far-famed Spanish infantry + upon this fatal day. The fight on the Kowenstyn was to be long remembered + in the military annals of Spain and Holland. Never, since the curtain + first rose upon the great Netherland tragedy, had there been a fiercer + encounter. Flinching was impossible. There was scant room for the play of + pike and dagger, and, close packed as were the combatants, the dead could + hardly fall to the ground. It was a mile-long series of separate mortal + duels, and the oozy dyke was soon slippery with blood. + </p> + <p> + From both sides, under Capizucca and Aquila on the one band, and under + Alexander on the other, the entrenchments of the patriots were at last + assaulted, and as the royalists fell thick and fast beneath the + breast-work which they were storming, their comrades clambered upon their + bodies, and attempted, from such vantage-ground, to effect an entrance. + Three times the invaders were beaten back with heavy loss, and after each + repulse the attack was renewed with fresh vigour, while within the + entrenchments the pioneers still plied the pick and shovel, undismayed by + the uproar around them. + </p> + <p> + A fourth assault, vigorously made, was cheerfully repelled by the + Antwerpers and Hollanders, clustering behind their breast-works, and + looking steadily into their enemies' eyes. Captain Heraugiere—of + whom more was to be heard one day—had led two hundred men into + action, and now found himself at the head of only thirteen. The loss had + been as severe among many other patriot companies, as well as in the + Spanish ranks, and again the pikemen of Spain and Italy faltered before + the iron visages and cordial blows of the Hollanders. + </p> + <p> + This work had lasted a good hour and a half, when at last, on the fifth + assault, a wild and mysterious apparition renewed the enthusiasm of the + Spaniards. The figure of the dead commander of the old Spanish Legion, Don + Pedro Pacchi, who had fallen a few months before at the siege of + Dendermonde was seen charging in front of his regiment, clad in his + well-known armour, and using the gestures which had been habitual with him + in life. No satisfactory explanation was ever made of this singular + delusion, but it was general throughout the ranks, and in that + superstitious age was as effective as truth. The wavering Spaniards + rallied once more under the guidance of their phantom leader, and again + charged the breast-work of the patriots. Toralva, mounting upon the back + of one of his soldiers, was first to vault into the entrenchments. At the + next instant he lay desperately wounded on the ground, but was close + followed by Capizucca, sustained by a determined band. The entrenchment + was carried, but the furious conflict still continued. At nearly the same + moment, however, several of the patriot vessels were observed to cast off + their moorings, and to be drifting away from the dyke. A large number of + the rest had been disabled by the hot fire, which by Alexander's judicious + orders had been directed upon the fleet. The ebbing tide left no choice to + the commander of the others but to retreat or to remain and fall into the + enemy's hands, should he gain the day. Had they risked the dangerous + alternative, it might have ensured the triumph of the whole enterprise, + while their actual decision proved most disastrous in the end. + </p> + <p> + "We have conquered," cried Alexander, stretching his arm towards the + receding waters. "The sea deserts the impious heretics. Strike from them + now their last hope, and cut off their retreat to the departing ships." + The Spaniards were not slow to perceive their advantage, while the courage + of the patriots at last began to ebb with the tide. The day was lost. In + the hour of transitory triumph the leaders of the expedition had turned + their backs on their followers, and now, after so much heroism had been + exhibited, fortune too had averted her face. The grim resistance changed + to desperate panic, and a mad chase began along the blood-stained dyke. + Some were slain with spear and bullet, others were hunted into the sea, + many were smothered in the ooze along the edge of the embankment. The + fugitives, making their way to the retreating vessels, were pursued by the + Spaniards, who swam after them, with their swords in their teeth, and + engaged them in mortal combat in the midst of the waves. + </p> + <p> + "And so we cut all their throats," said Parma, "the rebels on every side + remaining at our mercy, and I having no doubt that my soldiers would + avenge the loss of their friends." + </p> + <p> + The English and the Scotch, under Balfour and Morgan, were the very last + to abandon the position which they had held so manfully seven hours long. + Honest Captain James, who fought to the last, and described the action the + same night in the fewest possible words, was of opinion that the fleet had + moved away only to obtain a better position. "They put off to have more + room to play on the enemy," said he; "but the Hollanders and Zeelanders, + seeing the enemy come on so hotly, and thinking our galleys would leave + them, abandoned their string. The Scots, seeing them to retire, left their + string. The enemy pursued very hotly; the Englishmen stood to repulse, and + are put most to the sword. In this shameful retreat there were slain or + drowned to the number of two thousand." The blunt Englishman was justly + indignant that an enterprise, so nearly successful, had been ruined by the + desertion of its chiefs. "We had cut the dyke in three places," said he; + "but left it most shamefully for want of commandment." + </p> + <p> + Poor Koppen Loppen—whose blunders on former occasions had caused so + much disaster—was now fortunate enough to expiate them by a + soldier's death. Admiral Haultain had, as we have seen, been drowned at + the commencement of the action. Justinus de Nassau, at its close, was more + successful in his retreat to the ships. He, too, sprang into the water + when the overthrow was absolute; but, alighting in some shallows, was able + to conceal himself among weeds and waterlilies till he had divested + himself of his armour, when he made his escape by swimming to a boat, + which conveyed him to Lillo. Roelke van Deest, an officer of some note, + was so horribly wounded in the face, that he was obliged to wear a mask + for the remainder of his life. + </p> + <p> + Parma, overjoyed at his victory, embraced Capizucca before the whole army, + with warm expressions of admiration for his conduct. Both the Italian + colonel and his Spanish rival Aquila were earnestly recommended to Philip + for reward and promotion. The wounded Toralva was carried to Alexander's + own quarters, and placed in Alexander's own bed, where he remained till + his recovery, and was then presented—a distinction which he much + valued—with the armour which the Prince had worn on the day of the + battle. Parma himself, so soon as the action was concluded, went with his + chief officers straight from the field to the little village-church of + Stabroek, where he fell upon his knees and offered up fervent thanks for + his victory. He next set about repairing the ruptured dyke, damaged in + many places but not hopelessly ruined, and for this purpose the bodies of + the rebels, among other materials, were cast by hundreds into the ditches + which their own hands had dug. + </p> + <p> + Thus ended the eight hours' fight on the Kowenstyn. "The feast lasted from + seven to eight hours," said Parma, "with the most brave obstinacy on both + sides that has been seen for many a long day." A thousand royalists were + killed and twice as many patriots, and the issue of the conflict was most + uncertain up to the very last. + </p> + <p> + "Our loss is greater than I wish it was," wrote Alexander to Philip: "It + was a very close thing, and I have never been more anxious in my life as + to the result for your Majesty's service. The whole fate of the battle was + hanging all the time by a thread." More than ever were reinforcements + necessary, and it was only by a miracle that the victory had at last been + gained with such slender resources. "'Tis a large, long, laborious, + expensive, and most perilous war," said Parma, when urging the claims of + Capizucca and Aquila, "for we have to fight every minute; and there are no + castles and other rewards, so that if soldiers are not to have promotion, + they will lose their spirit." Thirty-two of the rebel vessels grounded, + and fell into the hands of the Spaniards, who took from them many + excellent pieces of artillery. The result was most conclusive and most + disheartening for the patriots. + </p> + <p> + Meantime—as we have seen—Hohenlo and Sainte Aldegonde had + reached Antwerp in breathless haste to announce their triumph. They had + been met on the quay by groups of excited citizens, who eagerly questioned + the two generals arriving thus covered with laurels from the field of + battle, and drank with delight all the details of the victory. The poor + dying Spinola was exhibited in triumph, the boat-load of breadstuffs + received with satisfaction, and vast preparations were made to receive, on + wharves and in storehouses, the plentiful supplies about to arrive. + Beacons and bonfires were lighted, the bells from all the steeples rang + their merriest peals, cannon thundered in triumph not only in Antwerp + itself, but subsequently at Amsterdam and other more distant cities. In + due time a magnificent banquet was spread in the town-house to greet the + conquering Hohenlo. Immense gratification was expressed by those of the + reformed religion; dire threats were uttered against the Catholics. Some + were for hanging them all out of hand, others for throwing them into the + Scheldt; the most moderate proposed packing them all out of town so soon + as the siege should be raised—an event which could not now be + delayed many days longer. + </p> + <p> + Hohenlo, placed on high at the head of the banquet-table, assumed the very + god of war. Beside and near him sat the loveliest dames of Antwerp, + rewarding his bravery with their brightest smiles. The Count drained huge + goblets to their health, to the success of the patriots, and to the + confusion of the royalists, while, as he still drank and feasted, the + trumpet, kettle-drum, and cymbal, and merry peal of bell without, did + honour to his triumph. So gay and gallant was the victor, that he + announced another banquet on the following day, still further to celebrate + the happy release of Antwerp, and invited the fair ladies around him again + to grace the board. It is recorded that the gentlewoman next him responded + with a sigh, that, if her presentiments were just, the morrow would + scarcely be so joyful as the present day had been, and that she doubted + whether the triumph were not premature. + </p> + <p> + Hardly had she spoken when sinister sounds were heard in the streets. The + first few stragglers, survivors of the deadly fight, had arrived with the + fatal news that all was lost, the dyke regained, the Spaniards victorious, + the whole band of patriots cut to pieces. A few frightfully-wounded and + dying sufferers were brought into the banqueting-hall. Hohenlo sprang from + the feast—interrupted in so ghastly a manner—pursued by shouts + and hisses. Howls of execration, saluted him in the streets, and he was + obliged to conceal himself for a time, to escape the fury of the populace. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, Parma was, not unnaturally, overjoyed at the successful + issue to the combat, and expressed himself on the subject in language of + (for him) unusual exultation. "To-day, Sunday, 26th of June," said he, in + a letter to Philip, despatched by special courier on the very same night, + "the Lord has been pleased to grant to your Majesty a great and most + signal victory. In this conjuncture of so great importance it may be + easily conceived that the best results that can be desired will be + obtained if your Majesty is now ready to do what is needful. I + congratulate your Majesty very many times on this occasion, and I desire + to render infinite thanks to Divine Providence." + </p> + <p> + He afterwards proceeded, in a rapid and hurried manner, to give his + Majesty the outlines of the battle, mentioning, with great encomium, + Capizucca and Aquila, Mondragon and Vasto, with many other officers, and + recommending them for reward and promotion; praising, in short, heartily + and earnestly, all who had contributed to the victory, except himself, to + whose personal exertions it was chiefly due. "As for good odd Mansfeld," + said he, "he bore himself like the man he is, and he deserves that your + Majesty should send him a particular mark of your royal approbation, + writing to him yourself pleasantly in Spanish, which is that which will be + most highly esteemed by him." Alexander hinted also that Philip would do + well to bestow upon Mansfeld the countship of Biart, as a reward for his + long years of faithful service! + </p> + <p> + This action on the Kowenstyn terminated the effective resistance of + Antwerp. A few days before, the monster-vessel, in the construction of + which so much time and money had been consumed, had at last been set + afloat. She had been called the War's End, and, so far as Antwerp was + concerned, the fates that presided over her birth seemed to have been + paltering in a double sense when the ominous name was conferred. She was + larger than anything previously known in naval architecture; she had four + masts and three helms. Her bulwarks were ten feet thick; her tops were + musket-proof. She had twenty guns of largest size, besides many other + pieces of artillery of lesser calibre, the lower tier of which was almost + at the water's level. She was to carry one thousand men, and she was so + supported on corks and barrels as to be sure to float under any + circumstances. Thus she was a great swimming fortress which could not be + sunk, and was impervious to shot. Unluckily, however, in spite of her four + masts and three helms, she would neither sail nor steer, and she proved + but a great, unmanageable and very ridiculous tub, fully justifying all + the sarcasms that had been launched upon her during the period of her + construction, which had been almost as long as the siege itself. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards called her the Bugaboo—a monster to scare children + withal. The patriots christened her the Elephant, the Antwerp Folly, the + Lost Penny, with many similar appellations. A small army might have been + maintained for a month, they said, on the money she had cost, or the whole + city kept in bread for three months. At last, late in May, a few days + before the battle of the Kowenstyn, she set forth from Antwerp, across the + submerged land, upon her expedition to sweep all the Spanish forts out of + existence, and to bring the war to its end. She came to her own end very + briefly, for, after drifting helplessly about for an hour, she stuck fast + in the sand in the neighbourhood of Ordam, while the crew and soldiers + made their escape, and came back to the city to share in the ridicule + which, from first to last, had attached itself to the monster-ship. + </p> + <p> + Two days after the Kowenstyn affair, Alexander sent an expedition under + Count Charles Mansfeld to take possession of the great Bugaboo. The boat, + in which were Count Charles, Count Aremberg, his brother de Barbancon, and + other noble volunteers, met with an accident: a keg of gun powder + accidentally exploding, blowing Aremberg into the water, whence he escaped + unharmed by swimming, and frightfully damaging Mansfeld in the face. This + indirect mischief—the only injury ever inflicted by the War's End + upon the enemy—did not prevent the rest of the party in the boats + from taking possession of the ship, and bringing her in triumph to the + Prince of Parma. After being thoroughly examined and heartily laughed at + by the Spaniards, she was broken up—her cannon, munitions, and other + valuable materials, being taken from her—and then there was an end + of the War's End. + </p> + <p> + This useless expenditure-against the judgment and entreaties of many + leading personages—was but a type of the difficulties with which + Sainte Aldegonde had been obliged to contend from the first day of the + siege to the last. Every one in the city had felt himself called on to + express an opinion as to the proper measures for defence. Diversity of + humours, popular license, anarchy, did not constitute the best government + for a city beleagured by Alexander Farnese. We have seen the deadly injury + inflicted upon the cause at the outset by the brutality of the butchers, + and the manful struggle which Sainte Aldegonde had maintained against + their cupidity and that of their friends. He had dealt with the thousand + difficulties which rose up around him from day to day, but his best + intentions were perpetually misconstrued, his most strenuous exertions + steadily foiled. It was a city where there was much love of money, and + where commerce—always timid by nature, particularly when controlled + by alien residents—was often the cause of almost abject cowardice. + </p> + <p> + From time to time there had been threatening demonstrations made against + the burgomaster, who, by protracting the resistance of Antwerp, was + bringing about the absolute destruction of a worldwide trade, and the + downfall of the most opulent capital in Christendom. There were also many + popular riots—very easily inflamed by the Catholic portion of the + inhabitants—for bread. "Bread, bread, or peace!" was hoarsely + shouted by ill-looking mischievous crowds, that dogged the steps and + besieged the doors of Sainte Aldegonde; but the burgomaster had done his + best by eloquence of tongue and personal courage, both against mobs and + against the enemy, to inspire the mass of his fellow-citizens with his own + generous spirit. He had relied for a long time on the negotiation with + France, and it would be difficult to exaggerate the disastrous effects + produced by the treachery of the Valois court. The historian Le Petit, a + resident of Antwerp at the time of the siege, had been despatched on + secret mission to Paris, and had communicated to the States' deputies + Sainte Aldegonde's earnest adjurations that they should obtain, if + possible, before it should be too late, an auxiliary force and a pecuniary + subsidy. An immediate assistance, even if slight, might be sufficient to + prevent Antwerp and its sister cities from falling into the hands of the + enemy. On that messenger's return, the burgomaster, much encouraged by his + report, had made many eloquent speeches in the senate, and for a long time + sustained the sinking spirits of the citizens. + </p> + <p> + The irritating termination to the triumph actually achieved against the + bridge, and the tragical result to the great enterprise against the + Kowenstyn, had now thoroughly broken the heart of Antwerp. For the last + catastrophe Sainte Aldegonde himself was highly censurable, although the + chief portion of the blame rested on the head of Hohenlo. Nevertheless the + States of Holland were yet true to the cause of the Union and of liberty. + Notwithstanding their heavy expenditures, and their own loss of men, they + urged warmly and earnestly the continuance of the resistance, and + promised, within at latest three months' time, to raise an army of twelve + thousand foot and seven thousand horse, with which they pledged themselves + to relieve the city, or to perish in the endeavour. At the same time, the + legation, which had been sent to England to offer the sovereignty to Queen + Elizabeth, sent encouraging despatches to Antwerp, assuring the + authorities that arrangements for an auxiliary force had been effected; + while Elizabeth herself wrote earnestly upon the subject with her own + hand. + </p> + <p> + "I am informed," said that Princess, "that through the closing of the + Scheldt you are likely to enter into a treaty with the Prince of Parma, + the issue of which is very much to be doubted, so far as the maintenance + of your privileges is concerned. Remembering the warm friendship which has + ever existed between this crown and the house of Burgundy, in the realms + of which you are an important member, and considering that my subjects + engaged in commerce have always met with more privilege and comity in the + Netherlands than in any other country, I have resolved to send you at + once, assistance, comfort, and aid. The details of the plan will be stated + by your envoys; but be assured that by me you will never be forsaken or + neglected." + </p> + <p> + The negotiations with Queen Elizabeth—most important for the + Netherlands, for England, and for the destinies of Europe—which + succeeded the futile diplomatic transactions with France, will be laid + before the reader in a subsequent chapter. It is proper that they should + be massed by themselves, so that the eye can comprehend at a single glance + their whole progress and aspect, as revealed both by public and official, + and by secret and hitherto unpublished records. Meantime, so far as + regards Antwerp, those negotiations had been too deliberately conducted + for the hasty and impatient temper of the citizens. + </p> + <p> + The spirit of the commercial metropolis, long flagging, seemed at last + broken. Despair was taking possession of all hearts. The common people did + nothing but complain, the magistrates did nothing but wrangle. In the + broad council the debates and dissensions were discouraging and endless. + Six of the eight militia-colonels were for holding out at all hazards, + while a majority of the eighty captains were for capitulation. The + populace was tumultuous and threatening, demanding peace and bread at any + price. Holland sent promises in abundance, and Holland was sincere; but + there had been much disappointment, and there was now infinite bitterness. + It seemed obvious that a crisis was fast approaching, and—unless + immediate aid should come from Holland or from England—that a + surrender was inevitable. La None, after five years' imprisonment, had at + last been exchanged against Count Philip Egmont. That noble, chief of an + ancient house, cousin of the Queen of France, was mortified at being + ransomed against a simple Huguenot gentleman—even though that + gentleman was the illustrious "iron-armed" La Noue—but he preferred + to sacrifice his dignity for the sake of his liberty. He was still more + annoyed that one hundred thousand crowns as security were exacted from La + Noue—for which the King of Navarre became bondsman—that he + would never again bear arms in the Netherlands except in obedience to the + French monarch, while no such pledges were required of himself. La None + visited the Prince of Parma at Antwerp, to take leave, and was received + with the courtesy due to his high character and great distinction. + Alexander took pleasure in showing him all his fortifications, and + explaining to him the whole system of the siege, and La Noue was filled + with honest amazement. He declared afterwards that the works were superb + and impregnable; and that if he had been on the outside at the head of + twelve thousand troops, he should have felt obliged to renounce the idea + of relieving the city. "Antwerp cannot escape you," confessed the veteran + Huguenot, "but must soon fall into your hands. And when you enter, I would + counsel you to hang up your sword at its gate, and let its capture be the + crowning trophy in your list of victories." + </p> + <p> + "You are right," answered Parma, "and many of my friends have given me the + same advice; but how am I to retire, engaged as I am for life in the + service of my King?" + </p> + <p> + Such was the opinion of La None, a man whose love for the reformed + religion and for civil liberty can be as little doubted as his competency + to form an opinion upon great military subjects. As little could he be + suspected just coming as he did from an infamous prison, whence he had + been at one time invited by Philip II. to emerge, on condition of allowing + his eyes to be put out—of any partiality for that monarch or his + representative. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, although the States of Holland and the English government were + earnestly desirous of relieving the city, and were encouraging the + patriots with well-founded promises, the Zeeland authorities were + lukewarm. The officers of the Zeeland navy, from which so much was + expected, were at last discouraged. They drew up, signed, and delivered to + Admiral Justinus de Nassau, a formal opinion to the effect that the + Scheldt had now so many dry and dangerous places, and that the tranquil + summer-nights—so different from those long, stormy ones of winter—were + so short as to allow of no attempt by water likely to be successful to + relieve the city. + </p> + <p> + Here certainly was much to discourage, and Sainte Aldegonde was at length + discouraged. He felt that the last hope of saving Antwerp was gone, and + with it all possibility of maintaining the existence of a United + Netherland commonwealth. The Walloon Provinces were lost already; Ghent, + Brussels, Mechlin, had also capitulated, and, with the fall of Antwerp, + Flanders and Brabant must fall. There would be no barrier left even to + save Holland itself. Despair entered the heart of the burgomaster, and he + listened too soon to its treacherous voice. Yet while he thought a free + national state no longer a possibility, he imagined it practicable to + secure religious liberty by negotiation with Philip II. He abandoned with + a sigh one of the two great objects for which he had struggled side by + side with Orange for twenty years, but he thought it possible to secure + the other. His purpose was now to obtain a favourable capitulation for + Antwerp, and at the same time to bring about the submission of Holland, + Zeeland, and the other United Provinces, to the King of Spain. Here + certainly was a great change of face on the part of one so conspicuous, + and hitherto so consistent, in the ranks of Netherland patriots, and it is + therefore necessary, in order thoroughly to estimate both the man and the + crisis, to follow carefully his steps through the secret path of + negotiation into which he now entered, and in which the Antwerp drama was + to find its conclusion. In these transactions, the chief actors are, on + the one side, the Prince of Parma, as representative of absolutism and the + Papacy; on the other, Sainte Aldegonde, who had passed his life as the + champion of the Reformation. + </p> + <p> + No doubt the pressure upon the burgomaster was very great. Tumults were of + daily occurrence. Crowds of rioters beset his door with cries of + denunciations and demands for bread. A large and turbulent mob upon one + occasion took possession of the horse-market, and treated him with + personal indignity and violence, when he undertook to disperse them. On + the other hand, Parma had been holding out hopes of pardon with more + reasonable conditions than could well be expected, and had, with a good + deal of art, taken advantage of several trivial circumstances to inspire + the burghers with confidence in his good-will. Thus, an infirm old lady in + the city happened to imagine herself so dependent upon asses milk as to + have sent her purveyor out of the city, at the peril of his life, to + procure a supply from the neighbourhood. The young man was captured, + brought to Alexander, from whose hands he very naturally expected the + punishment of a spy. The prince, however, presented him, not only with his + liberty, but with a she-ass; and loaded the animal with partridges and + capons, as a present for the invalid. The magistrates, hearing of the + incident, and not choosing to be outdone in courtesy, sent back a + waggon-load of old wine and remarkable confectionary as an offering to + Alexander, and with this interchange of dainties led the way to the + amenities of diplomacy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart + Demanding peace and bread at any price + Not a friend of giving details larger than my ascertained facts +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. 1585, Part 3, Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Sainte Aldegonde discouraged—His Critical Position—His + Negotiations with the Enemy—Correspondence with Richardot— + Commotion in the City—Interview of Marnix with Parma—Suspicious + Conduct of Marnix—Deputation to the Prince—Oration of Marnix— + Private Views of Parma—Capitulation of Antwerp—Mistakes of Marnix + —Philip on the Religious Question—Triumphal Entrance of Alexander— + Rebuilding of the Citadel—Gratification of Philip—Note on Sainte + Aldegonde +</pre> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde's position had become a painful one. The net had been + drawn closely about the city. The bridge seemed impregnable, the great + Kowenstyn was irrecoverably in the hands of the enemy, and now all the + lesser forts in the immediate vicinity of Antwerp-Borght, Hoboken, + Cantecroix, Stralen, Berghen, and the rest—had likewise fallen into + his grasp. An account of grain, taken on the 1st of June, gave an average + of a pound a-head for a month long, or half a pound for two months. This + was not the famine-point, according to the standard which had once been + established in Leyden; but the courage of the burghers had been rapidly + oozing away, under the pressure of their recent disappointments. It seemed + obvious to the burgomaster, that the time for yielding had arrived. + </p> + <p> + "I had maintained the city," he said, "for a long period, without any + excessive tumult or great effusion of blood—a city where there was + such a multitude of inhabitants, mostly merchants or artisans deprived of + all their traffic, stripped of their manufactures, destitute of all + commodities and means of living. I had done this in the midst of a great + diversity of humours and opinions, a vast popular license, a confused + anarchy, among a great number of commanders, most of them inexperienced in + war; with very little authority of my own, with slender forces of ships, + soldiers, and sailors; with alight appearance of support from king or + prince without, or of military garrison within; and under all these + circumstances I exerted myself to do my uttermost duty in preserving the + city, both in regard to its internal government, and by force of arms by + land and sea, without sparing myself in any labour or peril. + </p> + <p> + "I know very well that there are many persons, who, finding themselves + quite at their ease, and far away from the hard blows that are passing, + are pleased to exhibit their wisdom by sitting in judgment upon others, + founding their decision only upon the results. But I demand to be judged + by equity and reason, when passion has been set aside. I claim that my + honour shall be protected against my calumniators; for all should remember + that I am not the first man, nor shall I be the last, that has been blamed + unjustly. All persons employed in public affairs are subject to such + hazards, but I submit myself to Him who knows all hearts, and who governs + all. I take Him to witness that in the affair of Antwerp, as in all my + other actions since my earliest youth, I have most sincerely sought His + glory and the welfare of His poor people, without regard to my own private + interests." + </p> + <p> + For it is not alone the fate of Antwerp that is here to be recorded. The + fame of Sainte Aldegonde was now seriously compromised. The character of a + great man must always be closely scanned and scrutinised; protected, if + needful, against calumny, but always unflinchingly held up to the light. + Names illustrious by genius and virtue are History's most precious + treasures, faithfully to be guarded by her, jealously to be watched; but + it is always a misfortune when her eyes are deceived by a glitter which is + not genuine. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde was a man of unquestionable genius. His character had + ever been beyond the reproach of self-seeking or ignoble ambition. He had + multiplied himself into a thousand forms to serve the cause of the United + Netherland States, and the services so rendered had been brilliant and + frequent. A great change in his conduct and policy was now approaching, + and it is therefore the more necessary to examine closely at this epoch + his attitude and his character. + </p> + <p> + Early in June, Richardot, president of the council of Artois, addressed a + letter to Sainte Aldegonde, by command of Alexander of Parma, suggesting a + secret interview between the burgomaster and the Prince. + </p> + <p> + On the 8th of June, Sainte Aldegonde replied, in favourable terms, as to + the interview; but observed, that, as he was an official personage, it was + necessary for him to communicate the project to the magistracy of the + city. He expressed likewise the hope that Parma would embrace the present + opportunity for making a general treaty with all the Provinces. A special + accord with Antwerp, leaving out Holland and Zeeland, would, he said, lead + to the utter desolation of that city, and to the destruction of its + commerce and manufactures, while the occasion now presented itself to the + Prince of "winning praise and immortal glory by bringing back all the + country to a voluntary and prompt obedience to his Majesty." He proposed, + that, instead of his coming alone, there should be a number of deputies + sent from Antwerp to confer with Alexander. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th June, Richardot replied by expressing, his own regrets and + those of the Prince, that the interview could not have been with the + burgomaster alone, but acknowledging the weight of his reasons, and + acquiescing in the proposition to send a larger deputation. Three days + afterwards, Sainte Aldegonde, on private consultation with some + confidential personages, changed his ground; announced his preference for + a private interview, under four eyes, with Parma; and requested that a + passport might be sent. The passport was accordingly forwarded the same + day, with an expression of Alexander's gratification, and with the offer, + on the part of Richardot, to come himself to Antwerp as hostage during the + absence of the burgomaster in Parma's camp at Beveren. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde was accordingly about to start on the following day (16th + of June), but meantime the affair had got wind. A secret interview, thus + projected, was regarded by the citizens as extremely suspicious. There was + much bitter insinuation against the burgomaster—many violent + demonstrations. "Aldegonde, they say, is going to see Parma," said one of + the burghers, "which gives much dissatisfaction, because, 'tis feared that + he will make a treaty according to the appetite and pleasure of his + Highness, having been gained over to the royal cause by money. He says + that it would be a misfortune to send a large number of burghers. Last + Sunday (16th June) there was a meeting of the broad council. The preachers + came into the assembly and so animated the citizens by demonstrations of + their religion, that all rushed from the council-house, crying with loud + voices that they did not desire peace but war." + </p> + <p> + This desire was a healthy and a reasonable one; but, unfortunately, the + Antwerpers had not always been so vigorous or so united in their + resistance to Parma. At present, however, they were very furious, so soon + as the secret purpose of Sainte Aldegonde became generally known. The + proposed capitulation, which great mobs had been for weeks long savagely + demanding at the hands of the burgomaster, was now ascribed to the + burgomaster's unblushing corruption. He had obviously, they thought, been + purchased by Spanish ducats to do what he had hitherto been so steadily + refusing. A certain Van Werne had gone from Antwerp into Holland a few + days before upon his own private affairs, with a safe-conduct from Parma. + Sainte Aldegonde had not communicated to him the project then on foot, but + he had permitted him to seek a secret interview with Count Mansfeld. If + that were granted, Van Werne was to hint that in case the Provinces could + promise themselves a religious peace it would be possible, in the opinion + of Sainte Aldegonde, to induce Holland and Zealand and all the rest of the + United Provinces, to return to their obedience. Van Werne, on his return + to Antwerp, divulged these secret negotiations, and so put a stop to + Sainte Aldegonde's scheme of going alone to Parma. "This has given a bad + suspicion to the people," wrote the burgomaster to Richardot, "so much so + that I fear to have trouble. The broad council has been in session, but I + don't know what has taken place there, and I do not dare to ask." + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde's motive, as avowed by himself, for seeking a private + interview, was because he had received no answer to the main point in his + first letter, as to the proposition for a general accord. In order + therefore to make the deliberations more rapid, he had been disposed to + discuss that preliminary question in secret. "But now," said he to + Richardot, "as the affair had been too much divulged, as well by diverse + reports and writings sown about, very inopportunely, as by the arrival of + M. Van Werne, I have not found it practicable to set out upon my road, + without communication with the members of the government. This has been + done, however, not in the way of consultation, but as the announcement of + a thing already resolved upon." + </p> + <p> + He proceeded to state, that great difficulties had arisen, exactly as he + had foreseen. The magistrates would not hear of a general accord, and it + was therefore necessary that a delay should be interposed before it would + be possible for him to come. He begged Richardot to persuade Alexander, + that he was not trifling with him. "It is not," said he, "from lightness, + or any other passion, that I am retarding this affair. I will do all in my + power to obtain leave to make a journey to the camp of his Highness, at + whatever price it may cost and I hope before long to arrive at my object. + If I fail, it must be ascribed to the humours of the people; for my + anxiety to restore all the Provinces to obedience to his Majesty is + extreme." + </p> + <p> + Richardot, in reply, the next day, expressed regret, without astonishment, + on the part of Alexander and himself, at the intelligence thus received. + People had such difference of humour, he said, and all men were not + equally capable of reason. Nevertheless the citizens were warned not to + misconstrue Parma's gentleness, because he was determined to die, with his + whole army, rather than not take Antwerp. "As for the King," said + Richardot, "he will lay down all his crowns sooner than abandon this + enterprise." Van Werne was represented as free from blame, and sincerely + desirous of peace. Richardot had only stated to him, in general terms, + that letters had been received from Sainte Aldegonde, expressing an + opinion in favour of peace. As for the royalists, they were quite innocent + of the reports and writings that had so inopportunely been circulated in + the city. It was desirable, however, that the negotiation should not too + long be deferred, for otherwise Antwerp might perish, before a general + accord with Holland and Zeeland could be made. He begged Sainte Aldegonde + to banish all anxiety as to Parma's sentiments towards himself or the + community. "Put yourself, Sir, quite at your ease," said he. "His Highness + is in no respects dissatisfied with you, nor prone to conceive any + indignation against this poor people." He assured the burgomaster that he + was not suspected of lightness, nor of a wish to delay matters, but he + expressed solicitude with regard to the threatening demonstrations which + had been made against him in Antwerp. "For," said he, "popular governments + are full of a thousand hazards, and it would be infinitely painful to me, + if you should come to harm." + </p> + <p> + Thus it would appear that it was Sainte Aldegonde who was chiefly anxious + to effect the reconciliation of Holland and Zeeland with the King. The + initiative of this project to include all the United Provinces in one + scheme with the reduction of Antwerp came originally from him, and was + opposed, at the outset, by the magistrates of that city, by the Prince of + Parma and his councillors, and, by the States of Holland and Zeeland. The + demonstrations on the part of the preachers, the municipal authorities, + and the burghers, against Sainte Aldegonde and his plan for a secret + interview, so soon as it was divulged, made it impossible to carry that + project into effect. + </p> + <p> + "Aldegonde, who governs Antwerp," wrote Parma to Philip, "was + endeavouring, eight days ago, to bring about some kind of negotiation for + an accord. He manifested a desire to come hither for the sake of a + personal interview with me, which I permitted. It was to have taken place + last Sunday, 16th of this month, but by reason of a certain popular + tumult, which arose out of these circumstances, it has been necessary to + defer the meeting." + </p> + <p> + There was much disappointment felt by the royalist at this unsatisfactory + result. "These bravadoes and impertinent demonstrations on the part of + some of your people," wrote Richardot, ten days later, "will be the + destruction of the whole country, and will convert the Prince's gentleness + into anger. 'Tis these good and zealous patriots, trusting to a little + favourable breeze that blew for a few days past, who have been the cause + of all this disturbance, and who are ruining their miserable country—miserable, + I say, for having produced such abortions as themselves." + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding what had passed, however, Richardot intimated that + Alexander was still ready to negotiate. "And if you, Sir," he concluded, + in his letter to Aldegonde, "concerning whom many of our friends have at + present a sinister opinion, as if your object was to circumvent us, are + willing to proceed roundly and frankly, as I myself firmly believe that + you will do, we may yet hope for a favourable issue." + </p> + <p> + Thus the burgomaster was already the object of suspicion to both parties. + The Antwerpers denounced him as having been purchased by Spanish gold; the + royalists accused him of intending to overreach the King. It was not + probable therefore that all were correct in their conjectures. + </p> + <p> + At last it was arranged that deputies should be appointed by the broad + council to commence a negotiation with Parma. Sainte Aldegonde informed + Richardot, that he would (5th July, 1585) accompany them, if his affairs + should permit. He protested his sincerity and frankness throughout the + whole affair. "They try to calumniate me," he said, "as much on one side + as on the other, but I will overcome by my innocence all the malice of my + slanderers. If his Highness should be pleased to grant us some liberty for + our religion, I dare to promise such faithful service as will give very + great satisfaction." + </p> + <p> + Four days later, Sainte Aldegonde himself, together with M. de Duffel, M. + de Schoonhoven, and Adrian Hesselt, came to Parma's camp at Beveren, as + deputies on the part of the Antwerp authorities. They were courteously + received by the Prince, and remained three days as his guests. During the + period of this visit, the terms of a capitulation were thoroughly + discussed, between Alexander and his councillors upon one part, and the + four deputies on the other. The envoys endeavoured, with all the arguments + at their command, to obtain the consent of the Prince to three preliminary + points which they laid down as indispensable. Religious liberty must be + granted, the citadel must not be reconstructed, a foreign garrison must + not be admitted; they said. As it was the firm intention of the King, + however, not to make the slightest concession on any one of these points, + the discussion was not a very profitable one. Besides the public + interviews at which all the negotiators were present, there was a private + conference between Parma and Sainte Aldegonde which lasted more than four + hours, in which each did his best to enforce his opinions upon the other. + The burgomaster endeavoured to persuade the Prince with all the eloquence + for which he was so renowned, that the hearts not of the Antwerpers only, + but of the Hollanders and Zeelanders, were easily to be won at that + moment. Give them religious liberty, and attempt to govern them by + gentleness rather than by Spanish garrisons, and the road was plain to a + complete reconciliation of all the Provinces with his Majesty. + </p> + <p> + Alexander, who knew his master to be inexorable upon these three points, + was courteous but peremptory in his statements. He recommended that the + rebels should take into consideration their own declining strength, the + inexhaustible resources of the King, the impossibility of obtaining + succour from France, and the perplexing dilatoriness of England, rather + than waste their time in idle expectations of a change in the Spanish + policy. He also intimated, obliquely but very plainly, to Sainte + Aldegonde, that his own fortune would be made, and that he had everything + to hope from his Majesty's bounty, if he were now willing to make himself + useful in carrying into effect the royal plans. + </p> + <p> + The Prince urged these views with so much eloquence, that he seemed, in + his own words, to have been directly inspired by the Lord for this special + occasion! Sainte Aldegonde, too, was signally impressed by Alexander's + language, and thoroughly fascinated-magnetized, as it were—by his + character. He subsequently declared, that he had often conversed + familiarly with many eloquent personages, but that he had never known a + man more powerful or persuasive than the Prince of Parma. He could + honestly say of him—as Hasdrubal had said of Scipio—that + Farnese was even more admirable when seen face to face, than he had seemed + when one only heard of his glorious achievements. + </p> + <p> + "The burgomaster and three deputies," wrote Parma to Philip, "were here + until the 12th July. We discussed (30th July, 1585) the points and form of + a capitulation, and they have gone back thoroughly satisfied. Sainte + Aldegonde especially was much pleased with the long interview which he had + with me, alone, and which lasted more than three hours. I told him, as + well as my weakness and suffering from the tertian fever permitted, all + that God inspired me to say on our behalf." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, if Sainte Aldegonde and his colleagues went away thoroughly + satisfied, they had reason, soon after their return, to become thoroughly + dejected. The magistrates and burghers would not listen to a proposition + to abandon the three points, however strongly urged to do so by arguments + drawn from the necessity of the situation, and by representations of + Parma's benignity. As for the burgomaster, he became the target for + calumny, so soon as his three hours' private interview became known; and + the citizens loudly declared that his head ought to be cut off, and sent + in a bag, as a present, to Philip, in order that the traitor might meet + the sovereign with whom he sought a reconciliation, face to face, as soon + as possible. + </p> + <p> + The deputies, immediately after their return, made their report to the + magistrates, as likewise to the colonels and captains, and to the deans of + guilds. Next day, although it was Sunday, there was a session of the broad + council, and Sainte Aldegonde made a long address, in which—as he + stated in a letter to Richardot—he related everything that had + passed in his private conversation with Alexander. An answer was promised + to Parma on the following Tuesday, but the burgomaster spoke very + discouragingly as to the probability of an accord. + </p> + <p> + "The joy with which our return was greeted," he said, "was followed by a + general disappointment and sadness, so soon as the result was known. The + want of a religious toleration, as well as the refusal to concede on the + other two points, has not a little altered the hearts of all, even of the + Catholics. A citadel and a garrison are considered ruin and desolation to + a great commercial city. I have done what I can to urge the acceptance of + such conditions as the Prince is willing to give, and have spoken in + general terms of his benign intentions. The citizens still desire peace. + Had his Highness been willing to take both religions under his protection, + he might have won all hearts, and very soon all the other Provinces would + have returned to their obedience, while the clemency and magnanimity of + his Majesty would thus have been rendered admirable throughout the world." + </p> + <p> + The power to form an accurate conception as to the nature of Philip and of + other personages with whom he was dealing, and as to the general signs of + his times, seems to have been wanting in the character of the gifted + Aldegonde. He had been dazzled by the personal presence of Parma, and he + now spoke of Philip II., as if his tyranny over the Netherlands—which + for twenty years had been one horrible and uniform whole—were the + accidental result of circumstances, not the necessary expression of his + individual character, and might be easily changed at will—as if + Nero, at a moment's warning, might transform himself into Trajan. It is + true that the innermost soul of the Spanish king could by no possibility + be displayed to any contemporary, as it reveals itself, after three + centuries, to those who study the record of his most secret thoughts; but, + at any rate, it would seem that his career had been sufficiently + consistent, to manifest the amount of "clemency and magnanimity" which he + might be expected to exercise. + </p> + <p> + "Had his Majesty," wrote Sainte Aldegonde, "been willing, since the year + sixty-six, to pursue a course of toleration, the memory of his reign would + have been sacred to all posterity, with an immortal praise of sapience, + benignity, and sovereign felicity." + </p> + <p> + This might be true, but nevertheless a tolerating Philip, in the year + 1585, ought to have seemed to Sainte Aldegonde an impossible idea. + </p> + <p> + "The emperors," continued the burgomaster, "who immediately succeeded + Tiberius were the cause of the wisdom which displayed itself in the good + Trajan—also a Spaniard—and in Antoninus, Verus, and the rest: + If you think that this city, by the banishment of a certain number of + persons, will be content to abandon the profession of the reformed faith, + you are much mistaken. You will see, with time, that the exile of this + religion will be accompanied by a depopulation and a sorrowful ruin and + desolation of this flourishing city. But this will be as it pleases God. + Meantime I shall not fail to make all possible exertions to induce the + citizens to consent to a reconciliation with his Majesty. The broad + council will soon give their answer, and then we shall send a deputation. + We shall invite Holland and Zeeland to join with us, but there is little + hope of their consent." + </p> + <p> + Certainly there was little hope of their consent. Sainte Aldegonde was now + occupied in bringing about the capitulation of Antwerp, without any + provision for religious liberty—a concession which Parma had most + distinctly refused—and it was not probable that Holland and Zeeland, + after twenty years of hard fighting, and with an immediate prospect of + assistance from England—could now be induced to resign the great + object of the contest without further struggle. + </p> + <p> + It was not until a month had elapsed that the authorities of Antwerp sent + their propositions to the Prince of Parma. On the 12th August, however, + Sainte Aldegonde, accompanied by the same three gentlemen who had been + employed on the first mission, and by seventeen others besides, proceeded + with safe-conduct to the camp at Beveren. Here they were received with + great urbanity, and hospitably entertained by Alexander, who received + their formal draft of articles for a capitulation, and referred it to be + reported upon to Richardot, Pamel, and Vanden Burgh. Meantime there were + many long speeches and several conferences, sometimes between all the + twenty-one envoys and the Prince together; on other occasions, more secret + ones, at which only Aldegonde and one or two of his colleagues were + present. It had been obvious, from the date of the first interview, in the + preceding month, that the negotiation would be of no avail until the + government of Antwerp was prepared to abandon all the conditions which + they had originally announced as indispensable. Alexander had not much + disposition and no authority whatever to make concessions. + </p> + <p> + "So far as I can understand," Parma had written on the 30th July, "they + are very far from a conclusion. They have most exorbitant ideas, talking + of some kind of liberty of conscience, besides refusing on any account to + accept of garrisons, and having many reasons to allege on such subjects." + </p> + <p> + The discussions, therefore, after the deputies had at last arrived, though + courteously conducted, could scarcely be satisfactory to both parties. + "The articles were thoroughly deliberated upon," wrote Alexander, "by all + the deputies, nor did I fail to have private conferences with Aldegonde, + that most skilful and practised lawyer and politician, as well as with two + or three of the others. I did all in my power to bring them to a thorough + recognition of their errors, and to produce a confidence in his Majesty's + clemency, in order that they might concede what was needful for the + interests of the Catholic religion and the security of the city. They + heard all I had to say without exasperating themselves, and without + interposing any strong objections, except in the matter of religion, and, + still more, in the matter of the citadel and the garrison. Aldegonde took + much pains to persuade me that it would be ruinous for a great, opulent, + commercial city to submit to a foreign military force. Even if compelled + by necessity to submit now, the inhabitants would soon be compelled by the + same necessity to abandon the place entirely, and to leave in ruins one of + the most splendid and powerful cities in the world, and in this opinion + Catholics and heretics unanimously concurred. The deputies protested, with + one accord, that so pernicious and abominable a thing as a citadel and + garrison could not even be proposed to their constituents. I answered, + that, so long as the rebellion of Holland and Zeeland lasted, it would be + necessary for your Majesty to make sure of Antwerp, by one or the other of + those means, but promised that the city should be relieved of the + incumbrance so soon as those islands should be reduced. + </p> + <p> + "Sainte Aldegonde was not discouraged by this statement, but in the hope + of convincing others, or with the wish of showing that he had tried his + best, desired that I would hear him before the council of state. I granted + the request, and Sainte Aldegonde then made another long and very elegant + oration, intended to divert me from my resolution." + </p> + <p> + It must be confessed—if the reports, which have come down to us of + that long and elegant oration be correct—that the enthusiasm of the + burgomaster for Alexander was rapidly degenerating into idolatry. + </p> + <p> + "We are not here, O invincible Prince," he said, "that we may excuse, by + an anxious legation, the long defence which we have made of our homes. Who + could have feared any danger to the most powerful city in the Netherlands + from so moderate a besieging force? You would yourself have rather wished + for, than approved of, a greater facility on our part, for the brave + cannot love the timid. We knew the number of your troops, we had + discovered the famine in your camp, we were aware of the paucity of your + ships, we had heard of the quarrels in your army, we were expecting daily + to hear of a general mutiny among your soldiers. Were we to believe that + with ten or eleven thousand men you would be able to block up the city by + land and water, to reduce the open country of Brabant, to cut off all aid + as well from the neighbouring towns as from the powerful provinces of + Holland and Zeeland, to oppose, without a navy, the whole strength of our + fleets, directed against the dyke? Truly, if you had been at the head of + fifty thousand soldiers, and every soldier had possessed one hundred + hands, it would have seemed impossible for you to meet so many emergencies + in so many places, and under so many distractions. What you have done we + now believe possible to do, only because we see that it has been done. You + have subjugated the Scheldt, and forced it to bear its bridge, + notwithstanding the strength of its current, the fury of the ocean-tides, + the tremendous power of the icebergs, the perpetual conflicts with our + fleets. We destroyed your bridge, with great slaughter of your troops. + Rendered more courageous by that slaughter, you restored that mighty work. + We assaulted the great dyke, pierced it through and through, and opened a + path for our ships. You drove us off when victors, repaired the ruined + bulwark, and again closed to us the avenue of relief. What machine was + there that we did not employ? what miracles of fire did we not invent? + what fleets and floating citadels did we not put in motion? All that + genius, audacity, and art, could teach us we have executed, calling to our + assistance water, earth, heaven, and hell itself. Yet with all these + efforts, with all this enginry, we have not only failed to drive you from + our walls, but we have seen you gaining victories over other cities at the + same time. You have done a thing, O Prince, than which there is nothing + greater either in ancient or modern story. It has often occurred, while a + general was besieging one city that he lost another situate farther off. + But you, while besieging Antwerp, have reduced simultaneously Dendermonde, + Ghent, Nymegen, Brussels, and Mechlin." + </p> + <p> + All this, and much more, with florid rhetoric, the burgomaster pronounced + in honour of Farnese, and the eulogy was entirely deserved. It was hardly + becoming, however, for such lips, at such a moment, to sound the praise of + him whose victory had just decided the downfall of religious liberty, and + of the national independence of the Netherlands. His colleagues certainly + must have winced, as they listened to commendations so lavishly bestowed + upon the representative of Philip, and it is not surprising that Sainte + Aldegonde's growing unpopularity should, from that hour, have rapidly + increased. To abandon the whole object of the siege, when resistance + seemed hopeless, was perhaps pardonable, but to offer such lip-homage to + the conqueror was surely transgressing the bounds of decorum. + </p> + <p> + His conclusion, too, might to Alexander seem as insolent as the whole + tenor of his address had been humble; for, after pronouncing this solemn + eulogy upon the conqueror, he calmly proposed that the prize of the + contest should be transferred to the conquered. + </p> + <p> + "So long as liberty of religion, and immunity from citadel and garrison + can be relied upon," he said, "so long will Antwerp remain the most + splendid and flourishing city in Christendom; but desolation will ensue if + the contrary policy is to prevail." + </p> + <p> + But it was very certain that liberty of religion, as well as immunity from + citadel and garrison, were quite out of the question. Philip and Parma had + long been inexorably resolved upon all the three points. + </p> + <p> + "After the burgomaster had finished his oration," wrote Alexander to his + sovereign, "I discussed the matter with him in private, very distinctly + and minutely." + </p> + <p> + The religious point was soon given up, Sainte Aldegonde finding it waste + of breath to say anything more about freedom of conscience. A suggestion + was however made on the subject of the garrison, which the prince + accepted, because it contained a condition which it would be easy to + evade. + </p> + <p> + "Aldegonde proposed," said Parma, "that a garrison might be admissible if + I made my entrance into the city merely with infantry and cavalry of + nations which were acceptable—Walloons, namely, and Germans—and + in no greater numbers than sufficient for a body-guard. I accepted, + because, in substance, this would amount to a garrison, and because, also, + after the magistrates shall have been changed, I shall have no difficulty + in making myself master of the people, continuing the garrison, and + rebuilding the citadel." + </p> + <p> + The Prince proceeded to give his reasons why he was willing to accept the + capitulation on what he considered so favourable terms to the besieged. + Autumn was approaching. Already the fury of the storms had driven vessels + clean over the dykes; the rebels in Holland and Zeeland were preparing + their fleets—augmented by many new ships of war and fire-machines—for + another desperate attack upon the Palisades, in which there was great + possibility of their succeeding; an auxiliary force from England was soon + expected; so that, in view of all these circumstances, he had resolved to + throw himself at his Majesty's feet and implore his clemency. "If this + people of Antwerp, as the head, is gained," said he, "there will be + tranquillity in all the members." + </p> + <p> + These reasons were certainly conclusive; nor is it easy to believe, that, + under the circumstances thus succinctly stated by Alexander, it would have + been impossible for the patriots to hold out until the promised succour + from Holland and from England should arrive. In point of fact, the bridge + could not have stood the winter which actually ensued; for it was the + repeatedly expressed opinion of the Spanish officers in Antwerp, that the + icebergs which then filled the Scheldt must inevitably have shattered + twenty bridges to fragments, had there been so many. It certainly was + superfluous for the Prince to make excuses to Philip for accepting the + proposed capitulation. All the prizes of victory had been thoroughly + secured, unless pillage, massacre, and rape, which had been the regular + accompaniments of Alva's victories, were to be reckoned among the + indispensable trophies of a Spanish triumph. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the dearth in the city had been well concealed from the + enemy; for, three days after the surrender, not a loaf of bread was to be + had for any money in all Antwerp, and Alexander declared that he would + never have granted such easy conditions had he been aware of the real + condition of affairs. + </p> + <p> + The articles of capitulation agreed upon between Parma and the deputies + were brought before the broad council on the 9th August. There was much + opposition to them, as many magistrates and other influential personages + entertained sanguine expectations from the English negotiation, and were + beginning to rely with confidence upon the promises of Queen Elizabeth. + The debate was waxing warm, when some of the councillors, looking out of + window of the great hall, perceived that a violent mob had collected in + the streets. Furious cries for bread were uttered, and some meagre-looking + individuals were thrust forward to indicate the famine which was + prevailing, and the necessity of concluding the treaty without further + delay. Thus the municipal government was perpetually exposed to democratic + violence, excited by diametrically opposite influences. Sometimes the + burgomaster was denounced for having sold himself and his country to the + Spaniards, and was assailed with execrations for being willing to conclude + a sudden and disgraceful peace. At other moments he was accused of forging + letters containing promises of succour from the Queen of England and from + the authorities of Holland, in order to protract the lingering tortures of + the war. Upon this occasion the peace-mob carried its point. The + councillors, looking out of window, rushed into the hall with direful + accounts of the popular ferocity; the magistrates and colonels who had + been warmest in opposition suddenly changed their tone, and the whole body + of the broad council accepted the articles of capitulation by a unanimous + vote. + </p> + <p> + The window was instantly thrown open, and the decision publicly announced. + The populace, wild with delight, rushed through the streets, tearing down + the arms of the Duke of Anjou, which had remained above the public + edifices since the period of that personage's temporary residence in the + Netherlands, and substituting, with wonderful celerity, the escutcheon of + Philip the Second. Thus suddenly could an Antwerp mob pass from democratic + insolence to intense loyalty. + </p> + <p> + The articles, on the whole, were as liberal as could have been expected. + The only hope for Antwerp and for a great commonwealth of all the + Netherlands was in holding out, even to the last gasp, until England and + Holland, now united, had time to relieve the city. This was, + unquestionably, possible. Had Antwerp possessed the spirit of Leyden, had + William of Orange been alive, that Spanish escutcheon, now raised with + such indecent haste, might have never been seen again on the outside wall + of any Netherland edifice. Belgium would have become at once a constituent + portion of a great independent national realm, instead of languishing + until our own century, the dependency of a distant and a foreign + metropolis. Nevertheless, as the Antwerpers were not disposed to make + themselves martyrs, it was something that they escaped the nameless + horrors which had often alighted upon cities subjected to an enraged + soldiery. It redounds to the eternal honour of Alexander Farnese—when + the fate of Naarden and Haarlem and Maestricht, in the days of Alva, and + of Antwerp itself in the horrible "Spanish fury," is remembered—that + there were no scenes of violence and outrage in the populous and wealthy + city, which was at length at his mercy after having defied him so long. + </p> + <p> + Civil and religious liberty were trampled in the dust, commerce and + manufactures were destroyed, the most valuable portion of the citizens + sent into hopeless exile, but the remaining inhabitants were not butchered + in cold blood. + </p> + <p> + The treaty was signed on the 17th August. Antwerp was to return to its + obedience. There was to be an entire amnesty and oblivion for the past, + without a single exception. Royalist absentees were to be reinstated in + their possessions. Monasteries, churches, and the King's domains were to + be restored to their former proprietors. The inhabitants of the city were + to practise nothing but the Catholic religion. Those who refused to + conform were allowed to remain two years for the purpose of winding up + their affairs and selling out their property, provided that during that + period they lived "without scandal towards the ancient religion"—a + very vague and unsatisfactory condition. All prisoners were to be released + excepting Teligny. Four hundred thousand florins were to be paid by the + authorities as a fine. The patriot garrison was to leave the city with + arms and baggage and all the honours of war. + </p> + <p> + This capitulation gave more satisfaction to the hungry portion of the + Antwerpers than to the patriot party of the Netherlands. Sainte Aldegonde + was vehemently and unsparingly denounced as a venal traitor. It is + certain, whatever his motives, that his attitude had completely changed. + For it was not Antwerp alone that he had reconciled or was endeavouring to + reconcile with the King of Spain, but Holland and Zeeland as well, and all + the other independent Provinces. The ancient champion of the patriot army, + the earliest signer of the 'Compromise,' the bosom friend of William the + Silent, the author of the 'Wilhelmus' national song, now avowed his + conviction, in a published defence of his conduct against the calumnious + attacks upon it, "that it was impossible, with a clear conscience, for + subjects, under any circumstances, to take up arms against Philip, their + king." Certainly if he had always entertained that opinion he must have + suffered many pangs of remorse during his twenty years of active and + illustrious rebellion. He now made himself secretly active in promoting + the schemes of Parma and in counteracting the negotiation with England. He + flattered himself, with an infatuation which it is difficult to + comprehend, that it would be possible to obtain religious liberty for the + revolting Provinces, although he had consented to its sacrifice in + Antwerp. It is true that he had not the privilege of reading Philip's + secret letters to Parma, but what was there in the character of the King—what + intimation had ever been given by the Governor-General—to induce a + belief in even the possibility of such a concession? + </p> + <p> + Whatever Sainte Aldegonde's opinions, it is certain that Philip had no + intention of changing his own policy. He at first suspected the + burgomaster of a wish to protract the negotiations for a perfidious + purpose. + </p> + <p> + "Necessity has forced Antwerp," he wrote on the 17th of August—the + very day on which the capitulation was actually signed—"to enter + into negotiation. I understand the artifice of Aldegonde in seeking to + prolong and make difficult the whole affair, under pretext of treating for + the reduction of Holland and Zeeland at the same time. It was therefore + very adroit in you to defeat this joint scheme at once, and urge the + Antwerp matter by itself, at the same time not shutting the door on the + others. With the prudence and dexterity with which this business has thus + far been managed I am thoroughly satisfied." + </p> + <p> + The King also expressed his gratification at hearing from Parma that the + demand for religious liberty in the Netherlands would soon be abandoned. + </p> + <p> + "In spite of the vehemence," he said, "which they manifest in the + religious matter, desiring some kind of liberty, they will in the end, as + you say they will, content themselves with what the other cities, which + have returned to obedience, have obtained. This must be done in all cases + without flinching, and without permitting any modification." + </p> + <p> + What "had been obtained" by Brussels, Mechlin, Ghent, was well known. The + heretics had obtained the choice of renouncing their religion or of going + into perpetual exile, and this was to be the case "without flinching" in + Holland and Zeeland, if those provinces chose to return to obedience. Yet + Sainte Aldegonde deluded himself with the thought of a religious peace. + </p> + <p> + In another and very important letter of the same date Philip laid down his + policy very distinctly. The Prince of Parma, by no means such a bigot as + his master, had hinted at the possibility of tolerating the reformed + religion in the places recovered from the rebels, sub silentio, for a + period not defined, and long enough for the heretics to awake from their + errors. + </p> + <p> + "You have got an expression of opinion, I see," wrote the King to + Alexander, "of some grave men of wisdom and conscience, that the + limitation of time, during which the heretics may live without scandal, + may be left undefined; but I feel very keenly the danger of such a + proposition. With regard to Holland and Zeeland, or any other provinces or + towns, the first step must be for them to receive and maintain alone the + exercise of the Catholic religion, and to subject themselves to the Roman + church, without tolerating the exercise of any other religion, in city, + village, farm-house, or building thereto destined in the fields, or in any + place whatsoever; and in this regulation there is to be no flaw, no + change, no concession by convention or otherwise of a religious peace, or + anything of the sort. They are all to embrace the Roman Catholic religion, + and the exercise of that is alone to be permitted." + </p> + <p> + This certainly was distinct enough, and nothing had been ever said in + public to induce a belief in any modification of the principles on which + Philip had uniformly acted. That monarch considered himself born to + suppress heresy, and he had certainly been carrying out this work during + his whole lifetime. + </p> + <p> + The King was willing, however, as Alexander had intimated in his + negotiations with Antwerp, and previously in the capitulation of Brussels, + Ghent, and other places, that there should be an absence of investigation + into the private chambers of the heretics, during the period allotted them + for choosing between the Papacy and exile. + </p> + <p> + "It may be permitted," said Philip, "to abstain from inquiring as to what + the heretics are doing within their own doors, in a private way, without + scandal, or any public exhibition of their rites during a fixed time. But + this connivance, and the abstaining from executing the heretics, or from + chastising them, even although they may be living very circumspectly, is + to be expressed in very vague terms." + </p> + <p> + Being most anxious to provide against a second crop of heretics to succeed + the first, which he was determined to uproot, he took pains to enjoin with + his own hand upon Parma the necessity of putting in Catholic schoolmasters + and mistresses to the exclusion of reformed teachers into all the + seminaries of the recovered Provinces, in order that all the boys and + girls might grow up in thorough orthodoxy. + </p> + <p> + Yet this was the man from whom Sainte Aldegonde imagined the possibility + of obtaining a religious peace. + </p> + <p> + Ten days after the capitulation, Parma made his triumphal entrance into + Antwerp; but, according to his agreement, he spared the citizens the + presence of the Spanish and Italian soldiers, the military procession + being composed of the Germans and Walloons. Escorted by his body-guard, + and surrounded by a knot of magnates and veterans, among whom the Duke of + Arschot, the Prince of Chimay, the Counts Mansfeld, Egmont, and Aremberg, + were conspicuous, Alexander proceeded towards the captured city. He was + met at the Keyser Gate by a triumphal chariot of gorgeous workmanship, in + which sat the fair nymph Antwerpia, magnificently bedizened, and + accompanied by a group of beautiful maidens. Antwerpia welcomed the + conqueror with a kiss, recited a poem in his honour, and bestowed upon him + the keys of the city, one of which was in gold. This the Prince + immediately fastened to the chain around his neck, from which was + suspended the lamb of the golden fleece, with which order he had just + been, amid great pomp and ceremony, invested. + </p> + <p> + On the public square called the Mere, the Genoese merchants had erected + two rostral columns, each surmounted by a colossal image, representing + respectively Alexander of Macedon and Alexander of Parma. Before the house + of Portugal was an enormous phoenix, expanding her wings quite across the + street; while, in other parts of the town, the procession was met by ships + of war, elephants, dromedaries, whales, dragons, and other triumphal + phenomena. In the market-place were seven statues in copper, personifying + the seven planets, together with an eighth representing Bacchus; and + perhaps there were good mythological reasons why the god of wine, together + with so large a portion of our solar system, should be done in copper by + Jacob Jongeling, to honour the triumph of Alexander, although the key to + the enigma has been lost. + </p> + <p> + The cathedral had been thoroughly fumigated with frankincense, and + besprinkled with holy water, to purify the sacred precincts from their + recent pollution by the reformed rites; and the Protestant pulpits which + had been placed there, had been soundly beaten with rods, and then burned + to ashes. The procession entered within its walls, where a magnificent Te + Deum was performed, and then, after much cannon-firing, bell-ringing, + torch-light exhibition, and other pyrotechnics, the Prince made his way at + last to the palace provided for him. The glittering display, by which the + royalists celebrated their triumph, lasted three days' long, the city + being thronged from all the country round with eager and frivolous + spectators, who were never wearied with examining the wonders of the + bridge and the forts, and with gazing at the tragic memorials which still + remained of the fight on the Kowenstyn. + </p> + <p> + During this interval, the Spanish and Italian soldiery, not willing to be + outdone in demonstrations of respect to their chief, nor defrauded of + their rightful claim to a holiday amused themselves with preparing a + demonstration of a novel character. The bridge, which, as it was well + known, was to be destroyed within a very few days, was adorned with + triumphal arches, and decked with trees and flowering plants; its roadway + was strewed with branches; and the palisades, parapets, and forts, were + garnished with wreaths, emblems, and poetical inscriptions in honour of + the Prince. The soldiers themselves, attired in verdurous garments of + foliage and flower-work, their swart faces adorned with roses and lilies, + paraded the bridge and the dyke in fantastic procession with clash of + cymbal and flourish of trumpet, dancing, singing, and discharging their + carbines, in all the delirium of triumph. Nor was a suitable termination + to the festival wanting, for Alexander, pleased with the genial character + of these demonstrations, repaired himself to the bridge, where he was + received with shouts of rapture by his army, thus whimsically converted + into a horde of fauns and satyrs. Afterwards, a magnificent banquet was + served to the soldiers upon the bridge. The whole extent of its surface, + from the Flemish to the Brabant shore—the scene so lately of deadly + combat, and of the midnight havoc caused by infernal enginery—was + changed, as if by the stroke of a wand, into a picture of sylvan and + Arcadian merry-making, and spread with tables laden with delicate viands. + Here sat that host of war—bronzed figures, banqueting at their ease, + their heads crowned with flowers, while the highest magnates of the army, + humouring them in their masquerade, served them with dainties, and filled + their goblets with wine. + </p> + <p> + After these festivities had been concluded, Parma set himself to practical + business. There had been a great opposition, during the discussion of the + articles of capitulation to the reconstruction of the famous citadel. That + fortress had been always considered, not as a defence of the place against + a foreign enemy, but as an instrument to curb the burghers themselves + beneath a hostile power. The city magistrates, however, as well as the + dean and chief officers in all the guilds and fraternities, were at once + changed by Parma—Catholics being uniformly substituted for heretics. + In consequence, it was not difficult to bring about a change of opinion in + the broad council. It is true that neither Papists nor Calvinists regarded + with much satisfaction the prospect of military violence being substituted + for civic rule, but in the first effusion of loyalty, and in the triumph + of the ancient religion, they forgot the absolute ruin to which their own + action was now condemning their city. Champagny, who had once covered + himself with glory by his heroic though unsuccessful efforts to save + Antwerp from the dreadful "Spanish fury" which had descended from that + very citadel, was now appointed governor of the town, and devoted himself + to the reconstruction of the hated fortress. "Champagny has particularly + aided me," wrote Parma, "with his rhetoric and clever management, and has + brought the broad council itself to propose that the citadel should be + rebuilt. It will therefore be done, as by the burghers themselves, without + your Majesty or myself appearing to desire it." + </p> + <p> + This was, in truth, a triumph of "rhetoric and clever management," nor + could a city well abase itself more completely, kneeling thus cheerfully + at its conqueror's feet, and requesting permission to put the yoke upon + its own neck. "The erection of the castle has thus been determined upon," + said Parma, "and I am supposed to know nothing of the resolution." + </p> + <p> + A little later he observed that they, were "working away most furiously at + the citadel, and that within a month it would be stronger than it ever had + been before." + </p> + <p> + The building went on, indeed, with astonishing celerity, the fortress + rising out of its ruins almost as rapidly, under the hands of the + royalists, as it had been demolished, but a few years before, by the + patriots. The old foundations still remained, and blocks of houses, which + had been constructed out of its ruins, were thrown down that the materials + might be again employed in its restoration. + </p> + <p> + The citizens, impoverished and wretched, humbly demanded that the expense + of building the citadel might be in part defrayed by the four hundred + thousand florins in which they had been mulcted by the capitulation. "I + don't marvel at this," said Parma, "for certainly the poor city is most + forlorn and poverty-stricken, the heretics having all left it." It was not + long before it was very satisfactorily established, that the presence of + those same heretics and liberty of conscience for all men, were + indispensable conditions for the prosperity of the great capital. Its + downfall was instantaneous. The merchants and industrious artisans all + wandered away from the place which had been the seat of a world-wide + traffic. Civilisation and commerce departed, and in their stead were the + citadel and the Jesuits. By express command of Philip, that order, + banished so recently, was reinstated in Antwerp, as well as throughout the + obedient provinces; and all the schools and colleges were placed under its + especial care. No children could be thenceforth instructed except by the + lips of those fathers. Here was a curb more efficacious even than the + citadel. That fortress was at first garrisoned with Walloons and Germans. + "I have not yet induced the citizens," said Parma, "to accept a Spanish + garrison, nor am I surprised; so many of them remembering past events + (alluding to the 'Spanish fury,' but not mentioning it by name), and + observing the frequent mutinies at the present time. Before long, I + expect, however, to make the Spaniards as acceptable and agreeable as the + inhabitants of the country themselves." + </p> + <p> + It may easily be supposed that Philip was pleased with the triumphs that + had thus been achieved. He was even grateful, or affected to be grateful, + to him who had achieved them. He awarded great praise to Alexander for his + exertions, on the memorable occasions of the attack upon the bridge, and + the battle of the Kowenstyn; but censured him affectionately for so rashly + exposing his life. "I have no words," he said, "to render the thanks which + are merited for all that you have been doing. I recommend you earnestly + however to have a care for the security of your person, for that is of + more consequence than all the rest." + </p> + <p> + After the news of the reduction of the city, he again expressed + gratification, but in rather cold language. "From such obstinate people," + said he, "not more could be extracted than has been extracted; therefore + the capitulation is satisfactory." What more he wished to extract it would + be difficult to say, for certainly the marrow had been extracted from the + bones, and the dead city was thenceforth left to moulder under the blight + of a foreign garrison and an army of Jesuits. "Perhaps religious affairs + will improve before long," said Philip. They did improve very soon, as he + understood the meaning of improvement. A solitude of religion soon brought + with it a solitude in every other regard, and Antwerp became a desert, as + Sainte Aldegonde had foretold would be the case. + </p> + <p> + The King had been by no means so calm, however, when the intelligence of + the capitulation first reached him at Madrid. On the contrary, his oldest + courtiers had never seen him exhibit such marks of hilarity. + </p> + <p> + When he first heard of the glorious victory at Lepanto, his countenance + had remained impassive, and he had continued in the chapel at the + devotional exercises which the messenger from Don John had interrupted. + Only when the news of the Massacre of St. Bartholomew first reached him, + had he displayed an amount of cheerfulness equal to that which he + manifested at the fall of Antwerp. "Never," said Granvelle, "had the King + been so radiant with joy as when he held in his hand the despatches which + announced the capitulation." The letters were brought to him after he had + retired to rest, but his delight was so great that he could not remain in + his bed. Rushing from his chamber, so soon as he had read them, to that of + his dearly-beloved daughter, Clara Isabella, he knocked loudly at the + door, and screaming through the keyhole the three words, "Antwerp is + ours," returned precipitately again to his own apartment. + </p> + <p> + It was the general opinion in Spain, that the capture of this city had + terminated the resistance of the Netherlands. Holland and Zeeland would, + it was thought, accept with very little hesitation the terms which Parma + had been offering, through the agency of Sainte Aldegonde; and, with the + reduction of those two provinces, the Spanish dominion over the whole + country would of course become absolute. Secretary Idiaquez observed, on + drawing up instructions for Carlo Coloma, a Spanish financier then + departing on special mission for the Provinces, that he would soon come + back to Spain, for the Prince of Parma was just putting an end to the + whole Belgic war. + </p> + <p> + Time was to show whether Holland and Zeeland were as malleable as Antwerp, + and whether there would not be a battle or two more to fight before that + Belgic war would come to its end. Meantime Antwerp was securely fettered, + while the spirit of commerce—to which its unexampled prosperity had + been due—now took its flight to the lands where civil and religious + liberty had found a home. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ===================================== +</pre> + <p> + NOTE on MARNIX DE SAINTE ALDEGONDE. + </p> + <p> + As every illustration of the career and character of this eminent + personage excites constant interest in the Netherlands, I have here thrown + together, in the form of an Appendix, many important and entirely + unpublished details, drawn mainly from the Archives of Simancas, and from + the State Paper Office and British Museum in London. + </p> + <p> + The ex-burgomaster seemed determined to counteract the policy of those + Netherlanders who wished to offer the sovereignty of the Provinces to the + English Queen. He had been earnestly in favour of annexation to France, + for his sympathies and feelings were eminently French. He had never been a + friend to England, and he was soon aware that a strong feeling of + indignation—whether just or unjust—existed against him both in + that country and in the Netherlands, on account of the surrender of + Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + "I have had large conference with Villiers," wrote Sir John Norris to + Walsingham, "he condemneth Ste. Aldegonde's doings, but will impute it to + fear and not to malice. Ste. Aldegonde, notwithstanding that he was + forbidden to come to Holland, and laid for at the fleet, yet stole + secretly to Dort, where they say he is staid, but I doubt he will be heard + speak, and then assuredly he will do great hurt." + </p> + <p> + It was most certainly Sainte Aldegonde's determination, so soon as the + capitulation of Antwerp had been resolved upon, to do his utmost to + restore all the independent Provinces to their ancient allegiance. Rather + Spanish than English was his settled resolution. Liberty of religion, if + possible—that was his cherished wish—but still more ardently, + perhaps, did he desire to prevent the country from falling into the hands + of Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + "The Prince of Parma hath conceived such an assured hope of the fidelity + of Aldegonde," wrote one of Walsingham's agents, Richard Tomson, "in + reducing the Provinces, yet enemies, into a perfect subjection, that the + Spaniards are so well persuaded of the man as if he had never been against + them. They say, about the middle of this month, he departed for Zeeland + and Holland, to prosecute the effect of his promises, and I am the more + induced to believe that he is become altogether Spanish, for that the + common bruit goeth that he hastened the surrendering of the town of + Antwerp, after he had intelligence of the coming of the English succours." + </p> + <p> + There was naturally much indignation felt in the independent Provinces, + against all who had been thought instrumental in bringing about the + reduction of the great cities of Flanders. Famars, governor of Mechlin, + Van den Tympel, governor of Brussels, Martini, who had been active in + effecting the capitulation of Antwerp, were all arrested in Holland. "From + all that I can hear," said Parma, "it is likely that they will be very + severely handled, which is the reason why Ste. Aldegonde, although he sent + his wife and children to Holland, has not ventured thither himself: It + appears that they threaten him there, but he means now to go, under + pretext of demanding to justify himself from the imputations against him. + Although he tells me freely that, without some amplification of the + concessions hitherto made on the point of religion, he hopes for no good + result, yet I trust that he will do good offices in the meantime, in spite + of the difficulties which obstruct his efforts. On my part, every exertion + will be made, and not without hope of some fruit, if not before, at least + after, these people have become as tired of the English as they were of + the French." + </p> + <p> + Of this mutual ill-feeling between the English and the burgomaster, there + can be no doubt whatever. The Queen's government was fully aware of his + efforts to counteract its negotiation with the Netherlands, and to bring + about their reconciliation with Spain. When the Earl of Leicester—as + will soon be related—arrived in the Provinces, he was not long in + comprehending his attitude and his influence. + </p> + <p> + "I wrote somewhat of Sir Aldegonde in putting his case," wrote Leicester, + "but this is certain, I have the copy of his very letters sent hither to + practise the peace not two days before I came, and this day one hath told + me that loves him well, that he hates our countrymen unrecoverably. I am + sorry for it." + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, the Queen was very indignant with the man whom she + looked upon as the paid agent of Spain. She considered him a renegade, the + more dangerous because his previous services had been so illustrious. "Her + Majesty's mislike towards Ste. Aldegonde continueth," wrote Walsingham to + Leicester, "and she taketh offence that he was not restrained of his + liberty by your Lordship's order." It is unquestionable that the + exburgomaster intended to do his best towards effecting the reconciliation + of all the Provinces with Spain; and it is equally certain that the King + had offered to pay him well, if he proved successful in his endeavours. + There is no proof, however, and no probability that Sainte Aldegonde ever + accepted or ever intended to accept the proffered bribe. On the contrary, + his whole recorded career ought to disprove the supposition. Yet it is + painful, to find him, at this crisis, assiduous in his attempts to undo + the great work of his own life, and still more distressing to find that + great rewards were distinctly offered to him for such service. Immense + promises had been frequently made no doubt to William the Silent; nor + could any public man, in such times, be so pure that an attempt to tamper + with him might not be made: but when the personage, thus solicited, was + evidently acting in the interests of the tempters, it is not surprising + that he should become the object of grave suspicion. + </p> + <p> + "It does not seem to me bad," wrote Philip to Parma, "this negotiation + which you have commenced with Ste. Aldegonde, in order to gain him, and + thus to employ his services in bringing about a reduction of the islands + (Holland and Zeeland). In exchange for this work, any thing which you + think proper to offer to him as a reward, will be capital well invested; + but it must not be given until the job is done." + </p> + <p> + But the job was hard to do, and Sainte Aldegonde cared nothing for the + offered bribe. He was, however, most strangely confident of being able to + overcome, on the one hand, the opposition of Holland and Zeeland to the + hated authority of Spain, and, on the other, the intense abhorrence + entertained by Philip to liberty of conscience. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the capitulation, he applied for a passport to visit those two + Provinces. Permission to come was refused him. Honest men from Antwerp, he + was informed, would be always welcome, but there was no room for him. + There was, however—or Parma persuaded himself that there was—a + considerable party in those countries in favour of reconciliation with + Spain. If the ex-burgomaster could gain a hearing, it was thought probable + that his eloquence would prove very effective. + </p> + <p> + "We have been making efforts to bring about negotiations with Holland and + Zeeland," wrote Alexander to Philip. "Gelderland and Overyssel likewise + show signs of good disposition, but I have not soldiers enough to animate + the good and terrify the bad. As for Holland and Zeeland, there is a + strong inclination on the part of the people to a reconciliation, if some + concession could be made on the religious question, but the governors + oppose it, because they are perverse, and are relying on assistance from + England. Could this religious concession be made, an arrangement could, + without doubt, be accomplished, and more quickly than people think. + Nevertheless, in such a delicate matter, I am obliged to await your + Majesty's exact instructions and ultimatum." + </p> + <p> + He then proceeded to define exactly the position and intentions of the + burgomaster. + </p> + <p> + "The government of Holland and Zeeland," he said, "have refused a passport + to Ste. Aldegonde, and express dissatisfaction with him for having + surrendered Antwerp so soon. They know that he has much credit with the + people and with the ministers of the sects, and they are in much fear of + him because he is inclined for peace, which is against their interests. + They are, therefore, endeavouring to counteract my negotiations with him. + These have been, thus far, only in general terms. I have sought to induce + him to perform the offices required, without giving him reason to expect + any concession as to the exercise of religion. He persuades himself that, + in the end, there will be some satisfaction obtained upon this point, and, + under this impression he considers the peace as good as concluded, there + remaining no doubt as to other matters. He has sent his wife to Zeeland, + and is himself going to Germany, where, as he says, he will do all the + good service that he can. He hopes that very shortly the Provinces will + not only invite, but implore him to come to them; in which case, he + promises me to perform miracles." + </p> + <p> + Alexander then proceeded to pay a distinct tribute to Sainte Aldegonde's + motives; and, when it is remembered that the statement thus made is + contained in a secret despatch, in cipher, to the King, it may be assumed + to convey the sincere opinion of the man most qualified to judge correctly + as to this calumniated person's character. + </p> + <p> + "Ste. Aldegonde offers me wonders," he said, "and I have promised him that + he shall be recompensed very largely; yet, although he is poor, I do not + find him influenced by mercenary or selfish considerations, but only very + set in opinions regarding his religion." + </p> + <p> + The Prince had however no doubt of Sainte Aldegonde's sincerity, for + sincerity was a leading characteristic of the man. His word, once given, + was sacred, and he had given his word to do his best towards effecting a + reconciliation of the Provinces with Spain, and frustrating the efforts of + England. "Through the agency of Ste. Aldegonde and that of others" wrote + Parma, "I shall watch, day and night, to bring about a reduction of + Holland and Zeeland, if humanly possible. I am quite persuaded that they + will soon be sick of the English, who are now arriving, broken down, + without arms or money, and obviously incapable of holding out very long. + Doubtless, however, this English alliance, and the determination of the + Queen to do her utmost against us, complicates matters, and assists the + government of Holland and Zeeland in opposing the inclinations of their + people." + </p> + <p> + Nothing ever came of these intended negotiations. The miracles were never + wrought, and even had Sainte Aldegonde been as venal as he was suspected + of being—which we have thus proof positive that he was not—he + never could have obtained the recompense, which, according to Philip's + thrifty policy, was not to be paid until it had been earned. Sainte + Aldegonde's hands were clean. It is pity that we cannot render the same + tribute to his political consistency of character. It is also certain that + he remained—not without reason—for a long time under a cloud. + He became the object of unbounded and reckless calumny. Antwerp had + fallen, and the necessary consequence of its reduction was the complete + and permanent prostration of its commerce and manufactures. These were + transferred to the new, free, national, independent, and prosperous + commonwealth that had risen in the "islands" which Parma and Sainte + Aldegonde had vainly hoped to restore to their ancient servitude. In a + very few years after the subjugation of Antwerp, it appeared by + statistical documents that nearly all the manufactures of linen, coarse + and fine cloths, serges, fustians, tapestry, gold-embroidery, arms-work, + silks, and velvets, had been transplanted to the towns of Holland and + Zeeland, which were flourishing and thriving, while the Flemish and + Brabantine cities had become mere dens of thieves and beggars. It was in + the mistaken hope of averting this catastrophe—as melancholy as it + was inevitable and in despair of seeing all the Netherlands united, unless + united in slavery, and in deep-rooted distrust of the designs and policy + of England, that this statesman, once so distinguished, had listened to + the insidious tongue of Parma. He had sought to effect a general + reconciliation with Spain, and the only result of his efforts was a blight + upon his own illustrious name. + </p> + <p> + He published a defence of his conduct, and a detailed account of the + famous siege. His apology, at the time, was not considered conclusive, but + his narrative remains one of the clearest and most trustworthy sources for + the history of these important transactions. He was never brought to + trial, but he discovered, with bitterness, that he had committed a fatal + error, and that his political influence had passed away. He addressed + numerous private epistles to eminent persons, indignantly denying the + imputations against his character, and demanding an investigation. Among + other letters he observed in one to Count Hohenlo, that he was astonished + and grieved to find that all his faithful labours and sufferings in the + cause of his fatherland had been forgotten in an hour. In place of praise + and gratitude, he had reaped nothing but censure and calumny; because men + ever judged, not by the merits, but by the issue. That common people + should be so unjust, he said, was not to be wondered at, but of men like + Hohenlo be had hoped better things. He asserted that he had saved Antwerp + from another "Spanish fury," and from impending destruction—a city + in which there was not a single regular soldier, and in which his personal + authority was so slight that he was unable to count the number of his + masters. If a man had ever performed a service to his country, he claimed + to have done so in this capitulation. Nevertheless, he declared that he + was the same Philip Marnix, earnestly devoted to the service of God, the + true religion, and the fatherland; although he avowed himself weary of the + war, and of this perpetual offering of the Netherland sovereignty to + foreign potentates. He was now going, he said, to his estates in Zeeland; + there to turn farmer again; renouncing public affairs, in the + administration of which he had experienced so much ingratitude from his + countrymen. Count Maurice and the States of Holland and Zeeland wrote to + him, however, in very plain language, describing the public indignation as + so strong as to make it unsafe for him to visit the country. + </p> + <p> + The Netherlands and England—so soon as they were united in policy—were, + not without reason, indignant with the man who had made such strenuous + efforts to prevent that union. The English were, in truth, deeply + offended. He had systematically opposed their schemes, and to his + prejudice against their country, and distrust of their intentions, they + attributed the fall of Antwerp. Envoy Davison, after his return to + Holland, on the conclusion of the English treaty, at once expressed his + suspicions of the ex-burgomaster, and the great dangers to be apprehended + from his presence in the free States. "Here is some working underhand," + said he to Walsingham, "to draw hither Sainte Aldegonde, under a pretext + of his justification, which—as it has hitherto been denied him—so + is the sequel suspected, if he should obtain it before they were well + settled here, betwixt her Majesty and them, considering the manifold + presumptions that the subject of his journey should be little profitable + or advantageous to the state of these poor countries, as tending, at the + best, to the propounding of some general reconcilement." It was certainly + not without substantial grounds that the English and Hollanders, after + concluding their articles of alliance, felt uneasy at the possibility of + finding their plans reversed by the intrigues of a man whom they knew to + be a mediator between Spain and her revolted Provinces, and whom they + suspected of being a venal agent of the Catholic King. It was given out + that Philip had been induced to promise liberty of religion, in case of + reconciliation. We have seen that Parma was at heart in favour of such a + course, and that he was very desirous of inducing Marnix to believe in the + possibility of obtaining such a boon, however certain the Prince had been + made by the King's secret letters, that such a belief was a delusion. + "Martini hath been examined," wrote Davison, "who confesseth both for + himself and others, to become hither by direction of the Prince of Parma + and intelligence of Sainte Aldegonde, from whom he was first addressed by + Villiers and afterwards to others for advice and assistance. That the + scope of this direction was to induce them here to hearken to a peace, + wherein the Prince of Parma promiseth them toleration of religion, + although he confesseth yet to have no absolute power in that behalf, but + hath written thereof to the King expressly, and holdeth himself assured + thereof by the first post, as I have likewise been advertised from Rowland + York, which if it had been propounded openly here before things had been + concluded with her Majesty, and order taken for her assurance, your honour + can judge what confusion it must of necessity have brought forth." + </p> + <p> + At last, when Marnix had become convinced that the toleration would not + arrive "by the very next mail from Spain," and that, in truth, such a + blessing was not to be expected through the post-office at all, he felt an + inward consciousness of the mistake which he had committed. Too + credulously had he inclined his ear to the voice of Parma; too obstinately + had he steeled his heart against Elizabeth, and he was now the more + anxious to clear himself at least from the charges of corruption so + clamorously made against him by Holland and by England. Conscious of no + fault more censurable than credulity and prejudice, feeling that his long + fidelity to the reformed religion ought to be a defence for him against + his calumniators, he was desirous both to clear his own honour, and to do + at least a tardy justice to England. He felt confident that loyal natures, + like those of Davison and his colleagues at home, would recognize his own + loyalty. He trusted, not without cause, to English honour, and coming to + his manor-house of Zoubourg, near Flushing, he addressed a letter to the + ambassador of Elizabeth, in which the strong desire to vindicate his + aspersed integrity is quite manifest. + </p> + <p> + "I am very joyous," said he, "that coming hither in order to justify + myself against the false and malignant imputations with which they charge + me, I have learned your arrival here on the part of her Majesty, as well + as the soon expected coming of the Earl of Leicester. I see, in truth, + that the Lord God is just, and never abandons his own. I have never spared + myself in the service of my country, and I would have sacrificed my life, + a thousand times, had it been possible, in her cause. Now, I am receiving + for all this a guerdon of blame and calumny, which is cast upon me in + order to cover up faults which have been committed by others in past days. + I hope, however, to come soon to give you welcome, and to speak more + particularly to you of all these things. Meantime demanding my + justification before these gentlemen, who ought to have known me better + than to have added faith to such villanous imputations, I will entreat you + that my definite justification, or condemnation, if I have merited it, may + be reserved till the arrival of Lord Leicester." + </p> + <p> + This certainly was not the language of a culprit, Nevertheless, his words + did not immediately make a deep impression on the hearts of those who + heard him. He had come secretly to his house at Zoubourg, having + previously published his memorable apology; and in accordance with the + wishes of the English government, he was immediately confined to his own + house. Confidence in the intention of a statesman, who had at least + committed such grave errors of judgment, and who had been so deeply + suspected of darker faults, was not likely very soon to revive. So far + from shrinking from an investigation which would have been dangerous, even + to his life, had the charges against his honour been founded in fact, he + boldly demanded to be confronted with his accusers, in order that he might + explain his conduct before all the world. "Sir, yesternight, at the + shutting of the gates," wrote Davison to Walsingham, transmitting the + little note from Marnix, which has just been cited—"I was advertised + that Ste. Aldegonde was not an hour before secretly landed at the head on + the other side the Rammekens, and come to his house at Zoubourg, having + prepared his way by an apology, newly published in his defence, whereof I + have as yet recovered one only copy, which herewith I send your honour. + This day, whilst I was at dinner, he sent his son unto me, with a few + lines, whereof I send you the copy, advertising me of his arrival (which + he knew I understood before), together with the desire he had to see me, + and speak with me, if the States, before whom he was to come to purge + himself of the crimes wherewith he stood, as he with, unjustly charged, + would vouchsafe him so much liberty. The same morning, the council of + Zeeland, taking knowledge of his arrival, sent unto him the pensioner of + Middelburgh and this town, to sound the causes of his coming, and to will + him, in their behalf, to keep his house, and to forbear all meddling by + word or writing, with any whatsoever, till they should further advise and + determine in his cause. In defence thereof, he fell into large and + particular discourse with the deputies, accusing his enemies of malice and + untruth, offering himself to any trial, and to abide what punishment the + laws should lay upon him, if he were found guilty of the crimes imputed to + him. Touching the cause of his coming, he pretended and protested that he + had no other end than his simple justification, preferring any hazard he + might incur thereby, to his honour and good fame." As to the great + question at issue, Marnix had at last become conscious that he had been a + victim to Spanish dissimulation, and that Alexander Fainese was in reality + quite powerless to make that concession of religious liberty, without + which a reconciliation between Holland and Philip was impossible. + "Whereas," said Davison, "it was supposed that Ste. Aldegonde had + commission from the Prince of Parma to make some offer of peace, he + assured them of the contrary as a thing which neither the Prince had any + power to yield unto with the surety of religion, or himself would, in + conscience, persuade without it; with a number of other particularities in + his excuse; amongst the rest, allowing and commending in his speech, the + course they had taken with her Majesty, as the only safe way of + deliverance for these afflicted countries—letting them understand + how much the news thereof—specially since the entry of our garrison + into this place (which before they would in no sort believe), hath + troubled the enemy, who doth what he may to suppress the bruit thereof, + and yet comforteth himself with the hope that between the factions and + partialities nourished by his industry, and musters among the towns, + especially in Holland and Zeeland (where he is persuaded to find some + pliable to a reconcilement) and the disorders and misgovernment of our + people, there will be yet occasion offered him to make his profit and + advantage. I find that the gentleman hath here many friends indifferently + persuaded of his innocency, notwithstanding the closing up of his apology + doth make but little for him. Howsoever it be, it falleth out the better + that the treaty with her Majesty is finished, and the cautionary towns + assured before his coming, which, if he be ill affected, will I hope + either reform his judgment or restrain his will. I will not forget to do + the best I can to sift and decipher him yet more narrowly and + particularly." + </p> + <p> + Thus, while the scales had at length fallen from the eyes of Marnix, it + was not strange that the confidence which he now began to entertain in the + policy of England, should not be met, at the outset, with a corresponding + sentiment on the part of the statesman by whom that policy was regulated. + "Howsoever Ste. Aldegonde would seem to purge himself," said Davison, "it + is suspected that his end is dangerous. I have done what I may to restrain + him, so nevertheless as it may not seem to come from me." And again—"Ste. + Aldegonde," he wrote, "contimieth still our neighbor at his house between + this and Middelburg; yet unmolested. He findeth many favourers, and, I + fear, doth no good offices. He desireth to be reserved till the coming of + my Lord of Leicester, before whom he pretends a desired trial." + </p> + <p> + This covert demeanour on the part of the ambassador was in accordance + with, the wishes of his government. It was thought necessary that Sainte + Aldegonde should be kept under arrest until the arrival of the Earl, but + deemed preferable that the restraint should proceed from the action of the + States rather than from the order of the Queen. Davison was fulfilling + orders in attempting, by underhand means, to deprive Marnix, for a time, + of his liberty. "Let him, I pray you, remain in good safety in any wise," + wrote Leicester, who was uneasy at the thought of so influential, and, as + he thought, so ill-affected a person being at large, but at the same time + disposed to look dispassionately upon his past conduct, and to do justice, + according to the results of an investigation. "It is thought meet," wrote + Walsingham to Davison, "that you should do your best endeavour to procure + that Ste. Aldegonde may be restrained, which in mine opinion were fit to + be handled in such sort, as the restraint might rather proceed from + themselves than by your solicitation. And yet rather than he should remain + at liberty to practise underhand, whereof you seem to stand in great + doubt, it is thought meet that you should make yourself a partizan, to + seek by all the means that you may to have him restrained under the guard + of some well affected patriot until the Earl's coming, at what time his + cause may receive examination." + </p> + <p> + This was, however, a result somewhat difficult to accomplish; for twenty + years of noble service in the cause of liberty had not been utterly in + vain, and there were many magnanimous spirits to sympathize with a great + man struggling thus in the meshes of calumny. That the man who challenged + rather than shunned investigation, should be thrown into prison, as if he + were a detected felon upon the point of absconding, seemed a heartless and + superfluous precaution. Yet Davison and others still feared the man whom + they felt obliged to regard as a baffled intriguer. "Touching the + restraint of Ste. Aldegonde," wrote Davison to Lord Burghley, "which I had + order from Mr. Secretary to procure underhand, I find the difficulty will + be great in regard of his many friends and favourers, preoccupied with + some opinion of his innocence, although I have travailled with divers of + them underhand, and am promised that some order shall be taken in that + behalf, which I think will be harder to execute as long as Count Maurice + is here. For Ste. Aldegonde's affection, I find continual matter to + suspect it inclined to a peace, and that as one notably prejudging our + scope and proceeding in this cause, doth lie in wait for an occasion to + set it forward, being, as it seems, fed with a hope of 'telle quelle + liberte de conscience,' which the Prince of Parma and others of his + council have, as he confesseth, earnestly solicited at the King's hands. + This appeareth, in truth, the only apt and easy way for them to prevail + both against religion and the liberty of these poor countries, having + thereby once recovered the authority which must necessarily follow a + peace, to renew and alter the magistrates of the particular towns, which, + being at their devotion, may turn, as we say, all upside down, and so in + an instant being under their servitude, if not wholly, at the least in a + great part of the country, leaving so much the less to do about the rest, + a thing confessed and looked for of all men of any judgment here, if the + drift of our peace-makers may take effect." + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde had been cured of his suspicions of England, and at last + the purity of his own character shone through the mists. + </p> + <p> + One winter's morning, two days after Christmas, 1585, Colonel Morgan, an + ingenuous Welshman, whom we have seen doing much hard fighting on + Kowenstyn Dyke, and at other places, and who now commanded the garrison at + Flushing, was taking a walk outside the gates, and inhaling the salt + breezes from the ocean. While thus engaged he met a gentleman coming + along, staff in hand, at a brisk pace towards the town, who soon proved to + be no other than the distinguished and deeply suspected Sainte Aldegonde. + The two got at once into conversation. "He began," said Morgan, "by + cunning insinuations, to wade into matters of state, and at the last fell + to touching the principal points, to wit, her Majesty's entrance into the + cause now in hand, which, quoth he, was an action of high importance, + considering how much it behoved her to go through the same, as well in + regard of the hope that thereby was given to the distressed people of + these parts, as also in consideration of that worthy personage whom she + hath here placed, whose estate and credit may not be suffered to quail, + but must be upholden as becometh the lieutenant of such a princess as her + Majesty." + </p> + <p> + "The opportunity thus offered," continued honest Morgan, "and the way + opened by himself, I thought good to discourse with him to the full, + partly to see the end and drift of his induced talk, and consequently to + touch his quick in the suspected cause of Antwerp." And thus, word for + word, taken down faithfully the same day, proceeded the dialogue that + wintry morning, near three centuries ago. From that simple record—mouldering + unseen and unthought of for ages, beneath piles of official dust—the + forms of the illustrious Fleming and the bold Welsh colonel, seem to + start, for a brief moment, out of the three hundred years of sleep which + have succeeded their energetic existence upon earth. And so, with the + bleak winds of December whistling over the breakers of the North Sea, the + two discoursed together, as they paced along the coast. + </p> + <p> + Morgan.—"I charge you with your want of confidence in her Majesty's + promised aid. 'Twas a thing of no small moment had it been embraced when + it was first most graciously offered." + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde.—"I left not her prince-like purpose unknown to the + States, who too coldly and carelessly passed over the benefit thereof, + until it was too late to put the same in practice. For my own part, I + acknowledge that indeed I thought some further advice would either alter + or at least detract from the accomplishment of her determination. I + thought this the rather because she had so long been wedded to peace, and + I supposed it impossible to divorce her from so sweet a spouse. But, set + it down that she were resolute, yet the sickness of Antwerp was so + dangerous, as it was to be doubted the patient would be dead before the + physician could come. I protest that the state of the town was much worse + than was known to any but myself and some few private persons. The want of + victuals was far greater than they durst bewray, fearing lest the common + people, perceiving the plague of famine to be at hand, would rather grow + desperate than patiently expect some happy event. For as they were many in + number, so were they wonderfully divided: some being Martinists, some + Papists, some neither the one nor the other, but generally given to be + factious, so that the horror at home was equal to the hazard abroad." + </p> + <p> + Morgan.—"But you forget the motion made by the martial men for + putting out of the town such as were simple artificers, with women and + children, mouths that consumed meat, but stood in no stead for defence." + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde.—"Alas, alas! would you have had me guilty of the + slaughter of so many innocents, whose lives were committed to my charge, + as well as the best? Or might I have answered my God when those massacred + creatures should have stood up against me, that the hope of Antwerp's + deliverance was purchased with the blood of so many simple souls? No, no. + I should have found my conscience such a hell and continual worm as the + gnawing thereof would have been more painful and bitter than the + possession of the whole world would have been pleasant." + </p> + <p> + Morgan continued to press the various points which had created suspicion + as to the character and motives of Marnix, and point by point Marnix + answered his antagonist, impressing him, armed as he had been in distrust, + with an irresistible conviction as to the loftiness of the nature which + had been so much calumniated. + </p> + <p> + Sainte Aldegonde (with vehemence).—"I do assure you, in conclusion, + that I have solemnly vowed service and duty to her Majesty, which I am + ready to perform where and when it may best like her to use the same. I + will add moreover that I have oftentimes determined to pass into England + to make my own purgation, yet fearing lest her Highness would mislike so + bold a resolution, I have checked that purpose with a resolution to tarry + the Lord's leisure, until some better opportunity might answer my desire. + For since I know not how I stand in her grace, unwilling I am to attempt + her presence without permission; but might it please her to command my + attendance, I should not only most joyfully accomplish the same, but also + satisfy her of and in all such matters as I stand charged with, and + afterwards spend life, land, and goods, to witness my duty towards her + Highness." + </p> + <p> + Morgan.—"I tell you plainly, that if you are in heart the same man + that you seem outwardly to be, I doubt not but her Majesty might easily be + persuaded to conceive a gracious opinion of you. For mine own part, I will + surely advertise Sir Francis Walsingham of as much matter as this present + conference hath ministered. + </p> + <p> + "Hereof," said the Colonel—when, according to his promise, + faithfully recording the conversation in all its details for Mr. + Secretary's benefit, "he seemed not only content but most glad. Therefore + I beseech your honour to vouchsafe some few lines herein, that I may + return him some part of your mind. I have already written thereof to Sir + Philip Sidney, lord governor of Flushing, with request that his Excellency + the Earl of Leicester may presently be made acquainted with the cause." + </p> + <p> + Indeed the brave Welshman was thoroughly converted from his suspicions by + the earnest language and sympathetic presence of the fallen statesman. + This result of the conference was creditable to the ingenuous character of + both personages. + </p> + <p> + "Thus did he," wrote Morgan to Sir Francis, "from point to point, answer + all objections from the first to the last, and that in such sound and + substantial manner, with a strong show of truth, as I think his very + enemies, having heard his tale, would be satisfied. And truly, Sir, as + heretofore I have thought hardly of him, being led by a superficial + judgment of things as they stood in outward appearance; so now, having + pierced deep, and weighed causes by a sounder and more deliberate + consideration, I find myself somewhat changed in conceit—not so much + carried away by the sweetness of his speech, as confirmed by the force of + his religious profession, wherein he remaineth constant, without wavering—an + argument of great strength to set him free from treacherous attempts; but + as I am herein least able and most unworthy to yield any censure, much + less to give advice, so I leave the man and the matter to your honour's + opinion. Only (your graver judgment reserved) thus I think, that it were + good either to employ him as a friend, or as an enemy to remove him + farther from us, being a man of such action as the world knoweth he is. + And to conclude," added Morgan, "this was the upshot between us." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, he remained in this obscurity for a long period. When, + towards the close of the year 1585, the English government was established + in Holland, he was the object of constant suspicion. + </p> + <p> + "Here is Aldegonde," wrote Sir Philip Sidney to Lord Leicester from + Flushing, "a man greatly suspected, but by no man charged. He lives + restrained to his own house, and for aught I can find, deals with nothing, + only desiring to have his cause wholly referred to your Lordship, and + therefore, with the best heed I can to his proceedings, I will leave him + to his clearing or condemning, when your Lordship shall hear him." + </p> + <p> + In another letter, Sir Philip again spoke of Sainte Aldegonde as "one of + whom he kept a good opinion, and yet a suspicious eye." + </p> + <p> + Leicester himself was excessively anxious on the subject, deeply fearing + the designs of a man whom he deemed so mischievous, and being earnestly + desirous that he should not elude the chastisement which he seemed to + deserve. + </p> + <p> + "Touching Ste. Aldegonde," he wrote to Davison, "I grieve that he is at + his house without good guard. I do earnestly pray you to move such as have + power presently to commit a guard about him, for I know he is a dangerous + and a bold man, and presumes yet to carry all, for he hath made many + promises to the Prince of Parma. I would he were in Fort Rammekyns, or + else that Mr. Russell had charge of him, with a recommendation from me to + Russell to look well to him till I shall arrive. You must have been so + commanded in this from her Majesty, for she thinks he is in close and safe + guard. If he is not, look for a turn of all things, for he hath friends, I + know." + </p> + <p> + But very soon after his arrival, the Earl, on examining into the matter, + saw fit to change his opinions and his language. Persuaded, in spite of + his previous convictions, even as the honest Welsh colonel had been, of + the upright character of the man, and feeling sure that a change had come + over the feelings of Marnix himself in regard to the English alliance, + Leicester at once interested himself in removing the prejudices + entertained towards him by the Queen. + </p> + <p> + "Now a few words for Ste. Aldegonde," said he in his earliest despatches + from Holland; "I will beseech her Majesty to stay her judgment till I + write next. If the man be as he now seemeth, it were pity to lose him, for + he is indeed marvellously friended. Her Majesty will think, I know, that I + am easily pacified or led in such a matter, but I trust so to deal as she + shall give me thanks. Once if he do offer service it is sure enough, for + he is esteemed that way above all the men in this country for his word, if + he give it. His worst enemies here procure me to win him, for sure, just + matter for his life there is none. He would fain come into England, so far + is he come already, and doth extol her Majesty for this work of hers to + heaven, and confesseth, till now an angel could not make him believe it." + </p> + <p> + Here certainly was a noble tribute paid unconsciously, as it were, to the + character of the maligned statesman. "Above all the men in the country for + his word, if he give it." What wonder that Orange had leaned upon him, + that Alexander had sought to gain him, and how much does it add to our + bitter regret that his prejudices against England should not have been + removed until too late for Antwerp and for his own usefulness. Had his + good angel really been present to make him believe in that "work of her + Majesty," when his ear was open to the seductions of Parma, the destiny of + Belgium and his own subsequent career might have been more fortunate than + they became. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was slow to return from her prejudices. She believed—not + without reason—that the opposition of Ste. Aldegonde to her policy + had been disastrous to the cause both of England and the Netherlands; and + it had been her desire that he should be imprisoned, and tried for his + life. Her councillors came gradually to take a more favourable view of the + case, and to be moved by the pathetic attitude of the man who had once + been so conspicuous. + </p> + <p> + "I did acquaint Sir Christopher Hatton," wrote Walsingham to Leicester, + "with the letter which Ste. Aldegonde wrote to your Lordship, which, + carrying a true picture of an afflicted mind, cannot but move an honest + heart, weighing the rare parts the gentleman is endowed withal, to pity + his distressed estate, and, to procure him relief and comfort, which Mr. + Vice-Chamberlain (Hatton) bath promised on his part to perform. I thought + good to send Ste. Aldegonde's letter unto the Lord Treasurer (Burghley), + who heretofore has carried a hard conceit of the gentleman, hoping that + the view of his letter will breed some remorse towards him. I have also + prayed his Lordship, if he see cause, to acquaint her Majesty with the + said letter." + </p> + <p> + But his high public career was closed. He lived down calumny; and put his + enemies to shame, but the fatal error which he had committed, in taking + the side of Spain rather than of England at so momentous a crisis, could + never be repaired. He regained the good opinion of the most virtuous and + eminent personages in Europe, but in the noon of life he voluntarily + withdrew from public affairs. The circumstances just detailed had made him + impossible as a political leader, and it was equally impossible for him to + play a secondary part. He occasionally consented to be employed in special + diplomatic missions, but the serious avocations of his life now became + theological and literary. He sought—in his own words—to + penetrate himself still more deeply than ever with the spirit of the + reformation, and to imbue the minds of the young with that deep love for + the reformed religion which had been the guiding thought of his own + career. He often spoke with a sigh of his compulsory exile from the field + where he had been so conspicuous all his lifetime; he bitterly lamented + the vanished dream of the great national union between Belgium and + Holland, which had flattered his youth and his manhood; and he sometimes + alluded with bitterness to the calumny which had crippled him of his + usefulness. He might have played a distinguished part in that powerful + commonwealth which was so steadily and splendidly arising out of the + lagunes of Zeeland and Holland, but destiny and calumny and his own error + had decided otherwise. + </p> + <p> + "From the depth of my exile—" he said, "for I am resolved to retire, + I know not where, into Germany, perhaps into Sarmatia, I shall look from + afar upon the calamities of my country. That which to me is most mournful + is no longer to be able to assist my fatherland by my counsels and my + actions." He did not go into exile, but remained chiefly at his mansion of + Zoubourg, occupied with agriculture and with profound study. Many noble + works conspicuous in the literature of the epoch—were the results of + his learned leisure; and the name of Marnix of Sainte Aldegonde will be + always as dear to the lovers of science and letters as to the believers in + civil and religious liberty. At the request of the States of Holland he + undertook, in 1593, a translation of the Scriptures from the original, and + he was at the same time deeply engaged with a History of Christianity, + which he intended for his literary master-piece. The man whose sword had + done knightly service on many a battle-field for freedom, whose tongue had + controlled mobs and senates, courts and councils, whose subtle spirit had + metamorphosed itself into a thousand shapes to do battle with the genius + of tyranny, now quenched the feverish agitation of his youth and manhood + in Hebrew and classical lore. A grand and noble figure always: most + pathetic when thus redeeming by vigorous but solitary and melancholy hard + labor, the political error which had condemned him to retirement. To work, + ever to work, was the primary law of his nature. Repose in the other + world, "Repos ailleurs" was the device which he assumed in earliest youth, + and to which he was faithful all his days. + </p> + <p> + A great and good man whose life had been brim-full of noble deeds, and who + had been led astray from the path, not of virtue, but of sound policy, by + his own prejudices and by the fascination of an intellect even more + brilliant than his own, he at least enjoyed in his retirement whatever + good may come from hearty and genuine labor, and from the high regard + entertained for him by the noblest spirits among his contemporaries. + </p> + <p> + "They tell me," said La Noue, "that the Seigneur de Ste. Aldegonde has + been suspected by the Hollanders and the English. I am deeply grieved, for + 'tis a personage worthy to be employed. I have always known him to be a + zealous friend of his religion and his country, and I will bear him this + testimony, that his hands and his heart are clean. Had it been otherwise, + I must have known it. His example has made me regret the less the promise + I was obliged to make, never to bear arms again in the Netherlands. For I + have thought that since this man, who has so much credit and authority + among your people, after having done his duty well, has not failed to be + calumniated and ejected from service, what would they have done with me, + who am a stranger, had I continued in their employment? The consul + Terentius Varro lost, by his fault, the battle of Canna; nevertheless, + when he returned to Rome, offering the remainder of his life in the cause + of his Republic reduced to extremity, he was not rejected, but well + received, because he hoped well for the country. It is not to be imputed + as blame to Ste. Aldegonde that he lost Antwerp, for he surrendered when + it could not be saved. What I now say is drawn from me by the compassion I + feel when persons of merit suffer without cause at the hands of their + fellow citizens. In these terrible tempests, as it is a duty rigorously to + punish the betrayers of their country, even so it is an obligation upon us + to honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors, that we may + all encourage each other to do the right." + </p> + <p> + Strange too as it may now seem to us, a reconciliation of the Netherlands + with Philip was not thought an impossibility by other experienced and + sagacious patriots, besides Marnix. Even Olden-Barneveld, on taking office + as Holland's Advocate, at this period, made it a condition that his + service was to last only until the reunion of the Provinces with Spain. + </p> + <p> + There was another illustrious personage in a foreign land who ever + rendered homage to the character of the retired Netherland statesman. Amid + the desolation of France, Duplessis Mornay often solaced himself by + distant communion with that kindred and sympathizing spirit. + </p> + <p> + "Plunged in public annoyances," he wrote to Sainte Aldegonde, "I find no + consolation, except in conference with the good, and among the good I hold + you for one of the best. With such men I had rather sigh profoundly than + laugh heartily with others. In particular, Sir, do me the honor to love + me, and believe that I honor you singularly. Impart to me something from + your solitude, for I consider your deserts to be more fruitful and fertile + than our most cultivated habitations. As for me, think of me as of a man + drowning in the anxieties of the time, but desirous, if possible, of + swimming to solitude." + </p> + <p> + Thus solitary, yet thus befriended,—remote from public employment, + yet ever employed, doing his daily work with all his soul and strength, + Marnix passed the fifteen years yet remaining to him. Death surprised him + at last, at Leyden, in the year 1598, while steadily laboring upon his + Flemish translation of the Old Testament, and upon the great political, + theological, controversial, and satirical work on the differences of + religion, which remains the most stately, though unfinished, monument of + his literary genius. At the age of sixty he went at last to the repose + which he had denied to himself on earth. "Repos ailleurs." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors + Possible to do, only because we see that it has been done + Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" + Soldiers enough to animate the good and terrify the bad + To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature + When persons of merit suffer without cause +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. 1585, Part 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Policy of England—Diplomatic Coquetry—Dutch Envoys in England— + Conference of Ortel and Walsingham—Interview with Leicester— + Private Audience of the Queen—Letters of the States—General— + Ill Effects of Gilpin's Despatch—Close Bargaining of the Queen and + States—Guarantees required by England—England's comparative + Weakness—The English characterised—Paul Hentzner—The Envoys in + London—Their Characters—Olden-Barneveldt described—Reception at + Greenwich—Speech of Menin—Reply of the Queen—Memorial of the + Envoys—Discussions with the Ministers—Second Speech of the Queen + —Third Speech of the Queen +</pre> + <p> + England as we have seen—had carefully watched the negotiations + between France and the Netherlands. Although she had—upon the whole, + for that intriguing age—been loyal in her bearing towards both + parties, she was perhaps not entirely displeased with the result. As her + cherished triumvirate was out of the question, it was quite obvious that, + now or never, she must come forward to prevent the Provinces from falling + back into the hands of Spain. The future was plainly enough foreshadowed, + and it was already probable, in case of a prolonged resistance on the part + of Holland, that Philip would undertake the reduction of his rebellious + subjects by a preliminary conquest of England. It was therefore quite + certain that the expense and danger of assisting the Netherlands must + devolve upon herself, but, at the same time it was a consolation that her + powerful next-door neighbour was not to be made still more powerful by the + annexation to his own dominion of those important territories. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, so soon as the deputies in France had received their definite + and somewhat ignominious repulse from Henry III. and his mother, the + English government lost no time in intimating to the States that they were + not to be left without an ally. Queen Elizabeth was however resolutely + averse from assuming that sovereignty which she was not unwilling to see + offered for her acceptance; and her accredited envoy at the Hague, besides + other more secret agents, were as busily employed in the spring of 1585—as + Des Pruneaux had been the previous winter on the part of France—to + bring about an application, by solemn embassy, for her assistance. + </p> + <p> + There was, however, a difference of view, from the outset, between the + leading politicians of the Netherlands and the English Queen. The + Hollanders were extremely desirous of becoming her subjects; for the + United States, although they had already formed themselves into an + independent republic, were quite ignorant of their latent powers. The + leading personages of the country—those who were soon to become the + foremost statesmen of the new commonwealth—were already shrinking + from the anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form of + government, and were seeking protection for and against the people under a + foreign sceptre. On the other hand, they were indisposed to mortgage large + and important fortified towns, such as Flushing, Brill, and others, for + the repayment of the subsidies which Elizabeth might be induced to + advance. They preferred to pay in sovereignty rather than in money. The + Queen, on the contrary, preferred money to sovereignty, and was not at all + inclined to sacrifice economy to ambition. Intending to drive a hard + bargain with the States, whose cause was her own, and whose demands for + aid she; had secretly prompted, she meant to grant a certain number of + soldiers for as brief a period as possible, serving at her expense, and to + take for such outlay a most ample security in the shape of cautionary + towns. + </p> + <p> + Too intelligent a politician not to feel the absolute necessity of at last + coming into the field to help the Netherlanders to fight her own battle, + she was still willing, for a season longer, to wear the mask of coyness + and coquetry, which she thought most adapted to irritate the Netherlanders + into a full compliance with her wishes. Her advisers in the Provinces were + inclined to take the same view. It seemed obvious, after the failure in + France, that those countries must now become either English or Spanish; + yet Elizabeth, knowing the risk of their falling back, from desperation, + into the arms of her rival, allowed them to remain for a season on the + edge of destruction—which would probably have been her ruin also—in + the hope of bringing them to her feet on her own terms. There was + something of feminine art in this policy, and it was not without the + success which often attends such insincere manoeuvres. At the same time, + as the statesmen of the republic knew that it was the Queen's affair, when + so near a neighbour's roof was blazing, they entertained little doubt of + ultimately obtaining her alliance. It was pity—in so grave an + emergency—that a little frankness could not have been substituted + for a good deal of superfluous diplomacy. + </p> + <p> + Gilpin, a highly intelligent agent of the English government in Zeeland, + kept Sir Francis Walsingham thoroughly informed of the sentiments + entertained by the people of that province towards England. Mixing + habitually with the most influential politicians, he was able to render + material assistance to the English council in the diplomatic game which + had been commenced, and on which a no less important stake than the crown + of England was to be hazarded. + </p> + <p> + "In conference," he said, "with particular persons that bear any rule or + credit, I find a great inclination towards her Majesty, joined + notwithstanding with a kind of coldness. They allege that matters of such + importance are to be maturely and thoroughly pondered, while some of them + harp upon the old string, as if her Majesty, for the security of her own + estate, was to have the more care of theirs here." + </p> + <p> + He was also very careful to insinuate the expediency of diplomatic + coquetry into the mind of a Princess who needed no such prompting. "The + less by outward appearance," said he, "this people shall perceive that her + Majesty can be contented to take the protection of them upon her, the + forwarder they will be to seek and send unto her, and the larger + conditions in treaty may be required. For if they see it to come from + herself, then do they persuade themselves that it is for the greater + security of our own country and her Highness to fear the King of Spain's + greatness. But if they become seekers unto her Majesty, and if they may, + by outward show, deem that she accounteth not of the said King's might, + but able and sufficient to defend her own realms, then verily I think they + may be brought to whatsoever points her Majesty may desire." + </p> + <p> + Certainly it was an age of intrigue, in which nothing seemed worth getting + at all unless it could be got by underhand means, and in which it was + thought impossible for two parties to a bargain to meet together except as + antagonists, who believed that one could not derive a profit from the + transaction unless the other had been overreached. This was neither good + morality nor sound diplomacy, and the result of such trifling was much + loss of time and great disaster. In accordance with this crafty system, + the agent expressed the opinion that it would "be good and requisite for + the English government somewhat to temporise," and to dally for a season + longer, in order to see what measures the States would take to defend + themselves, and how much ability and resources they would show for + belligerent purposes. If the Queen were too eager, the Provinces would + become jealous, "yielding, as it were, their power, and yet keeping the + rudder in their own hands." + </p> + <p> + At the same time Gilpin was favourably impressed with the character both + of the country and the nation, soon to be placed in such important + relations with England. "This people," he said, "is such as by fair means + they will be won to yield and grant any reasonable motion or demand. What + these islands of Zeeland are her Majesty and all my lords of her council + do know. Yet for their government thus much I must write; that during + these troubles it never was better than now. They draw, in a manner, one + line, long and carefully in their resolution; but the same once taken and + promises made, they would perform them to the uttermost." + </p> + <p> + Such then was the character of the people, for no man was better enabled + to form an opinion on the subject than was Gilpin. Had it not been as + well, then, for Englishmen—who were themselves in that age, as in + every other, apt to "perform to the uttermost promises once taken and + made," and to respect those endowed with the same wholesome characteristic—to + strike hands at once in a cause which was so vital to both nations? + </p> + <p> + So soon as the definite refusal of Henry III, was known in England, + Leicester and Walsingham wrote at once to the Netherlands. The Earl + already saw shining through the distance a brilliant prize for his own + ambition, although he was too haughty, perhaps too magnanimous, but + certainly far too crafty, to suffer such sentiments as yet to pierce to + the surface. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Davison," he wrote, "you shall perceive by Mr. Secretary's letters + how the French have dealt with these people. They are well enough served; + but yet I think, if they will heartily and earnestly seek it, the Lord + hath appointed them a far better defence. But you must so use the matter + as that they must seek their own good, although we shall be partakers + thereof also. They may now, if they will effectually and liberally deal, + bring themselves to a better end than ever France would have brought + them." + </p> + <p> + At that moment there were two diplomatic agents from the States resident + in England—Jacques de Gryze; whom Paul Buys had formerly described + as having thrust himself head and shoulders into the matter without proper + authority, and Joachim Ortel, a most experienced and intelligent man, + speaking and writing English like a native, and thoroughly conversant with + English habits and character. So soon as the despatches from France + arrived, Walsingham, 18th March, 1585, sent for Ortel, and the two held a + long conference. + </p> + <p> + Walsingham.—"We have just received letters from Lord Derby and Sir + Edward Stafford, dated the 13th March. They inform us that your deputies—contrary + to all expectation and to the great hopes that had been hold out to them—have + received, last Sunday, their definite answer from the King of France. He + tells them, that, considering the present condition of his kingdom, he is + unable to undertake the protection of the Netherlands; but says that if + they like, and if the Queen of England be willing to second his motion, he + is disposed to send a mission of mediation to Spain for the purpose of + begging the King to take the condition of the provinces to heart, and + bringing about some honourable composition, and so forth, and so forth. + </p> + <p> + "Moreover the King of France has sent Monsieur de Bellievre to Lord Derby + and Mr. Stafford, and Bellievre has made those envoys a long oration. He + explained to them all about the original treaty between the States and + Monsieur, the King's brother, and what had taken place from that day to + this, concluding, after many allegations and divers reasons, that the King + could not trouble himself with the provinces at present; but hoped her + Majesty would make the best of it, and not be offended with him. + </p> + <p> + "The ambassadors say further, that they have had an interview with your + deputies, who are excessively provoked at this most unexpected answer from + the King, and are making loud complaints, being all determined to take + themselves off as fast as possible. The ambassadors have recommended that + some of the number should come home by the way of England." + </p> + <p> + Ortel.—"It seems necessary to take active measures at once, and to + leave no duty undone in this matter. It will be advisable to confer, so + soon as may be, with some of the principal counsellors of her Majesty, and + recommend to them most earnestly the present condition of the provinces. + They know the affectionate confidence which the States entertain towards + England, and must now, remembering the sentiments of goodwill which they + have expressed towards the Netherlands, be willing to employ their efforts + with her Majesty in this emergency." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham (with much show of vexation).—"This conduct on the part + of the French court has been most pernicious. Your envoys have been + delayed, fed with idle hopes, and then disgracefully sent away, so that + the best part of the year has been consumed, and it will be most difficult + now, in a great hurry, to get together a sufficient force of horse and + foot folk, with other necessaries in abundance. On the contrary, the + enemy, who knew from the first what result was to be expected in France, + has been doing his best to be beforehand with you in the field: add, + moreover, that this French negotiation has given other princes a bad taste + in their mouths. This is the case with her Majesty. The Queen is, not + without reason, annoyed that the States have not only despised her + friendly and good-hearted offers, but have all along been endeavouring to + embark her in this war, for the defence of the Provinces, which would have + cost her several millions, without offering to her the slightest security. + On the contrary, others, enemies of the religion, who are not to be + depended upon—who had never deserved well of the States or assisted + them in their need, as she has done—have received this large offer + of sovereignty without any reserve whatever." + </p> + <p> + Ortel (not suffering himself to be disconcerted at this unjust and + somewhat insidious attack).—"That which has been transacted with + France was not done except with the express approbation and full + foreknowledge of her Majesty, so far back as the lifetime of his + Excellency (William of Orange), of high and laudable memory. Things had + already gone so far, and the Provinces had agreed so entirely together, as + to make it inexpedient to bring about a separation in policy. It was our + duty to hold together, and, once for all, thoroughly to understand what + the King of France, after such manifold presentations through Monsieur Des + Pruneaulx and others, and in various letters of his own, finally intended + to do. At the same time, notwithstanding these negotiations, we had always + an especial eye upon her Majesty. We felt a hopeful confidence that she + would never desert us, leaving us without aid or counsel, but would + consider that these affairs do not concern the Provinces alone or even + especially, but are just as deeply important to her and to all other + princes of the religion." + </p> + <p> + After this dialogue, with much more conversation of a similar character, + the Secretary and the envoy set themselves frankly and manfully to work. + It was agreed between them that every effort should be made with the + leading members of the Council to induce the Queen "in this terrible + conjuncture, not to forsake the Provinces, but to extend good counsel and + prompt assistance to them in their present embarrassments." + </p> + <p> + There was, however, so much business in Parliament just then, that it was + impossible to obtain immediately the desired interviews. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th, Ortel and De Gryze had another interview with Walsingham at + the Palace of Greenwich. The Secretary expressed the warmest and most + sincere affection for the Provinces, and advised that one of the two + envoys should set forth at once for home in order to declare to the + States, without loss of time, her Majesty's good inclination to assume the + protection of the land, together with the maintenance of the reformed + religion and the ancient privileges. Not that she was seeking her own + profit, or wished to obtain that sovereignty which had just been offered + to another of the contrary religion, but in order to make manifest her + affectionate solicitude to preserve the Protestant faith and to support + her old allies and neighbours. Nevertheless, as she could not assume this + protectorate without embarking in a dangerous war with the King of Spain, + in which she would not only be obliged to spend the blood of her subjects, + but also at least two millions of gold, there was the more reason that the + States should give her certain cities as security. Those cities would be + held by certain of her gentlemen, nominated thereto, of quality, credit, + and religion, at the head of good, true, and well-paid garrisons, who + should make oath never to surrender them to the King of Spain or to any + one else without consent of the States. The Provinces were also + reciprocally to bind themselves by oath to make no treaty with the King, + without the advice and approval of her Majesty. It was likewise thoroughly + to be understood that such cautionary towns should be restored to the + States so soon as payment should be made of all moneys advanced during the + war. + </p> + <p> + Next day the envoys had an interview with the Earl of Leicester, whom they + found as amicably disposed towards their cause as Secretary Walsingham had + been. "Her Majesty," said the Earl, "is excessively indignant with the + King of France, that he should so long have abused the Provinces, and at + last have dismissed their deputies so contemptuously. Nevertheless," he + continued, "'tis all your own fault to have placed your hopes so entirely + upon him as to entirely forget other princes, and more especially her + Majesty. Notwithstanding all that has passed, however, I find her fully + determined to maintain the cause of the Provinces. For my own part, I am + ready to stake my life, estates, and reputation, upon this issue, and to + stand side by side with other gentlemen in persuading her Majesty to do + her utmost for the assistance of your country." + </p> + <p> + He intimated however, as Walsingham had done, that the matter of + cautionary towns would prove an indispensable condition, and recommended + that one of the two envoys should proceed homeward at once, in order to + procure, as speedily as possible, the appointment of an embassy for that + purpose to her Majesty. "They must bring full powers," said the Earl, "to + give her the necessary guarantees, and make a formal demand for + protection; for it would be unbecoming, and against her reputation, to be + obliged to present herself, unsought by the other party." + </p> + <p> + In conclusion, after many strong expressions of good-will, Leicester + promised to meet them next day at court, where he would address the Queen + personally on the subject, and see that they spoke with her as well. + Meantime he sent one of his principal gentlemen to keep company with the + envoys, and make himself useful to them. This personage, being "of good + quality and a member of Parliament," gave them much useful information, + assuring them that there was a strong feeling in England in favour of the + Netherlands, and that the matter had been very vigorously taken up in the + national legislature. That assembly had been strongly encouraging her + Majesty boldly to assume the protectorate, and had manifested a + willingness to assist her with the needful. "And if," said he, "one + subsidy should not be enough, she shall have three, four, five, or six, or + as much as may be necessary." + </p> + <p> + The same day, the envoys had an interview with Lord Treasurer Burghley, + who held the same language as Walsingham and Leicester had done. "The + Queen, to his knowledge," he said, "was quite ready to assume the + protectorate; but it was necessary that it should be formally offered, + with the necessary guarantees, and that without further loss of time." + </p> + <p> + On the 22nd March, according to agreement, Ortel and De Gryze went to the + court at Greenwich. While waiting there for the Queen, who had ridden out + into the country, they had more conversation with Walsingham, whom they + found even more energetically disposed in their favour than ever, and who + assured them that her Majesty was quite ready to assume the protectorate + so soon as offered. "Within a month," he said, "after the signing of a + treaty, the troops would be on the spot, under command of such a personage + of quality and religion as would be highly satisfactory." While they were + talking, the Queen rode into the court-yard, accompanied by the Earl of + Leicester and other gentlemen. Very soon afterwards the envoys were + summoned to her presence, and allowed to recommend the affairs of the + Provinces to her consideration. She lamented the situation of their + country, and in a few words expressed her inclination to render + assistance, provided the States would manifest full confidence in her. + They replied by offering to take instant measures to gratify all her + demands, so soon as those demands should be made known; and the Queen + finding herself surrounded by so many gentlemen and by a crowd of people, + appointed them accordingly to come to her private apartments the same + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + At that interview none were present save Walsingham and Lord Chamberlain + Howard. The Queen showed herself "extraordinarily resolute" to take up the + affairs of the Provinces. "She had always been sure," she said, "that the + French negotiation would have no other issue than the one which they had + just seen. She was fully aware what a powerful enemy she was about to make—one + who could easily create mischief for her in Scotland and Ireland; but she + was nevertheless resolved, if the States chose to deal with her frankly + and generously, to take them under her protection. She assured the envoys + that if a deputation with full powers and reasonable conditions should be + immediately sent to her, she would not delay and dally with them, as had + been the case in France, but would despatch them back again at the + speediest, and would make her good inclination manifest by deeds as well + as words. As she was hazarding her treasure together with the blood and + repose of her subjects, she was not at liberty to do this except on + receipt of proper securities." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly De Gryze went to the Provinces, provided with complimentary + and affectionate letters from the Queen, while Ortel remained in England. + So far all was plain and above-board; and Walsingham, who, from the first, + had been warmly in favour of taking up the Netherland cause, was relieved + by being able to write in straightforward language. Stealthy and subtle, + where the object was to get within the guard of an enemy who menaced a + mortal blow, he was, both by nature and policy, disposed to deal frankly + with those he called his friends. + </p> + <p> + "Monsieur de Gryze repaireth presently," he wrote to Davison, "to try if + he can induce the States to send their deputies hither, furnished with + more ample instructions than they had to treat with the French King, + considering that her Majesty carryeth another manner of princely + disposition than that sovereign. Meanwhile, for that she doubteth lest in + this hard estate of their affairs, and the distrust they have conceived to + be relieved from hence, they should from despair throw themselves into the + course of Spain, her pleasure therefore is—though by Burnham I sent + you directions to put them in comfort of relief, only as of yourself—that + you shall now, as it were, in her name, if you see cause sufficient, + assure some of the aptest instruments that you shall make choice of for + that purpose, that her Majesty, rather than that they should perish, will + be content to take them under her protection." + </p> + <p> + He added that it was indispensable for the States, upon their part, to + offer "such sufficient cautions and assurances as she might in reason + demand." + </p> + <p> + Matters were so well managed that by the 22nd April the States-General + addressed a letter to the Queen, in which they notified her, that the + desired deputation was on the point of setting forth. "Recognizing," they + said, "that there is no prince or potentate to whom they are more obliged + than they are to your Majesty, we are about to request you very humbly to + accept the sovereignty of these Provinces, and the people of the same for + your very humble vassals and subjects." They added that, as the necessity + of the case was great, they hoped the Queen would send, so soon as might + be, a force of four or five thousand men for the purpose of relieving the + siege of Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + A similar letter was despatched by the same courier to the Earl of + Leicester. + </p> + <p> + On the 1st of May, Ortel had audience of the Queen, to deliver the letters + from the States-General. He found that despatches, very encouraging and + agreeable in their tenor, had also just arrived from Davison. The Queen + was in good humour. She took the letter from Ortel, read it attentively, + and paused a good while. Then she assured him that her good affection + towards the Provinces was not in the least changed, and that she thanked + the States for the confidence in her that they were manifesting. "It is + unnecessary," said the Queen, "for me to repeat over and over again + sentiments which I have so plainly declared. You are to assure the States + that they shall never be disappointed in the trust that they have reposed + in my good intentions. Let them deal with me sincerely, and without + holding open any back-door. Not that I am seeking the sovereignty of the + Provinces, for I wish only to maintain their privileges and ancient + liberties, and to defend them in this regard against all the world. Let + them ripely consider, then, with what fidelity I am espousing their cause, + and how, without fear of any one, I am arousing most powerful enemies." + </p> + <p> + Ortel had afterwards an interview with Leicester, in which the Earl + assured him that her Majesty had not in the least changed in her + sentiments towards the Provinces. "For myself," said he, "I am ready, if + her Majesty choose to make use of me, to go over there in person, and to + place life, property, and all the assistance I can gain from my friends, + upon the issue. Yea, with so good a heart, that I pray the Lord may be + good to me, only so far as I serve faithfully in this cause." He added a + warning that the deputies to be appointed should come with absolute + powers, in order that her Majesty's bountiful intentions might not be + retarded by their own fault. + </p> + <p> + Ortel then visited Walsingham at his house, Barn-Elms, where he was + confined by illness. Sir Francis assured the envoy that he would use every + effort, by letter to her Majesty and by verbal instructions to his + son-in-law, Sir Philip Sidney, to further the success of the negotiation, + and that he deeply regretted his enforced absence from the court on so + important an occasion. + </p> + <p> + Matters were proceeding most favourably, and the all-important point of + sending an auxiliary force of Englishmen to the relief of Antwerp—before + it should be too late, and in advance of the final conclusion of the + treaty between the countries-had been nearly conceded. Just at that + moment, however, "as ill-luck would have it," said Ortel, "came a letter + from Gilpin. I don't think he meant it in malice, but the effect was most + pernicious. He sent the information that a new attack was to be made by + the 10th May upon the Kowenstyn, that it was sure to be successful, and + that the siege of Antwerp was as good as raised. So Lord Burghley informed + me, in presence of Lord Leicester, that her Majesty was determined to + await the issue of this enterprise. It was quite too late to get troops in + readiness; to co-operate with the States' army, so soon as the 10th May, + and as Antwerp was so sure to be relieved, there was no pressing necessity + for haste. I uttered most bitter complaints to these lords and to other + counsellors of the Queen, that she should thus draw back, on account of a + letter from a single individual, without paying sufficient heed to the + despatches from the States-General, who certainly knew their own affairs + and their own necessities better than any one else could do, but her + Majesty sticks firm to her resolution." + </p> + <p> + Here were immense mistakes committed on all sides. The premature shooting + up of those three rockets from the cathedral-tower, on the unlucky 10th + May, had thus not only ruined the first assault against the Kowenstyn, but + also the second and the more promising adventure. Had the four thousand + bold Englishmen there enlisted, and who could have reached the Provinces + in time to cooperate in that great enterprise, have stood side by side + with the Hollanders, the Zeelanders, and the Antwerpers, upon that fatal + dyke, it is almost a certainty that Antwerp would have been relieved, and + the whole of Flanders and Brabant permanently annexed to the independent + commonwealth, which would have thus assumed at once most imposing + proportions. + </p> + <p> + It was a great blunder of Sainte Aldegonde to station in the cathedral, on + so important an occasion, watchmen in whose judgment he could not + thoroughly rely. It was a blunder in Gilpin, intelligent as he generally + showed himself, to write in such sanguine style before the event. But it + was the greatest blunder of all for Queen Elizabeth to suspend her + cooperation at the very instant when, as the result showed, it was likely + to prove most successful. It was a chapter of blunders from first to last, + but the most fatal of all the errors was the one thus prompted by the + great Queen's most traitorous characteristic, her obstinate parsimony. + </p> + <p> + And now began a series of sharp chafferings on both sides, not very much + to the credit of either party. The kingdom of England, and the rebellious + Provinces of Spain, were drawn to each other by an irresistible law of + political attraction. Their absorption into each other seemed natural and + almost inevitable; and the weight of the strong Protestant organism, had + it been thus completed, might have balanced the great Catholic League + which was clustering about Spain. + </p> + <p> + It was unfortunate that the two governments of England and the Netherlands + should now assume the attitude of traders driving a hard bargain with each + other, rather than that of two important commonwealths, upon whose action, + at that momentous epoch, the weal and wo of Christendom was hanging. It is + quite true that the danger to England was great, but that danger in any + event was to be confronted—Philip was to be defied, and, by assuming + the cause of the Provinces to be her own, which it unquestionably was, + Elizabeth was taking the diadem from her head—as the King of Sweden + well observed—and adventuring it upon the doubtful chance of war. + Would it not have been better then—her mind being once made up—promptly + to accept all the benefits, as well as all the hazards, of the bold game + to which she was of necessity a party? But she could not yet believe in + the incredible meanness of Henry III. "I asked her Majesty" (3rd May, + 1585), said Ortel, "whether, in view of these vast preparations in France, + it did not behove her to be most circumspect and upon her guard. For, in + the opinion of many men, everything showed one great scheme already laid + down—a general conspiracy throughout Christendom against the + reformed religion. She answered me, that thus far she could not perceive + this to be the case; 'nor could she believe,' she said, 'that the King of + France could be so faint-hearted as to submit to such injuries from the + Guises.'" + </p> + <p> + Time was very soon to show the nature of that unhappy monarch with regard + to injuries, and to prove to Elizabeth the error she had committed in + doubting his faint-heartedness. Meanwhile, time was passing, and the + Netherlands were shivering in the storm. They, needed the open sunshine + which her caution kept too long behind the clouds. For it was now enjoined + upon Walsingham to manifest a coldness upon the part of the English + government towards the States. Davison was to be allowed to return; "but," + said Sir Francis, "her Majesty would not have you accompany the + commissioners who are coming from the Low Countries; but to come over, + either before them or after them, lest it be thought they come over by her + Majesty's procurement." + </p> + <p> + As if they were not coming over by her Majesty's most especial + procurement, and as if it would matter to Philip—the union once made + between England and Holland—whether the invitation to that union + came first from the one party or the other! + </p> + <p> + "I am retired for my health from the court to mine own house," said + Walsingham, "but I find those in whose judgment her Majesty reposeth + greatest trust so coldly affected unto the cause, as I have no great hope + of the matter; and yet, for that the hearts of princes are in the hands of + God, who both can will and dispose them at his pleasure, I would be loath + to hinder the repair of the commissioners." + </p> + <p> + Here certainly, had the sun gone most suddenly into a cloud. Sir Francis + would be loath to advise the commissioners to stay at home, but he + obviously thought them coming on as bootless an errand as that which had + taken their colleagues so recently into France. + </p> + <p> + The cause of the trouble was Flushing. Hence the tears, and the coldness, + and the scoldings, on the part of the imperious and the economical Queen. + Flushing was the patrimony—a large portion of that which was left to + him—of Count Maurice. It was deeply mortgaged for the payment of the + debts of William the Silent, but his son Maurice, so long as the elder + brother Philip William remained a captive in Spain, wrote himself Marquis + of Flushing and Kampveer, and derived both revenue and importance from his + rights in that important town. The States of Zeeland, while desirous of a + political fusion of the two countries, were averse from the prospect of + converting, by exception, their commercial, capital into an English city, + the remainder of the Provinces remaining meanwhile upon their ancient + footing. The negociations on the subject caused a most ill-timed delay. + The States finding the English government cooling, affected to grow tepid + themselves. This was the true mercantile system, perhaps, for managing a + transaction most thriftily, but frankness and promptness would have been + more statesmanlike at such a juncture. + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry to understand," wrote Walsingham, "that the States are not yet + grown to a full resolution for the delivering of the town of Flushing into + her Majesty's hands. The Queen finding the people of that island so + wavering and inconstant, besides that they can hardly, after the so long + enjoying a popular liberty, bear a regal authority, would be loath to + embark herself into so dangerous a war without some sufficient caution + received from them. It is also greatly to be doubted, that if, by practice + and corruption, that town might be recovered by the Spaniards, it would + put all the rest of the country in peril. I find her Majesty, in case that + town may be gotten, fully resolved to receive them into her protection, so + as it may also be made probable unto her that the promised three hundred + thousand guilders the month will be duly paid." + </p> + <p> + A day or two after writing this letter, Walsingham sent one afternoon, in + a great hurry, for Ortel, and informed him very secretly, that, according + to information just received, the deputies from the States were coming + without sufficient authority in regard to this very matter. Thus all the + good intentions of the English government were likely to be frustrated, + and the Provinces to be reduced to direful extremity. + </p> + <p> + "What can we possibly advise her Majesty to do?" asked Walsingham, "since + you are not willing to put confidence in her intentions. You are trying to + bring her into a public war, in which she is to risk her treasure and the + blood of her subjects against the greatest potentates of the world, and + you hesitate meantime at giving her such security as is required for the + very defence of the Provinces themselves. The deputies are coming hither + to offer the sovereignty to her Majesty, as was recently done in France, + or, if that should not prove acceptable, they are to ask assistance in men + and money upon a mere 'taliter qualiter' guaranty. That's not the way. And + there are plenty of ill-disposed persons here to take advantage of this + position of affairs to ruin the interest of the Provinces now placed on so + good a footing. Moreover, in this perpetual sending of despatches back and + forth, much precious time is consumed; and this is exactly what our + enemies most desire." + </p> + <p> + In accordance with Walsingham's urgent suggestions, Ortel wrote at once to + his constituents, imploring them to remedy this matter. "Do not allow," he + said, "any, more time to be wasted. Let us not painfully, build a wall + only to knock our own heads against it, to the dismay of our friends and + the gratification of our enemies." + </p> + <p> + It was at last arranged that an important blank should be left in the + articles to be brought by the deputies, upon which vacant place the names + of certain cautionary towns, afterwards to be agreed upon, were to be + inscribed by common consent. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the English ministers were busy in preparing to receive the + commissioners, and to bring the Netherland matter handsomely before the + legislature. + </p> + <p> + The integrity, the caution, the thrift, the hesitation, which + characterized Elizabeth's government, were well pourtrayed in the habitual + language of the Lord Treasurer, chief minister of a third-rate kingdom now + called on to play a first-rate part, thoroughly acquainted with the moral + and intellectual power of the nation whose policy he directed, and + prophetically conscious of the great destinies which were opening upon her + horizon. Lord Burghley could hardly be censured—least of all + ridiculed—for the patient and somewhat timid attributes of his + nature: The ineffable ponderings, which might now be ludicrous, on the + part of a minister of the British Empire, with two hundred millions of + subjects and near a hundred millions of revenue, were almost inevitable in + a man guiding a realm of four millions of people with half a million of + income. + </p> + <p> + It was, on the whole, a strange negotiation, this between England and + Holland. A commonwealth had arisen, but was unconscious of the strength + which it was to find in the principle of states' union, and of religious + equality. It sought, on the contrary, to exchange its federal sovereignty + for provincial dependence, and to imitate, to a certain extent, the very + intolerance by which it had been driven into revolt. It was not unnatural + that the Netherlanders should hate the Roman Catholic religion, in the + name of which they had endured such infinite tortures, but it is, + nevertheless, painful to observe that they requested Queen Elizabeth, whom + they styled defender, not of "the faith" but of the "reformed religion," + to exclude from the Provinces, in case she accepted the sovereignty, the + exercise of all religious rites except those belonging to the reformed + church. They, however, expressly provided against inquisition into + conscience. Private houses were to be sacred, the papists free within + their own walls, but the churches were to be closed to those of the + ancient faith. This was not so bad as to hang, burn, drown, and bury alive + nonconformists, as had been done by Philip and the holy inquisition in the + name of the church of Rome; nor is it very surprising that the horrible + past should have caused that church to be regarded with sentiments of such + deep-rooted hostility as to make the Hollanders shudder at the idea of its + re-establishment. Yet, no doubt, it was idle for either Holland or + England, at that day, to talk of a reconciliation with Rome. A step had + separated them, but it was a step from a precipice. No human power could + bridge the chasm. The steep contrast between the league and the + counter-league, between the systems of Philip and Mucio, and that of + Elizabeth and Olden-Barneveld, ran through the whole world of thought, + action, and life. + </p> + <p> + But still the negociation between Holland and England was a strange one. + Holland wished to give herself entirely, and England feared to accept. + Elizabeth, in place of sovereignty, wanted mortgages; while Holland was + afraid to give a part, although offering the whole. There was no great + inequality between the two countries. Both were instinctively conscious, + perhaps, of standing on the edge of a vast expansion. Both felt that they + were about to stretch their wings suddenly for a flight over the whole + earth. Yet each was a very inferior power, in comparison with the great + empires of the past or those which then existed. + </p> + <p> + It is difficult, without a strong effort of the imagination, to reduce the + English empire to the slender proportions which belonged to her in the + days of Elizabeth. That epoch was full of light and life. The + constellations which have for centuries been shining in the English + firmament were then human creatures walking English earth. The captains, + statesmen, corsairs, merchant-adventurers, poets, dramatists, the great + Queen herself, the Cecils, Raleigh, Walsingham, Drake, Hawkins, Gilbert, + Howard, Willoughby, the Norrises, Essex, Leicester, Sidney, Spenser, + Shakspeare and the lesser but brilliant lights which surrounded him; such + were the men who lifted England upon an elevation to which she was not yet + entitled by her material grandeur. At last she had done with Rome, and her + expansion dated from that moment. + </p> + <p> + Holland and England, by the very condition of their existence, were sworn + foes to Philip. Elizabeth stood excommunicated of the Pope. There was + hardly a month in which intelligence was not sent by English agents out of + the Netherlands and France, that assassins, hired by Philip, were making + their way to England to attempt the life of the Queen. The Netherlanders + were rebels to the Spanish monarch, and they stood, one and all, under + death-sentence by Rome. The alliance was inevitable and wholesome. + Elizabeth was, however, consistently opposed to the acceptance of a new + sovereignty. England was a weak power. Ireland was at her side in a state + of chronic rebellion—a stepping-stone for Spain in its already + foreshadowed invasion. Scotland was at her back with a strong party of + Catholics, stipendiaries of Philip, encouraged by the Guises and + periodically inflamed to enthusiasm by the hope of rescuing Mary Stuart + from her imprisonment, bringing her rival's head to the block, and + elevating the long-suffering martyr upon the throne of all the British + Islands. And in the midst of England itself, conspiracies were weaving + every day. The mortal duel between the two queens was slowly approaching + its termination. In the fatal form of Mary was embodied everything most + perilous to England's glory and to England's Queen. Mary Stuart meant + absolutism at home, subjection to Rome and Spain abroad. The uncle Guises + were stipendiaries of Philip, Philip was the slave of the Pope. Mucio had + frightened the unlucky Henry III. into submission, and there was no health + nor hope in France. For England, Mary Stuart embodied the possible relapse + into sloth, dependence, barbarism. For Elizabeth, Mary Stuart embodied + sedition, conspiracy, rebellion, battle, murder, and sudden death. + </p> + <p> + It was not to be wondered at that the Queen thus situated should be + cautious, when about throwing down the gauntlet to the greatest powers of + the earth. Yet the commissioners from the United States were now on their + way to England to propose the throwing of that gauntlet. What now was that + England? + </p> + <p> + Its population was, perhaps, not greater than the numbers which dwell + to-day within its capital and immediate suburbs. Its revenue was perhaps + equal to the sixtieth part of the annual interest on the present national + debt. Single, highly-favoured individuals, not only in England but in + other countries cis-and trans-Atlantic, enjoy incomes equal to more than + half the amount of Elizabeth's annual budget. London, then containing + perhaps one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, was hardly so imposing + a town as Antwerp, and was inferior in most material respects to Paris and + Lisbon. Forty-two hundred children were born every year within its + precincts, and the deaths were nearly as many. In plague years, which were + only too frequent, as many as twenty and even thirty thousand people had + been annually swept away. + </p> + <p> + At the present epoch there are seventeen hundred births every week, and + about one thousand deaths. + </p> + <p> + It is instructive to throw a glance at the character of the English people + as it appeared to intelligent foreigners at that day; for the various + parts of the world were not then so closely blended, nor did national + colours and characteristics flow so liquidly into each other, as is the + case in these days of intimate juxta-position. + </p> + <p> + "The English are a very clever, handsome, and well-made people," says a + learned Antwerp historian and merchant, who had resided a long time in + London, "but, like all islanders, by nature weak and tender. They are + generally fair, particularly the women, who all—even to the peasant + women—protect their complexions from the sun with fans and veils, as + only the stately gentlewomen do in Germany and the Netherlands. As a + people they are stout-hearted, vehement, eager, cruel in war, zealous in + attack, little fearing: death; not revengeful, but fickle, presumptuous, + rash, boastful, deceitful, very suspicious, especially of strangers, whom + they despise. They are full of courteous and hypocritical gestures and + words, which they consider to imply good manners, civility, and wisdom. + They are well spoken, and very hospitable. They feed well, eating much + meat, which-owing to the rainy climate and the ranker character of the + grass—is not so firm and succulent as the meat of France and the + Netherlands. The people are not so laborious as the French and Hollanders, + preferring to lead an indolent life, like the Spaniards. The most + difficult and ingenious of the handicrafts are in the hands of foreigners, + as is the case with the lazy inhabitants of Spain. They feed many sheep, + with fine wool, from which, two hundred years ago, they learned to make + cloth. They keep many idle servants, and many wild animals for their + pleasure, instead of cultivating the sail. They have many ships, but they + do not even catch fish enough for their own consumption, but purchase of + their neighbours. They dress very elegantly. Their costume is light and + costly, but they are very changeable and capricious, altering their + fashions every year, both the men and the women. When they go away from + home, riding or travelling, they always wear their best clothes, contrary + to the habit of other nations. The English language is broken Dutch, mixed + with French and British terms and words, but with a lighter pronunciation. + They do not speak from the chest, like the Germans, but prattle only with + the tongue." + </p> + <p> + Here are few statistical facts, but certainly it is curious to see how + many national traits thus photographed by a contemporary, have quite + vanished, and have been exchanged for their very opposites. Certainly the + last physiological criticism of all would indicate as great a national + metamorphosis, during the last three centuries, as is offered by many + other of the writer's observations. + </p> + <p> + "With regard to the women," continues the same authority, "they are + entirely in the power of the men, except in matters of life and death, yet + they are not kept so closely and strictly as in Spain and elsewhere. They + are not locked up, but have free management of their household, like the + Netherlanders and their other neighbours. They are gay in their clothing, + taking well their ease, leaving house-work to the servant-maids, and are + fond of sitting, finely-dressed, before their doors to see the passers-by + and to be seen of them. In all banquets and dinner-parties they have the + most honour, sitting at the upper end of the board, and being served + first. + </p> + <p> + "Their time is spent in riding, lounging, card-playing, and making merry + with their gossips at child-bearings, christenings, churchings, and + buryings; and all this conduct the men wink at, because such are the + customs of the land. They much commend however the industry and careful + habits of the German and Netherland women, who do the work which in + England devolves upon the men. Hence, England is called the paradise of + married women, for the unmarried girls are kept much more strictly than + upon the continent. The women are, handsome, white, dressy, modest; + although they go freely about the streets without bonnet, hood, or veil; + but lately learned to cover their faces with a silken mask or vizard with + a plumage of feathers, for they change their fashions every year, to the + astonishment of many." + </p> + <p> + Paul Hentzner, a tourist from Germany at precisely the same epoch, touches + with equal minuteness on English characteristics. It may be observed, + that, with some discrepancies, there is also much similarity, in the views + of the two critics. + </p> + <p> + "The English," says the whimsical Paul, are serious, like the Germans, + lovers of show, liking to be followed, wherever they go, by troops of + servants, who wear their master's arms, in silver, fastened to their left + sleeves, and are justly ridiculed for wearing tails hanging down their + backs. They excel in dancing and music, for they are active and lively, + although they are of thicker build than the Germans. They cut their hair + close on the forehead, letting it hang down on either side. They are good + sailors, and better pirates, cunning, treacherous, thievish. Three hundred + and upwards are hanged annually in London. Hawking is the favourite sport + of the nobility. The English are more polite in eating than the French, + devouring less bread, but more meat, which they roast in perfection. They + put a great deal of sugar in their drink. Their beds are covered with + tapestry, even those of farmers. They are powerful in the field, + successful against their enemies, impatient of anything like slavery, + vastly fond of great ear-filling noises, such as cannon-firing, + drum-beating, and bell-ringing; so that it is very common for a number of + them, when they have got a cup too much in their heads, to go up to some + belfry, and ring the bells for an hour together, for the sake of the + amusement. If they see a foreigner very well made or particularly + handsome, they will say "'tis pity he is not an Englishman." + </p> + <p> + It is also somewhat amusing, at the present day, to find a German + elaborately explaining to his countrymen the mysteries of tobacco-smoking, + as they appeared to his unsophisticated eyes in England. "At the theatres + and everywhere else," says the traveller, "the English are constantly + smoking tobacco in the following manner. They have pipes, made on purpose, + of clay. At the further end of these is a bowl. Into the bowl they put the + herb, and then setting fire to it, they draw the smoke into their mouths, + which they puff out again through their nostrils, like funnels," and so + on; conscientious explanations which a German tourist of our own times + might think it superfluous to offer to his compatriots. + </p> + <p> + It is also instructive to read that the light-fingered gentry of the + metropolis were nearly as adroit in their calling as they are at present, + after three additional centuries of development for their delicate craft; + for the learned Tobias Salander, the travelling companion of Paul + Hentzner, finding himself at a Lord Mayor's Show, was eased of his purse, + containing nine crowns, as skilfully as the feat could have been done by + the best pickpocket of the nineteenth century, much to that learned + person's discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + Into such an England and among such English the Netherland envoys had now + been despatched on their most important errand. + </p> + <p> + After twice putting back, through stress of weather, the commissioners, + early in July, arrived at London, and were "lodged and very worshipfully + appointed at charges of her Majesty in the Clothworkers' Hall in + Pynchon-lane, near Tower-street." About the Tower and its faubourgs the + buildings were stated to be as elegant as they were in the city itself, + although this was hardly very extravagant commendation. From this district + a single street led along the river's strand to Westminster, where were + the old and new palaces, the famous hall and abbey, the Parliament + chambers, and the bridge to Southwark, built of stone, with twenty arches, + sixty feet high, and with rows of shops and dwelling-houses on both its + sides. Thence, along the broad and beautiful river, were dotted here and + there many stately mansions and villas, residences of bishops and nobles, + extending farther and farther west as the city melted rapidly into the + country. London itself was a town lying high upon a hill—the hill of + Lud—and consisted of a coil of narrow, tortuous, unseemly streets, + each with a black, noisome rivulet running through its centre, and with + rows of three-storied, leaden-roofed houses, built of timber-work filled + in with lime, with many gables, and with the upper stories overhanging and + darkening the basements. There were one hundred and twenty-one churches, + small and large, the most conspicuous of which was the Cathedral. Old + Saint Paul's was not a very magnificent edifice—but it was an + extremely large one, for it was seven hundred and twenty feet long, one + hundred and thirty broad, and had a massive quadrangular tower, two + hundred and sixty feet high. Upon this tower had stood a timber-steeple, + rising, to a height of five hundred and thirty-four feet from the ground, + but it had been struck by lightning in the year 1561, and consumed to the + stone-work. + </p> + <p> + The Queen's favourite residence was Greenwich Palace, the place of her + birth, and to this mansion, on the 9th of July, the Netherland envoys were + conveyed, in royal barges, from the neighbourhood of Pynchon-lane, for + their first audience. + </p> + <p> + The deputation was a strong one. There was Falck of Zeeland, a man of + consummate adroitness, perhaps not of as satisfactory integrity; "a shrewd + fellow and a fine," as Lord Leicester soon afterwards characterised him. + There was Menin, pensionary of Dort, an eloquent and accomplished orator, + and employed on this occasion as chief spokesman of the legation—"a + deeper man, and, I think, an honester," said the same personage, adding, + with an eye to business, "and he is but poor, which you must consider, but + with great secrecy." There was Paul Buys, whom we have met with before; + keen, subtle, somewhat loose of life, very passionate, a most most + energetic and valuable friend to England, a determined foe to France, who + had resigned the important post of Holland's Advocate, when the mission + offering sovereignty to Henry III. had been resolved upon, and who had + since that period been most influential in procuring the present triumph + of the English policy. Through his exertions the Province of Holland had + been induced at an early moment to furnish the most ample instructions to + the commissioners for the satisfaction of Queen Elizabeth in the great + matter of the mortgages. "Judge if this Paul Buys has done his work well," + said a French agent in the Netherlands, who, despite the infamous conduct + of his government towards the Provinces, was doing his best to frustrate + the subsequent negotiation with England, "and whether or no he has Holland + under his thumb." The same individual had conceived hopes from Falck of + Zeeland. That Province, in which lay the great bone of contention between + the Queen and the States—the important town of Flushing—was + much slower than Holland to agree to the English policy. It is to be + feared that Falck was not the most ingenuous and disinterested politician + that could be found even in an age not distinguished for frankness or + purity; for even while setting forth upon the mission to Elizabeth, he was + still clinging, or affecting to cling, to the wretched delusion of French + assistance. "I regret infinitely," said Falck to the French agent just + mentioned, "that I am employed in this affair, and that it is necessary in + our present straits to have recourse to England. There is—so to + speak—not a person in our Province that is inclined that way, all + recognizing very well that France is much more salutary for us, besides + that we all bear her a certain affection. Indeed, if I were assured that + the King still felt any goodwill towards us, I would so manage matters + that neither the Queen of England, nor any other prince whatever except + his most Christian-Majesty should take a bite at this country, at least at + this Province, and with that view, while waiting for news from France, I + will keep things in suspense, and spin them out as long as it is possible + to do." + </p> + <p> + The news from France happened soon to be very conclusive, and it then + became difficult even for Falek to believe—after intelligence + received of the accord between Henry III. and the Guises—that his + Christian Majesty, would be inclined for a bite at the Netherlands. This + duplicity on the part of so leading a personage furnishes a key to much of + the apparent dilatoriness on the part of the English government: It has + been seen that Elizabeth, up to the last moment, could not fairly + comprehend the ineffable meanness of the French monarch. She told Ortel + that she saw no reason to believe in that great Catholic conspiracy + against herself and against all Protestantism which was so soon to be made + public by the King's edict of July, promulgated at the very instant of the + arrival in England of the Netherland envoys. Then that dread fiat had gone + forth, the most determined favourer of the French alliance could no longer + admit its possibility, and Falck became the more open to that peculiar + line of argument which Leicester had suggested with regard to one of the + other deputies. "I will do my best," wrote Walsingham, "to procure that + Paul Buys and Falck shall receive underhand some reward." + </p> + <p> + Besides Menin, Falck, and Buys, were Noel de Caron, an experienced + diplomatist; the poet-soldier, Van der Does; heroic defender of Leyden; De + Gryze, Hersolte, Francis Maalzoon, and three legal Frisians of pith and + substance, Feitsma, Aisma, and Jongema; a dozen Dutchmen together—as + muscular champions as ever little republic sent forth to wrestle with all + comers in the slippery ring of diplomacy. For it was instinctively felt + that here were conclusions to be tried with a nation of deep, solid + thinkers, who were aware that a great crisis in the world's history had + occurred, and would put forth their most substantial men to deal with it: + Burghley and Walsingham, the great Queen herself, were no feather-weights + like the frivolous Henry III., and his minions. It was pity, however, that + the discussions about to ensue presented from the outset rather the aspect + of a hard hitting encounter of antagonists than that of a frank and + friendly congress between two great parties whose interests were + identical. + </p> + <p> + Since the death of William the Silent, there was no one individual in the + Netherlands to impersonate the great struggle of the Provinces with Spain + and Rome, and to concentrate upon his own head a poetical, dramatic, and + yet most legitimate interest. The great purpose of the present history + must be found in its illustration of the creative power of civil and + religious freedom. Here was a little republic, just born into the world, + suddenly bereft of its tutelary saint, left to its own resources, yet + already instinct with healthy vigorous life, and playing its difficult + part among friends and enemies with audacity, self-reliance, and success. + To a certain extent its achievements were anonymous, but a great principle + manifested itself through a series of noble deeds. Statesmen, soldiers, + patriots, came forward on all sides to do the work which was to be done, + and those who were brought into closest contact with the commonwealth + acknowledged in strongest language the signal ability with which, + self-guided, she steered her course. Nevertheless, there was at this + moment one Netherlander, the chief of the present mission to England, + already the foremost statesman of his country, whose name will not soon be + effaced from the record of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. That + man was John of Olden-Barneveld. + </p> + <p> + He was now in his thirty-eighth year, having been born at Amersfoot on the + 14th of September, 1547. He bore an imposing name, for the + Olden-Barnevelds of Gelderland were a race of unquestionable and antique + nobility. His enemies, however, questioned his right to the descent which + he claimed. They did not dispute that the great grandfather, Class van + Olden-Barneveld, was of distinguished lineage and allied to many + illustrious houses, but they denied that Class was really the great + grandfather of John. John's father, Gerritt, they said, was a nameless + outcast, a felon, a murderer, who had escaped the punishment due to his + crimes, but had dragged out a miserable existence in the downs, burrowing + like a rabbit in the sand. They had also much to say in disparagement of + all John's connections. Not only was his father a murderer, but his wife, + whom he had married for money, was the child of a most horrible incest, + his sisters were prostitutes, his sons and brothers were debauchees and + drunkards, and, in short, never had a distinguished man a more + uncomfortable and discreditable family-circle than that which surrounded + Barneveld, if the report of his enemies was to be believed. Yet it is + agreeable to reflect that, with all the venom which they had such power of + secreting, these malignant tongues had been unable to destroy the + reputation of the man himself. John's character was honourable and + upright, his intellectual power not disputed even by those who at a later + period hated him the most bitterly. He had been a profound and + indefatigable student from his earliest youth. He had read law at Leyden, + in France, at Heidelberg. Here, in the head-quarters of German Calvinism, + his youthful mind had long pondered the dread themes of foreknowledge, + judgment absolute, free will, and predestination: To believe it worth the + while of a rational and intelligent Deity to create annually several + millions of thinking beings, who were to struggle for a brief period on + earth, and to consume in perpetual brimstone afterwards, while others were + predestined to endless enjoyment, seemed to him an indifferent exchange + for a faith in the purgatory and paradise of Rome. Perplexed in the + extreme, the youthful John bethought himself of an inscription over the + gateway of his famous but questionable great grandfather's house at + Amersfort—'nil scire tutissima fides.' He resolved thenceforth to + adopt a system of ignorance upon matters beyond the flaming walls of the + world; to do the work before him manfully and faithfully while he walked + the earth, and to trust that a benevolent Creator would devote neither him + nor any other man to eternal hellfire. For this most offensive doctrine he + was howled at by the strictly pious, while he earned still deeper + opprobrium by daring to advocate religious toleration: In face of the + endless horrors inflicted by the Spanish Inquisition upon his native land, + he had the hardihood—although a determined Protestant himself—to + claim for Roman Catholics the right to exercise their religion in the free + States on equal terms with those of the reformed faith. "Anyone," said his + enemies, "could smell what that meant who had not a wooden nose." In + brief, he was a liberal Christian, both in theory and practice, and he + nobly confronted in consequence the wrath of bigots on both sides. At a + later period the most zealous Calvinists called him Pope John, and the + opinions to which he was to owe such appellations had already been formed + in his mind. + </p> + <p> + After completing his very thorough legal studies, he had practised as an + advocate in Holland and Zeeland. An early defender of civil and religious + freedom, he had been brought at an early day into contact with William the + Silent, who recognized his ability. He had borne a snap-hance on his + shoulder as a volunteer in the memorable attempt to relieve Haarlem, and + was one of the few survivors of that bloody night. He had stood outside + the walls of Leyden in company of the Prince of Orange when that + magnificent destruction of the dykes had taken place by which the city had + been saved from the fate impending over it. At a still more recent period + we have seen him landing from the gun-boats upon the Kowenstyn, on the + fatal 26th May. These military adventures were, however, but brief and + accidental episodes in his career, which was that of a statesman and + diplomatist. As pensionary of Rotterdam, he was constantly a member of the + General Assembly, and had already begun to guide the policy of the new + commonwealth. His experience was considerable, and he was now in the high + noon of his vigour and his usefulness. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of noble and imposing presence, with thick hair pushed from a + broad forehead rising dome-like above a square and massive face; a strong + deeply-coloured physiognomy, with shaggy brow, a chill blue eye, not + winning but commanding, high cheek bones, a solid, somewhat scornful nose, + a firm mouth and chin, enveloped in a copious brown beard; the whole head + not unfitly framed in the stiff formal ruff of the period; and the tall + stately figure well draped in magisterial robes of velvet and sable—such + was John of Olden-Barneveld. + </p> + <p> + The Commissioners thus described arrived at Greenwich Stairs, and were at + once ushered into the palace, a residence which had been much enlarged and + decorated by Henry VIII. + </p> + <p> + They were received with stately ceremony. The presence-chamber was hung + with Gobelin tapestry, its floor strewn with rushes. Fifty-gentlemen + pensioners, with gilt battle-ages, and a throng of 'buffetiers', or + beef-eaters, in that quaint old-world garb which has survived so many + centuries, were in attendance, while the counsellors of the Queen, in + their robes of state, waited around the throne. + </p> + <p> + There, in close skull-cap and dark flowing gown, was the subtle, + monastic-looking Walsingham, with long, grave, melancholy face and Spanish + eyes. There too, white staff in hand, was Lord High Treasurer Burghley, + then sixty-five years of age, with serene blue eye, large, smooth, pale, + scarce-wrinkled face and forehead; seeming, with his placid, symmetrical + features, and great velvet bonnet, under which such silver hairs as + remained were soberly tucked away, and with his long dark robes which + swept the ground, more like a dignified gentlewoman than a statesman, but + for the wintery beard which lay like a snow-drift on his ancient breast. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was then in the fifty-third year of her age, and considered + herself in the full bloom of her beauty. Her, garments were of satin and + velvet, with fringes of pearl as big as beans. A small gold crown was upon + her head, and her red hair, throughout its multiplicity of curls, blazed + with diamonds and emeralds. Her forehead was tall, her face long, her + complexion fair, her eyes small, dark, and glittering, her nose high and + hooked, her lips thin, her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally + exposed. As she passed through the ante-chamber to the presence-hall, + supplicants presented petitions upon their knees. Wherever she glanced, + all prostrated themselves on the ground. The cry of "Long live Queen + Elizabeth" was spontaneous and perpetual; the reply; "I thank you, my good + people," was constant and cordial. She spoke to various foreigners in + their respective languages, being mistress, besides the Latin and Greek, + of French, Spanish, Italian, and German. As the Commissioners were + presented to her by Lord Buckhurst it was observed that she was + perpetually gloving and ungloving, as if to attract attention to her hand, + which was esteemed a wonder of beauty. She spoke French with purity and + elegance, but with a drawling, somewhat affected accent, saying "Paar maa + foi; paar le Dieeu vivaant," and so forth, in a style which was ridiculed + by Parisians, as she sometimes, to her extreme annoyance, discovered. + </p> + <p> + Joos de Menin, pensionary of Dort, in the name of all the envoys, made an + elaborate address. He expressed the gratitude which the States entertained + for her past kindness, and particularly for the good offices rendered by + Ambassador Davison after the death of the Prince of Orange, and for the + deep regret expressed by her Majesty for their disappointment in the hopes + they had founded upon France. + </p> + <p> + "Since the death of the Prince of Orange," he said, "the States have lost + many important cities, and now, for the preservation of their existence, + they have need of a prince and sovereign lord to defend them against the + tyranny and iniquitous oppression of the Spaniards and their adherents, + who are more and more determined utterly to destroy their country, and + reduce the poor people to a perpetual slavery worse than that of Indians, + under the insupportable and detestable yoke of the Spanish Inquisition. We + have felt a confidence that your Majesty will not choose to see us perish + at the hands of the enemy against whom we have been obliged to sustain + this long and cruel war. That war we have undertaken in order to preserve + for the poor people their liberty, laws, and franchises, together with the + exercise of the true Christian religion, of which your Majesty bears + rightfully the title of defender, and against which the enemy and his + allies have made so many leagues and devised so many ambushes and + stratagems, besides organizing every day so many plots against the life of + your Majesty and the safety of your realms—schemes which thus far + the good God has averted for the good of Christianity and the maintenance + of His churches. For these reasons, Madam, the States have taken a firm + resolution to have recourse to your Majesty, seeing that it is an ordinary + thing for all oppressed nations to apply in their calamity to neighbouring + princes, and especially to such as are endowed with piety, justice, + magnanimity, and other kingly virtues. For this reason we have been + deputed to offer to your Majesty the sovereignty over these Provinces, + under certain good and equitable conditions, having reference chiefly to + the maintenance of the reformed religion and of our ancient liberties and + customs. And although, in the course of these long and continued wars, the + enemy has obtained possession of many cities and strong places within our + couniry, nevertheless the Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and + Friesland, are, thank God, still entire. And in those lands are many large + and stately cities, beautiful and deep rivers, admirable seaports, from + which your Majesty and your successors can derive much good fruit and + commodity, of which it is scarcely, necessary to make a long recital. This + point, however, beyond the rest, merits a special consideration; namely, + that the conjunction of those Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and + Friesland, together with the cities of Sluys and Ostend, with the kingdoms + of your Majesty, carries with it the absolute empire of the great ocean, + and consequently an assurance of perpetual felicity for your subjects. We + therefore humbly entreat you to agree to our conditions, to accept the + sovereign seignory of these Provinces, and consequently to receive the + people of the same as your very humble and obedient subjects, under the + perpetual safeguard of your crown—a people certainly as faithful and + loving towards their princes and sovereign lords, to speak without + boasting, as any in all Christendom. + </p> + <p> + "So doing, Madam, you will preserve many beautiful churches which it has + pleased God to raise up in these lands, now much afflicted and shaken, and + you will deliver this country and people—before the iniquitous + invasion of the Spaniards, so rich and flourishing by the great Commodity + of the sea, their ports and rivers, their commerce and manufactures, for + all which they have such natural advantages—from ruin and perpetual + slavery of body and soul. This will be a truly excellent work, agreeable + to God, profitable to Christianity, worthy of immortal praise, and + comporting with the heroic virtues of your Majesty, and ensuring the + prosperity of your country and people. With this we present to your + Majesty our articles and conditions, and pray that the King of Kings may + preserve you from all your enemies and ever have you in His holy keeping." + </p> + <p> + The Queen listened intently and very courteously to the delivery of this + address, and then made answer in French to this effect:—"Gentlemen,—Had + I a thousand tongues I should not be able to express my obligation to you + for the great and handsome offers which you have just made. I firmly + believe that this proceeds from the true zeal, devotion, and affection, + which you have always borne me, and I am certain that you have ever + preferred me to all the princes and potentates in the world. Even when you + selected the late Duke of Anjou, who was so dear to me, and to whose soul + I hope that God has been merciful, I know that you would sooner have + offered your country to me if I had desired that you should do so. + Certainly I esteem it a great thing that you wish to be governed by me, + and I feel so much obliged to you in consequence that I will never abandon + you, but, on the contrary, assist you till the last sigh of my life. I + know very well that your princes have treated you ill, and that the + Spaniards are endeavouring to ruin you entirely; but I will come to your + aid, and I will consider what I can do, consistently with my honour, in + regard to the articles which you have brought me. They shall be examined + by the members of my council, and I promise that I will not keep you three + or four months, for I know very well that your affairs require haste, and + that they will become ruinous if you are not assisted. It is not my custom + to procrastinate, and upon this occasion I shall not dally, as others have + done, but let you have my answer very soon." + </p> + <p> + Certainly, if the Provinces needed a king, which they had most + unequivocally declared to be the case, they might have wandered the whole + earth over, and, had it been possible, searched through the whole range of + history, before finding a monarch with a more kingly spirit than the great + Queen to whom they had at last had recourse. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, she was resolute in her refusal to accept the offered + sovereignty. The first interview terminated with this exchange of + addresses, and the deputies departed in their barges for their lodgings in + Pynchon-lane. + </p> + <p> + The next two days were past in perpetual conferences, generally at Lord + Burghley's house, between the envoys and the lords of the council, in + which the acceptance of the sovereignty was vehemently urged on the part + of the Netherlanders, and steadily declined in the name of her Majesty. + </p> + <p> + "Her Highness," said Burghley, "cannot be induced, by any writing or + harangue that you can make, to accept the principality or proprietorship + as sovereign, and it will therefore be labour lost for you to exhibit any + writing for the purpose of changing her intention. It will be better to + content yourselves with her Majesty's consent to assist you, and to take + you under her protection." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, two days afterwards, a writing was exhibited, drawn up by + Menin, in which another elaborate effort was made to alter the Queen's + determination. This anxiety, on the part of men already the principal + personages in a republic, to merge the independent existence of their + commonwealth in another and a foreign political organism, proved, at any + rate; that they were influenced by patriotic motives alone. It is also + instructive to observe the intense language with which the necessity of a + central paramount sovereignty for all the Provinces, and the + inconveniences of the separate States' right principle were urged by a + deputation, at the head of which stood Olden-Barneveld. "Although it is + not becoming in us," said they, "to enquire into your Majesty's motives + for refusing the sovereignty of our country, nevertheless, we cannot help + observing that your consent would be most profitable, as well to your + Majesty, and your successors, as to the Provinces themselves. By your + acceptance of the sovereignty the two peoples would be, as it were, united + in one body. This would cause a fraternal benevolence between them, and a + single reverence, love, and obedience to your Majesty.—The two + peoples being thus under the government of the same sovereign prince, the + intrigues and practices which the enemy could attempt with persons under a + separate subjection, would of necessity surcease. Moreover, those + Provinces are all distinct duchies, counties, seignories, governed by + their own magistrates, laws, and ordinances; each by itself, without any + authority or command to be exercised by one Province over another. To this + end they have need of a supreme power and of one sovereign prince or + seignor, who may command all equally, having a constant regard to the + public weal—considered as a generality, and not with regard to the + profit of the one or the other individual Province—and, causing + promptly and universally to be executed such ordinances as may be made in + the matter of war or police, according to various emergencies. Each + Province, on the contrary, retaining its sovereignty over its own + inhabitants, obedience will not be so promptly and completely rendered to + the commands of the lieutenant-general of your Majesty, and many, a good + enterprise and opportunity, will be lost. Where there is not a single + authority it is always found that one party endeavours to usurp power over + another, or to escape doing his duty so thoroughly as the others. And this + has notoriously been the case in the matter of contributions, imposts, and + similar matters." + </p> + <p> + Thus much, and more of similar argument, logically urged, made it + sufficiently evident that twenty years of revolt and of hard fighting + against one king, had not destroyed in the minds of the leading + Netherlanders their conviction of the necessity of kingship. If the new + commonwealth was likely to remain a republic, it was, at that moment at + any rate, because they could not find a king. Certainly they did their + best to annex themselves to England, and to become loyal subjects of + England's Elizabeth. But the Queen, besides other objections to the course + proposed by the Provinces, thought that she could do a better thing in the + way of mortgages. In this, perhaps, there was something of the penny-wise + policy, which sprang from one great defect in her character. At any rate + much mischief was done by the mercantile spirit which dictated the hard + chaffering on both sides the Channel at this important juncture; for + during this tedious flint-paring, Antwerp, which might have been saved, + was falling into the hands of Philip. It should never be forgotten, + however, that the Queen had no standing army, and but a small revenue. The + men to be sent from England to the Netherland wars were first to be levied + wherever it was possible to find them. In truth, many were pressed in the + various wards of London, furnished with red coats and matchlocks at the + expense of the citizens, and so despatched, helter-skelter, in small + squads as opportunity offered. General Sir John Norris was already + superintending these operations, by command of the Queen, before the + present formal negotiation with the States had begun. + </p> + <p> + Subsequently to the 11th July, on which day the second address had been + made to Elizabeth, the envoys had many conferences with Leicester, + Burghley, Walsingham, and other councillors, without making much progress. + There was perpetual wrangling about figures and securities. + </p> + <p> + "What terms will you pledge for the repayment of the monies to be + advanced?" asked Burghley and Walsingham. + </p> + <p> + "But if her Majesty takes the sovereignty," answered the deputies, "there + will be no question of guarantees. The Queen will possess our whole land, + and there will be no need of any repayment." + </p> + <p> + "And we have told you over and over again," said the Lord Treasurer, "that + her Majesty will never think of accepting the sovereignty. She will assist + you in money and men, and must be repaid to the last farthing when the war + is over; and, until that period, must have solid pledges in the shape of a + town in each Province." + </p> + <p> + Then came interrogatories as to the amount of troops and funds to be + raised respectively by the Queen and the States for the common cause. The + Provinces wished her Majesty to pay one-third of the whole expense, while + her Majesty was reluctant to pay one-quarter. The States wished a + permanent force to be kept on foot in the Netherlands of thirteen thousand + infantry and two thousand cavalry for the field, and twenty-three thousand + for garrisons. The councillors thought the last item too much. Then there + were queries as to the expense of maintaining a force in the Provinces. + The envoys reckoned one pound sterling, or ten florins, a month for the + pay of each foot soldier, including officers; and for the cavalry, three + times as much. This seemed reasonable, and the answers to the inquiries + touching the expense of the war-vessels and sailors were equally + satisfactory. Nevertheless it was difficult to bring the Queen up to the + line to which the envoys had been limited by their instructions. Five + thousand foot and one thousand horse serving at the Queen's expense till + the war should be concluded, over and above the garrisons for such + cautionary towns as should be agreed upon; this was considered, by the + States, the minimum. The Queen held out for giving only four thousand foot + and four hundred horse, and for deducting the garrisons even from this + slender force. As guarantee for the expense thus to be incurred, she + required that Flushing and Brill should be placed in her hands. Moreover + the position of Antwerp complicated the negotiation. Elizabeth, fully + sensible of the importance of preserving that great capital, offered four + thousand soldiers to serve until that city should be relieved, requiring + repayment within three months after the object should have been + accomplished. As special guarantee for such repayment she required Sluys + and Ostend. This was sharp bargaining, but, at any rate, the envoys knew + that the Queen, though cavilling to the ninth-part of a hair, was no + trifler, and that she meant to perform whatever she should promise. + </p> + <p> + There was another exchange of speeches at the Palace of Nonesuch, on the + 5th August; and the position of affairs and the respective attitudes of + the Queen and envoys were plainly characterized by the language then + employed. + </p> + <p> + After an exordium about the cruelty of the Spanish tyranny and the + enormous expense entailed by the war upon the Netherlands, Menin, who, as + usual, was the spokesman, alluded to the difficulty which the States at + last felt in maintaining themselves. + </p> + <p> + "Five thousand foot and one thousand horse," he said, "over and above the + maintenance of garrisons in the towns to be pledged as security to your + Majesty, seemed the very least amount of succour that would be probably + obtained from your royal bounty. Considering the great demonstrations of + affection and promises of support, made as well by your Majesty's own + letters as by the mouth of your ambassador Davison, and by our envoys De + Gryse and Ortel, who have all declared publicly that your Majesty would + never forsake us, the States sent us their deputies to this country in + full confidence that such reasonable demands as we had been authorized to + make would be satisfied." + </p> + <p> + The speaker then proceeded to declare that the offer made by the royal + councillors of four thousand foot and four hundred horse, to serve during + the war, together with a special force of four thousand for the relief of + Antwerp, to be paid for within three months after the siege should be + raised, against a concession of the cities of Flushing, Brill, Sluys, and + Ostend, did not come within the limitations of the States-General. They + therefore begged the Queen to enlarge her offer to the number of five + thousand foot and one thousand horse, or at least to allow the envoys to + conclude the treaty provisionally, and subject to approval of their + constituents. + </p> + <p> + So soon as Menin had concluded his address, her Majesty instantly replied, + with much earnestness and fluency of language. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," she said, "I will answer you upon the first point, because it + touches my honour. You say that I promised you, both by letters and + through my agent Davison, and also by my own lips, to assist you and never + to abandon you, and that this had moved you to come to me at present. Very + well, masters, do you not think I am assisting you when I am sending you + four thousand foot and four hundred horse to serve during the war? + Certainly, I think yes; and I say frankly that I have never been wanting + to my word. No man shall ever say, with truth, that the Queen of England + had at any time and ever so slightly failed in her promises, whether to + the mightiest monarch, to republics, to gentlemen, or even to private + persons of the humblest condition. Am I, then, in your opinion, forsaking + you when I send you English blood, which I love, and which is my own + blood, and which I am bound to defend? It seems to me, no. For my part I + tell you again that I will never forsake you. + </p> + <p> + "'Sed de modo?' That is matter for agreement. You are aware, gentlemen, + that I have storms to fear from many quarters—from France, Scotland, + Ireland, and within my own kingdom. What would be said if I looked only on + one side, and if on that side I employed all my resources. No, I will give + my subjects no cause for murmuring. I know that my counsellors desire to + manage matters with prudence; 'sed aetatem habeo', and you are to believe, + that, of my own motion, I have resolved not to extend my offer of + assistance, at present, beyond the amount already stated. But I don't say + that at another time I may not be able to do more for you. For my + intention is never to abandon your cause, always to assist you, and never + more to suffer any foreign nation to have dominion over you. + </p> + <p> + "It is true that you present me with two places in each of your Provinces. + I thank you for them infinitely, and certainly it is a great offer. But it + will be said instantly, the Queen of England wishes to embrace and devour + everything; while, on the contrary, I only wish to render you assistance. + I believe, in truth, that if other monarchs should have this offer, they + would not allow such an opportunity to escape. I do not let it slip + because of fears that I entertain for any prince whatever. For to think + that I am not aware—doing what I am doing—that I am embarking + in a war against the King of Spain, is a great mistake. I know very well + that the succour which I am affording you will offend him as much as if I + should do a great deal more. But what care I? Let him begin, I will answer + him. For my part, I say again, that never did fear enter my heart. We must + all die once. I know very well that many princes are my enemies, and are + seeking my ruin; and that where malice is joined with force, malice often + arrives at its ends. But I am not so feeble a princess that I have not the + means and the will to defend myself against them all. They are seeking to + take my life, but it troubles me not. He who is on high has defended me + until this hour, and will keep me still, for in Him do I trust. + </p> + <p> + "As to the other point, you say that your powers are not extensive enough + to allow your acceptance of the offer I make you. Nevertheless, if I am + not mistaken, I have remarked in passing—for princes look very close + to words—that you would be content if I would give you money in + place of men, and that your powers speak only of demanding a certain + proportion of infantry and another of cavalry. I believe this would be, as + you say, an equivalent, 'secundum quod'. But I say this only because you + govern yourselves so precisely by the measure of your instructions. + Nevertheless I don't wish to contest these points with you. For very often + 'dum Romae disputatur Saguntum perit.' Nevertheless, it would be well for + you to decide; and, in any event, I do not think it good that you should + all take your departure, but that, on the contrary, you should leave some + of your number here. Otherwise it would at once be said that all was + broken off, and that I had chosen to nothing for you; and with this the + bad would comfort themselves, and the good would be much discouraged. + </p> + <p> + "Touching the last point of your demand—according to which you + desire a personage of quality—I know, gentlemen, that you do not + always agree very well among yourselves, and that it would be good for you + to have some one to effect such agreement. For this reason I have always + intended, so soon as we should have made our treaty, to send a lord of + name and authority to reside with you, to assist you in governing, and to + aid, with his advice, in the better direction of your affairs. + </p> + <p> + "Would to God that Antwerp were relieved! Certainly I should be very glad, + and very well content to lose all that I am now expending if that city + could be saved. I hope, nevertheless, if it can hold out six weeks longer, + that we shall see something good. Already the two thousand men of General + Norris have crossed, or are crossing, every day by companies. I will + hasten the rest as much as possible; and I assure you, gentlemen, that I + will spare no diligence. Nevertheless you may, if you choose, retire with + my council, and see if together you can come to some good conclusion." + </p> + <p> + Thus spoke Elizabeth, like the wise, courageous, and very parsimonious + princess that she was. Alas, it was too true, that Saguntum was perishing + while the higgling went on at Rome. Had those two thousand under Sir John + Norris and the rest of the four thousand but gone a few weeks earlier, how + much happier might have been the result! + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, it was thought in England that Antwerp would still hold out; + and, meantime, a treaty for its relief, in combination with another for + permanent assistance to the Provinces, was agreed upon between the envoys + and the lords of council. + </p> + <p> + On the 12th August, Menin presented himself at Nonesuch at the head of his + colleagues, and, in a formal speech, announced the arrangement which had + thus been entered into, subject to the approval of the States. Again + Elizabeth, whose "tongue," in the homely phrase of the Netherlanders, "was + wonderfully well hung," replied with energy and ready eloquence. + </p> + <p> + "You see, gentlemen," she said, "that I have opened the door; that I am + embarking once for all with you in a war against the King of Spain. Very + well, I am not anxious about the matter. I hope that God will aid us, and + that we shall strike a good blow in your cause. Nevertheless, I pray you, + with all my heart, and by the affection you bear me, to treat my soldiers + well; for they are my own Englishmen, whom I love as I do myself. + Certainly it would be a great cruelty, if you should treat them ill, since + they are about to hazard their lives so freely in your defence, and I am + sure that my request in this regard will be received by you as it + deserves. + </p> + <p> + "In the next place, as you know that I am sending, as commander of these + English troops, an honest gentleman, who deserves most highly for his + experience in arms, so I am also informed that you have on your side a + gentleman of great valour. I pray you, therefore, that good care be taken + lest there be misunderstanding between these two, which might prevent them + from agreeing well together, when great exploits of war are to be taken in + hand. For if that should happen—which God forbid—my succour + would be rendered quite useless to you. I name Count Hohenlo, because him + alone have I heard mentioned. But I pray you to make the same + recommendation to all the colonels and gentlemen in your army; for I + should be infinitely sad, if misadventures should arise from such a cause, + for your interest and my honour are both at stake. + </p> + <p> + "In the third place, I beg you, at your return, to make a favourable + report of me, and to thank the States, in my behalf, for their great + offers, which I esteem so highly as to be unable to express my thanks. + Tell them that I shall remember them for ever. I consider it a great + honour, that from the commencement, you have ever been so faithful to me, + and that with such great constancy you have preferred me to all other + princes, and have chosen me for your Queen. And chiefly do I thank the + gentlemen of Holland and Zeeland, who, as I have been informed, were the + first who so singularly loved me. And so on my own part I will have a + special care of them, and will do my best to uphold them by every possible + means, as I will do all the rest who have put their trust in me. But I + name Holland and Zeeland more especially, because they have been so + constant and faithful in their efforts to assist the rest in shaking off + the yoke of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + "Finally, gentlemen, I beg you to assure the States that I do not decline + the sovereignty of your country from any dread of the King of Spain. For I + take God to witness that I fear him not; and I hope, with the blessing of + God, to make such demonstrations against him, that men shall say the Queen + of England does not fear the Spaniards." + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth then smote herself upon the breast, and cried, with great + energy, "'Illa que virgo viri;' and is it not quite the same to you, even + if I do not assume the sovereignty, since I intend to protect you, and + since therefore the effects will be the same? It is true that the + sovereignty would serve to enhance my grandeur, but I am content to do + without it, if you, upon your own part, will only do your duty. + </p> + <p> + "For myself, I promise you, in truth, that so long as I live, and even to + my last sigh, I will never forsake you. Go home and tell this boldly to + the States which sent you hither." + </p> + <p> + Menin then replied with fresh expressions of thanks and compliments, and + requested, in conclusion, that her Majesty would be pleased to send, as + soon as possible, a personage of quality to the Netherlands. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," replied Elizabeth, "I intend to do this, so soon as our + treaty shall be ratified, for, in contrary case, the King of Spain, seeing + your government continue on its present footing, would do nothing but + laugh at us. Certainly I do not mean this year to provide him with so fine + a banquet." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form + Dismay of our friends and the gratification of our enemies + Her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally exposed (Eliz.) + Holland was afraid to give a part, although offering the whole + Resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance + Say "'tis pity he is not an Englishman" + Seeking protection for and against the people + Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London + We must all die once + Wrath of bigots on both sides +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. 1585, Part 2. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Sir John Norris sent to Holland—Parsimony of Elizabeth—Energy of + Davison—Protracted Negotiations—Friendly Sentiments of Count + Maurice—Letters from him and Louisa de Coligny—Davison vexed by + the Queen's Caprice—Dissatisfaction of Leicester—His vehement + Complaints—The Queen's Avarice—Perplexity of Davison—Manifesto + of Elizabeth—Sir Philip Sidney—His Arrival at Flushing. +</pre> + <p> + The envoys were then dismissed, and soon afterwards a portion of the + deputation took their departure from the Netherlands with the proposed + treaty. It was however, as we know, quite too late for Saguntum. Two days + after the signing of the treaty, the remaining envoys were at the palace + of Nonesuch, in conference with the Earl of Leicester, when a gentleman + rushed suddenly into the apartment, exclaiming with great manifestations + of anger: + </p> + <p> + "Antwerp has fallen! A treaty has been signed with the Prince of Parma. + Aldegonde is the author of it all. He is the culprit, who has betrayed + us;" with many more expressions of vehement denunciation. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was disappointed, but stood firm. She had been slow in taking + her resolution, but she was unflinching when her mind was made up. Instead + of retreating from her, position, now that it became doubly dangerous, she + advanced several steps nearer towards her allies. For it was obvious, if + more precious time should be lost, that Holland and Zeeland would share + the fate of Antwerp. Already the belief, that, with the loss of that city, + all had been lost, was spreading both in the Provinces and in England, and + Elizabeth felt that the time had indeed come to confront the danger. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the intrigues of the enemy in the independent Provinces were + rife. Blunt Roger Williams wrote in very plain language to Walsingham, a + very few days after the capitulation of Antwerp: + </p> + <p> + "If her Majesty means to have Holland and Zeeland," said he, "she must + resolve presently. Aldegonde hath promised the enemy to bring them to + compound. Here arrived already his ministers which knew all his dealings + about Antwerp from first to last. Count Maurice is governed altogether by + Villiers, and Villiers was never worse for the English than at this hour. + To be short, the people say in general, they will accept a peace, unless + her Majesty do sovereign them presently. All the men of war will be at her + Highness' devotion, if they be in credit in time. What you do, it must be + done presently, for I do assure your honour there is large offers + presented unto them by the enemies. If her Majesty deals not roundly and + resolutely with them now, it will be too late two months hence." + </p> + <p> + Her Majesty meant to deal roundly and resolutely. Her troops had already + gone in considerable numbers. She wrote encouraging letters with her own + hand to the States, imploring them not to falter now, even though the + great city had fallen. She had long since promised never to desert them, + and she was, if possible, more determined than ever to redeem her pledge. + She especially recommended to their consideration General Norris, + commander of the forces that had been despatched to the relief of Antwerp. + </p> + <p> + A most accomplished officer, sprung of a house renowned for its romantic + valour, Sir John was the second of the six sons of Lord Norris of Rycot, + all soldiers of high reputation, "chickens of Mars," as an old writer + expressed himself. "Such a bunch of brethren for eminent achievement," + said he, "was never seen. So great their states and stomachs that they + often jostled with others." Elizabeth called their mother, "her own crow;" + and the darkness of her hair and visage was thought not unbecoming to her + martial issue, by whom it had been inherited. Daughter of Lord Williams of + Tame, who had been keeper of the Tower in the time of Elizabeth's + imprisonment, she had been affectionate and serviceable to the Princess in + the hour of her distress, and had been rewarded with her favour in the + days of her grandeur. We shall often meet this crow-black Norris, and his + younger brother Sir Edward—the most daring soldiers of their time, + posters of sea and land—wherever the buffeting was closest, or + adventure the wildest on ship-board or shore, for they were men who + combined much of the knight-errantry of a vanishing age with the more + practical and expansive spirit of adventure that characterized the new + epoch. + </p> + <p> + Nor was he a stranger in the Netherlands. "The gentleman to whom we have + committed the government of the forces going to the relief of Antwerp," + said Elizabeth, "has already given you such proofs of his affection by the + good services he has rendered you, that without recommendation on our + part, he should stand already recommended. Nevertheless, in respect for + his quality, the house from which he is descended, and the valour which he + has manifested in your own country, we desire to tell you that we hold him + dear, and that he deserves also to be dear to you." + </p> + <p> + When the fall of Antwerp was certain, the Queen sent Davison, who had been + for a brief period in England, back again to his post. "We have learned," + she said in the letter which she sent by that envoy; "with very great + regret of the surrender of Antwerp. Fearing lest some apprehension should + take possession of the people's mind in consequence, and that some + dangerous change might ensue, we send you our faithful and well-beloved + Davison to represent to you how much we have your affairs at heart, and to + say that we are determined to forget nothing that may be necessary to your + preservation. Assure yourselves that we shall never fail to accomplish all + that he may promise you in our behalf." + </p> + <p> + Yet, notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, the thorough discussion + that had taken place of the whole matter, and the enormous loss which had + resulted from the money-saving insanity upon both sides, even then the + busy devil of petty economy was not quite exorcised. Several precious + weeks were wasted in renewed chafferings. The Queen was willing that the + permanent force should now be raised to five thousand foot and one + thousand horse—the additional sixteen, hundred men being taken from + the Antwerp relieving-force—but she insisted that the garrisons for + the cautionary towns should be squeezed out of this general contingent. + The States, on the contrary, were determined to screw these garrisons out + of her grip, as an additional subsidy. Each party complained with reason + of the other's closeness. No doubt the states were shrewd bargainers, but + it would have been difficult for the sharpest Hollander that ever sent a + cargo of herrings to Cadiz, to force open Elizabeth's beautiful hand when + she chose to shut it close. Walsingham and Leicester were alternately + driven to despair by the covetousness of the one party or the other. + </p> + <p> + It was still uncertain what "personage of quality" was to go to the + Netherlands in the Queen's name, to help govern the country. Leicester had + professed his readiness to risk his life, estates, and reputation, in the + cause, and the States particularly desired his appointment. "The name of + your Excellency is so very agreeable to this people," said they in a + letter to the Earl, "as to give promise of a brief and happy end to this + grievous and almost immortal war." The Queen was, or affected to be, still + undecided as to the appointment. While waiting week after week for the + ratifications of the treaty from Holland, affairs were looking gloomy at + home, and her Majesty was growing very uncertain in her temper. + </p> + <p> + "I see not her Majesty disposed to use the service of the Earl of + Leicester," wrote Walsingham. "I suppose the lot of government will light + on Lord Gray. I would to God the ability of his purse were answerable to + his sufficiency otherwise." This was certainly a most essential deficiency + on the part of Lord Gray, and it will soon be seen that the personage of + quality to be selected as chief in the arduous and honourable enterprise + now on foot, would be obliged to rely quite as much on that same ability + of purse as upon the sufficiency of his brain or arm. The Queen did not + mean to send her favourite forth to purchase anything but honour in the + Netherlands; and it was not the Provinces only that were likely to + struggle against her parsimony. Yet that parsimony sprang from a nobler + motive than the mere love of pelf. Dangers encompassed her on every side, + and while husbanding her own exchequer, she was saving her subjects' + resources. "Here we are but book-worms," said Walsingham, "yet from sundry + quarters we hear of great practices against this poor crown. The revolt in + Scotland is greatly feared, and that out of hand." + </p> + <p> + Scotland, France, Spain, these were dangerous enemies and neighbours to a + maiden Queen, who had a rebellious Ireland to deal with on one side the + channel, and Alexander of Parma on the other. + </p> + <p> + Davison experienced great inconvenience and annoyance before the definite + arrangements could be made. There is no doubt that the Spanish party had + made great progress since the fall of Antwerp. Roger Williams was right in + advising the Queen to deal "roundly and resolutely" with the States, and + to "sovereign them presently." + </p> + <p> + They had need of being sovereigned, for it must be confessed that the + self-government which prevailed at that moment was very like no + government. The death of Orange, the treachery of Henry III., the triumphs + of Parma, disastrous facts, treading rapidly upon each other, had produced + a not very unnatural effect. The peace-at-any-price party was struggling + hard for the ascendancy, and the Spanish partizans were doing their best + to hold up to suspicion the sharp practice of the English Queen. She was + even accused of underhand dealing with Spain, to the disadvantage of the + Provinces; so much had slander, anarchy, and despair, been able to effect. + The States were reluctant to sign those articles with Elizabeth which were + absolutely necessary to their salvation. + </p> + <p> + "In how doubtful and uncertain terms I found things at my coming hither," + wrote Davison to Burghley, "how thwarted and delayed since for a + resolution, and with what conditions, and for what reasons I have been + finally drawn to conclude with them as I have done, your Lordship may + perceive by that I have written to Mr. Secretary. The chief difficulty has + rested upon the point of entertaining the garrisons within the towns of + assurance, over and besides the five thousand footmen and one thousand + horse." + </p> + <p> + This, as Davison proceeded to observe, was considered a 'sine qua non' by + the States, so that, under the perilous circumstances in which both + countries were placed, he had felt it his duty to go forward as far as + possible to meet their demands. Davison always did his work veraciously, + thoroughly, and resolutely; and it was seldom that his advice, in all + matters pertaining to Netherland matters, did not prove the very best that + could be offered. No man knew better than he the interests and the temper + of both countries. + </p> + <p> + The imperious Elizabeth was not fond of being thwarted, least of all by + any thing savouring of the democratic principle, and already there was + much friction between the Tudor spirit of absolutism and the rough + "mechanical" nature with which it was to ally itself in the Netherlands. + The economical Elizabeth was not pleased at being overreached in a + bargain; and, at a moment when she thought herself doing a magnanimous + act, she was vexed at the cavilling with which her generosity was + received. "'Tis a manner of proceeding," said Walsingham, "not to be + allowed of, and may very well be termed mechanical, considering that her + Majesty seeketh no interest in that country—as Monsieur and the + French King did—but only their good and benefit, without regard had + of the expenses of her treasure and the hazard of her subjects' lives; + besides throwing herself into a present war for their sakes with the + greatest prince and potentate in Europe. But seeing the government of + those countries resteth in the hands of merchants and advocates—the + one regarding profit, the other standing upon vantage of quirks—there + is no better fruit to be looked to from them." + </p> + <p> + Yet it was, after all, no quirk in those merchants and advocates to urge + that the Queen was not going to war with the great potentate for their + sakes alone. To Elizabeth's honour, she did thoroughly comprehend that the + war of the Netherlands was the war of England, of Protestantism, and of + European liberty, and that she could no longer, without courting her own + destruction, defer taking a part in active military operations. It was no + quirk, then, but solid reasoning, for the States to regard the subject in + the same light. Holland and England were embarked in one boat, and were to + sink or swim together. It was waste of time to wrangle so fiercely over + pounds and shillings, but the fault was not to be exclusively imputed to + the one side or the other. There were bitter recriminations, particularly + on the part of Elizabeth, for it was not safe to touch too closely either + the pride or the pocket of that frugal and despotic heroine. "The two + thousand pounds promised by the States to Norris upon the muster of the + two thousand volunteers," said Walsingham, "were not paid. Her Majesty is + not a little offended therewith, seeing how little care they have to yield + her satisfaction, which she imputeth to proceed rather from contempt, than + from necessity. If it should fall out, however, to be such as by them is + pretended, then doth she conceive her bargain to be very ill made, to join + her fortune with so weak and broken an estate." Already there were + indications that the innocent might be made to suffer for the + short-comings of the real culprits; nor would it be, the first time, or by + any means the last, for Davison to appear in the character of a + scape-goat. + </p> + <p> + "Surely, sir," continued Mr. Secretary, "it is a thing greatly to be + feared that the contributions they will yield will fall not more true in + paper than in payment; which if it should so happen, it would turn some to + blame, whereof you among others are to bear your part." + </p> + <p> + And thus the months of September and of October wore away, and the + ratifications of the treaty had not arrived from the Netherlands. + Elizabeth became furious, and those of the Netherland deputation who had + remained in England were at their wits' end to appease her choler. No news + arrived for many weeks. Those were not the days of steam and magnetic + telegraphs—inventions by which the nature of man and the aspect of + history seem altered—and the Queen had nothing for it but to fret, + and the envoys to concert with her ministers expedients to mitigate her + spleen. Towards the end of the month, the commissioners chartered a vessel + which they despatched for news to Holland. On his way across the sea the + captain was hailed on the 28th October by a boat, in which one Hans + Wyghans was leisurely proceeding to England with Netherland despatches + dated on the 5th of the same month. This was the freshest intelligence + that had yet been received. + </p> + <p> + So soon as the envoys were put in possession of the documents, they + obtained an audience of the Queen. This was the last day of October. + Elizabeth read her letters, and listened to the apologies made by the + deputies for the delay with anything but a benignant countenance. Then, + with much vehemence of language, and manifestations of ill-temper, she + expressed her displeasure at the dilatoriness of the States. Having sent + so many troops, and so many gentlemen of quality, she had considered the + whole affair concluded. + </p> + <p> + "I have been unhandsomely treated," she said, "and not as comports with a + prince of my quality. My inclination for your support—because you + show yourselves unworthy of so great benefits—will be entirely + destroyed, unless you deal with me and mine more worthily for the future + than you have done in the past. Through my great and especial affection + for your welfare, I had ordered the Earl of Leicester to proceed to the + Netherlands, and conduct your affairs; a man of such quality as all the + world knows, and one whom I love, as if he were my own brother. He was + getting himself ready in all diligence, putting himself in many perils + through the practices of the enemy, and if I should have reason to believe + that he would not be respected there according to his due, I should be + indeed offended. He and many others are not going thither to advance their + own affairs, to make themselves rich, or because they have not means + enough to live magnificently at home. They proceed to the Netherlands from + pure affection for your cause. This is the case, too, with many other of + my subjects, all dear to me, and of much worth. For I have sent a fine + heap of folk thither—in all, with those his Excellency is taking + with him, not under ten thousand soldiers of the English nation. This is + no small succour, and no little unbaring of this realm of mine, threatened + as it is with war from many quarters. Yet I am seeking no sovereignty, nor + anything else prejudicial to the freedom of your country. I wish only, in + your utmost need, to help you out of this lamentable war, to maintain for + you liberty of conscience, and to see that law and justice are preserved." + </p> + <p> + All this, and more, with great eagerness of expression and gesture, was + urged by the Queen, much to the discomfiture of the envoys. In vain they + attempted to modify and to explain. Their faltering excuses were swept + rapidly away upon the current of royal wrath; until at last Elizabeth + stormed herself into exhaustion and comparative tranquillity. She then + dismissed them with an assurance that her goodwill towards the States was + not diminished, as would be found to be the case, did they not continue to + prove themselves unworthy of her favour that a permanent force of five + thousand foot and one thousand horse should serve in the Provinces at the + Queen's expense; and that the cities of Flushing and Brill should be + placed in her Majesty's hands until the entire reimbursement of the debt + thus incurred by the States. Elizabeth also—at last overcoming her + reluctance—agreed that the force necessary to garrison these towns + should form an additional contingent, instead of being deducted from the + general auxiliary force. + </p> + <p> + Count Maurice of Nassau had been confirmed by the States of Holland and + Zeeland as permanent stadholder of those provinces. This measure excited + some suspicion on the part of Leicester, who, as it was now understood, + was the "personage of quality" to be sent to the Netherlands as + representative of the Queen's authority. "Touching the election of Count + Maurice," said the Earl, "I hope it will be no impairing of the authority + heretofore allotted to me, for if it will be, I shall tarry but awhile." + </p> + <p> + Nothing, however, could be more frank or chivalrously devoted than the + language of Maurice to the Queen. "Madam, if I have ever had occasion," he + wrote, "to thank God for his benefits, I confess that it was when, + receiving in all humility the letters with which it pleased your Majesty + to honour me, I learned that the great disaster of my lord and father's + death had not diminished the debonaire affection and favour which it has + always pleased your Majesty to manifest to my father's house. It has been + likewise grateful to me to learn that your Majesty, surrounded by so many + great and important affairs, had been pleased to approve the command which + the States-General have conferred upon me. I am indeed grieved that my + actions cannot correspond with the ardent desire which I feel to serve + your Majesty and these Provinces, for which I hope that my extreme youth + will be accepted as an excuse. And although I find myself feeble enough + for the charge thus imposed upon me, yet God will assist my efforts to + supply by diligence and sincere intention the defect of the other + qualities requisite for my thorough discharge of my duty to the + contentment of your Majesty. To fulfil these obligations, which are + growing greater day by day, I trust to prove by my actions that I will + never spare either my labour or life." + </p> + <p> + When it was found that the important town of Flushing was required as part + of the guaranty to the Queen, Maurice, as hereditary seignor and + proprietor of the place—during the captivity of his elder brother in + Spain—signified his concurrence in the transfer, together with the + most friendly feelings towards the Earl of Leicester, and to Sir Philip + Sidney, appointed English governor of the town. He wrote to Davison, whom + he called "one of the best and most certain friends that the house of + Nassau possessed in England," begging that he would recommend the + interests of the family to the Queen, "whose favour could do more than + anything else in the world towards maintaining what remained of the + dignity of their house." After solemn deliberation with his step-mother, + Louisa de Coligny, and the other members of his family, he made a formal + announcement of adhesion on the part of the House of Nassau to the + arrangements concluded with the English government, and asked the + benediction of God upon the treaty. While renouncing, for the moment, any + compensation for his consent to the pledging of Flushing his "patrimonial + property, and a place of such great importance"—he expressed a + confidence that the long services of his father, as well as those which he + himself hoped to render, would meet in time with "condign recognition." He + requested the Earl of Leicester to consider the friendship which had + existed between himself and the late Prince of Orange, as an hereditary + affection to be continued to the children, and he entreated the Earl to do + him the honour in future to hold him as a son, and to extend to him + counsel and authority; declaring, on his part, that he should ever deem it + an honour to be allowed to call him father. And in order still more + strongly to confirm his friendship, he begged Sir Philip Sidney to + consider him as his brother, and as his companion in arms, promising upon + his own part the most faithful friendship. In the name of Louisa de + Coligny, and of his whole family, he also particularly recommended to the + Queen the interests of the eldest brother of the house, Philip William, + "who had been so long and so iniquitously detained captive in Spain," and + begged that, in case prisoners of war of high rank should fall into the + hands of the English commanders, they might be employed as a means of + effecting the liberation of that much-injured Prince. He likewise desired + the friendly offices of the Queen to protect the principality of Orange + against the possible designs of the French monarch, and intimated that + occasions might arise in which the confiscated estates of the family in + Burgundy might be recovered through the influence of the Swiss cantons, + particularly those of the Grisons and of Berne. + </p> + <p> + And, in conclusion, in case the Queen should please—as both Count + Maurice and the Princess of Orange desired with all their hearts—to + assume the sovereignty of these Provinces, she was especially entreated + graciously to observe those suggestions regarding the interests of the + House of Nassau, which had been made in the articles of the treaty. + </p> + <p> + Thus the path had been smoothed, mainly through the indefatigable energy + of Davison. Yet that envoy was not able to give satisfaction to his + imperious and somewhat whimsical mistress, whose zeal seemed to cool in + proportion to the readiness with which the obstacles to her wishes were + removed. Davison was, with reason, discontented. He had done more than any + other man either in England or the Provinces, to bring about a hearty + cooperation in the common cause, and to allay mutual heart-burnings and + suspicions. He had also, owing to the negligence of the English treasurer + for the Netherlands, and the niggardliness of Elizabeth, been placed in a + position, of great financial embarrassment. His situation was very + irksome. + </p> + <p> + "I mused at the sentence you sent me," he wrote, "for I know no cause her + Majesty hath to shrink at her charges hitherto. The treasure she hath yet + disbursed here is not above five or six thousand pounds, besides that + which I have been obliged to take up for the saving of her honour, and + necessity of her service, in danger otherwise of some notable disgrace. I + will not, for shame, say how I have been left here to myself." + </p> + <p> + The delay in the formal appointment of Leicester, and, more particularly, + of the governors for the cautionary towns, was the cause of great + confusion and anarchy in the transitional condition of the country. "The + burden I am driven to sustain," said Davison, "doth utterly weary me. If + Sir Philip Sidney were here, and if my Lord of Leicester follow not all + the sooner, I would use her Majesty's liberty to return home. If her + Majesty think me worthy the reputation of a poor, honest, and loyal + servant, I have that contents me. For the rest, I wish + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Vivere sine invidia, mollesque inglorius annos + Egigere, amicitias et mihi jungere pares.'" +</pre> + <p> + There was something almost prophetic in the tone which this faithful + public servant—to whom, on more than one occasion, such hard measure + was to be dealt—habitually adopted in his private letters and + conversation. He did his work, but he had not his reward; and he was + already weary of place without power, and industry without recognition. + </p> + <p> + "For mine own particular," he said, "I will say with the poet, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Crede mihi, bene qui latuit bene vixit, + Et intra fortunam debet quisque manere suam.'" +</pre> + <p> + For, notwithstanding the avidity with which Elizabeth had sought the + cautionary towns, and the fierceness with which she had censured the + tardiness of the States, she seemed now half inclined to drop the prize + which she had so much coveted, and to imitate the very languor which she + had so lately rebuked. "She hath what she desired," said Davison, "and + might yet have more, if this content her not. Howsoever you value the + places at home, they are esteemed here, by such as know them best, no + little increase to her Majesty's honour, surety, and greatness, if she be + as careful to keep them as happy in getting them. Of this, our cold + beginning doth already make me jealous." + </p> + <p> + Sagacious and resolute Princess as she was, she showed something of + feminine caprice upon this grave occasion. Not Davison alone, but her most + confidential ministers and favourites at home, were perplexed and provoked + by her misplaced political coquetries. But while the alternation of her + hot and cold fits drove her most devoted courtiers out of patience, there + was one symptom that remained invariable throughout all her paroxysms, the + rigidity with which her hand was locked. Walsingham, stealthy enough when + an advantage was to be gained by subtlety, was manful and determined in + his dealings with his friends; and he had more than once been offended + with Elizabeth's want of frankness in these transactions. + </p> + <p> + "I find you grieved, and not without cause," he wrote to Davison, "in + respect to the over thwart proceedings as well there as here. The + disorders in those countries would be easily redressed if we could take a + thoroughly resolute course here—a matter that men may rather pray + for than hope for. It is very doubtful whether the action now in hand will + be accompanied by very hard success, unless they of the country there may + be drawn to bear the greatest part of the burden of the wars." + </p> + <p> + And now the great favourite of all had received the appointment which he + coveted. The Earl of Leicester was to be Commander-in-Chief of her + Majesty's forces in the Netherlands, and representative of her authority + in those countries, whatever that office might prove to be. The nature of + his post was anomalous from the beginning. It was environed with + difficulties, not the least irritating of which proceeded from the + captious spirit of the Queen. The Earl was to proceed in great pomp to + Holland, but the pomp was to be prepared mainly at his own expense. + Besides the auxiliary forces that had been shipped during the latter + period of the year, Leicester was raising a force of lancers, from four to + eight hundred in number; but to pay for that levy he was forced to + mortgage his own property, while the Queen not only refused to advance + ready money, but declined endorsing his bills. + </p> + <p> + It must be confessed that the Earl's courtship of Elizabeth was anything + at that moment but a gentle dalliance. In those thorny regions of finance + were no beds of asphodel or amaranthine bowers. There was no talk but of + troopers, saltpetre, and sulphur, of books of assurance, and bills of + exchange; and the aspect of Elizabeth, when the budget was under + discussion, must effectually have neutralized for the time any very tender + sentiment. The sharpness with which she clipped Leicester's authority, + when authority was indispensable to his dignity, and the heavy demands + upon his resources that were the result of her avarice, were obstacles + more than enough to the calm fruition of his triumphs. He had succeeded, + in appearance at least, in the great object of his ambition, this + appointment to the Netherlands; but the appointment was no sinecure, and + least of all a promising pecuniary speculation. Elizabeth had told the + envoys, with reason, that she was not sending forth that man—whom + she loved as a brother—in order that he might make himself rich. On + the contrary, the Earl seemed likely to make himself comparatively poor + before he got to the Provinces, while his political power, at the moment, + did not seem of more hopeful growth. + </p> + <p> + Leicester had been determined and consistent in this great enterprize from + the beginning. He felt intensely the importance of the crisis. He saw that + the time had come for swift and uncompromising action, and the impatience + with which he bore the fetters imposed upon him may be easily conceived. + </p> + <p> + "The cause is such," he wrote to Walsingham, "that I had as lief be dead + as be in the case I shall be in if this restraint hold for taking the oath + there, or if some more authority be not granted than I see her Majesty + would I should have. I trust you all will hold hard for this, or else + banish me England withal. I have sent you the books to be signed by her + Majesty. I beseech you return them with all haste, for I get no money till + they be under seal." + </p> + <p> + But her Majesty would not put them under her seal, much to the favourite's + discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + "Your letter yieldeth but cold answer," he wrote, two days afterwards. + "Above all things yet that her Majesty doth stick at, I marvel most at her + refusal to sign my book of assurance; for there passeth nothing in the + earth against her profit by that act, nor any good to me but to satisfy + the creditors, who were more scrupulous than needs. I did complain to her + of those who did refuse to lend me money, and she was greatly offended + with them. But if her Majesty were to stay this, if I were half seas over, + I must of necessity come back again, for I may not go without money. I + beseech, if the matter be refused by her, bestow a post on me to Harwich. + I lie this night at Sir John Peters', and but for this doubt I had been + to-morrow at Harwich. I pray God make you all that be counsellors plain + and direct to the furtherance of all good service for her Majesty and the + realm; and if it be the will of God to plague us that go, and you that + tarry, for our sins, yet let us not be negligent to seek to please the + Lord." + </p> + <p> + The Earl was not negligent at any rate in seeking to please the Queen, but + she was singularly hard to please. She had never been so uncertain in her + humours as at this important crisis. She knew, and had publicly stated as + much, that she was "embarking in a war with the greatest potentate in + Europe;" yet now that the voyage had fairly commenced, and the waves were + rolling around her, she seemed anxious to put back to the shore. For there + was even a whisper of peace-negotiations, than which nothing could have + been more ill-timed. "I perceive by your message," said Leicester to + Walsingham, "that your peace with Spain will go fast on, but this is not + the way." Unquestionably it was not the way, and the whisper was, for the + moment at least, suppressed. Meanwhile Leicester had reached Harwich, but + the post "bestowed on him," contained, as usual, but cold comfort. He was + resolved, however, to go manfully forward, and do the work before him, + until the enterprise should prove wholly impracticable. It is by the light + afforded by the secret never-published correspondence of the period with + which we are now occupied, that the true characteristics of Elizabeth, the + Earl of Leicester, and other prominent personages, must be scanned, and + the study is most important, for it was by those characteristics, in + combination with other human elements embodied in distant parts of + Christendom, that the destiny of the world was determined. In that age, + more than in our own perhaps, the influence of the individual was widely + and intensely felt. Historical chymistry is only rendered possible by a + detection of the subtle emanations, which it was supposed would for ever + elude analysis, but which survive in those secret, frequently ciphered + intercommunications. Philip II., William of Orange, Queen Elizabeth, + Alexander Farnese, Robert Dudley, never dreamed—when disclosing + their inmost thoughts to their trusted friends at momentous epochs—that + the day would come on earth when those secrets would be no longer hid from + the patient enquirer after truth. Well for those whose reputations before + the judgment-seat of history appear even comparatively pure, after + impartial comparison of their motives with their deeds. + </p> + <p> + "For mine own part, Mr. Secretary," wrote Leicester, "I am resolved to do + that which shall be fit for a poor man's honour, and honestly to obey her + Majesty's commandment. Let the rest fall out to others, it shall not + concern me. I mean to assemble myself to the camp, where my authority must + wholly lie, and will there do that which in good reason and duty I shall + be bound to do. I am sorry that her Majesty doth deal in this sort, and if + content to overthrow so willingly her own cause. If there can be means to + salve this sore, I will. If not,—I tell you what shall become of me, + as truly as God lives." + </p> + <p> + Yet it is remarkable, that, in spite of this dark intimation, the Earl, + after all, did not state what was to become of him if the sore was not + salved. He was, however, explicit enough as to the causes of his grief, + and very vehement in its manifestations. "Another matter which shall + concern me deeply," he said, "and all the subjects there, is now by you to + be carefully considered, which is—money. I find that the money is + already gone, and this now given to the treasurer will do no more than pay + to the end of the month. I beseech you look to it, for by the Lord! I will + bear no more so miserable burdens; for if I have no money to pay them, let + them come home, or what else. I will not starve them, nor stay them. There + was never gentleman nor general so sent out as I am; and if neither Queen + nor council care to help it, but leave men desperate, as I see men shall + be, that inconvenience will follow which I trust in the Lord I shall be + free of." + </p> + <p> + He then used language about himself, singularly resembling the phraseology + employed by Elizabeth concerning him, when she was scolding the Netherland + commissioners for the dilatoriness and parsimony of the States. + </p> + <p> + "For mine own part," he said, "I have taken upon me this voyage, not as a + desperate nor forlorn man, but as one as well contented with his place and + calling at home as any subject was ever. My cause was not, nor is, any + other than the Lord's and the Queen's. If the Queen fail, yet must I trust + in the Lord, and on Him, I see, I am wholly to depend. I can say no more, + but pray to God that her Majesty never send General again as I am sent. + And yet I will do what I can for her and my country." + </p> + <p> + The Earl had raised a choice body of lancers to accompany him to the + Netherlands, but the expense of the levy had come mainly upon his own + purse. The Queen had advanced five thousand pounds, which was much less + than the requisite amount, while for the balance required, as well as for + other necessary expenses, she obstinately declined to furnish Leicester + with funds, even refusing him, at last, a temporary loan. She violently + accused him of cheating her, reclaimed money which he had wrung from her + on good security, and when he had repaid the sum, objected to give him a + discharge. As for receiving anything by way of salary, that was quite out + of the question. At that moment he would have been only too happy to be + reimbursed for what he was already out of pocket. Whether Elizabeth loved + Leicester as a brother, or better than a brother, may be a historical + question, but it is no question at all that she loved money better than + she did Leicester. Unhappy the man, whether foe or favourite, who had + pecuniary transactions with her Highness. + </p> + <p> + "I am sorry," said the Earl, "that her Majesty hath so hard a conceit of + me, that I should go about to cozen her, as though I had got a fee simple + from her, and had it not before, or that I had not had her full release + for payment of the money I borrowed. I pray God, any that did put such + scruple in her, have not deceived her more than I have done. I thank God I + have a clear conscience for deceiving her, and for money matters. I think + I may justly say I have been the only cause of more gain to her coffers + than all her chequer-men have been. But so is the hap of some, that all + they do is nothing, and others that do nothing, do all, and have all the + thanks. But I would this were all the grief I carry with me; but God is my + comfort, and on Him I cast all, for there is no surety in this world + beside. What hope of help can I have, finding her Majesty so strait with + myself as she is? I did trust that—the cause being hers and this + realm's—if I could have gotten no money of her merchants, she would + not have refused to have lent money on so easy prized land as mine, to + have been gainer and no loser by it. Her Majesty, I see, will make trial + of me how I love her, and what will discourage me from her service. But + resolved am I that no worldly respect shall draw me back from my faithful + discharge of my duty towards her, though she shall show to hate me, as it + goeth very near; for I find no love or favour at all. And I pray you to + remember that I have not had one penny of her Majesty towards all these + charges of mine—not one penny-and, by all truth, I have already laid + out above five thousand pounds. Her Majesty appointed eight thousand + pounds for the levy, which was after the rate of four hundred horse, and, + upon my fidelity, there is shipped, of horse of service, eight hundred, so + that there ought eight thousand more to have been paid me. No general that + ever went that was not paid to the uttermost of these things before he + went, but had cash for his provision, which her Majesty would not allow me—not + one groat. Well, let all this go, it is like I shall be the last shall + bear this, and some must suffer for the people. Good Mr. Secretary, let + her Majesty know this, for I deserve God-a-mercy, at the least." + </p> + <p> + Leicester, to do him justice, was thoroughly alive to the importance of + the Crisis. On political principle, at any rate, he was a firm supporter + of Protestantism, and even of Puritanism; a form of religion which + Elizabeth detested, and in which, with keen instinct, she detected a + mutinous element against the divine right of kings. The Earl was quite + convinced of the absolute necessity that England should take up the + Netherland matter most vigorously, on pain of being herself destroyed. All + the most sagacious counsellors of Elizabeth were day by day more and more + confirmed in this opinion, and were inclined heartily to support the new + Lieutenant-General. As for Leicester himself, while fully conscious of his + own merits, and of his firm intent to do his duty, he was also grateful to + those who were willing to befriend him in his arduous enterprise. + </p> + <p> + "I have received a letter from my Lord Willoughby," he said, "to my + seeming, as wise a letter as I have read a great while, and not unfit for + her Majesty's sight. I pray God open her eyes, that they may behold her + present estate indeed, and the wonderful means that God doth offer unto + her. If she lose these opportunities, who can look for other but dishonour + and destruction? My Lord Treasurer hath also written me a most hearty and + comfortable letter touching this voyage, not only in showing the + importance of it, both for her Majesty's own safety and the realm's, but + that the whole state of religion doth depend thereon, and therefore doth + faithfully promise his whole and best assistance for the supply of all + wants. I was not a little glad to receive such a letter from him at this + time." + </p> + <p> + And from on board the 'Amity,' ready to set sail, he expressed his thanks + to Burghley, at finding him so "earnestly bent for the good supply and + maintenance of us poor men sent in her Majesty's service and our + country's." + </p> + <p> + As for Walsingham, earnestly a defender of the Netherland cause from the + beginning, he was wearied and disgusted with fighting against the Queen's + parsimony and caprice. "He is utterly discouraged," said Leicester to + Burghley, "to deal any more in these causes. I pray God your Lordship grow + not so too; for then all will to the ground; on my poor side especially." + </p> + <p> + And to Sir Francis himself, he wrote, even as his vessel was casting off + her moorings:—"I am sorry, Mr. Secretary," he said, "to find you so + discouraged, and that her Majesty doth deem you so partial. And yet my + suits to her Majesty have not of late been so many nor great, while the + greatest, I am sure, are for her Majesty's own service. For my part, I + will discharge my duty as far as my poor ability and capacity shall serve, + and if I shall not have her gracious and princely support and supply, the + lack will be to us, for the present, but the shame and dishonour will be + hers." + </p> + <p> + And with these parting words the Earl committed himself to the December + seas. + </p> + <p> + Davison had been meantime doing his best to prepare the way in the + Netherlands for the reception of the English administration. What man + could do, without money and without authority, he had done. The governors + for Flushing and the Brill, Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Thomas Cecil, eldest + son of Lord Burghley, had been appointed, but had not arrived. Their + coming was anxiously looked for, as during the interval the condition of + the garrisons was deplorable. The English treasurer—by some + unaccountable and unpardonable negligence, for which it is to be feared + the Queen was herself to blame—was not upon the spot, and Davison + was driven out of his wits to devise expedients to save the soldiers from + starving. + </p> + <p> + "Your Lordship has seen by my former letters," wrote the Ambassador to + Burghley from Flushing, "what shift I have been driven to for the relief + of this garrison here, left 'a l'abandon;' without which means they had + all fallen into wild and shameful disorder, to her Majesty's great + disgrace and overthrow of her service. I am compelled, unless I would see + the poor men famish, and her Majesty dishonoured, to try my poor credit + for them." + </p> + <p> + General Sir John Norris was in the Betuwe, threatening Nvymegen, a town + which he found "not so flexible as he had hoped;" and, as he had but two + thousand men, while Alexander Farnese was thought to be marching upon him + with ten thousand, his position caused great anxiety. Meantime, his + brother, Sir Edward, a hot-headed and somewhat wilful young man, who + "thought that all was too little for him," was giving the sober Davison a + good deal of trouble. He had got himself into a quarrel, both with that + envoy and with Roger Williams, by claiming the right to control military + matters in Flushing until the arrival of Sidney. "If Sir Thomas and Sir + Philip," said Davison, "do not make choice of more discreet, staid, and + expert commanders than those thrust into these places by Mr. Norris, they + will do themselves a great deal of worry, and her Majesty a great deal of + hurt." + </p> + <p> + As might naturally be expected, the lamentable condition of the English + soldiers, unpaid and starving—according to the report of the Queen's + envoy himself—exercised anything but a salutary influence upon the + minds of the Netherlanders and perpetually fed the hopes of the Spanish + partizans that a composition with Philip and Parma would yet take place. + On the other hand, the States had been far more liberal in raising funds + than the Queen had shown herself to be, and were somewhat indignant at + being perpetually taunted with parsimony by her agents. Davison was + offended by the injustice of Norris in this regard. "The complaints which + the General hath made of the States to her Majesty," said he, "are without + cause, and I think, when your Lordship shall examine it well, you will + find it no little sum they have already disbursed unto him for their part. + Wherein, nevertheless, if they had been looked into, they were somewhat + the more excusable, considering how ill our people at her Majesty's + entertainment were satisfied hitherto—a thing that doth much + prejudice her reputation, and hurt her service." + </p> + <p> + At last, however, the die had been cast. The Queen, although rejecting the + proposed sovereignty of the Netherlands, had espoused their cause, by + solemn treaty of alliance, and thereby had thrown down the gauntlet to + Spain. She deemed it necessary, therefore, out of respect for the opinions + of mankind, to issue a manifesto of her motives to the world. The document + was published, simultaneously in Dutch, French, English, and Italian. + </p> + <p> + In this solemn state-paper she spoke of the responsibility of princes to + the Almighty, of the ancient friendship between England and the + Netherlands, of the cruelty and tyranny of the Spaniards, of their + violation of the liberties of the Provinces, of their hanging, beheading, + banishing without law and against justice, in the space of a few months, + so many of the highest nobles in the land. Although in the beginning of + the cruel persecution, the pretext had been the maintenance of the + Catholic religion, yet it was affirmed they had not failed to exercise + their barbarity upon Catholics also, and even upon ecclesiastics. Of the + principal persons put to death, no one, it was asserted, had been more + devoted to the ancient church than was the brave Count Egmont, who, for + his famous victories in the service of Spain, could never be forgotten in + veracious history any more than could be the cruelty of his execution. + </p> + <p> + The land had been made desolate, continued the Queen, with fire, sword, + famine, and murder. These misfortunes had ever been bitterly deplored by + friendly nations, and none could more truly regret such sufferings than + did the English, the oldest allies, and familiar neighbours of the + Provinces, who had been as close to them in the olden time by community of + connexion and language, as man and wife. She declared that she had + frequently, by amicable embassies, warned her brother of Spain—speaking + to him like a good, dear sister and neighbour—that unless he + restrained the cruelty of his governors and their soldiers, he was sure to + force his Provinces into allegiance to some other power. She expressed the + danger in which she should be placed if the Spaniards succeeded in + establishing their absolute government in the Netherlands, from which + position their attacks upon England would be incessant. She spoke of the + enterprise favoured and set on foot by the Pope and by Spain, against the + kingdom of Ireland. She alluded to the dismissal of the Spanish envoy, Don + Bernardino de Mendoza, who had been treated by her with great regard for a + long time, but who had been afterwards discovered in league with certain + ill-disposed and seditious subjects of hers, and with publicly condemned + traitors. That envoy had arranged a plot according to which, as appeared + by his secret despatches, an invasion of England by a force of men, coming + partly from Spain, and partly from the Netherlands, might be successfully + managed, and he had even noted down the necessary number of ships and men, + with various other details. Some of the conspirators had fled, she + observed, and were now consorting with Mendoza, who, after his expulsion + from England, had been appointed ambassador in Paris; while some had been + arrested, and had confessed the plot. So soon as this envoy had been + discovered to be the chief of a rebellion and projected invasion, the + Queen had requested him, she said, to leave the kingdom within a + reasonable time, as one who was the object of deadly hatred to the English + people. She had then sent an agent to Spain, in order to explain the whole + transaction. That agent had not been allowed even to deliver despatches to + the King. + </p> + <p> + When the French had sought, at a previous period, to establish their + authority in Scotland, even as the Spaniards had attempted to do in the + Netherlands, and through the enormous ambition of the House of Guise, to + undertake the invasion of her kingdom, she had frustrated their plots, + even as she meant to suppress these Spanish conspiracies. She spoke of the + Prince of Parma as more disposed by nature to mercy and humanity, than + preceding governors had been, but as unable to restrain the + blood-thirstiness of Spaniards, increased by long indulgence. She avowed, + in assuming the protection of the Netherlands, and in sending her troops + to those countries, but three objects: peace, founded upon the recognition + of religious freedom in the Provinces, restoration of their ancient + political liberties, and security for England. Never could there be + tranquillity, for her own realm until these neighbouring countries were + tranquil. These were her ends and aims, despite all that slanderous + tongues might invent. The world, she observed, was overflowing with + blasphemous libels, calumnies, scandalous pamphlets; for never had the + Devil been so busy in supplying evil tongues with venom against the + professors of the Christian religion. + </p> + <p> + She added that in a pamphlet, ascribed to the Archbishop of Milan, just + published, she had been accused of ingratitude to the King of Spain, and + of plots to take the life of Alexander Farnese. In answer to the first + charge, she willingly acknowledged her obligations to the King of Spain + during the reign of her sister. She pronounced it, however, an absolute + falsehood that he had ever saved her life, as if she had ever been + condemned to death. She likewise denied earnestly the charge regarding the + Prince of Parma. She protested herself incapable of such a crime, besides + declaring that he had never given her offence. On the contrary, he was a + man whom she had ever honoured for the rare qualities that she had noted + in him, and for which he had deservedly acquired a high reputation. + </p> + <p> + Such, in brief analysis, was the memorable Declaration of Elizabeth in + favour of the Netherlands—a document which was a hardly disguised + proclamation of war against Philip. In no age of the world could an + unequivocal agreement to assist rebellious subjects, with men and money, + against their sovereign, be considered otherwise than as a hostile + demonstration. The King of Spain so regarded the movement, and forthwith + issued a decree, ordering the seizure of all English as well as all + Netherland vessels within his ports, together with the arrest of persons, + and confiscation of property. + </p> + <p> + Subsequently to the publication of the Queen's memorial, and before the + departure of the Earl of Leicester, Sir Philip Sidney, having received his + appointment, together with the rank of general of cavalry, arrived in the + Isle of Walcheren, as governor of Flushing, at the head of a portion of + the English contingent. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible not to contemplate with affection so radiant a figure, + shining through the cold mists of that Zeeland winter, and that distant + and disastrous epoch. There is hardly a character in history upon which + the imagination can dwell with more unalloyed delight. Not in romantic + fiction was there ever created a more attractive incarnation of martial + valour, poetic genius, and purity of heart. If the mocking spirit of the + soldier of Lepanto could "smile chivalry away," the name alone of his + English contemporary is potent enough to conjure it back again, so long as + humanity is alive to the nobler impulses. + </p> + <p> + "I cannot pass him over in silence," says a dusty chronicler, "that + glorious star, that lively pattern of virtue, and the lovely joy of all + the learned sort. It was God's will that he should be born into the world, + even to show unto our age a sample of ancient virtue." The descendant of + an ancient Norman race, and allied to many of the proudest nobles in + England, Sidney himself was but a commoner, a private individual, a + soldier of fortune. He was now in his thirty second year, and should have + been foremost among the states men of Elizabeth, had it not been, + according to Lord Bacon, a maxim of the Cecils, that "able men should be + by design and of purpose suppressed." Whatever of truth there may have + been in the bitter remark, it is certainly strange that a man so gifted as + Sidney—of whom his father-in-law Walsingham had declared, that + "although he had influence in all countries, and a hand upon all affairs, + his Philip did far overshoot him with his own bow"—should have + passed so much of his life in retirement, or in comparatively + insignificant employments. The Queen, as he himself observed, was most apt + to interpret everything to his disadvantage. Among those who knew him + well, there seems never to have been a dissenting voice. His father, Sir + Henry Sidney, lord-deputy of Ireland, and president of Wales, a states man + of accomplishments and experience, called him "lumen familiae suae," and + said of him, with pardonable pride, "that he had the most virtues which he + had ever found in any man; that he was the very formular that all + well-disposed young gentlemen do form their manners and life by." + </p> + <p> + The learned Hubert Languet, companion of Melancthon, tried friend of + William the Silent, was his fervent admirer and correspondent. The great + Prince of Orange held him in high esteem, and sent word to Queen + Elizabeth, that having himself been an actor in the most important affairs + of Europe, and acquainted with her foremost men, he could "pledge his + credit that her Majesty had one of the ripest and greatest councillors of + state in Sir Philip Sidney that lived in Europe." + </p> + <p> + The incidents of his brief and brilliant life, up to his arrival upon the + fatal soil of the Netherlands, are too well known to need recalling. + Adorned with the best culture that, in a learned age, could be obtained in + the best seminaries of his native country, where, during childhood and + youth, he had been distinguished for a "lovely and familiar gravity beyond + his years," he rapidly acquired the admiration of his comrades and the + esteem of all his teachers. + </p> + <p> + Travelling for three years, he made the acquaintance and gained the + personal regard of such opposite characters as Charles IX. of France, + Henry of Navarre, Don John of Austria, and William of Orange, and + perfected his accomplishments by residence and study, alternately, in + courts, camps, and learned universities. He was in Paris during the + memorable days of August, 1572, and narrowly escaped perishing in the St. + Bartholomew Massacre. On his return, he was, for a brief period, the idol + of the English court, which, it was said, "was maimed without his + company." At the age of twenty-one he was appointed special envoy to + Vienna, ostensibly for the purpose of congratulating the Emperor Rudolph + upon his accession, but in reality that he might take the opportunity of + sounding the secret purposes of the Protestant princes of Germany, in + regard to the great contest of the age. In this mission, young as he was, + he acquitted himself, not only to the satisfaction, but to the admiration + of Walsingham, certainly a master himself in that occult science, the + diplomacy of the sixteenth century. "There hath not been," said he, "any + gentleman, I am sure, that hath gone through so honourable a charge with + as great commendations as he." + </p> + <p> + When the memorable marriage-project of Queen Elizabeth with Anjou seemed + about to take effect, he denounced the scheme in a most spirited and + candid letter, addressed to her Majesty; nor is it recorded that the Queen + was offended with his frankness. Indeed we are informed that "although he + found a sweet stream of sovereign humours in that well-tempered lady to + run against him, yet found he safety in herself against that selfness + which appeared to threaten him in her." Whatever this might mean, + translated out of euphuism into English, it is certain that his conduct + was regarded with small favour by the court-grandees, by whom "worth, + duty, and justice, were looked upon with no other eyes than Lamia's." + </p> + <p> + The difficulty of swimming against that sweet stream of sovereign humours + in the well-tempered Elizabeth, was aggravated by his quarrel, at this + period, with the magnificent Oxford. A dispute at a tennis-court, where + many courtiers and foreigners were looking on, proceeded rapidly from one + extremity to another. The Earl commanded Sir Philip to leave the place. + Sir Philip responded, that if he were of a mind that he should go, he + himself was of a mind that he should remain; adding that if he had + entreated, where he had no right to command, he might have done more than + "with the scourge of fury."—"This answer," says Fulke Greville, in a + style worthy of Don Adriano de Armado, "did, like a bellows, blowing up + the sparks of excess already kindled, make my lord scornfully call Sir + Philip by the name of puppy. In which progress of heat, as the tempest + grew more and more vehement within, so did their hearts breathe out their + perturbations in a more loud and shrill accent;" and so on; but the + impending duel was the next day forbidden by express command of her + Majesty. Sidney, not feeling the full force of the royal homily upon the + necessity of great deference from gentlemen to their superiors in rank, in + order to protect all orders from the insults of plebeians, soon afterwards + retired from the court. To his sylvan seclusion the world owes the + pastoral and chivalrous romance of the 'Arcadia' and to the pompous Earl, + in consequence, an emotion of gratitude. Nevertheless, it was in him to + do, rather than to write, and humanity seems defrauded, when forced to + accept the 'Arcadia,' the `Defence of Poesy,' and the 'Astrophel and + Stella,' in discharge of its claims upon so great and pure a soul. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this disagreeable affair, and despite the memorable letter + against Anjou, Sir Philip suddenly flashes upon us again, as one of the + four challengers in a tournament to honour the Duke's presence in England. + A vision of him in blue gilded armour—with horses caparisoned in + cloth of gold, pearl-embroidered, attended by pages in cloth of silver, + Venetian hose, laced hats, and by gentlemen, yeomen, and trumpeters, in + yellow velvet cassocks, buskins, and feathers—as one of "the four + fostered children of virtuous desire" (to wit, Anjou) storming "the castle + of perfect Beauty" (to wit, Queen Elizabeth, aetatis 47) rises out of the + cloud-dusts of ancient chronicle for a moment, and then vanishes into air + again. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Having that day his hand, his horse, his lance, + Guided so well that they attained the prize + Both in the judgment of our English eyes, + But of some sent by that sweet enemy, France," +</pre> + <p> + as he chivalrously sings, he soon afterwards felt inclined for wider + fields of honourable adventure. It was impossible that knight-errant so + true should not feel keenest sympathy with an oppressed people struggling + against such odds, as the Netherlanders were doing in their contest with + Spain. So soon as the treaty with England was arranged, it was his + ambition to take part in the dark and dangerous enterprise, and, being + son-in-law to Walsingham and nephew to Leicester, he had a right to + believe that his talents and character would, on this occasion, be + recognised. But, like his "very friend," Lord Willoughby, he was "not of + the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch," and he failed, as + usual, to win his way to the Queen's favour. The governorship of Flushing + was denied him, and, stung to the heart by such neglect, he determined to + seek his fortune beyond the seas. + </p> + <p> + "Sir Philip hath taken a very hard resolution," wrote Walsingham to + Davison, "to accompany Sir Francis Drake in this voyage, moved thereto for + that he saw her Majesty disposed to commit the charge of Flushing unto + some other; which he reputed would fall out greatly to his disgrace, to + see another preferred before him, both for birth and judgment inferior + unto him. The despair thereof and the disgrace that he doubted he should + receive have carried him into a different course." + </p> + <p> + The Queen, however, relenting at last, interfered to frustrate his design. + Having thus balked his ambition in the Indian seas, she felt pledged to + offer him the employment which he had originally solicited, and she + accordingly conferred upon him the governorship of Flushing, with the rank + of general of horse, under the Earl of Leicester. In the latter part of + November, he cast anchor, in the midst of a violent storm, at Rammekins, + and thence came to the city of his government. Young, and looking even + younger than his years—"not only of an excellent wit, but extremely + beautiful of face"—with delicately chiselled Anglo-Norman features, + smooth fair cheek, a faint moustache, blue eyes, and a mass of + amber-coloured hair; such was the author of 'Arcadia' and the governor of + Flushing. + </p> + <p> + And thus an Anglo-Norman representative of ancient race had come back to + the home of his ancestors. Scholar, poet, knight-errant, finished + gentleman, he aptly typified the result of seven centuries of civilization + upon the wild Danish pirate. For among those very quicksands of + storm-beaten Walachria that wondrous Normandy first came into existence + whose wings were to sweep over all the high places of Christendom. Out of + these creeks, lagunes, and almost inaccessible sandbanks, those bold + freebooters sailed forth on their forays against England, France, and + other adjacent countries, and here they brought and buried the booty of + many a wild adventure. Here, at a later day, Rollo the Dane had that + memorable dream of leprosy, the cure of which was the conversion of North + Gaul into Normandy, of Pagans into Christians, and the subsequent conquest + of every throne in Christendom from Ultima Thule to Byzantium. And now the + descendant of those early freebooters had come back to the spot, at a + moment when a wider and even more imperial swoop was to be made by their + modern representatives. For the sea-kings of the sixteenth century—the + Drakes, Hawkinses, Frobishers, Raleighs, Cavendishes—the De Moors, + Heemskerks, Barendts—all sprung of the old pirate-lineage, whether + called Englanders or Hollanders, and instinct with the same hereditary + love of adventure, were about to wrestle with ancient tyrannies, to + explore the most inaccessible regions, and to establish new commonwealths + in worlds undreamed of by their ancestors—to accomplish, in short, + more wondrous feats than had been attempted by the Knuts, and Rollos, + Rurics, Ropers, and Tancreds, of an earlier age. + </p> + <p> + The place which Sidney was appointed to govern was one of great military + and commercial importance. Flushing was the key to the navigation of the + North Seas, ever since the disastrous storm of a century before, in which + a great trading city on the outermost verge of the island had been + swallowed bodily by the ocean. The Emperor had so thoroughly recognized + its value, as to make special mention of the necessity for its + preservation, in his private instructions to Philip, and now the Queen of + England had confided it to one who was competent to appreciate and to + defend the prize. "How great a jewel this place (Flushing) is to the crown + of England," wrote Sidney to his Uncle Leicester, "and to the Queen's + safety, I need not now write it to your lordship, who knows it so well. + Yet I must needs say, the better I know it, the more I find the + preciousness of it." + </p> + <p> + He did not enter into his government, however, with much pomp and + circumstance, but came afoot into Flushing in the midst of winter and foul + weather. "Driven to land at Rammekins," said he, "because the wind began + to rise in such sort as from thence our mariners durst not enter the town, + I came with as dirty a walk as ever poor governor entered his charge + withal." But he was cordially welcomed, nor did he arrive by any means too + soon. + </p> + <p> + "I find the people very glad of our coming," he said, "and promise myself + as much surety in keeping this town, as popular good-will, gotten by light + hopes, and by as slight conceits, may breed; for indeed the garrison is + far too weak to command by authority, which is pity . . . . I think, + truly, that if my coming had been longer delayed, some alteration would + have followed; for the truth is, this people is weary of war, and if they + do not see such a course taken as may be likely to defend them, they will + in a sudden give over the cause. . . . All will be lost if government be + not presently used." + </p> + <p> + He expressed much anxiety for the arrival of his uncle, with which + sentiments he assured the Earl that the Netherlanders fully sympathized. + "Your Lordship's coming," he said, "is as much longed for as Messias is of + the Jews. It is indeed most necessary that your Lordship make great speed + to reform both the Dutch and English abuses." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Able men should be by design and of purpose suppressed + He did his work, but he had not his reward + Matter that men may rather pray for than hope for + Not of the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch + Others that do nothing, do all, and have all the thanks + Peace-at-any-price party + The busy devil of petty economy + Thought that all was too little for him + Weary of place without power +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. 1585-1586, Part 1. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Earl of Leicester—His Triumphal Entrance into Holland—English + Spies about him—Importance of Holland to England—Spanish Schemes + for invading England—Letter of the Grand Commander—Perilous + Position of England—True Nature of the Contest—wealth and Strength + of the Provinces—Power of the Dutch and English People—Affection + of the Hollanders for the Queen—Secret Purposes of Leicester— + Wretched condition of English Troops—The Nassaus and Hohenlo—The + Earl's Opinion of them—Clerk and Killigrew—Interview with the + States Government General offered to the Earl—Discussions on the + Subject—The Earl accepts the Office—His Ambition and Mistakes—His + Installation at the Hague—Intimations of the Queen's Displeasure— + Deprecatory Letters of Leicester—Davison's Mission to England— + Queen's Anger and Jealousy—Her angry Letters to the Earl and the + States—Arrival of Davison—Stormy Interview with the Queen—The + second one is calmer—Queen's Wrath somewhat mitigated—Mission of + Heneago to the States—Shirley sent to England by the Earl—His + Interview with Elizabeth +</pre> + <p> + At last the Earl of Leicester came. Embarking at Harwich, with a fleet of + fifty ships, and attended "by the flower and chief gallants of England"—the + Lords Sheffield, Willoughby, North, Burroughs, Sir Gervase Clifton, Sir + William Russell, Sir Robert Sidney, and others among the number—the + new lieutenant-general of the English forces in the Netherlands arrived on + the 19th December, 1585, at Flushing. + </p> + <p> + His nephew, Sir Philip Sidney, and Count Maurice of Nassau, with a body of + troops and a great procession of civil functionaries; were in readiness to + receive him, and to escort him to the lodgings prepared for him. + </p> + <p> + Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was then fifty-four years of age. There + are few personages in English history whose adventures, real or + fictitious, have been made more familiar to the world than his have been, + or whose individuality has been presented in more picturesque fashion, by + chronicle, tragedy, or romance. Born in the same day of the month and hour + of the day with the Queen, but two years before her birth, the supposed + synastry of their destinies might partly account, in that age of + astrological superstition, for the influence which he perpetually exerted. + They had, moreover, been fellow-prisoners together, in the commencement of + the reign of Mary, and it is possible that he may have been the medium + through which the indulgent expressions of Philip II. were conveyed to the + Princess Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + His grandfather, John Dudley, that "caterpillar of the commonwealth," who + lost his head in the first year of Henry VIII. as a reward for the grist + which he brought to the mill of Henry VII.; his father, the mighty Duke of + Northumberland, who rose out of the wreck of an obscure and ruined family + to almost regal power, only to perish, like his predecessor, upon the + scaffold, had bequeathed him nothing save rapacity, ambition, and the + genius to succeed. But Elizabeth seemed to ascend the throne only to + bestow gifts upon her favourite. Baronies and earldoms, stars and garters, + manors and monopolies, castles and forests, church livings and college + chancellorships, advowsons and sinecures, emoluments and dignities, the + most copious and the most exalted, were conferred upon him in breathless + succession. Wine, oil, currants, velvets, ecclesiastical benefices, + university headships, licences to preach, to teach, to ride, to sail, to + pick and to steal, all brought "grist to his mill." His grandfather, "the + horse leach and shearer," never filled his coffers more rapidly than did + Lord Robert, the fortunate courtier. Of his early wedlock with the + ill-starred Amy Robsart, of his nuptial projects with the Queen, of his + subsequent marriages and mock-marriages with Douglas Sheffield and Lettice + of Essex, of his plottings, poisonings, imaginary or otherwise, of his + countless intrigues, amatory and political—of that luxuriant, + creeping, flaunting, all-pervading existence which struck its fibres into + the mould, and coiled itself through the whole fabric, of Elizabeth's life + and reign—of all this the world has long known too much to render a + repetition needful here. The inmost nature and the secret deeds of a man + placed so high by wealth and station, can be seen but darkly through the + glass of contemporary record. There was no tribunal to sit upon his guilt. + A grandee could be judged only when no longer a favourite, and the + infatuation of Elizabeth for Leicester terminated only with his life. He + stood now upon the soil of the Netherlands in the character of a + "Messiah," yet he has been charged with crimes sufficient to send twenty + humbler malefactors to the gibbet. "I think," said a most malignant + arraigner of the man, in a published pamphlet, "that the Earl of Leicester + hath more blood lying upon his head at this day, crying for vengeance, + than ever had private man before, were he never so wicked." + </p> + <p> + Certainly the mass of misdemeanours and infamies hurled at the head of the + favourite by that "green-coated Jesuit," father Parsons, under the title + of 'Leycester's Commonwealth,' were never accepted as literal verities; + yet the value of the precept, to calumniate boldly, with the certainty + that much of the calumny would last for ever, was never better illustrated + than in the case of Robert Dudley. Besides the lesser delinquencies of + filling his purse by the sale of honours and dignities, by violent + ejectments from land, fraudulent titles, rapacious enclosures of commons, + by taking bribes for matters of justice, grace, and supplication to the + royal authority, he was accused of forging various letters to the Queen, + often to ruin his political adversaries, and of plottings to entrap them + into conspiracies, playing first the comrade and then the informer. The + list of his murders and attempts to murder was almost endless. "His + lordship hath a special fortune," saith the Jesuit, "that when he desireth + any woman's favour, whatsoever person standeth in his way hath the luck to + die quickly." He was said to have poisoned Alice Drayton, Lady Lennox, + Lord Sussex, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, Lord Sheffield, whose widow he + married and then poisoned, Lord Essex, whose widow he also married, and + intended to poison, but who was said to have subsequently poisoned him—besides + murders or schemes for murder of various other individuals, both French + and English. "He was a rare artist in poison," said Sir Robert Naunton, + and certainly not Caesar Borgia, nor his father or sister, was more + accomplished in that difficult profession than was Dudley, if half the + charges against him could be believed. Fortunately for his fame, many of + them were proved to be false. Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, at + the time of the death of Lord Essex, having caused a diligent inquiry to + be made into that dark affair, wrote to the council that it was usual for + the Earl to fall into a bloody flux when disturbed in his mind, and that + his body when opened showed no signs of poison. It is true that Sir Henry, + although an honourable man, was Leicester's brother-in-law, and that + perhaps an autopsy was not conducted at that day in Ireland on very + scientific principles. + </p> + <p> + His participation in the strange death of his first wife was a matter of + current belief among his contemporaries. "He is infamed by the death of + his wife," said Burghley, and the tale has since become so interwoven with + classic and legendary fiction, as well as with more authentic history, + that the phantom of the murdered Amy Robsart is sure to arise at every + mention of the Earl's name. Yet a coroner's inquest—as appears from + his own secret correspondence with his relative and agent at Cumnor—was + immediately and persistently demanded by Dudley. A jury was impaneled—every + man of them a stranger to him, and some of them enemies. Antony Forster, + Appleyard, and Arthur Robsart, brother-in-law and brother of the lady, + were present, according to Dudley's special request; "and if more of her + friends could have been sent," said he, "I would have sent them;" but with + all their minuteness of inquiry, "they could find," wrote Blount, "no + presumptions of evil," although he expressed a suspicion that "some of the + jurymen were sorry that they could not." That the unfortunate lady was + killed by a fall down stairs was all that could be made of it by a + coroner's inquest, rather hostile than otherwise, and urged to rigorous + investigation by the supposed culprit himself. Nevertheless, the calumny + has endured for three centuries, and is likely to survive as many more. + </p> + <p> + Whatever crimes Dudley may have committed in the course of his career, + there is no doubt whatever that he was the most abused man in Europe. He + had been deeply wounded by the Jesuit's artful publication, in which all + the misdeeds with which he was falsely or justly charged were drawn up in + awful array, in a form half colloquial, half judicial. "You had better + give some contentment to my Lord Leicester," wrote the French envoy from + London to his government, "on account of the bitter feelings excited in + him by these villainous books lately written against him." + </p> + <p> + The Earl himself ascribed these calumnies to the Jesuits, to the Guise + faction, and particularly to—the Queen of Scots. He was said, in + consequence, to have vowed an eternal hatred to that most unfortunate and + most intriguing Princess. "Leicester has lately told a friend," wrote + Charles Paget, "that he will persecute you to the uttermost, for that he + supposeth your Majesty to be privy to the setting forth of the book + against him." Nevertheless, calumniated or innocent he was at least + triumphant over calumny. Nothing could shake his hold upon Elizabeth's + affections. The Queen scorned but resented the malignant attacks upon the + reputation of her favourite. She declared "before God and in her + conscience, that she knew the libels against him to be most scandalous, + and such as none but an incarnate devil himself could dream to be true." + His power, founded not upon genius nor virtue, but upon woman's caprice, + shone serenely above the gulf where there had been so many shipwrecks. "I + am now passing into another world," said Sussex, upon his death-bed, to + his friends, "and I must leave you to your fortunes; but beware of the + gipsy, or he will be too hard for you. You know not the beast so well as I + do." + </p> + <p> + The "gipsy," as he had been called from his dark complexion, had been + renowned in youth for the beauty of his person, being "tall and singularly + well-featured, of a sweet aspect, but high foreheaded, which was of no + discommendation," according to Naunton. The Queen, who had the passion of + her father for tall and proper men, was easier won by externals, from her + youth even to the days of her dotage, than befitted so very sagacious a + personage. Chamberlains, squires of the body, carvers, cup-bearers, + gentlemen-ushers, porters, could obtain neither place nor favour at court, + unless distinguished for stature, strength, or extraordinary activity. To + lose a tooth had been known to cause the loss of a place, and the + excellent constitution of leg which helped Sir Christopher Hatton into the + chancellorship, was not more remarkable perhaps than the success of + similar endowments in other contemporaries. Leicester, although stately + and imposing, had passed his summer solstice. A big bulky man, with a long + red face, a bald head, a defiant somewhat sinister eye, a high nose, and a + little torrent of foam-white curly beard, he was still magnificent in + costume. Rustling in satin and feathers, with jewels in his ears, and his + velvet toque stuck as airily as ever upon the side of his head, he amazed + the honest Hollanders, who had been used to less gorgeous chieftains. + </p> + <p> + "Every body is wondering at the great magnificence and splendour of his + clothes," said the plain chronicler of Utrecht. For, not much more than a + year before, Fulke Greville had met at Delft a man whose external + adornments were simpler; a somewhat slip-shod personage, whom he thus + pourtrayed: "His uppermost garment was a gown," said the euphuistic Fulke, + "yet such as, I confidently affirm, a mean-born student of our Inns of + Court would not have been well disposed to walk the streets in. Unbuttoned + his doublet was, and of like precious matter and form to the other. His + waistcoat, which showed itself under it, not unlike the best sort of those + woollen knit ones which our ordinary barge-watermen row us in. His company + about him, the burgesses of that beerbrewing town. No external sign of + degree could have discovered the inequality of his worth or estate from + that multitude. Nevertheless, upon conversing with him, there was an + outward passage of inward greatness." + </p> + <p> + Of a certainty there must have been an outward passage of inward greatness + about him; for the individual in unbuttoned doublet and bargeman's + waistcoat, was no other than William the Silent. A different kind of + leader had now descended among those rebels, yet it would be a great + mistake to deny the capacity or vigorous intentions of the magnificent + Earl, who certainly was like to find himself in a more difficult and + responsible situation than any he had yet occupied. + </p> + <p> + And now began a triumphal progress through the land, with a series of + mighty banquets and festivities, in which no man could play a better part + than Leicester. From Flushing he came to Middelburg, where, upon Christmas + eve (according to the new reckoning), there was an entertainment, every + dish of which has been duly chronicled. Pigs served on their feet, + pheasants in their feathers, and baked swans with their necks thrust + through gigantic pie-crust; crystal castles of confectionery with silver + streams flowing at their base, and fair virgins leaning from the + battlements, looking for their new English champion, "wine in abundance, + variety of all sorts, and wonderful welcomes "—such was the bill of + fare. The next day the Lieutenant-General returned the compliment to the + magistrates of Middelburg with a tremendous feast. Then came an interlude + of unexpected famine; for as the Earl sailed with his suite in a fleet of + two hundred vessels for Dort—a voyage of not many hours' usual + duration—there descended a mighty frozen fog upon the waters, and + they lay five whole days and nights in their ships, almost starved with + hunger and cold—offering in vain a "pound of silver for a pound of + bread." Emerging at last from this dismal predicament, he landed at Dort, + and so went to Rotterdam and Delft, everywhere making his way through + lines of musketeers and civic functionaries, amid roaring cannon, pealing + bells, burning cressets, blazing tar-barrels, fiery winged dragons, + wreaths of flowers, and Latin orations. + </p> + <p> + The farther he went the braver seemed the country, and the better beloved + his. Lordship. Nothing was left undone, in the language of ancient + chronicle, to fill the bellies and the heads of the whole company. At the + close of the year he came to the Hague, where the festivities were + unusually magnificent. A fleet of barges was sent to escort him. Peter, + James, and John, met him upon the shore, while the Saviour appeared + walking upon the waves, and ordered his disciples to cast their nets, and + to present the fish to his Excellency. Farther on, he was confronted by + Mars and Bellona, who recited Latin odes in his honour. Seven beautiful + damsels upon a stage, representing the United States, offered him golden + keys; seven others equally beautiful, embodying the seven sciences, + presented him with garlands, while an enthusiastic barber adorned his shop + with seven score of copper basins, with a wax-light in each, together with + a rose, and a Latin posy in praise of Queen Elizabeth. Then there were + tiltings in the water between champions mounted upon whales, and other + monsters of the deep-representatives of siege, famine, pestilence, and + murder—the whole interspersed with fireworks, poetry, charades, and + Matthias, nor Anjou, nor King Philip, nor the Emperor Charles, in their + triumphal progresses, had been received with more spontaneous or more + magnificent demonstrations. Never had the living pictures been more + startling, the allegories more incomprehensible, the banquets more + elaborate, the orations more tedious. Beside himself with rapture, + Leicester almost assumed the God. In Delft, a city which he described as + "another London almost for beauty and fairness," he is said so far to have + forgotten himself as to declare that his family had—in the person of + Lady Jane Grey, his father, and brother—been unjustly deprived of + the crown of England; an indiscretion which caused a shudder in all who + heard him. It was also very dangerous for the Lieutenant-General to exceed + the bounds of becoming modesty at that momentous epoch. His power, as we + shall soon have occasion to observe, was anomalous, and he was surrounded + by enemies. He was not only to grapple with a rapidly developing + opposition in the States, but he was surrounded with masked enemies, whom + he had brought with him from England. Every act and word of his were + liable to closest scrutiny, and likely to be turned against him. For it + was most characteristic of that intriguing age, that even the astute + Walsingham, who had an eye and an ear at every key-hole in Europe, was + himself under closest domestic inspection. There was one Poley, a trusted + servant of Lady Sidney, then living in the house of her father Walsingham, + during Sir Philip's absence, who was in close communication with Lord + Montjoy's brother, Blount, then high in favour of Queen Elizabeth—"whose + grandmother she might be for his age and hers"—and with another + brother Christopher Blount, at that moment in confidential attendance upon + Lord Leicester in Holland. Now Poley, and both the Blounts, were, in + reality, Papists, and in intimate correspondence with the agents of the + Queen of Scots, both at home and abroad, although "forced to fawn upon + Leicester, to see if they might thereby live quiet." They had a secret + "alphabet," or cipher, among them, and protested warmly, that they + "honoured the ground whereon Queen Mary trod better than Leicester with + all his generation; and that they felt bound to serve her who was the only + saint living on the earth." + </p> + <p> + It may be well understood then that the Earl's position was a slippery + one, and that great assumption might be unsafe. "He taketh the matter upon + him," wrote Morgan to the Queen of Scots, "as though he were an absolute + king; but he hath many personages about him of good place out of England, + the best number whereof desire nothing more than his confusion. Some of + them be gone with him to avoid the persecution for religion in England. My + poor advice and labour shall not be wanting to give Leicester all + dishonour, which will fall upon him in the end with shame enough; though + for the present he be very strong." Many of these personages of good + place, and enjoying "charge and credit" with the Earl had very serious + plans in their heads. Some of them meant "for the service of God, and the + advantage of the King of Spain, to further the delivery of some notable + towns in Holland and Zeeland to the said King and his ministers," and we + are like to hear of these individuals again. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the Earl of Leicester was at the Hague. Why was he there? What + was his work? Why had Elizabeth done such violence to her affection as to + part with her favourite-in-chief; and so far overcome her thrift, as to + furnish forth, rather meagrely to be sure, that little army of Englishmen? + Why had the flower of England's chivalry set foot upon that dark and + bloody ground where there seemed so much disaster to encounter, and so + little glory to reap? Why had England thrown herself so heroically into + the breach, just as the last bulwarks were falling which protected Holland + from the overwhelming onslaught of Spain? It was because Holland was the + threshold of England; because the two countries were one by danger and by + destiny; because the naval expedition from Spain against England was + already secretly preparing; because the deposed tyrant of Spain intended + the Provinces, when again subjugated, as a steppingstone to the conquest + of England; because the naval and military forces of Holland—her + numerous ships, her hardy mariners, her vast wealth, her commodious + sea-ports, close to the English coast—if made Spanish property would + render Philip invincible by sea and land; and because the downfall of + Holland and of Protestantism would be death to Elizabeth, and annihilation + to England. + </p> + <p> + There was little doubt on the subject in the minds of those engaged in + this expedition. All felt most keenly the importance of the game, in which + the Queen was staking her crown, and England its national existence. + </p> + <p> + "I pray God," said Wilford, an officer much in Walsingham's confidence, + "that I live not to see this enterprise quail, and with it the utter + subversion of religion throughout all Christendom. It may be I may be + judged to be afraid of my own shadow. God grant it be so. But if her + Majesty had not taken the helm in hand, and my Lord of Leicester sent + over, this country had been gone ere this. . . . This war doth defend + England. Who is he that will refuse to spend his life and living in it? If + her Majesty consume twenty thousand men in the cause, the experimented men + that will remain will double that strength to the realm." + </p> + <p> + This same Wilford commanded a company in Ostend, and was employed by + Leicester in examining the defences of that important place. He often sent + information to the Secretary, "troubling him with the rude stile of a poor + soldier, being driven to scribble in haste." He reiterated, in more than + one letter, the opinion, that twenty thousand men consumed in the war + would be a saving in the end, and his own determination—although he + had intended retiring from the military profession—to spend not only + his life in the cause, but also the poor living that God had given him. + "Her Highness hath now entered into it," he said; "the fire is kindled; + whosoever suffers it to go out, it will grow dangerous to that side. The + whole state of religion is in question, and the realm of England also, if + this action quail. God grant we never live to see that doleful day. Her + Majesty hath such footing now in these parts, as I judge it impossible for + the King to weary her out, if every man will put to the work his helping + hand, whereby it may be lustily followed, and the war not suffered to + cool. The freehold of England will be worth but little, if this action + quail, and therefore I wish no subject to spare his purse towards it." + </p> + <p> + Spain moved slowly. Philip the Prudent was not sudden or rash, but his + whole life had proved, and was to prove, him inflexible in his purposes, + and patient in his attempts to carry them into effect, even when the + purposes had become chimerical, and the execution impossible. Before the + fall of Antwerp he had matured his scheme for the invasion of England, in + most of its details—a necessary part of which was of course the + reduction of Holland and Zeeland. "Surely no danger nor fear of any + attempt can grow to England," wrote Wilford, "so long as we can hold this + country good." But never was honest soldier more mistaken than he, when he + added:—"The Papists will make her Highness afraid of a great fleet + now preparing in Spain. We hear it also, but it is only a scare-crow to + cool the enterprise here." + </p> + <p> + It was no scare-crow. On the very day on which Wilford was thus writing to + Walsingham, Philip the Second was writing to Alexander Farnese. "The + English," he said, "with their troops having gained a footing in the + islands (Holland and Zeeland) give me much anxiety. The English Catholics + are imploring me with much importunity to relieve them from the + persecution they are suffering. When you sent me a plan, with the coasts, + soundings, quicksands, and ports of England, you said that the enterprise + of invading that country should be deferred till we had reduced the isles; + that, having them, we could much more conveniently attack England; or that + at least we should wait till we had got Antwerp. As the city is now taken, + I want your advice now about the invasion of England. To cut the root of + the evils constantly growing up there, both for God's service and mine, is + desirable. So many evils will thus be remedied, which would not be by only + warring with the islands. It would be an uncertain and expensive war to go + to sea for the purpose of chastising the insolent English corsairs, + however much they deserve chastisement. I charge you to be secret, to give + the matter your deepest attention, and to let me have your opinions at + once." Philip then added a postscript, in his own hand, concerning the + importance of acquiring a sea-port in Holland, as a basis of operations + against England. "Without a port," he said, "we can do nothing whatever." + </p> + <p> + A few weeks later, the Grand Commander of Castile, by Philip's orders, and + upon subsequent information received from the Prince of Parma, drew up an + elaborate scheme for the invasion of England, and for the government of + that country afterwards; a program according to which the King was to + shape his course for a long time to come. The plot was an excellent plot. + Nothing could be more artistic, more satisfactory to the prudent monarch; + but time was to show whether there might not be some difficulty in the way + of its satisfactory development. + </p> + <p> + "The enterprise," said the Commander, "ought certainly to be undertaken as + serving the cause of the Lord. From the Pope we must endeavour to extract + a promise of the largest aid we can get for the time when the enterprise + can be undertaken. We must not declare that time however, in order to keep + the thing a secret, and because perhaps thus more will be promised, under + the impression that it will never take effect. He added that the work + could not well be attempted before August or September of the following + year; the only fear of such delay being that the French could hardly be + kept during all that time in a state of revolt." For this was a uniform + portion of the great scheme. France was to be kept, at Philip's expense, + in a state of perpetual civil war; its every city and village to be the + scene of unceasing conflict and bloodshed—subjects in arms against + king, and family against family; and the Netherlands were to be ravaged + with fire and sword; all this in order that the path might be prepared for + Spanish soldiers into the homes of England. So much of misery to the whole + human race was it in the power of one painstaking elderly valetudinarian + to inflict, by never for an instant neglecting the business of his life. + </p> + <p> + Troops and vessels for the English invasion ought, in the Commander's + opinion, to be collected in Flanders, under colour of an enterprise + against Holland and Zeeland, while the armada to be assembled in Spain, of + galleons, galeazas, and galleys, should be ostensibly for an expedition to + the Indies. + </p> + <p> + Then, after the conquest, came arrangements for the government of England. + Should Philip administer his new kingdom by a viceroy, or should he + appoint a king out of his own family? On the whole the chances for the + Prince of Parma seemed the best of any. "We must liberate the Queen of + Scotland," said the Grand Commander, "and marry her to some one or + another, both in order to put her out of love with her son, and to + conciliate her devoted adherents. Of course the husband should be one of + your Majesty's nephews, and none could be so appropriate as the Prince of + Parma, that great captain, whom his talents, and the part he has to bear + in the business, especially indicate for that honour." + </p> + <p> + Then there was a difficulty about the possible issue of such a marriage. + The Farneses claimed Portugal; so that children sprung from the bloodroyal + of England blended with that of Parma, might choose to make those + pretensions valid. But the objection was promptly solved by the Commander:—"The + Queen of Scotland is sure to have no children," he said. + </p> + <p> + That matter being adjusted, Parma's probable attitude as King of England + was examined. It was true his ambition might cause occasional uneasiness, + but then he might make himself still more unpleasant in the Netherlands. + "If your Majesty suspects him," said the Commander, "which, after all, is + unfair, seeing the way, in which he has been conducting himself—it + is to be remembered that in Flanders are similar circumstances and + opportunities, and that he is well armed, much beloved in the country, and + that the natives are of various humours. The English plan will furnish an + honourable departure for him out of the Provinces; and the principle of + loyal obligation will have much influence over so chivalrous a knight as + he, when he is once placed on the English throne. Moreover, as he will be + new there, he will have need of your Majesty's favour to maintain himself, + and there will accordingly be good correspondence with Holland and the + Islands. Thus your Majesty can put the Infanta and her husband into full + possession of all the Netherlands; having provided them with so excellent + a neighbour in England, and one so closely bound and allied to them. Then, + as he is to have no English children" (we have seen that the Commander had + settled that point) "he will be a very good mediator to arrange adoptions, + especially if you make good provision for his son Rainuccio in Italy. The + reasons in favour of this plan being so much stronger than those against + it, it would be well that your Majesty should write clearly to the Prince + of Parma, directing him to conduct the enterprise" (the English invasion), + "and to give him the first offer for this marriage (with Queen Mary) if he + likes the scheme. If not, he had better mention which of the Archdukes + should be substituted in his place." + </p> + <p> + There happened to be no lack of archdukes at that period for anything + comfortable that might offer—such as a throne in England, Holland, + or France—and the Austrian House was not remarkable for refusing + convenient marriages; but the immediate future only could show whether + Alexander I. of the House of Farnese was to reign in England, or whether + the next king of that country was to be called Matthias, Maximilian, or + Ernest of Hapsburg. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the Grand Commander was of opinion that the invasion-project was + to be pushed forward as rapidly and as secretly as possible; because, + before any one of Philip's nephews could place himself upon the English + throne, it was first necessary to remove Elizabeth from that position. + Before disposing of the kingdom, the preliminary step of conquering it was + necessary. Afterwards it would be desirable, without wasting more time + than was requisite, to return with a large portion of the invading force + out of England, in order to complete the conquest of Holland. For after + all, England was to be subjugated only as a portion of one general scheme; + the main features of which were the reannexation of Holland and "the + islands," and the acquisition of unlimited control upon the seas. + </p> + <p> + Thus the invasion of England was no "scarecrow," as Wilford imagined, but + a scheme already thoroughly matured. If Holland and Zeeland should + meantime fall into the hands of Philip, it was no exaggeration on that + soldier's part to observe that the "freehold of England would be worth but + little." + </p> + <p> + To oppose this formidable array against the liberties of Europe stood + Elizabeth Tudor and the Dutch Republic. For the Queen, however arbitrary + her nature, fitly embodied much of the nobler elements in the expanding + English national character. She felt instinctively that her reliance in + the impending death-grapple was upon the popular principle, the national + sentiment, both in her own country and in Holland. That principle and that + sentiment were symbolized in the Netherland revolt; and England, although + under a somewhat despotic rule, was already fully pervaded with the + instinct of self-government. The people held the purse and the sword. + </p> + <p> + No tyranny could be permanently established so long as the sovereign was + obliged to come every year before Parliament to ask for subsidies; so long + as all the citizens and yeomen of England had weapons in their possession, + and were carefully trained to use them; so long, in short, as the militia + was the only army, and private adventurers or trading companies created + and controlled the only navy. War, colonization, conquest, traffic, formed + a joint business and a private speculation. If there were danger that + England, yielding to purely mercantile habits of thought and action, might + degenerate from the more martial standard to which she had been + accustomed, there might be virtue in that Netherland enterprise, which was + now to call forth all her energies. The Provinces would be a seminary for + English soldiers. + </p> + <p> + "There can be no doubt of our driving the enemy out of the country through + famine and excessive charges," said the plain-spoken English soldier + already quoted, who came out with Leicester, "if every one of us will put + our minds to go forward without making a miserable gain by the wars. A man + may see, by this little progress journey, what this long peace hath + wrought in us. We are weary of the war before we come where it groweth, + such a danger hath this long peace brought us into. This is, and will be, + in my opinion, a most fit school and nursery to nourish soldiers to be + able to keep and defend our country hereafter, if men will follow it." + </p> + <p> + Wilford was vehement in denouncing the mercantile tendencies of his + countrymen, and returned frequently to that point in his communications + with Walsingham and other statesmen. "God hath stirred up this action," he + repeated again, "to be a school to breed up soldiers to defend the freedom + of England, which through these long times of peace and quietness is + brought into a most dangerous estate, if it should be attempted. Our + delicacy is such that we are already weary, yet this journey is naught in + respect to the misery and hardship that soldiers must and do endure." + </p> + <p> + He was right in his estimate of the effect likely to be produced by the + war upon the military habits of Englishmen; for there can be no doubt that + the organization and discipline of English troops was in anything but a + satisfactory state at that period. There was certainly vast room for + improvement. Nevertheless he was wrong in his views of the leading + tendencies of his age. Holland and England, self-helping, self-moving, + were already inaugurating a new era in the history of the world. The + spirit of commercial maritime enterprise—then expanding rapidly into + large proportions—was to be matched against the religious and + knightly enthusiasm which had accomplished such wonders in an age that was + passing away. Spain still personified, and had ever personified, chivalry, + loyalty, piety; but its chivalry, loyalty, and piety, were now in a + corrupted condition. The form was hollow, and the sacred spark had fled. + In Holland and England intelligent enterprise had not yet degenerated into + mere greed for material prosperity. The love of danger, the thirst for + adventure, the thrilling sense of personal responsibility and human + dignity—not the base love for land and lucre—were the + governing sentiments which led those bold Dutch and English rovers to + circumnavigate the world in cockle-shells, and to beard the most potent + monarch on the earth, both at home and abroad, with a handful of + volunteers. + </p> + <p> + This then was the contest, and this the machinery by which it was to be + maintained. A struggle for national independence, liberty of conscience, + freedom of the seas, against sacerdotal and world-absorbing tyranny; a + mortal combat of the splendid infantry of Spain and Italy, the + professional reiters of Germany, the floating castles of a world-empire, + with the militiamen and mercantile-marine of England and Holland united. + Holland had been engaged twenty years long in the conflict. England had + thus far escaped it; but there was no doubt, and could be none, that her + time had come. She must fight the battle of Protestantism on sea and + shore, shoulder to shoulder, with the Netherlanders, or await the + conqueror's foot on her own soil. + </p> + <p> + What now was the disposition and what the means of the Provinces to do + their part in the contest? If the twain as Holland wished, had become of + one flesh, would England have been the loser? Was it quite sure that + Elizabeth—had she even accepted the less compromising title which + she refused—would not have been quite as much the protected as the + "protectress?" + </p> + <p> + It is very certain that the English, on their arrival in the Provinces, + were singularly impressed by the opulent and stately appearance of the + country and its inhabitants. Notwithstanding the tremendous war which the + Hollanders had been waging against Spain for twenty years, their commerce + had continued to thrive, and their resources to increase. Leicester was in + a state of constant rapture at the magnificence which surrounded him, from + his first entrance into the country. Notwithstanding the admiration + expressed by the Hollanders for the individual sumptuousness of the + Lieutenant-General; his followers, on their part, were startled by the + general luxury of their new allies. "The realm is rich and full of men," + said Wilford, "the sums men exceed in apparel would bear the brunt of this + war;" and again, "if the excess used in sumptuous apparel were only + abated, and that we could convert the same to these wars, it would stop a + great gap." + </p> + <p> + The favourable view taken by the English as to the resources and + inclination of the Netherland commonwealth was universal. "The general + wish and desire of these countrymen," wrote Sir Thomas Shirley, "is that + the amity begun between England and this nation may be everlasting, and + there is not any of our company of judgment but wish the same. For all + they that see the goodliness and stateliness of these towns, strengthened + both with fortification and natural situation, all able to defend + themselves with their own abilities, must needs think it too fair a prey + to be let pass, and a thing most worthy to be embraced." + </p> + <p> + Leicester, whose enthusiasm continued to increase as rapidly as the + Queen's zeal seemed to be cooling, was most anxious lest the short-comings + of his own Government should work irreparable evil. "I pray you, my lord," + he wrote to Burghley, "forget not us poor exiles; if you do, God must and + will forget you. And great pity it were that so noble provinces and goodly + havens, with such infinite ships and mariners, should not be always as + they may now easily be, at the assured devotion of England. In my opinion + he can neither love Queen nor country that would not wish and further it + should be so. And seeing her Majesty is thus far entered into the cause, + and that these people comfort themselves in full hope of her favour, it + were a sin and a shame it should not be handled accordingly, both for + honour and surety." + </p> + <p> + Sir John Conway, who accompanied the Earl through the whole of his + "progress journey," was quite as much struck as he by the flourishing + aspect and English proclivities of the Provinces. "The countries which we + have passed," he said, "are fertile in their nature; the towns, cities, + buildings, of more state and beauty, to such as have travelled other + countries, than any they have ever seen. The people the most industrious + by all means to live that be in the world, and, no doubt, passing rich. + They outwardly show themselves of good heart, zeal, and loyalty, towards + the Queen our mistress. There is no doubt that the general number of them + had rather come under her Majesty's regiment, than to continue under the + States and burgomasters of their country. The impositions which they lay + in defence of their State is wonderful. If her Highness proceed in this + beginning, she may retain these parts hers, with their good love, and her + great glory and gain. I would she might as perfectly see the whole + country, towns, profits, and pleasures thereof, in a glass, as she may her + own face; I do then assure myself she would with careful consideration + receive them, and not allow of any man's reason to the contrary . . . . + The country is worthy any prince in the world, the people do reverence the + Queen, and in love of her do so believe that the Grace of Leicester is by + God and her sent among them for her good. And they believe in him for the + redemption of their bodies, as they do in God for their souls. I dare pawn + my soul, that if her Majesty will allow him the just and rightful mean to + manage this cause, that he will so handle the manner and matter as shall + highly both please and profit her Majesty, and increase her country, and + his own honour." + </p> + <p> + Lord North, who held a high command in the auxiliary force, spoke also + with great enthusiasm. "Had your Lordship seen," he wrote to Burghley, + "with what thankful hearts these countries receive all her Majesty's + subjects, what multitudes of people they be, what stately cities and + buildings they have, how notably fortified by art, how strong by nature, + flow fertile the whole country, and how wealthy it is, you would, I know, + praise the Lord that opened your lips to undertake this enterprise, the + continuance and good success whereof will eternise her Majesty, beautify + her crown, with the most shipping, with the most populous and wealthy + countries, that ever prince added to his kingdom, or that is or can be + found in Europe. I lack wit, good my Lord, to dilate this matter." + </p> + <p> + Leicester, better informed than some of those in his employment, + entertained strong suspicions concerning Philip's intentions with regard + to England; but he felt sure that the only way to laugh at a Spanish + invasion was to make Holland and England as nearly one as it was possible + to do. + </p> + <p> + "No doubt that the King of Spain's preparations by sea be great," he, + said; "but I know that all that he and his friends can make are not able + to match with her Majesty's forces, if it please her to use the means that + God hath given her. But besides her own, if she need; I will undertake to + furnish her from hence, upon two months' warning, a navy for strong and + tall ships, with their furniture and mariners, that the King of Spain, and + all that he can make, shall not be able to encounter with them. I think + the bruit of his preparations is made the greater to terrify her Majesty + and this country people. But, thanked be God, her Majesty hath little + cause to fear him. And in this country they esteem no more of his power by + sea than I do of six fisher-boats off Rye." + </p> + <p> + Thus suggestive is it to peep occasionally behind the curtain. In the calm + cabinet of the Escorial, Philip and his comendador mayor are laying their + heads together, preparing the invasion of England; making arrangements for + King Alexander's coronation in that island, and—like sensible, + farsighted persons as they are—even settling the succession to the + throne after Alexander's death, instead of carelessly leaving such distant + details to chance, or subsequent consideration. On the other hand, plain + Dutch sea-captains, grim beggars of the sea, and the like, denizens of a + free commonwealth and of the boundless ocean-men who are at home on blue + water, and who have burned gunpowder against those prodigious slave-rowed + galleys of Spain—together with their new allies, the dauntless + mariners of England—who at this very moment are "singeing the King + of Spain's beard," as it had never been singed before—are not so + much awestruck with the famous preparations for invasion as was perhaps to + be expected. There may be a delay, after all, before Parma can be got + safely established in London, and Elizabeth in Orcus, and before the + blood-tribunal of the Inquisition can substitute its sway for that of the + "most noble, wise, and learned United States." Certainly, Philip the + Prudent would have been startled, difficult as he was to astonish, could + he have known that those rebel Hollanders of his made no more account of + his slowly-preparing invincible armada than of six fisher-boats off Rye. + Time alone could show where confidence had been best placed. Meantime it + was certain, that it well behoved Holland and England to hold hard + together, nor let "that enterprise quail." + </p> + <p> + The famous expedition of Sir Francis Drake was the commencement of a + revelation. "That is the string," said Leicester, "that touches the King + indeed." It was soon to be made known to the world that the ocean was not + a Spanish Lake, nor both the Indies the private property of Philip. "While + the riches of the Indies continue," said Leicester, "he thinketh he will + be able to weary out all other princes; and I know, by good means, that he + more feareth this action of Sir Francis than he ever did anything that has + been attempted against him." With these continued assaults upon the golden + treasure-houses of Spain, and by a determined effort to maintain the still + more important stronghold which had been wrested from her in the + Netherlands, England might still be safe. "This country is so full of + ships and mariners," said Leicester, "so abundant in wealth, and in the + means to make money, that, had it but stood neutral, what an aid had her + Majesty been deprived of. But if it had been the enemy's also, I leave it + to your consideration what had been likely to ensue. These people do now + honour and love her Majesty in marvellous sort." + </p> + <p> + There was but one feeling on this most important subject among the English + who went to the Netherlands. All held the same language. The question was + plainly presented to England whether she would secure to herself the great + bulwark of her defence, or place it in the hands of her mortal foe? How + could there be doubt or supineness on such a momentous subject? "Surely, + my Lord," wrote Richard Cavendish to Burghley, "if you saw the wealth, the + strength, the shipping, and abundance of mariners, whereof these countries + stand furnished, your heart would quake to think that so hateful an enemy + as Spain should again be furnished with such instruments; and the + Spaniards themselves do nothing doubt upon the hope of the consequence + hereof, to assure themselves of the certain ruin of her Majesty and the + whole estate." + </p> + <p> + And yet at the very outset of Leicester's administration, there was a + whisper of peace-overtures to Spain, secretly made by Elizabeth in her own + behalf, and in that of the Provinces. We shall have soon occasion to + examine into the truth of these rumours, which, whether originating in + truth or falsehood, were most pernicious in their effects. The Hollanders + were determined never to return to slavery again, so long as they could + fire a shot in their own defence. They earnestly wished English + cooperation, but it was the cooperation of English matchlocks and English + cutlasses, not English protocols and apostilles. It was military, not + diplomatic machinery that they required. If they could make up their minds + to submit to Philip and the Inquisition again, Philip and the Holy office + were but too ready to receive the erring penitents to their embrace + without a go-between. + </p> + <p> + It was war, not peace, therefore, that Holland meant by the English + alliance. It was war, not peace, that Philip intended. It was war, not + peace, that Elizabeth's most trusty counsellors knew to be inevitable. + There was also, as we have shown, no doubt whatever as to the good + disposition, and the great power of the republic to bear its share in the + common cause. The enthusiasm of the Hollanders was excessive. "There was + such a noise, both in Delft, Rotterdam, and Dort," said Leicester, "in + crying 'God save the Queen!' as if she had been in Cheapside." Her own + subjects could not be more loyal than were the citizens and yeomen of + Holland. "The members of the States dare not but be Queen Elizabeth's," + continued the Earl, "for by the living God! if there should fall but the + least unkindness through their default, the people would kill them. All + sorts of people, from highest to lowest, assure themselves, now that they + have her Majesty's good countenance, to beat all the Spaniards out of + their country. Never was there people in such jollity as these be. I could + be content to lose a limb, could her Majesty see these countries and towns + as I have done." He was in truth excessively elated, and had already, in + imagination, vanquished Alexander Farnese, and eclipsed the fame of + William the Silent. "They will serve under me," he observed, "with a + better will than ever they served under the Prince of Orange. Yet they + loved him well, but they never hoped of the liberty of this country till + now." + </p> + <p> + Thus the English government had every reason to be satisfied with the + aspect of its affairs in the Netherlands. But the nature of the Earl's + authority was indefinite. The Queen had refused the sovereignty and the + protectorate. She had also distinctly and peremptorily forbidden Leicester + to assume any office or title that might seem at variance with such a + refusal on her part. Yet it is certain that, from the very first, he had + contemplated some slight disobedience to these prohibitions. "What + government is requisite"—wrote he in a secret memorandum of "things + most necessary to understand"—"to be appointed to him that shall be + their governor? First, that he have as much authority as the Prince of + Orange, or any other governor or captain-general, hath had heretofore." + Now the Prince of Orange hath been stadholder of each of the United + Provinces, governor-general, commander-in-chief, count of Holland in + prospect, and sovereign, if he had so willed it. It would doubtless have + been most desirable for the country, in its confused condition, had there + been a person competent to wield, and willing to accept, the authority + once exercised by William I. But it was also certain that this was exactly + the authority which Elizabeth had forbidden Leicester to assume. Yet it is + difficult to understand what position the Queen intended that her + favourite should maintain, nor how he was to carry out her instructions, + while submitting to her prohibitions. He was directed to cause the + confused government of the Provinces to be redressed, and a better form of + polity to be established. He was ordered, in particular, to procure a + radical change in the constitution, by causing the deputies to the General + Assembly to be empowered to decide upon important matters, without, as had + always been the custom, making direct reference to the assemblies of the + separate Provinces. He was instructed to bring about, in some indefinite + way, a complete reform in financial matters, by compelling the + States-General to raise money by liberal taxation, according to the + "advice of her Majesty, delivered unto them by her lieutenant." + </p> + <p> + And how was this radical change in the institutions of the Provinces to be + made by an English earl, whose only authority was that of + commander-in-chief over five thousand half-starved, unpaid, + utterly-forlorn English troops? + </p> + <p> + The Netherland envoys in England, in their parting advice, most distinctly + urged him "to hale authority with the first, to declare himself chief head + and governor-general" of the whole country,—for it was a political + head that was wanted in order to restore unity of action—not an + additional general, where there were already generals in plenty. Sir John + Norris, valiant, courageous, experienced—even if not, as Walsingham + observed, a "religious soldier," nor learned in anything "but a kind of + licentious and corrupt government"—was not likely to require the + assistance of the new lieutenant-general in field operations nor could the + army be brought into a state of thorough discipline and efficiency by the + magic of Leicester's name. The rank and file of the English army—not + the commanders-needed strengthening. The soldiers required shoes and + stockings, bread and meat, and for these articles there were not the + necessary funds, nor would the title of Lieutenant-General supply the + deficiency. The little auxiliary force was, in truth, in a condition most + pitiable to behold: it was difficult to say whether the soldiers who had + been already for a considerable period in the Netherlands, or those who + had been recently levied in the purlieus of London, were in the most + unpromising plight. The beggarly state in which Elizabeth had been willing + that her troops should go forth to the wars was a sin and a disgrace. Well + might her Lieutenant-General say that her "poor subjects were no better + than abjects." There were few effective companies remaining of the old + force. "There is but a small number of the first bands left," said Sir + John Conway, "and those so pitiful and unable ever to serve again, as I + leave to speak further of theirs, to avoid grief to your heart. A + monstrous fault there hath been somewhere." + </p> + <p> + Leicester took a manful and sagacious course at starting. Those who had no + stomach for the fight were ordered to depart. The chaplain gave them + sermons; the Lieutenant-General, on St. Stephen's day, made them a "pithy + and honourable" oration, and those who had the wish or the means to buy + themselves out of the adventure, were allowed to do so: for the Earl was + much disgusted with the raw material out of which he was expected to + manufacture serviceable troops. Swaggering ruffians from the disreputable + haunts of London, cockney apprentices, brokendown tapsters, discarded + serving men; the Bardolphs and Pistols, Mouldys, Warts, and the like—more + at home in tavern-brawls or in dark lanes than on the battle-field—were + not the men to be entrusted with the honour of England at a momentous + crisis. He spoke with grief and shame of the worthless character and + condition of the English youths sent over to the Netherlands. "Believe + me," said he, "you will all repent the cockney kind of bringing up at this + day of young men. They be gone hence with shame enough, and too many, that + I will warrant, will make as many frays with bludgeons and bucklers as any + in London shall do; but such shall never have credit with me again. Our + simplest men in show have been our best men, and your gallant blood and + ruffian men the worst of all others." + </p> + <p> + Much winnowed, as it was, the small force might in time become more + effective; and the Earl spent freely of his own substance to supply the + wants of his followers, and to atone for the avarice of his sovereign. The + picture painted however by muster-master Digger of the plumed troops that + had thus come forth to maintain the honour of England and the cause of + liberty, was anything but imposing. None knew better than Digges their + squalid and slovenly condition, or was more anxious to effect a + reformation therein. "A very wise, stout fellow he is," said the Earl, + "and very careful to serve thoroughly her Majesty." Leicester relied much + upon his efforts. "There is good hope," said the muster-master, "that his + excellency will shortly establish such good order for the government and + training of our nation, that these weak, bad-furnished, ill-armed, and + worse-trained bands, thus rawly left unto him, shall within a few months + prove as well armed, trained, complete, gallant companies as shall be + found elsewhere in Europe." The damage they were likely to inflict upon + the enemy seemed very problematical, until they should have been improved + by some wholesome ball-practice. "They are so unskilful," said Digger, + "that if they should be carried to the field no better trained than yet + they are, they would prove much more dangerous to their own leaders and + companies than any ways serviceable on their enemies. The hard and + miserable estate of the soldiers generally, excepting officers, hath been + such, as by the confessions of the captains themselves, they have been + offered by many of their soldiers thirty and forty pounds a piece to be + dismissed and sent away; whereby I doubt not the flower of the pressed + English bands are gone, and the remnant supplied with such paddy persons + as commonly, in voluntary procurements, men are glad to accept." + </p> + <p> + Even after the expiration of four months the condition of the paddy + persons continued most destitute. The English soldiers became mere + barefoot starving beggars in the streets, as had never been the case in + the worst of times, when the States were their paymasters. The little + money brought from the treasury by the Earl, and the large sums which he + had contributed out of his own pocket, had been spent in settling, and not + fully settling, old scores. "Let me entreat you," wrote Leicester to + Walsingham, "to be a mean to her Majesty, that the poor soldiers be not + beaten for my sake. There came no penny of treasure over since my coming + hither. That which then came was most part due before it came. There is + much still due. They cannot get a penny, their credit is spent, they + perish for want of victuals and clothing in great numbers. The whole are + ready to mutiny. They cannot be gotten out to service, because they cannot + discharge the debts they owe in the places where they are. I have let of + my own more than I may spare."—"There was no soldier yet able to buy + himself a pair of hose," said the Earl again, "and it is too, too great + shame to see how they go, and it kills their hearts to show themselves + among men." + </p> + <p> + There was no one to dispute the Earl's claims. The Nassau family was + desperately poor, and its chief, young Maurice, although he had been + elected stadholder of Holland and Zeeland, had every disposition—as + Sir Philip upon his arrival in Flushing immediately informed his uncle—to + submit to the authority of the new governor. Louisa de Coligny, widow of + William the Silent, was most anxious for the English alliance, through + which alone she believed that the fallen fortunes of the family could be + raised. It was thus only, she thought, that the vengeance for which she + thirsted upon the murderers of her father and her husband could be + obtained. "We see now," she wrote to Walsingham, in a fiercer strain than + would seem to comport with so gentle a nature—deeply wronged as the + daughter of Coligny and the wife of Orange had been by Papists—"we + see now the effects of our God's promises. He knows when it pleases Him to + avenge the blood of His own; and I confess that I feel most keenly the joy + which is shared in by the whole Church of God. There is none that has + received more wrong from these murderers than I have done, and I esteem + myself happy in the midst of my miseries that God has permitted me to see + some vengeance. These beginnings make me hope that I shall see yet more, + which will be not less useful to the good, both in your country and in + these isles." + </p> + <p> + There was no disguise as to the impoverished condition to which the Nassau + family had been reduced by the self-devotion of its chief. They were + obliged to ask alms of England, until the "sapling should become a tree."—"Since + it is the will of God," wrote the Princess to Davison, "I am not ashamed + to declare the necessity of our house, for it is in His cause that it has + fallen. I pray you, Sir, therefore to do me and these children the favour + to employ your thoughts in this regard." If there had been any strong + French proclivities on their part—as had been so warmly asserted—they + were likely to disappear. Villiers, who had been a confidential friend of + William the Silent, and a strong favourer of France, in vain endeavoured + to keep alive the ancient sentiments towards that country, although he was + thought to be really endeavouring to bring about a submission of the + Nassaus to Spain. "This Villiers," said Leicester, "is a most vile + traitorous knave, and doth abuse a young nobleman here extremely, the + Count Maurice. For all his religion, he is a more earnest persuader + secretly to have him yield to a reconciliation than Sainte Aldegonde was. + He shall not tarry ten days neither in Holland nor Zeeland. He is greatly + hated here of all sorts, and it shall go hard but I will win the young + Count." + </p> + <p> + As for Hohenlo, whatever his opinions might once have been regarding the + comparative merits of Frenchmen and Englishmen, he was now warmly in + favour of England, and expressed an intention of putting an end to the + Villiers' influence by simply drowning Villiers. The announcement of this + summary process towards the counsellor was not untinged with rudeness + towards the pupil. "The young Count," said Leicester, "by Villiers' means, + was not willing to have Flushing rendered, which the Count Hollock + perceiving, told the Count Maurice, in a great rage, that if he took any + course than that of the Queen of England, and swore by no beggars, he + would drown his priest in the haven before his face, and turn himself and + his mother-in-law out of their house there, and thereupon went with Mr. + Davison to the delivery of it." Certainly, if Hohenlo permitted himself + such startling demonstrations towards the son and widow of William the + Silent, it must have been after his habitual potations had been of the + deepest. Nevertheless it was satisfactory for the new chieftain to know + that the influence of so vehement a partisan was secured for England. The + Count's zeal deserved gratitude upon Leicester's part, and Leicester was + grateful. "This man must be cherished," said the Earl; "he is sound and + faithful, and hath indeed all the chief holds in his hands, and at his + commandment. Ye shall do well to procure him a letter of thanks, taking + knowledge in general of his good-will to her Majesty. He is a right Almayn + in manner and fashion, free of his purse and of his drink, yet do I wish + him her Majesty's pensioner before any prince in Germany, for he loves her + and is able to serve her, and doth desire to be known her servant. He hath + been laboured by his nearest kinsfolk and friends in Germany to have left + the States and to have the King of Spain's pension and very great reward; + but he would not. I trust her Majesty will accept of his offer to be her + servant during his life, being indeed a very noble soldier." The Earl was + indeed inclined to take so cheerful view of matters as to believe that he + should even effect a reform in the noble soldier's most unpleasant + characteristic. "Hollock is a wise gallant gentleman," he said, "and very + well esteemed. He hath only one fault, which is drinking; but good hope + that he will amend it. Some make me believe that I shall be able to do + much with him, and I mean to do my best, for I see no man that knows all + these countries, and the people of all sorts, like him, and this fault + overthrows all." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, so long as Maurice continued under the tutelage of this + uproarious cavalier—who, at a later day, was to become his + brother-in-law-he was not likely to interfere with Leicester's authority. + The character of the young Count was developing slowly. More than his + father had ever done, he deserved the character of the taciturn. A quiet + keen observer of men and things, not demonstrative nor talkative, nor much + given to writing—a modest, calm, deeply-reflecting student of + military and mathematical science—he was not at that moment deeply + inspired by political ambition. He was perhaps more desirous of raising + the fallen fortunes of his house than of securing the independence of his + country. Even at that early age, however, his mind was not easy to read, + and his character was somewhat of a puzzle to those who studied it. "I see + him much discontented with the States," said Leicester; "he hath a sullen + deep wit. The young gentleman is yet to be won only to her Majesty, I + perceive, of his own inclination. The house is marvellous poor and little + regarded by the States, and if they get anything it is like to be by her + Majesty, which should be altogether, and she may easily, do for him to win + him sure. I will undertake it." Yet the Earl was ever anxious about some + of the influences which surrounded Maurice, for he thought him more easily + guided than he wished him to be by any others but himself. "He stands upon + making and marring," he said, "as he meets with good counsel." And at + another time he observed, "The young gentleman hath a solemn sly wit; but, + in troth, if any be to be doubted toward the King of Spain, it is he and + his counsellors, for they have been altogether, so far, French, and so far + in mislike with England as they cannot almost hide it." + </p> + <p> + And there was still another member of the house of Nassau who was already + an honour to his illustrious race. Count William Lewis, hardly more than a + boy in years, had already served many campaigns, and had been desperately + wounded in the cause for which so much of the heroic blood of his race had + been shed. Of the five Nassau brethren, his father Count John was the sole + survivor, and as devoted as ever to the cause of Netherland liberty. The + other four had already laid down their lives in its defence. And William + Lewis, was worthy to be the nephew of William and Lewis, Henry and + Adolphus, and the son of John. Not at all a beautiful or romantic hero in + appearance, but an odd-looking little man, with a round bullet-head, + close-clipped hair, a small, twinkling, sagacious eye, rugged, somewhat + puffy features screwed whimsically awry, with several prominent warts + dotting, without ornamenting, all that was visible of a face which was + buried up to the ears in a furzy thicket of yellow-brown beard, the tough + young stadholder of Friesland, in his iron corslet, and halting upon his + maimed leg, had come forth with other notable personages to the Hague. + </p> + <p> + He wished to do honour heartily and freely to Queen Elizabeth and her + representative. And Leicester was favourably impressed with his new + acquaintance. "Here is another little fellow," he said, "as little as may + be, but one of the gravest and wisest young men that ever I spake withal; + it is the Count Guilliam of Nassau. He governs Friesland; I would every + Province had such another." + </p> + <p> + Thus, upon the great question which presented itself upon the very + threshold—the nature and extent of the authority to be exercised by + Leicester—the most influential Netherlanders were in favour of a + large and liberal interpretation of his powers. The envoys in England, the + Nassau family Hohenlo, the prominent members of the States, such as the + shrewd, plausible Menin, the "honest and painful" Falk, and the chancellor + of Gelderland—"that very great, wise, old man Leoninus," as + Leicester called him,—were all desirous that he should assume an + absolute governor-generalship over the whole country. This was a grave and + a delicate matter, and needed to be severely scanned, without delay. But + besides the natives, there were two Englishmen—together with + ambassador Davison—who were his official advisers. Bartholomew + Clerk, LL.D., and Sir Henry Killigrew had been appointed by the Queen to + be members of the council of the United States, according to the + provisions of the August treaty. The learned Bartholomew hardly seemed + equal to his responsible position among those long-headed Dutch + politicians. Philip Sidney—the only blemish in whose character was + an intolerable tendency to puns—observed that "Doctor Clerk was of + those clerks that are not always the wisest, and so my lord too late was + finding him." The Earl himself, who never undervalued the intellect of the + Netherlanders whom he came to govern, anticipated but small assistance + from the English civilian. "I find no great stuff in my little colleague," + he said, "nothing that I looked for. It is a pity you have no more of his + profession, able men to serve. This man hath good will, and a pretty + scholar's wit; but he is too little for these big fellows, as heavy as her + Majesty thinks them to be. I would she had but one or two, such as the + worst of half a score be here." The other English statecounsellor seemed + more promising. "I have one here," said the Earl, "in whom I take no small + comfort; that is little Hal Killigrew. I assure you, my lord, he is a + notable servant, and more in him than ever I heretofore thought of him, + though I always knew him to be an honest man and an able." + </p> + <p> + But of all the men that stood by Leicester's side, the most faithful, + devoted, sagacious, experienced, and sincere of his counsellors, English + or Flemish, was envoy Davison. It is important to note exactly the opinion + that had been formed of him by those most competent to judge, before + events in which he was called on to play a prominent and responsible + though secondary part, had placed him in a somewhat false position. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Davison," wrote Sidney, "is here very careful in her Majesty's + causes, and in your Lordship's. He takes great pains and goes to great + charges for it." The Earl himself was always vehement in his praise. "Mr. + Davison," said he at another time, "has dealt most painfully and + chargeably in her Majesty's service here, and you shall find him as + sufficiently able to deliver the whole state of this country as any man + that ever was in it, acquainted with all sorts here that are men of + dealing. Surely, my Lord, you shall do a good deed that he may be + remembered with her Majesty's gracious consideration, for his being here + has been very chargeable, having kept a very good countenance, and a very + good table, all his abode here, and of such credit with all the chief + sort, as I know no stranger in any place hath the like. As I am a suitor + to you to be his good friend to her Majesty, so I must heartily pray you, + good my Lord, to procure his coming hither shortly to me again, for I know + not almost how to do without him. I confess it is a wrong to the + gentleman, and I protest before God, if it were for mine own particular + respect, I would not require it for L5000. But your Lordship doth little + think how greatly I have to do, as also how needful for her Majesty's + service his being here will, be. Wherefore, good my Lord, if it may not + offend her Majesty, be a mean for this my request, for her own service' + sake wholly." + </p> + <p> + Such were the personages who surrounded the Earl on his arrival in the + Netherlands, and such their sentiments respecting the position that it was + desirable for him to assume. But there was one very important fact. He had + studiously concealed from Davison that the Queen had peremptorily and + distinctly forbidden his accepting the office of governor-general. It + seemed reasonable, if he came thither at all, that he should come in that + elevated capacity. The Staten wished it. The Earl ardently longed for it. + The ambassador, who knew more of Netherland politics and Netherland + humours than any man did, approved of it. The interests of both England + and Holland seemed to require it. No one but Leicester knew that her + Majesty had forbidden it. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, no sooner had the bell-ringing, cannon-explosions, bonfires, + and charades, come to an end, and the Earl got fairly housed in the Hague, + than the States took the affair of government seriously in hand. + </p> + <p> + On the 9th January, Chancellor Leoninus and Paul Buys waited upon Davison, + and requested a copy of the commission granted by the Queen to the Earl. + The copy was refused, but the commission was read; by which it appeared + that he had received absolute command over her Majesty's forces in the + Netherlands by land and sea, together with authority to send for all + gentlemen and other personages out of England that he might think useful + to him. On the 10th the States passed a resolution to offer him the + governor-generalship over all the Provinces. On the same day another + committee waited upon his "Excellency"—as the States chose to + denominate the Earl, much to the subsequent wrath of the Queen—and + made an appointment for the whole body to wait upon him the following + morning. + </p> + <p> + Upon that day accordingly—New Year's Day, by the English reckoning, + 11th January by the New Style—the deputies of all the States at an + early hour came to his lodgings, with much pomp, preceded by a herald and + trumpeters. Leicester, not expecting them quite so soon, was in his + dressing-room, getting ready for the solemn audience, when, somewhat to + his dismay, a flourish of trumpets announced the arrival of the whole body + in his principal hall of audience. Hastening his preparations as much as + possible, he descended to that apartment, and was instantly saluted by a + flourish of rhetoric still more formidable; for that "very great, and wise + old Leoninus," forthwith began an oration, which promised to be of + portentous length and serious meaning. The Earl was slightly flustered, + when, fortunately; some one whispered in his ear that they had come to + offer him the much-coveted prize of the stadholderate-general. Thereupon + he made bold to interrupt the flow of the chancellor's eloquence in its + first outpourings. "As this is a very private matter," said he, "it will + be better to treat of it in a more private place I pray you therefore to + come into my chamber, where these things may be more conveniently + discussed." + </p> + <p> + "You hear what my Lord says," cried Leoninus, turning to his companions; + "we are to withdraw into his chamber." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly they withdrew, accompanied by the Earl, and by five or six + select counsellors, among whom were Davison and Dr. Clerk. Then the + chancellor once more commenced his harangue, and went handsomely through + the usual forms of compliment, first to the Queen, and then to her + representative, concluding with an earnest request that the Earl—although + her Majesty had declined the sovereignty "would take the name and place of + absolute governor and general of all their forces and soldiers, with the + disposition of their whole revenues and taxes." + </p> + <p> + So soon as the oration was concluded, Leicester; who did not speak French, + directed Davison to reply in that language. + </p> + <p> + The envoy accordingly, in name of the Earl, expressed the deepest + gratitude for this mark of the affection and confidence of the + States-General towards the Queen. He assured them that the step thus taken + by them would be the cause of still more favour and affection on the part + of her Majesty, who would unquestionably, from day to day, augment the + succour that she was extending to the Provinces in order to relieve men + from their misery. For himself, the Earl protested that he could never + sufficiently recompense the States for the honour which had thus been + conferred upon him, even if he should live one hundred lives. Although he + felt himself quite unable to sustain the weight of so great an office, yet + he declared that they might repose with full confidence on his integrity + and good intentions. Nevertheless, as the authority thus offered to him + was very arduous, and as the subject required deep deliberation, he + requested that the proposition should be reduced to writing, and delivered + into his hands. He might then come to a conclusion thereupon, most + conducive to the glory of God and the welfare of the land. + </p> + <p> + Three days afterwards, 14th January, the offer, drawn up formally in + writing, was presented to envoy Davison, according to the request of + Leicester. Three days latter, 17th January, his Excellency having + deliberated upon the proposition, requested a committee of conference. The + conference took place the same day, and there was some discussion upon + matters of detail, principally relating to the matter of contributions. + The Earl, according to the report of the committee, manifested no + repugnance to the acceptance of the office, provided these points could be + satisfactorily adjusted. He seemed, on the contrary, impatient, rather + than reluctant; for, on the day following the conference, he sent his + secretary Gilpin with a somewhat importunate message. "His Excellency was + surprised," said the secretary, "that the States were so long in coming to + a resolution on the matters suggested by him in relation to the offer of + the government-general; nor could his Excellency imagine the cause of the + delay." + </p> + <p> + For, in truth, the delay was caused by an excessive, rather than a + deficient, appetite for power on the part of his Excellency. The States, + while conferring what they called the "absolute" government, by which it + afterwards appeared that they meant absolute, in regard to time, not to + function—were very properly desirous of retaining a wholesome + control over that government by means of the state-council. They wished + not only to establish such a council, as a check upon the authority of the + new governor, but to share with him at least in the appointment of the + members who were to compose the board. But the aristocratic Earl was + already restive under the thought of any restraint—most of all the + restraint of individuals belonging to what he considered the humbler + classes. + </p> + <p> + "Cousin, my lord ambassador," said he to Davison, "among your sober + companions be it always remembered, I beseech you, that your cousin have + no other alliance but with gentle blood. By no means consent that he be + linked in faster bonds than their absolute grant may yield him a free and + honourable government, to be able to do such service as shall be meet for + an honest man to perform in such a calling, which of itself is very noble. + But yet it is not more to be embraced, if I were to be led in alliance by + such keepers as will sooner draw my nose from the right scent of the + chace, than to lead my feet in the true pace to pursue the game I desire + to reach. Consider, I pray you, therefore, what is to be done, and how + unfit it will be in respect of my poor self, and how unacceptable to her + Majesty, and how advantageous to enemies that will seek holes in my coat, + if I should take so great a name upon me, and so little power. They + challenge acceptation already, and I challenge their absolute grant and + offer to me, before they spoke of any instructions; for so it was when + Leoninus first spoke to me with them all on New Years Day, as you heard—offering + in his speech all manner of absolute authority. If it please them to + confirm this, without restraining instructions, I will willingly serve the + States, or else, with such advising instructions as the Dowager of Hungary + had." + </p> + <p> + This was explicit enough, and Davison, who always acted for Leicester in + the negotiations with the States, could certainly have no doubt as to the + desires of the Earl, on the subject of "absolute" authority. He did + accordingly what he could to bring the States to his Excellency's way of + thinking; nor was he unsuccessful. + </p> + <p> + On the 22nd January, a committee of conference was sent by the States to + Leyden, in which city Leicester was making a brief visit. They were + instructed to procure his consent, if possible, to the appointment, by the + States themselves, of a council consisting of members from each Province. + If they could not obtain this concession, they were directed to insist as + earnestly as possible upon their right to present a double. list of + candidates, from which he was to make nominations. And if the one and the + other proposition should be refused, the States were then to agree that + his Excellency should freely choose and appoint a council of state, + consisting of native residents from every Province, for the period of one + year. The committee was further authorised to arrange the commission for + the governor, in accordance with these points; and to draw up a set of + instructions for the state-council, to the satisfaction of his Excellency. + The committee was also empowered to conclude the matter at once, without + further reference to the States. + </p> + <p> + Certainly a committee thus instructed was likely to be sufficiently + pliant. It had need to be, in order to bend to the humour of his + Excellency, which was already becoming imperious. The adulation which he + had received; the triumphal marches, the Latin orations, the flowers + strewn in his path, had produced their effect, and the Earl was almost + inclined to assume the airs of royalty. The committee waited upon him at + Leyden. He affected a reluctance to accept the "absolute" government, but + his coyness could not deceive such experienced statesmen as the "wise old + Leoliinus," or Menin, Maalzoon, Florin Thin, or Aitzma, who composed the + deputation. It was obvious enough to them that it was not a King Log that + had descended among them, but it was not a moment for complaining. The + governor elect insisted, of course, that the two Englishmen, according to + the treaty with her Majesty, should be members of, the council. He also, + at once, nominated Leoninus, Meetkerk, Brederode, Falck, and Paul Buys, to + the same office; thinking, no doubt, that these were five keepers—if + keepers he must have—who would not draw his nose off the scent, nor + prevent his reaching the game he hunted, whatever that game might be. It + was reserved for the future, however, to show, whether, the five were like + to hunt in company with him as harmoniously as he hoped. As to the other + counsellors, he expressed a willingness that candidates should be proposed + for him, as to whose qualifications he would make up his mind at leisure. + </p> + <p> + This matter being satisfactorily adjusted-and certainly unless the game + pursued by the Earl was a crown royal, he ought to have been satisfied + with his success—the States received a letter from their committee + at Leyden, informing them that his Excellency, after some previous + protestations, had accepted the government (24th January, 1586). + </p> + <p> + It was agreed that he should be inaugurated Governor-General of the United + Provinces of Gelderland and Zutphen, Flanders, Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, + Friesland, and all others in confederacy with them. He was to have supreme + military command by land and sea. He was to exercise supreme authority in + matters civil and political, according to the customs prevalent in the + reign of the Emperor Charles V. All officers, political, civil, legal, + were to be appointed by him out of a double or triple nomination made by + the States of the Provinces in which vacancies might occur. The + States-General were to assemble whenever and wherever he should summon + them. They were also—as were the States of each separate Province—competent + to meet together by their own appointment. The Governor-General was to + receive an oath of fidelity from the States, and himself to swear the + maintenance of the ancient laws, customs, and privileges of the country. + </p> + <p> + The deed was done. In vain had an emissary of the French court been + exerting his utmost to prevent the consummation of this close alliance. + For the wretched government of Henry III., while abasing itself before + Philip II., and offering the fair cities and fertile plains of France as a + sacrifice to that insatiable ambition which wore the mask of religious + bigotry, was most anxious that Holland and England should not escape the + meshes by which it was itself enveloped. The agent at the Hague came + nominally upon some mercantile affairs, but in reality, according to + Leicester, "to impeach the States from binding themselves to her Majesty." + But he was informed that there was then no leisure for his affairs; "for + the States would attend to the service of the Queen of England, before all + princes in the world." The agent did not feel complimented by the coolness + of this reception; yet it was reasonable enough, certainly, that the + Hollanders should remember with bitterness the contumely, which they had + experienced the previous year in France. The emissary was; however, much + disgusted. "The fellow," said Leicester, "took it in such snuff, that he + came proudly to the States and offered his letters, saying; 'Now I trust + you have done all your sacrifices to the Queen of England, and may yield + me some leisure to read my masters letters.'"—"But they so shook + him, up," continued the Earl, "for naming her Majesty in scorn—as + they took it—that they hurled him his letters; and bid him content + himself;" and so on, much to the agent's discomfiture, who retired in + greater "snuff" than ever. + </p> + <p> + So much for the French influence. And now Leicester had done exactly what + the most imperious woman in the world, whose favour was the breath of his + life, had expressly forbidden him to do. The step having been taken, the + prize so tempting to his ambition having been snatched, and the policy + which had governed the united action of the States and himself seeming so + sound, what ought he to have done in order to avert the tempest which he + must have foreseen? Surely a man who knew so much of woman's nature and of + Elizabeth's nature as he did, ought to have attempted to conciliate her + affections, after having so deeply wounded her pride. He knew his power. + Besides the graces of his person and manner—which few women, once + impressed by them, could ever forget—he possessed the most insidious + and flattering eloquence, and, in absence, his pen was as wily as his + tongue. For the Earl was imbued with the very genius of courtship. None + was better skilled than he in the phrases of rapturous devotion, which + were music to the ear both of the woman and the Queen; and he knew his + royal mistress too well not to be aware that the language of passionate + idolatry, however extravagant, had rarely fallen unheeded upon her soul. + It was strange therefore, that in this emergency, he should not at once + throw himself upon her compassion without any mediator. Yet, on the + contrary, he committed the monstrous error of entrusting his defence to + envoy Davison, whom he determined to despatch at once with instructions to + the Queen, and towards whom he committed the grave offence of concealing + from him her previous prohibitions. But how could the Earl fail to + perceive that it was the woman, not the Queen, whom he should have + implored for pardon; that it was Robert Dudley, not William Davison, who + ought to have sued upon his knees. This whole matter of the Netherland + sovereignty and the Leicester stadholderate, forms a strange psychological + study, which deserves and requires some minuteness of attention; for it + was by the characteristics of these eminent personages that the current + history was deeply stamped. + </p> + <p> + Certainly, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the first letter + conveying intelligence so likely to pique the pride of Elizabeth, should + have been a letter from Leicester. On the contrary, it proved to be a dull + formal epistle from the States. + </p> + <p> + And here again the assistance of the indispensable Davison was considered + necessary. On the 3rd February the ambassador—having announced his + intention of going to England, by command of his Excellency, so soon as + the Earl should have been inaugurated, for the purpose of explaining all + these important transactions to her Majesty—waited upon the States + with the request that they should prepare as speedily as might be their + letter to the Queen, with other necessary documents, to be entrusted to + his care. He also suggested that the draft or minute of their proposed + epistle should be submitted to him for advice—"because the humours + of her Majesty were best known to him." + </p> + <p> + Now the humours of her Majesty were best known to Leicester of all men in + the whole world, and it is inconceivable that he should have allowed so + many days and weeks to pass without taking these humours properly into + account. But the Earl's head was slightly turned by his sudden and + unexpected success. The game that he had been pursuing had fallen into his + grasp, almost at the very start, and it is not astonishing that he should + have been somewhat absorbed in the enjoyment of his victory. + </p> + <p> + Three days later (6th February) the minute of a letter to Elizabeth, drawn + up by Menin, was submitted to the ambassador; eight days after that (14th + February) Mr. Davison took leave of the States, and set forth for the + Brill on his way to England; and three or four days later yet, he was + still in that sea-port, waiting for a favourable wind. Thus from the 11th + January, N.S., upon which day the first offer of the absolute government + had been made to Leicester, nearly forty days had elapsed, during which + long period the disobedient Earl had not sent one line, private or + official, to her Majesty on this most important subject. And when at last + the Queen was to receive information of her favourite's delinquency, it + was not to be in his well-known handwriting and accompanied by his + penitent tears and written caresses, but to be laid before her with all + the formality of parchment and sealingwax, in the stilted diplomatic + jargon of those "highly-mighty, very learned, wise, and very foreseeing + gentlemen, my lords the States-General." Nothing could have been managed + with less adroitness. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, not heeding the storm gathering beyond the narrow seas, the new + governor was enjoying the full sunshine of power. On the 4th February the + ceremony of his inauguration took place, with great pomp and ceremony at + the Hague. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful, placid, village-capital of Holland wore much the same + aspect at that day as now. Clean, quiet, spacious streets, shaded with + rows of whispering poplars and umbrageous limes, broad sleepy canals—those + liquid highways alone; which glided in phantom silence the bustle, and + traffic, and countless cares of a stirring population—quaint + toppling houses, with tower and gable; ancient brick churches, with + slender spire and musical chimes; thatched cottages on the outskirts, with + stork-nests on the roofs—the whole without fortification save the + watery defences which enclosed it with long-drawn lines on every side; + such was the Count's park, or 's Graven Haage, in English called the + Hague. + </p> + <p> + It was embowered and almost buried out of sight by vast groves of oaks and + beeches. Ancient Badahuennan forests of sanguinary Druids, the "wild wood + without mercy" of Saxon savages, where, at a later period, sovereign Dirks + and Florences, in long succession of centuries, had ridden abroad with + lance in rest, or hawk on fist; or under whose boughs, in still nearer + days, the gentle Jacqueline had pondered and wept over her sorrows, + stretched out in every direction between the city and the neighbouring + sea. In the heart of the place stood the ancient palace of the counts, + built in the thirteenth century by William II. of Holland, King of the + Romans, with massive brick walls, cylindrical turrets, pointed gable and + rose-shaped windows, and with spacious coup-yard, enclosed by feudal moat, + drawbridge, and portcullis. + </p> + <p> + In the great banqueting-hall of the ancient palace, whose cedarn-roof of + magnificent timber-work, brought by crusading counts from the Holy Land, + had rung with the echoes of many a gigantic revel in the days of chivalry—an + apartment one hundred and fifty feet long and forty feet high—there + had been arranged an elevated platform, with a splendid chair of state for + the "absolute" governor, and with a great profusion of gilding and velvet + tapestry, hangings, gilt emblems, complimentary devices, lions, unicorns, + and other imposing appurtenances. Prince Maurice, and all the members of + his house, the States-General in full costume, and all the great + functionaries, civil and military, were assembled. There was an elaborate + harangue by orator Menin, in which it was proved; by copious citations + from Holy Writ and from ancient chronicle, that the Lord never forsakes + His own; so that now, when the Provinces were at their last gasp by the + death of Orange and the loss of Antwerp, the Queen of England and the Earl + of Leicester had suddenly descended, as if from Heaven; to their rescue. + Then the oaths of mutual fidelity were exchanged between the governor and + the States, and, in conclusion, Dr. Bartholomew Clerk ventured to measure + himself with the "big fellows," by pronouncing an oration which seemed to + command universal approbation. And thus the Earl was duly installed + Governor-General of the United States of the Netherlands. + </p> + <p> + But already the first mutterings of the storm were audible. A bird in the + air had whispered to the Queen that her favourite was inclined to + disobedience. "Some flying tale hath been told me here," wrote Leicester + to Walsingham, "that her Majesty should mislike my name of Excellency. But + if I had delighted, or would have received titles, I refused a title + higher than Excellency, as Mr. Davison, if you ask him, will tell you; and + that I, my own self, refused most earnestly that, and, if I might have + done it, this also." Certainly, if the Queen objected to this common form + of address, which had always been bestowed upon Leicester, as he himself + observed, ever since she had made him an earl, it might be supposed that + her wrath would mount high when she should hear of him as absolute + governor-general. It is also difficult to say what higher title he had + refused, for certainly the records show that he had refused nothing, in + the way of power and dignity, that it was possible for him to obtain. + </p> + <p> + But very soon afterwards arrived authentic intelligence that the Queen had + been informed of the proposition made on New Year's-Day (O.S.), and that, + although she could not imagine the possibility of his accepting, she was + indignant that he had not peremptorily rejected the offer. + </p> + <p> + "As to the proposal made to you," wrote Burghley, "by the mouth of + Leoninus, her Majesty hath been informed that you had thanked them in her + name, and alleged that there was no such thing in the contract, and that + therefore you could not accept nor knew how to answer the same." + </p> + <p> + Now this information was obviously far from correct, although it had been + furnished by the Earl himself to Burghley. We have seen that Leicester had + by no means rejected, but very gratefully entertained, the proposition as + soon as made. Nevertheless the Queen was dissatisfied, even without + suspecting that she had been directly disobeyed. "Her Majesty," continued + the Lord-Treasurer; "is much offended with this proceeding. She allows not + that you should give them thanks, but findeth it very strange that you did + not plainly declare to them that they did well know how often her Majesty + had refused to have any one for her take any such government there, and + that she had always so answered peremptorily. Therefore there might be + some suspicion conceived that by offering on their part, and refusal on + hers, some further mischief might be secretly hidden by some odd person's + device to the hurt of the cause. But in that your Lordship did not flatly + say to them that yourself did know her Majesty's mind therein, that she + never meant, in this sort, to take the absolute government, she is + offended considering, as she saith, that none knew her determination + therein better than yourself. For at your going hence, she did + peremptorily charge you not to accept any such title and office; and + therefore her straight commandment now is that you shall not accept the + same, for she will never assent thereto, nor avow you with any such + title." + </p> + <p> + If Elizabeth was so wrathful, even while supposing that the offer had been + gratefully declined, what were likely to be her emotions when she should + be informed that it had been gratefully accepted. The Earl already began + to tremble at the probable consequences of his mal-adroitness. Grave was + the error he had committed in getting himself made governor-general + against orders; graver still, perhaps fatal, the blunder of not being + swift to confess his fault, and cry for pardon, before other tongues + should have time to aggravate his offence. Yet even now he shrank from + addressing the Queen in person, but hoped to conjure the rising storm by + means of the magic wand of the Lord-Treasurer. He implored his friend's + interposition to shield him in the emergency, and begged that at least her + Majesty and the lords of council would suspend their judgment until Mr. + Davison should deliver those messages and explanations with which, fully + freighted, he was about to set sail from the Brill. + </p> + <p> + "If my reasons seem to your wisdoms," said he, "other than such as might + well move a true and a faithful careful man to her Majesty to do as I have + done, I do desire, for my mistaking offence, to bear the burden of it; to + be disavowed with all displeasure and disgrace; a matter of as great + reproach and grief as ever can happen to any man." He begged that another + person might be sent as soon as possible in his place-protesting, however, + by his faith in Christ, that he had done only what he was bound to do by + his regard for her Majesty's service—and that when he set foot in + the country he had no more expected to be made Governor of the Netherlands + than to be made King of Spain. Certainly he had been paying dear for the + honour, if honour it was, and he had not intended on setting forth for the + Provinces to ruin himself, for the sake of an empty title. His motives—and + he was honest, when he so avowed them—were motives of state at least + as much as of self-advancement. "I have no cause," he said, "to have + played the fool thus far for myself; first, to have her Majesty's + displeasure, which no kingdom in the world could make me willingly + deserve; next, to undo myself in my later days; to consume all that should + have kept me all my life in one half year. But I must thank God for all, + and am most heartily grieved at her Majesty's heavy displeasure. I neither + desire to live, nor to see my country with it." + </p> + <p> + And at this bitter thought, he began to sigh like furnace, and to shed the + big tears of penitence. + </p> + <p> + "For if I have not done her Majesty good service at this time," he said, + "I shall never hope to do her any, but will withdraw me into some + out-corner of the world, where I will languish out the rest of my few-too + many-days, praying ever for her Majesty's long and prosperous life, and + with this only comfort to live an exile, that this disgrace hath happened + for no other cause but for my mere regard for her Majesty's estate." + </p> + <p> + Having painted this dismal picture of the probable termination to his + career—not in the hope of melting Burghley but of touching the heart + of Elizabeth—he proceeded to argue the point in question with much + logic and sagacity. He had satisfied himself on his arrival in the + Provinces, that, if he did not take the governor-generalship some other + person would; and that it certainly was for the interest of her Majesty + that her devoted servant, rather than an indifferent person, should be + placed in that important position. He maintained that the Queen had + intimated, to him, in private, her willingness that he should accept the + office in question provided the proposition should come from the States + and not from her; he reasoned that the double nature of his functions—being + general and counsellor for her, as well as general and counsellor for the + Provinces—made his acceptance of the authority conferred on him + almost indispensable; that for him to be merely commander over five + thousand English troops, when an abler soldier than himself, Sir John + Norris, was at their head, was hardly worthy her Majesty's service or + himself, and that in reality the Queen had lost nothing, by his + appointment, but had gained much benefit and honour by thus having the + whole command of the Provinces, of their forces by land and sea, of their + towns and treasures, with knowledge of all their secrets of state. + </p> + <p> + Then, relapsing into a vein of tender but reproachful melancholy, he + observed, that, if it had been any man but himself that had done as he had + done, he would have been thanked, not censured. "But such is now my + wretched case," he said, "as for my faithful, true, and loving heart to + her Majesty and my country, I have utterly undone myself. For favour, I + have disgrace; for reward, utter spoil and ruin. But if this taking upon + me the name of governor is so evil taken as it hath deserved dishonour, + discredit, disfavour, with all griefs that may be laid upon a man, I must + receive it as deserved of God and not of my Queen, whom I have reverenced + with all humility, and whom I have loved with all fidelity." + </p> + <p> + This was the true way, no doubt, to reach the heart of Elizabeth, and + Leicester had always plenty of such shafts in his quiver. Unfortunately he + had delayed too long, and even now he dared not take a direct aim. He + feared to write to the Queen herself, thinking that his so doing, "while + she had such conceipts of him, would only trouble her," and he therefore + continued to employ the Lord-Treasurer and Mr. Secretary as his mediators. + Thus he committed error upon error. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, as if there had not been procrastination enough, Davison was + loitering at the Brill, detained by wind and weather. Two days after the + letter, just cited, had been despatched to Walsingham, Leicester sent an + impatient message to the envoy. "I am heartily sorry, with all my heart," + he said, "to hear of your long stay at Brill, the wind serving so fair as + it hath done these two days. I would have laid any wager that you had been + in England ere this. I pray you make haste, lest our cause take too great + a prejudice there ere you come, although I cannot fear it, because it is + so good and honest. I pray you imagine in what care I dwell till I shall + hear from you, albeit some way very resolute." + </p> + <p> + Thus it was obvious that he had no secret despair of his cause when it + should be thoroughly laid before the Queen. The wonder was that he had + added the offence of long silence to the sin of disobedience. Davison had + sailed, however, before the receipt of the Earl's letter. He had been + furnished with careful instructions upon the subject of his mission. He + was to show how eager the States had been to have Leicester for their + absolute governor—which was perfectly true—and how anxious the + Earl had been to decline the proffered honour—which was certainly + false, if contemporary record and the minutes of the States-General are to + be believed. He was to sketch the general confusion which had descended + upon the country, the quarrelling of politicians, and the discontent of + officers and soldiers, from out of all which chaos one of two results was + sure to arise: the erection of a single chieftain, or a reconciliation of + the Provinces with Spain. That it would be impossible for the Earl to + exercise the double functions with which he was charged—of general + of her Majesty's forces, and general and chief counsellor of the States—if + any other man than himself should be appointed governor; was obvious. It + was equally plain that the Provinces could only be kept at her Majesty's + disposition by choosing the course which, at their own suggestion, had + been adopted. The offer of the government by the States, and its + acceptance by the Earl, were the logical consequence of the step which the + Queen had already taken. It was thus only that England could retain her + hold upon the country, and even upon the cautionary towns. As to a + reconciliation of the Provinces with Spain—which would have been the + probable result of Leicester's rejection of the proposition made by the + Stateait was unnecessary to do more than allude to such a catastrophe. No + one but a madman could doubt that, in such an event, the subjugation of + England was almost certain. + </p> + <p> + But before the arrival of the ambassador, the Queen had been thoroughly + informed as to the whole extent of the Earl's delinquency. Dire was the + result. The wintry gales which had been lashing the North Sea, and + preventing the unfortunate Davison from setting forth on his disastrous + mission, were nothing to the tempest of royal wrath which had been shaking + the court-world to its centre. The Queen had been swearing most fearfully + ever since she read the news, which Leicester had not dared to communicate + directly, to herself. No one was allowed to speak a word in extenuation of + the favourite's offence. Burghley, who lifted up his voice somewhat feebly + to appease her wrath, was bid, with a curse, to hold his peace. So he took + to his bed-partly from prudence, partly from gout—and thus sheltered + himself for a season from the peltings of the storm. Walsingham, more + manful, stood to his post, but could not gain a hearing. It was the + culprit that should have spoken, and spoken in time. "Why, why did you not + write yourself?" was the plaintive cry of all the Earl's friends, from + highest to humblest. "But write to her now," they exclaimed, "at any rate; + and, above all, send her a present, a love-gift." "Lay out two or three + hundred crowns in some rare thing, for a token to her Majesty," said + Christopher Hatton. + </p> + <p> + Strange that his colleagues and his rivals should have been obliged to + advise Leicester upon the proper course to pursue; that they—not + himself—should have been the first to perceive that it was the + enraged woman, even more than the offended sovereign, who was to be + propitiated and soothed. In truth, all the woman had been aroused in + Elizabeth's bosom. She was displeased that her favourite should derive + power and splendour from any source but her own bounty. She was furious + that his wife, whom she hated, was about to share in his honours. For the + mischievous tongues of court-ladies had been collecting or fabricating + many unpleasant rumours. A swarm of idle but piquant stories had been + buzzing about the Queen's ears, and stinging her into a frenzy of + jealousy. The Countess—it was said—was on the point of setting + forth for the Netherlands, to join the Earl, with a train of courtiers and + ladies, coaches and side-saddles, such as were never seen before—where + the two were about to establish themselves in conjugal felicity, as well + as almost royal state. What a prospect for the jealous and imperious + sovereign! "Coaches and side-saddles! She would show the upstarts that + there was one Queen, and that her name was Elizabeth, and that there was + no court but hers." And so she continued to storm and swear, and threaten + unutterable vengeance, till all her courtiers quaked in their shoes. + </p> + <p> + Thomas Dudley, however, warmly contradicted the report, declaring, of his + own knowledge, that the Countess had no wish to go to the Provinces, nor + the Earl any intention of receiving her there. This information was at + once conveyed to the Queen, "and," said Dudley, "it did greatly pacify her + stomach." His friends did what they could to maintain the governor's + cause; but Burghley, Walsingham, Hatton, and the rest of them, were all + "at their wits end," and were nearly distraught at the delay in Davison's + arrival. Meantime the Queen's stomach was not so much pacified but that + she was determined to humiliate the Earl with the least possible delay. + Having waited sufficiently long for his explanations, she now appointed + Sir Thomas Heneage as special commissioner to the States, without waiting + any longer. Her wrath vented itself at once in the preamble to the + instructions for this agent. + </p> + <p> + "Whereas," she said, "we have been given to understand that the Earl of + Leicester hath in a very contemptuous sort—contrary to our express + commandment given unto him by ourself, accepted of an offer of a more + absolute government made by the States unto him, than was agreed on + between us and their commissioners—which kind of contemptible manner + of proceeding giveth the world just cause to think that there is not that + reverent respect carried towards us by our subjects as in duty + appertaineth; especially seeing so notorious a contempt committed by one + whom we have raised up and yielded in the eye of the world, even from the + beginning of our reign, as great portion of our favour as ever subject + enjoyed at any prince's hands; we therefore, holding nothing dearer than + our honour, and considering that no one thing could more touch our + reputation than to induce so open and public a faction of a prince, and + work a greater reproach than contempt at a subject's hand, without + reparation of our honour, have found it necessary to send you unto him, as + well to charge him with the said contempt, as also to execute such other + things as we think meet to be done, for the justifying of ourselves to the + world, as the repairing of the indignity cast upon us by his undutiful + manner of proceeding towards us. . . . And for that we find ourselves also + not well dealt withal by the States, in that they have pressed the said + Earl, without our assent or privity, to accept of a more absolute + government than was agreed on between us and their commissioners, we have + also thought meet that you shall charge them therewith, according to the + directions hereafter ensuing. And to the end there may be no delay used in + the execution of that which we think meet to be presently done, you shall + charge the said States, even as they tender the continuance of our + good-will towards them, to proceed to the speedy execution of our + request." + </p> + <p> + After this trumpet-like preamble it may be supposed that the blast which + followed would be piercing and shrill. The instructions, in truth, + consisted in wild, scornful flourishes upon one theme. The word contempt + had occurred five times in the brief preamble. It was repeated in almost + every line of the instructions. + </p> + <p> + "You shall let the Earl" (our cousin no longer) "understand," said the + Queen, "how highly and justly we are offended with his acceptation of the + government, which we do repute to be a very great and strange contempt, + least looked for at our hands, being, as he is, a creature of our own." + His omission to acquaint her by letter with the causes moving him "so + contemptuously to break" her commandment, his delay in sending Davison "to + answer the said contempt," had much "aggravated the fault," although the + Queen protested herself unable to imagine any "excuse for so manifest a + contempt." The States were to be informed that she "held it strange" that + "this creature of her own" should have been pressed by them to "commit so + notorious a contempt" against her, both on account of this very exhibition + of contempt on Leicester's part, and because they thereby "shewed + themselves to have a very slender and weak conceit of her judgment, by + pressing a minister of hers to accept that which she had refused, as: + though her long experience in government had not taught her to discover + what was fit to do in matters of state." As the result of such a + proceeding would be to disgrace her in the eyes of mankind, by inducing an + opinion that her published solemn declaration on this great subject had + been intended to abuse the world, he was directed—in order to remove + the hard conceit justly to be taken by the world, "in consideration of the + said contempt,"—to make a public and open resignation of the + government in the place where he had accepted the same. + </p> + <p> + Thus it had been made obvious to the unlucky "creature of her own," that + the Queen did not easily digest "contempt." Nevertheless these + instructions to Heneage were gentle, compared with the fierce billet which + she addressed directly to the Earl: It was brief, too, as the posy of a + ring; and thus it ran: "To my Lord of Leicester, from the Queen, by Sir + Thomas Heneage. How contemptuously we conceive ourself to have been used + by you, you shall by this bearer understand, whom we have expressly sent + unto you to charge you withal. We could never have imagined, had we not + seen it fall out in experience, that a man raised up by ourself, and + extraordinarily favoured by us above any other subject of this land, would + have, in so contemptible a sort, broken our commandment, in a cause that + so greatly toucheth us in honour; whereof, although you have showed + yourself to make but little account, in most undutiful a sort, you may not + therefore think that we have so little care of the reparation thereof as + we mind to pass so great a wrong in silence unredressed. And therefore our + express pleasure and commandment is, that—all delays and excuses + laid apart—you do presently, upon the duty of your allegiance, obey + and fulfil whatsoever the bearer hereof shall direct you to do in our + name. Whereof fail not, as you will answer the contrary at your uttermost + peril." + </p> + <p> + Here was no billing and cooing, certainly, but a terse, biting + phraseology, about which there could be no misconception. + </p> + <p> + By the same messenger the Queen also sent a formal letter to the + States-General; the epistle—'mutatis mutandis'—being also + addressed to the state-council. + </p> + <p> + In this document her Majesty expressed her great surprise that Leicester + should have accepted their offer of the absolute government, "both for + police and war," when she had so expressly rejected it herself. "To tell + the truth," she observed, "you seem to have treated us with very little + respect, and put a too manifest insult upon us, in presenting anew to one + of, our subjects the same proposition which we had already declined, + without at least waiting for our answer whether we should like it or no; + as if we had not sense enough to be able to decide upon what we ought to + accept or refuse." She proceeded to express her dissatisfaction with the + course pursued, because so repugnant to her published declaration, in + which she had stated to the world her intention of aiding the Provinces, + without meddling in the least with the sovereignty of the country. "The + contrary would now be believed," she said, "at least by those who take the + liberty of censuring, according to their pleasure, the actions of + princes." Thus her honour was at stake. She signified her will, therefore, + that, in order to convince the world of her sincerity, the authority + conferred should be revoked, and that "the Earl," whom she had decided to + recall very soon, should, during his brief residence there, only exercise + the power agreed upon by the original contract. She warmly reiterated her + intention, however, of observing inviolably the promise of assistance + which she had given to the States. "And if," she said, "any malicious or + turbulent spirits should endeavour, perchance, to persuade the people that + this our refusal proceeds from lack of affection or honest disposition to + assist you—instead of being founded only on respect for our honour, + which is dearer to us than life—we beg you, by every possible means, + to shut their mouths, and prevent their pernicious designs." + </p> + <p> + Thus, heavily laden with the royal wrath, Heneage was on the point of + leaving London for the Netherlands, on the very day upon which Davison + arrived, charged with deprecatory missives from that country. After his + long detention he had a short passage, crossing from the Brill to Margate + in a single night. Coming immediately to London, he sent to Walsingham to + inquire which way the wind was blowing at court, but received a somewhat + discouraging reply. "Your long detention by his Lordship," said the + Secretary, "has wounded the whole cause;" adding, that he thought her + Majesty would not speak with him. On the other hand, it seemed + indispensable for him to go to the court, because if the Queen should hear + of his arrival before he had presented himself, she was likely to be more + angry than ever. + </p> + <p> + So, the same afternoon, Davison waited upon Walsingham, and found him in a + state of despondency. "She takes his Lordship's acceptance of the + government most haynously," said Sir Francis, "and has resolved to send + Sir Thomas Heneage at once, with orders for him to resign the office. She + has been threatening you and Sir Philip Sidney, whom she considers the + chief actors and persuaders in the matter, according to information + received from some persons about my Lord of Leicester." + </p> + <p> + Davison protested himself amazed at the Secretary's discourse, and at once + took great pains to show the reasons by which all parties had been + influenced in the matter of the government. He declared roundly that if + the Queen should carry out her present intentions, the Earl would be most + unworthily disgraced, the cause utterly overthrown, the Queen's honour + perpetually stained, and that her kingdom would incur great disaster. + </p> + <p> + Directly after this brief conversation, Walsingham went up stairs to the + Queen, while Davison proceeded to the apartments of Sir Christopher + Hatton. Thence he was soon summoned to the royal presence, and found that + he had not been misinformed as to the temper of her Majesty. The Queen was + indeed in a passion, and began swearing at Davison so soon as he got into + the chamber; abusing Leicester for having accepted the offer of the + States, against her many times repeated commandment, and the ambassador + for not having opposed his course. The thing had been done, she said, in + contempt of her, as if her consent had been of no consequence, or as if + the matter in no way concerned her. + </p> + <p> + So soon as she paused to take breath, the envoy modestly, but firmly, + appealed to her reason, that she would at any rate lend him a patient and + favourable ear, in which case he doubted not that she would form a more + favourable opinion of the case than she had hitherto done: He then entered + into a long discourse upon the state of the Netherlands before the arrival + of Leicester, the inclination in many quarters for a peace, the "despair + that any sound and good fruit would grow of her Majesty's cold beginning," + the general unpopularity of the States' government, the "corruption, + partiality, and confusion," which were visible everywhere, the perilous + condition of the whole cause, and the absolute necessity of some immediate + reform. + </p> + <p> + "It was necessary," said Davison, "that some one person of wisdom and + authority should take the helm. Among the Netherlanders none was qualified + for such a charge. Lord Maurice is a child, poor, and of but little + respect among them. Elector Truchsess, Count Hohenlo, Meurs, and the rest, + strangers and incapable of the burden. These considerations influenced the + States to the step which had been taken; without which all the rest of her + benevolence was to little purpose." Although the contract between the + commissioners and the Queen had not literally provided for such an + arrangement, yet it had always been contemplated by the States, who had + left themselves without a head until the arrival of the Earl. + </p> + <p> + "Under one pretext or another," continued the envoy, "my Lord of Leicester + had long delayed to satisfy them,"—(and in so stating he went + somewhat further in defence of his absent friend than the facts would + warrant), "for he neither flatly refused it, nor was willing to accept, + until your Majesty's pleasure should be known." Certainly the records show + no reservation of his acceptance until the Queen had been consulted; but + the defence by Davison of the offending Earl was so much the more + courageous. + </p> + <p> + "At length, wearied by their importunity, moved with their reasons, and + compelled by necessity, he thought it better to take the course he did," + proceeded the diplomatist, "for otherwise he must have been an eye-witness + of the dismemberment of the whole country, which could not be kept + together but by a reposed hope in her Majesty's found favour, which had + been utterly despaired of by his refusal. He thought it better by + accepting to increase the honour, profit; and surety, of her Majesty, and + the good of the cause, than, by refusing, to utterly hazard the one, and + overthrow the other." + </p> + <p> + To all this and more, well and warmly urged by Davison; the Queen listened + by fits and starts, often interrupting his discourse by violent abuse of + Leicester, accusing him of contempt for her, charging him with thinking + more of his own particular greatness than of her honour and service, and + then "digressing into old griefs," said the envoy, "too long and tedious + to write." She vehemently denounced Davison also for dereliction of duty + in not opposing the measure; but he manfully declared that he never deemed + so meanly of her Majesty or of his Lordship as to suppose that she would + send him, or that he would go to the Provinces, merely, "to take command + of the relics of Mr. Norris's worn and decayed troops." Such a change, + protested Davison, was utterly unworthy a person of the Earl's quality, + and utterly unsuited to the necessity of the time and state. + </p> + <p> + But Davison went farther in defence of Leicester. He had been present at + many of the conferences with the Netherland envoys during the preceding + summer in England, and he now told the Queen stoutly to her face that she + herself, or at any rate one of her chief counsellors, in her hearing and + his, had expressed her royal determination not to prevent the acceptance + of whatever authority the states might choose to confer, by any one whom + she might choose to send. She had declined to accept it in person, but she + had been willing that it should be wielded by her deputy; and this + remembrance of his had been confirmed by that of one of the commissioners + since their return. She had never—Davison maintained—sent him + one single line having any bearing on the subject. Under such + circumstances, "I might have been accused of madness,", said he, "to have + dissuaded an action in my poor opinion so necessary and expedient for your + Majesty's honour, surety, and greatness." If it were to do over again, he + avowed, and "were his opinion demanded, he could give no other advice than + that which he had given, having received no contrary, commandment from her + Highness." + </p> + <p> + And so ended the first evening's long and vehement debate, and Davison + departed, "leaving her," as he said, "much qualified, though in many + points unsatisfied." She had however, absolutely refused to receive a + letter from Leicester, with which he had been charged, but which, in her + opinion, had better have been written two months before. + </p> + <p> + The next day, it seemed, after all, that Heneage was to be despatched, "in + great heat," upon his mission. Davison accordingly requested an immediate + audience. So soon as admitted to the presence he burst into tears, and + implored the Queen to pause before she should inflict the contemplated + disgrace on one whom she had hitherto so highly esteemed, and, by so + doing, dishonour herself and imperil both countries. But the Queen was + more furious than ever that morning, returning at every pause in the + envoy's discourse to harp upon the one string—"How dared he come to + such a decision without at least imparting it to me?"—and so on, as + so many times before. And again Davison, with all the eloquence and with + every soothing art he had at command; essayed to pour oil upon the waves. + Nor was he entirely unsuccessful; for presently the Queen became so calm + again that he ventured once more to present the rejected letter of the + Earl. She broke the seal, and at sight of the well-known handwriting she + became still more gentle; and so soon as she had read the first of her + favourite's honied phrases she thrust the precious document into her + pocket, in order to read it afterwards, as Davison observed, at her + leisure. + </p> + <p> + The opening thus successfully made, and the envoy having thus, "by many + insinuations," prepared her to lend him a "more patient and willing ear + than she had vouchsafed before," he again entered into a skilful and + impassioned argument to show the entire wisdom of the course pursued by + the Earl. + </p> + <p> + It is unnecessary to repeat the conversation. Since to say that no man + could have more eloquently and faithfully supported an absent friend under + difficulties than Davison now defended the Earl. The line of argument is + already familiar to the reader, and, in truth, the Queen had nothing to + reply, save to insist upon the governor's delinquency in maintaining so + long and inexplicable a silence. And—at this thought, in spite of + the envoy's eloquence, she went off again in a paroxysm of anger, abusing + the Earl, and deeply censuring Davison for his "peremptory and partial + dealing." + </p> + <p> + "I had conceived a better opinion of you," she said, "and I had intended + more good to you than I now find you worthy of." + </p> + <p> + "I humbly thank your Highness," replied the ambassador, "but I take + yourself to witness that I have never affected or sought any such grace at + your hands. And if your Majesty persists in the dangerous course on which + you are now entering, I only pray your leave, in recompense for all my + travails, to retire myself home, where I may spend the rest of my life in + praying for you, whom Salvation itself is not able to save, if these + purposes are continued. Henceforth, Madam, he is to be deemed happiest who + is least interested in the public service." + </p> + <p> + And so ended the second day's debate. The next day the Lord-Treasurer, + who, according to Davison, employed himself diligently—as did also + Walsingham and Hatton—in dissuading the Queen from the violent + measures which she had resolved upon, effected so much of a change as to + procure the insertion of those qualifying clauses in Heneage's + instructions which had been previously disallowed. The open and public + disgrace of the Earl, which was to have been peremptorily demanded, was + now to be deferred, if such a measure seemed detrimental to the public + service. Her Majesty, however, protested herself as deeply offended as + ever, although she had consented to address a brief, somewhat mysterious, + but benignant letter of compliment to the States. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this Davison retired for a few days from the court, having + previously written to the Earl that "the heat of her Majesty's offence to + his Lordship was abating every day somewhat, and that she was disposed + both to hear and to speak more temperately of him." + </p> + <p> + He implored him accordingly to a "more diligent entertaining of her by + wise letters and messages, wherein his slackness hitherto appeared to have + bred a great part of this unkindness." He observed also that the "traffic + of peace was still going on underhand; but whether to use it as a second + string to our bow, if the first should fail, or of any settled inclination + thereunto, he could not affirm." + </p> + <p> + Meantime Sir Thomas Heneage was despatched on his mission to the Staten, + despite all the arguments and expostulations of Walsingham, Burghley, + Hatton, and Davison. All the Queen's counsellors were unequivocally in + favour of sustaining Leicester; and Heneage was not a little embarrassed + as to the proper method of conducting the affair. Everything, in truth, + was in a most confused condition. He hardly understood to what power he + was accredited. "Heneage writes even now unto me," said Walsingham to + Davison, "that he cannot yet receive any information who be the States, + which he thinketh will be a great maimer unto him in his negotiation. I + have told him that it is an assembly much like that of our burgesses that + represent the State, and that my Lord of Leicester may cause some of them + to meet together, unto whom he may deliver his letters and messages." Thus + the new envoy was to request the culprit to summon the very assembly by + which his downfall and disgrace were to be solemnized, as formally as had + been so recently his elevation to the height of power. The prospect was + not an agreeable one, and the less so because of his general want of + familiarity with the constitutional forms of the country he was about to + visit. Davison accordingly, at the request of Sir Francis, furnished + Heneage with much valuable information and advice upon the subject. + </p> + <p> + Thus provided with information, forewarned of danger, furnished with a + double set of letters from the Queen to the States—the first + expressed in language of extreme exasperation, the others couched in + almost affectionate terms—and laden with messages brimfull of + wrathful denunciation from her Majesty to one who was notoriously her + Majesty's dearly-beloved, Sir Thomas Heneage set forth on his mission. + These were perilous times for the Davisons and the Heneages, when even + Leicesters and Burghleys were scarcely secure. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the fair weather at court could not be depended upon from one day + to another, and the clouds were perpetually returning after the rain. + </p> + <p> + "Since my second and third day's audience," said Davison, "the storms I + met with at my arrival have overblown and abated daily. On Saturday again + she fell into some new heat, which lasted not long. This day I was myself + at the court, and found her in reasonable good terms, though she will not + yet seem satisfied to me either with the matter or manner of your + proceeding, notwithstanding all the labour I have taken in that behalf. + Yet I find not her Majesty altogether so sharp as some men look, though + her favour has outwardly cooled in respect both of this action and of our + plain proceeding with her here in defence thereof." + </p> + <p> + The poor Countess—whose imaginary exodus, with the long procession + of coaches and side-saddles, had excited so much ire—found herself + in a most distressing position. "I have not seen my Lady these ten or + twelve days," said Davison. "To-morrow I hope to do my duty towards her. I + found her greatly troubled with tempestuous news she received from court, + but somewhat comforted when she understood how I had proceeded with her + Majesty . . . . But these passions overblown, I hope her Majesty will have + a gracious regard both towards myself and the cause." + </p> + <p> + But the passions seemed not likely to blow over so soon as was desirable. + Leicester's brother the Earl of Warwick took a most gloomy view of the + whole transaction, and hoarser than the raven's was his boding tone. + </p> + <p> + "Well, our mistress's extreme rage doth increase rather than diminish," he + wrote, "and she giveth out great threatening words against you. Therefore + make the best assurance you can for yourself, and trust not her oath, for + that her malice is great and unquenchable in the wisest of their opinions + here, and as for other friendships, as far as I can learn, it is as + doubtful as the other. Wherefore, my good brother, repose your whole trust + in God, and He will defend you in despite of all your enemies. And let + this be a great comfort to you, and so it is likewise to myself and all + your assured friends, and that is, that you were never so honoured and + loved in your life amongst all good people as you are at this day, only + for dealing so nobly and wisely in this action as you have done; so that, + whatsoever cometh of it, you have done your part. I praise God from my + heart for it. Once again, have great care of yourself, I mean for your + safety, and if she will needs revoke you, to the overthrowing of the + cause, if I were as you, if I could not be assured there, I would go to + the farthest part of Christendom rather than ever come into England again. + Take heed whom you trust, for that you have some false boys about you." + </p> + <p> + And the false boys were busy enough, and seemed likely to triumph in the + result of their schemes. For a glance into the secret correspondence of + Mary of Scotland has already revealed the Earl to us constantly surrounded + by men in masks. Many of those nearest his person, and of highest credit + out of England, were his deadly foes, sworn to compass his dishonour, his + confusion, and eventually his death, and in correspondence with his most + powerful adversaries at home and abroad. Certainly his path was slippery + and perilous along those icy summits of power, and he had need to look + well to his footsteps. + </p> + <p> + Before Heneage had arrived in the Netherlands, Sir Thomas Shirley, + despatched by Leicester to England with a commission to procure supplies + for the famishing soldiers, and, if possible, to mitigate the Queen's + wrath, had, been admitted more than once to her Majesty's presence. He had + fought the Earl's battle as manfully as Davison had done, and, like that + envoy, had received nothing in exchange for his plausible arguments but + bitter words and big oaths. Eight days after his arrival he was introduced + by Hatton into the privy chamber, and at the moment of his entrance was + received with a volley of execrations. + </p> + <p> + "I did expressly and peremptorily forbid his acceptance of the absolute + government, in the hearing of divers of my council," said the Queen. + </p> + <p> + Shirley.—"The necessity of the case was imminent, your Highness. It + was his Lordship's intent to do all for your Majesty's service. Those + countries did expect him as a governor at his first landing, and the + States durst do no other than satisfy the people also with that opinion. + The people's mislike of their present government is such and so great as + that the name of States is grown odious amongst them. Therefore the + States, doubting the furious rage of the people, conferred the authority + upon his Lordship with incessant suit to him to receive it. + Notwithstanding this, however, he did deny it until he saw plainly both + confusion and ruin of that country if he should refuse. On the other hand, + when he had seen into their estates, his lordship found great profit and + commodity like to come unto your Majesty by your acceptance of it. Your + Highness may now have garrisons of English in as many towns as pleaseth + you, without any more charge than you are now at. Nor can any peace be + made with Spain at any time hereafter, but through you: and by you. Your + Majesty should remember, likewise, that if a man of another nation had + been chosen governor it might have wrought great danger. Moreover it would + have been an indignity that your lieutenant-general should of necessity be + under him that so should have been elected. Finally, this is a stop to any + other that may affect the place of government there." + </p> + <p> + Queen (who has manifested many signs of impatience during this discourse).—"Your + speech is all in vain. His Lordship's proceeding is sufficient to make me + infamous to all princes, having protested the contrary, as I have done, in + a book which is translated into divers and sundry languages. His Lordship, + being my servant, a creature of my own, ought not, in duty towards me, + have entered into this course without my knowledge and good allowance." + </p> + <p> + Shirley.—"But the world hath conceived a high judgment of your + Majesty's great wisdom and providence; shown by your assailing the King of + Spain at one time both in the Low Countries and also by Sir Francis Drake. + I do assure myself that the same judgment which did first cause you to + take this in hand must continue a certain knowledge in your Majesty that + one of these actions must needs stand much better by the other. If Sir + Frances do prosper, then all is well. And though he should not prosper, + yet this hold that his Lordship hath taken for you on the Low Countries + must always assure an honourable peace at your Highness's pleasure. I + beseech your Majesty to remember that to the King of Spain the government + of his Lordship is no greater matter than if he were but your + lieutenant-general there; but the voyage of Sir Francis is of much greater + offence than all." + </p> + <p> + Queen (interrupting).—"I can very well answer for Sir Francis. + Moreover, if need be, the gentleman careth not if I should disavow him." + </p> + <p> + Shirley.—"Even so standeth my Lord, if your disavowing of him may + also stand with your Highness's favour towards him. Nevertheless; should + this bruit of your mislike of his Lordship's authority there come unto the + ears of those people; being a nation both sudden and suspicious, and + having been heretofore used to stratagem—I fear it may work some + strange notion in them, considering that, at this time, there is an + increase of taxation raised upon them, the bestowing whereof perchance + they know not of. His Lordship's giving; up of the government may leave + them altogether without government, and in worse case than they were ever + in before. For now the authority of the States is dissolved, and his + Lordship's government is the only thing that holdeth them together. I do + beseech your Highness, then, to consider well of it, and if there be any + private cause for which you take grief against his Lordship, nevertheless, + to have regard unto the public cause, and to have a care of your own + safety, which in many wise men's opinions, standeth much upon the good + maintenance and upholding of this matter." + </p> + <p> + Queen.—"I believe nothing of, what you say concerning the dissolving + of the authority of the States. I know well enough that the States do + remain states still. I mean not to do harm to the cause, but only to + reform that which his Lordship hath done beyond his warrant from me." + </p> + <p> + And with this the Queen swept suddenly from the apartment. Sir Thomas, at + different stages of the conversation, had in vain besought her to accept a + letter from the Earl which had been entrusted to his care. She obstinately + refused to touch it. Shirley had even had recourse to stratagem: affecting + ignorance on many points concerning which the Queen desired information, + and suggesting that doubtless she would find those matters fully explained + in his Lordship's letter. The artifice was in vain, and the discussion + was, on the whole, unsatisfactory. Yet there is no doubt that the Queen + had had the worst of the argument, and she was far too sagacious a + politician not to feel the weight of that which had been urged so often in + defence of the course pursued. But it was with her partly a matter of + temper and offended pride, perhaps even of wounded affection. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning Shirley saw the Queen walking in the garden of + the palace, and made bold to accost her. Thinking, as he said, "to test + her affection to Lord Leicester by another means," the artful Sir Thomas + stepped up to her, and observed that his Lordship was seriously ill. "It + is feared," he said, "that the Earl is again attacked by the disease of + which Dr. Goodrowse did once cure him. Wherefore his Lordship is now a + humble suitor to your Highness that it would please you to spare + Goodrowse, and give him leave to go thither for some time." + </p> + <p> + The Queen was instantly touched. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly—with all my heart, with all my heart, he shall have him," + she replied, "and sorry I am that his Lordship hath that need of him." + </p> + <p> + "And indeed," returned sly Sir Thomas, "your Highness is a very gracious + prince, who are pleased not to suffer his Lordship to perish in health, + though otherwise you remain deeply offended with him." + </p> + <p> + "You know my mind," returned Elizabeth, now all the queen again, and + perhaps suspecting the trick; "I may not endure that any man should alter + my commission and the authority that I gave him, upon his own fancies and + without me." + </p> + <p> + With this she instantly summoned one of her gentlemen, in order to break + off the interview, fearing that Shirley was about to enter again upon a + discussion of the whole subject, and again to attempt the delivery of the + Earl's letter. + </p> + <p> + In all this there was much of superannuated coquetry, no doubt, and much + of Tudor despotism, but there was also a strong infusion of artifice. For + it will soon be necessary to direct attention to certain secret + transactions of an important nature in which the Queen was engaged, and + which were even hidden from the all-seeing eye of Walsingham—although + shrewdly suspected both by that statesman and by Leicester—but which + were most influential in modifying her policy at that moment towards the + Netherlands. + </p> + <p> + There could be no doubt, however, of the stanch and strenuous manner in + which the delinquent Earl was supported by his confidential messengers and + by some of his fellow-councillors. His true friends were urgent that the + great cause in which he was engaged should be forwarded sincerely and + without delay. Shirley had been sent for money; but to draw money from + Elizabeth was like coining her life-blood, drachma by drachma. + </p> + <p> + "Your Lordship is like to have but a poor supply of money at this time," + said Sir Thomas. "To be plain with you, I fear she groweth weary of the + charge, and will hardly be brought to deal thoroughly in the action." + </p> + <p> + He was also more explicit than he might have been—had he been better + informed as to the disposition of the chief personages of the court, + concerning whose temper the absent Earl was naturally anxious. Hatton was + most in favour at the moment, and it was through Hatton that the + communications upon Netherland matters passed; "for," said Shirley, "she + will hardly endure Mr. Secretary (Walsingham) to speak unto her therein." + </p> + <p> + "And truly, my Lord," he continued, "as Mr. Secretary is a noble, good, + and true friend unto you, so doth Mr. Vice-Chamberlain show himself an + honourable, true, and faithful gentleman, and doth carefully and most like + a good friend for your Lordship." + </p> + <p> + And thus very succinctly and graphically had the envoy painted the + situation to his principal. "Your Lordship now sees things just as they + stand," he moralized. "Your Lordship is exceeding wise. You know the Queen + and her nature best of any man. You know all men here. Your Lordship can + judge the sequel by this that you see: only this I must tell your + Lordship, I perceive that fears and doubts from thence are like to work + better effects here than comforts and assurance. I think it my part to + send your Lordship this as it is, rather than to be silent." + </p> + <p> + And with these rather ominous insinuations the envoy concluded for the + time his narrative. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Intolerable tendency to puns + New Years Day in England, 11th January by the New Style + Peace and quietness is brought into a most dangerous estate +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. 1586, Part 2 + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 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. +</pre> + <p> + 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 in great jollity that her Majesty + doth rather mislike than allow of our doings here, which; if it be true, + let her be sure her own sweet self shall first smart." + </p> + <p> + Moreover; the English troops were, as we have seen, mere shoeless, + shivering, starving vagabonds. The Earl had generously advanced very large + sums of money from his own pocket to relieve their necessity. The States, + on the other hand, had voluntarily increased the monthly contribution of + 200,000 florins, to which their contract with Elizabeth obliged them, and + were more disposed than ever they had been since the death of Orange to + proceed vigorously and harmoniously against the common enemy of + Christendom. Under such circumstances it may well be imagined that there + was cause on Leicester's part for deep mortification at the tragical turn + which the Queen's temper seemed to be taking. + </p> + <p> + "I know not," he said, "how her Majesty doth mean to dispose of me. It + hath grieved me more than I can express that for faithful and good service + she should so deeply conceive against me. God knows with what mind I have + served her Highness, and perhaps some others might have failed. Yet she is + neither tied one jot by covenant or promise by me in any way, nor at one + groat the more charges, but myself two or three thousand pounds sterling + more than now is like to be well spent. I will desire no partial speech in + my favour. If my doings be ill for her Majesty and the realm, let me feel + the smart of it. The cause is now well forward; let not her majesty suffer + it to quail. If you will have it proceed to good effect, send away Sir + William Pelham with all the haste you can. I mean not to complain, but + with so weighty a cause as this is, few men have been so weakly assisted. + Her Majesty hath far better choice for my place, and with any that may + succeed me let Sir William Pelham be first that may come. I speak from my + soul for her Majesty's service. I am for myself upon an hour's warning to + obey her good pleasure." + </p> + <p> + Thus far the Earl had maintained his dignity. He had yielded to the + solicitations of the States, and had thereby exceeded his commission, and + gratified his ambition, but he had in no wise forfeited his self-respect. + But—so soon as the first unquestionable intelligence of the passion + to which the Queen had given way at his misdoings reached him—he + began to whimper, The straightforward tone which Davison had adopted in + his interviews with Elizabeth, and the firmness with which he had defended + the cause of his absent friend, at a moment when he had plunged himself + into disgrace, was worthy of applause. He deserved at least a word of + honest thanks. + </p> + <p> + Ignoble however was the demeanor of the Earl towards the man—for + whom he had but recently been unable to invent eulogies sufficiently warm—so + soon as he conceived the possibility of sacrificing his friend as the + scape-goat for his own fault. An honest schoolboy would have scorned to + leave thus in the lurch a comrade who had been fighting his battles so + honestly. + </p> + <p> + "How earnest I was," he wrote to the lords of the council, 9th March, + 1586, "not only to acquaint her Majesty, but immediately upon the first + motion made by the States, to send Mr. Davison over to her with letters, I + doubt not but he will truly affirm for me; yea, and how far against my + will it was, notwithstanding any reasons delivered me, that he and others + persisted in, to have me accept first of this place. . . . The extremity + of the case, and my being persuaded that Mr. Davison might have better + satisfied her Majesty, than I perceive he can, caused, me-neither + arrogantly nor contemptuously, but even merely and faithfully—to do + her Majesty the best service." + </p> + <p> + He acknowledged, certainly, that Davison had been influenced by honest + motives, although his importunities had been the real cause of the Earl's + neglect of his own obligations. But he protested that he had himself, only + erred through an excessive pliancy to the will of others. "My yielding was + my own fault," he admitted, "whatsoever his persuasions; but far from a + contemptuous heart, or else God pluck out both heart and bowels with utter + shame." + </p> + <p> + So soon as Sir Thomas Heneage had presented himself, and revealed the full + extent of the Queen's wrath, the Earl's disposition to cast the whole + crime on the shoulders of Davison became quite undisguised. + </p> + <p> + "I thank you for your letters," wrote Leicester to Walsingham, "though you + can send me no comfort. Her Majesty doth deal hardly to believe so ill of + me. It is true I faulted, but she doth not consider what commodities she + hath withal, and herself no way engaged for it, as Mr. Davison might have + better declared it, if it had pleased him. And I must thank him only for + my blame, and so he will confess to you, for, I protest before God, no + necessity here could have made me leave her Majesty unacquainted with the + cause before I would have accepted of it, but only his so earnest pressing + me with his faithfull assured promise to discharge me, however her Majesty + should take it. For you all see there she had no other cause to be + offended but this, and, by the Lord, he was the only cause; albeit it is + no sufficient allegation, being as I am . . . . . He had, I think, saved + all to have told her, as he promised me. But now it is laid upon me, God + send the cause to take no harm, my grief must be the less. + </p> + <p> + "How far Mr. Heneage's commission shall deface me I know not. He is wary + to observe his commission, and I consent withal. I know the time will be + her Majesty will be sorry for it. In the meantime I am too, too weary of + the high dignity. I would that any that could serve her Majesty were + placed in it, and I to sit down with all my losses." + </p> + <p> + In more manful strain he then alluded to the sufferings of his army. + "Whatsoever become of me," he said, "give me leave to speak for the poor + soldiers. If they be not better maintained, being in this strange country, + there will be neither good service done, nor be without great dishonour to + her Majesty. . . . Well, you see the wants, and it is one cause that will + glad me to be rid of this heavy high calling, and wish me at my poor + cottage again, if any I shall find. But let her Majesty pay them well, and + appoint such a man as Sir William Pelham to govern them, and she never wan + more honour than these men here will do, I am persuaded." + </p> + <p> + That the Earl was warmly urged by all most conversant with Netherland + politics to assume the government was a fact admitted by all. That he + manifested rather eagerness than reluctance on the subject, and that his + only hesitation arose from the proposed restraints upon the power, not + from scruples about accepting the power, are facts upon record. There is + nothing save his own assertion to show any backwardness on his part to + snatch the coveted prize; and that assertion was flatly denied by Davison, + and was indeed refuted by every circumstance in the case. It is certain + that he had concealed from Davison the previous prohibitions of the Queen. + He could anticipate much better than could Davison, therefore, the + probable indignation of the Queen. It is strange then that he should have + shut his eyes to it so wilfully, and stranger still that he should have + relied on the envoy's eloquence instead of his own to mitigate that + emotion. Had he placed his defence simply upon its true basis, the + necessity of the case, and the impossibility of carrying out the Queen's + intentions in any other way, it would be difficult to censure him; but + that he should seek to screen himself by laying the whole blame on a + subordinate, was enough to make any honest man who heard him hang his + head. "I meant not to do it, but Davison told me to do it, please your + Majesty, and if there was naughtiness in it, he said he would make it all + right with your Majesty." Such, reduced to its simplest expression, was + the defence of the magnificent Earl of Leicester. + </p> + <p> + And as he had gone cringing and whining to his royal mistress, so it was + natural that he should be brutal and blustering to his friend. + </p> + <p> + "By your means," said he, "I have fallen into her Majesty's deep + displeasure . . . . If you had delivered to her the truth of my dealing, + her Highness never could have conceived, as I perceive she doth . . . . + Nor doth her Majesty know how hardly I was drawn to accept this place + before I had acquainted her—as to which you promised you would not + only give her full satisfaction, but would, procure me great thanks. . . . + You did chiefly persuade me to take this charge upon me . . . . You can + remember how many treaties you and others had with the States, before I + agreed; for all yours and their persuasion to take it. . . . You gave me + assurance to satisfy her Majesty, but I see not that you have done + anything . . . . I did not hide from you the doubt I had of her Majesty's + ill taking it . . . . You chiefly brought me into it . . . . and it could + no way have been heavy to you, though you had told the uttermost of your + own doing, as you faithfully promised you would . . . . I did very + unwillingly come into the matter, doubting that to fall out which is come + to pass . . . . and it doth so fall out by your negligent carelessness, + whereof I many hundred times told you that you would both mar the goodness + of the matter, and breed me her Majesty's displeasure. . . . Thus fare you + well, and except your embassages have better success, I shall have no + cause to commend them." + </p> + <p> + And so was the unfortunate Davison ground into finest dust between the + upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the other special envoy had made his appearance in the + Netherlands; the other go-between between the incensed Queen and the + backsliding favourite. It has already been made sufficiently obvious, by + the sketch given of his instructions, that his mission was a delicate one. + In obedience to those instructions, Heneage accordingly made his + appearance before the council, and, in Leicester's presence, delivered to + them the severe and biting reprimand which Elizabeth had chosen to inflict + upon the States and upon the governor. The envoy performed his ungracious + task as daintily, as he could, and after preliminary consultation with + Leicester; but the proud Earl was deeply mortified. "The fourteenth day of + this month of March," said he, "Sir Thomas Heneage delivered a very sharp + letter from her Majesty to the council of estate, besides his message—myself + being, present, for so was her Majesty's pleasure, as he said, and I do + think he did but as he was commanded. How great a grief it must be to an + honest heart and a true, faithful servant, before his own face, to a + company of very wise and grave counsellors, who had conceived a marvellous + opinion before of my credit with her Majesty, to be charged now with a + manifest and wilful contempt! Matter enough to have broken any man's + heart, that looked rather for thanks, as God doth know I did when I first + heard of Mr. Heneage's arrival—I must say to your Lordship, for + discharge of my duty, I can be no fit man to serve here—my disgrace + is too great—protesting to you that since that day I cannot find it + in my heart to come into that place, where, by my own sufferings torn, I + was made to be thought so lewd a person." + </p> + <p> + He then comforted himself—as he had a right to do—with the + reflection that this disgrace inflicted was more than he deserved, and + that such would be the opinion of those by whom he was surrounded. + </p> + <p> + "Albeit one thing," he said, "did greatly comfort me, that they all best + knew the wrong was great I had, and that her Majesty was very wrongfully + informed of the state of my cause. I doubt not but they can and will + discharge me, howsoever they shall satisfy her Majesty. And as I would + rather wish for death than justly to deserve her displeasure; so, good my + Lord, this disgrace not coming for any ill service to her, pray procure me + a speedy resolution, that I may go hide me and pray for her. My heart is + broken, though thus far I can quiet myself, that I know I have done her + Majesty as faithful and good service in these countries as ever she had + done her since she was Queen of England . . . . Under correction, my good + Lord, I have had Halifax law—to be condemned first and inquired upon + after. I pray God that no man find this measure that I have done, and + deserved no worse." + </p> + <p> + He defended himself—as Davison had already defended him—upon + the necessities of the case. + </p> + <p> + "I, a poor gentleman," he said, "who have wholly depended upon herself + alone—and now, being commanded to a service of the greatest + importance that ever her Majesty employed any servant in, and finding the + occasion so serving me, and the necessity of time such as would not permit + such delays, flatly seeing that if that opportunity were lost, the like + again for her service and the good of the realm was never, to be looked + for, presuming upon the favour of my prince, as many servants have done, + exceeding somewhat thereupon, rather than breaking any part of my + commission, taking upon me a place whereby I found these whole countries + could be held at her best devotion, without binding her Majesty to any + such matter as she had forbidden to the States before finding, I say, both + the time and opportunity to serve, and no lack but to trust to her + gracious acceptation, I now feel that how good, how honourable, how + profitable soever it be, it is turned to a worse part than if I had broken + all her commissions and commandments, to the greatest harm, and dishonour, + and danger, that may be imagined against her person, state, and dignity." + </p> + <p> + He protested, not without a show of reason, that he was like to be worse + punished "for well-doing than any man that had committed a most heinous or + traitorous offence," and he maintained that if he had not accepted the + government, as he had done, "the whole State had been gone and wholly + lost." All this—as we have seen—had already been stoutly urged + by Davison, in the very face of the tempest, but with no result, except to + gain the enmity of both parties to the quarrel. The ungrateful Leicester + now expressed confidence that the second go-between would be more adroit + than the first had proved. "The causes why," said he, "Mr. Davison could + have told—no man better—but Mr. Heneage can now tell, who hath + sought to the uttermost the bottom of all things. I will stand to his + report, whether glory or vain desire of title caused me to step one foot + forward in the matter. My place was great enough and high enough before, + with much less trouble than by this, besides the great indignation of her + Majesty . . . . If I had overslipt the good occasion then in danger, I had + been worthy to be hanged, and to be taken for a most lewd servant to her + Majesty, and a dishonest wretch to my country." + </p> + <p> + But diligently as Heneage had sought to the bottom of all things, he had + not gained the approbation of Sidney. Sir Philip thought that the new man + had only ill botched a piece of work that had been most awkwardly + contrived from the beginning. "Sir Thomas Heneage," said he, "hath with as + much honesty, in my opinion done as much hurt as any man this twelve-month + hath done with naughtiness. But I hope in God, when her Majesty finds the + truth of things, her graciousness will not utterly, overthrow a cause so + behooveful and costly unto her." + </p> + <p> + He briefly warned the government that most disastrous effects were likely + to ensue, if the Earl should be publicly disgraced, and the recent action + of the States reversed. The penny-wise economy, too, of the Queen, was + rapidly proving a most ruinous extravagance. "I only cry for Flushing;" + said Sidney, "but, unless the monies be sent over, there will some + terrible accident follow, particularly to the cautionary towns, if her + Majesty mean to have them cautions." + </p> + <p> + The effect produced by the first explosion of the Queen's wrath was indeed + one of universal suspicion and distrust. The greatest care had been taken, + however, that the affair should be delicately handled, for Heneage, while, + doing as much hurt by honesty as, others by naughtiness, had modified his + course as much as he dared in deference to the opinions of the Earl + himself, and that of his English counsellors. The great culprit himself, + assisted by his two lawyers, Clerk and Killigrew—had himself drawn + the bill of his own indictment. The letters of the Queen to the States, to + the council, and to the Earl himself, were, of necessity, delivered, but + the reprimand which Heneage had been instructed to fulminate was made as + harmless as possible. It was arranged that he should make a speech before + the council; but abstain from a protocol. The oration was duly pronounced, + and it was, of necessity, stinging. Otherwise the disobedience to the + Queen, would have been flagrant. But the pain inflicted was to disappear + with the first castigation. The humiliation was to be public and solemn, + but it was not to be placed on perpetual record. + </p> + <p> + "We thought best," said Leicester, Heneage, Clerk, and Killigrew—"In + according to her Majesty's secret instructions—to take that course + which might least endanger the weak estate of the Provinces—that is + to say, to utter so much in words as we hoped might satisfy her excellent + Majesty's expectation, and yet leave them nothing in writing to confirm + that which was secretly spread in many places to the hindrance of the good + course of settling these affairs. Which speech, after Sir Thomas Heneage + had devised, and we both perused and allowed, he, by our consent and + advice, pronounced to the council of state. This we did think needful—especially + because every one of the council that was present at the reading of her + Majesty's first letters, was of the full mind, that if her Majesty should + again show the least mislike of the present government, or should not by + her next letters confirm it, they, were all undone—for that every + man would cast with himself which way to make his peace." + </p> + <p> + Thus adroitly had the "poor gentleman, who could not find it in his heart + to come again into the place, where—by his own sufferings torn—he + was made to appear so lewd a person"—provided that there should + remain no trace of that lewdness and of his sovereign's displeasure, upon + the record of the States. It was not long, too, before the Earl was + enabled to surmount his mortification; but the end was not yet. + </p> + <p> + The universal suspicion, consequent on these proceedings, grew most + painful. It pointed to one invariable quarter. It was believed by all that + the Queen was privately treating for peace, and that the transaction was + kept a secret not only from the States but from her own most trusted + counsellors also. It would be difficult to exaggerate the pernicious + effects of this suspicion. Whether it was a well-grounded one or not, will + be shown in a subsequent chapter, but there is no doubt that the vigour of + the enterprise was thus sapped at a most critical moment. The Provinces + had never been more heartily banded together since the fatal 10th of July, + 1584, than they were in the early spring of 1586. They were rapidly + organizing their own army, and, if the Queen had manifested more sympathy + with her own starving troops, the united Englishmen and Hollanders would + have been invincible even by Alexander Farnese. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, they had sent out nine war-vessels to cruise off the Cape Verd + Islands for the homeward-bound Spanish treasure fleet from America, with + orders, if they missed it, to proceed to the West Indies; so that, said + Leicester, "the King of Spain will have enough to do between these men and + Drake." All parties had united in conferring a generous amount of power + upon the Earl, who was, in truth, stadholder-general, under grant from the + States—and both Leicester and the Provinces themselves were eager + and earnest for the war. In war alone lay the salvation of England and + Holland. Peace was an impossibility. It seemed to the most experienced + statesmen of both countries even an absurdity. It may well be imagined, + therefore, that the idea of an underhand negotiation by Elizabeth would + cause a frenzy in the Netherlands. In Leicester's opinion, nothing short + of a general massacre of the English would be the probable consequence. + "No doubt," said he, "the very way it is to put us all to the sword here. + For mine own part it would be happiest for me, though I wish and trust to + lose my life in better sort." + </p> + <p> + Champagny, however, was giving out mysterious hints that the King of Spain + could have peace with England when he wished for it. Sir Thomas Cecil, son + of Lord Burghley, on whose countenance the States especially relied, was + returning on sick-leave from his government of the Brill, and this sudden + departure of so eminent a personage, joined with the public disavowal of + the recent transaction between Leicester and the Provinces, was producing + a general and most sickening apprehension as to the Queen's good faith. + The Earl did not fail to urge these matters most warmly on the + consideration of the English council, setting forth that the States were + stanch for the war, but that they would be beforehand with her if she + attempted by underhand means to compass a peace. "If these men once smell + any such matter," wrote Leicester to Burghley, "be you sure they will soon + come before you, to the utter overthrow of her Majesty and state for + ever." + </p> + <p> + The Earl was suspecting the "false boys," by whom he was surrounded, + although it was impossible for him to perceive, as we have been enabled to + do, the wide-spread and intricate meshes by which he was enveloped. "Your + Papists in England," said he, "have sent over word to some in this + company, that all that they ever hoped for is come to pass; that my Lord + of Leicester shall be called away in greatest indignation with her + Majesty, and to confirm this of Champagny, I have myself seen a letter + that her Majesty is in hand with a secret peace. God forbid! for if it be + so, her Majesty, her realm, and we, are all undone." + </p> + <p> + The feeling in the Provinces was still sincerely loyal towards England. + "These men," said Leicester, "yet honour and most dearly love her Majesty, + and hardly, I know, will be brought to believe ill of her any way." + Nevertheless these rumours, to the discredit of her good faith, were doing + infinite harm; while the Earl, although keeping his eyes and ears wide + open, was anxious not to compromise himself any further with his + sovereign, by appearing himself to suspect her of duplicity. "Good, my + Lord," he besought Burghley, "do not let her Majesty know of this + concerning Champagny as coming from me, for she will think it is done for + my own cause, which, by the Lord God, it is not, but even on the necessity + of the case for her own safety, and the realm, and us all. Good my Lord, + as you will do any good in the matter, let not her Majesty understand any + piece of it to come from me." + </p> + <p> + The States-General, on the 25th March, N.S., addressed a respectful letter + to the Queen, in reply to her vehement chidings. They expressed their deep + regret that her Majesty should be so offended with the election of the + Earl of Leicester as absolute governor. + </p> + <p> + They confessed that she had just cause of displeasure, but hoped that when + she should be informed of the whole matter she would rest better satisfied + with their proceedings. They stated that the authority was the same which + had been previously bestowed upon governors-general; observing that by the + word "absolute," which had been used in designation of that authority, + nothing more had been intended than to give to the Earl full power to + execute his commission, while the sovereignty of the country was reserved + to the people. This commission, they said, could not be without danger + revoked. And therefore they most humbly besought her Majesty to approve + what had been done, and to remember its conformity with her own advice to + them, that a multitude of heads, whereby confusion in the government is + bred, should be avoided. + </p> + <p> + Leicester, upon the same occasion, addressed a letter to Burghley and + Walsingham, expressing himself as became a crushed and contrite man, never + more to raise his drooping head again, but warmly and manfully urging upon + the attention of the English government—for the honour and interest + of the Queen herself—"the miserable state of the poor soldiers." The + necessity of immediate remittances in order to keep them from starving, + was most imperious. For himself, he was smothering his wretchedness until + he should learn her Majesty's final decision, as to what was to become of + him. "Meantime," said he, "I carry my grief inward, and will proceed till + her Majesty's full pleasure come with as little discouragement to the + cause as I can. I pray God her Majesty may do that may be best for + herself. For my own part my heart is broken, but not by the enemy." + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt that the public disgrace thus inflicted upon the + broken-hearted governor, and the severe censure administered to the States + by the Queen were both ill-timed and undeserved. Whatever his + disingenuousness towards Davison, whatever his disobedience to Elizabeth, + however ambitious his own secret motives may, have been, there is no doubt + at all that thus far he had borne himself well in his great office. + </p> + <p> + Richard Cavendish—than whom few had better opportunities of judging—spoke + in strong language on the subject. "It is a thing almost incredible," said + he, "that the care and diligence of any, one man living could, in so small + time; have so much repaired so disjointed and loose an estate as my Lord + found this country, in. But lest he should swell in pride of that his good + success, your Lordship knoweth that God hath so tempered the cause with + the construction thereof, as may well hold him in good consideration of + human things." He alluded with bitterness—as did all men in the + Netherlands who were not open or disguised Papists—to the fatal + rumours concerning the peace-negotiation in connection with the recall of + Leicester. "There be here advertisements of most fearful instance," he + said, "namely, that Champagny doth not spare most liberally to bruit + abroad that he hath in his hands the conditions of peace offered by her + Majesty unto the King his master, and that it is in his power to conclude + at pleasure—which fearful and mischievous plot, if in time it be not + met withal by some notable encounter, it cannot but prove the root of + great ruin." + </p> + <p> + The "false boys" about Leicester were indefatigable in spreading these + rumours, and in taking advantage—with the assistance of the Papists + in the obedient Provinces and in England—of the disgraced condition + in which the Queen had placed the favourite. Most galling to the haughty + Earl—most damaging to the cause of England, Holland, and, liberty—were + the tales to his discredit, which circulated on the Bourse at Antwerp, + Middelburg, Amsterdam, and in all the other commercial centres. The most + influential bankers and merchants, were assured—by a thousand + chattering—but as it were invisible—tongues, that the Queen + had for a long time disliked Leicester; that he was a man of no account + among the statesmen of England; that he was a beggar and a bankrupt; that, + if he had waited two months longer, he would have made his appearance in + the Provinces with one man and one boy for his followers; that the Queen + had sent him thither to be rid of him; that she never intended him to have + more authority than Sir John Norris had; that she could not abide the + bestowing the title of Excellency upon him, and that she had not disguised + her fury at his elevation to the post of governor-general. + </p> + <p> + All who attempted a refutation of these statements were asked, with a + sneer, whether her Majesty had ever written a line to him, or in + commendation of him, since his arrival. Minute inquiries were made by the + Dutch merchants of their commercial correspondents, both in their own + country and in England, as to Leicester's real condition and character. at + home. What was his rank, they asked, what his ability, what: his influence + at court? Why, if he were really of so high quality as had been reported, + was he thus neglected, and at last disgraced? Had he any landed property + in England? Had he really ever held any other office but that of master of + the horse? "And then," asked one particular busy body, who made himself + very unpleasant on the Amsterdam Exchange, "why has her Majesty forbidden + all noblemen and gentlemen from coming hither, as was the case at the + beginning? Is it because she is hearkening to a peace? And if it be so, + quoth he, we are well handled; for if her Majesty hath sent a disgraced + man to amuse us, while she is secretly working a peace for herself, when + we—on the contrary—had broken off all our negotiations, upon + confidence of her Majesty's goodness; such conduct will be remembered to + the end of the world, and the Hollanders will never abide the name of + England again." + </p> + <p> + On such a bed of nettles there was small chance of repose for the + governor. Some of the rumours were even more stinging. So incomprehensible + did it seem that the proud sovereign of England should send over her + subjects to starve or beg in the streets of Flushing and Ostend, that it + was darkly intimated that Leicester had embezzled the funds, which, no + doubt, had been remitted for the poor soldiers. This was the most cruel + blow of all. The Earl had been put to enormous charges. His household at + the Hague cost him a thousand pounds a month. He had been paying and + furnishing five hundred and fifty men out of his own purse. He had also a + choice regiment of cavalry, numbering seven hundred and fifty horse; three + hundred and fifty of which number were over and above those allowed for by + the Queen, and were entirely at his expense. He was most liberal in making + presents of money to every gentleman in his employment. He had deeply + mortgaged his estates in order to provide for these heavy demands upon + him, and professed his willingness "to spend more, if he might have got + any more money for his land that was left;" and in the face of such + unquestionable facts—much to the credit certainly of his generosity—he + was accused of swindling a Queen whom neither Jew nor Gentile had ever yet + been sharp enough to swindle; while he was in reality plunging forward in + a course of reckless extravagance in order to obviate the fatal effects of + her penuriousness. + </p> + <p> + Yet these sinister reports were beginning to have a poisonous effect. + Already an alteration of mien was perceptible in the States-General. "Some + buzzing there is amongst them," said Leicester, "whatsoever it be. They + begin to deal very strangely within these few days." Moreover the industry + of the Poleys, Blunts, and Pagets, had turned these unfavourable + circumstances to such good account that a mutiny had been near breaking + out among the English troops. "And, before the Lord I speak it," said the + Earl, "I am sure some of these good towns had been gone ere this, but for + my money. As for the States, I warrant you, they see day at a little hole. + God doth know what a forward and a joyful country here was within a month. + God send her Majesty to recover it so again, and to take care of it, on + the condition she send me after Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, my + service here being no more acceptable." + </p> + <p> + Such was the aspect of affairs in the Provinces after the first explosion + of the Queen's anger had become known. Meanwhile the court-weather was + very changeable in England, being sometimes serene, sometimes cloudy,—always + treacherous. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Vavasour, sent by the Earl with despatches to her Majesty and the + council, had met with a sufficiently benignant reception. She accepted the + letters, which, however, owing to a bad cold with a defluxion in the eyes, + she was unable at once to read; but she talked ambiguously with the + messenger. Yavasour took pains to show the immediate necessity of sending + supplies, so that the armies in the Netherlands might take the field at + the earliest possible moment. "And what," said she, "if a peace should + come in the mean time?" + </p> + <p> + "If your Majesty desireth a convenient peace," replied Vavasour, "to take + the field is the readiest way to obtain it; for as yet the King of Spain + hath had no reason to fear you. He is daily expecting that your own + slackness may give your Majesty an overthrow. Moreover, the Spaniards are + soldiers, and are not to be moved by-shadows." + </p> + <p> + But the Queen had no ears for these remonstrances, and no disposition to + open her coffers. A warrant for twenty-four thousand pounds had been + signed by her at the end of the month of March, and was about to be sent, + when Vavasour arrived; but it was not possible for him, although assisted + by the eloquence of Walsingham and Burghley, to obtain an enlargement of + the pittance. "The storms are overblown," said Walsingham, "but I fear + your Lordship shall receive very scarce measure from hence. You will not + believe how the sparing humour doth increase upon us." + </p> + <p> + Nor were the storms so thoroughly overblown but that there were not daily + indications of returning foul weather. Accordingly—after a + conference with Vavasour—Burghley, and Walsingham had an interview + with the Queen, in which the Lord Treasurer used bold and strong language. + He protested to her that he was bound, both by his duty to himself and his + oath as her councillor, to declare that the course she was holding to Lord + Leicester was most dangerous to her own honour, interest and safety. If + she intended to continue in this line of conduct, he begged to resign his + office of Lord Treasurer; wishing; before God and man, to wash his bands + of the shame and peril which he saw could not be avoided. The Queen, + astonished at the audacity of Burghley's attitude and language, hardly + knew whether to chide him for his presumption or to listen to his + arguments. She did both. She taxed him with insolence in daring to address + her so roundly, and then finding he was speaking even in 'amaritudine + animae' and out of a clear conscience, she became calm again, and + intimated a disposition to qualify her anger against the absent Earl. + </p> + <p> + Next day, to their sorrow, the two councillors found that the Queen had + again changed her mind—"as one that had been by some adverse counsel + seduced." She expressed the opinion that affairs would do well enough in + the Netherlands, even though Leicester were displaced. A conference + followed between Walsingham, Hatton, and Burghley, and then the three went + again to her Majesty. They assured her that if she did not take immediate + steps to satisfy the States and the people of the Provinces, she would + lose those countries and her own honour at the same time; and that then + they would prove a source of danger to her instead of protection and + glory. At this she was greatly troubled, and agreed to do anything they + might advise consistently with her honour. It was then agreed that + Leicester should be continued in the government which he had accepted + until the matter should be further considered, and letters to that effect + were at once written. Then came messenger from Sir Thomas Heneage, + bringing despatches from that envoy, and a second and most secret one from + the Earl himself. Burghley took the precious letter which the favourite + had addressed to his royal mistress, and had occasion to observe its + magical effect. Walsingham and the Lord Treasurer had been right in so + earnestly remonstrating with him on his previous silence. + </p> + <p> + "She read your letter," said Burghley, "and, in very truth, I found her + princely heart touched with favourable interpretation of your actions; + affirming them to be only offensive to her, in that she was not made privy + to them; not now misliking that you had the authority." + </p> + <p> + Such, at fifty-three, was Elizabeth Tudor. A gentle whisper of idolatry + from the lips of the man she loved, and she was wax in his hands. Where + now were the vehement protestations of horror that her public declaration + of principles and motives had been set at nought? Where now were her + vociferous denunciations of the States, her shrill invectives against + Leicester, her big oaths, and all the 'hysterica passio,' which had sent + poor Lord Burghley to bed with the gout, and inspired the soul of + Walsingham with dismal forebodings? Her anger had dissolved into a shower + of tenderness, and if her parsimony still remained it was because that + could only vanish when she too should cease to be. + </p> + <p> + And thus, for a moment, the grave diplomatic difference between the crown + of England and their high mightinesses the United States—upon the + solution of which the fate of Christendom was hanging—seemed to + shrink to the dimensions of a lovers' quarrel. Was it not strange that the + letter had been so long delayed? + </p> + <p> + Davison had exhausted argument in defence of the acceptance by the Earl of + the authority conferred by the States and had gained nothing by his + eloquence, save abuse from the Queen, and acrimonious censure from the + Earl. He had deeply offended both by pleading the cause of the erring + favourite, when the favourite should have spoken for himself. "Poor Mr. + Davison," said Walsingham, "doth take it very grievously that your + Lordship should conceive so hardly of him as you do. I find the conceit of + your Lordship's disfavour hath greatly dejected him. But at such time as + he arrived her Majesty was so incensed, as all the arguments and orators + in the world could not have wrought any satisfaction." + </p> + <p> + But now a little billet-doux had done what all the orators in the world + could not do. The arguments remained the same, but the Queen no longer + "misliked that Leicester should have the authority." It was natural that + the Lord Treasurer should express his satisfaction at this auspicious + result. + </p> + <p> + "I did commend her princely nature," he said, "in allowing your good + intention, and excusing you of any spot of evil meaning; and I thought + good to hasten her resolution, which you must now take to come from a + favourable good mistress. You must strive with your nature to throw over + your shoulder that which is past." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter Raleigh, too, who had been "falsely and pestilently" + represented to the Earl as an enemy, rather than what he really was, a + most ardent favourer of the Netherland cause, wrote at once to + congratulate him on the change in her Majesty's demeanour. "The Queen is + in very good terms with you now," he said, "and, thanks be to God, well + pacified, and you are again her 'sweet Robin.'" + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter wished to be himself the bearer of the comforting despatches to + Leicester, on the ground that he had been represented as an "ill + instrument against him," and in order that he might justify himself + against the charge, with his own lips. The Queen, however, while + professing to make use of Shirley as the messenger, bade Walsingham + declare to the Earl, upon her honour, that Raleigh had done good offices + for him, and that, in the time of her anger, he had been as earnest in his + defence as the best friend could be. It would have been—singular, + indeed, had it been otherwise. "Your Lordship," said Sir Walter, "doth + well understand my affection toward Spain, and how I have consumed the + best part of my fortune, hating the tyrannous prosperity of that state. It + were strange and monstrous that I should now become an enemy to my country + and conscience. All that I have desired at your Lordship's hands is that + you will evermore deal directly with me in all matters—of suspect + doubleness, and so ever esteem me as you shall find me deserving good or + bad. In the mean time, let no poetical scribe work your Lordship by any + device to doubt that I am a hollow or cold servant to the action." + </p> + <p> + It was now agreed that letters should be drawn, up authorizing Leicester + to continue in the office which he held, until the state-council should + devise some modification in his commission. As it seemed, however, very + improbable that the board would devise anything of the kind, Burghley + expressed the belief that the country was like to continue in the Earl's + government without any change whatever. The Lord Treasurer was also of + opinion that the Queen's letters to Leicester would convey as much comfort + as he had received discomfort; although he admitted that there was a great + difference: The former letters he knew had deeply wounded his heart, while + the new ones could not suddenly sink so low as the wound. + </p> + <p> + The despatch to the States-General was benignant, elaborate, slightly + diffuse. The Queen's letter to 'sweet Robin' was caressing, but + argumentative. + </p> + <p> + "It is always thought," said she, "in the opinion of the world, a hard + bargain when both parties are losers, and so doth fall out in the case + between us two. You, as we hear, are greatly grieved in respect of the + great displeasure you find we have conceived against you. We are no less + grieved that a subject of ours of that quality that you are, a creature of + our own, and one that hath always received an extraordinary portion of our + favour above all our subjects, even from the beginning of our reign, + should deal so carelessly, not to say contemptuously, as to give the world + just cause to think that we are had in contempt by him that ought most to + respect and reverence us, which, we do assure you, hath wrought as great + grief in us as anyone thing that ever happened unto us. + </p> + <p> + "We are persuaded that you, that have so long known us, cannot think that + ever we could have been drawn to have taken so hard a course therein had + we not been provoked by an extraordinary cause. But for that your grieved + and wounded mind hath more need of comfort than reproof, who, we are + persuaded, though the act of contempt can no ways be excused, had no other + meaning and intent than to advance our service, we think meet to forbear + to dwell upon a matter wherein we ourselves do find so little comfort, + assuring you that whosoever professeth to love you best taketh not more + comfort of your well doing, or discomfort of your evil doing than + ourself." + </p> + <p> + After this affectionate preface she proceeded to intimate her desire that + the Earl should take the matter as nearly as possible into his own hands. + It was her wish that he should retain the authority of absolute governor, + but—if it could be so arranged—that he should dispense with + the title, retaining only that of her lieutenant-general. It was not her + intention however, to create any confusion or trouble in the Provinces, + and she was therefore willing that the government should remain upon + precisely the same footing as that on which it then stood, until + circumstances should permit the change of title which she suggested. And + the whole matter was referred to the wisdom of Leicester, who was to + advise with Heneage and such others as he liked to consult, although it + was expressly stated that the present arrangement was to be considered a + provisional and not a final one. + </p> + <p> + Until this soothing intelligence could arrive in the Netherlands the + suspicions concerning the underhand negotiations with Spain grew daily + more rife, and the discredit cast upon the Earl more embarrassing. The + private letters which passed between the Earl's enemies in Holland and in + England contained matter more damaging to himself and to the cause which + he had at heart than the more public reports of modern days can + disseminate, which, being patent to all, can be more easily contradicted. + Leicester incessantly warned his colleagues of her Majesty's council + against the malignant manufacturers of intelligence. "I pray you, my + Lords, as you are wise," said he, "beware of them all. You shall find them + here to be shrewd pick-thinks, and hardly worth the hearkening unto." + </p> + <p> + He complained bitterly of the disgrace that was heaped upon him, both + publicly and privately, and of the evil consequences which were sure to + follow from the course pursued. "Never was man so villanously handled by + letters out of England as I have been," said he, "not only advertising her + Majesty's great dislike with me before this my coming over, but that I was + an odious man in England, and so long as I tarried here that no help was + to be looked for, that her Majesty would send no more men or money, and + that I was used here but for a time till a peace were concluded between + her Majesty and the Prince of Parma. What the continuance of a man's + discredit thus will turn out is to be thought of, for better I were a + thousand times displaced than that her Majesty's great advantage of so + notable Provinces should be hindered." + </p> + <p> + As to the peace-negotiations—which, however cunningly managed, could + not remain entirely concealed—the Earl declared them to be as idle + as they were disingenuous. "I will boldly pronounce that all the peace you + can make in the world, leaving these countries," said he to Burghley, + "will never prove other than a fair spring for a few days, to be all over + blasted with a hard storm after." Two days later her Majesty's comforting + letters arrived, and the Earl began to raise his drooping head. Heneage, + too, was much relieved, but he was, at the same time, not a little + perplexed. It was not so easy to undo all the mischief created by the + Queen's petulance. The "scorpion's sting"—as her Majesty expressed + herself—might be balsamed, but the poison had spread far beyond the + original wound. + </p> + <p> + "The letters just brought in," wrote Heneage to Burghley, "have well + relieved a most noble and sufficient servant, but I fear they will not + restore the much-repaired wrecks of these far-decayed noble countries into + the same state I found them in. A loose, disordered, and unknit state + needs no shaking, but propping. A subtle and fearful kind of people—should + not be made more distrustful, but assured." He then expressed annoyance at + the fault already found with him, and surely if ever man had cause to + complain of reproof administered him, in quick succession; for not obeying + contradictory directions following upon each other as quickly, that man + was Sir Thomas Heneage. He had been, as he thought, over cautious in + administering the rebuke to the Earl's arrogance, which he had been + expressly sent over to administer but scarcely had he accomplished his + task, with as much delicacy as he could devise, when he found himself + censured;—not for dilatoriness, but for haste. "Fault I perceive," + said he to Burghley, "is found in me, not by your Lordship, but by some + other, that I did not stay proceeding if I found the public cause might + take hurt. It is true I had good warrant for the manner, the place, and + the persons, but, for the matter none, for done it must be. Her Majesty's + offence must be declared. Yet if I did not all I possibly could to uphold + the cause, and to keep the tottering cause upon the wheels, I deserve no + thanks, but reproof." + </p> + <p> + Certainly, when the blasts of royal rage are remembered, by which the + envoy had been, as it were, blown out of England into Holland, it is + astonishing to find his actions censured for undue precipitancy. But it + was not the first, nor was it likely to be the last time, for + comparatively subordinate agents in Elizabeth's government to be, + distressed by, contradictory commands, when the sovereign did not know or + did not chose to make known, her own mind on important occasions. "Well, + my Lord," said plaintive Sir Thomas, "wiser men may serve more pleasingly + and happily, but never shall any serve her Majesty more, faithfully and + heartily. And so I cannot be persuaded her Majesty thinketh; for from + herself I find nothing but most sweet and—gracious, favour, though + by others' censures I may gather otherwise of her judgment; which I + confess, doth cumber me." + </p> + <p> + He was destined to be cumbered more than once before these negotiations + should be concluded; but meantime; there was a brief gleam of sunshine. + The English friends of Leicester in the Netherlands were enchanted with + the sudden change in the Queen's humour; and to Lord Burghley, who was + not, in reality, the most stanch of the absent Earl's defenders, they + poured themselves out in profuse and somewhat superfluous gratitude. + </p> + <p> + Cavendish, in strains exultant, was sure that Burghley's children, + grand-children, and remotest posterity, would rejoice that their great + ancestor, in such a time of need had been "found and felt to be indeed a + 'pater patria,' a good-father to a happy land." And, although unwilling to + "stir up the old Adam" in his Lordship's soul, he yet took the liberty of + comparing the Lord Treasurer, in his old and declining years with Mary + Magdalen; assuring him, that for ever after; when the tale of the + preservation of the Church of God, of her Majesty; and of the Netherland + cause; which were all one, should be told; his name and well-doing would + be held in memory also. + </p> + <p> + And truly there was much of honest and generous enthusiasm, even if + couched in language somewhat startling to the ears of a colder and more + material age; in the hearts of these noble volunteers. They were fighting + the cause of England, of the Netherland republic, and of human liberty; + with a valour worthy the best days of English' chivalry, against manifold + obstacles, and they were certainly; not too often cheered by the beams of + royal favour. + </p> + <p> + It was a pity that a dark cloud was so soon again to sweep over the scene: + For the temper of Elizabeth at this important juncture seemed as + capricious: as the April weather in which the scenes were enacting. We + have seen the genial warmth of her letters and messages to Leicester, to + Heneage,—to the States-General; on the first of the month. + Nevertheless it was hardly three weeks after they had been despatched when + Walsingham and Burghley found, her Majesty one morning a towering passion, + because, the Earl had not already laid down the government. The Lord + Treasurer ventured to remonstrate, but was bid to bold his tongue. Ever + variable and mutable as woman, Elizabeth was perplexing and baffling to + her counsellors, at this epoch, beyond all divination. The "sparing + humour" was increasing fearfully, and she thought it would be easier for + her to slip out of the whole expensive enterprise, provided Leicester were + merely her lieutenant-general, and not stadholder for the Provinces. + Moreover the secret negotiations for peace were producing a deleterious + effect upon her mind. Upon this subject, the Queen and Burghley, + notwithstanding his resemblance to Mary Magdalen, were better informed + than the Secretary, whom, however, it had been impossible wholly to + deceive. The man who could read secrets so far removed as the Vatican, was + not to be blinded to intrigues going on before his face. The Queen, + without revealing more than she could help, had been obliged to admit that + informal transactions were pending, but had authorised the Secretary to + assure the United States that no treaty would be made without their + knowledge and full concurrence. "She doth think," wrote Walsingham to + Leicester, "that you should, if you shall see no cause to the contrary, + acquaint the council of state there that certain overtures of peace are + daily made unto her, but that she meaneth not to proceed therein without + their good liking and privity, being persuaded that there can no peace be + made profitable or sure for her that shall not also stand with their + safety; and she doth acknowledge hers to be so linked with theirs as + nothing can fall out to their prejudice, but she must be partaker of their + harm." + </p> + <p> + This communication was dated on the 21st April, exactly three weeks after + the Queen's letter to Heneage, in which she had spoken of the "malicious + bruits" concerning the pretended peace-negotiations; and the Secretary was + now confirming, by her order, what she had then stated under her own hand, + that she would "do nothing that might concern them without their own + knowledge and good liking." + </p> + <p> + And surely nothing could be more reasonable. Even if the strict letter of + the August treaty between the Queen and the States did not provide against + any separate negotiations by the one party without the knowledge of the + other, there could be no doubt at all that its spirit absolutely forbade + the clandestine conclusion of a peace with Spain by England alone, or by + the Netherlands alone, and that such an arrangement would be disingenuous, + if not positively dishonourable. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless it would almost seem that Elizabeth had been taking advantage + of the day when she was writing her letter to Heneage on the 1st of April. + Never was painstaking envoy more elaborately trifled with. On the 26th of + the month—and only five days after the communication by Walsingham + just noticed—the Queen was furious that any admission should have + been made to the States of their right to participate with her in + peace-negotiations. + </p> + <p> + "We find that Sir Thomas Heneage," said she to Leicester, "hath gone + further—in assuring the States that we would make no peace without + their privity and assent—than he had commission; for that our + direction was—if our meaning had been well set down, and not + mistaken by our Secretary—that they should have been only let + understand that in any treaty that might pass between us and Spain, they + might be well assured we would have no less care of their safety than of + our own." Secretary Walsingham was not likely to mistake her Majesty's + directions in this or any other important affair of state. Moreover, it so + happened that the Queen had, in her own letter to Heneage, made the same + statement which she now chose to disavow. She had often a convenient way + of making herself misunderstood, when she thought it desirable to shift + responsibility from her own shoulders upon those of others; but upon this + occasion she had been sufficiently explicit. Nevertheless, a scape-goat + was necessary, and unhappy the subordinate who happened to be within her + Majesty's reach when a vicarious sacrifice was to be made. Sir Francis + Walsingham was not a man to be brow-beaten or hood-winked, but Heneage was + doomed to absorb a fearful amount of royal wrath. + </p> + <p> + "What phlegmatical reasons soever were made you," wrote the Queen, who but + three weeks before had been so gentle and affectionate to her, ambassador, + "how happeneth it that you will not remember, that when a man hath faulted + and committed by abettors thereto, neither the one nor the other will + willingly make their own retreat. Jesus! what availeth wit, when it fails + the owner at greatest need? Do that you are bidden, and leave your + considerations for your own affairs. For in some things you had clear + commandment, which you did not, and in others none, and did. We princes be + wary enough of our bargains. Think you I will be bound by your own speech + to make no peace for mine own matters without their consent? It is enough + that I injure not their country nor themselves in making peace for them + without their consent. I am assured of your dutiful thoughts, but I am + utterly at squares with this childish dealing." + </p> + <p> + Blasted by this thunderbolt falling upon his head out of serenest sky, the + sad. Sir. Thomas remained, for a time, in a state of political + annihilation. 'Sweet Robin' meanwhile, though stunned, was unscathed—thanks + to the convenient conductor at his side. For, in Elizabeth's court, + mediocrity was not always golden, nor was it usually the loftiest + mountains that the lightnings smote. The Earl was deceived by his royal + mistress, kept in the dark as to important transactions, left to provide + for his famishing' soldiers as he best might; but the Queen at that + moment, though angry, was not disposed, to trample upon him. Now that his + heart was known to be broken, and his sole object in life to be retirement + to remote regions—India or elsewhere—there to languish out the + brief remainder of his days in prayers for Elizabeth's happiness, + Elizabeth was not inclined very bitterly to upbraid him. She had too + recently been employing herself in binding up his broken heart, and + pouring balm into the "scorpion's sting," to be willing so soon to deprive + him of those alleviations. + </p> + <p> + Her tone—was however no longer benignant, and her directions were + extremely peremptory. On the 1st of April she had congratulated Leicester, + Heneage, the States, and all the world, that her secret commands had been + staid, and that the ruin which would have followed, had, those decrees + been executed according to her first violent wish, was fortunately + averted. Heneage was even censured, not by herself, but by courtiers in + her confidence, and with her concurrence, for being over hasty in going + before the state-council, as he had done, with her messages and commands. + On the 26th of April she expressed astonishment that Heneage had dared to + be so dilatory, and that the title of governor had not been laid down by + Leicester "out of hand." She marvelled greatly, and found it very strange + that "ministers in matters of moment should presume to do things of their + own head without direction." She accordingly gave orders that there should + be no more dallying, but that the Earl should immediately hold a + conference with the state-council in order to arrange a modification in + his commission. It was her pleasure that he should retain all the + authority granted to him by the States, but as already intimated by her, + that he should abandon the title of "absolute governor," and retain only + that of her lieutenant-general. + </p> + <p> + Was it strange that Heneage, placed in so responsible a situation, and + with the fate of England, of Holland, and perhaps of all Christendom, + hanging in great measure upon this delicate negotiation, should be amazed + at such contradictory orders, and grieved by such inconsistent censures? + </p> + <p> + "To tell you my griefs and my lacks," said he to Walsingham, "would little + please you or help me. Therefore I will say nothing, but think there was + never man in so great a service received so little comfort and so + contrarious directions. But 'Dominus est adjutor in tribulationibus.' If + it be possible, let me receive some certain direction, in following which + I shall not offend her Majesty, what good or hurt soever I do besides." + </p> + <p> + This certainly seemed a loyal and reasonable request, yet it was not one + likely to be granted. Sir Thomas, perplexed, puzzled, blindfolded, and + brow-beaten, always endeavoring to obey orders, when he could comprehend + them, and always hectored and lectured whether he obeyed them or not—ruined + in purse by the expenses, of a mission on which he had been sent without + adequate salary—appalled at the disaffection waging more formidable + every hour in Provinces which were recently so loyal to her Majesty, but + which were now pervaded by a suspicion that there was double-dealing upon + her part became quite sick of his life. He fell seriously ill, and was + disappointed, when, after a time, the physicians declared him + convalescent. For when when he rose from his sick-bed, it was only to + plunge once more, without a clue, into the labyrinth where he seemed to be + losing his reason. "It is not long," said he to Walsingham, "since I + looked to have written you no more letters, my extremity was so great. . . + But God's will is best, otherwise I could have liked better to have + cumbered the earth no longer, where I find myself contemned, and which I + find no reason to see will be the better in the wearing . . . It were + better for her Majesty's service that the directions which come were not + contrarious one to another, and that those you would have serve might know + what is meant, else they cannot but much deceive you, as well as displease + you." + </p> + <p> + Public opinion concerning the political morality of the English court was + not gratifying, nor was it rendered more favourable by these recent + transactions. "I fear," said Heneage, "that the world will judge what + Champagny wrote in one of his letters out of England (which I have lately + seen) to be over true. His words be these, 'Et de vray, c'est le plus + fascheux et le plus incertain negocier de ceste court, que je pense soit + au monde.'" And so "basting," as he said, "with a weak body and a willing + mind; to do, he feared, no good work," he set forth from Middelburgh to + rejoin Leicester at Arnheim, in order to obey, as well as he could, the + Queen's latest directions. + </p> + <p> + But before he could set to work there came more "contrarious" orders. The + last instructions, both to Leicester and himself, were that the Earl + should resign the post of governor absolute "out of hand," and the Queen + had been vehement in denouncing any delay on such an occasion. He was now + informed, that, after consulting with Leicester and with the + state-council, he was to return to England with the result of such + deliberations. It could afterwards be decided how the Earl could retain + all the authority of governor absolute, while bearing only the title of + the Queen's lieutenant general. "For her meaning is not," said Walsingham, + "that his Lord ship should presently give it over, for she foreseeth in + her princely judgment that his giving over the government upon a sudden, + and leaving those countries without a head or director, cannot but breed a + most dangerous alteration there." The secretary therefore stated the royal + wish at present to be that the "renunciation of the title" should be + delayed till Heneage could visit England, and subsequently return to + Holland with her Majesty's further directions. Even the astute Walsingham + was himself puzzled, however, while conveying these ambiguous orders; and + he confessed that he was doubtful whether he had rightly comprehended the + Queen's intentions. Burghley, however, was better at guessing riddles than + he was, and so Heneage was advised to rely chiefly upon Burghley. + </p> + <p> + But Heneage had now ceased to be interested in any enigmas that might be + propounded by the English court, nor could he find comfort, as Walsingham + had recommended he should do, in railing. "I wish I could follow your + counsel," he said, "but sure the uttering of my choler doth little ease my + grief or help my case." + </p> + <p> + He rebuked, however, the inconsistency and the tergiversations of the + government with a good deal of dignity. "This certainly shall I tell her + Majesty," he said, "if I live to see her, that except a more constant + course be taken with this inconstant people, it is not the blaming of her + ministers will advance her Highness's service, or better the state of + things. And shall I tell you what they now say here of us—I fear not + without some cause—even as Lipsius wrote of the French, 'De Gallis + quidem enigmata veniunt, non veniunt, volunt, holunt, audent, timent, + omnia, ancipiti metu, suspensa et suspecta.' God grant better, and ever + keep you and help me." + </p> + <p> + He announced to Burghley that he was about to attend a meeting of the + state-council the next day, for the purpose of a conference on these + matters at Arnheim, and that he would then set forth for England to report + proceedings to her Majesty. He supposed, on the whole, that this was what + was expected of him, but acknowledged it hopeless to fathom the royal + intentions. Yet if he went wrong, he was always, sure to make mischief, + and though innocent, to be held accountable for others' mistakes. "Every + prick I make," said he, "is made a gash; and to follow the words of my + directions from England is not enough, except I likewise see into your + minds. And surely mine eyesight is not so good. But I will pray to God for + his help herein. With all the wit I have, I will use all the care I can—first, + to satisfy her Majesty, as God knoweth I have ever most desired; then, not + to hurt this cause, but that I despair of." Leicester, as maybe supposed, + had been much discomfited and perplexed during the course of these + contradictory and perverse directions. There is no doubt whatever that his + position bad been made discreditable and almost ridiculous, while he was + really doing his best, and spending large sums out of his private fortune + to advance the true interests of the Queen. He had become a suspected man + in the Netherlands, having been, in the beginning of the year, almost + adored as a Messiah. He had submitted to the humiliation which had been + imposed upon him, of being himself the medium to convey to the council the + severe expressions of the Queen's displeasure at the joint action of the + States-General and himself. He had been comforted by the affectionate + expressions with which that explosion of feminine and royal wrath had been + succeeded. He was now again distressed by the peremptory command to do + what was a disgrace to him, and an irreparable detriment to the cause, yet + he was humble and submissive, and only begged to be allowed, as a remedy + for all his anguish, to return to the sunlight of Elizabeth's presence. He + felt that her course; if persisted in, would lead to the destruction of + the Netherland commonwealth, and eventually to the downfall of England; + and that the Provinces, believing themselves deceived by the Queen; were + ready to revolt against an authority to which, but a short time before, + they were so devotedly loyal Nevertheless, he only wished to know what his + sovereign's commands distinctly were, in order to set himself to their + fulfilment. He had come from the camp before Nymegen in order to attend + the conference with the state-council at Arnheim, and he would then be + ready and anxious to, despatch Heneage to England, to learn her Majesty's + final determination. + </p> + <p> + He protested to the Queen that he had come upon this arduous and perilous + service only, because he, considered her throne in danger, and that this + was the only means of preserving it; that, in accepting the absolute + government, he had been free from all ambitious motives, but deeply + impressed with the idea that only by so doing could he conduct the + enterprise entrusted to him to the desired consummation; and he declared + with great fervour that no advancement to high office could compensate him + for this enforced absence from her. To be sent back even in disgrace would + still be a boon to him, for he should cease to be an exile from her sight. + He knew that his enemies had been busy in defaming him, while he had been + no longer there to defend himself, but his conscience acquitted him of any + thought which was not for her happiness and glory. "Yet grievous it is to + me," said he in, a tone of tender reproach, "that having left all—yea, + all that may be imagined—for you, you have left me for very little, + even to the uttermost of all hard fortune. For what have I, unhappy man, + to do here either with cause or country but for you?" + </p> + <p> + He stated boldly that his services had not been ineffective, that the + enemy had never been in worse plight than now, that he had lost at least + five thousand men in divers overthrows, and that, on the other hand, the + people and towns of the Seven Provinces had been safely preserved. "Since + my arrival," he said, "God hath blessed the action which you have taken in + hand, and committed to the charge of me your poor unhappy servant. I have + good cause to say somewhat for myself, for that I think I have as few + friends to speak for me as any man." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless—as he warmly protested—his only wish was to + return; for the country in which he had lost her favour, which was more + precious than life, had become odious to him. + </p> + <p> + The most lowly office in her presence was more to be coveted than the + possession of unlimited power away from her. It was by these tender and + soft insinuations, as the Earl knew full well, that he was sure to obtain + what he really coveted—her sanction for retaining the absolute + government in the Provinces. And most artfully did he strike the key. + </p> + <p> + "Most dear and gracious Lady," he cried, "my care and service here do + breed me nothing but grief and unhappiness. I have never had your + Majesty's good favour since I came into this charge—a matter that + from my first beholding your eyes hath been most dear unto me above all + earthly treasures. Never shall I love that place or like that soil which + shall cause the lack of it. Most gracious Lady, consider my long, true, + and faithful heart toward you. Let not this unfortunate place here bereave + me of that which, above all the world, I esteem there, which is your favor + and your presence. I see my service is not acceptable, but rather more and + more disliketh you. Here I can do your Majesty no service; there I can do + you some, at the least rub your horse's heels—a service which shall + be much more welcome to me than this, with all that these men may give me. + I do, humbly and from my heart, prostrate at your feet, beg this grace at + your sacred hands, that you will be pleased to let me return to my + home-service, with your favour, let the revocation be used in what sort + shall please and like you. But if ever spark of favour was in your Majesty + toward your old servant, let me obtain this my humble suit; protesting + before the Majesty of all Majesties, that there was no cause under Heaven + but his and yours, even for your own special and particular cause, I say, + could have made me take this absent journey from you in hand. If your + Majesty shall refuse me this, I shall think all grace clean gone from me, + and I know: my days will not be long." + </p> + <p> + She must melt at this, thought 'sweet Robin' to himself; and meantime + accompanied by Heneage; he proceeded with the conferences in the + state-council-chamber touching the modification of the title and the + confirmation of his authority. This, so far as Walsingham could divine, + and Burghley fathom, was the present intention of the Queen. He averred + that he had ever sought most painfully to conform his conduct to her + instructions as fast as they were received, and that he should continue so + to do. On the whole it was decided by the conference to let matters stand + as, they were for a little longer, and until: after Heneage should have + time once more to go and come. "The same manner of proceeding that was is + now," said Leicester, "Your pleasure is declared to the council here as + you have willed it. How it will fall out again in your Majesty's + construction, the Lord knoweth." + </p> + <p> + Leicester might be forgiven for referring to higher powers, for any + possible interpretation of her Majesty's changing humour; but meantime; + while Sir. Thomas was getting ready, for his expedition to England, the + Earl's heart was somewhat gladdened by more gracious messages from the + Queen. The alternation of emotions would however prove too much for him, + he feared, and he was reluctant to open his heart to so unwonted a tenant + as joy. + </p> + <p> + "But that my fear is such, most dear and gracious Lady," he said, "as my + unfortunate destiny will hardly permit; whilst I remain here; any + good-acceptation of so simple a service as, mine, I should, greatly + rejoice and comfort myself with the hope of your Majesty's most prayed-for + favour. But of late, being by your own sacred hand lifted even up into + Heaven with joy of your favour, I was bye and bye without any new desert + or offence at all, cast down and down: again into the depth of all grief. + God doth know, my dear and dread Sovereign, that after I first received + your resolute pleasure by Sir Thomas Heneage, I made neither stop nor stay + nor any excuse to be rid of this place, and to satisfy your command. . . . + So much I mislike this place and fortune of mine; as I desire nothing in + the world so much, as to be delivered, with your favours from all charge + here, fearing still some new cross of your displeasure to fall upon me, + trembling continually with the fear thereof, in such sort as till I may be + fully confirmed in my new regeneration of your wonted favour I cannot + receive that true comfort which doth appertain to so great a hope. Yet I + will not only acknowledge with all humbleness and dutiful thanks the + exceeding joy these last blessed lines brought to my long-wearied heart, + but will, with all true loyal affection, attend that further joy from your + sweet self which may utterly, extinguish all consuming fear away." + </p> + <p> + Poor Heneage—who likewise received a kind word or two after having + been so capriciously and petulantly dealt with was less extravagant in his + expressions of gratitude. "The Queen hath sent me a paper-plaister which + must please for a time," he said. "God Almighty bless her Majesty ever, + and best direct her." He was on the point of starting for England, the + bearer of the States' urgent entreaties that Leicester might retain the + government, and of despatches; announcing the recent success of the allies + before Grave. "God prospereth the action in these countries beyond all + expectation," he said, "which all amongst you will not be over glad of, + for somewhat I know." The intrigues of Grafigni, Champagny, and Bodman, + with Croft, Burghley, and the others were not so profound a secret as they + could wish. + </p> + <p> + The tone adopted by Leicester has been made manifest in his letters to the + Queen. He had held the same language of weariness and dissatisfaction in + his communications to his friends. He would not keep the office, he + avowed, if they should give him "all Holland and Zeeland, with all their + appurtenances," and he was ready to resign at any moment. He was not + "ceremonious for reputation," he said, but he gave warning that the + Netherlanders would grow desperate if they found her Majesty dealing + weakly or carelessly with them. As for himself he had already had enough + of government. "I am weary, Mr. Secretary," he plaintively exclaimed, + "indeed I am weary; but neither of pains nor travail. My ill hap that I + can please her Majesty no better hath quite discouraged me." + </p> + <p> + He had recently, however—as we have seen—received some + comfort, and he was still further encouraged, upon the eve of Heneage's + departure, by receiving another affectionate epistle from the Queen. + Amends seemed at last to be offered for her long and angry silence, and + the Earl was deeply grateful. + </p> + <p> + "If it hath not been, my most dear and gracious Lady," said he in reply, + "no small comfort to your poor old servant to receive but one line of your + blessed hand-writing in many months, for the relief of a most grieved, + wounded heart, how far more exceeding joy must it be, in the midst of all + sorrow, to receive from the same sacred hand so many comfortable lines as + my good friend Mr. George hath at once brought me. Pardon me, my sweet + Lady, if they cause me to forget myself. Only this I do say, with most + humble dutiful thanks, that the scope of all my service hath ever been to + content and please you; and if I may do that, then is all sacrifice, + either of life or whatsoever, well offered for you." + </p> + <p> + The matter of the government absolute having been so fully discussed + during the preceding four months, and the last opinions of the + state-council having been so lucidly expounded in the despatches to be + carried by Heneage to England, the matter might be considered as + exhausted. Leicester contented himself, therefore, with once more calling + her Majesty's attention to the fact that if he had not himself accepted + the office thus conferred upon him by the States, it would have been + bestowed upon some other personage. It would hardly have comported with + her dignity, if Count Maurice of Nassau, or Count William, or Count + Moeurs, had been appointed governor absolute, for in that case the Earl, + as general of the auxiliary English force, would have been subject to the + authority of the chieftain thus selected. It was impossible, as the + state-council had very plainly shown, for Leicester to exercise supreme + authority, while merely holding the military office of her Majesty's + lieutenant-general. The authority of governor or stadholder could only be + derived from the supreme power of the country. If her Majesty had chosen + to accept the sovereignty, as the States had ever desired, the requisite + authority could then have been derived from her, as from the original + fountain. As she had resolutely refused that offer however, his authority + was necessarily to be drawn from the States-General, or else the Queen + must content herself with seeing him serve as an English military officer, + only subject to the orders of the supreme power, wherever that power might + reside. In short, Elizabeth's wish that her general might be clothed with + the privileges of her viceroy, while she declined herself to be the + sovereign, was illogical, and could not be complied with. + </p> + <p> + Very soon after inditing these last epistles to the Provinces, the Queen + became more reasonable on the subject; and an elaborate communication was + soon received by the state-council, in which the royal acquiescence was + signified to the latest propositions of the States. The various topics, + suggested in previous despatches from Leicester and from the council, were + reviewed, and the whole subject was suddenly placed in a somewhat + different light from that in which it seemed to have been previously + regarded by her Majesty. She alluded to the excuse, offered by the + state-council, which had been drawn from the necessity of the case, and + from their "great liking for her cousin of Leicester," although in + violation of the original contract. "As you acknowledge, however," she + said, "that therein you were justly to be blamed, and do crave pardon for + the same, we cannot, upon this acknowledgment of your fault, but remove + our former dislike." + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless it would now seem that her "mistake" had proceeded, not from + the excess, but from the insufficiency of the powers conferred upon the + Earl, and she complained, accordingly, that they had given him shadow + rather than substance. + </p> + <p> + Simultaneously with this royal communication, came a joint letter to + Leicester, from Burghley, Walsingham; and Hatton, depicting the long and + strenuous conflict which they had maintained in his behalf with the + rapidly varying inclinations of the Queen. They expressed a warm sympathy + with the difficulties of his position, and spoke in strong terms of the + necessity that the Netherlands and England should work heartily together. + For otherwise, they said, "the cause will fall, the enemy will rise, and + we must stagger." Notwithstanding the secret negotiations with the enemy, + which Leicester and Walsingham suspected, and which will be more fully + examined in a subsequent chapter, they held a language on that subject, + which in the Secretary's mouth at least was sincere. "Whatsoever speeches + be blown abroad of parleys of peace," they said, "all will be but smoke, + yea fire will follow." + </p> + <p> + They excused themselves for their previous and enforced silence by the + fact that they had been unable to communicate any tidings but messages of + distress, but they now congratulated the Earl that her Majesty, as he + would see by her letter to the council, was firmly resolved, not only to + countenance his governorship, but to sustain him in the most thorough + manner. It would be therefore quite out of the question for them to listen + to his earnest propositions to be recalled. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, the Lord Treasurer had already apprized Leicester that Heneage + had safely arrived in England, that he, had made his report to the Queen, + and that her Majesty was "very well contented with him and his mission." + It may be easily believed that the Earl would feel a sensation of relief, + if not of triumph, at this termination to the embarrassments under which + he had been labouring ever since, he listened to the oration of the wise + Leoninus upon New Years' Day. At last the Queen had formally acquiesced in + the action of the States, and in his acceptance of their offer. He now saw + himself undisputed "governor absolute," having been six months long a + suspected, discredited, almost disgraced man. It was natural that he + should express himself cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + "My great comfort received, oh my most gracious Lady," he said, "by your + most favourable lines written by your own sacred hand, I did most humbly + acknowledge by my former letter; albeit I can no way make testimony of + enough of the great joy I took thereby. And seeing my wounded heart is by + this means almost made whole, I do pray unto God that either I may never + feel the like again from you, or not be suffered to live, rather than I + should fall again into those torments of your displeasure. Most gracious + Queen, I beseech you, therefore, make perfect that which you have begun. + Let not the common danger, nor any ill, incident to the place I serve you + in, be accompanied with greater troubles and fears indeed than all the + horrors of death can bring me. My strong hope doth now so assure me, as I + have almost won the battle against despair, and I do arm myself with as + many of those wonted comfortable conceits as may confirm my new revived + spirits, reposing myself evermore under the shadow of those blessed beams + that must yield the only nourishment to this disease." + </p> + <p> + But however nourishing the shade of those blessed beams might prove to + Leicester's disease, it was not so easy to bring about a very sunny + condition in the Provinces. It was easier for Elizabeth to mend the broken + heart of the governor than to repair the damage which had been caused to + the commonwealth by her caprice and her deceit. The dispute concerning the + government absolute had died away, but the authority of the Earl had got a + "crack in it" which never could be handsomely made whole. The States, + during the long period of Leicester's discredit—feeling more and + more doubtful as to the secret intentions of Elizabeth—disappointed + in the condition of the auxiliary troops and in the amount of supplies + furnished from England, and, above all, having had time to regret their + delegation of a power which they began to find agreeable to exercise with + their own hands, became indisposed to entrust the Earl with the + administration and full inspection of their resources. To the enthusiasm + which had greeted the first arrival of Elizabeth's representative had + succeeded a jealous, carping, suspicious sentiment. The two hundred + thousand florins monthly were paid, according to the original agreement, + but the four hundred thousand of extra service-money subsequently voted + were withheld, and withheld expressly on account of Heneage's original + mission to disgrace the governor. + </p> + <p> + "The late return of Sir Thomas Heneage," said Lord North, "hath put such + busses in their heads, as they march forward with leaden heels and + doubtful hearts." + </p> + <p> + In truth, through the discredit cast by the Queen upon the Earl in this + important affair, the supreme authority was forced back into the hands of + the States, at the very moment when they had most freely divested + themselves of power. After the Queen had become more reasonable, it was + too late to induce them to part, a second time, so freely with the + immediate control of their own affairs. Leicester had become, to a certain + extent, disgraced and disliked by the Estates. He thought himself, by the + necessity of the case, forced to appeal to the people against their legal + representatives, and thus the foundation of a nominally democratic party, + in opposition to the municipal one, was already laid. Nothing could be + more unfortunate at that juncture; for we shall, in future, find the Earl + in perpetual opposition to the most distinguished statesmen in the + Provinces; to the very men indeed who had been most influential in + offering the sovereignty to England, and in placing him in the position + which he had so much coveted. No sooner therefore had he been confirmed by + Elizabeth in that high office than his arrogance broke forth, and the + quarrels between himself and the representative body became incessant. + </p> + <p> + "I stand now in somewhat better terms than I did," said he; "I was not in + case till of late to deal roundly with them as I have now done. I have + established a chamber of finances, against some of their wills, whereby I + doubt not to procure great benefit to increase our ability for payments + hereafter. The people I find still best devoted to her Majesty, though of + late many lewd practices have been used to withdraw their good wills. But + it will not be; they still pray God that her Majesty may be their + sovereign. She should then see what a contribution they will all bring + forth. But to the States they will never return, which will breed some + great mischief, there is such mislike of the States universally. I would + your Lordship had seen the case I had lived in among them these four + months, especially after her Majesty's mislike was found. You would then + marvel to see how I have waded, as I have done, through no small + obstacles, without help, counsel, or assistance." + </p> + <p> + Thus the part which he felt at last called upon to enact was that of an + aristocratic demagogue, in perpetual conflict with the + burgher-representative body. + </p> + <p> + It is now necessary to lift a corner of the curtain, by which some + international—or rather interpalatial—intrigues were + concealed, as much as possible, even from the piercing eyes of Walsingham. + The Secretary was, however, quite aware—despite the pains taken to + deceive him—of the nature of the plots and of the somewhat ignoble + character of the actors concerned in them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + A hard bargain when both parties are losers + Condemned first and inquired upon after + Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping + Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency + Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. 1586 + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Forlorn Condition of Flanders—Parma's secret Negotiations with the + Queen—Grafigni and Bodman—Their Dealings with English Counsellors + —Duplicity of Farnese—Secret Offers of the English Peace-Party— + Letters and Intrigues of De Loo—Drake's Victories and their Effect + —Parma's Perplexity and Anxiety—He is relieved by the News from + England—Queen's secret Letters to Parma—His Letters and + Instructions to Bodman—Bodman's secret Transactions at Greenwich— + Walsingham detects and exposes the Plot—The Intriguers baffled— + Queen's Letter to Parma and his to the King—Unlucky Results of the + Peace—Intrigues—Unhandsome Treatment of Leicester—Indignation of + the Earl and Walsingham—Secret Letter of Parma to Philip—Invasion + of England recommended—Details of the Project. +</pre> + <p> + Alexander Farnese and his heroic little army had been left by their + sovereign in as destitute a condition as that in which Lord Leicester and + his unfortunate "paddy persons" had found themselves since their arrival + in the Netherlands. These mortal men were but the weapons to be used and + broken in the hands of the two great sovereigns, already pitted against + each other in mortal combat. That the distant invisible potentate, the + work of whose life was to do his best to destroy all European nationality, + all civil and religious freedom, should be careless of the instruments by + which his purpose was to be effected, was but natural. It is painful to + reflect that the great champion of liberty and of Protestantism was almost + equally indifferent to the welfare of the human creatures enlisted in her + cause. Spaniards and Italians, English and Irish, went half naked and half + starving through the whole inclement winter, and perished of pestilence in + droves, after confronting the less formidable dangers of battlefield and + leaguer. Manfully and sympathetically did the Earl of Leicester—while + whining in absurd hyperbole over the angry demeanour of his sovereign + towards himself-represent the imperative duty of an English government to + succour English troops. + </p> + <p> + Alexander Farnese was equally plain-spoken to a sovereign with whom + plain-speaking was a crime. In bold, almost scornful language, the Prince + represented to Philip the sufferings and destitution of the little band of + heroes, by whom that magnificent military enterprise, the conquest of + Antwerp, had just been effected. "God will be weary of working miracles + for us," he cried, "and nothing but miracles can save the troops from + starving." There was no question of paying them their wages, there was no + pretence at keeping them reasonably provided with lodging and clothing, + but he asserted the undeniable proposition that they "could not pass their + lives without eating," and he implored his sovereign to send at least + money enough to buy the soldiers shoes. To go foodless and barefoot + without complaining, on the frozen swamps of Flanders, in January, was + more than was to be expected from Spaniards and Italians. The country + itself was eaten bare. The obedient Provinces had reaped absolute ruin as + the reward of their obedience. Bruges, Ghent, and the other cities of + Brabant and Flanders, once so opulent and powerful, had become mere dens + of thieves and paupers. Agriculture, commerce, manufactures—all were + dead. The condition of Antwerp was most tragical. The city, which had been + so recently the commercial centre of the earth, was reduced to absolute + beggary. Its world-wide traffic was abruptly terminated, for the mouth of + its great river was controlled by Flushing, and Flushing was in the firm + grasp of Sir Philip Sidney, as governor for the English Queen. Merchants + and bankers, who had lately been possessed of enormous resources, were + stripped of all. Such of the industrial classes as could leave the place + had wandered away to Holland and England. There was no industry possible, + for there was no market for the products of industry. Antwerp was hemmed + in by the enemy on every side, surrounded by royal troops in a condition + of open mutiny, cut off from the ocean, deprived of daily bread, and yet + obliged to contribute out of its poverty to the maintenance of the Spanish + soldiers, who were there for its destruction. Its burghers, compelled to + furnish four hundred thousand florins, as the price of their capitulation, + and at least six hundred thousand more for the repairs of the dykes, the + destruction of which, too long deferred, had only spread desolation over + the country without saving the city, and over and above all forced to + rebuild, at their own expense, that fatal citadel, by which their liberty + and lives were to be perpetually endangered, might now regret at leisure + that they had not been as stedfast during their siege as had been the + heroic inhabitants of Leyden in their time of trial, twelve years before. + Obedient Antwerp was, in truth, most forlorn. But there was one + consolation for her and for Philip, one bright spot in the else universal + gloom. The ecclesiastics assured Parma, that, notwithstanding the + frightful diminution in the population of the city, they had confessed and + absolved more persons that Easter than they had ever done since the + commencement of the revolt. Great was Philip's joy in consequence. "You + cannot imagine my satisfaction," he wrote, "at the news you give me + concerning last Easter." + </p> + <p> + With a ruined country, starving and mutinous troops, a bankrupt exchequer, + and a desperate and pauper population, Alexander Farnese was not unwilling + to gain time by simulated negotiations for peace. It was strange, however, + that so sagacious a monarch as the Queen of England should suppose it for + her interest to grant at that moment the very delay which was deemed most + desirable by her antagonist. + </p> + <p> + Yet it was not wounded affection alone, nor insulted pride, nor startled + parsimony, that had carried the fury of the Queen to such a height on the + occasion of Leicester's elevation to absolute government. It was still + more, because the step was thought likely to interfere with the progress + of those negotiations into which the Queen had allowed herself to be + drawn. + </p> + <p> + A certain Grafigni—a Genoese merchant residing much in London and in + Antwerp, a meddling, intrusive, and irresponsible kind of individual, + whose occupation was gone with the cessation of Flemish trade—had + recently made his appearance as a volunteer diplomatist. The principal + reason for accepting or rather for winking at his services, seemed to be + the possibility of disavowing him, on both sides, whenever it should be + thought advisable. He had a partner or colleague, too, named Bodman, who + seemed a not much more creditable negotiator than himself. The chief + director of the intrigue was, however, Champagny, brother of Cardinal + Granvelle, restored to the King's favour and disposed to atone by his + exuberant loyalty for his heroic patriotism on a former and most memorable + occasion. Andrea de Loo, another subordinate politician, was likewise + employed at various stages of the negotiation. + </p> + <p> + It will soon be perceived that the part enacted by Burghley, Hatton, + Croft, and other counsellors, and even by the Queen herself, was not a + model of ingenuousness towards the absent Leicester and the + States-General. The gentlemen sent at various times to and from the Earl + and her Majesty's government; Davison, Shirley, Vavasor, Heneage, and the + rest—had all expressed themselves in the strongest language + concerning the good faith and the friendliness of the Lord-Treasurer and + the Vice-Chamberlain, but they were not so well informed as they would + have been, had they seen the private letters of Parma to Philip II. + </p> + <p> + Walsingham, although kept in the dark as much as it was possible, + discovered from time to time the mysterious practices of his political + antagonists, and warned the Queen of the danger and dishonour she was + bringing upon herself. Elizabeth, when thus boldly charged, equivocated + and stormed alternately. She authorized Walsingham to communicate the + secrets—which he had thus surprised—to the States-General, and + then denied having given any such orders. + </p> + <p> + In truth, Walsingham was only entrusted with such portions of the + negotiations as he had been able, by his own astuteness, to divine; and as + he was very much a friend to the Provinces and to Leicester, he never + failed to keep them instructed, to the best of his ability. It must be + confessed, however, that the shuffling and paltering among great men and + little men, at that period, forms a somewhat painful subject of + contemplation at the present day. + </p> + <p> + Grafigni having some merchandise to convey from Antwerp to London, went + early in the year to the Prince of Parma, at Brussels, in order to procure + a passport. They entered into some conversation upon the misery of the + country, and particularly concerning the troubles to which the unfortunate + merchants had been exposed. Alexander expressed much sympathy with the + commercial community, and a strong desire that the ancient friendship + between his master and the Queen of England might be restored. Grafigni + assured the Prince—as the result of his own observation in England—that + the Queen participated in those pacific sentiments: "You are going to + England," replied the Prince, "and you may say to the ministers of her + Majesty, that, after my allegiance to my King, I am most favourably and + affectionately inclined towards her. If it pleases them that I, as + Alexander Farnese, should attempt to bring about an accord, and if our + commissioners could be assured of a hearing in England, I would take care + that everything should be conducted with due regard to the honour and + reputation of her Majesty." + </p> + <p> + Grafigni then asked for a written letter of credence. "That cannot be," + replied Alexander; "but if you return to me I shall believe your report, + and then a proper person can be sent, with authority from the King to + treat with her Majesty." + </p> + <p> + Grafigni proceeded to England, and had an interview with Lord Cobham. A + few days later that nobleman gave the merchant a general assurance that + the Queen had always felt a strong inclination to maintain firm friendship + with the House of Burgundy. Nevertheless, as he proceeded to state, the + bad policy of the King's ministers, and the enterprises against her + Majesty, had compelled her to provide for her own security and that of her + realm by remedies differing in spirit from that good inclination. Being + however a Christian princess, willing to leave vengeance to the Lord and + disposed to avoid bloodshed, she was ready to lend her ear to a + negotiation for peace, if it were likely to be a sincere and secure one. + Especially she was pleased that his Highness of Parma should act as + mediator of such a treaty, as she considered him a most just and + honourable prince in all his promises and actions. Her Majesty would + accordingly hold herself in readiness to receive the honourable + commissioners alluded to, feeling sure that every step taken by his + Highness would comport with her honour and safety. + </p> + <p> + At about the same time the other partner in this diplomatic enterprise, + William Bodman, communicated to Alexander, the result of his observations + in England. He stated that Lords Burghley, Buckhurst, and Cobham, Sir + Christopher Hatton, and Comptroller Croft, were secretly desirous of peace + with Spain and that they had seized the recent opportunity of her pique + against the Earl of Leicester to urge forward these underhand + negotiations. Some progress had been made; but as no accredited + commissioner arrived from the Prince of Parma, and as Leicester was + continually writing earnest letters against peace, the efforts of these + counsellors had slackened. Bodman found them all, on his arrival, anxious + as he said, "to get their necks out of the matter;" declaring everything + which had been done to be pure matter of accident, entirely without the + concurrence of the Queen, and each seeking to outrival the other in the + good graces of her Majesty. Grafigni informed Bodman, however, that Lord + Cobham was quite to be depended upon in the affair, and would deal with + him privately, while Lord Burghley would correspond with Andrea de Loo at + Antwerp. Moreover, the servant of Comptroller Croft would direct Bodman as + to his course, and would give him daily instructions. + </p> + <p> + Now it so happened that this servant of Croft, Norris by name, was a + Papist, a man of bad character, and formerly a spy of the Duke of Anjou. + "If your Lordship or myself should use such instruments as this," wrote + Walsingham to Leicester, "I know we should bear no small reproach; but it + is the good hap of hollow and doubtful men to be best thought of." Bodman + thought the lords of the peace-faction and their adherents not + sufficiently strong to oppose the other party with success. He assured + Farnese that almost all the gentlemen and the common people of England + stood ready to risk their fortunes and to go in person to the field to + maintain the cause of the Queen and religious liberty; and that the chance + of peace was desperate unless something should turn the tide, such as, for + example, the defeat of Drake, or an invasion by Philip of Ireland or + Scotland. + </p> + <p> + As it so happened that Drake was just then engaged in a magnificent career + of victory, sweeping the Spanish Main and startling the nearest and the + most remote possessions of the King with English prowess, his defeat was + not one of the cards to be relied on by the peace-party in the somewhat + deceptive game which they had commenced. Yet, strange to say, they used, + or attempted to use, those splendid triumphs as if they had been + disasters. + </p> + <p> + Meantime there was an active but very secret correspondence between Lord + Cobham, Lord Burghley, Sir James Croft, and various subordinate personages + in England, on the one side, and Champagny, President Richardot, La Motte, + governor of Gravelines, Andrea de Loo, Grafigni, and other men in the + obedient Provinces, more or less in Alexander's confidence, on the other + side. Each party was desirous of forcing or wheedling the antagonist to + show his hand. "You were employed to take soundings off the English coast + in the Duke of Norfolk's time," said Cobham to La Motte: "you remember the + Duke's fate. Nevertheless, her Majesty hates war, and it only depends on + the King to have a firm and lasting peace." + </p> + <p> + "You must tell Lord Cobham," said Richardot to La Motte, "that you are not + at liberty to go into a correspondence, until assured of the intentions of + Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty ought to speak first, in order to make her + good-will manifest," and so on. + </p> + <p> + "The 'friend' can confer with you," said Richardot to Champagny; "but his + Highness is not to appear to know anything at all about it. The Queen must + signify her intentions." + </p> + <p> + "You answered Champagny correctly," said Burghley to De Loo, "as to what I + said last winter concerning her Majesty's wishes in regard to a + pacification. The Netherlands must be compelled to return to obedience to + the King; but their ancient privileges are to be maintained. You omitted, + however, to say a word about toleration, in the Provinces, of the reformed + religion. But I said then, as I say now, that this is a condition + indispensable to peace." + </p> + <p> + This was a somewhat important omission on the part of De Loo, and gives + the measure of his conscientiousness or his capacity as a negotiator. + Certainly for the Lord-Treasurer of England to offer, on the part of her + Majesty, to bring about the reduction of her allies under the yoke which + they had thrown off without her assistance, and this without leave asked + of them, and with no provision for the great principle of religious + liberty, which was the cause of the revolt, was a most flagitious trifling + with the honour of Elizabeth and of England. Certainly the more this + mysterious correspondence is examined, the more conclusive is the + justification of the vague and instinctive jealousy felt by Leicester and + the States-General as to English diplomacy during the winter and spring of + 1586. + </p> + <p> + Burghley summoned De Loo, accordingly, to recall to his memory all that + had been privately said to him on the necessity of protecting the reformed + religion in the Provinces. If a peace were to be perpetual, toleration was + indispensable, he observed, and her Majesty was said to desire this + condition most earnestly. + </p> + <p> + The Lord-Treasurer also made the not unreasonable suggestion, that, in + case of a pacification, it would be necessary to provide that English + subjects—peaceful traders, mariners, and the like—should no + longer be shut up in the Inquisition prisons of Spain and Portugal, and + there starved to death, as, with great multitudes, had already been the + case. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Alexander, while encouraging and directing all these underhand + measures, was carefully impressing upon his master that he was not, in the + least degree; bound by any such negotiations. "Queen Elizabeth," he + correctly observed to Philip, "is a woman: she is also by no means fond of + expense. The kingdom, accustomed to repose, is already weary of war + therefore, they are all pacifically inclined." "It has been intimated to + me," he said, "that if I would send a properly qualified person, who + should declare that your Majesty had not absolutely forbidden the coming + of Lord Leicester, such an agent would be well received, and perhaps the + Earl would be recalled." Alexander then proceeded, with the coolness + befitting a trusted governor of Philip II., to comment upon the course + which he was pursuing. He could at any time denounce the negotiations + which he was secretly prompting. Meantime immense advantages could be + obtained by the deception practised upon an enemy whose own object was to + deceive. + </p> + <p> + The deliberate treachery of the scheme was cynically enlarged upon, and + its possible results mathematically calculated: + </p> + <p> + Philip was to proceed with the invasion while Alexander was going on with + the negotiation. If, meanwhile, they could receive back Holland and + Zeeland from the hands of England, that would be an immense success. The + Prince intimated a doubt, however, as to so fortunate a result, because, + in dealing with heretics and persons of similar quality, nothing but + trickery was to be expected. The chief good to be hoped for was to "chill + the Queen in her plots, leagues, and alliances," and during the chill, to + carry forward their own great design. To slacken not a whit in their + preparations, to "put the Queen to sleep," and, above all, not to leave + the French for a moment unoccupied with internal dissensions and civil + war; such was the game of the King and the governor, as expounded between + themselves. + </p> + <p> + President Richardot, at the same time, stated to Cardinal Granvelle that + the English desire for peace was considered certain at Brussels. Grafigni + had informed the Prince of Parma and his counsellors that the Queen was + most amicably disposed, and that there would be no trouble on the point of + religion, her Majesty not wishing to obtain more than she would herself be + willing to grant. "In this," said Richardot, "there is both hard and + soft;" for knowing that the Spanish game was deception, pure and simple, + the excellent President could not bring himself to suspect a possible + grain of good faith in the English intentions. Much anxiety was + perpetually felt in the French quarter, her Majesty's government being + supposed to be secretly preparing an invasion of the obedient Netherlands + across the French frontier, in combination, not with the Bearnese, but + with Henry III. So much in the dark were even the most astute politicians. + "I can't feel satisfied in this French matter," said the President: "we + mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh." Moreover, there was no + self-deception nor self-tickling possible as to the unmitigated misery of + the obedient Netherlands. Famine was a more formidable foe than Frenchmen, + Hollanders, and Englishmen combined; so that Richardot avowed that the + "negotiation would be indeed holy," if it would restore Holland and + Zeeland to the King without fighting. The prospect seemed on the whole + rather dismal to loyal Netherlanders like the old leaguing, intriguing, + Hispamolized president of the privy council. "I confess," said he + plaintively, "that England needs chastisement; but I don't see how we are + to give it to her. Only let us secure Holland and Zeeland, and then we + shall always find a stick whenever we like to beat the dog." + </p> + <p> + Meantime Andrea de Loo had been bustling and buzzing about the ears of the + chief counsellors at the English court during all the early spring. Most + busily he had been endeavouring to efface the prevalent suspicion that + Philip and Alexander were only trifling by these informal negotiations. We + have just seen whether or not there was ground for that suspicion. De Loo, + being importunate, however—"as he usually was," according to his own + statement—obtained in Burghley's hand a confirmation, by order of + the Queen, of De Loo's—letter of the 26th December. The matter of + religion gave the worthy merchant much difficulty, and he begged Lord + Buckhurst, the Lord Treasurer, and many other counsellors, not to allow + this point of toleration to ruin the whole affair; "for," said he, "his + Majesty will never permit any exercise of the reformed religion." + </p> + <p> + At last Buckhurst sent for him, and in presence of Comptroller Croft, gave + him information that he had brought the Queen to this conclusion: firstly, + that she would be satisfied with as great a proportion of religious + toleration for Holland, Zeeland, and the other United Provinces, as his + Majesty could concede with safety to his conscience and his honour; + secondly, that she required an act of amnesty; thirdly, that she claimed + reimbursement by Philip for the money advanced by her to the States. + </p> + <p> + Certainly a more wonderful claim was never made than this—a demand + upon an absolute monarch for indemnity for expenses incurred in fomenting + a rebellion of his own subjects. The measure of toleration proposed for + the Provinces—the conscience, namely, of the greatest bigot ever + born into the world—was likely to prove as satisfactory as the claim + for damages propounded by the most parsimonious sovereign in Christendom. + It was, however, stipulated that the nonconformists of Holland and + Zeeland, who should be forced into exile, were to have their property + administered by papist trustees; and further, that the Spanish inquisition + was not to be established in the Netherlands. Philip could hardly demand + better terms than these last, after a career of victory. That they should + be offered now by Elizabeth was hardly compatible with good faith to the + States. + </p> + <p> + On account of Lord Burghley's gout, it was suggested that the negotiators + had better meet in England, as it would be necessary for him to take the + lead in the matters and as he was but an indifferent traveller. Thus, + according to De Loo, the Queen was willing to hand over the United + Provinces to Philip, and to toss religious toleration to the winds, if she + could only get back the seventy thousand pounds—more or less—which + she had invested in an unpromising speculation. A few weeks later, and at + almost the very moment when Elizabeth had so suddenly overturned her last + vial of wrath upon the discomfited Heneage for having communicated—according + to her express command—the fact of the pending negotiations to the + Netherland States; at that very instant Parma was writing secretly, and in + cipher, to Philip. His communication—could Sir Thomas have read it—might + have partly explained her Majesty's rage. + </p> + <p> + Parma had heard, he said, through Bodman, from Comptroller Croft, that the + Queen would willingly receive a proper envoy. It was very easy to see, he + observed, that the English counsellors were seeking every means of + entering into communication with Spain, and that they were doing so with + the participation of the Queen! Lord-Treasurer Burghley and Comptroller + Croft had expressed surprise that the Prince had not yet sent a secret + agent to her Majesty, under pretext of demanding explanations concerning + Lord Leicester's presence in the Provinces, but in reality to treat for + peace. Such an agent, it had been intimated, would be well received. The + Lord-Treasurer and the Comptroller would do all in their power to advance + the negotiation, so that, with their aid and with the pacific inclination + of the Queen, the measures proposed in favour of Leicester would be + suspended, and perhaps the Earl himself and all the English would be + recalled. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was further represented as taking great pains to excuse both the + expedition of Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, and the mission of + Leicester to the Provinces. She was said to throw the whole blame of these + enterprises upon Walsingham and other ill-intentioned personages, and to + avow that she now understood matters better; so that, if Parma would at + once send an envoy, peace would, without question, soon be made. + </p> + <p> + Parma had expressed his gratification at these hopeful dispositions on the + part of Burghley and Croft, and held out hopes of sending an agent to + treat with them, if not directly with her Majesty. For some time past—according + to the Prince—the English government had not seemed to be honestly + seconding the Earl of Leicester, nor to correspond with his desires. "This + makes me think," he said, "that the counsellors before-mentioned, being + his rivals, are trying to trip him up." + </p> + <p> + In such a caballing, prevaricating age, it is difficult to know which of + all the plotters and counterplotters engaged in these intrigues could + accomplish the greatest amount of what—for the sake of diluting in + nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in one—was + then called diplomatic dissimulation. It is to be feared, notwithstanding + her frequent and vociferous denials, that the robes of the "imperial + votaress" were not so unsullied as could be wished. We know how loudly + Leicester had complained—we have seen how clearly Walsingham could + convict; but Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute: for an + absolute sovereign, even without resorting to Philip's syllogisms of axe + and faggot, was apt in the sixteenth century to have the best of an + argument with private individuals. + </p> + <p> + The secret statements of Parma-made, not for public effect, but for the + purpose of furnishing his master with the most accurate information he + could gather as to English policy—are certainly entitled to + consideration. They were doubtless founded upon the statements of + individuals rejoicing in no very elevated character; but those individuals + had no motive to deceive their patron. If they clashed with the vehement + declarations of very eminent personages, it must be admitted, on the other + hand, that they were singularly in accordance with the silent eloquence of + important and mysterious events. + </p> + <p> + As to Alexander Farnese—without deciding the question whether + Elizabeth and Burghley were deceiving Walsingham and Leicester, or only + trying to delude Philip and himself—he had no hesitation, of course, + on his part, in recommending to Philip the employment of unlimited + dissimulation. Nothing could be more ingenuous than the intercourse + between the King and his confidential advisers. It was perfectly + understood among them that they were always to deceive every one, upon + every occasion. Only let them be false, and it was impossible to be wholly + wrong; but grave mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into + sincerity. It was no question at all, therefore, that it was Parma's duty + to delude Elizabeth and Burghley. Alexander's course was plain. He + informed his master that he would keep these difficulties alive as much as + it was possible. In order to "put them all to sleep with regard to the + great enterprise of the invasion," he would send back Bodman to Burghley + and Croft, and thus keep this unofficial negotiation upon its legs. The + King was quite uncommitted, and could always disavow what had been done. + Meanwhile he was gaining, and his adversaries losing, much precious time. + "If by this course," said Parma, "we can induce the English to hand over + to us the places which they hold in Holland and Zeeland, that will be a + great triumph." Accordingly he urged the King not to slacken, in the + least, his preparations for invasion, and, above all, to have a care that + the French were kept entangled and embarrassed among themselves, which was + a most substantial point. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Europe was ringing with the American successes of the bold + corsair Drake. San Domingo, Porto Rico, Santiago, Cartliagena, Florida, + were sacked and destroyed, and the supplies drawn so steadily from the + oppression of the Western World to maintain Spanish tyranny in Europe, + were for a time extinguished. Parma was appalled at these triumphs of the + Sea-King—"a fearful man to the King of Spain"—as Lord Burghley + well observed. The Spanish troops were starving in Flanders, all Flanders + itself was starving, and Philip, as usual, had sent but insignificant + remittances to save his perishing soldiers. Parma had already exhausted + his credit. Money was most difficult to obtain in such a forlorn country; + and now the few rich merchants and bankers of Antwerp that were left + looked very black at these crushing news from America. "They are drawing + their purse-strings very tight," said Alexander, "and will make no + accommodation. The most contemplative of them ponder much over this + success of Drake, and think that your Majesty will forget our matters here + altogether." For this reason he informed the King that it would be + advisable to drop all further negotiation with England for the time, as it + was hardly probable that, with such advantages gained by the Queen, she + would be inclined to proceed in the path which had been just secretly + opened. Moreover, the Prince was in a state of alarm as to the intentions + of France. Mendoza and Tassis had given him to understand that a very good + feeling prevailed between the court of Henry and of Elizabeth, and that + the French were likely to come to a pacification among themselves. In this + the Spanish envoys were hardly anticipating so great an effect as we have + seen that they had the right to do from their own indefatigable exertions; + for, thanks to their zeal, backed by the moderate subsidies furnished by + their master, the civil war in France already seemed likely to be as + enduring as that of the Netherlands. But Parma—still quite in the + dark as to French politics—was haunted by the vision of seventy + thousand foot and six thousand horses ready to be let slip upon him at + any, moment, out of a pacified and harmonious France; while he had nothing + but a few starving and crippled regiments to withstand such an invasion. + When all these events should have taken place, and France, in alliance + with England, should have formally declared war against Spain, Alexander + protested that he should have learned nothing new. + </p> + <p> + The Prince was somewhat mistaken as to political affairs; but his doubts + concerning his neighbours, blended with the forlorn condition of himself + and army, about which there was no doubt at all, showed the exigencies of + his situation. In the midst of such embarrassments it is impossible not to + admire his heroism as a military chieftain, and his singular adroitness as + a diplomatist. He had painted for his sovereign a most faithful and + horrible portrait of the obedient Provinces. The soil was untilled; the + manufactories had all stopped; trade had ceased to exist. It was a pity + only to look upon the raggedness of his soldiers. No language could + describe the misery of the reconciled Provinces—Artois, Hainault, + Flanders. The condition of Bruges would melt the hardest heart; other + cities were no better; Antwerp was utterly ruined; its inhabitants were + all starving. The famine throughout the obedient Netherlands was such as + had not been known for a century. The whole country had been picked bare + by the troops, and the plough was not put into the ground. Deputations + were constantly with him from Bruges, Dendermonde, Bois-le-Duc, Brussels, + Antwerp, Nymegen, proving to him by the most palpable evidence that the + whole population of those cities had almost literally nothing to eat. He + had nothing, however, but exhortations to patience to feed them withal. He + was left without a groat even to save his soldiers from starving, and he + wildly and bitterly, day after day, implored his sovereign for aid. These + pictures are not the sketches of a historian striving for effect, but + literal transcripts from the most secret revelations of the Prince himself + to his sovereign. On the other hand, although Leicester's complaints of + the destitution of the English troops in the republic were almost as + bitter, yet the condition of the United Provinces was comparatively + healthy. Trade, external and internal, was increasing daily. Distant + commercial and military expeditions were fitted out, manufactures were + prosperous, and the war of independence was gradually becoming—strange + to say—a source of prosperity to the new commonwealth. + </p> + <p> + Philip—being now less alarmed than his nephew concerning French + affairs, and not feeling so keenly the misery of the obedient Provinces, + or the wants of the Spanish army—sent to Alexander six hundred + thousand ducats, by way of Genoa. In the letter submitted by his secretary + recording this remittance, the King made, however, a characteristic + marginal note:—"See if it will not be as well to tell him something + concerning the two hundred thousand ducats to be deducted for Mucio, for + fear of more mischief, if the Prince should expect the whole six hundred + thousand." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly Mucio got the two hundred thousand. One-third of the meagre + supply destined for the relief of the King's starving and valiant little + army in the Netherlands was cut off to go into the pockets of the + intriguing Duke of Guise. "We must keep the French," said Philip, "in a + state of confusion at home, and feed their civil war. We must not allow + them to come to a general peace, which would be destruction for the + Catholics. I know you will put a good face on the matter; and, after all, + 'tis in the interest of the Netherlands. Moreover, the money shall be + immediately refunded." + </p> + <p> + Alexander was more likely to make a wry face, notwithstanding his views of + the necessity of fomenting the rebellion against the House of Valois. + Certainly if a monarch intended to conquer such countries as France, + England, and Holland, without stirring from his easy chair in the + Escorial, it would have been at least as well—so Alexander thought—to + invest a little more capital in the speculation. No monarch ever dreamed + of arriving at universal empire with less personal fatigue or exposure, or + at a cheaper rate, than did Philip II. His only fatigue was at his + writing-table. But even here his merit was of a subordinate description. + He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting; but he now + wrote few letters himself. A dozen words or so, scrawled in hieroglyphics + at the top, bottom, or along the margin of the interminable despatches of + his secretaries, contained the suggestions, more or less luminous, which + arose in his mind concerning public affairs. But he held firmly to his + purpose: He had devoted his life to the extermination of Protestantism, to + the conquest of France and England, to the subjugation of Holland. These + were vast schemes. A King who should succeed in such enterprises, by his + personal courage and genius, at the head of his armies, or by consummate + diplomacy, or by a masterly system of finance-husbanding and concentrating + the resources of his almost boundless realms—might be in truth + commended for capacity. Hitherto however Philip's triumph had seemed + problematical; and perhaps something more would be necessary than letters + to Parma, and paltry remittances to Mucio, notwithstanding Alexander's + splendid but local victories in Flanders. + </p> + <p> + Parma, although in reality almost at bay, concealed his despair, and + accomplished wonders in the field. The military events during the spring + and summer of 1586 will be sketched in a subsequent chapter. For the + present it is necessary to combine into a complete whole the subterranean + negotiations between Brussels and England. + </p> + <p> + Much to his surprise and gratification, Parma found that the peace-party + were not inclined to change their views in consequence of the triumphs of + Drake. He soon informed the King that—according to Champagny and + Bodman—the Lord Treasurer, the Comptroller, Lord Cobham, and Sir + Christopher Hatton, were more pacific than they had ever been. These four + were represented by Grafigni as secretly in league against Leicester and + Walsingham, and very anxious to bring about a reconciliation between the + crowns of England and Spain. The merchant-diplomatist, according to his + own statement, was expressly sent by Queen Elizabeth to the prince of + Parma, although without letter of credence or signed instructions, but + with the full knowledge and approbation of the four counsellors just + mentioned. He assured Alexander that the Queen and the majority of her + council felt a strong desire for peace, and had manifested much repentance + for what had been done. They had explained their proceedings by the + necessity of self-defence. They had avowed—in case they should be + made sure of peace—that they should, not with reluctance and against + their will, but, on the contrary, with the utmost alacrity and at once, + surrender to the King of Spain the territory which they possessed in the + Netherlands, and especially the fortified towns in Holland and Zeeland; + for the English object had never been conquest. Parma had also been + informed of the Queen's strong desire that he should be employed as + negotiator, on account of her great confidence in his sincerity. They had + expressed much satisfaction on hearing that he was about to send an agent + to England, and had protested themselves rejoiced at Drake's triumphs, + only because of their hope that a peace with Spain would thus be rendered + the easier of accomplishment. They were much afraid, according to + Grafigni, of Philip's power, and dreaded a Spanish invasion of their + country, in conjunction with the Pope. They were now extremely anxious + that Parma—as he himself informed the King—should send an + agent of good capacity, in great secrecy, to England. + </p> + <p> + The Comptroller had said that he had pledged himself to such a result, and + if it failed, that they would probably cut off his head. The four + counsellors were excessively solicitous for the negotiation, and each of + them was expecting to gain favour by advancing it to the best of his + ability. + </p> + <p> + Parma hinted at the possibility that all these professions were false, and + that the English were only intending to keep the King from the + contemplated invasion. At the same time he drew Philip's attention to the + fact that Burghley and his party had most evidently been doing everything + in their power to obstruct Leicester's progress in the Netherlands and to + keep back the reinforcements of troops and money which he so much + required. + </p> + <p> + No doubt these communications of Parma to the King were made upon the + faith of an agent not over-scrupulous, and of no elevated or recognised + rank in diplomacy. It must be borne in mind, however, that he had been + made use of by both parties; perhaps because it would be easy to throw + off, and discredit, him whenever such a step should be convenient; and + that, on the other hand, coming fresh from Burghley and the rest into the + presence of the keen-eyed Farnese, he would hardly invent for his employer + a budget of falsehoods. That man must have been a subtle negotiator who + could outwit such a statesman as Burghley—and the other counsellors + of Elizabeth, and a bold one who could dare to trifle on a momentous + occasion with Alexander of Parma. + </p> + <p> + Leicester thought Burghley very much his friend, and so thought Davison + and Heneage; and the Lord-Treasurer had, in truth, stood stoutly by the + Earl in the affair of the absolute governorship;—"a matter more + severe and cumbersome to him and others," said Burghley, "than any + whatsoever since he was a counsellor." But there is no doubt that these + negotiations were going forward all the spring and summer, that they were + most detrimental to Leicester's success, and that they were kept—so + far as it was possible—a profound secret from him, from Walsingham, + and from the States-General. Nothing was told them except what their own + astuteness had discovered beforehand; and the game of the counsellors—so + far as their attitude towards Leicester and Walsingham was concerned—seems + both disingenuous and impolitic. + </p> + <p> + Parma, it was to be feared, was more than a match for the English + governor-general in the field; and it was certainly hopeless for poor old + Comptroller Croft, even though backed by the sagacious Burghley, to + accomplish so great an amount of dissimulation in a year as the Spanish + cabinet, without effort, could compass in a week. Nor were they attempting + to do so. It is probable that England was acting towards Philip in much + better faith than he deserved, or than Parma believed; but it is hardly to + be wondered at that Leicester should think himself injured by being kept + perpetually in the dark. + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth was very impatient at not receiving direct letters from Parma, + and her anxiety on the subject explains much of her caprice during the + quarrel about the governor-generalship. Many persons in the Netherlands + thought those violent scenes a farce, and a farce that had been arranged + with Leicester beforehand. In this they were mistaken; for an examination + of the secret correspondence of the period reveals the motives—which + to contemporaries were hidden—of many strange transactions. The + Queen was, no doubt, extremely anxious, and with cause, at the tempest + slowly gathering over her head; but the more the dangers thickened, the + more was her own official language to those in high places befitting the + sovereign of England. + </p> + <p> + She expressed her surprise to Farnese that he had not written to her on + the subject of the Grafigni and Bodman affair. The first, she said, was + justified in all which he had narrated, save in his assertion that she had + sent him. The other had not obtained audience, because he had not come + provided with any credentials, direct or indirect. Having now understood + from Andrea de Loo and the Seigneur de Champagny that Parma had the power + to conclude a peace, which he seemed very much to desire, she observed + that it was not necessary for him to be so chary in explaining the basis + of the proposed negotiations. It was better to enter into a + straightforward path, than by ambiguous words to spin out to great length + matters which princes should at once conclude. + </p> + <p> + "Do not suppose," said the Queen, "that I am seeking what belongs to + others. God forbid. I seek only that which is mine own. But be sure that I + will take good heed of the sword which threatens me with destruction, nor + think that I am so craven-spirited as to endure a wrong, or to place + myself at the mercy of my enemy. Every week I see advertisements and + letters from Spain that this year shall witness the downfall of England; + for the Spaniards—like the hunter who divided, with great + liberality, among his friends the body and limbs of the wolf, before it + had been killed—have partitioned this kingdom and that of Ireland + before the conquest has been effected. But my royal heart is no whit + appalled by such threats. I trust, with the help of the Divine hand—which + has thus far miraculously preserved me—to smite all these braggart + powers into the dust, and to preserve my honour, and the kingdoms which He + has given me for my heritage. + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, if you have authority to enter upon and to conclude this + negotiation, you will find my ears open to hear your propositions; and I + tell you further, if a peace is to be made, that I wish you to be the + mediator thereof. Such is the affection I bear you, notwithstanding that + some letters, written by your own hand, might easily have effaced such + sentiments from my mind." + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards, Bodman was again despatched to England, Grafigni being + already there. He was provided with unsigned instructions, according to + which he was to say that the Prince, having heard of the Queen's good + intentions, had despatched him and Grafigni to her court. They were to + listen to any suggestions made by the Queen to her ministers; but they + were to do nothing but listen. If the counsellors should enter into their + grievances against his Majesty, and ask for explanations, the agents were + to say that they had no authority or instructions to speak for so great + and Christian a monarch. Thus they were to cut the thread of any such + discourse, or any other observations not to the purpose. + </p> + <p> + Silence, in short, was recommended, first and last, as the one great + business of their mission; and it was unlucky that men whose talent for + taciturnity was thus signally relied upon should be somewhat remarkable + for loquacity. Grafigni was also the bearer of a letter from Alexander to + the Queen—of which Bodman received a copy—but it was strictly + enjoined upon them to keep the letter, their instructions, and the objects + of their journey, a secret from all the world. + </p> + <p> + The letter of the Prince consisted mainly of complimentary flourishes. He + had heard, he said, all that Agostino Grafigni had communicated, and he + now begged her Majesty to let him understand the course which it was + proper to take; assuring her of his gratitude for her good opinion + touching his sincerity, and his desire to save the effusion of blood, and + so on; concluding of course with expressions of most profound + consideration and devotion. + </p> + <p> + Early in July Bodman arrived in London. He found Grafigni in very low + spirits. He had been with Lord Cobham, and was much disappointed with his + reception, for Cobham—angry that Grafigni had brought no commission + from the King—had refused to receive Parma's letter to the Queen, + and had expressed annoyance that Bodman should be employed on this + mission, having heard that lie was very ill-tempered and passionate. The + same evening, he had been sent for by Lord Burghley—who had accepted + the letter for her Majesty without saying a word—and on the + following morning, he had been taken to task, by several counsellors, on + the ground that the Prince, in that communication, had stated that the + Queen had expressed a desire for peace. + </p> + <p> + It has just been shown that there was no such intimation at all in the + letter; but as neither Grafigni nor Bodman had read the epistle itself, + but only the copy furnished them, they could merely say that such an + assertion; if made by the Prince, had been founded on no statement of + theirs. Bodman consoled his colleague, as well as he could, by assurances + that when the letter was fairly produced, their vindication would be + complete, and Grafigni, upon that point, was comforted. He was, however, + very doleful in general, and complained bitterly of Burghley and the other + English counsellors. He said that they had forced him, against his will, + to make this journey to Brussels, that they had offered him presents, that + they would leave him no rest in his own house, but had made him neglect + all his private business, and caused him a great loss of time and money, + in order that he might serve them. They had manifested the strongest + desire that Parma should open this communication, and had led him to + expect a very large recompense for his share in the transaction. "And + now," said Grafigni to his colleague, with great bitterness, "I find no + faith nor honour in them at all. They don't keep their word, and every one + of them is trying to slide out of the very business, in which each was, + but the other day, striving to outrival the other, in order that it might + be brought to a satisfactory conclusion." + </p> + <p> + After exploding in this way to Bodman, he went back to Cobham, and + protested, with angry vehemence, that Parma had never written such a word + to the Queen, and that so it would prove, if the letter were produced. + </p> + <p> + Next day, Bodman was sent for to Greenwich, where her Majesty was, as + usual, residing. A secret pavilion was indicated to him, where he was to + stay until sunset. When that time arrived, Lord Cobham's secretary came + with great mystery, and begged the emissary to follow him, but at a + considerable distance, towards the apartments of Lord Burghley in the + palace. Arriving there, they found the Lord Treasurer accompanied by + Cobham and Croft. Burghley instantly opened the interview by a defence of + the Queen's policy in sending troops to the Netherlands, and in espousing + their cause, and then the conversation proceeded to the immediate matter + in hand. + </p> + <p> + Bodman (after listening respectfully to the Lord-Treasurer's + observations).—"His Highness has, however, been extremely surprised + that my Lord Leicester should take an oath, as governor-general of the + King's Provinces. He is shocked likewise by the great demonstrations of + hostility on the part of her Majesty." + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"The oath was indispensable. The Queen was obliged to + tolerate the step on account of the great urgency of the States to have a + head. But her Majesty has commanded us to meet you on this occasion, in + order to hear what you have to communicate on the part of the Prince of + Parma." + </p> + <p> + Bodman (after a profusion of complimentary phrases).—"I have no + commission to say anything. I am only instructed to listen to anything + that may be said to me, and that her Majesty may be pleased to command." + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"'Tis very discreet to begin thus. But time is pressing, + and it is necessary to be brief. We beg you therefore to communicate, + without further preface, that which you have been charged to say." + </p> + <p> + Bodman.—"I can only repeat to your Lordship, that I have been + charged to say nothing." + </p> + <p> + After this Barmecide feast of diplomacy, to partake of which it seemed + hardly necessary that the guests should have previously attired themselves + in such garments of mystery, the parties separated for the night. + </p> + <p> + In spite of their care, it would seem that the Argus-eyed Walsingham had + been able to see after sunset; for, the next evening—after Bodman + had been introduced with the same precautions to the same company, in the + same place—Burghley, before a word had been spoken, sent for Sir + Francis. + </p> + <p> + Bodman was profoundly astonished, for he had been expressly informed that + Walsingham was to know nothing of the transaction. The Secretary of State + could not so easily be outwitted, however, and he was soon seated at the + table, surveying the scene, with his grave melancholy eyes, which had + looked quite through the whole paltry intrigue. + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"Her Majesty has commanded us to assemble together, in + order that, in my presence, it may be made clear that she did not commence + this negotiation. Let Grafigni be summoned." + </p> + <p> + Grafigni immediately made his appearance. + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"You will please to explain how you came to enter into + this business." + </p> + <p> + Grafigni.—"The first time I went to the States, it was on my private + affairs; I had no order from any one to treat with the Prince of Parma. + His Highness, having accidentally heard, however, that I resided in + England, expressed a wish to see me. I had an interview with the Prince. I + told him, out of my own head, that the Queen had a strong inclination to + hear propositions of peace, and that—as some of her counsellors were + of the same opinion—I believed that if his Highness should send a + negotiator, some good would be effected. The Prince replied that he felt + by no means sure of such a result; but that, if I should come back from + England, sent by the Queen or her council, he would then despatch a person + with a commission to treat of peace. This statement, together with other + matters that had passed between us, was afterwards drawn up in writing by + command of his Highness." + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"Who bade you say, after your second return to Brussels, + that you came on the part of the Queen? For you well know that her Majesty + did not send you." + </p> + <p> + Grafigni.—"I never said so. I stated that my Lord Cobham had set + down in writing what I was to say to the Prince of Parma. It will never + appear that I represented the Queen as desiring peace. I said that her + Majesty would lend her ears to peace. Bodman knows this too; and he has a + copy of the letter of his Highness." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham to Bodman.—"Have you the copy still?" + </p> + <p> + Bodman.—"Yes, Mr. Secretary." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham.—"Please to produce it, in order that this matter may be + sifted to the bottom." + </p> + <p> + Bodman.—"I supplicate your Lorships to pardon me, but indeed that + cannot be. My instructions forbid my showing the letter." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham (rising).—"I will forthwith go to her Majesty, and fetch + the original." A pause. Mr. Secretary returns in a few minutes, having + obtained the document, which the Queen, up to that time, had kept by her, + without showing it to any one. + </p> + <p> + Walsingham (after reading the letter attentively, and aloud).—"There + is not such a word, as that her Majesty is desirous of peace, in the whole + paper." + </p> + <p> + Burghley (taking the letter, and slowly construing it out of Italian into + English).—"It would seem that his Highness hath written this, + assuming that the Signor Grafigni came from the Queen, although he had + received his instructions from my Lord Cobham. It is plain, however, that + the negotiation was commenced accidentally." + </p> + <p> + Comptroller Croft (nervously, and with the air of a man fearful of getting + into trouble).—"You know very well, Mr. Bodman, that my servant came + to Dunkirk only to buy and truck away horses; and that you then, by + chance, entered into talk with him, about the best means of procuring a + peace between the two kingdoms. My servant told you of the good feeling + that prevailed in England. You promised to write on the subject to the + Prince, and I immediately informed the Lord-Treasurer of the whole + transaction." + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"That is quite true." + </p> + <p> + Croft.—"My servant subsequently returned to the Provinces in order + to learn what the Prince might have said on the subject." + </p> + <p> + Bodman (with immense politeness, but very decidedly).—"Pardon me, + Mr. Comptroller; but, in this matter, I must speak the truth, even if the + honour and life of my father were on the issue. I declare that your + servant Norris came to me, directly commissioned for that purpose by + yourself, and informed me from you, and upon your authority, that if I + would solicit the Prince of Parma to send a secret agent to England, a + peace would be at once negotiated. Your servant entreated me to go to his + Highness at Brussels. I refused, but agreed to consider the proposition. + After the lapse of several days, the servant returned to make further + enquiries. I told him that the Prince had come to no decision. Norris + continued to press the matter. I excused myself. He then solicited and + obtained from me a letter of introduction to De Loo, the secretary of his + Highness. Armed with this, he went to Brussels and had an interview—as + I found, four days later—with the Prince. In consequence of the + representations of Norris, those of Signor Grafigni, and those by way of + Antwerp, his Highness determined to send me to England." + </p> + <p> + Burghley to Croft.—"Did you order your servant to speak with Andrea + de Loo?" + </p> + <p> + Croft.—"I cannot deny it." + </p> + <p> + Burghley.—"The fellow seems to have travelled a good way out of his + commission. His master sends him to buy horses, and he commences a + peace-negotiation between two kingdoms. It would be well he were + chastised. As regards the Antwerp matter, too, we have had many letters, + and I have, seen one from the Seigneur de Champagny, the same effect as + that of all the rest." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham.—"I see not to what end his Highness of Parma has sent + Mr. Bodman hither. The Prince avows that he hath no commission from + Spain." + </p> + <p> + Bodman.—"His Highness was anxious to know what was her Majesty's + pleasure. So soon as that should be known, the Prince could obtain ample + authority. He would never have proceeded so far without meaning a good + end." + </p> + <p> + Walsingham.—"Very like. I dare say that his Highness will obtain the + commission. Meantime, as Prince of Parma, he writes these letters, and + assists his sovereign perhaps more than he doth ourselves." + </p> + <p> + Here the interview terminated. A few days later, Bodman had another + conversation with Burghley and Cobham. Reluctantly, at their urgent + request, he set down in writing all that he had said concerning his + mission. + </p> + <p> + The Lord Treasurer said that the Queen and her counsellors were "ready to + embrace peace when it was treated of sincerely." Meantime the Queen had + learned that the Prince had been sending letters to the cautionary towns + in Holland and Zeeland, stating that her Majesty was about to surrender + them to the King of Spain. These were tricks to make mischief, and were + very detrimental to the Queen. + </p> + <p> + Bodman replied that these were merely the idle stories of quidnuncs; and + that the Prince and all his counsellors were dealing with the utmost + sincerity. + </p> + <p> + Burghley answered that he had intercepted the very letters, and had them + in his possession. + </p> + <p> + A week afterwards, Bodman saw Walsingham alone, and was informed by him + that the Queen had written an answer to Parma's letter, and that + negotiations for the future were to be carried on in the usual form, or + not at all. Walsingham, having thus got the better of his rivals, and + delved below their mines, dismissed the agent with brief courtesy. + Afterwards the discomfited Mr. Comptroller wished a private interview with + Bodman. Bodman refused to speak with him except in presence of Lord + Cobham. This Croft refused. In the same way Bodman contrived to get rid, + as he said, of Lord Burghley and Lord Cobham, declining to speak with + either of them alone. Soon afterwards he returned to the Provinces! + </p> + <p> + The Queen's letter to Parma was somewhat caustic. It was obviously + composed through the inspiration of Walsingham rather than that of + Burghley. The letter, brought by a certain Grafigni and a certain Bodman, + she said, was a very strange one, and written under a delusion. It was a + very grave error, that, in her name, without her knowledge, contrary to + her disposition, and to the prejudice of her honour, such a person as this + Grafigni, or any one like him, should have the audacity to commence such a + business, as if she had, by messages to the Prince, sought a treaty with + his King, who had so often returned evil for her good. Grafigni, after + representing the contrary to his Highness, had now denied in presence of + her counsellors having received any commission from the Queen. She also + briefly gave the result of Bodman's interviews with Burghley and the + others, just narrated. That agent had intimated that Parma would procure + authority to treat for peace, if assured that the Queen would lend her ear + to any propositions. + </p> + <p> + She replied by referring to her published declarations, as showing her + powerful motives for interfering in these affairs. It was her purpose to + save her own realm and to rescue her ancient neighbours from misery and + from slavery. To this end she should still direct her actions, + notwithstanding the sinister rumours which had been spread that she was + inclined to peace before providing for the security and liberty of her + allies. She was determined never to separate their cause from her own. + Propositions tending to the security of herself and of her neighbours + would always be favourably received. + </p> + <p> + Parma, on his part, informed his master that there could be no doubt that + the Queen and the majority of her council abhorred the war, and that + already much had been gained by the fictitious negotiation. Lord-Treasurer + Burghley had been interposing endless delays and difficulties in the way + of every measure proposed for the relief of Lord Leicester, and the + assistance rendered him had been most lukewarm. Meantime the Prince had + been able, he said, to achieve much success in the field, and the English + had done nothing to prevent it. Since the return of Grafigni and Bodman, + however, it was obvious that the English government had disowned these + non-commissioned diplomatists. The whole negotiation and all the + negotiators were now discredited, but there was no doubt that there had + been a strong desire to treat, and great disappointment at the result. + Grafigni and Andrea de Loo had been publishing everywhere in Antwerp that + England would consider the peace as made, so soon as his Majesty should be + willing to accept any propositions. + </p> + <p> + His Majesty, meanwhile, sat in his cabinet, without the slightest + intention of making or accepting any propositions save those that were + impossible. He smiled benignantly at his nephew's dissimulation and at the + good results which it had already produced. He approved of gaining time, + he said, by fictitious negotiations and by the use of a mercantile agent; + for, no doubt, such a course would prevent the proper succours from being + sent to the Earl of Leicester. If the English would hand over to him the + cautionary towns held by them in Holland and Zeeland, promise no longer to + infest the seas, the Indies, and the Isles, with their corsairs, and + guarantee the complete obedience to their King and submission to the holy + Catholic Church of the rebellious Provinces, perhaps something might be + done with them; but, on the whole, he was inclined to think that they had + been influenced by knavish and deceitful motives from the beginning. He + enjoined it upon Parma, therefore, to proceed with equal knavery—taking + care, however, not to injure his reputation—and to enter into + negotiations wherever occasion might serve, in order to put the English + off their guard and to keep back the reinforcements so imperatively + required by Leicester. + </p> + <p> + And the reinforcements were indeed kept back. Had Burghley and Croft been + in the pay of Philip II. they could hardly have served him better than + they had been doing by the course pursued. Here then is the explanation of + the shortcomings of the English government towards Leicester and the + States during the memorable spring and summer of 1586. No money, no + soldiers, when most important operations in the field were required. The + first general of the age was to be opposed by a man who had certainly + never gained many laurels as a military chieftain, but who was brave and + confident, and who, had he been faithfully supported by the government + which sent him to the Netherlands, would have had his antagonist at a + great disadvantage. Alexander had scarcely eight thousand effective men. + Famine, pestilence, poverty, mutiny, beset and almost paralyzed him. + Language could not exaggerate the absolute destitution of the country. + Only miracles could save the King's cause, as Farnese repeatedly observed. + A sharp vigorous campaign, heartily carried on against him by Leicester + and Hohenlo, with plenty of troops and money at command, would have + brought the heroic champion of Catholicism to the ground. He was hemmed in + upon all sides; he was cut off from the sea; he stood as it were in a + narrowing circle, surrounded by increasing dangers. His own veterans, + maddened by misery, stung by their King's ingratitude, naked, starving, + ferocious, were turning against him. Mucio, like his evil genius, was + spiriting away his supplies just as they were reaching his hands; a + threatening tempest seemed rolling up from France; the whole population of + the Provinces which he had "reconciled"—a million of paupers—were + crying to him for bread; great commercial cities, suddenly blasted and + converted into dens of thieves and beggars, were cursing the royal author + of their ruin, and uttering wild threats against his vicegerent; there + seemed, in truth, nothing left for Alexander but to plunge headlong into + destruction, when, lo! Mr. Comptroller Croft, advancing out of the clouds, + like a propitious divinity, disguised in the garb of a foe—and the + scene was changed. + </p> + <p> + The feeble old man, with his shufling, horse-trucking servant, ex-spy of + Monsieur, had accomplished more work for Philip and Alexander than many + regiments of Spaniards and Walloons could have done. The arm of Leicester + was paralyzed upon the very threshold of success. The picture of these + palace-intrigues has been presented with minute elaboration, because, + however petty and barren in appearance, they were in reality prolific of + grave results. A series of victories by Parma was substituted for the + possible triumphs of Elizabeth and the States. + </p> + <p> + The dissimulation of the Spanish court was fathomless. The secret + correspondence of the times reveals to us that its only purpose was to + deceive the Queen and her counsellors, and to gain time to prepare the + grand invasion of England and subjugation of Holland—that double + purpose which Philip could only abandon with life. There was never a + thought, on his part, of honest negotiation. On the other hand, the Queen + was sincere; Burghley and Hatton and Cobham were sincere; Croft was + sincere, so far as Spain was concerned. At least they had been sincere. In + the private and doleful dialogues between Bodman and Grafigni which we + have just been overhearing, these intriguers spoke the truth, for they + could have no wish to deceive each other, and no fear of eaves-droppers + not to be born till centuries afterwards. These conversations have + revealed to us that the Lord Treasurer and three of his colleagues had + been secretly doing their best to cripple Leicester, to stop the supplies + for the Netherlands, and to patch up a hurried and unsatisfactory, if not + a disgraceful peace; and this, with the concurrence of her Majesty. After + their plots had been discovered by the vigilant Secretary of State, there + was a disposition to discredit the humbler instruments in the cabal. + Elizabeth was not desirous of peace. Far from it. She was qualmish at the + very suggestion. Dire was her wrath against Bodman, De Loo, Graafigni, and + the rest, at their misrepresentations on the subject. But she would "lend + her ear." And that royal ear was lent, and almost fatal was the + distillment poured into its porches. The pith and marrow of the great + Netherland enterprise was sapped by the slow poison of the ill-timed + negotiation. The fruit of Drake's splendid triumphs in America was + blighted by it. The stout heart of the vainglorious but courageous + Leicester was sickened by it, while, meantime, the maturing of the great + armada-scheme, by which the destruction of England was to be accomplished, + was furthered, through the unlimited procrastination so precious to the + heart of Philip. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately the subtle Walsingham was there upon the watch to administer + the remedy before it was quite too late; and to him England and the + Netherlands were under lasting obligations. While Alexander and Philip + suspected a purpose on the part of the English government to deceive them, + they could not help observing that the Earl of Leicester was both deserted + and deceived. Yet it had been impossible for the peace-party in the + government wholly to conceal their designs, when such prating fellows as + Grafigni and De Loo were employed in what was intended to be a secret + negotiation. In vain did the friends of Leicester in the Netherlands + endeavour to account for the neglect with which he was treated, and for + the destitution of his army. Hopelessly did they attempt to counteract + those "advertisements of most fearful instance," as Richard Cavendish + expressed himself, which were circulating everywhere. + </p> + <p> + Thanks to the babbling of the very men, whose chief instructions had been + to hold their tongues, and to listen with all their ears, the secret + negotiations between Parma and the English counsellors became the + town-talk at Antwerp, the Hague, Amsterdam, Brussels, London. It is true + that it was impossible to know what was actually said and done; but that + there was something doing concerning which Leicester was not to be + informed was certain. Grafigni, during one of his visits to the obedient + provinces, brought a brace of greyhounds and a couple of horses from + England, as a present to Alexander, and he perpetually went about, + bragging to every one of important negotiations which he was conducting, + and of his intimacy with great personages in both countries. Leicester, on + the other hand, was kept in the dark. To him Grafigni made no + communications, but he once sent him a dish of plums, "which," said the + Earl, with superfluous energy, "I will boldly say to you, by the living + God, is all that I have ever had since I came into these countries." When + it is remembered that Leicester had spent many thousand pounds in the + Netherland cause, that he had deeply mortgaged his property in order to + provide more funds, that he had never received a penny of salary from the + Queen, that his soldiers were "ragged and torn like rogues-pity to see + them," and were left without the means of supporting life; that he had + been neglected, deceived, humiliated, until he was forced to describe + himself as a "forlorn man set upon a forlorn hope," it must be conceded + that Grafigni's present of a dish of plums could hardly be sufficient to + make him very happy. + </p> + <p> + From time to time he was enlightened by Sir Francis, who occasionally + forced his adversaries' hands, and who always faithfully informed the Earl + of everything he could discover. "We are so greedy of a peace, in respect + of the charges of the wars," he wrote in April, "as in the procuring + thereof we weigh neither honour nor safety. Somewhat here is a dealing + underhand, wherein there is great care taken that I should not be made + acquainted withal." But with all their great care, the conspirators, as it + has been seen, were sometimes outwitted by the Secretary, and, when put to + the blush, were forced to take him into half-confidence. "Your Lordship + may see," he wrote, after getting possession of Parma's letter to the + Queen, and unravelling Croft's intrigues, "what effects are wrought by + such weak ministers. They that have been the employers of them are ashamed + of the matter." + </p> + <p> + Unutterable was the amazement, as we have seen, of Bodman and Grafigni + when they had suddenly found themselves confronted in Burghley's private + apartments in Greenwich Palace, whither they had been conducted so + mysteriously after dark from the secret pavilion—by the grave + Secretary of State, whom they had been so anxious to deceive; and great + was the embarrassment of Croft and Cobham, and even of the imperturbable + Burghley. + </p> + <p> + And thus patiently did Walsingham pick his course, plummet in hand, + through the mists and along the quicksands, and faithfully did he hold out + signals to his comrade embarked on the same dangerous voyage. As for the + Earl himself, he was shocked at the short-sighted policy of his mistress, + mortified by the neglect to which he was exposed, disappointed in his + ambitious schemes. Vehemently and judiciously he insisted upon the + necessity of vigorous field operations throughout the spring and summer + thus frittered away in frivolous negotiations. He was for peace, if a + lasting and honourable peace could be procured; but he insisted that the + only road to such a result was through a "good sharp war." His troops were + mutinous for want of pay, so that he had been obliged to have a few of + them executed, although he protested that he would rather have "gone a + thousand miles a-foot" than have done so; and he was crippled by his + government at exactly the time when his great adversary's condition was + most forlorn. Was it strange that the proud Earl should be fretting his + heart away when such golden chances were eluding his grasp? He would + "creep upon the ground," he said, as far as his hands and knees would + carry him, to have a good peace for her Majesty, but his care was to have + a peace indeed, and not a show of it. It was the cue of Holland and + England to fight before they could expect to deal upon favourable terms + with their enemy. He was quick enough to see that his false colleagues at + home were playing into the enemy's hands. Victory was what was wanted; + victory the Earl pledged himself, if properly seconded, to obtain; and, + braggart though he was, it is by no means impossible that he might have + redeemed his pledge. "If her Majesty will use her advantage," he said, + "she shall bring the King, and especially this Prince of Parma, to seek + peace in other sort than by way of merchants." Of courage and confidence + the governor had no lack. Whether he was capable of outgeneralling + Alexander Farnese or no, will be better seen, perhaps, in subsequent + chapters; but there is no doubt that he was reasonable enough in thinking, + at that juncture, that a hard campaign rather than a "merchant's + brokerage" was required to obtain an honourable peace. Lofty, indeed, was + the scorn of the aristocratic Leicester that "merchants and pedlars should + be paltering in so weighty a cause," and daring to send him a dish of + plums when he was hoping half a dozen regiments from the Queen; and a + sorry business, in truth, the pedlars had made of it. + </p> + <p> + Never had there been a more delusive diplomacy, and it was natural that + the lieutenant-general abroad and the statesman at home should be sad and + indignant, seeing England drifting to utter shipwreck while pursuing that + phantom of a pacific haven. Had Walsingham and himself tampered with the + enemy, as some counsellors he could name had done, Leicester asserted that + the gallows would be thought too good for them; and yet he hoped he might + be hanged if the whole Spanish faction in England could procure for the + Queen a peace fit for her to accept. + </p> + <p> + Certainly it was quite impossible for the Spanish-faction to bring about a + peace. No human power could bring it about. Even if England had been + willing and able to surrender Holland, bound hand and foot, to Philip, + even then she could only have obtained a hollow armistice. Philip had + sworn in his inmost soul the conquest of England and the dethronement of + Elizabeth. His heart was fixed. It was only by the subjugation of England + that he hoped to recover the Netherlands. England was to be his + stepping-stone to Holland. The invasion was slowly but steadily maturing, + and nothing could have diverted the King from his great purpose. In the + very midst of all these plots and counterplots, Bodmans and Grafignis, + English geldings and Irish greyhounds, dishes of plums and autograph + letters of her Majesty and his Highness, the Prince was deliberately + discussing all the details of the invasion, which, as it was then hoped, + would be ready by the autumn of the year 1586. Although he had sent a + special agent to Philip, who was to state by word of mouth that which it + was deemed unsafe to write, yet Alexander, perpetually urged by his + master, went at last more fully into particulars than he had ever ventured + to do before; and this too at the very moment when Elizabeth was most + seriously "lending her ear" to negotiation, and most vehemently expressing + her wrath at Sir Thomas Heneage for dealing candidly with the + States-General. + </p> + <p> + The Prince observed that when, two or three years before, he had sent his + master an account of the coasts, anchoring-places, and harbours of + England, he had then expressed the opinion that the conquest of England + was an enterprise worthy of the grandeur and Christianity of his Majesty, + and not so difficult as to be considered altogether impossible. To make + himself absolutely master of the business, however, he had then thought + that the King should have no associates in the scheme, and should make no + account of the inhabitants of England. Since that time the project had + become more difficult of accomplishment, because it was now a stale and + common topic of conversation everywhere—in Italy, Germany, and + France—so that there could be little doubt that rumours on the + subject were daily reaching the ears of Queen Elizabeth and of every one + in her kingdom. Hence she had made a strict alliance with Sweden, Denmark, + the Protestant princes of Germany, and even with the Turks and the French. + Nevertheless, in spite of these obstacles, the King, placing his royal + hand to the work, might well accomplish the task; for the favour of the + Lord, whose cause it was, would be sure to give him success. + </p> + <p> + Being so Christian and Catholic a king, Philip naturally desired to extend + the area of the holy church, and to come to the relief of so many poor + innocent martyrs in England, crying aloud before the Lord for help. + Moreover Elizabeth had fomented rebellion in the King's Provinces for a + long time secretly, and now, since the fall of Antwerp, and just as + Holland and Zeeland were falling into his grasp, openly. + </p> + <p> + Thus, in secret and in public, she had done the very worst she could do; + and it was very clear that the Lord, for her sins; had deprived her of + understanding, in order that his Majesty might be the instrument of that + chastisement which she so fully deserved. A monarch of such great + prudence, valour, and talent as Philip, could now give all the world to + understand that those who dared to lose a just and decorous respect for + him, as this good lady had done, would receive such chastisement as royal + power guided by prudent counsel could inflict. Parma assured his + sovereign, that, if the conquest of England were effected, that of the + Netherlands would be finished with much facility and brevity; but that + otherwise, on account of the situation, strength and obstinacy of those + people, it would be a very long, perilous, and at best doubtful business. + </p> + <p> + "Three points," he said, "were most vital to the invasion of England—secrecy, + maintenance of the civil war in France, and judicious arrangement of + matters in the Provinces." + </p> + <p> + The French, if unoccupied at home, would be sure to make the enterprise so + dangerous as to become almost impossible; for it might be laid down as a + general maxim that that nation, jealous of Philip's power, had always done + and would always do what it could to counteract his purposes. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the Netherlands, it would be desirable to leave a good + number of troops in those countries—at least as many as were then + stationed there—besides the garrisons, and also to hold many German + and Swiss mercenaries in "wartgeld." It would be further desirable that + Alexander should take most of the personages of quality and sufficiency in + the Provinces over with him to England, in order that they should not make + mischief in his absence. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the point of secrecy, that was, in Parma's opinion, the + most important of all. All leagues must become more or less public, + particularly those contrived at or with Rome. Such being the case, the + Queen of England would be well aware of the Spanish projects, and, besides + her militia at home, would levy German infantry and cavalry, and provide + plenty of vessels, relying therein upon Holland and Zeeland, where ships + and sailors were in such abundance. Moreover, the English and the + Netherlanders knew the coasts, currents, tides, shallows, quicksands, + ports, better than did the pilots of any fleets that the King could send + thither. Thus, having his back assured, the enemy would meet them in front + at a disadvantage. Although, notwithstanding this inequality, the enemy + would be beaten, yet if the engagement should be warm, the Spaniards would + receive an amount of damage which could not fail to be inconvenient, + particularly as they would be obliged to land their troops, and to give + battle to those who would be watching their landing. Moreover the English + would be provided with cavalry, of which his Majesty's forces would have + very little, on account of the difficulty of its embarkation. + </p> + <p> + The obedient Netherlands would be the proper place in which to organize + the whole expedition. There the regiments could be filled up, provisions + collected, the best way of effecting the passage ascertained, and the + force largely increased without exciting suspicion; but with regard to the + fleet, there were no ports there capacious enough for large vessels. + Antwerp had ceased to be a seaport; but a large number of flat-bottomed + barges, hoys, and other barks, more suitable for transporting soldiers, + could be assembled in Dunkirk, Gravelines, and Newport, which, with some + five-and-twenty larger vessels, would be sufficient to accompany the + fleet. + </p> + <p> + The Queen, knowing that there were no large ships, nor ports to hold them + in the obedient Provinces, would be unauspicious, if no greater levies + seemed to be making than the exigencies of the Netherlands might + apparently require. + </p> + <p> + The flat-bottomed boats, drawing two or three feet of water, would be more + appropriate than ships of war drawing twenty feet. The passage across, in + favourable weather, might occupy from eight to twelve hours. + </p> + <p> + The number of troops for the invading force should be thirty thousand + infantry, besides five hundred light troopers, with saddles, bridles, and + lances, but without horses, because, in Alexander's opinion, it would be + easier to mount them in England. Of these thirty thousand there should be + six thousand Spaniards, six thousand Italians, six thousand Walloons, nine + thousand Germans, and three thousand Burgundians. + </p> + <p> + Much money would be required; at least three hundred thousand dollars the + month for the new force, besides the regular one hundred and fifty + thousand for the ordinary provision in the Netherlands; and this ordinary + provision would be more necessary than ever, because a mutiny breaking + forth in the time of the invasion would be destruction to the Spaniards + both in England and in the Provinces. + </p> + <p> + The most appropriate part of the coast for a landing would, in Alexander's + opinion, be between Dover and Margate, because the Spaniards, having no + footing in Holland and Zeeland, were obliged to make their starting-point + in Flanders. The country about Dover was described by Parma as populous, + well-wooded, and much divided by hedges; advantageous for infantry, and + not requiring a larger amount of cavalry than the small force at his + disposal, while the people there were domestic in their habits, rich, and + therefore less warlike, less trained to arms, and more engrossed by their + occupations and their comfortable ways of life. Therefore, although some + encounters would take place, yet after the commanders of the invading + troops had given distinct and clear orders, it would be necessary to leave + the rest in the "hands of God who governs all things, and from whose + bounty and mercy it was to be hoped that He would favour a cause so + eminently holy, just, and His own." + </p> + <p> + It would be necessary to make immediately for London, which city, not + being fortified, would be very easily taken. This point gained, the whole + framework of the business might be considered as well put together. If the + Queen should fly—as, being a woman, she probably would do—everything + would be left in such confusion, as, with the blessing of God, it might + soon be considered that the holy and heroic work had been accomplished: + Her Majesty, it was suggested, would probably make her escape in a boat + before she could be captured; but the conquest would be nevertheless + effected. Although, doubtless, some English troops might be got together + to return and try their fortune, yet it would be quite useless; for the + invaders would have already planted themselves upon the soil, and then, by + means of frequent excursions and forays hither and thither about the + island, all other places of importance would be gained, and the prosperous + and fortunate termination of the adventure assured. + </p> + <p> + As, however, everything was to be provided for, so, in case the secret + could not be preserved, it would be necessary for Philip, under pretext of + defending himself against the English and French corsairs, to send a large + armada to sea, as doubtless the Queen would take the same measure. If the + King should prefer, however, notwithstanding Alexander's advice to the + contrary, to have confederates in the enterprise,—then, the matter + being public, it would be necessary to prepare a larger and stronger fleet + than any which Elizabeth, with the assistance of her French and Netherland + allies, could oppose to him. That fleet should be well provided with vast + stores of provisions, sufficient to enable the invading force, + independently of forage, to occupy three or four places in England at + once, as the enemy would be able to come from various towns and strong + places to attack them. + </p> + <p> + As for the proper season for the expedition, it would be advisable to + select the month of October of the current year, because the English barns + would then be full of wheat and other forage, and the earth would have + been sown for the next year—points of such extreme importance, that + if the plan could not be executed at that time, it would be as well to + defer it until the following October. + </p> + <p> + The Prince recommended that the negotiations with the League should be + kept spinning, without allowing them to come to a definite conclusion; + because there would be no lack of difficulties perpetually offering + themselves, and the more intricate and involved the policy of France, the + better it would be for the interests of Spain. Alexander expressed the + utmost confidence that his Majesty, with his powerful arm, would overcome + all obstacles in the path of his great project, and would show the world + that he "could do a little more than what was possible." He also assured + his master, in adding in this most extravagant language, of his personal + devotion, that it was unnecessary for him to offer his services in this + particular enterprise, because, ever since his birth, he had dedicated and + consecrated himself to execute his royal commands. + </p> + <p> + He further advised that old Peter Ernest Mansfeld should be left + commander-in-chief of the forces in the Netherlands during his own absence + in England. "Mansfeld was an honourable cavalier," he said, "and a + faithful servant of the King;" and although somewhat ill-conditioned at + times, yet he had essential good qualities, and was the only general fit + to be trusted alone. + </p> + <p> + The reader, having thus been permitted to read the inmost thoughts of + Philip and Alexander, and to study their secret plans for conquering + England in October, while their frivolous yet mischievous negotiations + with the Queen had been going on from April to June, will be better able + than before to judge whether Leicester were right or no in doubting if a + good peace could be obtained by a "merchant's brokerage." + </p> + <p> + And now, after examining these pictures of inter-aulic politics and + back-stairs diplomacy, which represent so large and characteristic a + phasis of European history during the year 1586, we must throw a glance at + the external, more stirring, but not more significant public events which + were taking place during the same period. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/4860/4860-h/4860-h.htm"><b>Volume + II. </b></a> + </td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Could do a little more than what was possible + Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute + He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting + Mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity + Nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in on + They were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion + We mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + 1584-86, Complete + + A hard bargain when both parties are losers + Able men should be by design and of purpose suppressed + Anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form + College of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all + Condemned first and inquired upon after + Could do a little more than what was possible + Courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart + Demanding peace and bread at any price + Diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to deceive + Dismay of our friends and the gratification of our enemies + Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping + Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute + Enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists + Find our destruction in our immoderate desire for peace + German-Lutheran sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom + He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting + He did his work, but he had not his reward + Her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally exposed (Eliz.) + Hibernian mode of expressing himself + His inordinate arrogance + His insolence intolerable + Holland was afraid to give a part, although offering the whole + Honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors + Humility which was but the cloak to his pride + Intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions + Intolerable tendency to puns + Longer they delay it, the less easy will they find it + Lord was better pleased with adverbs than nouns + Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf will eat you + Matter that men may rather pray for than hope for + Military virtue in the support of an infamous cause + Mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity + Necessity of kingship + Neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own + New Years Day in England, 11th January by the New Style + Nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in on + Nor is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence + Not a friend of giving details larger than my ascertained facts + Not of the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch + Not distinguished for their docility + Oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts + Others that do nothing, do all, and have all the thanks + Pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law + Peace and quietness is brought into a most dangerous estate + Peace-at-any-price party + Possible to do, only because we see that it has been done + Repentance, as usual, had come many hours too late + Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" + Resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance + Round game of deception, in which nobody was deceived + Seeking protection for and against the people + Seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous + Shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen + Soldiers enough to animate the good and terrify the bad + String of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza + The very word toleration was to sound like an insult + The busy devil of petty economy + There was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm + They were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion + Thought that all was too little for him + Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London + Tis pity he is not an Englishman + To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature + Tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health + Twas pity, he said, that both should be heretics + Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency + Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case + Wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening the knife for himself + We must all die once + We mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh + Weary of place without power + When persons of merit suffer without cause + With something of feline and feminine duplicity + Wrath of bigots on both sides + Write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the United Netherlands, +1584-1586, Vol. I. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1584-86, Vol. I.(of IV) Complete + +Author: John Lothrop Motley + +Release Date: October 15, 2006 [EBook #4847] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNITED NETHERLANDS, I. *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1584-1586, Volume I. (of IV), Complete + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce + + + + +Volume I. + + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + + +PREFACE. + +The indulgence with which the History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic +was received has encouraged me to prosecute my task with renewed +industry. + +A single word seems necessary to explain the somewhat increased +proportions which the present work has assumed over the original design. +The intimate connection which was formed between the Kingdom of England +and the Republic of Holland, immediately after the death of William the +Silent, rendered the history and the fate of the two commonwealths for a +season almost identical. The years of anxiety and suspense during which +the great Spanish project for subjugating England and reconquering the +Netherlands, by the same invasion, was slowly matured, were of deepest +import for the future destiny of those two countries, and for the cause +of national liberty. The deep-laid conspiracy of Spain and Rome against +human rights deserves to be patiently examined, for it is one of the +great lessons of history. The crisis was long and doubtful, and the +health--perhaps the existence--of England and Holland, and, with them, +of a great part of Christendom, was on the issue. + +History has few so fruitful examples of the dangers which come from +superstition and despotism, and the blessings which flow from the +maintenance of religious and political freedom, as those afforded by the +struggle between England and Holland on the one side, and Spain and Rome +on the other, during the epoch which I have attempted to describe. It is +for this reason that I have thought it necessary to reveal, as minutely +as possible, the secret details of this conspiracy of king and priest +against the people, and to show how it was baffled at last by the strong +self-helping energy of two free nations combined. + +The period occupied by these two volumes is therefore a short one, when +counted by years, for it begins in 1584 and ends with the commencement of +1590. When estimated by the significance of events and their results for +future ages, it will perhaps be deemed worthy of the close examination +which it has received. With the year 1588 the crisis was past; England +was safe, and the new Dutch commonwealth was thoroughly organized. It is +my design, in two additional volumes, which, with the two now published, +will complete the present work, to carry the history of the Republic down +to the Synod of Dort. After this epoch the Thirty Years' War broke out in +Germany; and it is my wish, at a future day, to retrace the history of +that eventful struggle, and to combine with it the civil and military +events in Holland, down to the epoch when the Thirty Years' War and the +Eighty Years' War of the Netherlands were both brought to a close by the +Peace of Westphalia. + +The materials for the volumes now offered to the public were so abundant +that it was almost impossible to condense them into smaller compass +without doing injustice to the subject. It was desirable to throw full +light on these prominent points of the history, while the law of +historical perspective will allow long stretches of shadow in the +succeeding portions, in which less important objects may be more slightly +indicated. That I may not be thought capable of abusing the reader's +confidence by inventing conversations, speeches, or letters, I would take +this opportunity of stating--although I have repeated the remark in the +foot-notes--that no personage in these pages is made to write or speak +any words save those which, on the best historical evidence, he is known +to have written or spoken. + +A brief allusion to my sources of information will not seem superfluous: +I have carefully studied all the leading contemporary chronicles and +pamphlets of Holland, Flanders, Spain, France, Germany, and England; but, +as the authorities are always indicated in the notes, it is unnecessary +to give a list of them here. But by far my most valuable materials are +entirely unpublished ones. + +The archives of England are especially rich for the history of the +sixteenth century; and it will be seen, in the course of the narrative, +how largely I have drawn from those mines of historical wealth, the State +Paper Office and the MS. department of the British Museum. Although both +these great national depositories are in admirable order, it is to be +regretted that they are not all embraced in one collection, as much +trouble might then be spared to the historical student, who is now +obliged to pass frequently from the one place to the other, in order to, +find different portions of the same correspondence. + +From the royal archives of Holland I have obtained many most important, +entirely unpublished documents, by the aid of which I have endeavoured to +verify, to illustrate, or sometimes to correct, the recitals of the elder +national chroniclers; and I have derived the greatest profit from the +invaluable series of Archives and Correspondence of the Orange-Nassau +Family, given to the world by M. Groen van Prinsterer. I desire to renew +to that distinguished gentleman, and to that eminent scholar M. Bakhuyzen +van den Brink, the expression of my gratitude for their constant kindness +and advice during my residence at the Hague. Nothing can exceed the +courtesy which has been extended to me in Holland, and I am deeply +grateful for the indulgence with which my efforts to illustrate the +history of the country have been received where that history is best +known. + +I have also been much aided by the study of a portion of the Archives of +Simancas, the originals of which are in the Archives de l'Empire in +Paris, and which were most liberally laid before me through the kindness +of M. le Comte de La Borde. + +I have, further; enjoyed an inestimable advantage in the perusal of the +whole correspondence between Philip II., his ministers, and governors, +relating to the affairs of the Netherlands, from the epoch at which this +work commences down to that monarch's death. Copies of this +correspondence have been carefully made from the originals at Simancas by +order of the Belgian Government, under the superintendence of the eminent +archivist M. Gachard, who has already published a synopsis or abridgment +of a portion of it in a French translation. The translation and +abridgment of so large a mass of papers, however, must necessarily occupy +many years, and it may be long, therefore, before the whole of the +correspondence--and particularly that portion of it relating to the epoch +occupied by these volumes sees the light. It was, therefore, of the +greatest importance for me to see the documents themselves unabridged and +untranslated. This privilege has been accorded me, and I desire to +express my thanks to his Excellency M. van de Weyer, the distinguished +representative of Belgium at the English Court, to whose friendly offices +I am mainly indebted for the satisfaction of my wishes in this respect. A +letter from him to his Excellency M. Rogier, Minister of the Interior in +Belgium--who likewise took the most courteous interest in promoting my +views--obtained for me the permission thoroughly to study this +correspondence; and I passed several months in Brussels, occupied with +reading the whole of it from the year 1584 to the end of the reign of +Philip II. + +I was thus saved a long visit to the Archives of Simancas, for it would +be impossible conscientiously to write the history of the epoch without a +thorough examination of the correspondence of the King and his ministers. +I venture to hope, therefore--whatever judgment may be passed upon my own +labours--that this work may be thought to possess an intrinsic value; for +the various materials of which it is composed are original, and--so far +as I am aware--have not been made use of by any historical writer. + +I would take this opportunity to repeat my thanks to M. Gachard, +Archivist of the kingdom of Belgium, for the uniform courtesy and +kindness which I have received at his-hands, and to bear my testimony to +the skill and critical accuracy with which he has illustrated so many +passages of Belgian and Spanish history. + +31, HERTFORD-STREET, MAY-FAIR, November 11th 1860. + + + + +THE UNITED NETHERLANDS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Murder of Orange--Extension of Protestantism--Vast Power of Spain-- + Religious Origin of the Revolt--Disposal of the Sovereignty--Courage + of the Estates of Holland--Children of William the Silent-- + Provisional Council of State--Firm attitude of Holland and Zeeland-- + Weakness of Flanders--Fall of Ghent--Adroitness of Alexander + Farnese. + +WILLIAM THE SILENT, Prince of Orange, had been murdered on the 10th of +July, 1584. It is difficult to imagine a more universal disaster than the +one thus brought about by the hand of a single obscure fanatic. For +nearly twenty years the character of the Prince had been expanding +steadily as the difficulties of his situation increased. Habit, +necessity, and the natural gifts of the man, had combined to invest him +at last with an authority which seemed more than human. There was such +general confidence in his sagacity, courage, and purity, that the nation +had come to think with his brain and to act with his hand. It was natural +that, for an instant, there should be a feeling as of absolute and +helpless paralysis. + +Whatever his technical attributes in the polity of the Netherlands--and +it would be difficult to define them with perfect accuracy--there is no +doubt that he stood there, the head of a commonwealth, in an attitude +such as had been maintained by but few of the kings, or chiefs, or high +priests of history. Assassination, a regular and almost indispensable +portion of the working machinery of Philip's government, had produced, in +this instance, after repeated disappointments, the result at last which +had been so anxiously desired. The ban of the Pope and the offered gold +of the King had accomplished a victory greater than any yet achieved by +the armies of Spain, brilliant as had been their triumphs on the +blood-stained soil of the Netherlands. + +Had that "exceeding proud, neat, and spruce" Doctor of Laws, William +Parry, who had been busying himself at about the same time with his +memorable project against the Queen of England, proved as successful as +Balthazar Gerard, the fate of Christendom would have been still darker. +Fortunately, that member of Parliament had made the discovery in +time--not for himself, but for Elizabeth--that the "Lord was better +pleased with adverbs than nouns;" the well-known result being that the +traitor was hanged and the Sovereign saved. + +Yet such was the condition of Europe at that day. A small, dull, elderly, +imperfectly-educated, patient, plodding invalid, with white hair and +protruding under jaw, and dreary visage, was sitting day after day; +seldom speaking, never smiling, seven or eight hours out of every +twenty-four, at a writing table covered with heaps of interminable +despatches, in a cabinet far away beyond the seas and mountains, in the +very heart of Spain. A clerk or two, noiselessly opening and shutting the +door, from time to time, fetching fresh bundles of letters and taking +away others--all written and composed by secretaries or high +functionaries--and all to be scrawled over in the margin by the diligent +old man in a big schoolboy's hand and style--if ever schoolboy, even in +the sixteenth century, could write so illegibly or express himself so +awkwardly; couriers in the court-yard arriving from or departing for the +uttermost parts of earth-Asia, Africa America, Europe-to fetch and carry +these interminable epistles which contained the irresponsible commands of +this one individual, and were freighted with the doom and destiny of +countless millions of the world's inhabitants--such was the system of +government against which the Netherlands had protested and revolted. It +was a system under which their fields had been made desolate, their +cities burned and pillaged, their men hanged, burned, drowned, or hacked +to pieces; their women subjected to every outrage; and to put an end to +which they had been devoting their treasure and their blood for nearly +the length of one generation. It was a system, too, which, among other +results, had just brought about the death of the foremost statesman of +Europe, and had nearly effected simultaneously the murder of the most +eminent sovereign in the world. The industrious Philip, safe and tranquil +in the depths of the Escorial, saying his prayers three times a day with +exemplary regularity, had just sent three bullets through the body of +William the Silent at his dining-room door in Delft. "Had it only been +done two years earlier," observed the patient old man, "much trouble +might have been spared me; but 'tis better late than never." Sir Edward +Stafford, English envoy in Paris, wrote to his government--so soon as the +news of the murder reached him--that, according to his information out of +the Spanish minister's own house, "the same practice that had been +executed upon the Prince of Orange, there were practisers more than two +or three about to execute upon her Majesty, and that within two months." +Without vouching for the absolute accuracy of this intelligence, he +implored the Queen to be more upon her guard than ever. "For there is no +doubt," said the envoy, "that she is a chief mark to shoot at; and seeing +that there were men cunning enough to inchant a man and to encourage him +to kill the Prince of Orange, in the midst of Holland, and that there was +a knave found desperate enough to do it, we must think hereafter that +anything may be done. Therefore God preserve her Majesty." + +Invisible as the Grand Lama of Thibet, clothed with power as extensive +and absolute as had ever been wielded by the most imperial Caesar, Philip +the Prudent, as he grew older and feebler in mind and body seemed to +become more gluttonous of work, more ambitious to extend his sceptre over +lands which he had never seen or dreamed of seeing, more fixed in his +determination to annihilate that monster Protestantism, which it had been +the business of his life to combat, more eager to put to death every +human creature, whether anointed monarch or humble artizan, that defended +heresy or opposed his progress to universal empire. + +If this enormous power, this fabulous labour, had, been wielded or +performed with a beneficent intention; if the man who seriously regarded +himself as the owner of a third of the globe, with the inhabitants +thereof, had attempted to deal with these extensive estates inherited +from his ancestors with the honest intention of a thrifty landlord, an +intelligent slave-owner, it would have yet been possible for a little +longer to smile at the delusion, and endure the practice. + +But there was another old man, who lived in another palace in another +remote land, who, in his capacity of representative of Saint Peter, +claimed to dispose of all the kingdoms of the earth--and had been willing +to bestow them upon the man who would go down and worship him. Philip +stood enfeoffed, by divine decree, of all America, the East Indies, the +whole Spanish Peninsula, the better portion of Italy, the seventeen +Netherlands, and many other possessions far and near; and he contemplated +annexing to this extensive property the kingdoms of France, of England, +and Ireland. The Holy League, maintained by the sword of Guise, the +pope's ban, Spanish ducats, Italian condottieri, and German mercenaries, +was to exterminate heresy and establish the Spanish dominion in France. +The same machinery, aided by the pistol or poniard of the assassin, was +to substitute for English protestantism and England's queen the Roman +Catholic religion and a foreign sovereign. "The holy league," said +Duplessis-Mornay, one of the noblest characters of the age, "has destined +us all to the name sacrifice. The ambition of the Spaniard, which has +overleaped so many lands and seas, thinks nothing inaccessible." + +The Netherland revolt had therefore assumed world-wide proportions. Had +it been merely the rebellion of provinces against a sovereign, the +importance of the struggle would have been more local and temporary. But +the period was one in which the geographical land-marks of countries were +almost removed. The dividing-line ran through every state, city, and +almost every family. There was a country which believed in the absolute +power of the church to dictate the relations between man and his Maker, +and to utterly exterminate all who disputed that position. There was +another country which protested against that doctrine, and claimed, +theoretically or practically, a liberty of conscience. The territory of +these countries was mapped out by no visible lines, but the inhabitants +of each, whether resident in France, Germany, England, or Flanders, +recognised a relationship which took its root in deeper differences than +those of race or language. It was not entirely a question of doctrine or +dogma. A large portion of the world had become tired of the antiquated +delusion of a papal supremacy over every land, and had recorded its +determination, once for all, to have done with it. The transition to +freedom of conscience became a necessary step, sooner or later to be +taken. To establish the principle of toleration for all religions was an +inevitable consequence of the Dutch revolt; although thus far, perhaps +only one conspicuous man in advance of his age had boldly announced that +doctrine and had died in its defence. But a great true thought never +dies--though long buried in the earth--and the day was to come, after +long years, when the seed was to ripen into a harvest of civil and +religious emancipation, and when the very word toleration was to sound +like an insult and an absurdity. + +A vast responsibility rested upon the head of a monarch, placed as Philip +II. found himself, at this great dividing point in modern history. To +judge him, or any man in such a position, simply from his own point of +view, is weak and illogical. History judges the man according to its +point of view. It condemns or applauds the point of view itself. The +point of view of a malefactor is not to excuse robbery and murder. Nor is +the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence of the evil-doer at a time +when mortals were divided into almost equal troops. The age of Philip II. +was also the age of William of Orange and his four brethren, of Sainte +Aldegonde, of Olden-Barneveldt, of Duplessis-Mornay, La Noue, Coligny, of +Luther, Melancthon, and Calvin, Walsingham, Sidney, Raleigh, Queen +Elizabeth, of Michael Montaigne, and William Shakspeare. It was not an +age of blindness, but of glorious light. If the man whom the Maker of the +Universe had permitted to be born to such boundless functions, chose to +put out his own eyes that he might grope along his great pathway of duty +in perpetual darkness, by his deeds he must be judged. The King perhaps +firmly believed that the heretics of the Netherlands, of France, or of +England, could escape eternal perdition only by being extirpated from the +earth by fire and sword, and therefore; perhaps, felt it his duty to +devote his life to their extermination. But he believed, still more +firmly, that his own political authority, throughout his dominions, and +his road to almost universal empire, lay over the bodies of those +heretics. Three centuries have nearly past since this memorable epoch; +and the world knows the fate of the states which accepted the dogma which +it was Philip's life-work to enforce, and of those who protested against +the system. The Spanish and Italian Peninsulas have had a different +history from that which records the career of France, Prussia, the Dutch +Commonwealth, the British Empire, the Transatlantic Republic. + +Yet the contest between those Seven meagre Provinces upon the sand-banks +of the North Sea, and--the great Spanish Empire, seemed at the moment +with which we are now occupied a sufficiently desperate one. Throw a +glance upon the map of Europe. Look at the broad magnificent Spanish +Peninsula, stretching across eight degrees of latitude and ten of +longitude, commanding the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with a genial +climate, warmed in winter by the vast furnace of Africa, and protected +from the scorching heats of summer by shady mountain and forest, and +temperate breezes from either ocean. A generous southern territory, +flowing with wine and oil, and all the richest gifts of a bountiful +nature-splendid cities--the new and daily expanding Madrid, rich in the +trophies of the most artistic period of the modern world--Cadiz, as +populous at that day as London, seated by the straits where the ancient +and modern systems of traffic were blending like the mingling of the two +oceans--Granada, the ancient wealthy seat of the fallen Moors--Toledo, +Valladolid, and Lisbon, chief city of the recently-conquered kingdom of +Portugal, counting, with its suburbs, a larger population than any city, +excepting Paris, in Europe, the mother of distant colonies, and the +capital of the rapidly-developing traffic with both the Indies--these +were some of the treasures of Spain herself. But she possessed Sicily +also, the better portion of Italy, and important dependencies in Africa, +while the famous maritime discoveries of the age had all enured to her +aggrandizement. The world seemed suddenly to have expanded its wings from +East to West, only to bear the fortunate Spanish Empire to the most dizzy +heights of wealth and power. The most accomplished generals, the most +disciplined and daring infantry the world has ever known, the +best-equipped and most extensive navy, royal and mercantile, of the age, +were at the absolute command of the sovereign. Such was Spain. + +Turn now to the north-western corner of Europe. A morsel of territory, +attached by a slight sand-hook to the continent, and half-submerged by +the stormy waters of the German Ocean--this was Holland. A rude climate, +with long, dark, rigorous, winters, and brief summers, a territory, the +mere wash of three great rivers, which had fertilized happier portions of +Europe only to desolate and overwhelm this less-favoured land, a soil so +ungrateful, that if the whole of its four hundred thousand acres of +arable land had been sowed with grain, it could not feed the labourers +alone, and a population largely estimated at one million of souls--these +were the characteristics of the Province which already had begun to give +its name to the new commonwealth. The isles of Zeeland--entangled in the +coils of deep slow-moving rivers, or combating the ocean without--and the +ancient episcopate of Utrecht, formed the only other Provinces that had +quite shaken off the foreign yoke. In Friesland, the important city of +Groningen was still held for the King, while Bois-le-Duc, Zutphen, +besides other places in Gelderland and North Brabant, also in possession +of the royalists, made the position of those provinces precarious. + +The limit of the Spanish or "obedient" Provinces, on the one hand, and of +the United Provinces on the other, cannot, therefore, be briefly and +distinctly stated. The memorable treason--or, as it was called, the +"reconciliation" of the Walloon Provinces in the year 1583-4--had placed +the Provinces of Hainault, Arthois, Douay, with the flourishing cities +Arran, Valenciennes, Lille, Tournay, and others--all Celtic Flanders, in +short-in the grasp of Spain. Cambray was still held by the French +governor, Seigneur de Balagny, who had taken advantage of the Duke of +Anjou's treachery to the States, to establish himself in an unrecognized +but practical petty sovereignty, in defiance both of France and Spain; +while East Flanders and South Brabant still remained a disputed +territory, and the immediate field of contest. With these limitations, it +may be assumed, for general purposes, that the territory of the United +States was that of the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the +obedient Provinces occupied what is now the territory of Belgium. + +Such, then, were the combatants in the great eighty years' war for civil +and religious liberty; sixteen of which had now passed away. On the one +side, one of the most powerful and, populous world-empires of history, +then in the zenith of its prosperity; on the other hand, a slender group +of cities, governed by merchants and artisans, and planted precariously +upon a meagre, unstable soil. A million and a half of souls against the +autocrat of a third part of the known world. The contest seemed as +desperate as the cause was certainly sacred; but it had ceased to be a +local contest. For the history which is to occupy us in these volumes is +not exclusively the history of Holland. It is the story of the great +combat between despotism, sacerdotal and regal, and the spirit of +rational human liberty. The tragedy opened in the Netherlands, and its +main scenes were long enacted there; but as the ambition of Spain +expanded, and as the resistance to the principle which she represented +became more general, other nations were, of necessity, involved in the +struggle. There came to be one country, the citizens of which were the +Leaguers; and another country, whose inhabitants were Protestants. And in +this lay the distinction between freedom and absolutism. The religious +question swallowed all the others. There was never a period in the early +history of the Dutch revolt when the Provinces would not have returned to +their obedience, could they have been assured of enjoying liberty of +conscience or religious peace; nor was there ever a single moment in +Philip II.'s life in which he wavered in his fixed determination never to +listen to such a claim. The quarrel was in its nature irreconcilable and +eternal as the warfare between wrong and right; and the establishment of +a comparative civil liberty in Europe and America was the result of the +religious war of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The struggle +lasted eighty years, but the prize was worth the contest. + +The object of the war between the Netherlands and Spain was not, +therefore, primarily, a rebellion against established authority for the +maintenance of civil rights. To preserve these rights was secondary. The +first cause was religion. The Provinces had been fighting for years +against the Inquisition. Had they not taken arms, the Inquisition would +have been established in the Netherlands, and very probably in England, +and England might have become in its turn a Province of the Spanish +Empire. + +The death of William the Silent produced a sudden change in the political +arrangements of the liberated Netherlands. During the year 1583, the +United Provinces had elected Francis, Duke of Anjou, to be Duke of +Brabant and sovereign of the whole country, under certain constitutional +provisions enumerated in articles of solemn compact. That compact had +been grossly violated. The Duke had made a treacherous attempt to possess +himself of absolute power and to seize several important cities. He had +been signally defeated in Antwerp, and obliged to leave the country, +covered with ignominy. The States had then consulted William of Orange as +to the course to be taken in the emergency. The Prince had told them that +their choice was triple. They might reconcile themselves with Spain, and +abandon the contest for religious liberty which they had so long been +waging; they might reconcile themselves with Anjou, notwithstanding that +he had so utterly forfeited all claims to their consideration; or they +might fight the matter out with Spain single-handed. The last course was, +in his opinion, the most eligible one, and he was ready to sacrifice his +life to its furtherance. It was, however, indispensable, should that +policy be adopted, that much larger supplies should be voted than had +hitherto been raised, and, in general, that a much more extensive and +elevated spirit of patriotism should manifest itself than had hitherto +been displayed. + +It was, on the whole, decided to make a second arrangement with the Duke +of Anjou, Queen Elizabeth warmly urging that course. At the same time, +however, that articles of agreement were drawn up for the installation of +Anjou as sovereign of the United Provinces, the Prince had himself +consented to accept the title of Count of Holland, under an ample +constitutional charter, dictated by his own lips. Neither Anjou nor +Orange lived to be inaugurated into the offices thus bestowed upon them. +The Duke died at Chateau-Thierry on the 10th June, and the Prince was +assassinated a month later at Delft. + +What now was the political position of the United Provinces at this +juncture? The sovereignty which had been held by the Estates, ready to be +conferred respectively upon Anjou and Orange, remained in the hands of +the Estates. There was no opposition to this theory. No more enlarged +view of the social compact had yet been taken. The people, as such, +claimed no sovereignty. Had any champion claimed it for them they would +hardly have understood him. The nation dealt with facts. After abjuring +Philip in 1581--an act which had been accomplished by the Estates--the +same Estates in general assembly had exercised sovereign power, and had +twice disposed of that sovereign power by electing a hereditary ruler. +Their right and their power to do this had been disputed by none, save by +the deposed monarch in Spain. Having the sovereignty to dispose of, it +seemed logical that the Estates might keep it, if so inclined. They did +keep it, but only in trust. While Orange lived, he might often have been +elected sovereign of all the Provinces, could he have been induced to +consent. After his death, the Estates retained, ex necessitate, the +sovereignty; and it will soon be related what they intended to do with +it. One thing is very certain, that neither Orange, while he lived, nor +the Estates, after his death, were actuated in their policy by personal +ambition. It will be seen that the first object of the Estates was to +dispossess themselves of the sovereignty which had again fallen into +their hands. + +What were the Estates? Without, at the present moment, any farther +inquiries into that constitutional system which had been long +consolidating itself, and was destined to exist upon a firmer basis for +centuries longer, it will be sufficient to observe, that the great +characteristic of the Netherland government was the municipality. + +Each Province contained a large number of cities, which were governed by +a board of magistrates, varying in number from twenty to forty. This +college, called the Vroedschap (Assembly of Sages), consisted of the most +notable citizens, and was a self-electing body--a close corporation--the +members being appointed for life, from the citizens at large. Whenever +vacancies occurred from death or loss of citizenship, the college chose +new members--sometimes immediately, sometimes by means of a double or +triple selection of names, the choice of one from among which was offered +to the stadtholder of the province. This functionary was appointed by the +Count, as he was called, whether Duke of Bavaria or of Burgundy, Emperor, +or King. After the abjuration of Philip, the governors were appointed by +the Estates of each Province. + +The Sage-Men chose annually a board of senators, or schepens, whose +functions were mainly judicial; and there were generally two, and +sometimes three, burgomasters, appointed in the same way. This was the +popular branch of the Estates. But, besides this body of representatives, +were the nobles, men of ancient lineage and large possessions, who had +exercised, according to the general feudal law of Europe, high, low, and +intermediate jurisdiction upon their estates, and had long been +recognized as an integral part of the body politic, having the right to +appear, through delegates of their order, in the provincial and in the +general assemblies. + +Regarded as a machine for bringing the most decided political capacities +into the administration of public affairs, and for organising the most +practical opposition to the system of religious tyranny, the Netherland +constitution was a healthy, and, for the age, an enlightened one. The +officeholders, it is obvious, were not greedy for the spoils of office; +for it was, unfortunately, often the case that their necessary expenses +in the service of the state were not defrayed. The people raised enormous +contributions for carrying on the war; but they could not afford to be +extremely generous to their faithful servants. + +Thus constituted was the commonwealth upon the death of William the +Silent. The gloom produced by that event was tragical. Never in human +history was a more poignant and universal sorrow for the death of any +individual. The despair was, for a brief season, absolute; but it was +soon succeeded by more lofty sentiments. It seemed, after they had laid +their hero in the tomb, as though his spirit still hovered above the +nation which he had loved so well, and was inspiring it with a portion of +his own energy and wisdom. + +Even on the very day of the murder, the Estates of Holland, then sitting +at Delft, passed a resolution "to maintain the good cause, with God's +help, to the uttermost, without sparing gold or blood." This decree was +communicated to Admiral de Warmont, to Count Hohenlo, to William Lewis of +Nassau, and to other commanders by land and sea. At the same time, the +sixteen members--for no greater number happened to be present at the +session--addressed letters to their absent colleagues, informing them of +the calamity which had befallen them, summoning them at once to +conference, and urging an immediate convocation of the Estates of all the +Provinces in General Assembly. They also addressed strong letters of +encouragement, mingled with manly condolence, upon the common affliction, +to prominent military and naval commanders and civil functionaries, +begging them to "bear themselves manfully and valiantly, without +faltering in the least on account of the great misfortune which had +occurred, or allowing themselves to be seduced by any one from the union +of the States." Among these sixteen were Van Zuylen, Van Nyvelt, the +Seigneur de Warmont, the Advocate of Holland, Paul Buys, Joost de Menin, +and John van Olden-Barneveldt. A noble example was thus set at once to +their fellow citizens by these their representatives--a manful step taken +forward in the path where Orange had so long been leading. + +The next movement, after the last solemn obsequies had been rendered to +the Prince was to provide for the immediate wants of his family. For the +man who had gone into the revolt with almost royal revenues, left his +estate so embarrassed that his carpets, tapestries, household linen--nay, +even his silver spoons, and the very clothes of his wardrobe were +disposed of at auction for the benefit of his creditors. He left eleven +children--a son and daughter by the first wife, a son and daughter by +Anna of Saxony, six daughters by Charlotte of Bourbon, and an infant, +Frederic Henry, born six months before his death. The eldest son, Philip +William, had been a captive in Spain for seventeen years, having been +kidnapped from school, in Leyden, in the year 1567. He had already become +so thoroughly Hispaniolized under the masterly treatment of the King and +the Jesuits, that even his face had lost all resemblance to the type of +his heroic family, and had acquired a sinister, gloomy, forbidding +expression, most painful to contemplate. All of good that he had retained +was a reverence for his father's name--a sentiment which he had +manifested to an extravagant extent on a memorable occasion in Madrid, by +throwing out of window, and killing on the spot a Spanish officer who had +dared to mention the great Prince with insult. + +The next son was Maurice, then seventeen years of age, a handsome youth, +with dark blue eyes, well-chiselled features, and full red lips, who had +already manifested a courage and concentration of character beyond his +years. The son of William the Silent, the grandson of Maurice of Saxony, +whom he resembled in visage and character, he was summoned by every drop +of blood in his veins to do life-long battle with the spirit of Spanish +absolutism, and he was already girding himself for his life's work. He +assumed at once for his device a fallen oak, with a young sapling +springing from its root. His motto, "Tandem fit surculus arbor," "the +twig shall yet become a tree"--was to be nobly justified by his career. + +The remaining son, then a six months' child, was also destined to high +fortunes, and to win an enduring name in his country's history. For the +present he remained with his mother, the noble Louisa de Coligny, who had +thus seen, at long intervals, her father and two husbands fall victims to +the Spanish policy; for it is as certain that Philip knew beforehand, and +testified his approbation of, the massacre of St. Bartholomew, as that he +was the murderer of Orange. + +The Estates of Holland implored the widowed Princess to remain in their +territory, settling a liberal allowance upon herself and her child, and +she fixed her residence at Leyden. + +But her position was most melancholy. Married in youth to the Seigneur de +Teligny, a young noble of distinguished qualities, she had soon become +both a widow and an orphan in the dread night of St. Bartholomew. She had +made her own escape to Switzerland; and ten years afterwards she had +united herself in marriage with the Prince of Orange. At the age of +thirty-two, she now found herself desolate and wretched in a foreign +land, where she had never felt thoroughly at home. The widow and children +of William the Silent were almost without the necessaries of life. "I +hardly know," wrote the Princess to her brother-in-law, Count John, "how +the children and I are to maintain ourselves according to the honour of +the house. May God provide for us in his bounty, and certainly we have +much need of it." Accustomed to the more luxurious civilisation of +France, she had been amused rather than annoyed, when, on her first +arrival in Holland for her nuptials, she found herself making the journey +from Rotterdam to Delft in an open cart without springs, instead of the +well-balanced coaches to which she had been used, arriving, as might have +been expected, "much bruised and shaken." Such had become the primitive +simplicity of William the Silent's household. But on his death, in +embarrassed circumstances, it was still more straightened. She had no +cause either to love Leyden, for, after the assassination of her husband, +a brutal preacher, Hakkius by name, had seized that opportunity for +denouncing the French marriage, and the sumptuous christening of the +infant in January, as the deeds which had provoked the wrath of God and +righteous chastisement. To remain there in her widowhood, with that six +months' child, "sole pledge of her dead lord, her consolation and only +pleasure," as she pathetically expressed herself, was sufficiently +painful, and she had been inclined to fix her residence in Flushing, in +the edifice which had belonged to her husband, as Marquis of Vere. She +had been persuaded, however, to remain in Holland, although "complaining, +at first, somewhat of the unkindness of the people." + +A small well-formed woman, with delicate features, exquisite complexion, +and very beautiful dark eyes, that seemed in after-years, as they looked +from beneath her coif, to be dim with unshed tears; with remarkable +powers of mind, angelic sweetness of disposition, a winning manner, and a +gentle voice, Louisa de Coligny became soon dear to the rough Hollanders, +and was ever a disinterested and valuable monitress both to her own child +and to his elder brother Maurice. + +Very soon afterwards the States General established a State Council, as a +provisional executive board, for the term of three months, for the +Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Friesland, and such parts of +Flanders and Brabant as still remained in the Union. At the head of this +body was placed young Maurice, who accepted the responsible position, +after three days' deliberation. The young man had been completing his +education, with a liberal allowance from Holland and Zeeland, at the +University of Leyden; and such had been their tender care for the child +of so many hopes, that the Estates had given particular and solemn +warning, by resolution, to his governor during the previous summer, on no +account to allow him to approach the sea-shore, lest he should be +kidnapped by the Prince of Parma, who had then some war-vessels cruising +on the coast. + +The salary of Maurice was now fixed at thirty thousand florins a year, +while each of the councillors was allowed fifteen hundred annually, out +of which stipend he was to support at least one servant; without making +any claim for travelling or other incidental expenses. + +The Council consisted of three members from Brabant, two from Flanders, +four from Holland, three from Zeeland, two from Utrecht, one from +Mechlin, and three from Friesland--eighteen in all. They were empowered +and enjoined to levy troops by land and sea, and to appoint naval and +military officers; to establish courts of admiralty, to expend the moneys +voted by the States, to maintain the ancient privileges of the country, +and to see that all troops in service of the Provinces made oath of +fidelity to the Union. Diplomatic relations, questions of peace and war, +the treaty-making power, were not entrusted to the Council, without the +knowledge and consent of the States General, which body was to be +convoked twice a year by the State Council. + +Thus the Provinces in the hour of danger and darkness were true to +themselves, and were far from giving way to a despondency which under the +circumstances would not have been unnatural. + +For the waves of bitterness were rolling far and wide around them. A +medal, struck in Holland at this period, represented a dismasted hulk +reeling through the tempest. The motto, "incertum quo fate ferent" (who +knows whither fate is sweeping her?) expressed most vividly the ship +wrecked condition of the country. Alexander of Parma, the most +accomplished general and one of the most adroit statesmen of the age, was +swift to take advantage of the calamity which had now befallen the +rebellious Provinces. Had he been better provided with men and money, the +cause of the States might have seemed hopeless. He addressed many letters +to the States General, to the magistracies of various cities, and to +individuals, affecting to consider that with the death of Orange had died +all authority, as well as all motive for continuing the contest with +Spain. He offered easy terms of reconciliation with the discarded +monarch--always reserving, however, as a matter of course, the religious +question--for it was as well known to the States as to Parma that there +was no hope of Philip making concessions upon that important point. + +In Holland and Zeeland the Prince's blandishments were of no avail. His +letters received in various towns of those Provinces, offered, said one +who saw them, "almost every thing they would have or demand, even till +they should repent." But the bait was not taken. Individuals and +municipalities were alike stanch, remembering well that faith was not to +be kept with heretics. The example was followed by the Estates of other +Provinces, and all sent in to the General Assembly, soon in session at +Delft, "their absolute and irrevocable authority to their deputies to +stand to that which they, the said States General, should dispose of as +to their persons, goods and country; a resolution and agreement which +never concurred before among them, to this day, in what age or government +soever." + +It was decreed that no motion of agreement "with the tyrant of Spain" +should be entertained either publicly or privately, "under pain to be +reputed ill patriots." It was also enacted in the city of Dort that any +man that brought letter or message from the enemy to any private person +"should be forthwith hanged." This was expeditious and business-like. The +same city likewise took the lead in recording its determination by public +act, and proclaiming it by sound of trumpet, "to live and die in the +cause now undertaken." + +In Flanders and Brabant the spirit was less noble. Those Provinces were +nearly lost already. Bruges seconded Parma's efforts to induce its +sister-city Ghent to imitate its own baseness in surrendering without a +struggle; and that powerful, turbulent, but most anarchical little +commonwealth was but too ready to listen to the voice of the tempter. +"The ducats of Spain, Madam, are trotting about in such fashion," wrote +envoy Des Pruneaux to Catherine de Medici, "that they have vanquished a +great quantity of courages. Your Majesties, too, must employ money if you +wish to advance one step." No man knew better than Parma how to employ +such golden rhetoric to win back a wavering rebel to his loyalty, but he +was not always provided with a sufficient store of those practical +arguments. + +He was, moreover, not strong in the field, although he was far superior +to the States at this contingency. He had, besides his garrisons, +something above 18,000 men. The Provinces had hardly 3000 foot and 2500 +horse, and these were mostly lying in the neighbourhood of Zutphen. +Alexander was threatening at the same time Ghent, Dendermonde, Mechlin, +Brussels, and Antwerp. These five powerful cities lie in a narrow circle, +at distances varying from six miles to thirty, and are, as it were, +strung together upon the Scheldt, by which river, or its tributary, the +Senne, they are all threaded. It would have been impossible for Parma, +with 100,000 men at his back, to undertake a regular and simultaneous +siege of these important places. His purpose was to isolate them from +each other and from the rest of the country, by obtaining the control of +the great river, and so to reduce them by famine. The scheme was a +masterly one, but even the consummate ability of Farnese would have +proved inadequate to the undertaking, had not the preliminary +assassination of Orange made the task comparatively easy. Treason, +faint-heartedness, jealousy, were the fatal allies that the +Governor-General had reckoned upon, and with reason, in the council-rooms +of these cities. The terms he offered were liberal. Pardon, permission +for soldiers to retreat with technical honour, liberty to choose between +apostacy to the reformed religion or exile, with a period of two years +granted to the conscientious for the winding up of their affairs; these +were the conditions, which seemed flattering, now that the well-known +voice which had so often silenced the Flemish palterers and intriguers +was for ever hushed. + +Upon the 17th August (1584) Dendermonde surrendered, and no lives were +taken save those of two preachers, one of whom was hanged, while the +other was drowned. Upon the 7th September Vilvoorde capitulated, by which +event the water-communication between Brussels and Antwerp was cut off. +Ghent, now thoroughly disheartened, treated with Parma likewise; and upon +the 17th September made its reconciliation with the King. The surrender +of so strong and important a place was as disastrous to the cause of the +patriots as it was disgraceful to the citizens themselves. It was, +however, the result of an intrigue which had been long spinning, although +the thread had been abruptly, and, as it was hoped, conclusively, severed +several months before. During the early part of the year, after the +reconciliation of Bruges with the King--an event brought about by the +duplicity and adroitness of Prince Chimay--the same machinery had been +diligently and almost successfully employed to produce a like result in +Ghent. Champagny, brother of the famous Cardinal Granvelle, had been +under arrest for six years in that city. His imprisonment was not a +strict one however; and he avenged himself for what he considered very +unjust treatment at the hands of the patriots, by completely abandoning a +cause which he had once begun to favour. A man of singular ability, +courage, and energy, distinguished both for military and diplomatic +services, he was a formidable enemy to the party from which he was now +for ever estranged. As early as April of this year, secret emissaries of +Parma, dealing with Champagny in his nominal prison, and with the +disaffected burghers at large, had been on the point of effecting an +arrangement with the royal governor. The negotiation had been suddenly +brought to a close by the discovery of a flagrant attempt by Imbue, one +of the secret adherents of the King, to sell the city of Dendermonde, of +which he was governor, to Parma. For this crime he had been brought to +Ghent for trial, and then publicly beheaded. The incident came in aid of +the eloquence of Orange, who, up to the latest moment of his life, had +been most urgent in his appeals to the patriotic hearts of Ghent, not to +abandon the great cause of the union and of liberty. William the Silent +knew full well, that after the withdrawal of the great keystone-city of +Ghent, the chasm between the Celtic-Catholic and the Flemish-Calvinist +Netherlands could hardly be bridged again. Orange was now dead. The +negotiations with France, too, on which those of the Ghenters who still +held true to the national cause had fastened their hopes, had previously +been brought to a stand-still by the death of Anjou; and Champagny, +notwithstanding the disaster to Imbize, became more active than ever. A +private agent, whom the municipal government had despatched to the French +court for assistance, was not more successful than his character and +course of conduct would have seemed to warrant; for during his residence +in Paris, he had been always drunk, and generally abusive. This was not +good diplomacy, particularly on the part of an agent from a weak +municipality to a haughty and most undecided government. + +"They found at this court," wrote Stafford to Walsingham, "great fault +with his manner of dealing that was sent from Gaunt. He was scarce sober +from one end of the week to the other, and stood so much on his tiptoes +to have present answer within three days, or else that they of Gaunt +could tell where to bestow themselves. They sent him away after keeping +him three weeks, and he went off in great dudgeon, swearing by yea and +nay that he will make report thereafter." + +Accordingly, they of Ghent did bestow themselves very soon thereafter +upon the King of Spain. The terms were considered liberal, but there was, +of course, no thought of conceding the great object for which the +patriots were contending--religious liberty. The municipal +privileges--such as they might prove to be worth under the interpretation +of a royal governor and beneath the guns of a citadel filled with Spanish +troops--were to be guaranteed; those of the inhabitants who did not +choose to go to mass were allowed two years to wind up their affairs +before going into perpetual exile, provided they behaved themselves +"without scandal;" while on the other hand, the King's authority as Count +of Flanders was to be fully recognised, and all the dispossessed monks +and abbots to be restored to their property. + +Accordingly, Champagny was rewarded for his exertions by being released +from prison and receiving the appointment of governor of the city: and, +after a very brief interval, about one-half of the population, the most +enterprising of its merchants and manufacturers, the most industrious of +its artizans, emigrated to Holland and Zeeland. The noble city of +Ghent--then as large as Paris, thoroughly surrounded with moats, and +fortified with bulwarks, ravelins, and counterscarps, constructed of +earth, during the previous two years, at great expense, and provided with +bread and meat, powder and shot, enough to last a year--was ignominiously +surrendered. The population, already a very reduced and slender one for +the great extent of the place and its former importance, had been +estimated at 70,000. The number of houses was 35,000, so that as the +inhabitants were soon farther reduced to one-half, there remained but one +individual to each house. On the other hand, the twenty-five monasteries +and convents in the town were repeopled--with how much advantage as a +set-off to the thousands of spinners and weavers who had wandered away, +and who in the flourishing days of Ghent had sent gangs of workmen +through the streets "whose tramp was like that of an army"--may be +sufficiently estimated by the result. + +The fall of Brussels was deferred till March, and that of Mechlin (19th +July, 1585) and of Antwerp (19th August, 1585), till Midsummer of the +following year; but, the surrender of Ghent (10th March 1585) +foreshadowed the fate of Flanders and Brabant. Ostend and Sluys, however, +were still in the hands of the patriots, and with them the control of the +whole Flemish coast. The command of the sea was destined to remain for +centuries with the new republic. + +The Prince of Parma, thus encouraged by the great success of his +intrigues, was determined to achieve still greater triumphs with his +arms, and steadily proceeded with his large design of closing the +Scheldt--and bringing about the fall of Antwerp. The details of that +siege-one of the most brilliant military operations of the age and one of +the most memorable in its results--will be given, as a connected whole, +in a subsequent series of chapters. For the present, it will be better +for the reader who wishes a clear view of European politics at this +epoch, and of the position of the Netherlands, to give his attention to +the web of diplomatic negotiation and court-intrigue which had been +slowly spreading over the leading states of Christendom, and in which the +fate of the world was involved. If diplomatic adroitness consists mainly +in the power to deceive, never were more adroit diplomatists than those +of the sixteenth century. It would, however, be absurd to deny them a +various range of abilities; and the history of no other age can show more +subtle, comprehensive, indefatigable--but, it must also be added, often +unscrupulous--intellects engaged in the great game of politics in which +the highest interests of millions were the stakes, than were those of +several leading minds in England, France, Germany, and Spain. With such +statesmen the burgher-diplomatists of the new-born commonwealth had to +measure themselves; and the result was to show whether or not they could +hold their own in the cabinet as on the field. + +For the present, however, the new state was unconscious of its latent +importance, The new-risen republic remained for a season nebulous, and +ready to unsphere itself so soon as the relative attraction of other +great powers should determine its absorption. By the death of Anjou and +of Orange the United Netherlands had became a sovereign state, an +independent republic; but they stood with that sovereignty in their +hands, offering it alternately, not to the highest bidder, but to the +power that would be willing to accept their allegiance, on the sole +condition of assisting them in the maintenance of their religious +freedom. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Relations of the Republic to France--Queen's Severity towards + Catholics and Calvinists--Relative Positions of England and France-- + Timidity of Germany--Apathy of Protestant Germany--Indignation of + the Netherlanders--Henry III. of France--The King and his Minions-- + Henry of Guise--Henry of Navarre--Power of France--Embassy of the + States to France--Ignominious position of the Envoys--Views of the + French Huguenots--Efforts to procure Annexation--Success of Des + Pruneaux. + +The Prince of Orange had always favoured a French policy. He had ever +felt a stronger reliance upon the support of France than upon that of any +other power. This was not unreasonable, and so long as he lived, the +tendency of the Netherlands had been in that direction. It had never been +the wish of England to acquire the sovereignty of the Provinces. In +France on the contrary, the Queen Dowager, Catharine de' Medici had +always coveted that sovereignty for her darling Francis of Alencon; and +the design had been favoured, so far as any policy could be favoured, by +the impotent monarch who occupied the French throne. + +The religion of the United Netherlands was Calvinistic. There were also +many Anabaptists in the country. The Queen of England hated Anabaptists, +Calvinists, and other sectarians, and banished them from her realms on +pain of imprisonment and confiscation of property. As firmly opposed as +was her father to the supremacy of the Bishop of Rome, she felt much of +the paternal reluctance to accept the spirit of the Reformation. Henry +Tudor hanged the men who believed in the Pope, and burnt alive those who +disbelieved in transubstantiation, auricular confession, and the other +'Six Articles.' His daughter, whatever her secret religious convictions, +was stanch in her resistance to Rome, and too enlightened a monarch not +to see wherein the greatness and glory of England were to be found; but +she had no thought of tolerating liberty of conscience. All opposed to +the Church of England, whether Papists or Puritans, were denounced as +heretics, and as such imprisoned or banished. "To allow churches with +contrary rites and ceremonies," said Elizabeth, "were nothing else but to +sow religion out of religion, to distract good men's minds, to cherish +factious men's humours, to disturb religion and commonwealth, and mingle +divine and human things; which were a thing in deed evil, in example +worst of all; to our own subjects hurtful, and to themselves--to whom it +is granted, neither greatly commodious, nor yet at all safe."--[Camden] +The words were addressed, it is true, to Papists, but there is very +little doubt that Anabaptists or any other heretics would have received a +similar reply, had they, too, ventured to demand the right of public +worship. It may even be said that the Romanists in the earlier days of +Elizabeth's reign fared better than the Calvinists. The Queen neither +banished nor imprisoned the Catholics. She did not enter their houses to +disturb their private religious ceremonies, or to inquire into their +consciences. This was milder treatment than the burning alive, burying +alive, hanging, and drowning, which had been dealt out to the English and +the Netherland heretics by Philip and by Mary, but it was not the spirit +which William the Silent had been wont to manifest in his measures +towards Anabaptists and Papists alike. Moreover, the Prince could hardly +forget that of the nine thousand four hundred Catholic ecclesiastics who +held benefices at the death of Queen Mary, all had renounced the Pope on +the accession of Queen Elizabeth, and acknowledged her as the head of the +church, saving only one hundred and eighty-nine individuals. In the +hearts of the nine thousand two hundred and eleven others, it might be +thought perhaps that some tenderness for the religion from which they had +so suddenly been converted, might linger, while it could hardly be hoped +that they would seek to inculcate in the minds of their flocks or of +their sovereign any connivance with the doctrines of Geneva. + +When, at a later period, the plotting of Catholics, suborned by the Pope +and Philip, against the throne and person of the Queen, made more +rigorous measures necessary; when it was thought indispensable to execute +as traitors those Roman seedlings--seminary priests and their +disciples--who went about preaching to the Queen's subjects the duty of +carrying out the bull by which the Bishop of Rome had deposed and +excommunicated their sovereign, and that "it was a meritorious act to +kill such princes as were excommunicate," even then, the men who preached +and practised treason and murder experienced no severer treatment than +that which other "heretics" had met with at the Queen's hands. Jesuits +and Popish priests were, by Act of Parliament, ordered to depart the +realm within forty days. Those who should afterwards return to the +kingdom were to be held guilty of high treason. Students in the foreign +seminaries were commanded to return within six months and recant, or be +held guilty of high treason. Parents and guardians supplying money to +such students abroad were to incur the penalty of a preamunire--perpetual +exile, namely, with loss of all their goods. + +Many seminary priests and others were annually executed in England under +these laws, throughout the Queen's reign, but nominally at least they +were hanged not as Papists, but as traitors; not because they taught +transubstantiation, ecclesiastical celibacy, auricular confession, or +even Papal supremacy, but because they taught treason and murder--because +they preached the necessity of killing the Queen. It was not so easy, +however, to defend or even comprehend the banishment and imprisonment of +those who without conspiring against the Queen's life or throne, desired +to see the Church of England reformed according to the Church of Geneva. +Yet there is no doubt that many sectaries experienced much inhuman +treatment for such delinquency, both in the early and the later years of +Elizabeth's reign. + +There was another consideration, which had its due weight in this +balance, and that was the respective succession to the throne in the two +kingdoms of France and England. Mary Stuart, the Catholic, the niece of +the Guises, emblem and exponent of all that was most Roman in Europe, the +sworn friend of Philip, the mortal foe to all heresy, was the legitimate +successor to Elizabeth. Although that sovereign had ever refused to +recognize that claim; holding that to confirm Mary in the succession was +to "lay her own winding sheet before her eyes, yea, to make her, own +grave, while she liveth and looketh on;" and although the unfortunate +claimant of two thrones was a prisoner in her enemy's hands, yet, so long +as she lived, there was little security for Protestantism, even in +Elizabeth's lifetime, and less still in case of her sudden death. On the +other hand, not only were the various politico-religious forces of France +kept in equilibrium by their action upon each other--so that it was +reasonable to believe that the House of Valois, however Catholic itself, +would be always compelled by the fast-expanding strength of French +Calvinism, to observe faithfully a compact to tolerate the Netherland +churches--but, upon the death of Henry III. the crown would be +legitimately placed upon the head of the great champion and chief of the +Huguenots, Henry of Navarre. + +It was not unnatural, therefore, that the Prince of Orange, a Calvinist +himself, should expect more sympathy with the Netherland reformers in +France than in England. A large proportion of the population of that +kingdom, including an influential part of the nobility, was of the +Huguenot persuasion, and the religious peace, established by royal edict, +had endured so long, that the reformers of France and the Netherlands had +begun to believe in the royal clemency, and to confide in the royal word. +Orange did not live to see the actual formation of the Holy League, and +could only guess at its secrets. + +Moreover, it should be remembered that France at that day was a more +formidable state than England, a more dangerous enemy, and, as it was +believed, a more efficient protector. The England of the period, glorious +as it was for its own and all future ages, was, not the great British +Empire of to-day. On the contrary, it was what would now be considered, +statistically speaking, a rather petty power. The England of Elizabeth, +Walsingham, Burghley, Drake, and Raleigh, of Spenser and Shakspeare, +hardly numbered a larger population than now dwells in its capital and +immediate suburbs. It had neither standing army nor considerable royal +navy. It was full of conspirators, daring and unscrupulous, loyal to none +save to Mary of Scotland, Philip of Spain, and the Pope of Rome, and +untiring in their efforts to bring about a general rebellion. With +Ireland at its side, nominally a subject province, but in a state of +chronic insurrection--a perpetual hot-bed for Spanish conspiracy and +stratagem; with Scotland at its back, a foreign country, with half its +population exasperated enemies of England, and the rest but doubtful +friends, and with the legitimate sovereign of that country, "the daughter +of debate, who discord still did sow,"--[Sonnet by Queen Elizabeth.]--a +prisoner in Elizabeth's hands, the central point around which treason was +constantly crystallizing itself, it was not strange that with the known +views of the Queen on the subject of the reformed Dutch religion, England +should seem less desirable as a protector for the Netherlands than the +neighbouring kingdom of France. + +Elizabeth was a great sovereign, whose genius Orange always appreciated, +in a comparatively feeble realm. Henry of Valois was the contemptible +monarch of a powerful state, and might be led by others to produce +incalculable mischief or considerable good. Notwithstanding the massacre +of St. Bartholomew, therefore, and the more recent "French fury" of +Antwerp, Orange had been willing to countenance fresh negociations with +France. + +Elizabeth, too, it should never be forgotten, was, if not over generous, +at least consistent and loyal in her policy towards the Provinces. She +was not precisely jealous of France, as has been unjustly intimated on +distinguished authority, for she strongly advocated the renewed offer of +the sovereignty to Anjou, after his memorable expulsion from the +Provinces. At that period, moreover, not only her own love-coquetries +with Anjou were over, but he was endeavouring with all his might, though +in secret, to make a match with the younger Infanta of Spain. Elizabeth +furthered the negociation with France, both publicly and privately. It +will soon be narrated how those negociations prospered. + +If then England were out of the question, where, except in France, +should the Netherlanders, not deeming themselves capable of standing +alone, seek for protection and support? + +We have seen the extensive and almost ubiquitous power of Spain. Where +she did not command as sovereign, she was almost equally formidable as an +ally. The Emperor of Germany was the nephew and the brother-in-law of +Philip, and a strict Catholic besides. Little aid was to be expected from +him or the lands under his control for the cause of the Netherland +revolt. Rudolph hated his brother-in-law, but lived in mortal fear of +him. He was also in perpetual dread of the Grand Turk. That formidable +potentate, not then the "sick man" whose precarious condition and +territorial inheritance cause so much anxiety in modern days, was, it is +true, sufficiently occupied for the moment in Persia, and had been +sustaining there a series of sanguinary defeats. He was all the more +anxious to remain upon good terms with Philip, and had recently sent him +a complimentary embassy, together with some rather choice presents, among +which were "four lions, twelve unicorns, and two horses coloured white, +black, and blue." Notwithstanding these pacific manifestations towards +the West, however, and in spite of the truce with the German Empire which +the Turk had just renewed for nine years,--Rudolph and his servants still +trembled at every report from the East. + +"He is much deceived," wrote Busbecq, Rudolph's ambassador in Paris, "who +doubts that the Turk has sought any thing by this long Persian war, but +to protect his back, and prepare the way, after subduing that enemy, to +the extermination of all Christendom, and that he will then, with all his +might, wage an unequal warfare with us, in which the existence of the +Empire will be at stake." + +The envoy expressed, at the same period, however, still greater awe of +Spain. "It is to no one," he wrote, "endowed with good judgment, in the +least obscure, that the Spanish nation, greedy of empire, will never be +quiet, even with their great power, but will seek for the dominion of the +rest of Christendom. How much remains beyond what they have already +acquired? Afterwards, there will soon be no liberty, no dignity, for +other princes and republics. That single nation will be arbiter of all +things, than which nothing can be more miserable, nothing more degrading. +It cannot be doubted that all kings, princes, and states, whose safety or +dignity is dear to them, would willingly associate in arms to extinguish +the common conflagration. The death of the Catholic king would seem the +great opportunity 'miscendis rebus'." + +Unfortunately neither Busbecq's master nor any other king or prince +manifested any of this commendable alacrity to "take up arms against the +conflagration." Germany was in a shiver at every breeze from East or +West-trembling alike before Philip and Amurath. The Papists were making +rapid progress, the land being undermined by the steady and stealthy +encroachments of the Jesuits. Lord Burghley sent many copies of his +pamphlet, in Latin, French, and Italian, against the Seminaries, to +Gebhard Truchsess; and the deposed archbishop made himself busy in +translating that wholesome production into German, and in dispersing it +"all Germany over." The work, setting duly forth "that the executions of +priests in England were not for religion but for treason," was +"marvellously liked" in the Netherlands. "In uttering the truth," said +Herle, "'tis likely to do great good;" and he added, that Duke Augustus +of Saxony "did now see so far into the sect of Jesuits, and to their +inward mischiefs, as to become their open enemy, and to make friends +against them in the Empire." + +The love of Truchsess for Agnes Mansfeld had created disaster not only +for himself but for Germany. The whole electorate of Cologne had become +the constant seat of partisan warfare, and the resort of organised bands +of brigands. Villages were burned and rifled, highways infested, cities +threatened, and the whole country subjected to perpetual black mail +(brandschatzung)--fire-insurance levied by the incendiaries in person--by +the supporters of the rival bishops. Truchsess had fled to Delft, where +he had been countenanced and supported by Orange. Two cities still held +for him, Rheinberg and Neuss. On the other hand, his rival, Ernest of +Bavaria; supported by Philip II., and the occasional guest of Alexander +of Parma, had not yet succeeded in establishing a strong foothold in the +territory. Two pauper archbishops, without men or means of their own, +were thus pushed forward and back, like puppets, by the contending +highwaymen on either side; while robbery and murder, under the name of +Protestantism or Catholicism, were for a time the only motive or result +of the contest. + +Thus along the Rhine, as well as the Maas and the Scheldt, the fires of +civil war were ever burning. Deeper within the heart of Germany, there +was more tranquillity; but it was the tranquillity rather of paralysis +than of health. A fearful account was slowly accumulating, which was +evidently to be settled only by one of the most horrible wars which +history has ever recorded. Meantime there was apathy where there should +have been enthusiasm; parsimony and cowardice where generous and combined +effort were more necessary than ever; sloth without security. The +Protestant princes, growing fat and contented on the spoils of the +church, lent but a deaf ear to the moans of Truchsess, forgetting that +their neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own. "They +understand better, 'proximus sum egomet mild'," wrote Lord Willoughby +from Kronenburg, "than they have learned, 'humani nihid a me alienum +puto'. These German princes continue still in their lethargy, careless of +the state of others, and dreaming of their ubiquity, and some of them, it +is thought, inclining to be Spanish or Popish more of late than +heretofore." + +The beggared archbishop, more forlorn than ever since the death of his +great patron, cried woe from his resting-place in Delft, upon Protestant +Germany. His tones seemed almost prophetic of the thirty years' wrath to +blaze forth in the next generation. "Courage is wanting to the people +throughout Germany," he wrote to William Lewis of Nassau. "We are +becoming the laughing-stock of the nations. Make sheep of yourselves, and +the wolf will eat you. We shall find our destruction in our immoderate +desire for peace. Spain is making a Papistical league in Germany. +Therefore is Assonleville despatched thither, and that's the reason why +our trash of priests are so insolent in the empire. 'Tis astonishing how +they are triumphing on all sides. God will smite them. Thou dear God! +What are our evangelists about in Germany? Asleep on both ears. 'Dormiunt +in utramque aurem'. I doubt they will be suddenly enough awakened one +day, and the cry will be, 'Who'd have thought it?' Then they will be for +getting oil for the lamp, for shutting the stable-door when the steed is +stolen," and so on, with a string of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho +Panza, or landgrave William of Hesse. + +In truth, one of the most painful features is the general aspect of +affairs was the coldness of the German Protestants towards the +Netherlands. The enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists was almost as +fatal as that between Protestants and Papists. There was even a talk, at +a little later period, of excluding those of the "reformed" church from +the benefits of the peace of Passau. The princes had got the Augsburg +confession and the abbey-lands into the bargain; the peasants had got the +Augsburg confession without the abbey-lands, and were to believe exactly +what their masters believed. This was the German-Lutheran +sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom. Neither prince nor peasant +stirred in behalf of the struggling Christians in the United Provinces, +battling, year after year, knee-deep in blood, amid blazing cities and +inundated fields, breast to breast with the yellow jerkined pikemen of +Spain and Italy, with the axe and the faggot and the rack of the Holy +Inquisition distinctly visible behind them. Such were the realities which +occupied the Netherlanders in those days, not watery beams of theological +moonshine, fantastical catechism-making, intermingled with scenes of riot +and wantonness, which drove old John of Nassau half frantic; with +banquetting and guzzling, drinking and devouring, with unchristian +flaunting and wastefulness of apparel, with extravagant and wanton +dancing, and other lewd abominations; all which, the firm old reformer +prophesied, would lead to the destruction of Germany. + +For the mass, slow moving but apparently irresistible, of Spanish and +papistical absolutism was gradually closing over Christendom. The +Netherlands were the wedge by which alone the solid bulk could be riven +asunder. It was the cause of German, of French, of English liberty, for +which the Provinces were contending. It was not surprising that they were +bitter, getting nothing in their hour of distress from the land of Luther +but dogmas and Augsburg catechisms instead of money and gunpowder, and +seeing German reiters galloping daily to reinforce the army of Parma in +exchange for Spanish ducats. + +Brave old La Noue, with the iron arm, noblest of Frenchmen and +Huguenots--who had just spent five years in Spanish bondage, writing +military discourses in a reeking dungeon, filled with toads and vermin, +after fighting the battle of liberty for a life-time, and with his brave +son already in the Netherlands emulating his father's valour on the same +field--denounced at a little later day, the lukewarmness of Protestant +Germany with whimsical vehemence:--"I am astounded," he cried, "that +these princes are not ashamed of themselves; doing nothing while they see +the oppressed cut to pieces at their gates. When will God grant me grace +to place me among those who are doing their duty, and afar from those who +do nothing, and who ought to know that the cause is a common one. If I am +ever caught dancing the German cotillon, or playing the German flute, or +eating pike with German sauce, I hope it may be flung in my teeth." + +The great league of the Pope and Philip was steadily consolidating +itself, and there were but gloomy prospects for the counter-league in +Germany. There was no hope but in England and France. For the reasons +already indicated, the Prince of Orange, taking counsel with the Estates, +had resolved to try the French policy once more. The balance of power in +Europe, which no man in Christendom so well understood as he, was to be +established by maintaining (he thought) the equilibrium between France +and Spain. In the antagonism of those two great realms lay the only hope +for Dutch or European liberty. Notwithstanding the treason of Anjou, +therefore, it had been decided to renew negociations with that Prince. On +the death of the Duke, the envoys of the States were accordingly +instructed to make the offer to King Henry III. which had been intended +for his brother. That proposition was the sovereignty of all the +Netherlands, save Holland and Zeeland, under a constitution maintaining +the reformed religion and the ancient laws and privileges of the +respective provinces. + +But the death of Francis of Anjou had brought about a considerable change +in French policy. It was now more sharply defined than ever, a +right-angled triangle of almost mathematical precision. The three Henrys +and their partizans divided the realm into three hostile +camps--threatening each other in simulated peace since the treaty of +Fleig (1580), which had put an end to the "lover's war" of the preceding +year,--Henry of Valois, Henry of Guise, and Henry of Navarre. + +Henry III., last of the Valois line, was now thirty-three years of age. +Less than king, less even than man, he was one of those unfortunate +personages who seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous, +and to test the capacity of mankind to eat and drink humiliation as if it +were wholesome food. It proved how deeply engraved in men's minds of that +century was the necessity of kingship, when the hardy Netherlanders, who +had abjured one tyrant, and had been fighting a generation long rather +than return to him, were now willing to accept the sovereignty of a thing +like Henry of Valois. + +He had not been born without natural gifts, such as Heaven rarely denies +to prince or peasant; but the courage which he once possessed had been +exhausted on the field of Moncontour, his manhood had been left behind +him at Venice, and such wit as Heaven had endowed him withal was now +expended in darting viperous epigrams at court-ladies whom he was only +capable of dishonouring by calumny, and whose charms he burned to +outrival in the estimation of his minions. For the monarch of France was +not unfrequently pleased to attire himself like a woman and a harlot. +With silken flounces, jewelled stomacher, and painted face, with pearls +of great price adorning his bared neck and breast, and satin-slippered +feet, of whose delicate shape and size he was justly vain, it was his +delight to pass his days and nights in a ceaseless round of gorgeous +festivals, tourneys, processions; masquerades, banquets, and balls, the +cost of which glittering frivolities caused the popular burthen and the +popular execration to grow, from day to day, more intolerable and more +audible. Surrounded by a gang of "minions," the most debauched and the +most desperate of France, whose bedizened dresses exhaled perfumes +throughout Paris, and whose sanguinary encounters dyed every street in +blood, Henry lived a life of what he called pleasure, careless of what +might come after, for he was the last of his race. The fortunes of his +minions rose higher and higher, as their crimes rendered them more and +more estimable in the eyes of a King who took a woman's pride in the +valour of such champions to his weakness, and more odious to a people +whose miserable homes were made even more miserable, that the coffers of +a few court-favourites might be filled: Now sauntering, full-dressed, in +the public promenades, with ghastly little death's heads strung upon his +sumptuous garments, and fragments of human bones dangling among his +orders of knighthood--playing at cup and ball as he walked, and followed +by a few select courtiers who gravely pursued the same exciting +occupation--now presiding like a queen of beauty at a tournament to +assign the prize of valour, and now, by the advice of his mother, going +about the streets in robes of penitence, telling his beads as he went, +that the populace might be edified by his piety, and solemnly offering up +prayers in the churches that the blessing of an heir might be vouchsafed +to him,--Henry of Valois seemed straining every nerve in order to bring +himself and his great office into contempt. + +As orthodox as he was profligate, he hated the Huguenots, who sought his +protection and who could have saved his throne, as cordially as he loved +the Jesuits, who passed their lives in secret plottings against his +authority and his person, or in fierce denunciations from the Paris +pulpits against his manifold crimes. Next to an exquisite and sanguinary +fop, he dearly loved a monk. The presence of a friar, he said, exerted as +agreeable an effect upon his mind as the most delicate and gentle +tickling could produce upon his body; and he was destined to have a +fuller dose of that charming presence than he coveted. + +His party--for he was but the nominal chief of a faction, 'tanquam unus +ex nobis'--was the party in possession--the office-holders' party; the +spoilsmen, whose purpose was to rob the exchequer and to enrich +themselves. His minions--for the favourites were called by no other +name--were even more hated, because less despised than the King. Attired +in cloth of gold--for silk and satin were grown too coarse a material for +them--with their little velvet porringer-caps stuck on the sides of their +heads, with their long hair stiff with pomatum, and their heads set +inside a well-starched ruff a foot wide, "like St. John's head in a +charger," as a splenetic contemporary observed, with a nimbus of musk and +violet-powder enveloping them as they passed before vulgar mortals, these +rapacious and insolent courtiers were the impersonation of extortion and +oppression to the Parisian populace. They were supposed, not unjustly, to +pass their lives in dancing, blasphemy, dueling, dicing, and intrigue, in +following the King about like hounds, fawning at his feet, and showing +their teeth to all besides; and for virtues such as these they were +rewarded by the highest offices in church, camp, and state, while new +taxes and imposts were invented almost daily to feed their avarice and +supply their extravagance. France, doomed to feel the beak and talons of +these harpies in its entrails, impoverished by a government that robbed +her at home while it humiliated her abroad, struggled vainly in its +misery, and was now on the verge of another series of internecine +combats--civil war seeming the only alternative to a voluptuous and +licentious peace. + +"We all stood here at gaze," wrote ambassador Stafford to Walsingham, +"looking for some great matter to come of this sudden journey to Lyons; +but, as far as men can find, 'parturient montes', for there hath been +nothing but dancing and banquetting from one house to another, bravery in +apparel, glittering like the sun." He, mentioned that the Duke of +Epernon's horse, taking fright at a red cloak, had backed over a +precipice, breaking his own neck, while his master's shoulder merely was +put out of joint. At the same time the Duke of Joyeuse, coming over Mount +Cenis, on his return from Savoy, had broken his wrist. The people, he +said, would rather they had both broken their necks "than any other +joint, the King having racked the nation for their sakes, as he +hath-done." Stafford expressed much compassion for the French in the +plight in which they found themselves. "Unhappy people!" he cried, "to +have such a King, who seeketh nothing but to impoverish them to enrich a +couple, and who careth not what cometh after his death, so that he may +rove on while he liveth, and careth neither for doing his own estate good +nor his neighbour's state harm." Sir Edward added, however, in a +philosophizing vein, worthy of Corporal Nym, that, "seeing we cannot be +so happy as to have a King to concur with us to do us any good, yet we +are happy to have one that his humour serveth him not to concur with +others to do us harm; and 'tis a wisdom for us to follow these humours, +that we may keep him still in that humour, and from hearkening to others +that may egg him on to worse." + +It was a dark hour for France, and rarely has a great nation been reduced +to a lower level by a feeble and abandoned government than she was at +that moment under the distaff of Henry III. Society was corrupted to its +core. "There is no more truth, no more justice, no more mercy," moaned +President L'Etoile. "To slander, to lie, to rob, to wench, to steal; all +things are permitted save to do right and to speak the truth." Impiety +the most cynical, debauchery the most unveiled, public and unpunished +homicides, private murders by what was called magic, by poison, by hired +assassins, crimes natural, unnatural, and preternatural, were the common +characteristics of the time. All posts and charges were venal. Great +offices of justice were sold to the highest bidder, and that which was +thus purchased by wholesale was retailed in the same fashion. Unhappy the +pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law. The great +ecclesiastical benefices were equally matter of merchandise, and married +men, women, unborn children, enjoyed revenues as dignitaries of the +church. Infants came into the world, it was said, like the mitre-fish, +stamped with the emblems of place. + +"'Twas impossible," said L'Etoile, "to find a crab so tortuous and +backsliding as the government." + +This was the aspect of the first of the three factions in France. Such +was the Henry at its head, the representative of royalty. + +Henry with the Scar, Duke of Guise, the well-known chief of the house of +Lorraine, was the chief of the extreme papistical party. He was now +thirty-four years of age, tall, stately, with a dark, martial face and +dangerous eyes, which Antonio Moro loved to paint; a physiognomy made +still more expressive by the arquebus-shot which had damaged his left +cheek at the fight near Chateau-Thierry and gained him his name of +Balafre. Although one of the most turbulent and restless plotters of that +plotting age, he was yet thought more slow and heavy in character than +subtle, Teutonic rather than Italian. He was the idol of the Parisian +burghers. The grocers, the market-men, the members of the arquebus and +crossbow clubs, all doated on him. The fishwomen worshipped him as a god. +He was the defender of the good old religion under which Paris and the +other cities of France had thriven, the uncompromising opponent of the +new-fangled doctrines which western clothiers, and dyers, and +tapestry-workers, had adopted, and which the nobles of the +mountain-country, the penniless chevaliers of Bearn and Gascony and +Guienne, were ceaselessly taking the field and plunging France into +misery and bloodshed to support. But for the Balafre and Madam League--as +the great Spanish Catholic conspiracy against the liberties of France, +and of England, and of all Europe, was affectionately termed by the Paris +populace--honest Catholics would fare no better in France than they did +in England, where, as it was well known, they were every day subjected to +fearful tortures: The shopwindows were filled with coloured engravings, +representing, in exaggerated fashion, the sufferings of the English +Catholics under bloody Elizabeth, or Jezebel, as she was called; and as +the gaping burghers stopped to ponder over these works of art, there were +ever present, as if by accident, some persons of superior information who +would condescendingly explain the various pictures, pointing out with a +long stick the phenomena most worthy of notice. These caricatures proving +highly successful, and being suppressed by order of government, they were +repeated upon canvas on a larger scale, in still more conspicuous +situations, as if in contempt of the royal authority, which sullied +itself by compromise with Calvinism! The pulpits, meanwhile, thundered +denunciations on the one hand against the weak and wicked King, who +worshipped idols, and who sacrificed the dearly-earned pittance of his +subjects to feed the insolent pomp of his pampered favourites; and on the +other, upon the arch-heretic, the arch-apostate, the Bearnese Huguenot, +who, after the death of the reigning monarch, would have the effrontery +to claim his throne, and to introduce into France the persecutions and +the horrors under which unhappy England was already groaning. + +The scarce-concealed instigator of these assaults upon the royal and upon +the Huguenot faction was, of course, the Duke of Guise,--the man whose +most signal achievement had been the Massacre of St. Bartholomew--all the +preliminary details of that transaction having been arranged by his +skill. So long as Charles IX. was living, the Balafre had created the +confusion which was his element, by entertaining and fomenting the +perpetual intrigues of Anjou and Alencon against their brother; while the +altercations between them and the Queen Mother and the furious madman who +then sat upon the throne, had been the cause of sufficient disorder and +calamity for France. On the death of Charles IX. Guise had sought the +intimacy of Henry of Navarre, that by his means he might frustrate the +hopes of Alencon for the succession. During the early period of the +Bearnese's residence at the French court the two had been inseparable, +living together, going to the same festivals, tournaments, and +masquerades, and even sleeping in the same bed. "My master," was ever +Guise's address to Henry; "my gossip," the young King of Navarre's reply. +But the crafty Bearnese had made use of the intimacy only to read the +secrets of the Balafre's heart; and on Navarre's flight from the court, +and his return to Huguenotism, Guise knew that he had been played upon by +a subtler spirit than his own. The simulated affection was now changed +into undisguised hatred. Moreover, by the death of Alencon, Navarre now +stood next the throne, and Guise's plots became still more extensive and +more open as his own ambition to usurp the crown on the death of the +childless Henry III. became more fervid. + +Thus, by artfully inflaming the populace of Paris, and through his +organized bands of confederates--that of all the large towns of France, +against the Huguenots and their chief, by appeals to the religious +sentiment; and at the same time by stimulating the disgust and +indignation of the tax-payers everywhere at the imposts and heavy +burthens which the boundless extravagance of the court engendered, Guise +paved the way for the advancement of the great League which he +represented. The other two political divisions were ingeniously +represented as mere insolent factions, while his own was the true +national and patriotic party, by which alone the ancient religion and the +cherished institutions of France could be preserved. + +And the great chief of this national patriotic party was not Henry of +Guise, but the industrious old man who sat writing despatches in the +depths of the Escorial. Spanish counsels, Spanish promises, Spanish +ducats--these were the real machinery by which the plots of Guise against +the peace of France and of Europe were supported. Madam League was simply +Philip II. Nothing was written, officially or unofficially, to the French +government by the Spanish court that was not at the same time +communicated to "Mucio"--as the Duke of Guise was denominated in the +secret correspondence of Philip, and Mucio was in Philip's pay, his +confidential agent, spy, and confederate, long before the actual +existence of the League was generally suspected. + +The Queen-Mother, Catharine de' Medici, played into the Duke's hands. +Throughout the whole period of her widowhood, having been accustomed to +govern her sons, she had, in a certain sense, been used to govern the +kingdom. By sowing dissensions among her own children, by inflaming party +against party, by watching with care the oscillations of France--so than +none of the great divisions should obtain preponderance--by alternately +caressing and massacring the Huguenots, by cajoling or confronting +Philip, by keeping, as she boasted, a spy in every family that possessed +the annual income of two thousand livres, by making herself the head of +an organized system of harlotry, by which the soldiers and politicians of +France were inveigled, their secrets faithfully revealed to her by her +well-disciplined maids of honour, by surrounding her unfortunate sons +with temptation from earliest youth, and plunging them by cold +calculation into deepest debauchery, that their enervated faculties might +be ever forced to rely in political affairs on the maternal counsel, and +to abandon the administration to the maternal will; such were the arts by +which Catharine had maintained her influence, and a great country been +governed for a generation--Machiavellian state-craft blended with the +more simple wiles of a procuress. + +Now that Alencon was dead, and Henry III. hopeless of issue, it was her +determination that the children of her daughter, the Duchess of Lorraine, +should succeed to the throne. The matter was discussed as if the throne +were already vacant, and Guise and the Queen-Mother, if they agreed in +nothing else, were both cordial in their detestation of Henry of Navarre. +The Duke affected to support the schemes in favour of his relatives, the +Princes of Lorraine, while he secretly informed the Spanish court that +this policy was only a pretence. He was not likely, he said, to advance +the interests of the younger branch of a house of which he was himself +the chief, nor were their backs equal to the burthen. It was necessary to +amuse the old queen, but he was profoundly of opinion that the only +sovereign for France, upon the death of Henry, was Philip II. himself. +This was the Duke's plan of arriving, by means of Spanish assistance, at +the throne of France; and such was Henry le Balafre, chief of the League. + +And the other Henry, the Huguenot, the Bearnese, Henry of Bourbon, Henry +of Navarre, the chieftain of the Gascon chivalry, the king errant, the +hope and the darling of the oppressed Protestants in every land--of him +it is scarce needful to say a single word. At his very name a figure +seems to leap forth from the mist of three centuries, instinct with ruddy +vigorous life. Such was the intense vitality of the Bearnese prince, that +even now he seems more thoroughly alive and recognizable than half the +actual personages who are fretting their hour upon the stage. + +We see, at once, a man of moderate stature, light, sinewy, and strong; a +face browned with continual exposure; small, mirthful, yet commanding +blue eyes, glittering from beneath an arching brow, and prominent +cheekbones; a long hawk's nose, almost resting upon a salient chin, a +pendent moustache, and a thick, brown, curly beard, prematurely grizzled; +we see the mien of frank authority and magnificent good humour, we hear +the ready sallies of the shrewd Gascon mother-wit, we feel the +electricity which flashes out of him, and sets all hearts around him on +fire, when the trumpet sounds to battle. The headlong desperate charge, +the snow-white plume waving where the fire is hottest, the large capacity +for enjoyment of the man, rioting without affectation in the 'certaminis +gaudia', the insane gallop, after the combat, to lay its trophies at the +feet of the Cynthia of the minute, and thus to forfeit its fruits; all +are as familiar to us as if the seven distinct wars, the hundred pitched +battles, the two hundred sieges; in which the Bearnese was personally +present, had been occurrences of our own day. + +He at least was both king and man, if the monarch who occupied the throne +was neither. He was the man to prove, too, for the instruction of the +patient letter-writer of the Escorial, that the crown of France was to be +won with foot in stirrup and carbine in hand, rather than to be caught by +the weaving and casting of the most intricate nets of diplomatic +intrigue, though thoroughly weighted with Mexican gold. + +The King of Navarre was now thirty-one years old; for the three Henrys +were nearly of the same age. The first indications of his existence had +been recognized amid the cannon and trumpets of a camp in Picardy, and +his mother had sung a gay Bearnese song as he was coming into the world +at Pau. Thus, said his grandfather, Henry of Navarre, thou shalt not bear +to us a morose and sulky child. The good king, without a kingdom, taking +the child, as soon as born, in the lapel of his dressing-gown, had +brushed his infant lips with a clove of garlic, and moistened them with a +drop of generous Gascon wine. Thus, said the grandfather again, shall the +boy be both merry and bold. There was something mythologically prophetic +in the incidents of his birth. + +The best part of Navarre had been long since appropriated by Ferdinand of +Aragon. In France there reigned a young and warlike sovereign with four +healthy boys. But the new-born infant had inherited the lilies of France +from St. Louis, and a later ancestor had added to the escutcheon the +motto "Espoir." His grandfather believed that the boy was born to revenge +upon Spain the wrongs of the House of Albret, and Henry's nature seemed +ever pervaded with Robert of Clermont's device. + +The same sensible grandfather, having different views on the subject of +education from those manifested by Catherine de Medici towards her +children, had the boy taught to run about bare-headed and bare-footed, +like a peasant, among the mountains and rocks of Bearn, till he became as +rugged as a young bear, and as nimble as a kid. Black bread, and beef, +and garlic, were his simple fare; and he was taught by his mother and his +grandfather to hate lies and liars, and to read the Bible. + +When he was fifteen, the third religious war broke out. Both his father +and grandfather were dead. His mother, who had openly professed the +reformed faith, since the death of her husband, who hated it, brought her +boy to the camp at Rochelle, where he was received as the chief of the +Huguenots. His culture was not extensive. He had learned to speak the +truth, to ride, to shoot, to do with little sleep and less food. He could +also construe a little Latin, and had read a few military treatises; but +the mighty hours of an eventful life were now to take him by the hand, +and to teach him much good and much evil, as they bore him onward. He now +saw military treatises expounded practically by professors, like his +uncle Condo, and Admiral Coligny, and Lewis Nassau, in such lecture-rooms +as Laudun, and Jarnac, and Montcontour, and never was apter scholar. + +The peace of Arnay-le-Duc succeeded, and then the fatal Bartholomew +marriage with the Messalina of Valois. The faith taught in the mountains +of Bearn was no buckler against the demand of "the mass or death," +thundered at his breast by the lunatic Charles, as he pointed to +thousands of massacred Huguenots. Henry yielded to such conclusive +arguments, and became a Catholic. Four years of court imprisonment +succeeded, and the young King of Navarre, though proof to the artifices +of his gossip Guise, was not adamant to the temptations spread for him by +Catherine de' Medici. In the harem entertained for him in the Louvre many +pitfalls entrapped him; and he became a stock-performer in the state +comedies and tragedies of that plotting age. + +A silken web of palace-politics, palace-diplomacy, palace revolutions, +enveloped him. Schemes and counter-schemes, stratagems and conspiracies, +assassinations and poisonings; all the state-machinery which worked so +exquisitely in fair ladies' chambers, to spread havoc and desolation over +a kingdom, were displayed before his eyes. Now campaigning with one royal +brother against Huguenots, now fighting with another on their side, now +solicited by the Queen-Mother to attempt the life of her son, now +implored by Henry III. to assassinate his brother, the Bearnese, as fresh +antagonisms, affinities; combinations, were developed, detected, +neutralized almost daily, became rapidly an adept in Medicean +state-chemistry. Charles IX. in his grave, Henry III. on the throne, +Alencon in the Huguenot camp--Henry at last made his escape. The brief +war and peace of Monsieur succeeded, and the King of Navarre formally +abjured the Catholic creed. The parties were now sharply defined. Guise +mounted upon the League, Henry astride upon the Reformation, were +prepared to do battle to the death. The temporary "war of the amorous" +was followed by the peace of Fleix. + +Four years of peace again; four fat years of wantonness and riot +preceding fourteen hungry famine-stricken years of bloodiest civil war. +The voluptuousness and infamy of the Louvre were almost paralleled in +vice, if not in splendour, by the miniature court at Pau. Henry's Spartan +grandfather would scarce have approved the courses of the youth, whose +education he had commenced on so simple a scale. For Margaret of Valois, +hating her husband, and living in most undisguised and promiscuous +infidelity to him, had profited by her mother's lessons. A seraglio of +maids of honour ministered to Henry's pleasures, and were carefully +instructed that the peace and war of the kingdom were playthings in their +hands. While at Paris royalty was hopelessly sinking in a poisonous +marsh, there was danger that even the hardy nature of the Bearnese would +be mortally enervated by the atmosphere in which he lived. + +The unhappy Henry III., baited by the Guises, worried by Alencon and his +mother, implored the King of Navarre to return to Paris and the Catholic +faith. M. de Segur, chief of Navarre's council, who had been won over +during a visit to the capital, where he had made the discovery that +"Henry III. was an angel, and his ministers devils," came back to Pau, +urging his master's acceptance of the royal invitation. Henry wavered. +Bold D'Aubigne, stanchest of Huguenots, and of his friends, next day +privately showed Segur a palace-window opening on a very steep precipice +over the Bayae, and cheerfully assured him that he should be flung from +it did he not instantly reverse his proceedings, and give his master +different advice. If I am not able to do the deed myself, said D'Aubigne, +here are a dozen more to help me. The chief of the council cast a glance +behind him, saw a number of grim Puritan soldiers, with their hats +plucked down upon their brows, looking very serious; so made his bow, and +quite changed his line of conduct. + +At about the same time, Philip II. confidentially offered Henry of +Navarre four hundred thousand crowns in hand, and twelve hundred thousand +yearly, if he would consent to make war upon Henry III. Mucio, or the +Duke of Guise, being still in Philip's pay, the combination of Leaguers +and Huguenots against the unfortunate Valois would, it was thought, be a +good triangular contest. + +But Henry--no longer the unsophisticated youth who had been used to run +barefoot among the cliffs of Coarasse--was grown too crafty a politician +to be entangled by Spanish or Medicean wiles. The Duke of Anjou was now +dead. Of all the princes who had stood between him and the throne, there +was none remaining save the helpless, childless, superannuated youth, who +was its present occupant. The King of Navarre was legitimate heir to the +crown of France. "Espoir" was now in letters of light upon his shield, +but he knew that his path to greatness led through manifold dangers, and +that it was only at the head of his Huguenot chivalry that he could cut +his way. He was the leader of the nobles of Gascony, and Dauphins, and +Guienne, in their mountain fastnesses, of the weavers, cutlers, and +artizans, in their thriving manufacturing and trading towns. It was not +Spanish gold, but carbines and cutlasses, bows and bills, which could +bring him to the throne of his ancestors. + +And thus he stood the chieftain of that great austere party of Huguenots, +the men who went on, their knees before the battle, beating their breasts +with their iron gauntlets, and singing in full chorus a psalm of David, +before smiting the Philistines hip and thigh. + +Their chieftain, scarcely their representative--fit to lead his Puritans +on the battle-field, was hardly a model for them elsewhere. Yet, though +profligate in one respect, he was temperate in every other. In food, +wine, and sleep, he was always moderate. Subtle and crafty in +self-defence, he retained something of his old love of truth, of his +hatred for liars. Hardly generous perhaps, he was a friend of justice, +while economy in a wandering King, like himself, was a necessary virtue, +of which France one day was to feel the beneficent action. Reckless and +headlong in appearance, he was in truth the most careful of men. On the +religious question, most cautious of all, he always left the door open +behind him, disclaimed all bigotry of opinion, and earnestly implored the +Papists to seek, not his destruction, but his instruction. Yet prudent as +he was by nature in every other regard, he was all his life the slave of +one woman or another, and it was by good luck rather than by sagacity +that he did not repeatedly forfeit the fruits of his courage and conduct, +in obedience to his master-passion. + +Always open to conviction on the subject of his faith, he repudiated the +appellation of heretic. A creed, he said, was not to be changed like a +shirt, but only on due deliberation, and under special advice. In his +secret heart he probably regarded the two religions as his chargers, and +was ready to mount alternately the one or the other, as each seemed the +more likely to bear him safely in the battle. The Bearnese was no +Puritan, but he was most true to himself and to his own advancement. His +highest principle of action was to reach his goal, and to that principle +he was ever loyal. Feeling, too, that it was the interest of France that +he should succeed, he was even inspired--compared with others on the +stage--by an almost lofty patriotism. + +Amiable by nature and by habit, he had preserved the most unimpaired +good-humour throughout the horrible years which succeeded St. +Bartholomew, during which he carried his life in his hand, and learned +not to wear his heart upon his sleeve. Without gratitude, without +resentment, without fear, without remorse, entirely arbitrary, yet with +the capacity to use all men's judgments; without convictions, save in +regard to his dynastic interests, he possessed all the qualities, +necessary to success. He knew how to use his enemies. He knew how to use +his friends, to abuse them, and to throw them away. He refused to +assassinate Francis Alencon at the bidding of Henry III., but he +attempted to procure the murder of the truest of his own friends, one of +the noblest characters of the age--whose breast showed twelve scars +received in his services--Agrippa D'Aubigne, because the honest soldier +had refused to become his pimp--a service the King had implored upon his +knees. + +Beneath the mask of perpetual careless good-humour, lurked the keenest +eye, a subtle, restless, widely combining brain, and an iron will. Native +sagacity had been tempered into consummate elasticity by the fiery +atmosphere in which feebler natures had been dissolved. His wit was as +flashing and as quickly unsheathed as his sword. Desperate, apparently +reckless temerity on the battle-field was deliberately indulged in, that +the world might be brought to recognise a hero and chieftain in a King. +The do-nothings of the Merovingian line had been succeeded by the Pepins; +to the effete Carlovingians had come a Capet; to the impotent Valois +should come a worthier descendant of St. Louis. This was shrewd Gascon +calculation, aided by constitutional fearlessness. When despatch-writing, +invisible Philips, stargazing Rudolphs, and petticoated Henrys, sat upon +the thrones of Europe, it was wholesome to show the world that there was +a King left who could move about in the bustle and business of the age, +and could charge as well as most soldiers at the head of his cavalry; +that there was one more sovereign fit to reign over men, besides the +glorious Virgin who governed England. + +Thus courageous, crafty, far-seeing, consistent, untiring, imperturbable, +he was born to command, and had a right to reign. He had need of the +throne, and the throne had still more need of him. + +This then was the third Henry, representative of the third side of the +triangle, the reformers of the kingdom. + +And before this bubbling cauldron of France, where intrigues, foreign and +domestic, conflicting ambitions, stratagems, and hopes, were whirling in +never-ceasing tumult, was it strange if the plain Netherland envoys +should stand somewhat aghast? + +Yet it was necessary that they should ponder well the aspect of affairs; +for all their hopes, the very existence of themselves and of their +religion, depended upon the organization which should come of this chaos. + +It must be remembered, however, that those statesmen--even the wisest or +the best-informed of them--could not take so correct a view of France and +its politics as it is possible for us, after the lapse of three +centuries, to do. The interior leagues, subterranean schemes, conflicting +factions, could only be guessed at; nor could the immediate future be +predicted, even by such far-seeing politicians as William of Orange; at a +distance, or Henry of Navarre, upon the spot. + +It was obvious to the Netherlanders that France, although torn by +faction, was a great and powerful realm. There had now been, with the +brief exception of the lovers' war in 1580, a religious peace of eight +years' duration. The Huguenots had enjoyed tranquil exercise of their +worship during that period, and they expressed perfect confidence in the +good faith of the King. That the cities were inordinately taxed to supply +the luxury of the court could hardly be unknown to the Netherlanders. +Nevertheless they knew that the kingdom was the richest and most populous +of Christendom, after that of Spain. Its capital, already called by +contemporaries the "compendium of the world," was described by travellers +as "stupendous in extent and miraculous for its numbers." It was even +said to contain eight hundred thousand souls; and although, its actual +population did not probably exceed three hundred and twenty thousand, yet +this was more than double the number of London's inhabitants, and thrice +as many as Antwerp could then boast, now that a great proportion of its +foreign denizens had been scared away. Paris was at least by one hundred +thousand more populous than any city of Europe, except perhaps the remote +and barbarous Moscow, while the secondary cities of France, Rouen in the +north, Lyons in the centre, and Marseilles in the south, almost equalled +in size, business, wealth, and numbers, the capitals of other countries. +In the whole kingdom were probably ten or twelve millions of inhabitants, +nearly as many as in Spain, without her colonies, and perhaps three times +the number that dwelt in England. + +In a military point of view, too, the alliance of France was most +valuable to the contiguous Netherlands. A few regiments of French troops, +under the command of one of their experienced Marshals, could block up +the Spaniards in the Walloon Provinces, effectually stop their operations +against Ghent, Antwerp, and the other great cities of Flanders and +Brabant, and, with the combined action of the United Provinces on the +north, so surround and cripple the forces of Parma, as to reduce the +power of Philip, after a few vigorous and well-concerted blows, to an +absolute nullity in, the Low Countries. As this result was of as vital +importance to the real interests of France and of Europe, whether +Protestant or Catholic, as it was to the Provinces, and as the French +government had privately manifested a strong desire to oppose the +progress of Spain towards universal empire, it was not surprising that +the States General, not feeling capable of standing alone, should make +their application to France. This they had done with the knowledge and +concurrence of the English government. What lay upon the surface the +Netherland statesmen saw and pondered well. What lurked beneath, they +surmised as shrewdly as they could, but it was impossible, with plummet +and fathom-line ever in hand, to sound the way with perfect accuracy, +where the quicksands were ever shifting, and the depth or shallowness of +the course perpetually varying. It was not easy to discover the +intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions, and +whose changing policy was controlled by so many hidden currents. + +Moreover, as already indicated, the envoys and those whom they +represented had not the same means of arriving at a result as are granted +to us. Thanks to the liberality of many modern governments of Europe, the +archives where the state-secrets of the buried centuries have so long +mouldered, are now open to the student of history. To him who has +patience and industry many mysteries are thus revealed, which no +political sagacity or critical acumen could have divined. He leans over +the shoulder of Philip the Second at his writing-table, as the King +spells patiently out, with cipher-key in hand, the most concealed +hieroglyphics of Parma or Guise or Mendoza. He reads the secret thoughts +of "Fabius,"--[The name usually assigned to Philip himself in the +Paris-Simancas Correspondence.]--as that cunctative Roman scrawls his +marginal apostilles on each despatch; he pries into all the stratagems of +Camillus, Hortensius, Mucius, Julius, Tullius, and the rest of those +ancient heroes who lent their names to the diplomatic masqueraders of the +16th century; he enters the cabinet of the deeply-pondering Burghley, and +takes from the most private drawer the memoranda which record that +minister's unutterable doubtings; he pulls from the dressing-gown folds +of the stealthy, softly-gliding Walsingham the last secret which he has +picked from the Emperor's pigeon-holes, or the Pope's pocket, and which, +not Hatton, nor Buckhurst, nor Leicester, nor the Lord Treasurer, is to +see; nobody but Elizabeth herself; he sits invisible at the most secret +councils of the Nassaus and Barneveldt and Buys, or pores with Farnese +over coming victories, and vast schemes of universal conquest; he reads +the latest bit of scandal, the minutest characteristic of king or +minister, chronicled by the gossiping Venetians for the edification of +the Forty; and, after all this prying and eavesdropping, having seen the +cross-purposes, the bribings, the windings, the fencings in the dark, he +is not surprised, if those who were systematically deceived did not +always arrive at correct conclusions. + +Noel de Caron, Seigneur de Schoneval, had been agent of the States at the +French court at the time of the death of the Duke of Anjou. Upon the +occurrence of that event, La Mouillerie and Asseliers were deputed by the +Provinces to King Henry III., in order to offer him the sovereignty, +which they had intended to confer upon his brother. Meantime that +brother, just before his death, and with the privity of Henry, had been +negotiating for a marriage with the younger daughter of Philip II.--an +arrangement somewhat incompatible with his contemporaneous scheme to +assume the sovereignty of Philip's revolted Provinces. An attempt had +been made at the same time to conciliate the Duke of Savoy, and invite +him to the French court; but the Duc de Joyeuse, then on his return from +Turin, was bringing the news, not only that the match with Anjou was not +favored--which, as Anjou was dead, was of no great consequence--but that +the Duke of Savoy was himself to espouse the Infanta, and was therefore +compelled to decline the invitation to Paris, for fear of offending his +father-in-law. Other matters were in progress, to be afterwards +indicated, very much interfering with the negotiations of the Netherland +envoys. + +When La Mouillerie and Asseliers arrived at Rouen, on their road from +Dieppe to Paris, they received a peremptory order from the Queen-Mother +to proceed no farther. This prohibition was brought by an unofficial +personage, and was delivered, not to them, but to Des Pruneaux, French +envoy to the States General, who had accompanied the envoys to France. + +After three weeks' time, during which they "kept themselves continually +concealed in Rouen," there arrived in that city a young nephew of +Secretary Brulart, who brought letters empowering him to hear what they +had in charge for the King. The envoys, not much flattered by such +cavalier treatment on the part of him to, whom they were offering a +crown, determined to digest the affront as they best might, and, to save +time, opened the whole business to this subordinate stripling. He +received from them accordingly an ample memoir to be laid before his +Majesty, and departed by the post the same night. Then they waited ten +days longer, concealed as if they had been thieves or spies, rather than +the representatives of a friendly power, on a more than friendly errand. + +At last, on the 24th July 1854, after the deputies had been thus shut up +a whole month, Secretary Brulart himself arrived from Fontainebleau. + +He stated that the King sent his royal thanks to the States for the offer +which they had made him, and to the deputies in particular for taking the +trouble of so long a journey; but that he did not find his realm in +condition to undertake a foreign war so inopportunely. In every other +regard, his Majesty offered the States "all possible favours and +pleasures." + +Certainly, after having been thus kept in prison for a month, the +ambassadors had small cause to be contented with this very cold +communication. To be forbidden the royal presence, and to be turned out +of the country without even an official and accredited answer to a +communication in which they had offered the sovereignty of their +fatherland, was not flattering to their dignity. "We little thought," +said they to Brulart, after a brief consultation among themselves, "to +receive such a reply as this. It displeases us infinitely that his +Majesty will not do us the honour to grant us an audience. We must take +the liberty of saying, that 'tis treating the States, our masters, with +too much contempt. Who ever heard before of refusing audience to public +personages? Kings often grant audience to mere letter-carriers. Even the +King of Spain never refused a hearing to the deputies from the +Netherlands when they came to Spain to complain of his own government. +The States General have sent envoys to many other kinds and princes, and +they have instantly granted audience in every case. His Majesty, too, has +been very ill-informed of the contracts which we formerly made with the +Duke of Anjou, and therefore a personal interview is the more necessary." +As the envoys were obstinate on the point of Paris, Brulart said "that +the King, although he should himself be at Lyons, would not prevent any +one from going to the capital on his own private affairs; but would +unquestionably take it very ill if, they should visit that city in a +public manner, and as deputies." + +Des Pruneaux professed himself "very grievous at this result, and +desirous of a hundred deaths in consequence." + +They stated that they should be ready within a month to bring an army of +3,000 horse and 13,000 foot into the field for the relief of Ghent, +besides their military operations against Zutphen; and that the enemy had +recently been ignominiously defeated in his attack upon Fort Lille, and +had lost 2,000 of his best soldiers. + +Here were encouraging facts; and it certainly was worth the while of the +French sovereign to pause a moment before rejecting without a hearing, +the offer of such powerful and conveniently-situated provinces. + +Des Pruneaux, a man of probity and earnestness, but perhaps of +insufficient ability to deal with such grave matters as now fell almost +entirely upon his shoulders, soon afterwards obtained audience of the +King. Being most sincerely in favour of the annexation of the Netherlands +to France, and feeling that now or never was the opportunity of bringing +it about, he persuaded the King to send him back to the Provinces, in +order to continue the negotiation directly with the States General. The +timidity and procrastination of the court could be overcome no further. + +The two Dutch envoys, who had stolen secretly to Paris, were indulged in +a most barren and unmeaning interview with the Queen-Mother. Before their +departure from France, however, they had the advantage of much +conversation with leading members of the royal council, of the +parliaments of Paris and Rouen, and also with various persons professing +the reformed religion. They endeavoured thus to inform themselves, as +well as they could, why the King made so much difficulty in accepting +their propositions, and whether, and by what means, his Majesty could be +induced to make war in their behalf upon the King of Spain. + +They were informed that, should Holland and Zeeland unite with the rest +of the Netherlands, the King "without any doubt would undertake the cause +most earnestly." His councillors, also--even those who had been most +active in dissuading his Majesty from such a policy--would then be +unanimous in supporting the annexation of the Provinces and the war with +Spain. In such a contingency, with the potent assistance of Holland and +Zeeland, the King would have little difficulty, within a very short time, +in chasing every single Spaniard out of the Netherlands. To further this +end, many leading personages in France avowed to the envoys their +determination "to venture their lives and their fortunes, and to use all +the influence which they possessed at court." + +The same persons expressed their conviction that the King, once satisfied +by the Provinces as to conditions and reasons, would cheerfully go into +the war, without being deterred by any apprehension as to the power of +Spain. It was, however, fitting that each Province should chaffer as +little as possible about details, but should give his Majesty every +reasonable advantage. They should remember that they were dealing with "a +great, powerful monarch, who was putting his realm in jeopardy, and not +with a Duke of Anjou, who had every thing to gain and nothing to lose." + +All the Huguenots, with whom the envoys conversed, were excessively +sanguine. Could the King be once brought they said, to promise the +Netherlands his protection, there was not the least fear but that he +would keep his word. He would use all the means within his power; "yea, +he would take the crown from his head," rather than turn back. Although +reluctant to commence a war with so powerful a sovereign, having once +promised his help, he would keep his pledge to the utmost, "for he was a +King of his word," and had never broken and would never break his faith +with those of the reformed religion. + +Thus spoke the leading Huguenots of France, in confidential communication +with the Netherland envoys, not many months before the famous edict of +extermination, published at Nemours. + +At that moment the reformers were full of confidence; not foreseeing the +long procession of battles and sieges which was soon to sweep through the +land. Notwithstanding the urgency of the Papists for their extirpation, +they extolled loudly the liberty of religious worship which Calvinists, +as well as Catholics, were enjoying in France, and pointed to the fact +that the adherents of both religions were well received at court, and +that they shared equally in offices of trust and dignity throughout the +kingdom. + +The Netherland envoys themselves bore testimony to the undisturbed +tranquillity and harmony in which the professors of both religions were +living and worshipping side by side "without reproach or quarrel" in all +the great cities which they had visited. They expressed the conviction +that the same toleration would be extended to all the Provinces when +under French dominion; and, so far as their ancient constitutions and +privileges were concerned, they were assured that the King of France +would respect and maintain them with as much fidelity as the States could +possibly desire. + +Des Pruneaux, accompanied by the two States' envoys, departed forthwith +for the Netherlands. On the 24th August, 1584 he delivered a discourse +before the States General, in which he disclosed, in very general terms, +the expectations of Henry III., and intimated very clearly that the +different Provinces were to lose no time in making an unconditional offer +to that monarch. With regard to Holland and Zeeland he observed that he +was provided with a special commission to those Estates. It was not long +before one Province after the other came to the conclusion to offer the +sovereignty to the King without written conditions, but with a general +understanding that their religious freedom and their ancient +constitutions were to be sacredly respected. Meantime, Des Pruneaux made +his appearance in Holland and Zeeland, and declared the King's intentions +of espousing the cause of the States, and of accepting the sovereignty of +all the Provinces. He distinctly observed, however, that it was as +sovereign, not as protector, that his Majesty must be recognised in +Holland and Zeeland, as well as in the rest of the country. + +Upon this grave question there was much debate and much difference of +opinion. Holland and Zeeland had never contemplated the possibility of +accepting any foreign sovereignty, and the opponents of the present +scheme were loud and angry, but very reasonable in their remarks. + +The French, they said, were no respecters of privileges nor of persons. +The Duke of Anjou had deceived William of Orange and betrayed the +Provinces. Could they hope to see farther than that wisest and most +experienced prince? Had not the stout hearts of the Antwerp burghers +proved a stronger defence to Brabant liberties than the "joyous entry" on +the dread day of the "French fury," it would have fared ill then and for +ever with the cause of freedom and religion in the Netherlands. The King +of France was a Papist, a Jesuit. He was incapable of keeping his +pledges. Should they make the arrangement now proposed and confer the +sovereignty upon him, he would forthwith make peace with Spain, and +transfer the Provinces back to that crown in exchange for the duchy of +Milan, which France had ever coveted. The Netherlands, after a quarter of +a century of fighting in defence of their hearths and altars, would find +themselves handed over again, bound and fettered, to the tender mercies +of the Spanish Inquisition. + +The Kings of France and of Spain always acted in concert, for religion +was the most potent of bonds. Witness the sacrifice of thousands of +French soldiers to Alva by their own sovereign at Mons, witness the fate +of Genlis, witness the bloody night of St. Bartholomew, witness the +Antwerp fury. Men cited and relied upon the advice of William of Orange +as to this negotiation with France. But Orange never dreamed of going so +far as now proposed. He was ever careful to keep the Provinces of Holland +and Zeeland safe from every foreign master. That spot was to be holy +ground. Not out of personal ambition. God forbid that they, should accuse +his memory of any such impurity, but because he wished one safe refuge +for the spirit of freedom. + +Many years long they had held out by land and sea against the Spaniards, +and should they now, because this Des Pruneaux shrugged his shoulders, be +so alarmed as to open the door to the same Spaniard wearing the disguise +of a Frenchman? + +Prince Maurice also made a brief representation to the States' Assembly +of Holland, in which, without distinctly opposing the negotiation with +France, he warned them not to proceed too hastily with so grave a matter. +He reminded them how far they had gone in the presentation of the +sovereignty to his late father, and requested them, in their dealings +with France, not to forget his interests and those of his family. He +reminded them of the position of that family, overladen with debt +contracted in their service alone. He concluded by offering most +affectionately his service in any way in which he, young and +inexperienced as he knew himself to be, might be thought useful; as he +was long since resolved to devote his life to the welfare of his country. + +These passionate appeals were answered with equal vehemence by those who +had made up their minds to try the chances of the French sovereignty. Des +Pruneaux, meanwhile, was travelling from province to province, and from +city to city, using the arguments which have already been sufficiently +indicated, and urging a speedy compliance with the French King's +propositions. At the same time, in accordance with his instructions, he +was very cautious to confine himself to generalities, and to avoid +hampering his royal master with the restrictions which had proved so +irksome to the Duke of Anjou. + +"The States General demanded a copy of my speech," he wrote the day after +that harangue had been delivered, "but I only gave them a brief outline; +extending myself [25th August, 1584] as little as I possibly could, +according to the intention and command of your Majesty. When I got here, +I found them without hope of our assistance, and terribly agitated by the +partizans of Spain. There was some danger of their going over in a panic +to the enemy. They are now much changed again, and the Spanish partizans +are beginning to lose their tongues. I invite them, if they intend to +address your Majesty, to proceed as they ought towards a veritably grand +monarch, without hunting up any of their old quibbles, or reservations of +provinces, or any thing else which could inspire suspicion. I have sent +into Gelderland and Friesland, for I find I must stay here in Holland and +Zeeland myself. These two provinces are the gates and ramparts through +which we must enter. 'Tis, in my opinion, what could be called superb, to +command all the sea, thus subject to the crown of France. And France, +too, with assistance of this country, will command the land as well. They +are much astonished here, however, that I communicate nothing of the +intention of your Majesty. They say that if your Majesty does not accept +this offer of their country, your Majesty puts the rope around their +necks." + +The French envoy was more and more struck with the brilliancy of the +prize offered to his master. "If the King gets these Provinces," said he +to Catharine, "'t will be the most splendid inheritance which Prince has +ever conquered." + +In a very few weeks the assiduity of the envoy and of the French party +was successful. All the other provinces had very soon repeated the offer +which they had previously made through Asseliers and La Mouillerie. By +the beginning of October the opposition of Holland was vanquished. The +estates of that Province--three cities excepted, however--determined "to +request England and France to assume a joint protectorate over the +Netherlands. In case the King of France should refuse this proposition, +they were then ready to receive him as prince and master, with knowledge +and consent of the Queen of England, and on such conditions as the United +States should approve." + +Immediately afterwards, the General Assembly of all the States determined +to offer the sovereignty to King Henry "on conditions to be afterwards +settled." + +Des Pruneaux, thus triumphant, received a gold chain of the value of two +thousand florins, and departed before the end of October for France. + +The departure of the solemn embassy to that country, for the purpose of +offering the sovereignty to the King, was delayed till the beginning of +January. Meantime it is necessary to cast a glance at the position of +England in relation to these important transactions. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to deceive + Enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists + Find our destruction in our immoderate desire for peace + German-Lutheran sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom + Intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions + Lord was better pleased with adverbs than nouns + Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf will eat you + Necessity of kingship + Neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own + Nor is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence + Pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law + Seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous + Shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen + String of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza + The very word toleration was to sound like an insult + There was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm + Tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health + Write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History United Netherlands, 1584-1585 + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Policy of England--Schemes of the Pretender of Portugal--Hesitation + of the French Court--Secret Wishes of France--Contradictory Views as + to the Opinions of Netherlanders--Their Love for England and + Elizabeth--Prominent Statesmen of the Provinces--Roger Williams the + Welshman Views of Walsingham, Burghley, and the Queen--An Embassy to + Holland decided upon--Davison at the Hague--Cautious and Secret + Measures of Burghley--Consequent Dissatisfaction of Walsingham-- + English and Dutch Suspicion of France--Increasing Affection of + Holland for England. + +The policy of England towards the Provinces had been somewhat hesitating, +but it had not been disloyal. It was almost inevitable that there should +be timidity in the councils of Elizabeth, when so grave a question as +that of confronting the vast power of Spain was forcing itself day by day +more distinctly upon the consideration of herself and her statesmen. It +was very clear, now that Orange was dead, that some new and decided step +would be taken. Elizabeth was in favour of combined action by the French +and English governments, in behalf of the Netherlands--a joint +protectorate of the Provinces, until such time as adequate concessions on +the religious question could be obtained from Spain. She was unwilling to +plunge into the peril and expense of a war with the strongest power in +the world. She disliked the necessity under which she should be placed of +making repeated applications to her parliament, and of thus fostering the +political importance of the Commons; she was reluctant to encourage +rebellious subjects in another land, however just the cause of their +revolt. She felt herself vulnerable in Ireland and on the Scottish +border. Nevertheless, the Spanish power was becoming so preponderant, +that if the Netherlands were conquered, she could never feel a moment's +security within her own territory. If the Provinces were annexed to +France, on the other hand, she could not contemplate with complacency the +increased power thus placed in the hands of the treacherous and +jesuitical house of Valois. + +The path of the Queen was thickly strewed with peril: her advisers were +shrewd, far-seeing, patriotic, but some of them were perhaps over +cautious. The time had, however, arrived when the danger was to be faced, +if the whole balance of power in Europe were not to come to an end, and +weak states, like England and the Netherlands, to submit to the tyranny +of an overwhelming absolutism. The instinct of the English sovereign, of +English statesmen, of the English nation, taught them that the cause of +the Netherlands was their own. Nevertheless, they were inclined to look +on yet a little longer, although the part of spectator had become an +impossible one. The policy of the English government was not treacherous, +although it was timid. That of the French court was both the one and the +other, and it would have been better both for England and the Provinces, +had they more justly appreciated the character of Catharine de' Medici +and her son. + +The first covert negotiations between Henry and the States had caused +much anxiety among the foreign envoys in France. Don Bernardino de +Mendoza, who had recently returned from Spain after his compulsory +retreat from his post of English ambassador, was now established in +Paris, as representative of Philip. He succeeded Tasais--a Netherlander +by birth, and one of the ablest diplomatists in the Spanish service--and +his house soon became the focus of intrigue against the government to +which he was accredited--the very head-quarters of the League. His salary +was large, his way of living magnificent, his insolence intolerable. + +"Tassis is gone to the Netherlands," wrote envoy Busbecq to the Emperor, +"and thence is to proceed to Spain. Don Bernardino has arrived in his +place. If it be the duty of a good ambassador to expend largely, it would +be difficult to find a better one than he; for they say 'tis his +intention to spend sixteen thousand dollars yearly in his embassy. I +would that all things were in correspondence; and that he were not in +other respects so inferior to Tassis." + +It is, however, very certain that Mendoza was not only a brave soldier, +but a man of very considerable capacity in civil affairs, although his +inordinate arrogance interfered most seriously with his skill as a +negotiator. He was, of course, watching with much fierceness the progress +of these underhand proceedings between the French court and the +rebellious subjects of his master, and using threats and expostulations +in great profusion. "Mucio," too, the great stipendiary of Philip, was +becoming daily more dangerous, and the adherents of the League were +multiplying with great celerity. + +The pretender of Portugal, Don Antonio, prior of Crato, was also in +Paris; and it was the policy of both the French and the English +governments to protect his person, and to make use of him as a rod over +the head of Philip. Having escaped, after the most severe sufferings, in +the mountains of Spain, where he had been tracked like a wild beast, with +a price of thirty thousand crowns placed upon his head, he was now most +anxious to stir the governments of Europe into espousing his cause, and +into attacking Spain through the recently acquired kingdom of Portugal. +Meantime, he was very desirous of some active employment, to keep himself +from starving, and conceived the notion, that it would be an excellent +thing for the Netherlands and himself, were he to make good to them the +loss of William the Silent. + +"Don Antonio," wrote Stafford, "made a motion to me yesterday, to move +her Majesty, that now upon the Prince of Orange's death, as it is a +necessary thing for them to have a governor and head, and him to be at +her Majesty's devotion, if her Majesty would be at the means to work it +for him, she should be assured nobody should be more faithfully tied in +devotion to her than he. Truly you would pity the poor man's case, who is +almost next door to starving in effect." + +A starving condition being, however, not the only requisite in a governor +and head to replace the Prince of Orange, nothing came of this motion. +Don Antonio remained in Paris, in a pitiable plight, and very much +environed by dangers; for the Duke of Guise and his brother had +undertaken to deliver him into the hands of Philip the Second, or those +of his ministers, before the feast of St. John of the coming year. Fifty +thousand dollars were to be the reward of this piece of work, combined +with other services; "and the sooner they set about it the better," said +Philip, writing a few months later, "for the longer they delay it, the +less easy will they find it."' + +The money was never earned, however, and meantime Don Antonio made +himself as useful as he could, in picking up information for Sir Edward +Stafford and the other opponents of Spanish policy in Paris. + +The English envoy was much embarrassed by the position of affairs. He +felt sure that the French monarch would never dare to enter the lists +against the king of Spain, yet he was accurately informed of the secret +negotiations with the Netherlands, while in the dark as to the ultimate +intentions of his own government. + +"I was never set to school so much," he wrote to Walsingham (27th July, +1584), "as I have been to decipher the cause of the deputies of the Low +Countries coming hither, the offers that they made the King here, and the +King's manner of dealing with them!" + +He expressed great jealousy at the mystery which enveloped the whole +transaction; and much annoyance with Noel de Caron, who "kept very +secret, and was angry at the motion," when he endeavoured to discover the +business in which they were engaged. Yet he had the magnanimity to +request Walsingham not to mention the fact to the Queen, lest she should +be thereby prejudiced against the States. + +"For my part," said he, "I would be glad in any thing to further them, +rather than to hinder them--though they do not deserve it--yet for the +good the helping them at this time may bring ourselves." + +Meantime, the deputies went away from France, and the King went to Lyons, +where he had hoped to meet both the Duke of Savoy and the King of +Navarre. But Joyeuse, who had been received at Chambery with "great +triumphs and tourneys," brought back only a broken wrist, without +bringing the Duke of Savoy; that potentate sending word that the "King of +Spain had done him the honour to give him his daughter, and that it was +not fit for him to do any thing that might bring jealousy." + +Henry of Navarre also, as we have seen, declined the invitation sent him, +M. de Segur not feeling disposed for the sudden flight out of window +suggested by Agrippa D' Aubigne; so that, on the whole, the King and his +mother, with all the court, returned from Lyons in marvellous ill humour. + +"The King storms greatly," said Stafford, "and is in a great dump." It +was less practicable than ever to discover the intentions of the +government; for although it was now very certain that active exertions +were making by Des Pruneaux in the Provinces, it was not believed by the +most sagacious that a serious resolution against Spain had been taken in +France. There was even a talk of a double matrimonial alliance, at that +very moment, between the two courts. + +"It is for certain here said," wrote Stafford, "that the King of Spain +doth presently marry the dowager of France, and 'tis thought that if the +King of Spain marry, he will not live a year. Whensoever the marriage +be," added the envoy, "I would to God the effect were true, for if it be +not by some such handy work of God, I am afraid things will not go so +well as I could wish." + +There was a lull on the surface of affairs, and it was not easy to sound +the depths of unseen combinations and intrigues. + +There was also considerable delay in the appointment and the arrival of +the new deputies from the Netherlands; and Stafford was as doubtful as +ever as to the intentions of his own government. + +"They look daily here for the States," he wrote to Walsingham (29th Dec. +1584), "and I pray that I may hear from you as soon as you may, what +course I shall take when they be here, either hot or cold or lukewarm in +the matter, and in what sort I shall behave myself. Some badly affected +have gone about to put into the King's head, that they never meant to +offer the sovereignty, which, though the King be not thoroughly persuaded +of, yet so much is won by this means that the King hearkeneth to see the +end, and then to believe as he seeth cause, and in the meantime to speak +no more of any such matter than if it had never been moved." + +While his Majesty was thus hearkening in order to see more, according to +Sir Edward's somewhat Hibernian mode of expressing himself, and keeping +silent that he might see the better, it was more difficult than ever for +the envoy to know what course to pursue. Some persons went so far as to +suggest that the whole negotiation was a mere phantasmagoria devised by +Queen Elizabeth--her purpose being to breed a quarrel between Henry and +Philip for her own benefit; and "then, seeing them together by the ears, +as her accustomed manner was, to let them go alone, and sit still to look +on." + +The King did not appear to be much affected by these insinuations against +Elizabeth; but the doubt and the delay were very harassing. "I would to +God," wrote the English envoy, "that if the States mean to do anything +here with the King, and if her. Majesty and the council think it fit, +they would delay no time, but go roundly either to an agreement or to a +breach with the King. Otherwise, as the matter now sleepeth, so it will +die, for the King must be taken in his humour when he begins to nibble at +any bait, for else he will come away, and never bite a full bite while he +liveth." + +There is no doubt that the bait, at which Henry nibbled with much +avidity, was the maritime part of the Netherlands. Holland and Zeeland in +the possession of either England or Spain, was a perpetual inconvenience +to France. The King, or rather the Queen-Mother and her advisers--for +Henry himself hardly indulged in any profound reflections on +state-affairs,--desired and had made a sine qua non of those Provinces. +It had been the French policy, from the beginning, to delay matters, in +order to make the States feel the peril of their position to the full. + +"The King, differing and temporising," wrote Herle to the Queen, "would +have them fall into that necessity and danger, as that they should offer +unto him simply the possession of all their estates. Otherwise, they were +to see, as in a glass, their evident and hasty ruin." + +Even before the death of Orange, Henry had been determined, if possible, +to obtain possession of the island of Walcheren, which controlled the +whole country. "To give him that," said Herle, "would be to turn the hot +end of the poker towards themselves, and put the cold part in the King's +hand. He had accordingly made a secret offer to William of Orange, +through the Princess, of two millions of livres in ready money, or, if he +preferred it, one hundred thousand livres yearly of perpetual +inheritance, if he would secure to him the island of Walcheren. In that +case he promised to declare war upon the King of Spain, to confirm to the +States their privileges, and to guarantee to the Prince the earldoms of +Holland and Zeeland, with all his other lands and titles." + +It is superfluous to say that such offers were only regarded by the +Prince as an affront. It was, however, so necessary, in his opinion; to +maintain the cause of the reformed churches in France, and to keep up the +antagonism between that country and Spain, that the French policy was not +abandoned, although the court was always held in suspicion. + +But on the death of William, there was a strong reaction against France +and in favour of England. Paul Buys, one of the ablest statesmen of the +Netherlands, Advocate of Holland, and a confidential friend of William +the Silent up to the time of his death, now became the leader of the +English party, and employed his most strenuous efforts against the French +treaty-having "seen the scope of that court." + +With regard to the other leading personages, there was a strong +inclination in favour of Queen Elizabeth, whose commanding character +inspired great respect. At the same time warmer sentiments of adhesion +seem to have been expressed towards the French court, by the same +individuals, than the mere language of compliment justified. + +Thus, the widowed Princess of Orange was described by Des Pruneaux to his +sovereign, as "very desolate, but nevertheless doing all in her power to +advance his interests; the Count Maurice, of gentle hopes, as also most +desirous of remaining his Majesty's humble servant, while Elector +Truchsess was said to be employing himself, in the same cause, with very +great affection." + +A French statesman resident in the Provinces, whose name has not been +preserved, but who was evidently on intimate terms with many eminent +Netherlanders, declared that Maurice, "who had a mind entirely French, +deplored infinitely the misfortunes of France, and regretted that all the +Provinces could not be annexed to so fair a kingdom. I do assure you," he +added, "that he is in no wise English." + +Of Count Hohenlo, general-in-chief of the States' army under Prince +Maurice, and afterwards his brother-in-law, the same gentleman spoke with +even greater confidence. "Count d'Oloc," said he (for by that ridiculous +transformation of his name the German general was known to French and +English), "with whom I have passed three weeks on board the fleet of the +States, is now wholly French, and does not love the English at all. The +very first time I saw him, he protested twice or thrice, in presence of +members of the States General and of the State Council, that if he had no +Frenchmen he could never carry on the war. He made more account," he +said, "of two thousand French than of six thousand others, English, or +Germans." + +Yet all these distinguished persons--the widowed Princess of Orange, +Count Maurice, ex-elector Truchsess, Count Holenlo--were described to +Queen Elizabeth by her confidential agent, then employed in the +Provinces, as entirely at that sovereign's devotion. + +"Count Maurice holds nothing of the French, nor esteems them," said +Herle, "but humbly desired me to signify unto your Majesty that he had in +his mind and determination faithfully vowed his service to your Majesty, +which should be continued in his actions with all duty, and sealed with +his blood; for he knew how much his father and the cause were beholden +ever to your Highness's goodness." + +The Princess, together with her sister-in-law Countess Schwartzenburg, +and the young daughters of the late Prince were described on the same +occasion "as recommending their service unto her Majesty with a most +tender affection, as to a lady of all ladies." "Especially," said Herle, +"did the two Princesses in most humble and wise sort, express a certain +fervent devotion towards your Majesty." + +Elector Truchsess was spoken of as "a prince well qualified and greatly +devoted to her Majesty; who, after many grave and sincere words had of +her Majesty's virtue, calling her 'la fille unique de Dieu, and le bien +heureuse Princesse', desired of God that he might do her service as she +merited." + +And, finally, Count Hollock--who seemed to "be reformed in sundry things, +if it hold" (a delicate allusion to the Count's propensity for strong +potations), was said "to desire humbly to be known for one that would +obey the commandment of her Majesty more than of any earthly prince +living besides." + +There can be no doubt that there was a strong party in favour of an +appeal to England rather than to France. The Netherlanders were too +shrewd a people not to recognize the difference between the king of a +great realm, who painted his face and wore satin petticoats, and the +woman who entertained ambassadors, each in his own language, on gravest +affairs of state, who matched in her wit and wisdom the deepest or the +most sparkling intellects of her council, who made extemporaneous Latin +orations to her universities, and who rode on horseback among her +generals along the lines of her troops in battle-array, and yet was only +the unmarried queen of a petty and turbulent state. + +"The reverend respect that is borne to your Majesty throughout these +countries is great," said William Herle. They would have thrown +themselves into her arms, heart and soul, had they been cordially +extended at that moment of their distress; but she was coy, hesitating, +and, for reasons already sufficiently indicated, although not so +conclusive as they seemed, disposed to temporize and to await the issue +of the negotiations between the Provinces and France. + +In Holland and Zeeland especially, there was an enthusiastic feeling in +favour of the English alliance. "They recommend themselves," said Herleo +"throughout the country in their consultations and assemblies, as also in +their common and private speeches, to the Queen of England's only favour +and goodness, whom they call their saviour, and the Princess of greatest +perfection in wisdom and sincerity that ever governed. Notwithstanding +their treaty now on foot by their deputies with France, they are not more +disposed to be governed by the French than to be tyrannized over by the +Spaniard; concluding it to be alike; and even 'commutare non sortem sed +servitutem'." + +Paul Buys was indefatigable in his exertions against the treaty with +France, and in stimulating the enthusiasm for England and Elizabeth. He +expressed sincere and unaffected devotion to the Queen on all occasions, +and promised that no negotiations should take place, however secret and +confidential, that were not laid before her Majesty. "He has the chief +administration among the States," said Herle, "and to his credit and +dexterity they attribute the despatch of most things. He showed unto me +the state of the enemy throughout the provinces, and of the negotiation +in France, whereof he had no opinion at all of success, nor any will of +his own part but to please the Prince of Orange in his life-time." + +It will be seen in the sequel whether or not the views of this +experienced and able statesman were lucid and comprehensive. It will also +be seen whether his strenuous exertions in favour of the English alliance +were rewarded as bountifully as they deserved, by those most indebted to +him. + +Meantime he was busily employed in making the English government +acquainted with the capacity, disposition, and general plans of the +Netherlanders. + +"They have certain other things in consultation amongst the States to +determine of," wrote Herle, "which they were sworn not to reveal to any, +but Buys protested that nothing should pass but to your liking and +surety, and the same to be altered and disposed as should seem good to +your Highness's own authority; affirming to me sincerely that Holland and +Zeeland, with the rest of the provinces, for the estimation they had of +your high virtue and temperancy, would yield themselves absolutely to +your Majesty and crown for ever, or to none other (their liberties only +reserved), whereof you should have immediate possession, without +reservation of place or privilege." + +The important point of the capability of the Provinces to defend +themselves, about which Elizabeth was most anxious to be informed, was +also fully elucidated by the Advocate. "The means should be such, +proceeding from the Provinces," said he, "as your Majesty might defend +your interest therein with facility against the whole world." He then +indicated a plan, which had been proposed by the States of Brabant to the +States General, according to which they were to keep on foot an army of +15,000 foot and 5000 horse, with which they should be able, "to expulse +the enemy and to reconquer their towns and country lost, within three +months." Of this army they hoped to induce the Queen to furnish 5000 +English footmen and 500 horse, to be paid monthly by a treasurer of her +own; and for the assistance thus to be furnished they proposed to give +Ostend and Sluys as pledge of payment. According to this scheme the +elector palatine, John Casimir, had promised to furnish, equip, and pay +2000 cavalry, taking the town of Maestricht and the country of Limburg, +when freed from the enemy, in pawn for his disbursements; while Antwerp +and Brabant had agreed to supply 300,000 crowns in ready money for +immediate use. Many powerful politicians opposed this policy, however, +and urged reliance upon France, "so that this course seemed to be lame in +many parts."--[Letter of Herle]. + +Agents had already been sent both to England and France, to procure, if +possible, a levy of troops for immediate necessity. The attempt was +unsuccessful in France, but the Dutch community of the reformed religion +in London subscribed nine thousand and five florins. This sum, with other +contributions, proved sufficient to set Morgan's regiment on foot, which +soon after began to arrive in the Netherlands by companies. "But if it +were all here at once," said Stephen Le Sieur, "'t would be but a +breakfast for the enemy." + +The agent for the matter in England was De Griyse, formerly bailiff of +Bruges; and although tolerably successful in his mission, he was not +thought competent for so important a post, nor officially authorised for +the undertaking. While procuring this assistance in English troops he had +been very urgent with the Queen to further the negotiations between the +States and France; and Paul Buys was offended with him as a +mischief-maker and an intriguer. He complained of him as having "thrust +himself in, to deal and intermeddle in the affairs of the Low Countries +unavowed," and desired that he might be closely looked after. + +After the Advocate, the next most important statesman in the provinces +was, perhaps, Meetkerk, President of the High Court of Flanders, a man of +much learning, sincerity, and earnestness of character; having had great +experience in the diplomatic service of the country on many important +occasions. "He stands second in reputation here," said Herle, "and both +Buys and he have one special care in all practises that are discovered, +to examine how near anything may concern your person or kingdom, whereof +they will advertise as matter shall fall out in importance." + +John van Olden-Barneveldt, afterwards so conspicuous in the history of +the country, was rather inclined, at this period, to favour the French +party; a policy which was strenuously furthered by Villiers and by Sainte +Aldegonde. + +Besides the information furnished to the English government, as to the +state of feeling and resources of the Netherlands, by Buys, Meetkerk, and +William Herle, Walsingham relied much upon the experienced eye and the +keen biting humour of Roger Williams. + +A frank open-hearted Welshman, with no fortune but his sword, but as true +as its steel, he had done the States much important service in the +hard-fighting days of Grand Commander Requesens and of Don John of +Austria. With a shrewd Welsh head under his iron morion, and a stout +Welsh heart under his tawny doublet, he had gained little but hard knocks +and a dozen wounds in his campaigning, and had but recently been +ransomed, rather grudgingly by his government, from a Spanish prison in +Brabant. He was suffering in health from its effects, but was still more +distressed in mind, from his sagacious reading of the signs of the times. +Fearing that England was growing lukewarm, and the Provinces desperate, +he was beginning to find himself out of work, and was already casting +about him for other employment. Poor, honest, and proud, he had +repeatedly declined to enter the Spanish service. Bribes, such as at a +little later period were sufficient to sully conspicuous reputations and +noble names, among his countrymen in better circumstances than his own, +had been freely but unsuccessfully offered him. To serve under any but +the English or States' flag in the Provinces he scorned; and he thought +the opportunity fast slipping away there for taking the Papistical party +in Europe handsomely by the beard. He had done much manful work in the +Netherlands, and was destined to do much more; but he was now +discontented, and thought himself slighted. In more remote regions of the +world, the thrifty soldier thought that there might be as good +harvesting for his sword as in the thrice-trampled stubble of Flanders. + +"I would refuse no hazard that is possible to be done in the Queen's +service," he said to Walsingham; "but I do persuade myself she makes no +account of me. Had it not been for the duty that nature bound me towards +her and my country, I needed not to have been in that case that I am in. +Perhaps I could have fingered more pistoles than Mr. Newell, the late +Latiner, and had better usage and pension of the Spaniards than he. Some +can tell that I refused large offers, in the misery of Alost, of the +Prince of Parma. Last of all, Verdugo offered me very fair, being in +Loccum, to quit the States' service, and accept theirs, without treachery +or betraying of place or man." + +Not feeling inclined to teach Latin in Spain, like the late Mr. Newell, +or to violate oaths and surrender fortresses, like brave soldiers of +fortune whose deeds will be afterwards chronicled, he was disposed to +cultivate the "acquaintance of divers Pollacks," from which he had +received invitations. "Find I nothing there," said he, "Duke Matthias has +promised me courtesy if I would serve in Hungary. If not, I will offer +service to one of the Turk's bashaws against the Persians." + +Fortunately, work was found for the trusty Welshman in the old fields. +His brave honest face often reappeared; his sharp sensible tongue uttered +much sage counsel; and his ready sword did various solid service, in +leaguer, battle-field, and martial debate, in Flanders, Holland, Spain, +and France. + +For the present, he was casting his keen glances upon the negotiations in +progress, and cavilling at the general policy which seemed predominant. + +He believed that the object of the French was to trifle with the States, +to protract interminably their negotiations, to prevent the English +government from getting any hold upon the Provinces, and then to leave +them to their fate. + +He advised Walsingham to advance men and money, upon the security of +Sluys and Ostend. + +"I dare venture my life," said he, with much energy, "that were Norris, +Bingham, Yorke, or Carlisle, in those ports, he would keep them during +the Spanish King's life." + +But the true way to attack Spain--a method soon afterwards to be carried +into such brilliant effect by the naval heroes of England and the +Netherlands--the long-sighted Welshman now indicated; a combined attack, +namely, by sea upon the colonial possessions of Philip. + +"I dare be bound," said he, "if you join with Treslong, the States +Admiral, and send off, both, three-score sail into his Indies, we will +force him to retire from conquering further, and to be contented to let +other princes live as well as he." + +In particular, Williams urged rapid action, and there is little doubt, +that had the counsels of prompt, quick-witted, ready-handed soldiers like +himself, and those who thought with him, been taken; had the stealthy but +quick-darting policy of Walsingham prevailed over the solemn and stately +but somewhat ponderous proceedings of Burghley, both Ghent and Antwerp +might have been saved, the trifling and treacherous diplomacy of +Catharine de' Medici neutralized, and an altogether more fortunate aspect +given at once to the state of Protestant affairs. + +"If you mean to do anything," said he, "it is more than time now. If you +will send some man of credit about it, will it please your honour, I will +go with him, because I know the humour of the people, and am acquainted +with a number of the best. I shall be able to show him a number of their +dealings, as well with the French as in other affairs, and perhaps will +find means to send messengers to Ghent, and to other places, better than +the States; for the message of one soldier is better than twenty boors." + +It was ultimately decided--as will soon be related--to send a man of +credit to the Provinces. Meantime, the policy of England continued to be +expectant and dilatory, and Advocate Buys, after having in vain attempted +to conquer the French influence, and bring about the annexation of the +Provinces to England, threw down his office in disgust, and retired for a +time from the contest. He even contemplated for a moment taking service +in Denmark, but renounced the notion of abandoning his country, and he +will accordingly be found, at a later period, conspicuous in public +affairs. + +The deliberations in the English councils were grave and anxious, for it +became daily more obvious that the Netherland question was the hinge upon +which the whole fate of Christendom was slowly turning. To allow the +provinces to fall back again into the grasp of Philip, was to offer +England herself as a last sacrifice to the Spanish Inquisition. This was +felt by all the statesmen in the land; but some of them, more than the +rest, had a vivid perception of the danger, and of the necessity of +dealing with it at once. + +To the prophetic eye of Walsingham, the mists of the future at times were +lifted; and the countless sails of the invincible Armada, wafting +defiance and destruction to England, became dimly visible. He felt that +the great Netherland bulwark of Protestantism and liberty was to be +defended at all hazards, and that the death-grapple could not long be +deferred. + +Burghley, deeply pondering, but less determined, was still disposed to +look on and to temporize. + +The Queen, far-seeing and anxious, but somewhat hesitating, still clung +to the idea of a joint protectorate. She knew that the reestablishment of +Spanish authority in the Low Countries would be fatal to England, but she +was not yet prepared to throw down the gauntlet to Philip. She felt that +the proposed annexation of the Provinces to France would be almost as +formidable; yet she could not resolve, frankly and fearlessly, to assume, +the burthen of their protection. Under the inspiration of Burghley, she +was therefore willing to encourage the Netherlanders underhand; +preventing them at every hazard from slackening in their determined +hostility to Spain; discountenancing, without absolutely forbidding, +their proposed absorption by France; intimating, without promising, an +ultimate and effectual assistance from herself. Meantime, with something +of feline and feminine duplicity, by which the sex of the great sovereign +would so often manifest itself in the most momentous affairs, she would +watch and wait, teasing the Provinces, dallying with the danger, not +quite prepared as yet to abandon the prize to Henry or Philip, or to +seize it herself. + +The situation was rapidly tending to become an impossible one. + +Late in October a grave conference was held council, "upon the question +whether her Majesty should presently relieve the States of the Low +Countries." + +It was shown, upon one side, that the "perils to the Queen and to the +realm were great, if the King of Spain should recover Holland and +Zeeland, as he had the other countries, for lack of succour in seasonable +time, either by the French King or the Queen's Majesty." + +On the other side, the great difficulties in the way of effectual +assistance by England, were "fully remembered." + +"But in the end, and upon comparison made," said Lord Burghley, summing +up, "betwixt the perils on the one part, and the difficulties on the +other," it was concluded that the Queen would be obliged to succumb to +the power of Spain, and the liberties of England be hopelessly lost, if +Philip were then allowed to carry out his designs, and if the Provinces +should be left without succour at his mercy. + +A "wise person" was accordingly to be sent into Holland; first, to +ascertain whether the Provinces had come to an actual agreement with the +King of France, and, if such should prove to be the case, to enquire +whether that sovereign had pledged himself to declare war upon Philip. In +this event, the wise person was to express her Majesty's satisfaction +that the Provinces were thus to be "relieved from the tyranny of the King +of Spain." + +On the other hand, if it should appear that no such conclusive +arrangements had been made, and that the Provinces were likely to fall +again victims to the "Spanish tyranny," her Majesty would then "strain +herself as far as, with preservation of her own estate, she might, to +succour them at this time." + +The agent was then to ascertain "what conditions the Provinces would +require" upon the matter of succour, and, if the terms seemed reasonable, +he would assure them that "they should not be left to the cruelties of +the Spaniards." + +And further, the wise person, "being pressed to answer, might by +conference of speeches and persuasions provoke them to offer to the Queen +the ports of Flushing and Middelburg and the Brill, wherein she meant not +to claim any property, but to hold them as gages for her expenses, and +for performances of their covenants." + +He was also to make minute inquiries as to the pecuniary resources of the +Provinces, the monthly sums which they would be able to contribute, the +number of troops and of ships of war that they would pledge themselves to +maintain. These investigations were very important, because the Queen, +although very well disposed to succour them, "so nevertheless she was to +consider how her power might be extended, without ruin or manifest peril +to her own estate." + +It was also resolved, in the same conference, that a preliminary step of +great urgency was to "procure a good peace with the King of Scots." +Whatever the expense of bringing about such a pacification might be, it +was certain that a "great deal more would be expended in defending the +realm against Scotland," while England was engaged in hostilities with +Spain. Otherwise, it was argued that her Majesty would be "so impeached +by Scotland in favour of the King of Spain, that her action against that +King would be greatly weakened." + +Other measures necessary to be taken in view of the Spanish war were also +discussed. The ex-elector of Cologne, "a man of great account in +Germany," was to be assisted with money to make head against his rival +supported by the troops of Philip. + +Duke Casimir of the Palatinate was to be solicited to make a diversion in +Gelderland. + +The King of France was to be reminded of his treaty with England for +mutual assistance in case of the invasion by a foreign power of either +realm, and to be informed "not only of the intentions of the Spaniards to +invade England, upon their conquest of the Netherlands, but of their +actual invasion of Ireland." + +It was "to be devised how the King of Navarre and Don Antonio of +Portugal, for their respective titles, might be induced to offend and +occupy the King of Spain, whereby to diminish his forces bent upon the +Low Countries." + +It was also decided that Parliament should be immediately summoned, in +which, besides the request of a subsidy, many other necessary, provisions +should be made for her Majesty's safety. + +"The conclusions of the whole," said Lord Burghley, with much +earnestness, "was this. Although her Majesty should hereby enter into a +war presently, yet were she better to do it now, while she may make the +same out of her realm, having the help of the people of Holland, and +before the King of Spain shall have consummated his conquests in those +countries, whereby he shall be so provoked with pride, solicited by the +Pope, and tempted by the Queen's own subjects, and shall be so strong by +sea, and so free from all other actions and quarrels,--yea, shall be so +formidable to all the rest of Christendom, as that her Majesty shall no +wise be able, with her own power, nor with aid of any other, neither by +sea nor land, to withstand his attempts, but shall be forced to give +place to his insatiable malice, which is most terrible to be thought of, +but miserable to suffer." + +Thus did the Lord Treasurer wisely, eloquently, and well, describe the +danger by which England was environed. Through the shield of Holland the +spear was aimed full at the heart of England. But was it a moment to +linger? Was that buckler to be suffered to fall to the ground, or to be +raised only upon the arm of a doubtful and treacherous friend? Was it an +hour when the protection of Protestantism and of European liberty against +Spain was to be entrusted to the hand of a feeble and priest-ridden +Valois? Was it wise to indulge any longer in doubtings and dreamings, and +in yet a little more folding of the arms to sleep, while that insatiable +malice, so terrible to be thought of, so miserable to feel, was bowing +hourly more formidable, and approaching nearer and nearer? + +Early in December, William Davison, gentleman-in-ordinary of her +Majesty's household, arrived at the Hague; a man painstaking, earnest, +and zealous, but who was fated, on more than one great occasion, to be +made a scape-goat for the delinquencies of greater personages than +himself. + +He had audience of the States General on the 8th December. He then +informed that body that the Queen had heard, with, sorrowful heart, of +the great misfortunes which the United Provinces had sustained since the +death of the Prince of Orange; the many cities which they had lost, and +the disastrous aspect of the common cause. Moved by the affection which +she had always borne the country, and anxious for its preservation, she +had ordered her ambassador Stafford to request the King of France to +undertake, jointly with herself, the defence of the provinces against the +king of Spain. Not till very lately, however, had that envoy succeeded in +obtaining an audience, and he had then received "a very cold answer." It +being obvious to her Majesty, therefore, that the French government +intended to protract these matters indefinitely, Davison informed the +States that she had commissioned him to offer them "all possible +assistance, to enquire into the state of the country, and to investigate +the proper means of making that assistance most useful." He accordingly +requested the appointment of a committee to confer with him upon the +subject; and declared that the Queen did not desire to make herself +mistress of the Provinces, but only to be informed how she best could aid +their cause. + +A committee was accordingly appointed, and a long series of somewhat +concealed negotiations was commenced. As the deputies were upon the eve +of their departure for France, to offer the sovereignty of the Provinces +to Henry, these proceedings were necessarily confused, dilatory, and at +tines contradictory. + +After the arrival of the deputies in France, the cunctative policy +inspired by the Lord Treasurer was continued by England. The delusion of +a joint protectorate was still clung to by the Queen, although the +conduct of France was becoming very ambiguous, and suspicion growing +darker as to the ultimate and secret purport of the negotiations in +progress. + +The anxiety and jealousy of Elizabeth were becoming keener than ever. If +the offers to the King were unlimited; he would accept them, and would +thus become as dangerous as Philip. If they were unsatisfactory, he would +turn his back upon the Provinces, and leave them a prey to Philip. Still +she would not yet renounce the hope of bringing the French King over to +an ingenuous course of action. It was thought, too, that something might +be done with the great malcontent nobles of Flanders, whose defection +from the national cause had been so disastrous, but who had been much +influenced in their course, it was thought, by their jealousy of William +the Silent. + +Now that the Prince was dead, it was thought probable that the Arschots, +and Havres, Chimays, and Lalaings, might arouse themselves to more +patriotic views than they had manifested when they espoused the cause of +Spain. + +It would be desirable to excite their jealousy of French influence, and, +at the same time, to inspire throughout the popular mind the fear of +another tyranny almost as absolute as that of Spain. "And if it be +objected," said Burghley, "that except they shall admit the French King +to the absolute dominion, he will not aid them, and they, for lack of +succour, be forced to yield to the Spaniard, it may be answered that +rather than they should be wholly subjected to the French, or overcome by +the Spaniard, her Majesty would yield unto them as much as, with +preservation of her estate, and defence of her own country, might be +demanded." + +The real object kept in view by the Queen's government was, in short, to +obtain for the Provinces and for the general cause of liberty the +greatest possible amount of assistance from Henry, and to allow him to +acquire in return the least possible amount of power. The end proposed +was a reasonable one, but the means employed savoured too much of +intrigue. + +"It may be easily made probable to the States," said the Lord Treasurer, +"that the government of the French is likely to prove as cumbersome and +perilous as that of the Spaniards; and likewise it may probably be +doubted how the French will keep touch and covenants with them, when any +opportunity shall be offered to break them; so that her Majesty thinketh +no good can be looked for to those countries by yielding this large +authority to the French. If they shall continue their title by this grant +to be absolute lords, there is no end, for a long time, to be expected of +this war; and, contrariwise, if they break off, there is an end of any +good composition with the King of Spain." + +Shivering and shrinking, but still wading in deeper and deeper, inch by +inch, the cautious minister was fast finding himself too far advanced to +retreat. He was rarely decided, however, and never lucid; and least of +all in emergencies, when decision and lucidity would have been more +valuable than any other qualities. + +Deeply doubting, painfully balancing, he at times drove the unfortunate +Davison almost distraught. Puzzled himself and still more puzzling to +others, he rarely permitted the Netherlanders, or even his own agents, to +perceive his drift. It was fair enough, perhaps, to circumvent the French +government by its own arts, but the Netherlanders meanwhile were in +danger of sinking into despair. + +"Thus," wrote the Lord Treasurer to the envoy, "I have discoursed to you +of these uncertainties and difficulties, things not unknown to yourself, +but now being imparted to you by her Majesty's commandment, you are, by +your wisdom, to consider with whom to deal for the stay of this French +course, and yet, so to use it (as near as you may) that they of the +French faction there be not able to charge you therewith, by-advertising +into France. For it hath already appeared, by some speeches past between +our ambassador there and Des Pruneaux, that you are had in some jealousy +as a hinderer of this French course, and at work for her Majesty to have +some entrance and partage in that country. Nevertheless our ambassador; +by his answer, hath satisfied them to think the contrary." + +They must have been easily satisfied, if they knew as much of the +dealings of her Majesty's government as the reader already knows. To +inspire doubt of the French, to insinuate the probability of their not +"keeping touch and covenant," to represent their rule as "cumbersome and +perilous," was wholesome conduct enough towards the Netherlanders--and +still more so, had it been accompanied with frank offers of +assistance--but it was certainly somewhat to "hinder the courses of the +French." + +But in truth all parties were engaged for a season in a round game of +deception, in which nobody was deceived. + +Walsingham was impatient, almost indignant at this puerility. "Your +doings, no doubt of it," he wrote to Davison, "are observed by the French +faction, and therefore you cannot proceed so closely but it will be +espied. Howsoever it be, seeing direction groweth from hence, we cannot +but blame ourselves, if the effects thereof do not fall out to our +liking." + +That sagacious statesman was too well informed, and too much accustomed +to penetrate the designs of his antagonists, to expect anything from the +present intrigues. + +To loiter thus, when mortal blows should be struck, was to give the +Spanish government exactly that of which it was always most +gluttonous--time; and the Netherlanders had none of it to spare. "With +time and myself, there are two of us," was Philip II.'s favourite +observation; and the Prince of Parma was at this moment sorely perplexed +by the parsimony and the hesitations of his own government, by which his +large, swift and most creative genius was so often hampered. + +Thus the Spanish soldiers, deep in the trenches, went with bare legs and +empty stomachs in January; and the Dutchmen, among their broken dykes, +were up to their ears in mud and water; and German mercenaries, in the +obedient Provinces, were burning the peasants' houses in order to sell +the iron to buy food withal; while grave-visaged statesmen, in +comfortable cabinets, wagged their long white beards at each other from a +distance, and exchanged grimaces and protocols which nobody heeded. + +Walsingham was weary of this solemn trifling. "I conclude," said he to +Davison, "that her Majesty--with reverence be it spoken--is ill advised, +to direct you in a course that is like to work so great peril. I know you +will do your best endeavour to keep all things upright, and yet it is +hard--the disease being now come to this state, or, as the physicians +term it, crisis--to carry yourself in such sort, but that it will, I +fear, breed a dangerous alteration in the cause." + +He denounced with impatience, almost with indignation, the insincerity +and injustice of these intolerable hesitations. "Sorry am I," said he, +"to see the course that is taken in this weighty cause, for we will +neither help those poor countries ourselves, nor yet suffer others to do +it. I am not ignorant that in time to come the annexing of these +countries to the crown of France may prove prejudicial to England, but if +France refuse to deal with them, and the rather for that we shall +minister some cause of impediment by a kind of dealing underhand, then +shall they be forced to return into the hands of Spain, which is like to +breed such a present peril towards her Majesty's self, as never a wise +man that seeth it, and loveth her, but lamenteth it from the bottom of +his heart." + +Walsingham had made up his mind that it was England, not France, that +should take up the cause of the Provinces, and defend them at every +hazard. He had been overruled, and the Queen's government had decided to +watch the course of the French negotiation, doing what it could, +underhand, to prevent that negotiation from being successful. The +Secretary did not approve of this disingenuous course. At the same time +he had no faith in the good intentions of the French court. + +"I could wish," said he, "that the French King were carried with that +honourable mind into the defence of these countries that her Majesty is, +but France has not been used to do things for God's sake; neither do they +mean to use our advice or assistance in making of the bargain. For they +still hold a jealous conceit that when Spain and they are together by the +ears, we will seek underhand to work our own peace." Walsingham, +therefore, earnestly deprecated the attitude provisionally maintained by +England. + +Meantime, early in January, (Jan. 3, 1585) the deputation from the +Provinces had arrived in France. The progress of their 1585 negotiation +will soon be related, but, before its result was known, a general +dissatisfaction had already manifested itself in the Netherlands. The +factitious enthusiasm which had been created in favour of France, as well +as the prejudice against England, began to die out. It became probable in +the opinion of those most accustomed to read the signs of the times, that +the French court was acting in connivance with Philip, and that the +negotiation was only intended to amuse the Netherlanders, to circumvent +the English, and to gain time both for France and Spain. It was not +believed that the character of Henry or the policy of his mother was +likely to the cause of any substantial aid to the cause of civil liberty +or Protestant principles. + +"They look for no better fruit from the commission to France," wrote +Davison, who surveyed the general state of affairs with much keenness and +breadth of vision, "than a dallying entertainment of the time, neither +leaving them utterly hopeless, nor at full liberty to seek for relief +elsewhere, especially in England, or else some pleasing motion of peace, +wherein the French King will offer his mediation with Spain. Meantime the +people, wearied with the troubles, charges, and hazard of the war, shall +be rocked asleep, the provision for their defence neglected, some +Provinces nearest the danger seduced, the rest by their defection +astonished, and the enemy by their decay and confusions, strengthened. +This is the scope whereto the doings of the French King, not without +intelligence with the Spanish sovereign, doth aim, whatever is +pretended." + +There was a wide conviction that the French King was dealing falsely with +the Provinces. It seemed certain that he must be inspired by intense +jealousy of England, and that he was unlikely, for the sake of those +whose "religion, popular liberty, and rebellion against their sovereign," +he could not but disapprove, to allow Queen Elizabeth to steal a march +upon him, and "make her own market with Spain to his cost and +disadvantage." + +In short, it was suspected--whether justly or not will be presently +shown--that Henry III. "was seeking to blear the eyes of the world, as +his brother Charles did before the Massacre of St. Bartholomew." As the +letters received from the Dutch envoys in France became less and less +encouraging, and as the Queen was informed by her ambassador in Paris of +the tergiversations in Paris, she became the more anxious lest the States +should be driven to despair. She therefore wrote to Davison, instructing +him "to nourish in them underhand some hope--as a thing proceeding from +himself--that though France should reject them, yet she would not abandon +them." + +He was directed to find out, by circuitous means, what towns they would +offer to her as security for any advances she might be induced to make, +and to ascertain the amount of monthly contributions towards the support +of the war that they were still capable of furnishing. She was beginning +to look with dismay at the expatriation of wealthy merchants and +manufacturers going so rapidly forward, now that Ghent had fallen and +Brussels and Antwerp were in such imminent peril. She feared that, while +so much valuable time had been thrown away, the Provinces had become too +much impoverished to do their own part in their own defence; and she was +seriously alarmed at rumours which had become prevalent of a popular +disposition towards treating for a peace at any price with Spain. It soon +became evident that these rumours were utterly without foundation, but +the other reasons for Elizabeth's anxiety were sufficiently valid. + +On the whole, the feeling in favour of England was rapidly gaining +ground. In Holland especially there was general indignation against the +French party. The letters of the deputies occasioned "murmur and mislike" +of most persons, who noted them to contain "more ample report of +ceremonies and compliments than solid argument of comfort." + +Sir Edward Stafford, who looked with great penetration into the heart of +the mysterious proceedings at Paris, assured his government that no +better result was to be looked for, "after long dalliance and +entertainment, than either a flat refusal or such a masked embracing of +their cause, as would rather tend to the increasing of their miseries and +confusion than relief for their declining estate." While "reposing upon a +broken reed," they were, he thought, "neglecting other means more +expedient for their necessities." + +This was already the universal opinion in Holland. Men now remembered, +with bitterness, the treachery of the Duke of Anjou, which they had been +striving so hard to forget, but which less than two years ago had nearly +proved fatal to the cause of liberty in the Provinces. A committee of the +States had an interview with the Queen's envoy at the Hague; implored her +Majesty through him not to abandon their cause; expressed unlimited +regret for the course which had been pursued, and avowed a determination +"to pluck their heads out of the collar," so soon as the opportunity +should offer. + +They stated, moreover, that they had been directed by the assembly to lay +before him the instructions for the envoys to France, and the articles +proposed for the acceptance of the King. The envoy knew his business +better than not to have secretly provided himself with copies of these +documents, which he had already laid before his own government. + +He affected, however, to feel hurt that he had been thus kept in +ignorance of papers which he really knew by heart. "After some pretended +quarrel," said he, "for their not acquainting me therewith sooner, I did +accept them, as if I had before neither seen nor heard of them." + +This then was the aspect of affairs in the provinces during the absence +of the deputies in France. It is now necessary to shift the scene to that +country. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Reception of the Dutch Envoys at the Louvre--Ignominious Result of + the Embassy--Secret Influences at work--Bargaining between the + French and Spanish Courts--Claims of Catharine de' Medici upon + Portugal--Letters of Henry and Catharine--Secret Proposal by France + to invade England--States' Mission to Henry of Navarre--Subsidies + of Philip to Guise--Treaty of Joinville--Philip's Share in the + League denied by Parma--Philip in reality its Chief--Manifesto of + the League--Attitude of Henry III. and of Navarre--The League + demands a Royal Decree--Designs of France and Spain against England + --Secret Interview of Mendoza and Villeroy--Complaints of English + Persecution--Edict of Nemours--Excommunication of Navarre and his + Reply. + +The King, notwithstanding his apparent reluctance, had, in Sir Edward +Stafford's language, "nibbled at the bait." He had, however, not been +secured at the first attempt, and now a second effort was to be made, +under what were supposed to be most favourable circumstances. In +accordance with his own instructions, his envoy, Des Pruneaux, had been +busily employed in the States, arranging the terms of a treaty which +should be entirely satisfactory. It had been laid down as an +indispensable condition that Holland and Zeeland should unite in the +offer of sovereignty, and, after the expenditure of much eloquence, +diplomacy, and money, Holland and Zeeland had given their consent. The +court had been for some time anxious and impatient for the arrival of the +deputies. Early in December, Des Pruneaux wrote from Paris to Count +Maurice, urging with some asperity, the necessity of immediate action. + +"When I left you," he said, "I thought that performance would follow +promises. I have been a little ashamed, as the time passed by, to hear +nothing of the deputies, nor of any excuse on the subject. It would seem +as though God had bandaged the eyes of those who have so much cause to +know their own adversity." + +To the States his language was still more insolent. "Excuse me, +Gentlemen," he said, "if I tell you that I blush at hearing nothing from +you. I shall have the shame and you the damage. I regret much the capture +of De Teligny, and other losses which are occasioned by your delays and +want of resolution." + +Thus did the French court, which a few months before had imprisoned, and +then almost ignominiously dismissed the envoys who came to offer the +sovereignty of the Provinces, now rebuke the governments which had ever +since been strenuously engaged in removing all obstacles to the entire +fulfillment of the King's demands. The States were just despatching a +solemn embassy to renew that offer, with hardly any limitation as to +terms. + +The envoys arrived on January 3rd, 1585, at Boulogne, after a stormy +voyage from Brielle. Yet it seems incredible to relate, that, after all +the ignominy heaped upon the last, there was nothing but solemn trifling +in reserve for the present legation; although the object of both +embassies was to offer a crown. The deputies were, however, not kept in +prison, upon this occasion, nor treated like thieves or spies. They were +admirably lodged, with plenty of cooks and lacqueys to minister to them; +they fared sumptuously every day, at Henry's expense, and, after they had +been six weeks in the kingdom, they at last succeeded in obtaining their +first audience. + +On the 13th February the King sent five "very splendid, richly-gilded, +court-coach-waggons" to bring the envoys to the palace. At one o'clock +they arrived at the Louvre, and were ushered through four magnificent +antechambers into the royal cabinet. The apartments through which they +passed swarmed with the foremost nobles, court-functionaries, and ladies +of France, in blazing gala costume, who all greeted the envoys with +demonstrations of extreme respect: The halls and corridors were lined +with archers, halbardiers, Swiss guards, and grooms "besmeared with +gold," and it was thought that all this rustle of fine feathers would be +somewhat startling to the barbarous republicans, fresh from the fens of +Holland. + +Henry received them in his cabinet, where he was accompanied only by the +Duke of Joyeuse--his foremost and bravest "minion"--by the Count of +Bouscaige, M. de Valette, and the Count of Chateau Vieux. + +The most Christian King was neatly dressed, in white satin doublet and +hose, and well-starched ruff, with a short cloak on his shoulders, a +little velvet cap on the side of his head, his long locks duly perfumed +and curled, his sword at his side, and a little basket, full of puppies, +suspended from his neck by a broad ribbon. He held himself stiff and +motionless, although his face smiled a good-humoured welcome to the +ambassadors; and he moved neither foot, hand, nor head, as they advanced. + +Chancellor Leoninus, the most experienced, eloquent, and tedious of men, +now made an interminable oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in +facts; and the King made a short and benignant reply, according to the +hallowed formula in such cases provided. And then there was a +presentation to the Queen, and to the Queen-Mother, when Leoninus was +more prolix than before, and Catharine even more affectionate than her +son; and there were consultations with Chiverny and Villeroy, and Brulart +and Pruneaux, and great banquets at the royal expense, and bales of +protocols, and drafts of articles, and conditions and programmes and +apostilles by the hundred weight, and at last articles of annexation were +presented by the envoys, and Pruneaux looked at and pronounced them "too +raw and imperative," and the envoys took them home again, and dressed +them and cooked them till there was no substance left in them; for +whereas the envoys originally offered the crown of their country to +France, on condition that no religion but the reformed religion should be +tolerated there, no appointments made but by the States, and no security +offered for advances to be made by the Christian King, save the hearts +and oaths of his new subjects--so they now ended by proposing the +sovereignty unconditionally, almost abjectly; and, after the expiration +of nearly three months, even these terms were absolutely refused, and the +deputies were graciously permitted to go home as they came. The +annexation and sovereignty were definitely declined. Henry regretted and +sighed, Catharine de' Medici wept--for tears were ever at her +command--Chancellor Chiverny and Secretary Brulart wept likewise, and +Pruneaux was overcome with emotion at the parting interview of the +ambassadors with the court, in which they were allowed a last opportunity +for expressing what was called their gratitude. + +And then, on the lath March, M. d'Oignon came to them, and presented, on +the part of the King, to each of the envoys a gold chain weighing +twenty-one ounces and two grains. + +Des Pruneaux, too--Des Pruneaux who had spent the previous summer in the +Netherlands, who had travelled from province to province, from city to +city, at the King's command, offering boundless assistance, if they would +unanimously offer their sovereignty; who had vanquished by his +importunity the resistance of the stern Hollanders, the last of all the +Netherlanders to yield to the royal blandishments--Des Pruneaux, who had +"blushed"--Des Pruneaux who had wept--now thought proper to assume an +airy tone, half encouragement, half condolence. + +"Man proposes, gentlemen," said he "but God disposes. We are frequently +called on to observe that things have a great variety of times and terms. +Many a man is refused by a woman twice, who succeeds the third time," and +so on, with which wholesome apothegms Des Pruneaux faded away then and +for ever from the page of Netherland history. + +In a few days afterwards the envoys took shipping at Dieppe, and arrived +early in April at the Hague. + +And thus terminated the negotiation of the States with France. + +It had been a scene of elaborate trifling on the King's part from +beginning to end. Yet the few grains of wheat which have thus been +extracted from the mountains of diplomatic chaff so long mouldering in +national storehouses, contain, however dry and tasteless, still something +for human nourishment. It is something to comprehend the ineffable +meanness of the hands which then could hold the destiny of mighty +empires. Here had been offered a magnificent prize to France; a great +extent of frontier in the quarter where expansion was most desirable, a +protective network of towns and fortresses on the side most vulnerable, +flourishing, cities on the sea-coast where the marine traffic was most +lucrative, the sovereignty of a large population, the most bustling, +enterprising, and hardy in Europe--a nation destined in a few short years +to become the first naval and commercial power in the world--all this was +laid at the feet of Henry Valois and Catharine de' Medici, and rejected. + +The envoys, with their predecessors, had wasted eight months of most +precious time; they had heard and made orations, they had read and +written protocols, they had witnessed banquets, masquerades, and revels +of stupendous frivolity, in honour of the English Garter, brought +solemnly to the Valois by Lord Derby, accompanied by one hundred +gentlemen "marvellously, sumptuously, and richly accoutred," during that +dreadful winter when the inhabitants of Brussels, Antwerp, Mechlin--to +save which splendid cities and to annex them to France, was a main object +of the solemn embassy from the Netherlands--were eating rats, and cats, +and dogs, and the weeds from the pavements, and the grass from the +churchyards; and were finding themselves more closely pressed than ever +by the relentless genius of Farnese; and in exchange for all these losses +and all this humiliation, the ambassadors now returned to their +constituents, bringing an account of Chiverny's magnificent banquets and +long orations, of the smiles of Henry III., the tears of Catharine de' +Medici, the regrets of M. des Pruneaux, besides sixteen gold chains, each +weighing twenty-one ounces and two grains. + +It is worth while to go for a moment behind the scene; We have seen the +actors, with mask and cothurn and tinsel crown, playing their well-conned +parts upon the stage. Let us hear them threaten, and whimper, and chaffer +among themselves. + +So soon as it was intimated that Henry III. was about to grant the +Netherland, envoys an audience, the wrath of ambassador Mendoza was +kindled. That magniloquent Spaniard instantly claimed an interview with +the King, before whom, according to the statement of his colleagues, +doing their best to pry into these secrets, he blustered and bounced, and +was more fantastical in his insolence than even Spanish envoy had ever +been before. + +"He went presently to court," so Walsingham was informed by Stafford, +"and dealt very passionately with the King and Queen-Mother to deny them +audience, who being greatly offended with his presumptuous and malapert +manner of proceeding, the King did in choler and with some sharp +speeches, let him plainly understand that he was an absolute king, bound +to yield account of his doings to no man, and that it was lawful for him +to give access to any man within his own realm. The Queen-Mother answered +him likewise very roundly, whereupon he departed for the time, very much +discontented." + +Brave words, on both sides, if they had ever been spoken, or if there had +been any action corresponding to their spirit. + +But, in truth, from the beginning, Henry and his mother saw in the +Netherland embassy only the means of turning a dishonest penny. Since the +disastrous retreat of Anjou from the Provinces, the city of Cambray had +remained in the hands of the Seigneur de Balagny, placed there by the +duke. The citadel, garrisoned by French troops, it was not the intention +of Catharine de' Medici to restore to Philip, and a truce on the subject +had been arranged provisionally for a year. Philip, taking Parma's advice +to prevent the French court, if possible, from "fomenting the Netherland +rebellion," had authorized the Prince to conclude that truce, as if done +on his own responsibility, and not by royal order. Meantime, Balagny was +gradually swelling into a petty potentate, on his own account, making +himself very troublesome to the Prince of Parma, and requiring a great +deal of watching. Cambray was however apparently acquired for France. + +But, besides this acquisition, there was another way of earning something +solid, by turning this Netherland matter handsomely to account. Philip +II. had recently conquered Portugal. Among the many pretensions to that +crown, those of Catherine de' Medici had been put forward, but had been +little heeded. The claim went back more than three hundred years, and to +establish its validity would have been to convert the peaceable +possession of a long line of sovereigns into usurpation. To ascend to +Alphonso III. was like fetching, as it was said, a claim from Evander's +grandmother. Nevertheless, ever since Philip had been upon the Portuguese +throne, Catherine had been watching the opportunity, not of unseating +that sovereign, but of converting her claim into money. + +The Netherland embassy seemed to offer the coveted opportunity. There +was, therefore, quite as much warmth at the outset, on the part of +Mendoza, in that first interview after the arrival of the deputies, as +had been represented. There was however less dignity and more cunning on +the part of Henry and Catherine than was at all suspected. Even before +that conference the King had been impatiently expecting overtures from +the Spanish envoy, and had been disappointed. "He told me," said Henry, +"that he would make proposals so soon as Tassis should be gone, but he +has done nothing yet. He said to Gondi that all he meant was to get the +truce of Cambray accomplished. I hope, however, that my brother, the King +of Spain, will do what is right in regard to madam my mother's +pretensions. 'Tis likely that he will be now incited thereto, seeing that +the deputies of all the Netherland provinces are at present in my +kingdom, to offer me carte blanche. I shall hear what they have to say, +and do exactly what the good of my own affairs shall seem to require. The +Queen of England, too, has been very pressing and urgent with me for +several months on this subject. I shall hear, too, what she has to say, +and I presume, if the King of Spain will now disclose himself, and do +promptly what he ought, that we may set Christendom at rest." + +Henry then instructed his ambassador in Spain to keep his eyes wide open, +in order to penetrate the schemes of Philip, and to this end ordered him +an increase of salary by a third, that he might follow that monarch on +his journey to Arragon. + +Meanwhile Mendoza had audience of his Majesty. "He made a very pressing +remonstrance," said the King, "concerning the arrival of these deputies, +urging me to send them back at once; denouncing them as disobedient +rebels and heretics. I replied that my kingdom was free, and that I +should hear from them all that they had to say, because I could not +abandon madam my mother in her pretensions, not only for the filial +obedience which I owe her, but because I am her only heir. Mendoza +replied that he should go and make the same remonstrance to the +Queen-Mother, which he accordingly did, and she will herself write you +what passed between them. If they do not act up to their duty down there +I know how to take my revenge upon them." + +This is the King's own statement--his veriest words--and he was surely +best aware of what occurred between himself and Mendoza, under their four +eyes only. The ambassador is not represented as extremely insolent, but +only pressing; and certainly there is little left of the fine periods on +Henry's part about listening to the cry of the oppressed, or preventing +the rays of his ancestors' diadem from growing pale, with which +contemporary chronicles are filled. + +There was not one word of the advancement and glory of the French nation; +not a hint of the fame to be acquired by a magnificent expansion of +territory, still less of the duty to deal generously or even honestly +with an oppressed people, who in good faith were seeking an asylum in +exchange for offered sovereignty, not a syllable upon liberty of +conscience, of religious or civil rights; nothing but a petty and +exclusive care for the interests of his mother's pocket, and of his own +as his mother's heir. This farthing-candle was alone to guide the steps +of "the high and mighty King," whose reputation was perpetually +represented as so precious to him in all the conferences between his +ministers and the Netherland deputies. Was it possible for those envoys +to imagine the almost invisible meanness of such childish tricks? + +The Queen-Mother was still more explicit and unblushing throughout the +whole affair. + +"The ambassador of Spain," she said, "has made the most beautiful +remonstrances he could think of about these deputies from the +Netherlands. All his talk, however, cannot persuade me to anything else +save to increase my desire to have reparation for the wrong that has been +done me in regard to my claims upon Portugal, which I am determined to +pursue by every means within my power. Nevertheless I have told Don +Bernardino that I should always be ready to embrace any course likely to +bring about a peaceful conclusion. He then entered into a discussion of +my rights, which, he said, were not thought in Spain to be founded in +justice. But when I explained to him the principal points (of which I +possess all the pieces of evidence and justification), he hardly knew +what to say, save that he was astounded that I had remained so long +without speaking of my claims. In reply, I told him ingenuously the +truth." + +The truth which the ingenuous Catharine thus revealed was, in brief, that +all her predecessors had been minors, women, and persons in situations +not to make their rights valid. Finding herself more highly placed, she +had advanced her claims, which had been so fully recognized in Portugal, +that she had been received as Infanta of the kingdom. All pretensions to +the throne being now through women only, hers were the best of any. At +all this Don Bernardino expressed profound astonishment, and promised to +send a full account to his master of "the infinite words" which had +passed between them at this interview! + +"I desire," said Catharine, "that the Lord King of Spain should open his +mind frankly and promptly upon the recompense which he is willing to make +me for Portugal, in order that things may pass rather with gentleness +than otherwise." + +It was expecting a great deal to look for frankness and promptness from +the Lord King of Spain, but the Queen-Mother considered that the +Netherland envoys had put a whip into her hand. She was also determined +to bring Philip up to the point, without showing her own game. "I will +never say," said Catharine--ingenuous no longer--"I will never say how +much I ask, but, on the contrary, I shall wait for him to make the offer. +I expect it to be reasonable, because he has seen fit to seize and occupy +that which I declare to be my property." + +This is the explanation of all the languor and trifling of the French +court in the Netherland negotiation. A deep, constant, unseen current was +running counter to all the movement which appeared upon the surface. The +tergiversations of the Spanish cabinet in the Portugal matter were the +cause of the shufflings of the French ministers on the subject of the +Provinces. + +"I know well," said Henry a few days later, "that the people down there, +and their ambassador here, are leading us on with words, as far as they +can, with regard to the recompense of madam my mother for her claims upon +Portugal. But they had better remember (and I think they will), that out +of the offers which these sixteen deputies of the Netherlands are +bringing me--and I believe it to be carte blanche--I shall be able to pay +myself. 'Twill be better to come promptly to a good bargain and a brief +conclusion, than to spin the matter out longer." + +"Don Bernardino," said the Queen-Mother on the same day, "has been +keeping us up to this hour in hopes of a good offer, but 'tis to be +feared, for the good of Christendom, that 'twill be too late. The +deputies are come, bringing carte blanche. Nevertheless, if the King of +Spain is willing to be reasonable, and that instantly, it will be well, +and it would seem as if God had been pleased to place this means in our +hands." + +After the conferences had been fairly got under way between the French +government and the envoys, the demands upon Philip for a good bargain and +a handsome offer became still more pressing. + +"I have given audience to the deputies from the Provinces," wrote Henry, +"and the Queen-Mother has done the same. Chancellor Chiverny, Villequier, +Bellievre, and Brulart, will now confer with them from day today. I now +tell you that it will be well, before things go any farther, for the King +of Spain to come to reason about the pretensions of madam mother. This +will be a means of establishing the repose of Christendom. I shall be +very willing to concur in such an arrangement, if I saw any approximation +to it on the part of the King or his ministers. But I fear they will +delay too long, and so you had better tell them. Push them to the point +as much as possible, without letting them suspect that I have been +writing about it, for that would make them rather draw back than come +forward." + +At the same time, during this alternate threatening and coaxing between +the French and the Spanish court, and in the midst of all the solemn and +tedious protocolling of the ministry and the Dutch envoys, there was a +most sincere and affectionate intercourse maintained between Henry III. +and the Prince of Parma. The Spanish Governor-General was assured that +nothing but the warmest regard was entertained for him and his master on +the part of the French court. Parma had replied, however, that so many +French troops had in times past crossed the frontier to assist the +rebels, that he hardly knew what to think. He expressed the hope, now +that the Duke of Anjou was dead, that his Christian Majesty would not +countenance the rebellion, but manifest his good-will. + +"How can your Highness doubt it," said Malpierre, Henry's envoy, "for his +Majesty has given proof enough of his good will, having prevented all +enterprises in this regard, and preferred to have his own subjects cut +into pieces rather than that they should carry out their designs. Had his +Majesty been willing merely to connive at these undertakings, 'tis +probable that the affairs of your highness would not have succeeded so +well as they have done." + +With regard to England, also, the conduct of Henry and his mother in +these negotiations was marked by the same unfathomable duplicity. There +was an appearance of cordiality on the surface; but there was deep +plotting, and bargaining, and even deadly hostility lurking below. We +have seen the efforts which Elizabeth's government had been making to +counteract the policy which offered the sovereignty of the provinces to +the French monarch. At the same time there was at least a loyal +disposition upon the Queen's part to assist the Netherlands, in +concurrence with Henry. The demeanour of Burghley and his colleagues was +frankness itself, compared with the secret schemings of the Valois; for +at least peace and good-will between the "triumvirate" of France, England +and the Netherlands, was intended, as the true means of resisting the +predominant influence of Spain. + +Yet very soon after the solemn reception by Henry of the garter brought +by Lord Derby, and in the midst of the negotiations between the French +court and the United Provinces, the French king was not only attempting +to barter the sovereignty offered him by the Netherlanders against a +handsome recompense for the Portugal claim, but he was actually proposing +to the King of Spain to join with him in an invasion of England! Even +Philip himself must have admired and respected such a complication of +villany on the part of his most Christian brother. He was, however, not +disposed to put any confidence in his schemes. + +"With regard to the attempt against England," wrote Philip to Mendoza, +"you must keep your eyes open--you must look at the danger of letting +them, before they have got rid of their rivals and reduced their +heretics, go out of their own house and kingdom, and thus of being made +fools of when they think of coming back again. Let them first exterminate +the heretics of France, and then we will look after those of England; +because 'tis more important to finish those who are near than those afar +off. Perhaps the Queen-Mother proposes this invasion in order to proceed +more feebly with matters in her own kingdom; and thus Mucio (Duke of +Guise) and his friends will not have so safe a game, and must take heed +lest they be deceived." + +Thus it is obvious that Henry and Catharine intended, on the whole, to +deceive the English and the Netherlanders, and to get as good a bargain +and as safe a friendship from Philip as could be manufactured out of the +materials placed in the French King's hands by the United Provinces. +Elizabeth honestly wished well to the States, but allowed Burghley and +those who acted with him to flatter themselves with the chimera that +Henry could be induced to protect the Netherlands without assuming the +sovereignty of that commonwealth. The Provinces were fighting for their +existence, unconscious of their latent strength, and willing to trust to +France or to England, if they could only save themselves from being +swallowed by Spain. As for Spain itself, that country was more practised +in duplicity even than the government of the Medici-Valois, and was of +course more than a match at the game of deception for the franker +politicians of England and Holland. + +The King of Navarre had meanwhile been looking on at a distance. Too keen +an observer, too subtle a reasoner to doubt the secret source of the +movements then agitating France to its centre, he was yet unable to +foresee the turn that all these intrigues were about to take. He could +hardly doubt that Spain was playing a dark and desperate game with the +unfortunate Henry III.; for, as we have seen, he had himself not long +before received a secret and liberal offer from Philip II., if he would +agree to make war upon the King. But the Bearnese was not the man to play +into the hands of Spain, nor could he imagine the possibility of the +Valois or even of his mother taking so suicidal a course. + +After the Netherland deputies had received their final dismissal from the +King, they sent Calvart, who had been secretary to their embassy, on a +secret mission to Henry of Navarre, then resident at Chartres. + +The envoy communicated to the Huguenot chief the meagre result of the +long negotiation with the French court. Henry bade him be of good cheer, +and assured him of his best wishes for their cause. He expressed the +opinion that the King of France would now either attempt to overcome the +Guise faction by gentle means, or at once make war upon them. The Bishop +of Acqs had strongly recommended the French monarch to send the King of +Navarre, with a strong force, to the assistance of the Netherlands, +urging the point with much fervid eloquence and solid argument. Henry for +a moment had seemed impressed, but such a vigorous proceeding was of +course entirely beyond his strength, and he had sunk back into his +effeminate languor so soon as the bold bishop's back was turned. + +The Bearnese had naturally conceived but little hope that such a scheme +would be carried into effect; but he assured Calvart, that nothing could +give him greater delight than to mount and ride in such a cause. + +"Notwithstanding," said the Bearnese, "that the villanous intentions of +the Guises are becoming plainer and plainer, and that they are obviously +supplied with Spanish dollars, I shall send a special envoy to the most +Christian King, and, although 'tis somewhat late, implore him to throw +his weight into the scale, in order to redeem your country from its +misery. Meantime be of good heart, and defend as you have done your +hearths, your liberty, and the honour of God." + +He advised the States unhesitatingly to continue their confidence in the +French King, and to keep him informed of their plans and movements; +expressing the opinion that these very intrigues of the Guise party would +soon justify or even force Henry III. openly to assist the Netherlands. + +So far, at that very moment, was so sharp a politician as the Bearnese +from suspecting the secret schemes of Henry of Valois. Calvart urged the +King of Navarre to assist the States at that moment with some slight +subsidy. Antwerp was in such imminent danger as to fill the hearts of all +true patriots with dismay; and a timely succour, even if a slender one, +might be of inestimable value. + +Henry expressed profound regret that his own means were so limited, and +his own position so dangerous, as to make it difficult for him to +manifest in broad daylight the full affection which he bore the +Provinces. + +"To my sorrow," said he, "your proposition is made in the midst of such +dark and stormy weather, that those who have clearest sight are unable to +see to what issue these troubles of France are tending." + +Nevertheless, with much generosity and manliness, he promised Calvart to +send two thousand soldiers, at his own charges, to the Provinces without +delay; and authorised that envoy to consult with his agent at the court +of the French King, in order to obtain the royal permission for the +troops to cross the frontier. + +The crownless and almost houseless King had thus, at a single interview, +and in exchange for nothing but good wishes, granted what the most +Christian monarch of France had refused, after months of negotiation, and +with sovereignty as the purchase-money. The envoy, well pleased, sped as +swiftly as possible to Paris; but, as may easily be imagined, Henry of +Valois forbade the movement contemplated by Henry of Navarre. + +"His Majesty," said Villeroy, secretary of state, "sees no occasion, in +so weighty a business, thus suddenly to change his mind; the less so, +because he hopes to be able ere long to smooth over these troubles which +have begun in France. Should the King either openly or secretly assist +the Netherlands or allow them to be assisted, 'twould be a reason for all +the Catholics now sustaining his Majesty's party to go over to the Guise +faction. The Provinces must remain firm, and make no pacification with +the enemy. Meantime the Queen of England is the only one to whom God has +given means to afford you succour. One of these days, when the proper +time comes, his Majesty will assist her in affording you relief." + +Calvart, after this conference with the King of Navarre, and subsequently +with the government, entertained a lingering hope that the French King +meant to assist the Provinces. "I know well who is the author of these +troubles," said the unhappy monarch, who never once mentioned the name of +Guise in all those conferences, "but, if God grant me life, I will give +him as good as he sends, and make him rue his conduct." + +They were not aware after how many strange vacillations Henry was one day +to wreak this threatened vengeance. As for Navarre, he remained upon the +watch, good humoured as ever, more merry and hopeful as the tempest grew +blacker; manifesting the most frank and friendly sentiments towards the +Provinces, and writing to Queen Elizabeth in the chivalrous style so dear +to the heart of that sovereign, that he desired nothing better than to be +her "servant and captain-general against the common enemy." + +But, indeed, the French King was not so well informed as he imagined +himself to be of the authorship of these troubles. Mucio, upon whose head +he thus threatened vengeance, was but the instrument. The concealed hand +that was directing all these odious intrigues, and lighting these flames +of civil war which were so long to make France a scene of desolation, was +that of the industrious letter-writer in the Escorial. That which Henry +of Navarre shrewdly suspected, when he talked of the Spanish dollars in +the Balafre's pocket, that which was dimly visible to the Bishop of Acqs +when he told Henry III. that the "Tagus had emptied itself into the Seine +and Loire, and that the gold of Mexico was flowing into the royal +cabinet," was much more certain than they supposed. + +Philip, in truth, was neglecting his own most pressing interests that he +might direct all his energies towards entertaining civil war in France. +That France should remain internally at peace was contrary to all his +plans. He had therefore long kept Guise and his brother, the Cardinal de +Lorraine, in his pay, and he had been spending large sums of money to +bribe many of the most considerable functionaries in the kingdom. + +The most important enterprises in the Netherlands were allowed to +languish, that these subterranean operations of the "prudent" monarch of +Spain should be pushed forward. The most brilliant and original genius +that Philip had the good fortune to have at his disposal, the genius of +Alexander Farnese, was cramped and irritated almost to madness, by the +fetters imposed upon it, by the sluggish yet obstinate nature of him it +was bound to obey. Farnese was at that moment engaged in a most arduous +military undertaking, that famous siege of Antwerp, the details of which +will be related in future chapters, yet he was never furnished with men +or money enough to ensure success to a much more ordinary operation. His +complaints, subdued but intense, fell almost unheeded on his master's +ear. He had not "ten dollars at his command," his cavalry horses were all +dead of hunger or had been eaten by their riders, who were starving to +death themselves, his army had dwindled to a "handful," yet he still held +on to his purpose, in spite of famine, the desperate efforts of +indefatigable enemies, and all the perils and privations of a deadly +winter. He, too, was kept for a long time in profound ignorance of +Philip's designs. + +Meantime, while the Spanish soldiers were starving in Flanders, Philip's +dollars were employed by Mucio and his adherents in enlisting troops in +Switzerland and Germany, in order to carry on the civil war in France. +The French king was held systematically up to ridicule or detestation in +every village-pulpit in his own kingdom, while the sister of Mucio, the +Duchess of Montpensier, carried the scissors at her girdle, with which +she threatened to provide Henry with a third crown, in addition to those +of France and Poland, which he had disgraced--the coronal tonsure of a +monk. The convent should be, it was intimated, the eventual fate of the +modern Childeric, but meantime it was more important than ever to +supersede the ultimate pretensions of Henry of Navarre. To prevent that +heretic of heretics, who was not to be bought with Spanish gold, from +ever reigning, was the first object of Philip and Mucio. + +Accordingly, on the last day of the year 1584, a secret treaty had been +signed at Joinville between Henry of Guise and his brother the Duc de +Mayenne, holding the proxies of their brother the Cardinal and those of +their uncles, Aumale and Elbeuf, on the one part, and John Baptist Tassis +and Commander Moreo, on the other, as representatives of Philip. This +transaction, sufficiently well known now to the most superficial student +of history, was a profound mystery then, so far as regarded the action of +the Spanish king. It was not a secret, however, that the papistical party +did not intend that the Bearnese prince should ever come to the throne, +and the matter of the succession was discussed, precisely as if the +throne had been vacant. + +It was decided that Charles, paternal uncle to Henry of Navarre, commonly +called the Cardinal Bourbon, should be considered successor to the crown, +in place of Henry, whose claim was forfeited by heresy. Moreover, a great +deal of superfluous money and learning was expended in ordering some +elaborate legal arguments to be prepared by venal jurisconsults, proving +not only that the uncle ought to succeed before the nephew, but that +neither the one nor the other had any claim to succeed at all. The pea +having thus been employed to do the work which the sword alone could +accomplish, the poor old Cardinal was now formally established by the +Guise faction as presumptive heir to the crown. + +A man of straw, a superannuated court-dangler, a credulous trifler, but +an earnest Papist as his brother Antony had been, sixty-six years old, +and feeble beyond his years, who, his life long, had never achieved one +manly action, and had now one foot in the grave; this was the puppet +placed in the saddle to run a tilt against the Bearnese, the man with +foot ever in the stirrup, with sword rarely in its sheath. + +The contracting parties at Joinville agreed that the Cardinal should +succeed on the death of the reigning king, and that no heretic should +ever ascend the throne, or hold the meanest office in the kingdom. They +agreed further that all heretics should be "exterminated" without +distinction throughout France and the Netherlands. In order to procure +the necessary reforms among the clergy, the council of Trent was to be +fully carried into effect. Philip pledged himself to furnish at least +fifty thousand crowns monthly, for the advancement of this Holy League, +as it was denominated, and as much more as should prove necessary. The +sums advanced were to be repaid by the Cardinal on his succeeding to the +throne. All the great officers of the crown, lords and gentlemen, cities, +chapters, and universities, all Catholics, in short, in the kingdom, were +deemed to be included in the league. If any foreign Catholic prince +desired to enter the union, he should be admitted with the consent of +both parties. Neither his Catholic majesty nor the confederated princes +should treat with the most Christian King, either directly or indirectly. +The compact was to remain strictly secret--one copy of it being sent to +Philip, while the other was to be retained by Cardinal Bourbon and his +fellow leaguers. + +And now--in accordance with this program--Philip proceeded stealthily and +industriously to further the schemes of Mucio, to the exclusion of more +urgent business. Noiseless and secret himself, and delighting in clothing +so much as to glide, as it were, throughout Europe, wrapped in the mantle +of invisibility, he was perpetually provoked by the noise, the bombast, +and the bustle, which his less prudent confederates permitted themselves. +While Philip for a long time hesitated to confide the secret of the +League to Parma, whom it most imported to understand these schemes of his +master, the confederates were openly boasting of the assistance which +they were to derive from Parma's cooperation. Even when the Prince had at +last been informed as to the state of affairs, he stoutly denied the +facts of which the leaguers made their vaunt; thus giving to Mucio and +his friends a lesson in dissimulation. + +"Things have now arrived at a point," wrote Philip to Tassis, 15th March, +1585, "that this matter of the League cannot and ought not to be +concealed from those who have a right to know it. Therefore you must +speak clearly to the Prince of Parma, informing him of the whole scheme, +and enjoining the utmost secrecy. You must concert with him as to the +best means of rendering aid to this cause, after having apprised him of +the points which regarded him, and also that of the security of Cardinal +de Bourbon, in case of necessity." + +The Prince was anything but pleased, in the midst of his anxiety and his +almost superhuman labour in the Antwerp siege, to be distracted, +impoverished, and weakened, in order to carry out these schemes against +France; but he kept the secret manfully. + +To Malpierre, the French envoy in Brussels--for there was the closest +diplomatic communication between Henry III. and Philip, while each was +tampering with the rebellious subjects of the other--to Malpierre Parma +flatly contradicted all complicity on the part of the Spanish King or +himself with the Holy League, of which he knew Philip to be the +originator and the chief. + +"If I complain to the Prince of Parma," said the envoy, "of the companies +going from Flanders to assist the League, he will make me no other reply +than that which the President has done--that there is nothing at all in +it--until they are fairly arrived in France. The President (Richardot) +said that if the Catholic King belonged to the League, as they insinuate, +his Majesty would declare the fact openly." + +And a few days later, the Prince himself averred, as Malpierre had +anticipated, that "as to any intention on the part of himself or his +Catholic Majesty, to send succour to the League, according to the boast +of these gentlemen, he had never thought of such a thing, nor had +received any order on the subject from his master. If the King intended +to do anything of the kind, he would do it openly. He protested that he +had never seen anything, or known anything of the League." + +Here was a man who knew how to keep a secret, and who had no scruples in +the matter of dissimulation, however enraged he might be at seeing men +and money diverted from his own masterly combinations in order to carry +out these schemes of his master. + +Mucio, on the contrary, was imprudent and inclined to boast. His contempt +for Henry III, made him blind to the dangers to be apprehended from Henry +of Navarre. He did little, but talked a great deal. + +Philip was very anxious that the work should be done both secretly and +thoroughly. "Let the business be finished before Saint John's day," said +he to Tassis, when sending fifty thousand dollars for the use of the +brothers Guise. "Tell Iniquez to warn them not to be sluggish. Let them +not begin in a lukewarm manner, but promise them plenty of assistance +from me, if they conduct themselves properly. Let them beware of +wavering, or of falling into plans of conciliation. If they do their +duty, I will do mine." + +But the Guise faction moved slowly despite of Philip's secret promptings. +The truth is, that the means proposed by the Spanish monarch were +ludicrously inadequate to his plans, and it was idle to suppose that the +world was to be turned upside down for his benefit, at the very low price +which he was prepared to pay. + +Nothing less than to exterminate all the heretics in Christendom, to +place himself on the thrones of France and of England, and to extinguish +the last spark of rebellion in the Netherlands, was his secret thought, +and yet it was very difficult to get fifty thousand dollars from him from +month to month. Procrastinating and indolent himself, he was for ever +rebuking the torpid movements of the Guises. + +"Let Mucio set his game well at the outset," said he; "let him lay the +axe to the root of the tree, for to be wasting time fruitlessly is +sharpening the knife for himself." + +This was almost prophetic. When after so much talking and tampering, +there began to be recrimination among the leaguers, Philip was very angry +with his subordinate. + +"Here is Mucio," said he, "trying to throw the blame of all the +difficulties, which have arisen, upon us. Not hastening, not keeping his +secret, letting the execution of the enterprise grow cold, and lending an +ear to suggestions about peace, without being sure of its conclusion, he +has turned his followers into cowards, discredited his cause, and given +the King of France opportunity to strengthen his force and improve his +party. These are all very palpable things. I am willing to continue my +friendship for them, but not, if, while they accept it, they permit +themselves to complain, instead of manifesting gratitude." + +On the whole, however, the affairs of the League seemed prosperous. There +was doubtless too much display among the confederates, but there was a +growing uneasiness among the royalists. Cardinal Bourbon, discarding his +ecclesiastical robes and scarlet stockings, paraded himself daily in +public, clothed in military costume, with all the airs of royalty. Many +persons thought him mad. On the other hand, Epergnon, the haughty +minion-in-chief, who governed Henry III., and insulted all the world, was +becoming almost polite. + +"The progress of the League," said Busbecq, "is teaching the Duc d' +Epergnon manners. 'Tis a youth of such insolence, that without uncovering +he would talk with men of royal descent, while they were bareheaded. 'Tis +a common jest now that he has found out where his hat is." + +Thus, for a long time, a network of secret political combinations had +been stretching itself over Christendom. There were great movements of +troops throughout Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, slowly +concentrating themselves upon France; yet, on the whole, the great mass +of the populations, the men and women who were to pay, to fight, to +starve, to be trampled upon, to be outraged, to be plundered, to be +burned out of houses and home, to bleed, and to die, were merely +ignorant, gaping spectators. That there was something very grave in +prospect was obvious, but exactly what was impending they knew no more +than the generation yet unborn. Very noiselessly had the patient manager +who sat in the Escorial been making preparations for that European +tragedy in which most of the actors had such fatal parts assigned them, +and of which few of the spectators of its opening scenes were doomed to +witness the conclusion. A shifting and glancing of lights, a vision of +vanishing feet, a trampling and bustling of unseen crowds, movements of +concealed machinery, a few incoherent words, much noise and confusion +vague and incomprehensible, till at last the tinkling of a small bell, +and a glimpse of the modest manager stealing away as the curtain was +rising--such was the spectacle presented at Midsummer 1585. + +And in truth the opening picture was effective. Sixteen black-robed, +long-bearded Netherland envoys stalking away, discomfited and indignant +upon one side; Catharine de' Medici on the other, regarding them with a +sneer, painfully contorted into a pathetic smile; Henry the King, robed +in a sack of penitence, trembling and hesitating, leaning on the arm of +Epergnon, but quailing even under the protection of that mighty +swordsman; Mucio, careering, truncheon in hand, in full panoply, upon his +war-horse, waving forward a mingled mass of German lanzknechts, Swiss +musketeers, and Lorraine pikemen; the redoubtable Don Bernardino de +Mendoza, in front, frowning and ferocious, with his drawn sword in his +hand; Elizabeth of England, in the back ground, with the white-bearded +Burghley and the monastic Walsingham, all surveying the scene with eyes +of deepest meaning; and, somewhat aside, but in full view, silent, calm, +and imperturbably good-humoured, the bold Bearnese, standing with a +mischievous but prophetic smile glittering through his blue eyes and +curly beard--thus grouped were the personages of the drama in the +introductory scenes. + +The course of public events which succeeded the departure of the +Netherland deputies is sufficiently well known. The secret negotiations +and intrigues, however, by which those external facts were preceded or +accompanied rest mainly in dusty archives, and it was therefore necessary +to dwell somewhat at length upon them in the preceding pages. + +The treaty of Joinville was signed on the last day of the year 1584. + +We have seen the real nature of the interview of Ambassador Mendoza with +Henry III. and his mother, which took place early in January, 1585. +Immediately after that conference, Don Bernardino betook himself to the +Duke of Guise, and lost no time in stimulating his confederate to prompt +but secret action. + +The Netherland envoys had their last audience on the 18th March, and +their departure and disappointment was the signal for the general +exhibition and explosion. The great civil war began, and the man who +refused to annex the Netherlands to the French kingdom soon ceased to be +regarded as a king. + +On the 31st March, the heir presumptive, just manufactured by the Guises, +sent forth his manifesto. Cardinal Bourbon, by this document, declared +that for twenty-four years past no proper measures had been taken to +extirpate the heresy by which France was infested. There was no natural +heir to the King. Those who claimed to succeed at his death had deprived +themselves, by heresy, of their rights. Should they gain their ends, the +ancient religion would be abolished throughout the kingdom, as it had +been in England, and Catholics be subjected to the same frightful +tortures which they were experiencing there. New men, admitted to the +confidence of the crown, clothed with the highest honours, and laden with +enormous emoluments, had excluded the ancient and honoured functionaries +of the state, who had been obliged to sell out their offices to these +upstart successors. These new favourites had seized the finances of the +kingdom, all of which were now collected into the private coffers of the +King, and shared by him with his courtiers. The people were groaning +under new taxes invented every day, yet they knew nothing of the +distribution of the public treasure, while the King himself was so +impoverished as to be unable to discharge his daily debts. Meantime these +new advisers of the crown had renewed to the Protestants of the kingdom +the religious privileges of which they had so justly been deprived, yet +the religious peace which had followed had not brought with it the +promised diminution of the popular burthens. Never had the nation been so +heavily taxed or reduced to such profound misery. For these reasons, he, +Cardinal Bourbon, with other princes of the blood, peers, gentlemen, +cities, and universities, had solemnly bound themselves by oath to +extirpate heresy down to the last root, and to save the people from the +dreadful load under which they were languishing. It was for this that +they had taken up arms, and till that purpose was accomplished they would +never lay them down. + +The paper concluded with the hope that his Majesty would not take these +warlike demonstrations amiss; and a copy of the document was placed in +the royal hands. + +It was very obvious to the most superficial observer, that the manifesto +was directed almost as much against the reigning sovereign as against +Henry of Navarre. The adherents of the Guise faction, and especially +certain theologians in their employ, had taken very bold grounds upon the +relations between king and subjects, and had made the public very +familiar with their doctrines. It was a duty, they said, "to depose a +prince who did not discharge his duty. Authority ill regulated was +robbery, and it was as absurd to call him a king who knew not how to +govern, as it was to take a blind man for a guide, or to believe that a +statue could influence the movements of living men." + +Yet to the faction, inspired by such rebellious sentiments, and which was +thundering in his face such tremendous denunciations, the unhappy Henry +could not find a single royal or manly word of reply. He threw himself on +his knees, when, if ever, he should have assumed an attitude of command. +He answered the insolence of the men, who were parading their contempt +for his authority, by humble excuses, and supplications for pardon. He +threw his crown in the dust before their feet, as if such humility would +induce them to place it again upon his head. He abandoned the minions who +had been his pride, his joy, and his defence, and deprecated, with an +abject whimper, all responsibility for the unmeasured ambition and the +insatiable rapacity of a few private individuals. He conjured the +party-leaders, who had hurled defiance in his face, to lay down their +arms, and promised that they should find in his wisdom and bounty more +than all the advantages which they were seeking to obtain by war. + +Henry of Navarre answered in a different strain. The gauntlet had at last +been thrown down to him, and he came forward to take it up; not +insolently nor carelessly, but with the cold courtesy of a Christian +knight and valiant gentleman. He denied the charge of heresy. He avowed +detestation of all doctrines contrary to the Word of God, to the decrees +of the Fathers of the Church, or condemned by the Councils. + +The errors and abuses which had from time to time crept into the church, +had long demanded, in the opinion of all pious persons, some measures of +reform. After many bloody wars, no better remedy had been discovered to +arrest the cause of these dire religious troubles, whether in France or +Germany, than to permit all men to obey the dictates of their own +conscience. The Protestants had thus obtained in France many edicts by +which the peace of the kingdom had been secured. He could not himself be +denounced as a heretic, for he had always held himself ready to receive +instruction, and to be set right where he had erred. To call him +"relapsed" was an outrage. Were it true, he were indeed unworthy of the +crown, but the world knew that his change at the Massacre of St. +Bartholomew had been made under duresse, and that he had returned to the +reformed faith when he had recovered his liberty. Religious toleration +had been the object of his life. In what the tyranny of the popes and the +violence of the Spaniards had left him of his kingdom of Navarre, +Catholics and Protestants enjoyed a perfect religious liberty. No man had +the right, therefore, to denounce him as an enemy of the church, or a +disturber of the public repose, for he had ever been willing to accept +all propositions of peace which left the rights of conscience protected. + +He was a Frenchman, a prince of France, a living member of the kingdom; +feeling with its pains, and bleeding with its wounds. They who denounced +him were alien to France, factitious portions of her body, feeling no +suffering, even should she be consuming with living fire. The Leaguers +were the friends and the servants of the Spaniards, while he had been +born the enemy, and with too good reason, of the whole Spanish race. + +"Let the name of Papist and of Huguenot," he said, "be heard no more +among us. Those terms were buried in the edict of peace. Let us speak +only of Frenchmen and of Spaniards. It is the counter-league which we +must all unite to form, the natural union of the head with all its +members." + +Finally, to save the shedding of so much innocent blood, to spare all the +countless miseries of civil war, he implored the royal permission to +terminate this quarrel in person, by single combat with the Duke of +Guise, one to one, two to two, or in as large a number as might be +desired, and upon any spot within or without the kingdom that should be +assigned. "The Duke of Guise," said Henry of Navarre, "cannot but accept +my challenge as an honour, coming as it does from a prince infinitely his +superior in rank; and thus, may God defend the right." + +This paper, drawn up by the illustrious Duplessis-Mornay, who was to have +been the second of the King of Navarre in the proposed duel, was signed +10 June 1585. + +The unfortunate Henry III., not so dull as to doubt that the true object +of the Guise party was to reduce him to insignificance, and to open their +own way to the throne, was too impotent of purpose to follow the dictates +which his wisest counsellors urged and his own reason approved. His +choice had lain between open hostility with his Spanish enemy and a more +terrible combat with that implacable foe wearing the mask of friendship. +He had refused to annex to his crown the rich and powerful Netherlands, +from dread of a foreign war; and he was now about to accept for himself +and kingdom all the horrors of a civil contest, in which his avowed +antagonist was the first captain of the age, and his nominal allies the +stipendiaries of Philip II. + +Villeroy, his prime minister, and Catharine de' Medici, his mother, had +both devoted him to disgrace and ruin. The deputies from the Netherlands +had been dismissed, and now, notwithstanding the festivities and +exuberant demonstrations of friendship with which the Earl of Derby's +splendid embassy had been greeted, it became necessary to bind Henry hand +and foot to the conspirators, who had sworn the destruction of that +Queen, as well as his own, and the extirpation of heresy and heretics in +every realm of Christendom. + +On the 9th June the league demanded a royal decree, forbidding the +practice of all religion but the Roman Catholic, on pain of death. In +vain had the clear-sighted Bishop of Acqs uttered his eloquent warnings. +Despite such timely counsels, which he was capable at once of +appreciating and of neglecting, Henry followed slavishly the advice of +those whom he knew in his heart to be his foes, and authorised the great +conspiracy against Elizabeth, against Protestantism, and against himself. + +On the 5th June Villeroy had expressed a wish for a very secret interview +with Mendoza, on the subject of the invasion of England. + +"It needed not this overture," said that magniloquent Spaniard, "to +engender in a person of my talents, and with the heart of a Mendoza, +venom enough for vengeance. I could not more desire than I did already to +assist in so holy a work; nor could I aspire to greater honour than would +be gained in uniting those crowns (of France and Spain) in strict +friendship, for the purpose of extirpating heresy throughout Europe, and +of chastising the Queen of England--whose abominations I am never likely +to forget, having had them so long before my eyes--and of satisfying my +just resentment for the injuries she has inflicted on myself. It was on +this subject," continued the ambassador, "that Monsieur de Villeroy +wished a secret interview with me, pledging himself--if your Majesty +would deign to unite yourself with this King, and to aid him with your +forces--to a successful result." + +Mendoza accordingly expressed a willingness to meet the ingenuous +Secretary of State--who had so recently been assisting at the banquets +and rejoicings with Lord Derby and his companions, which had so much +enlivened the French capital--and assured him that his most Catholic +Majesty would be only too glad to draw closer the bonds of friendship +with the most Christian King, for the service of God and the glory of his +Church. + +The next day the envoy and the Secretary of State met, very secretly, in +the house of the Signor Gondi. Villeroy commenced his harangue by an +allusion to the current opinion, that Mendoza had arrived in France with +a torch in his hand, to light the fires of civil war in that kingdom, as +he had recently done in England. + +"I do not believe," replied Mendoza, "that discreet and prudent persons +in France attribute my actions to any such motives. As for the ignorant +people of the kingdom, they do not appal me, although they evidently +imagine that I have imbibed, during my residence in England, something of +the spirit of the enchanter Merlin, that, by signs and cabalistic words +alone, I am thought capable of producing such commotions." + +After this preliminary flourish the envoy proceeded to complain bitterly +of the most Christian King and his mother, who, after the propositions +which they had made him, when on his way to Spain, had, since his return, +become so very cold and dry towards him. And on this theme he enlarged +for some time. + +Villeroy replied, by complaining, in his turn, about the dealings of the +most Catholic King, with the leaguers and the rebels of France; and +Mendoza rejoined by an intimation that harping upon past grievances and +suspicions was hardly the way to bring about harmony in present matters. + +Struck with the justice of this remark, the French Secretary of State +entered at once upon business. He made a very long speech upon the +tyranny which "that Englishwoman" was anew inflicting upon the Catholics +in her kingdom, upon the offences which she had committed against the +King of Spain, and against the King of France and his brothers, and upon +the aliment which she had been yielding to the civil war in the +Netherlands and in France for so many years. He then said that if Mendoza +would declare with sincerity, and "without any of the duplicity of a +minister"--that Philip would league himself with Henry for the purpose of +invading England, in order to reduce the three kingdoms to the Catholic +faith, and to place their crowns on the head of the Queen of Scotland, to +whom they of right belonged; then that the King, his master, was most +ready to join in so holy an enterprise. He begged Mendoza to say with +what number of troops the invasion could be made; whether Philip could +send any from Flanders or from Spain; how many it would be well to send +from France, and under what chieftain; in what manner it would be best to +communicate with his most Catholic Majesty; whether it were desirable to +despatch a secret envoy to him, and of what quality such agent ought to +be. He also observed that the most Christian King could not himself speak +to Mendoza on the subject before having communicated the matter to the +Queen-Mother, but expressed a wish that a special carrier might be +forthwith despatched to Spain; for he might be sure that, on an affair of +such weight, he would not have permitted himself to reveal the secret +wishes of his master, except by his commands. + +Mendoza replied, by enlarging with much enthusiasm on the facility with +which England could be conquered by the combined power of France and +Spain. If it were not a very difficult matter before--even with the +jealousy between the two crowns--how much less so, now that they could +join their fleets and armies; now that the arming by the one prince would +not inspire the other with suspicion; now that they would be certain of +finding safe harbour in each other's kingdoms, in case of unfavourable +weather and head-winds, and that they could arrange from what ports to +sail, in what direction, and under what commanders. He disapproved, +however, of sending a special messenger to Spain, on the ground of +wishing to keep the matter entirely secret, but in reality--as he +informed Philip--because he chose to keep the management in his own +hands; because he could always let slip Mucio upon them, in case they +should play him false; because he feared that the leaking out of the +secret might discourage the Leaguers, and because he felt that the bolder +and more lively were the Cardinal of Bourbon and his confederates, the +stronger was the party of the King, his master, and the more intimidated +and dispirited would be the mind and the forces of the most Christian +King. "And this is precisely the point," said the diplomatist, "at which +a minister of your Majesty should aim at this season." + +Thus the civil war in France--an indispensable part of Philip's +policy--was to be maintained at all hazards; and although the ambassador +was of opinion that the most Christian King was sincere in his +proposition to invade England, it would never do to allow any interval of +tranquillity to the wretched subjects of that Christian King. + +"I cannot doubt," said Mendoza, "that the making of this proposal to me +with so much warmth was the especial persuasion of God, who, hearing the +groans of the Catholics of England, so cruelly afflicted, wished to force +the French King and his minister to feel, in the necessity which +surrounds them, that the offending Him, by impeding the grandeur of your +Majesty, would be their total ruin, and that their only salvation is to +unite in sincerity and truth with your Majesty for the destruction of the +heretics." + +Therefore, although judging from the nature of the French--he might +imagine that they were attempting to put him to sleep, Mendoza, on the +whole, expressed a conviction that the King was in earnest, having +arrived at the conclusion that he could only get rid of the Guise faction +by sending them over to England. "Seeing that he cannot possibly +eradicate the war from his kingdom," said the envoy, "because of the +boldness with which the Leaguers maintain it, with the strong assistance +of your Majesty, he has determined to embrace with much fervour, and +without any deception at all, the enterprise against England, as the only +remedy to quiet his own dominions. The subjugation of those three +kingdoms, in order to restore them to their rightful owner, is a purpose +so holy, just, and worthy of your Majesty, and one which you have had so +constantly in view, that it is superfluous for me to enlarge upon the +subject. Your Majesty knows that its effects will be the tranquillity and +preservation of all your realms. The reasons for making the attempt, even +without the aid of France, become demonstrations now that she is +unanimously in favour of the scheme. The most Christian King is +resolutely bent--so far as I can comprehend the intrigues of Villeroy--to +carry out this project on the foundation of a treaty with the Guise +party. It will not take much time, therefore, to put down the heretics +here; nor will it consume much more to conquer England with the armies of +two such powerful Princes. The power of that island is of little moment, +there being no disciplined forces to oppose us, even if they were all +unanimous in its defence; how much less then, with so many Catholics to +assist the invaders, seeing them so powerful. If your Majesty, on account +of your Netherlands, is not afraid of putting arms into the hands of the +Guise family in France, there need be less objection to sending one of +that house into England, particularly as you will send forces of your own +into that kingdom, by the reduction of which the affairs of Flanders will +be secured. To effect the pacification of the Netherlands the sooner, it +would be desirable to conquer England as early as October." + +Having thus sufficiently enlarged upon the sincerity of the French King +and his prime minister, in their dark projects against a friendly power, +and upon the ease with which that friendly power could be subjected, the +ambassador begged for a reply from his royal master without delay. He +would be careful, meantime, to keep the civil war alive in France--thus +verifying the poetical portrait of himself, the truth of which he had +just been so indignantly and rhetorically denying--but it was desirable +that the French should believe that this civil war was not Philip's sole +object. He concluded by drawing his master's attention to the sufferings +of the English Catholics. "I cannot refrain," he said, "from placing +before your eyes the terrible persecutions which the Catholics are +suffering in England; the blood of the martyrs flowing in so many kinds +of torments; the groans of the prisoners, of the widows and orphans; the +general oppression and servitude, which is the greatest ever endured by a +people of God, under any tyrant whatever. Your Majesty, into whose hands +God is now pleased to place the means, so long desired, of extirpating +and totally destroying the heresies of our time, can alone liberate them +from their bondage." + +The picture of these kings, prime ministers, and ambassadors, thus +plotting treason, stratagem, and massacre, is a dark and dreary one. The +description of English sufferings for conscience' sake, under the +Protestant Elizabeth, is even more painful; for it had unfortunately too +much, of truth, although as wilfully darkened and exaggerated as could be +done by religious hatred and Spanish bombast. The Queen was surrounded by +legions of deadly enemies. Spain, the Pope, the League, were united in +one perpetual conspiracy against her; and they relied on the cooperation +of those subjects of hers whom her own cruelty was converting into +traitors. + +We read with a shudder these gloomy secrets of conspiracy and wholesale +murder, which make up the diplomatic history of the sixteenth century, +and we cease to wonder that a woman, feeling herself so continually the +mark at which all the tyrants and assassins of Europe were +aiming--although not possessing perhaps the evidences of her peril so +completely as they have been revealed to us--should come to consider +every English Papist as a traitor and an assassin. It was unfortunate +that she was not able to rise beyond the vile instincts of the age, and +by a magnanimous and sublime toleration, to convert her secret enemies +into loyal subjects. + +And now Henry of Valois was to choose between league and counter-league, +between Henry of Guise and Henry of Navarre, between France and Spain. +The whole chivalry of Gascony and Guienne, the vast swarm of industrious +and hardy Huguenot artisans, the Netherland rebels, the great English +Queen, stood ready to support the cause of French nationality, and of all +nationalities, against a threatening world-empire, of religious liberty +against sacerdotal absolutism, and the crown of a King, whose only merit +had hitherto been to acquiesce in a religious toleration dictated to him +by others, against those who derided his authority and insulted his +person. The bold knight-errant of Christendom, the champion to the +utterance against Spain, stood there with lance in rest, and the King +scarcely hesitated. + +The League, gliding so long unheeded, now reared its crest in the very +palace of France, and full in the monarch's face. With a single shudder +the victim fell into its coils. + +The choice was made. On the 18th of July (1585) the edict of Nemours was +published, revoking all previous edicts by which religious peace had been +secured. Death and confiscation of property were now proclaimed as the +penalty of practising any religious rites save those of the Roman +Catholic Church. Six months were allowed to the Nonconformists to put +their affairs in order, after which they were to make public profession +of the Catholic religion, with regular attendance upon its ceremonies, or +else go into perpetual exile. To remain in France without abjuring heresy +was thenceforth a mortal crime, to be expiated upon the gallows. As a +matter of course, all Huguenots were instantaneously incapacitated from +public office, the mixed chambers of justice were abolished, and the +cautionary towns were to be restored. On the other hand, the Guise +faction were to receive certain cities into their possession, as pledges +that this sanguinary edict should be fulfilled. + +Thus did Henry III. abjectly kiss the hand which smote him. His mother, +having since the death of Anjou no further interest in affecting to +favour the Huguenots, had arranged the basis of this treaty with the +Spanish party. And now the unfortunate King had gone solemnly down to the +Parliament of Paris, to be present at the registration of the edict. The +counsellors and presidents were all assembled, and as they sat there in +their crimson robes, they seemed, to the excited imagination of those who +loved their country, like embodiments of the impending and most +sanguinary tragedy. As the monarch left the parliament-house a faint cry +of 'God save the King' was heard in the street. Henry hung his head, for +it was long since that cry had met his ears, and he knew that it was a +false and languid demonstration which had been paid for by the Leaguers. + +And thus was the compact signed--an unequal compact. Madam League was on +horseback, armed in proof, said a contemporary; the King was on foot, and +dressed in a shirt of penitence. The alliance was not an auspicious one. +Not peace, but a firebrand--'facem, non pacem'--had the King held forth +to his subjects. + +When the news came to Henry of Navarre that the King had really +promulgated this fatal edict, he remained for a time, with amazement and +sorrow, leaning heavily upon a table, with his face in his right hand. +When he raised his head again--so he afterwards asserted--one side of his +moustachio had turned white. + +Meantime Gregory XIII., who had always refused to sanction the League, +was dead, and Cardinal Peretti, under the name of Sixtus V., now reigned +in his place. Born of an illustrious house, as he said--for it was a +house without a roof--this monk of humble origin was of inordinate +ambition. Feigning a humility which was but the cloak to his pride, he +was in reality as grasping, self-seeking, and revengeful, as he seemed +gentle and devout. It was inevitable that a pontiff of this character +should seize the opportunity offered him to mimic Hildebrand, and to +brandish on high the thunderbolts of the Church. + +With a flaming prelude concerning the omnipotence delegated by Almighty +God to St. Peter and his successors--an authority infinitely superior to +all earthly powers--the decrees of which were irresistible alike by the +highest and the meanest, and which hurled misguided princes from their +thrones into the abyss, like children of Beelzebub, the Pope proceeded to +fulminate his sentence of excommunication against those children of +wrath, Henry of Navarre and Henry of Conde. They were denounced as +heretics, relapsed, and enemies of God (28th Aug.1585). The King was +declared dispossessed of his principality of Bearne, and of what remained +to him of Navarre. He was stripped of all dignities, privileges, and +property, and especially proclaimed incapable of ever ascending the +throne of France. + +The Bearnese replied by a clever political squib. A terse and spirited +paper found its way to Rome, and was soon affixed, to the statutes of +Pasquin and Marforio, and in other public places of that city, and even +to the gates of the papal palace. Without going beyond his own doors, his +Holiness had the opportunity of reading, to his profound amazement, that +Mr. Sixtus, calling himself Pope, had foully and maliciously lied in +calling the King of Navarre a heretic. This Henry offered to prove before +any free council legitimately chosen. If the Pope refused to submit to +such decision, he was himself no better than excommunicate and +Antichrist, and the King of Navarre thereby declared mortal and perpetual +war upon him. The ancient kings of France had known how to chastise the +insolence of former popes, and he hoped, when he ascended the throne, to +take vengeance on Mr. Sixtus for the insult thus offered to all the kings +of Christendom--and so on, in a vein which showed the Bearnese to be a +man rather amused than blasted by these papal fireworks. + +Sixtus V., though imperious, was far from being dull. He knew how to +appreciate a man when he found one, and he rather admired the cheerful +attitude maintained by Navarre, as he tossed back the thunderbolts. He +often spoke afterwards of Henry with genuine admiration, and declared +that in all the world he knew but two persons fit to wear a crown--Henry +of Navarre and Elizabeth of England. "'Twas pity," he said, "that both +should be heretics." + +And thus the fires of civil war had been lighted throughout Christendom, +and the monarch of France had thrown himself head foremost into the +flames. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Hibernian mode of expressing himself + His inordinate arrogance + His insolence intolerable + Humility which was but the cloak to his pride + Longer they delay it, the less easy will they find it + Oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts + Round game of deception, in which nobody was deceived + Wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening the knife for himself + With something of feline and feminine duplicity + 'Twas pity, he said, that both should be heretics + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History of The United Netherlands, 1585 + +Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + + + + +CHAPTER V., Part 1. + + Position and Character of Farnese--Preparations for Antwerp Siege-- + Its Characteristics--Foresight of William the Silent--Sainte + Aldegonde, the Burgomaster--Anarchy in Antwerp--Character of Sainte + Aldegonde--Admiral Treslong--Justinus de Nassau--Hohenlo--Opposition + to the Plan of Orange--Liefkenshoek--Head--Quarters of Parma at + Kalloo--Difficulty of supplying the City--Results of not piercing + the Dykes--Preliminaries of the Siege--Successes of the Spaniards-- + Energy of Farnese with Sword and Pen--His Correspondence with the + Antwerpers--Progress of the Bridge--Impoverished Condition of Parma + --Patriots attempt Bois-le-Duc--Their Misconduct--Failure of the + Enterprise--The Scheldt Bridge completed--Description of the + Structure + +The negotiations between France and the Netherlands have been massed, in +order to present a connected and distinct view of the relative attitude +of the different countries of Europe. The conferences and diplomatic +protocolling had resulted in nothing positive; but it is very necessary +for the reader to understand the negative effects of all this +dissimulation and palace-politics upon the destiny of the new +commonwealth, and upon Christendom at large. The League had now achieved +a great triumph; the King of France had virtually abdicated, and it was +now requisite for the King of Navarre, the Netherlands, and Queen +Elizabeth, to draw more closely together than before, if the last hope of +forming a counter-league were not to be abandoned. The next step in +political combination was therefore a solemn embassy of the +States-General to England. Before detailing those negotiations, however, +it is proper to direct attention to the external public events which had +been unrolling themselves in the Provinces, contemporaneously with the +secret history which has been detailed in the preceding chapters. + +By presenting in their natural groupings various distinct occurrences, +rather than by detailing them in strict chronological order, a clearer +view of the whole picture will be furnished than could be done by +intermingling personages, transactions, and scenery, according to the +arbitrary command of Time alone. + +The Netherlands, by the death of Orange, had been left without a head. On +the other hand, the Spanish party had never been so fortunate in their +chief at any period since the destiny of the two nations had been blended +with each other. Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, was a general and a +politician, whose character had been steadily ripening since he came into +the command of the country. He was now thirty-seven years of age--with +the experience of a sexagenarian. No longer the impetuous, arbitrary, +hot-headed youth, whose intelligence and courage hardly atoned for his +insolent manner and stormy career, he had become pensive, modest, almost +gentle. His genius was rapid in conception, patient in combination, +fertile in expedients, adamantine in the endurance or suffering; for +never did a heroic general and a noble army of veterans manifest more +military virtue in the support of an infamous cause than did Parma and +his handful of Italians and Spaniards. That which they considered to be +their duty they performed. The work before them they did with all their +might. + +Alexander had vanquished the rebellion in the Celtic provinces, by the +masterly diplomacy and liberal bribery which have been related in a +former work. Artois, Hainault, Douay, Orchies, with the rich cities of +Lille, Tournay, Valenciennes, Arras, and other important places, were now +the property of Philip. These unhappy and misguided lands, however, were +already reaping the reward of their treason. Beggared, trampled upon, +plundered, despised, they were at once the prey of the Spaniards, and the +cause that their sister-states, which still held out, were placed in more +desperate condition than ever. They were also, even in their abject +plight, made still more forlorn by the forays of Balagny, who continued +in command of Cambray. Catharine de' Medici claimed that city as her +property, by will of the Duke of Anjou. A strange title--founded upon the +treason and cowardice of her favourite son--but one which, for a time, +was made good by the possession maintained by Balagny. That usurper +meantime, with a shrewd eye to his own interests, pronounced the truce of +Cambray, which was soon afterwards arranged, from year to year, by +permission of Philip, as a "most excellent milch-cow;" and he continued +to fill his pails at the expense of the "reconciled" provinces, till they +were thoroughly exhausted. + +This large south-western section of the Netherlands being thus +permanently re-annexed to the Spanish crown, while Holland, Zeeland, and +the other provinces, already constituting the new Dutch republic, were +more obstinate in their hatred of Philip than ever, there remained the +rich and fertile territory of Flanders and Brabant as the great +debateable land. Here were the royal and political capital, Brussels, the +commercial capital, Antwerp, with Mechlin, Dendermonde, Vilvoorde, and +other places of inferior importance, all to be struggled for to the +death. With the subjection of this district the last bulwark between the +new commonwealth and the old empire would be overthrown, and Spain and +Holland would then meet face to face. + +If there had ever been a time when every nerve in Protestant Christendom +should be strained to weld all those provinces together into one great +commonwealth, as a bulwark for European liberty, rather than to allow +them to be broken into stepping-stones, over which absolutism could +stride across France and Holland into England, that moment had arrived. +Every sacrifice should have been cheerfully made by all Netherlanders, +the uttermost possible subsidies and auxiliaries should have been +furnished by all the friends of civil and religious liberty in every land +to save Flanders and Brabant from their impending fate. + +No man felt more keenly the importance of the business in which he was +engaged than Parma. He knew his work exactly, and he meant to execute it +thoroughly. Antwerp was the hinge on which the fate of the whole country, +perhaps of all Christendom, was to turn. "If we get Antwerp," said the +Spanish soldiers--so frequently that the expression passed into a +proverb--"you shall all go to mass with us; if you save Antwerp, we will +all go to conventicle with you." + +Alexander rose with the difficulty and responsibility of his situation. +His vivid, almost poetic intellect formed its schemes with perfect +distinctness. Every episode in his great and, as he himself termed it, +his "heroic enterprise," was traced out beforehand with the tranquil +vision of creative genius; and he was prepared to convert his conceptions +into reality, with the aid of an iron nature that never knew fatigue or +fear. + +But the obstacles were many. Alexander's master sat in his cabinet with +his head full of Mucio, Don Antonio, and Queen Elizabeth; while Alexander +himself was left neglected, almost forgotten. His army was shrinking to a +nullity. The demands upon him were enormous, his finances delusive, +almost exhausted. To drain an ocean dry he had nothing but a sieve. What +was his position? He could bring into the field perhaps eight or ten +thousand men over and above the necessary garrisons. He had before him +Brussels, Antwerp, Mechlin, Ghent, Dendermonde, and other powerful +places, which he was to subjugate. Here was a problem not easy of +solution. Given an army of eight thousand, more or less, to reduce +therewith in the least possible time, half-a-dozen cities; each +containing fifteen or twenty thousand men able to bear arms. To besiege +these places in form was obviously a mere chimera. Assault, battery, and +surprises--these were all out of the question. + +Yet Alexander was never more truly heroic than in this position of vast +entanglement. Untiring, uncomplaining, thoughtful of others, prodigal of +himself, generous, modest, brave; with so much intellect and so much +devotion to what he considered his duty, he deserved to be a patriot and +a champion of the right, rather than an instrument of despotism. + +And thus he paused for a moment--with much work already accomplished, but +his hardest life-task before him; still in the noon of manhood, a fine +martial figure, standing, spear in hand, full in the sunlight, though all +the scene around him was wrapped in gloom--a noble, commanding shape, +entitled to the admiration which the energetic display of great powers, +however unscrupulous, must always command. A dark, meridional +physiognomy, a quick; alert, imposing head; jet black, close-clipped +hair; a bold eagle's face, with full, bright, restless eye; a man rarely +reposing, always ready, never alarmed; living in the saddle, with harness +on his back--such was the Prince of Parma; matured and mellowed, but +still unharmed by time. + +The cities of Flanders and Brabant he determined to reduce by gaining +command of the Scheldt. The five principal ones Ghent, Dendermonde, +Mechlin, Brussels Antwerp, lie narrow circle, at distances from each +other varying from five miles to thirty, and are all strung together by +the great Netherland river or its tributaries. His plan was immensely +furthered by the success of Balthasar Gerard, an ally whom Alexander had +despised and distrusted, even while he employed him. The assassination of +Orange was better to Parma than forty thousand men. A crowd of allies +instantly started up for him, in the shape of treason, faintheartedness, +envy, jealousy, insubordination, within the walls of every beleaguered +city. Alexander knew well how to deal with those auxiliaries. Letters, +artfully concocted, full of conciliation and of promise, were circulated +in every council-room, in almost every house. + +The surrender of Ghent--brought about by the governor's eloquence, aided +by the golden arguments which he knew so well how to advance--had by the +middle of September (19th Sept. 1584), put him in possession of West +Flanders, with the important exception of the coast. Dendermonde +capitulated at a still earlier day; while the fall of Brussels, which +held out till many persons had been starved to death, was deferred till +the 10th March of the following year, and that of Mechlin till midsummer. + +The details of the military or political operations, by which the +reduction of most of these places were effected, possess but little +interest. The siege of Antwerp, however, was one of the most striking +events of the age; and although the change in military tactics and the +progress of science may have rendered this leaguer of less technical +importance than it possessed in the sixteenth century, yet the +illustration that it affords of the splendid abilities of Parma, of the +most cultivated mode of warfare in use at that period, and of the +internal politics by which the country was then regulated, make it +necessary to dwell upon the details of an episode which must ever possess +enduring interest. + +It is agreeable to reflect, too, that the fame of the general is not +polluted with the wholesale butchery, which has stained the reputation of +other Spanish commanders so indelibly. There was no killing for the mere +love of slaughter. With but few exceptions, there was no murder in cold +blood; and the many lives that were laid down upon those watery dykes +were sacrificed at least in bold, open combat; in a contest, the ruling +spirits of which were patriotism, or at least honour. + +It is instructive, too, to observe the diligence and accuracy with which +the best lights of the age were brought to bear upon the great problem +which Parma had undertaken to solve. All the science then at command was +applied both by the Prince and by his burgher antagonists to the +advancement of their ends. Hydrostatics, hydraulics, engineering, +navigation, gunnery, pyrotechnics, mining, geometry, were summoned as +broadly, vigorously, and intelligently to the destruction or preservation +of a trembling city, as they have ever been, in more commercial days, to +advance a financial or manufacturing purpose. Land converted into water, +and water into land, castles built upon the breast of rapid streams, +rivers turned from their beds and taught new courses; the distant ocean +driven across ancient bulwarks, mines dug below the sea, and canals made +to percolate obscene morasses--which the red hand of war, by the very +act, converted into blooming gardens--a mighty stream bridged and +mastered in the very teeth of winter, floating ice-bergs, ocean-tides, +and an alert and desperate foe, ever ready with fleets and armies and +batteries--such were the materials of which the great spectacle was +composed; a spectacle which enchained the attention of Europe for seven +months, and on the result of which, it was thought, depended the fate of +all the Netherlands, and perhaps of all Christendom. + +Antwerp, then the commercial centre of the Netherlands and of Europe, +stands upon the Scheldt. The river, flowing straight, broad, and full +along the verge of the city, subtends the arc into which the place +arranges itself as it falls back from the shore. Two thousand ships of +the largest capacity then known might easily find room in its ample +harbours. The stream, nearly half a mile in width, and sixty feet in +depth, with a tidal rise and fall of eleven feet, moves, for a few miles, +in a broad and steady current between the provinces of Brabant and +Flanders. Then, dividing itself into many ample estuaries, and gathering +up the level isles of Zeeland into its bosom, it seems to sweep out with +them into the northern ocean. Here, at the junction of the river and the +sea, lay the perpetual hope of Antwerp, for in all these creeks and +currents swarmed the fleets of the Zeelanders, that hardy and amphibious +race, with which few soldiers or mariners could successfully contend, on +land or water. + +Even from the beginning of the year 1584 Parma had been from time to time +threatening Antwerp. The victim instinctively felt that its enemy was +poising and hovering over head, although he still delayed to strike. +Early in the summer Sainte Aldegonde, Recorder Martini, and other +official personages, were at Delft, upon the occasion of the christening +ceremonies of Frederic Henry, youngest child of Orange. The Prince, at +that moment, was aware of the plans of Parma, and held a long +conversation with his friends upon the measures which he desired to see +immediately undertaken. Unmindful of his usual hospitality, he insisted +that these gentlemen should immediately leave for Antwerp. Alexander +Farnese, he assured them, had taken the firm determination to possess +himself of that place, without further delay. He had privately signified +his purpose of laying the axe at once to the root of the tree, believing +that with the fall of the commercial capital the infant confederacy of +the United States would fall likewise. In order to accomplish this +object, he would forthwith attempt to make himself master of the banks of +the Scheldt, and would even throw a bridge across the stream, if his +plans were not instantly circumvented. + +William of Orange then briefly indicated his plan; adding that he had no +fears for the result; and assuring his friends, who expressed much +anxiety on the subject, that if Parma really did attempt the siege of +Antwerp it should be his ruin. The plan was perfectly simple. The city +stood upon a river. It was practicable, although extremely hazardous, for +the enemy to bridge that river, and by so doing ultimately to reduce the +place. But the ocean could not be bridged; and it was quite possible to +convert Antwerp, for a season, into an ocean-port. Standing alone upon an +island, with the sea flowing around it, and with full and free marine +communication with Zeeland and Holland, it might safely bid defiance to +the land-forces, even of so great a commander as Parma. To the +furtherance of this great measure of defence, it was necessary to destroy +certain bulwarks, the chief of (10th June, 1584) which was called the +Blaw-garen Dyke; and Sainte Aldegonde was therefore requested to return +to the city, in order to cause this task to be executed without delay. + +Nothing could be more judicious than this advice. The low lands along the +Scheldt were protected against marine encroachments, and the river itself +was confined to its bed, by a magnificent system of dykes, which extended +along its edge towards the ocean, in parallel lines. Other barriers of a +similar nature ran in oblique directions, through the wide open pasture +lands, which they maintained in green fertility, against the +ever-threatening sea. The Blaw-garen, to which the prince mainly alluded, +was connected with the great dyke upon the right bank of the Scheldt. +Between this and the city, another bulwark called the Kowenstyn Dyke, +crossed the country at right angles to the river, and joined the other +two at a point, not very far from Lillo, where the States had a strong +fortress. + +The country in this neighbourhood was low, spongy, full of creeks, small +meres, and the old bed of the Scheldt. Orange, therefore, made it very +clear, that by piercing the great dyke just described, such a vast body +of water would be made to pour over the land as to submerge the Kowenstyn +also, the only other obstacle in the passage of fleets from Zeeland to +Antwerp. The city would then be connected with the sea and its islands, +by so vast an expanse of navigable water, that any attempt on Parma's +part to cut off supplies and succour would be hopeless. Antwerp would +laugh the idea of famine to scorn; and although this immunity would be +purchased by the sacrifice of a large amount of agricultural territory +the price so paid was but a slender one, when the existence of the +capital, and with it perhaps of the whole confederacy was at stake. + +Sainte Aldegonde and Martini suggested, that, as there would be some +opposition to the measure proposed, it might be as well to make a similar +attempt on the Flemish side, in preference, by breaking through the dykes +in the neighbourhood of Saftingen. Orange replied, by demonstrating that +the land in the region which he had indicated was of a character to +ensure success, while in the other direction there were certain very +unfavourable circumstances which rendered the issue doubtful. The result +was destined to prove the sagacity of the Prince, for it will be shown in +the sequel, that the Saftingen plan, afterwards really carried out, was +rather advantageous than detrimental to the enemy's projects. + +Sainte Aldegonde, accordingly, yielded to the arguments and entreaties of +his friend, and repaired without delay to Antwerp. + +The advice of William the Silent--as will soon be related--was not acted +upon; and, within a few weeks after it had been given, he was in his +grave. Nowhere was his loss more severely felt than in Antwerp. It +seemed, said a contemporary, that with his death had died all authority. +The Prince was the only head which the many-membered body of that very +democratic city ever spontaneously obeyed. Antwerp was a small +republic--in time of peace intelligently and successfully +administered--which in the season of a great foreign war, amid plagues, +tumults, famine, and internal rebellion, required the firm hand and the +clear brain of a single chief. That brain and hand had been possessed by +Orange alone. + +Before his death he had desired that Sainte Aldegonde should accept the +office of burgomaster of the city. Nominally, the position was not so +elevated as were many of the posts which that distinguished patriot had +filled. In reality, it was as responsible and arduous a place as could be +offered to any man's acceptance throughout the country. Sainte Aldegonde +consented, not without some reluctance. He felt that there was odium to +be incurred; he knew that much would be expected of him, and that his +means would be limited. His powers would be liable to a constant and +various restraint. His measures were sure to be the subject of perpetual +cavil. If the city were besieged, there were nearly one hundred thousand +mouths to feed, and nearly one hundred thousand tongues to dispute about +furnishing the food. + +For the government of Antwerp had been degenerating from a well-organised +municipal republicanism into anarchy. The clashing of the various bodies +exercising power had become incessant and intolerable. The burgomaster +was charged with the chief executive authority, both for peace and war. +Nevertheless he had but a single vote in the board of magistrates, where +a majority decided. Moreover, he could not always attend the sessions, +because he was also member of the council of Brabant. Important measures +might therefore be decided by the magistracy, not only against his +judgment, but without his knowledge. Then there was a variety of boards +or colleges, all arrogating concurrent--which in truth was +conflicting-authority. There was the board of militia-colonels, which +claimed great powers. Here, too, the burgomaster was nominally the chief, +but he might be voted down by a majority, and of course was often absent. +Then there were sixteen captains who came into the colonels' sessions +whenever they liked, and had their word to say upon all subjects +broached. If they were refused a hearing, they were backed by eighty +other captains, who were ready at any moment to carry every disputed +point before the "broadcouncil." + +There were a college of ward-masters, a college of select men, a college +of deacons, a college of ammunition, of fortification, of ship-building, +all claiming equal authority, and all wrangling among themselves; and +there was a college of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all the +rest together. + +Once a week there was a session of the board or general council. Dire was +the hissing and confusion, as the hydra heads of the multitudinous +government were laid together. Heads of colleges, presidents of chambers, +militia-chieftains; magistrates, ward-masters, deans of fishmongers, of +tailors, gardeners, butchers, all met together pell-mell; and there was +no predominant authority. This was not a convenient working machinery for +a city threatened with a siege by the first captain of the age. Moreover +there was a deficiency of regular troops: The burgher-militia were well +trained and courageous, but not distinguished for their docility. There +was also a regiment of English under Colonel Morgan, a soldier of great +experience, and much respected; but, as Stephen Le Sieur said, "this +force, unless seconded with more, was but a breakfast for the enemy." +Unfortunately, too, the insubordination, which was so ripe in the city, +seemed to affect these auxiliaries. A mutiny broke out among the English +troops. Many deserted to Parma, some escaped to England, and it was not +until Morgan had beheaded Captain Lee and Captain Powell, that discipline +could be restored. + +And into this scene of wild and deafening confusion came Philip de +Marnix, Lord of Sainte Aldegonde. + +There were few more brilliant characters than he in all Christendom. He +was a man, of a most rare and versatile genius. Educated in Geneva at the +very feet of Calvin, he had drunk, like mother's milk, the strong and +bitter waters of the stern reformer's, creed; but he had in after life +attempted, although hardly with success, to lift himself to the height of +a general religious toleration. He had also been trained in the severe +and thorough literary culture which characterised that rigid school. He +was a scholar, ripe and rare; no holiday trifler in the gardens of +learning. He spoke and wrote Latin like his native tongue. He could +compose poignant Greek epigrams. He was so familiar with Hebrew, that he +had rendered the Psalms of David out of the original into flowing Flemish +verse, for the use of the reformed churches. That he possessed the modern +tongues of civilized Europe, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, was a +matter of course. He was a profound jurisconsult, capable of holding +debate against all competitors upon any point of theory or practice of +law, civil, municipal, international. He was a learned theologian, and +had often proved himself a match for the doctors, bishops, or rabbin of +Europe, in highest argument of dogma, creed, or tradition. He was a +practised diplomatist, constantly employed in delicate and difficult +negotiations by William the Silent, who ever admired his genius, +cherished his friendship, and relied upon his character. He was an +eloquent orator, whose memorable harangue, beyond all his other efforts, +at the diet of Worms, had made the German princes hang their heads with +shame, when, taking a broad and philosophical view of the Netherland +matter, he had shown that it was the great question of Europe; that +Nether Germany was all Germany; that Protestantism could not be +unravelled into shreds; that there was but one cause in Christendom--that +of absolutism against national liberty, Papacy against the reform; and +that the seventeen Provinces were to be assisted in building themselves +into an eternal barrier against Spain, or that the "burning mark of shame +would be branded upon the forehead of Germany;" that the war, in short, +was to be met by her on the threshold; or else that it would come to seek +her at home--a prophecy which the horrible Thirty Years' War was in after +time most signally to verify. + +He was a poet of vigour and originality, for he had accomplished what has +been achieved by few; he had composed a national hymn, whose strophes, as +soon as heard, struck a chord in every Netherland heart, and for three +centuries long have rung like a clarion wherever the Netherland tongue is +spoken. "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe," regarded simply as a literary +composition, has many of the qualities which an ode demands; an +electrical touch upon the sentiments, a throb of patriotism, sympathetic +tenderness, a dash of indignation, with rhythmical harmony and graceful +expression; and thus it has rung from millions of lips, from generation +to generation. + +He was a soldier, courageous, untiring, prompt in action, useful in +council, and had distinguished himself in many a hard-fought field. Taken +prisoner in the sanguinary skirmish at Maaslandssluys, he had been +confined a year, and, for more than three months, had never laid his +head, as he declared, upon the pillow without commending his soul as for +the last time to his Maker, expecting daily the order for his immediate +execution, and escaping his doom only because William the Silent +proclaimed that the proudest head among the Spanish prisoners should fall +to avenge his death; so that he was ultimately exchanged against the +veteran Mondragon. + +From the incipient stages of the revolt he had been foremost among the +patriots. He was supposed to be the author of the famous "Compromise of +the Nobles," that earliest and most conspicuous of the state-papers of +the republic, and of many other important political documents; and he had +contributed to general literature many works of European celebrity, of +which the 'Roman Bee-Hive' was the most universally known. + +Scholar, theologian, diplomatist, swordsman, orator, poet, pamphleteer, +he had genius for all things, and was eminent in all. He was even famous +for his dancing, and had composed an intelligent and philosophical +treatise upon the value of that amusement, as an agent of civilisation, +and as a counteractor of the grosser pleasures of the table to which +Upper and Nether Germans were too much addicted. + +Of ancient Savoyard extraction, and something of a southern nature, he +had been born in Brussels, and was national to the heart's core. + +A man of interesting, sympathetic presence; of a physiognomy where many +of the attaching and attractive qualities of his nature revealed +themselves; with crisp curling hair, surmounting a tall, expansive +forehead--full of benevolence, idealism, and quick perceptions; broad, +brown, melancholy eyes, overflowing with tenderness; a lean and haggard +cheek, a rugged Flemish nose; a thin flexible mouth; a slender moustache, +and a peaked and meagre beard; so appeared Sainte Aldegonde in the +forty-seventh year of his age, when he came to command in Antwerp. + +Yet after all--many-sided, accomplished, courageous, energetic, as he +was--it may be doubted whether he was the man for the hour or the post. +He was too impressionable; he had too much of the temperament of genius. +Without being fickle, he had, besides his versatility of intellect, a +character which had much facility in turning; not, indeed, in the breeze +of self-interest, but because he seemed placed in so high and clear an +atmosphere of thought that he was often acted upon and swayed by subtle +and invisible influences. At any rate his conduct was sometimes +inexplicable. He had been strangely fascinated by the ignoble Duke of +Anjou, and, in the sequel, it will be found that he was destined to +experience other magnetic or magical impulses, which were once thought +suspicious, and have remained mysterious even to the present day. + +He was imaginative. He was capable of broad and boundless hopes. He was +sometimes prone to deep despair. His nature was exquisitely tempered; too +fine and polished a blade to be wielded among those hydra-heads by which +he was, now surrounded; and for which the stunning sledgehammer of +arbitrary force was sometimes necessary. + +He was perhaps deficient in that gift, which no training and no culture +can bestow, and which comes from above alone by birth-right divine--that +which men willingly call master, authority; the effluence which came so +naturally from the tranquil eyes of William the Silent. + +Nevertheless, Sainte Aldegonde was prepared to do his best, and all his +best was to be tasked to the utmost. His position was rendered still more +difficult by the unruly nature of some of his coordinates. + +"From the first day to the last," said one who lived in Antwerp during +the siege, "the mistakes committed in the city were incredible." It had +long been obvious that a siege was contemplated by Parma. A liberal sum +of money had been voted by the States-General, of which Holland and +Zeeland contributed a very large proportion (two hundred thousand +florins); the city itself voted another large subsidy, and an order was +issued to purchase at once and import into the city at least a year's +supply of every kind of provisions of life and munitions of war. + +William de Blois, Lord of Treslong, Admiral of Holland and Zeeland, was +requested to carry out this order, and superintend the victualling of +Antwerp. But Treslong at once became troublesome. He was one of the old +"beggars of the sea," a leader in the wild band who had taken possession +of the Brill, in the teeth of Alva, and so laid the foundation of the +republic. An impetuous noble, of wealthy family, high connections, and +refractory temper--a daring sailor, ever ready for any rash adventure, +but possessed of a very moderate share of prudence or administrative +ability, he fell into loose and lawless courses on the death of Orange, +whose firm hand was needed to control him. The French negotiation had +excited his profound disgust, and knowing Sainte Aldegonde to be heart +and soul in favour of that alliance, he was in no haste whatever to carry +out his orders with regard to Antwerp. He had also an insignificant +quarrel with President Meetkerk. The Prince of Parma--ever on the watch +for such opportunities--was soon informed of the Admiral's discontent, +and had long been acquainted with his turbulent character. Alexander at +once began to inflame his jealousy and soothe his vanity by letters and +messengers, urging upon him the propriety of reconciling himself with the +King, and promising him large rewards and magnificent employments in the +royal service. Even the splendid insignia of the Golden Fleece were +dangled before his eyes. It is certain that the bold Hollander was not +seduced by these visions, but there is no doubt that he listened to the +voice of the tempter. He unquestionably neglected his duty. Week after +week he remained, at Ostend, sneering at the French and quaffing huge +draughts in honour of Queen Elizabeth. At last, after much time had +elapsed, he agreed to victual Antwerp if he could be furnished with +thirty krom-stevens,--a peculiar kind of vessel, not to be found in +Zeeland. The krom-stevens were sent to him from Holland. Then, hearing +that his negligence had been censured by the States-General, he became +more obstinate than ever, and went up and down proclaiming that if people +made themselves disagreeable to him he would do that which should make +all the women and children in the Netherlands shriek and tremble. What +this nameless horror was to be he never divulged, but meantime he went +down to Middelburg, and swore that not a boat-load of corn should go up +to Antwerp until two members of the magistracy, whom he considered +unpleasant, had been dismissed from their office. Wearied with all this +bluster, and imbued with grave suspicion as to his motives, the States at +last rose upon their High Admiral and threw him into prison. He was +accused of many high crimes and misdemeanours, and, it was thought, would +be tried for his life. He was suspected and even openly accused of having +been tampered with by Spain, but there was at any rate a deficiency of +proof. + +"Treslong is apprehended," wrote Davison to Burghley, "and, is charged to +have been the cause that the fleet passed not up to Antwerp. He is +suspected to have otherwise forgotten himself, but whether justly or not +will appear by his trial. Meantime he is kept in the common prison of +Middelburg, a treatment which it is thought they would not offer him if +they had not somewhat of importance against him." + +He was subsequently released at the intercession of Queen Elizabeth, and +passed some time in England. He was afterwards put upon trial, but no +accuser appearing to sustain the charges against him, he was eventually +released. He never received a command in the navy again, but the very +rich sinecures of Grand Falconer and Chief Forester of Holland were +bestowed upon him, and he appears to have ended his days in peace and +plenty. + +He was succeeded in the post of Admiral of Holland and Zeeland by +Justinus de Nassau, natural son of William the Silent, a young man of +much promise but of little experience. + +General Count Hohenlo, too, lieutenant for young Maurice, and virtual +commander-in-chief of the States' forces, was apt to give much trouble. A +German noble, of ancient descent and princely rank; brave to temerity, +making a jest of danger; and riding into a foray as if to a merry-making; +often furiously intoxicated, and always turbulent and uncertain; a +handsome, dissipated cavalier, with long curls floating over his +shoulders, an imposing aristocratic face, and a graceful, athletic +figure, he needed some cool brain and steady hand to guide him--valuable +as he was to fulfil any daring project but was hardly willing to accept +the authority of a burgomaster. While the young Maurice yet needed +tutelage, while "the sapling was growing into the tree," Hohenlo was a +dangerous chieftain and a most disorderly lieutenant. + +With such municipal machinery and such coadjutors had Sainte Aldegonde to +deal, while, meantime, the delusive French negociation was dragging its +slow length along, and while Parma was noiselessly and patiently +proceeding with his preparations. + +The burgomaster--for Sainte Aldegonde, in whom vulgar ambition was not a +foible, had refused the dignity and title of Margrave of Antwerp, which +had been tendered him--had neglected no effort towards carrying into +effect the advice of Orange, given almost with his latest breath. The +manner in which that advice was received furnished a striking +illustration of the defective machinery which has been pourtrayed. + +Upon his return from Delft, Sainte Aldegonde had summoned a meeting of +the magistracy of Antwerp. He laid before the board the information +communicated by Orange as to Parma's intentions. He also explained the +scheme proposed for their frustration, and urged the measures indicated +with so much earnestness that his fellow-magistrates were convinced. The +order was passed for piercing the Blauw-garen Dyke, and Sainte Aldegonde, +with some engineers, was requested to view the locality, and to take +order for the immediate fulfilment of the plan. + +Unfortunately there were many other boards in session besides that of the +Schepens, many other motives at work besides those of patriotism. The +guild of butchers held a meeting, so soon as the plan suggested was +known, and resolved with all their strength to oppose its execution. + +The butchers were indeed furious. Twelve thousand oxen grazed annually +upon the pastures which were about to be submerged, and it was +represented as unreasonable that all this good flesh and blood should be +sacrificed. At a meeting of the magistrates on the following day, sixteen +butchers, delegates from their guild, made their appearance, hoarse with +indignation. They represented the vast damage which would be inflicted +upon the estates of many private individuals by the proposed inundation, +by this sudden conversion of teeming meadows, fertile farms, thriving +homesteads, prolific orchards, into sandy desolation. Above all they +depicted, in glowing colours and with natural pathos, the vast +destruction of beef which was imminent, and they urged--with some show of +reason--that if Parma were really about to reduce Antwerp by famine, his +scheme certainly would not be obstructed by the premature annihilation of +these wholesome supplies. + +That the Scheldt could be, closed in any manner was, however, they said, +a preposterous conception. That it could be bridged was the dream of a +lunatic. Even if it were possible to construct a bridge, and probable +that the Zeelanders and Antwerpers would look on with folded arms while +the work proceeded, the fabric, when completed, would be at the mercy of +the ice-floods of the winter and the enormous power of the ocean-tides. +The Prince of Orange himself, on a former occasion, when Antwerp was +Spanish, had attempted to close the river with rafts, sunken piles, and +other obstructions, but the whole had been swept away, like a dam of +bulrushes, by the first descent of the ice-blocks of winter. It was +witless to believe that Parma contemplated any such measure, and utterly +monstrous to believe in its success. + +Thus far the butchers. Soon afterwards came sixteen colonels of militia, +as representatives of their branch of the multiform government. These +personages, attended by many officers of inferior degree, sustained the +position of the butchers with many voluble and vehement arguments. Not +the least convincing of their conclusions was the assurance that it would +be idle for the authorities to attempt the destruction of the dyke, +seeing that the municipal soldiery itself would prevent the measure by +main force, at all hazards, and without regard to their own or others' +lives. + +The violence of this opposition, and the fear of a serious internecine +conflict at so critical a juncture, proved fatal to the project. Much +precious time was lost, and when at last the inhabitants of the city +awoke from their delusion, it was to find that repentance, as usual, had +come many hours too late. + +For Parma had been acting while his antagonists had been wrangling. He +was hampered in his means, but he was assisted by what now seems the +incredible supineness of the Netherlanders. Even Sainte Aldegonde did not +believe in the possibility of erecting the bridge; not a man in Antwerp +seemed to believe it. "The preparations," said one who lived in the city, +"went on before our very noses, and every one was ridiculing the Spanish +commander's folly." + +A very great error was, moreover, committed in abandoning Herenthals to +the enemy. The city of Antwerp governed Brabant, and it would have been +far better for the authorities of the commercial capital to succour this +small but important city, and, by so doing, to protract for a long time +their own defence. Mondragon saw and rejoiced over the mistake. "Now 'tis +easy to see that the Prince of Orange is dead," said the veteran, as he +took possession, in the Icing's name, of the forsaken Herenthals. + +Early in the summer, Parma's operations had been, of necessity, +desultory. He had sprinkled forts up and down the Scheldt, and had +gradually been gaining control of the navigation upon that river. Thus +Ghent and Dendermonde, Vilvoorde, Brussels, and Antwerp, had each been +isolated, and all prevented from rendering mutual assistance. Below +Antwerp, however, was to be the scene of the great struggle. Here, within +nine miles of the city, were two forts belonging to the States, on +opposite sides of the stream, Lille, and Liefkenshoek. It was important +for the Spanish commander to gain possession of both; before commencing +his contemplated bridge. + +Unfortunately for the States, the fortifications of Liefkenshoek, on the +Flemish side of the river, had not been entirely completed. Eight hundred +men lay within it, under Colonel John Pettin of Arras, an old patriotic +officer of much experience. Parma, after reconnoitring the place in +person, despatched the famous Viscount of Ghent--now called Marquis of +Roubaix and Richebourg--to carry it by assault. The Marquis sent one +hundred men from his Walloon legion, under two officers, in whom he had +confidence, to attempt a surprise, with orders, if not successful, to +return without delay. They were successful. The one hundred gained +entrance into the fort at a point where the defences had not been put +into sufficient repair. + +They were immediately followed by Richebourg, at the head of his +regiment. The day was a fatal one. It was the 10th July, 1584 and William +of Orange was falling at Delft by the hand of Balthazar Gerard. +Liefkenshoek was carried at a blow. Of the eight hundred patriots in the +place, scarcely a man escaped. Four hundred were put to the sword, the +others were hunted into the river, when nearly all were drowned. Of the +royalists a single man was killed, and two or three more were wounded. +"Our Lord was pleased," wrote Parma piously to Philip, that we "should +cut the throats of four hundred of them in a single instant, and that a +great many more should be killed upon the dykes; so that I believe very +few to have escaped with life. We lost one man, besides two or three +wounded." A few were taken prisoners, and among them was the commander +John Pettin. He was at once brought before Richebourg, who was standing +in the presence of the Prince of Parma. The Marquis drew his sword, +walked calmly up to the captured Colonel, and ran him through the body. +Pettin fell dead upon the spot. The Prince was displeased. "Too much +choler, Marquis, too much choler,"--said he reprovingly. "Troppa colera, +Signor Marchese, a questa." But Richebourg knew better. He had, while +still Viscount of Ghent, carried on a year previously a parallel intrigue +with the royalists and the patriots. The Prince of Parma had bid highest +for his services, and had, accordingly, found him a most effectual +instrument in completing the reduction of the Walloon Provinces. The +Prince was not aware, however, that his brave but venal ally had, at the +very same moment, been secretly treating with William of Orange; and as +it so happened that Colonel Pettin had been the agent in the unsuccessful +negotiation, it was possible that his duplicity would now be exposed. The +Marquis had, therefore, been prompt to place his old confederate in the +condition wherein men tell no tales, and if contemporary chronicles did +not bely him, it was not the first time that he had been guilty of such +cold-blooded murder. The choler had not been superfluous. + +The fortress of Lille was garrisoned by the Antwerp volunteers, called +the "Young Bachelors." Teligny, the brave son of the illustrious +"Iron-armed" La None, commanded in chief: and he had, besides the +militia, a company of French under Captain Gascoigne, and four hundred +Scotchmen under Colonel Morgan--perhaps two thousand men in all. + +Mondragon, hero of the famous submarine expeditions of Philipsland and +Zierickzee, was ordered by Parma to take the place at every hazard. With +five thousand men--a large proportion of the Spanish effective force at +that moment--the veteran placed himself before the fort, taking +possession, of the beautiful country-house and farm of Lille, where he +planted his batteries, and commenced a regular cannonade. The place was +stronger than Liefkenshoek, however, and Teligny thoroughly comprehended +the importance of maintaining it for the States. Mondragon dug mines, and +Teligny countermined. The Spanish daily cannonade was cheerfully +responded to by the besieged, and by the time Mondragon had shot away +fifty thousand pounds of powder, he found that he had made no impression +upon the fortress, while the number of his troops had been diminishing +with great rapidity. Mondragon was not so impetuous as he had been on +many former occasions. He never ventured an assault. At last Teligny made +a sortie at the head of a considerable force. A warm action succeeded, at +the conclusion of which, without a decided advantage on either side, the +sluice-gate in the fortress was opened, and the torrent of the Scheldt, +swollen by a high tide, was suddenly poured upon the Spaniards. Assailed +at once by the fire from the Lillo batteries, and by the waters of the +river, they were forced to a rapid retreat. This they effected with great +loss, but with signal courage; struggling breast high in the waves, and +bearing off their field-pieces in their arms in the very face of the +enemy. + +Three weeks long Mondragon had been before Fort Lille, and two thousand +of his soldiers had been slain in the trenches. The attempt was now +abandoned. Parma directed permanent batteries to be established at +Lillo-house, at Oordam, and at other places along the river, and +proceeded quietly with his carefully-matured plan for closing the river. + +His own camp was in the neighbourhood of the villages of Beveren, Kalloo, +and Borght. Of the ten thousand foot and seventeen hundred horse, which +composed at the moment his whole army, about one-half lay with him, while +the remainder were with Count Peter Ernest Mansfield, in the +neighbourhood of Stabroek. Thus the Prince occupied a position on the +left bank of the Scheldt, nearly opposite Antwerp, while Mansfield was +stationed upon the right bank, and ten miles farther down the river. From +a point in the neighbourhood of Kalloo, Alexander intended to throw a +fortified bridge to the opposite shore. When completed, all traffic up +the river from Zeeland would be cut off; and as the country on the +land-side; abut Antwerp, had been now reduced, the city would be +effectually isolated. If the Prince could hold his bridge until famine +should break the resistance of the burghers, Antwerp would fall into his +hands. + +His head-quarters were at Kalloo, and this obscure spot soon underwent a +strange transformation. A drowsy placid little village--with a modest +parish spire peeping above a clump of poplars, and with half a dozen +cottages, with storks nests on their roofs, sprinkled here and there +among pastures and orchards--suddenly saw itself changed as it were into +a thriving bustling town; for, saving the white tents which dotted the +green turf in every direction, the aspect of the scene was, for a time, +almost pacific. It was as if, some great manufacturing enterprise had +been set on foot, and the world had suddenly awoke to the hidden +capabilities of the situation. + +A great dockyard and arsenal suddenly revealed themselves--rising like an +exhalation--where ship-builders, armourers, blacksmiths, joiners, +carpenters, caulkers, gravers, were hard at work all day long. The din +and hum of what seemed a peaceful industry were unceasing. From Kalloo, +Parma dug a canal twelve miles long to a place called Steeken, hundreds +of pioneers being kept constantly at work with pick and spade till it was +completed. Through this artificial channel--so soon as Ghent and +Dendermonde had fallen--came floats of timber, fleets of boats laden with +provisions of life and munitions of death, building-materials, and every +other requisite for the great undertaking, all to be disembarked at +Kalloo. The object was a temporary and destructive one, but it remains a +monument of the great general's energy and a useful public improvement. +The amelioration of the fenny and barren soil, called the Waesland, is +dated from that epoch; and the spot in Europe which is the most prolific, +and which nourishes the largest proportion of inhabitants to the square +mile, is precisely the long dreary swamp which the Prince thus drained +for military purposes, and converted into a garden. Drusus and Corbulo, +in the days of the Roman Empire, had done the same good service for their +barbarian foes. + +At Kalloo itself, all the shipwrights, cutlers, masons, brass-founders, +rope-makers, anchor-forgers, sailors, boatmen, of Flanders and Brabant, +with a herd of bakers, brewers, and butchers, were congregated by express +order of Parma. In the little church itself the main workshop was +established, and all day long, week after week, month after month, the +sound of saw and hammer, adze and plane, the rattle of machinery, the cry +of sentinels, the cheers of mariners, resounded, where but lately had +been heard nothing save the drowsy homily and the devout hymn of rustic +worship. + +Nevertheless the summer and autumn wore on, and still the bridge was +hardly commenced. The navigation of the river--although impeded and +rendered dangerous by the forts which Parma held along the banks--was +still open; and, so long as the price of corn in Antwerp remained three +or four times as high as the sum for which it could be purchased in +Holland and Zeeland, there were plenty of daredevil skippers ready to +bring cargoes. Fleets of fly-boats, convoyed by armed vessels, were +perpetually running the gauntlet. Sharp actions on shore between the +forts of the patriots and those of Parma, which were all intermingled +promiscuously along the banks, and amphibious and most bloody encounters +on ship-board, dyke, and in the stream itself, between the wild +Zeelanders and the fierce pikemen of Italy and Spain, were of repeated +occurrence. Many a lagging craft fell into the enemy's hands, when, as a +matter of course, the men, women, and children, on board, were horribly +mutilated by the Spaniards, and were then sent drifting in their boat +with the tide--their arms, legs, and ears lopped off up to the city, in +order that--the dangerous nature of this provision-trade might be fully +illustrated. + +Yet that traffic still went on. It would have continued until Antwerp had +been victualled for more than a year, had not the city authorities, in +the plentitude of their wisdom, thought proper to issue orders for its +regulation. On the 25th October (1584) a census was taken, when the +number of persons inside the walls was found to be ninety thousand. For +this population it was estimated that 300,000 veertell, or about 900,000 +bushels of corn, would be required annually. The grain was coming in very +fast, notwithstanding the perilous nature of the trade; for wheat could +be bought in Holland for fifty florins the last, or about fifteen pence +sterling the bushel, while it was worth five or six florins the veertel, +or about four shillings the bushel, in Antwerp. + +The magistrates now committed a folly more stupendous than it seemed +possible for human creatures, under such circumstances, to compass. They +established a maximum upon corn. The skippers who had run their cargoes +through the gauntlet, all the way from Flushing to Antwerp, found on +their arrival, that, instead of being rewarded, according to the natural +laws of demand and supply, they were required to exchange their wheat, +rye, butter, and beef, against the exact sum which the Board of Schepens +thought proper to consider a reasonable remuneration. Moreover, in order +to prevent the accumulation of provisions in private magazines, it was +enacted, that all consumers of grain should be compelled to make their +purchases directly from the ships. These two measures were almost as +fatal as the preservation of the Blaw-garen Dyke, in the interest of the +butchers. Winter and famine were staring the city in the face, and the +maximum now stood sentinel against the gate, to prevent the admission of +food. The traffic ceased without a struggle. Parma himself could not have +better arranged the blockade. + +Meantime a vast and almost general inundation had taken place. The aspect +of the country for many miles around was strange and desolate. The +sluices had been opened in the neighbourhood of Saftingen, on, the +Flemish side, so that all the way from Hulst the waters were out, and +flowed nearly to the gates of Antwerp. A wide and shallow sea rolled over +the fertile plains, while church-steeples, the tops of lofty trees, and +here and there the turrets of a castle, scarcely lifted themselves above +the black waters; the peasants' houses, the granges, whole rural +villages, having entirely disappeared. The high grounds of Doel, of +Kalloo, and Beveren, where Alexander was established, remained out of +reach of the flood. Far below, on the opposite side of the river, other +sluices had been opened, and the sea had burst over the wide, level +plain. The villages of Wilmerdonk, Orderen, Ekeren, were changed to +islands in the ocean, while all the other hamlets, for miles around, were +utterly submerged. + +Still, however, the Blaw-garen Dyke and its companion the Kowenstyn +remained obstinately above the waters, forming a present and more fatal +obstruction to the communication between Antwerp and Zeeland than would +be furnished even by the threatened and secretly-advancing bridge across +the Scheldt. Had Orange's prudent advice been taken, the city had been +safe. Over the prostrate dykes, whose destruction he had so warmly urged, +the ocean would have rolled quite to the gates of Antwerp, and it would +have been as easy to bridge the North Sea as to control the free +navigation of the patriots over so wide a surface. + +When it was too late, the butchers, and colonels, and captains, became +penitent enough. An order was passed, by acclamation, in November, to do +what Orange had recommended in June. It was decreed that the Blaw-garen +and the Kowenstyn should be pierced. Alas, the hour had long gone by. +Alexander of Parma was not the man to undertake the construction of a +bridge across the river, at a vast expense, and at the same time to +permit the destruction of the already existing barrier. There had been a +time for such a deed. The Seigneur de Kowenstyn, who had a castle and +manor on and near the dyke which bore his name, had repeatedly urged upon +the Antwerp magistracy the propriety of piercing this bulwark, even after +their refusal to destroy the outer barrier. Sainte Aldegonde, who +vehemently urged the measure, protested that his hair had stood on end, +when he found, after repeated entreaty, that the project was rejected. +The Seigneur de Kowenstyn, disgusted and indignant, forswore his +patriotism, and went over to Parma. The dyke fell into the hands of the +enemy. And now from Stabroek, where old Mansfeid lay with his army, all +the way across the flooded country, ran the great bulwark, strengthened +with new palisade-work and block-houses, bristling with Spanish cannon, +pike, and arquebus, even to the bank of the Scheldt, in the immediate +vicinity of Fort Lille. At the angle of its junction with the main dyke +of the river's bank, a strong fortress called Holy Cross (Santa Cruz) had +been constructed. That fortress and the whole line of the Kowenstyn were +held in the iron grip of Mondragon. To wrench it from him would be no +child's play. Five new strong redoubts upon the dyke, and five or six +thousand Spaniards established there, made the enterprise more formidable +than it would have been in June. It had been better to sacrifice the +twelve thousand oxen. Twelve thousand Hollanders might now be +slaughtered, and still the dyke remain above the waves. + +Here was the key to the fate of Antwerp. + +On the other hand, the opening of the Saftingen Sluice had done Parma's +work for him. Even there, too, Orange had been prophetic. Kalloo was high +and dry, but Alexander had experienced some difficulty in bringing a +fleet of thirty vessels, laden with cannon and other valuable materials, +from Ghent along the Scheldt, into his encampment, because it was +necessary for them, before reaching their destination, to pass in front +of Antwerp. The inundation, together with a rupture in the Dyke of +Borght, furnished him with a watery road; over which his fleet completely +avoided the city, and came in triumph to Kalloo. + +Sainte Aldegonde, much provoked by this masterly movement on the part of +Parma, had followed the little squadron closely with some armed vessels +from the city. A sharp action had succeeded, in which the burgomaster, +not being properly sustained by the Zeeland ships on which he relied, had +been defeated. Admiral Jacob Jacobzoon behaved with so little spirit on +the occasion that he acquired with the Antwerp populace the name of +"Run-away Jacob," "Koppen gaet loppen;" and Sainte Aldegonde declared, +that, but for his cowardice, the fleet of Parma would have fallen into +their hands. The burgomaster himself narrowly escaped becoming a +prisoner, and owed his safety only to the swiftness of his barge, which +was called the "Flying Devil." + +The patriots, in order to counteract similar enterprises in future, now +erected a sconce, which they called Fort Teligny; upon the ruptured dyke +of Borght, directly in front of the Borght blockhouse, belonging to the +Spaniards, and just opposite Fort Hoboken. Here, in this narrow passage, +close under the walls of Antwerp, where friends and foes were brought +closely, face to face, was the scene of many a sanguinary skirmish, from +the commencement of the siege until its close. + +Still the bridge was believed to be a mere fable, a chimaera. Parma, men +said, had become a lunatic from pride. It was as easy to make the +Netherlands submit to the yoke of the Inquisition as to put a bridle on +the Scheldt. Its depth; breadth, the ice-floods of a northern winter, the +neighbourhood of the Zeeland fleets, the activity of the Antwerp +authorities, all were pledges that the attempt would be signally +frustrated. + +And they should have been pledges--more than enough. Unfortunately, +however, there was dissension within, and no chieftain in the field, no +sage in the council, of sufficient authority to sustain the whole burthen +of the war, and to direct all the energies of the commonwealth. Orange +was dead. His son, one day to become the most illustrious military +commander in Europe, was a boy of seventeen, nominally captain-general, +but in reality but a youthful apprentice to his art. Hohenlo was wild, +wilful, and obstinate. Young William Lewis Nassau, already a soldier of +marked abilities, was fully occupied in Friesland, where he was +stadholder, and where he had quite enough to do in making head against +the Spanish governor and general, the veteran Verdugo: Military +operations against Zutphen distracted the attention of the States, which +should have been fixed upon Antwerp. + +Admiral Treslong, as we have seen, was refractory, the cause of great +delinquency on the part of the fleets, and of infinite disaster to the +commonwealth. More than all, the French negotiation was betraying the +States into indolence and hesitation; and creating a schism between the +leading politicians of the country. Several thousand French troops, under +Monsieur d'Allaynes, were daily expected, but never arrived; and thus, +while English and French partisans were plotting and counter-plotting, +while a delusive diplomacy was usurping the place of lansquenettes and +gun-boats--the only possible agents at that moment to preserve +Antwerp--the bridge of Parma was slowly advancing. Before the winter had +closed in, the preparatory palisades had been finished. + +Between Kalloo and Ordam, upon the opposite side, a sandbar had been +discovered in the river's bed, which diminished the depth of the stream, +and rendered the pile-driving comparatively easy. The breadth of the +Scheldt at this passage was twenty-four hundred feet; its depth, sixty +feet. Upon the Flemish side, near Kalloo, a strong fort was erected, +called Saint Mary, in honour of the blessed Virgin, to whom the whole +siege of Antwerp had been dedicated from the beginning. On the opposite +bank was a similar fort, flamed Philip, for the King. From each of these +two points, thus fortified, a framework of heavy timber, supported upon +huge piles, had been carried so far into the stream on either side that +the distance between the ends had at last been reduced to thirteen +hundred feet. The breadth of the roadway--formed of strong sleepers +firmly bound together--was twelve feet, along which block-houses of great +thickness were placed to defend the whole against assault. + +Thus far the work had been comparatively easy. To bridge the remaining +open portion of the river, however, where its current was deepest and +strongest, and where the action of tide, tempest, and icebergs, would be +most formidable, seemed a desperate undertaking; for as the enterprise +advanced, this narrow open space became the scene of daily amphibious +encounters between the soldiers and sailors of Parma and the forces of +the States. Unfortunately for the patriots, it was only skirmishing. Had +a strong, concerted attack, in large force, from Holland and Zeeland +below and from the city above, been agreed upon, there was hardly a +period, until very late in the winter, when it might not have had the +best chances of success. With a vigorous commander against him, Parma, +weak in men, and at his wits' end for money, might, in a few hours, have +seen the labour of several months hopelessly annihilated. On the other +hand, the Prince was ably seconded by his lieutenant, Marquis Richebourg, +to whom had been delegated the immediate superintendence of the +bridge-building in its minutest details. He was never idle. Audacious, +indefatigable, ubiquitous, he at least atoned by energy and brilliant +courage for his famous treason of the preceding year, while his striking +and now rapidly approaching doom upon the very scene of his present +labours, made him appear to have been building a magnificent though +fleeting monument to his own memory. + +Sainte Aldegonde, shut up in Antwerp, and hampered by dissension within +and obstinate jealousy without the walls, did all in his power to +frustrate the enemy's enterprise and animate the patriots. Through the +whole of the autumn and early winter, he had urged the States of Holland +and Zeeland to make use of the long winter nights, when moonless and +stormy, to attempt the destruction of Parma's undertaking, but the fatal +influences already indicated were more efficient against Antwerp than +even the genius of Farnese; and nothing came of the burgomaster's +entreaties save desultory skirmishing and unsuccessful enterprises. An +especial misfortune happened in one of these midnight undertakings. +Teligny ventured forth in a row-barge, with scarcely any companions, to +notify the Zeelanders of a contemplated movement, in which their +co-operation was desired. It was proposed that the Antwerp troops should +make a fictitious demonstration upon Fort Ordam, while at the same moment +the States' troops from Fort Lillo should make an assault upon the forts +on Kowenstyn Dyke; and in this important enterprise the Zeeland vessels +were requested to assist. But the brave Teligny nearly forfeited his life +by his rashness, and his services were, for a long time, lost to the +cause of liberty. It had been better to send a less valuable officer upon +such hazardous yet subordinate service. The drip of his oars was heard in +the darkness. He was pursued by a number of armed barges, attacked, +wounded severely in the shoulder, and captured. He threw his letters +overboard, but they were fished out of the water, carried to Parma, and +deciphered, so that the projected attack upon the Kowenstyn was +discovered, and, of necessity, deferred. As for Teligny, he was taken, as +a most valuable prize, into the enemy's camp, and was soon afterwards +thrust into prison at Tournay, where he remained six years--one year +longer than the period which his illustrious father had been obliged to +consume in the infamous dungeon at Mons. Few disasters could have been +more keenly felt by the States than the loss of this brilliant and +devoted French chieftain, who, young as he was, had already become very +dear to the republic; and Sainte Aldegonde was severely blamed for +sending so eminent a personage on that dangerous expedition, and for +sending him, too, with an insufficient convoy. + +Still Alexander felt uncertain as to the result. He was determined to +secure Antwerp, but he yet thought it possible to secure it by +negotiation. The enigmatical policy maintained by France perplexed him; +for it did not seem possible that so much apparent solemnity and +earnestness were destined to lead to an impotent and infamous conclusion. +He was left, too, for a long time in ignorance of his own master's secret +schemes, he was at liberty to guess, and to guess only, as to the +projects of the league, he was without adequate means to carry out to a +certain triumph his magnificent enterprise, and he was in constant alarm +lest he should be suddenly assailed by an overwhelming French force. Had +a man sat upon the throne of Henry III., at that moment, Parma's +bridge-making and dyke-fortifying skilful as they were--would have been +all in vain. Meantime, in uncertainty as to the great issue, but resolved +to hold firmly to his purpose, he made repeated conciliatory offers to +the States with one hand, while he steadily prosecuted his aggressive +schemes with the other. + +Parma had become really gentle, almost affectionate, towards the +Netherlanders. He had not the disposition of an Alva to smite and to +blast, to exterminate the rebels and heretics with fire and sword, with +the axe, the rack, and the gallows. Provided they would renounce the +great object of the contest, he seemed really desirous that they should +escape further chastisement; but to admit the worship of God according to +the reformed creed, was with him an inconceivable idea. To do so was both +unrighteous and impolitic. He had been brought up to believe that mankind +could be saved from eternal perdition only by believing in the +infallibility of the Bishop of Rome; that the only keys to eternal +paradise were in the hands of St. Peter's representative. Moreover, he +instinctively felt that within this religious liberty which the +Netherlanders claimed was hidden the germ of civil liberty; and though no +bigger than a grain of mustard-seed, it was necessary to destroy it at +once; for of course the idea of civil liberty could not enter the brain +of the brilliant general of Philip II. + +On the 13th of November he addressed a letter to the magistracy and +broad-council of Antwerp. He asserted that the instigators of the +rebellion were not seeking to further the common weal, but their own +private ends. Especially had this been the ruling motive with the prince +of Orange and the Duke of Anjou, both of whom God had removed from the +world, in order to manifest to the States their own weakness, and the +omnipotence of Philip, whose prosperity the Lord was constantly +increasing. It was now more than time for the authorities of the country +to have regard for themselves, and for the miseries of the poor people. +The affection Which he had always felt for the Provinces from which he +had himself sprung and the favours which he had received from them in his +youth, had often moved him to propose measures, which, before God and his +conscience, he believed adequate to the restoration of peace. But his +letters had been concealed or falsely interpreted by the late Prince of +Orange, who had sought nothing but to spread desolation over the land, +and to shed the blood of the innocent. He now wrote once more, and for +the last time, in all fervour and earnestness, to implore them to take +compassion on their own wives and children and forlorn fatherland, to +turn their eyes backward on the peace and prosperity which they had +formerly enjoyed when obedient to his Majesty, and to cast a glance +around them upon the miseries which were so universal since the +rebellion. He exhorted them to close their ears to the insidious tongues +of those who were leading them into delusion as to the benevolence and +paternal sweetness of their natural lord and master, which were even now +so boundless that he did not hesitate once more to offer them his entire +forgiveness. If they chose to negotiate, they would find everything +granted that with right and reason could be proposed. The Prince +concluded by declaring that he made these advances not from any doubt as +to the successful issue of the military operations in which he was +engaged, but simply out of paternal anxiety for the happiness of the +Provinces. Did they remain obstinate, their ultimate conditions would be +rendered still more severe, and themselves, not he, would be responsible +for the misery and the bloodshed to ensue. + +Ten days afterwards, the magistrates, thus addressed--after communication +with the broad-council--answered Parma's. 23rd Nov., letter manfully, +copiously, and with the customary but superfluous historical sketch. They +begged leave to entertain a doubt as to the paternal sweetness of a king +who had dealt so long in racks and gibbets. With Parma's own mother, as +they told the Prince, the Netherlanders had once made a treaty, by which +the right to worship God according to their consciences had been secured; +yet for maintaining that treaty they had been devoted to indiscriminate +destruction, and their land made desolate with fire and sword. Men had +been massacred by thousands, who had never been heard in their own +defence, and who had never been accused of any crime, "save that they had +assembled together in the name of God, to pray to Him through their only +mediator and advocate Jesus Christ, according to His command." + +The axis of the revolt was the religious question; and it was impossible +to hope anything from a monarch who was himself a slave of the +Inquisition, and who had less independence of action than that enjoyed by +Jews and Turks, according to the express permission of the Pope. +Therefore they informed Parma that they had done with Philip for ever, +and that in consequence of the extraordinary wisdom, justice, and +moderation, of the French King, they had offered him the sovereignty of +their land, and had implored his protection. + +They paid a tribute to the character of Farnese, who after gaining +infinite glory in arms, had manifested so much gentleness and disposition +to conciliate. They doubted not that he would, if he possessed the power, +have guided the royal councils to better and more generous results, and +protested that they would not have delayed to throw themselves into his +arms, had they been assured that he was authorized to admit that which +alone could form the basis of a successful negotiation--religious +freedom. They would in such case have been willing to close with him, +without talking about other conditions than such as his Highness in his +discretion and sweetness might think reasonable. + +Moreover, as they observed in conclusion, they were precluded, by their +present relations with France, from entering into any other negotiation; +nor could they listen to any such proposals without deserving to be +stigmatized as the most lewd, blasphemous, and thankless mortals, that +ever cumbered the earth. + +Being under equal obligations both to the Union and to France, they +announced that Parma's overtures would be laid before the French +government and the assembly of the States-General. + +A day was to come, perhaps, when it would hardly seem lewdness and +blasphemy for the Netherlanders to doubt the extraordinary justice and +wisdom of the French King. Meantime, it cannot be denied that they were +at least loyal to their own engagements, and long-suffering where they +had trusted and given their hearts. + +Parma replied by another letter, dated December 3rd. He assured the +citizens that Henry III. was far too discreet, and much too good a friend +to Philip II., to countenance this rebellion. If he were to take up their +quarrel, however, the King of Spain had a thousand means of foiling all +his attempts. As to the religious question--which they affirmed to be the +sole cause of the war--he was not inclined to waste words upon that +subject; nevertheless, so far as he in his simplicity could understand +the true nature of a Christian, he could not believe that it comported +with the doctrines of Jesus, whom they called their only mediator, nor +with the dictates of conscience, to take up arms against their lawful +king, nor to burn, rob, plunder, pierce dykes, overwhelm their +fatherland, and reduce all things to misery and chaos, in the name of +religion. + +Thus moralizing and dogmatizing, the Prince concluded his letter, and so +the correspondence terminated. This last despatch was communicated at +once both to the States-General and to the French government, and +remained unanswered. Soon afterwards the Netherlands and England, France +and Spain, were engaged in that vast game of delusion which has been +described in the preceding chapters. Meantime both Antwerp and Parma +remained among the deluded, and were left to fight out their battle on +their own resources. + +Having found it impossible to subdue Antwerp by his rhetoric, Alexander +proceeded with his bridge. It is impossible not to admire the steadiness +and ingenuity with which the Prince persisted in his plans, the courage +with which he bore up against the parsimony and neglect of his sovereign, +the compassionate tenderness which he manifested for his patient little +army. So much intellectual energy commands enthusiasm, while the +supineness on the other side sometimes excites indignation. There is even +a danger of being entrapped into sympathy with tyranny, when the cause of +tyranny is maintained by genius; and of being surprised into indifference +for human liberty, when the sacred interests of liberty are endangered by +self-interest, perverseness, and folly. + +Even Sainte Aldegonde did not believe that the bridge could be completed. +His fears were that the city would be ruined rather by the cessation of +its commerce than by want of daily food. Already, after the capture of +Liefkenshoek and the death of Orange, the panic among commercial people +had been so intense that seventy or eighty merchants, representing the +most wealthy mercantile firms in Antwerp, made their escape from the +place, as if it had been smitten with pestilence, or were already in the +hands of Parma. All such refugees were ordered to return on peril of +forfeiting their property. Few came back, however, for they had found +means of converting and transferring their funds to other more secure +places, despite the threatened confiscation. It was insinuated that +Holland and Zeeland were indifferent to the fate of Antwerp, because in +the sequel the commercial cities of those Provinces succeeded to the vast +traffic and the boundless wealth which had been forfeited by the +Brabantine capital. The charge was an unjust one. At the very +commencement of the siege the States of Holland voted two hundred +thousand florins for its relief; and, moreover, these wealthy refugees +were positively denied admittance into the territory of the United +States, and were thus forced to settle in Germany or England. This +cessation of traffic was that which principally excited the anxiety of +Aldegonde. He could not bring himself to believe in the possibility of a +blockade, by an army of eight or ten thousand men, of a great and wealthy +city, where at least twenty thousand citizens were capable of bearing +arms. Had he thoroughly understood the deprivations under which Alexander +was labouring, perhaps he would have been even more confident as to the +result. + +"With regard to the affair of the river Scheldt," wrote Parma to Philip, +"I should like to send your Majesty a drawing of the whole scheme; for +the work is too vast to be explained by letters. The more I examine it, +the more astonished I am that it should have been conducted to this +point; so many forts, dykes, canals, new inventions, machinery, and +engines, have been necessarily required." + +He then proceeded to enlighten the King--as he never failed to do in all +his letters--as to his own impoverished, almost helpless condition. +Money, money, men! This was his constant cry. All would be in vain, he +said, if he were thus neglected. "'Tis necessary," said he, "for your +Majesty fully to comprehend, that henceforth the enterprise is your own. +I have done my work faithfully thus far; it is now for your Majesty to +take it thoroughly to heart; and embrace it with the warmth with which an +affair involving so much of your own interests deserves to be embraced." + +He avowed that without full confidence in his sovereign's sympathy he +would never have conceived the project. "I confess that the enterprise is +great," he said, "and that by many it will be considered rash. Certainly +I should not have undertaken it, had I not felt certain of your Majesty's +full support." + +But he was already in danger of being forced to abandon the whole +scheme--although so nearly carried into effect--for want of funds. "The +million promised," he wrote, "has arrived in bits and morsels, and with +so many ceremonies, that I haven't ten crowns at my disposal. How I am to +maintain even this handful of soldiers--for the army is diminished to +such a mere handful that it would astonish your Majesty--I am unable to +imagine. It would move you to witness their condition. They have suffered +as much as is humanly possible." + +Many of the troops, indeed, were deserting, and making their escape, +beggared and desperate, into France, where, with natural injustice, they +denounced their General, whose whole heart was occupied with their +miseries, for the delinquency of his master, whose mind was full of other +schemes. + +"There past this way many Spanish soldiers," wrote Stafford from Paris, +"so poor and naked as I ever saw any. There have been within this +fortnight two hundred at a time in this town, who report the extremity of +want of victuals in their camp, and that they have been twenty-four +months without pay. They exclaim greatly upon the Prince of Parma. +Mendoza seeks to convey them away, and to get money for them by all means +he can." + +Stafford urged upon his government the propriety of being at least as +negligent as Philip had showed himself to be of the Spaniards. By +prohibiting supplies to the besieging army, England might contribute, +negatively, if not otherwise, to the relief of Antwerp. "There is no +place," he wrote to Walsingham, "whence the Spaniards are so thoroughly +victualled as from us. English boats go by sixteen and seventeen into +Dunkirk, well laden with provisions." + +This was certainly not in accordance with the interests nor the +benevolent professions of the English ministers. + +These supplies were not to be regularly depended upon however. They were +likewise not to be had without paying a heavy price for them, and the +Prince had no money in his coffer. He lived from hand to mouth, and was +obliged to borrow from every private individual who had anything to lend. +Merchants, nobles, official personages, were all obliged to assist in +eking out the scanty pittance allowed by the sovereign. + +"The million is all gone," wrote Parma to his master; "some to Verdugo in +Friesland; some to repay the advances of Marquis Richebourg and other +gentlemen. There is not a farthing for the garrisons. I can't go on a +month longer, and, if not supplied, I shall be obliged to abandon the +work. I have not money enough to pay my sailors, joiners, carpenters, and +other mechanics, from week to week, and they will all leave me in the +lurch, if I leave them unpaid. I have no resource but to rely on your +Majesty. Otherwise the enterprise must wholly fail." + +In case it did fail, the Prince wiped his hands of the responsibility. He +certainly had the right to do so. + +One of the main sources of supply was the city of Hertogenbosch, or +Bois-le-Duc. It was one of the four chief cities of Brabant, and still +held for the King, although many towns in its immediate neighbourhood had +espoused the cause of the republic. The States had long been anxious to +effect a diversion for the relief of Antwerp, by making an attack on +Bois-le-Duc. Could they carry the place, Parma would be almost inevitably +compelled to abandon the siege in which he was at present engaged, and he +could moreover spare no troops for its defence. Bois-le-Duc was a +populous, wealthy, thriving town, situate on the Deeze, two leagues above +its confluence with the Meuse, and about twelve leagues from Antwerp. It +derived its name of `Duke's Wood' from a magnificent park and forest, +once the favourite resort and residence of the old Dukes of Brabant, of +which some beautiful vestiges still remained. It was a handsome +well-built city, with two thousand houses of the better class, besides +more humble tenements. Its citizens were celebrated for their courage and +belligerent skill, both on foot and on horseback. They were said to +retain more of the antique Belgic ferocity which Caesar had celebrated +than that which had descended to most of their kinsmen. The place was, +moreover, the seat of many prosperous manufactures. Its clothiers sent +the products of their looms over all Christendom, and its linen and +cutlery were equally renowned. + +It would be a most fortunate blow in the cause of freedom to secure so, +thriving and conspicuous a town, situated thus in the heart of what +seemed the natural territory of the United States; and, by so doing, to +render nugatory the mighty preparations of Parma against Antwerp. +Moreover, it was known that there was no Spanish or other garrison within +its walls, so that there was no opposition to be feared, except from the +warlike nature of the citizens. + +Count Hohenlo was entrusted, early in January, with this important +enterprise. He accordingly collected a force of four thousand infantry, +together with two hundred mounted lancers; having previously +reconnoitered the ground. He relied very much, for the success of the +undertaking, on Captain Kleerhagen, a Brussels nobleman, whose wife was a +native of Bois-le-Duc, and who was thoroughly familiar with the locality. +One dark winter's night, Kleerhagen, with fifty picked soldiers, advanced +to the Antwerp gate of Bois-le-Duc, while Hohenlo, with his whole force, +lay in ambuscade as near as possible to the city. + +Between the drawbridge and the portcullis were two small guard-houses, +which, very carelessly, had been left empty. Kleerhagen, with his fifty +followers, successfully climbed into these lurking-places, where they +quietly ensconced themselves for the night. At eight o'clock of the +following morning (20th January) the guards of the gate drew up the +portcullis, and reconnoitered. At the same instant, the ambushed fifty +sprang from their concealment, put them to the sword, and made themselves +masters of the gate. None of the night-watch escaped with life, save one +poor old invalided citizen, whose business had been to draw up the +portcullis, and who was severely wounded, and left for dead. The fifty +immediately summoned all of Rohenlo's ambuscade that were within hearing, +and then, without waiting for them, entered the town pell-mell in the +best of spirits, and shouting victory! victory! till they were hoarse. A +single corporal, with two men, was left to guard the entrance. Meantime, +the old wounded gate-opener, bleeding and crippled, crept into a dark +corner, and laid himself down, unnoticed, to die. + +Soon afterwards Hohenlo galloped into the town, clad in complete armour, +his long curls floating in the wind, with about two hundred troopers +clattering behind him, closely followed by five hundred pike-men on foot. + +Very brutally, foolishly, and characteristically, he had promised his +followers the sacking of the city so soon as it should be taken. They +accordingly set about the sacking, before it was taken. Hardly had the +five or six hundred effected their entrance, than throwing off all +control, they dispersed through the principal streets, and began bursting +open the doors of the most opulent households. The cries of "victory!" +"gained city!" "down with the Spaniards!" resounded on all sides. Many of +the citizens, panic-struck, fled from their homes, which they thus +abandoned to pillage, while, meantime, the loud shouts of the assailants +reached the ears of the sergeant and his two companies who had been left +in charge of the gate. Fearing that they should be cheated of their +rightful share in the plunder, they at once abandoned their post, and set +forth after their comrades, as fast as their legs could carry them. + +Now it so chanced--although there was no garrison in the town--that forty +Burgundian and Italian lancers, with about thirty foot-soldiers, had come +in the day before to escort a train of merchandise. The Seigneur de +Haultepenne, governor of Breda, a famous royalist commander--son of old +Count Berlaymont, who first gave the name of "beggars" to the +patriots-had accompanied them in the expedition. The little troop were +already about to mount their horses to depart, when they became aware of +the sudden tumult. Elmont, governor of the city, had also flown to the +rescue, and had endeavoured to rally the burghers. Not unmindful of their +ancient warlike fame, they had obeyed his entreaties. Elmont, with a +strong party of armed citizens, joined himself to Haultepenne's little +band of lancers. They fired a few shots at straggling parties of +plunderers, and pursued others up some narrow streets. They were but an +handful in comparison with the number of the patriots, who had gained +entrance to the city. They were, however, compact, united, and resolute. +The assailants were scattered, disorderly, and bent only upon plunder. +When attacked by an armed and regular band, they were amazed. They had +been told that there was no garrison; and behold a choice phalanx of +Spanish lancers, led on by one of the most famous of Philip's Netherland +chieftains. They thought themselves betrayed by Kleerhagen, entrapped +into a deliberately arranged ambush. There was a panic. The soldiers, +dispersed and doubtful, could not be rallied. Hohenlo, seeing that +nothing was to be done with his five hundred, galloped furiously out of +the gate, to bring in the rest of his troops who had remained outside the +walls. The prize of the wealthy city of Bois-le-Duc was too tempting to +be lightly abandoned; but he had much better have thought of making +himself master of it himself before he should present it as a prey to his +followers. + +During his absence the panic spread. The States' troops, bewildered, +astonished, vigorously assaulted, turned their backs upon their enemies, +and fled helter-skelter towards the gates, through which they had first +gained admittance. But unfortunately for them, so soon as the corporal +had left his position, the wounded old gate-opener, in a dying condition, +had crawled forth on his hands and knees from a dark hole in the tower, +cut, with a pocket-knife, the ropes of the portcullis, and then given up +the ghost. Most effective was that blow struck by a dead man's hand. Down +came the portcullis. The flying plunderers were entrapped. Close behind +them came the excited burghers--their antique Belgic ferocity now fully +aroused--firing away with carbine and matchlock, dealing about them with +bludgeon and cutlass, and led merrily on by Haultepenne and Elmont armed +in proof, at the head of their squadron of lancers. The unfortunate +patriots had risen very early in the morning only to shear the wolf. Some +were cut to pieces in the streets; others climbed the walls, and threw +themselves head foremost into the moat. Many were drowned, and but a very +few effected their escape. Justinus de Nassau sprang over the parapet, +and succeeded in swimming the ditch. Kleerhagen, driven into the Holy +Cross tower, ascended to its roof, leaped, all accoutred as he was, into +the river, and with the assistance of a Scotch soldier, came safe to +land. Ferdinand Truchsess, brother of the ex-elector of Cologne, was +killed. Four or five hundred of the assailants--nearly all who had +entered the city--were slain, and about fifty of the burghers. + +Hohenlo soon came back, with Colonel Ysselstein, and two thousand fresh +troops. But their noses, says a contemporary, grew a hundred feet long +with surprise when they saw the gate shut in their faces. It might have +occurred to the Count, when he rushed out of the town for reinforcements, +that it would be as well to replace the guard, which--as he must have +seen--had abandoned their post. + +Cursing his folly, he returned, mavellously discomfited, and deservedly +censured, to Gertruydenberg. And thus had a most important enterprise; +which had nearly been splendidly successful, ended in disaster and +disgrace. To the recklessness of the general, to the cupidity which he +had himself awakened in his followers, was the failure alone to be +attributed. Had he taken possession of the city with a firm grasp at the +head of his four thousand men, nothing could have resisted him; +Haultepenne, and his insignificant force, would have been dead, or his +prisoners; the basis of Parma's magnificent operations would have been +withdrawn; Antwerp would have been saved. + +"Infinite gratitude," wrote Parma to Philip, "should be rendered to the +Lord. Great thanks are also due to Haultepenne. Had the rebels succeeded +in their enterprise against Bolduc, I should have been compelled to +abandon the siege of Antwerp. The town; by its strength and situation, is +of infinite importance for the reduction both of that place and of +Brussels, and the rebels in possession of Bolduc would have cut off my +supplies." + +The Prince recommended Haultepenne most warmly to the King as deserving +of a rich "merced." The true hero of the day, however--at least the chief +agent in the victory was the poor, crushed, nameless victim who had cut +the ropes of the portcullis at the Antwerp gate. + +Hohenlo was deeply stung by the disgrace which he had incurred. For a +time he sought oblivion in hard drinking; but--brave and energetic, +though reckless--he soon became desirous of retrieving his reputation by +more successful enterprises. There was no lack of work, and assuredly his +hands were rarely idle. + +"Hollach (Hohenlo) is gone from hence on Friday last," wrote Davison to +Walsingham, "he will do what he may to recover his reputation lost in the +attempt, of Bois-le-Duc; which, for the grief and trouble he hath +conceived thereof, hath for the time greatly altered him." + +Meantime the turbulent Scheldt, lashed by the storms of winter, was +becoming a more formidable enemy to Parma's great enterprise than the +military demonstrations of his enemies, or the famine which was making +such havoc, with his little army. The ocean-tides were rolling huge +ice-blocks up and down, which beat against his palisade with the noise of +thunder, and seemed to threaten its immediate destruction. But the work +stood firm. The piles supporting the piers, which had been thrust out +from each bank into the stream, had been driven fifty feet into the +river's bed, and did their duty well. But in the space between, twelve +hundred and forty feet in width, the current was too deep for +pile-driving and a permanent bridge was to be established upon boats. And +that bridge was to be laid across the icy and tempestuous flood, in the +depth of winter, in the teeth of a watchful enemy, with the probability +of an immediate invasion from France, where the rebel envoys were known +to be negotiating on express invitation of the King--by half-naked, +half-starving soldiers and sailors, unpaid for years, and for the sake of +a master who seemed to have forgotten their existence. + +"Thank God," wrote Alexander, "the palisade stands firm in spite of the +ice. Now with the favour of the Lord, we shall soon get the fruit we have +been hoping, if your Majesty is not wanting in that to which your +grandeur, your great Christianity, your own interests, oblige you. In +truth 'tis a great and heroic work, worthy the great power of your +Majesty." "For my own part," he continued, "I have done what depended +upon me. From your own royal hand must emanate the rest;--men, namely, +sufficient to maintain the posts, and money enough to support them +there." + +He expressed himself in the strongest language concerning the danger to +the royal cause from the weak and gradually sinking condition of the +army. Even without the French intrigues with the rebels, concerning +which, in his ignorance of the exact state of affairs, he expressed much +anxiety, it would be impossible, he said, to save the royal cause without +men and money. + +"I have spared myself," said the Prince, "neither day nor night. Let not +your Majesty impute the blame to me if we fail. Verdugo also is uttering +a perpetual cry out of Friesland for men--men and money." + +Yet, notwithstanding all these obstacles, the bridge was finished at +last. On the 25th February, (1585) the day sacred to Saint Matthew, and +of fortunate augury to the Emperor Charles, father of Philip and +grandfather of Alexander, the Scheldt was closed. + +As already stated, from Fort Saint Mary on the Kalloo side, and from Fort +Philip, not far from Ordain on the Brabant shore of the Scheldt, strong +structures, supported upon piers, had been projected, reaching, +respectively, five hundred feet into the stream. These two opposite ends +were now connected by a permanent bridge of boats. There were thirty-two +of these barges, each of them sixty-two feet in length and twelve in +breadth, the spaces between each couple being twenty-two feet wide, and +all being bound together, stem, stern, and midships, by quadruple hawsers +and chains. Each boat was anchored at stem and stern with loose cables. +Strong timbers, with cross rafters, were placed upon the boats, upon +which heavy frame-work the planked pathway was laid down. A thick parapet +of closely-fitting beams was erected along both the outer edges of the +whole fabric. Thus a continuous and well-fortified bridge, two thousand +four hundred feet in length, was stretched at last from shore to shore. +Each of the thirty-two boats on which the central portion of the +structure reposed, was a small fortress provided with two heavy pieces of +artillery, pointing, the one up, the other down the stream, and manned by +thirty-two soldiers and four sailors, defended by a breastwork formed of +gabions of great thickness. + +The forts of Saint Philip and St. Mary, at either end of the bridge, had +each ten great guns, and both were filled with soldiers. In front of each +fort, moreover, was stationed a fleet of twenty armed vessels, carrying +heavy pieces of artillery; ten anchored at the angle towards Antwerp, and +as many looking down the river. One hundred and seventy great guns, +including the armaments of the boats under the bridge of the armada and +the forts, protected the whole structure, pointing up and down the +stream. + +But, besides these batteries, an additional precaution had been taken. On +each side, above and below the bridge, at a moderate distance--a bow +shot--was anchored a heavy, raft floating upon empty barrels. Each raft +was composed of heavy timbers, bound together in bunches of three, the +spaces between being connected by ships' masts and lighter spar-work, and +with a tooth-like projection along the whole outer edge, formed of strong +rafters, pointed and armed with sharp prongs and hooks of iron. Thus a +serried phalanx, as it were, of spears stood ever on guard to protect the +precious inner structure. Vessels coming from Zeeland or Antwerp, and the +floating ice-masses, which were almost as formidable, were obliged to +make their first attack upon these dangerous outer defences. Each raft; +floating in the middle of the stream, extended twelve hundred, and +fifty-two feet across, thus protecting the whole of the bridge of boats +and a portion of that resting upon piles. + +Such was the famous bridge of Parma. The magnificent undertaking has been +advantageously compared with the celebrated Rhine-bridge of Julius +Caesar. When it is remembered; however; that the Roman work was performed +in summer, across a river only half as broad as the Scheldt, free from +the disturbing, action of the tides; and flowing through an unresisting +country; while the whole character of the structure; intended only to, +serve for the single passage of an army, was far inferior to the massive +solidity of Parma's bridge; it seems not unreasonable to assign the +superiority to the general who had surmounted all the obstacles of a +northern winter, vehement ebb and flow from the sea, and enterprising and +desperate enemies at every point. + +When the citizens, at last, looked upon the completed fabric, converted +from the "dream," which they had pronounced it to be, into a terrible +reality; when they saw the shining array of Spanish and Italian legions +marching and counter-marching upon their new road; and trampling, as it +were; the turbulent river beneath their feet; when they witnessed the +solemn military spectacle with which the Governor-General celebrated his +success, amid peals of cannon and shouts of triumph from his army, they +bitterly bewailed their own folly. Yet even then they could hardly +believe that the work had been accomplished by human agency, but they +loudly protested that invisible demons had been summoned to plan and +perfect this fatal and preter-human work. They were wrong. There had been +but one demon--one clear, lofty intelligence, inspiring a steady and +untiring hand. The demon was the intellect of Alexander Farnese; but it +had been assisted in its labour by the hundred devils of envy, +covetousness, jealousy, selfishness, distrust, and discord, that had +housed, not, in his camp, but in the ranks of those who were contending +for their hearths and altars. + +And thus had the Prince arrived at success in spite of every obstacle. He +took a just pride in the achievement, yet he knew by how many dangers he +was still surrounded, and he felt hurt at his sovereign's neglect. "The +enterprise at Antwerp," he wrote to Philip on the day the bridge was +completed, "is so great and heroic that to celebrate it would require me +to speak more at large than I like, to do, for fear of being tedious to +your Majesty. What I will say, is that the labours and difficulties have +been every day so, great, that if your Majesty knew them, you would +estimate, what we have done more highly than-you do; and not forget us so +utterly, leaving us to die of hunger." + +He considered the fabric in itself almost impregnable, provided he were +furnished with the means to maintain what he had so painfully +constructed. + +"The whole is in such condition," said he, "that in opinion of all +competent military judges it would stand though all Holland and Zeeland +should come to destroy our palisades. Their attacks must be made at +immense danger, and disadvantage, so severely can we play upon them with +our artillery and musketry. Every boat is, garnished with the most dainty +captains and soldiers, so that if the enemy should attempt to assail us +now, they would come back with broken heads." + +Yet in the midst of his apparent triumph he had, at times, almost despair +in his heart. He felt really at the last gasp. His troops had dwindled to +the mere shadow of an army, and they were forced to live almost upon air. +The cavalry had nearly vanished. The garrisons in the different cities +were starving. The burghers had no food for the soldiers nor for +themselves. "As for the rest of the troops," said Alexander, "they are +stationed where they have nothing to subsist upon, save salt water and +the dykes, and if the Lord does not grant a miracle, succour, even if +sent by your Majesty, will arrive too late." He assured his master, that +he could not go on more than five or six days longer, that he had been +feeding his soldiers for a long time from hand to mouth, and that it +would soon be impossible for him to keep his troops together. If he did +not disband them they would run away. + +His pictures were most dismal, his supplications for money very moving +but he never alluded to himself. All his anxiety, all his tenderness, +were for his soldiers. "They must have food," he said: "'Tis impossible +to sustain them any longer by driblets, as I have done for a long time. +Yet how can I do it without money? And I have none at all, nor do I see +where to get a single florin." + +But these revelations were made only to his master's most secret ear. His +letters, deciphered after three centuries, alone make manifest the almost +desperate condition in which the apparently triumphant general was +placed, and the facility with which his antagonists, had they been well +guided and faithful to themselves, might have driven him into the sea. + +But to those adversaries he maintained an attitude of serene and smiling +triumph. A spy, sent from the city to obtain intelligence for the anxious +burghers, had gained admission into his lines, was captured and brought +before the Prince. He expected, of course, to be immediately hanged. On +the contrary, Alexander gave orders that he should be conducted over +every part of the encampment. The forts, the palisades, the bridge, were +all to be carefully exhibited and explained to him as if he had been a +friendly visitor entitled to every information. He was requested to count +the pieces of artillery in the forts, on the bridge, in the armada. After +thoroughly studying the scene he was then dismissed with a safe-conduct +to the city. + +"Go back to those who sent you," said the Prince. "Convey to them the +information in quest of which you came. Apprize them of every thing which +you have inspected, counted, heard explained. Tell them further, that the +siege will never be abandoned, and that this bridge will be my sepulcher +or my pathway into Antwerp." + +And now the aspect of the scene was indeed portentous. The chimera had +become a very visible bristling reality. There stood the bridge which the +citizens had ridiculed while it was growing before their faces. There +scowled the Kowenstyn--black with cannon, covered all over with +fortresses which the butchers had so sedulously preserved. From Parma's +camp at Beveren and Kalloo a great fortified road led across the river +and along the fatal dyke all the way to the entrenchments at Stabroek, +where Mansfeld's army lay. Grim Mondragon held the "holy cross" and the +whole Kowenstyn in his own iron grasp. A chain of forts, built and +occupied by the contending hosts of the patriots and the Spaniards, were +closely packed together along both banks of the Scheldt, nine miles long +from Antwerp to Lillo, and interchanged perpetual cannonades. The country +all around, once fertile as a garden, had been changed into a wild and +wintry sea where swarms of gun-boats and other armed vessels manoeuvred +and contended with each other over submerged villages and orchards, and +among half-drowned turrets and steeples. Yet there rose the great +bulwark--whose early destruction would have made all this desolation a +blessing--unbroken and obstinate; a perpetual obstacle to communication +between Antwerp and Zeeland. The very spirit of the murdered Prince of +Orange seemed to rise sadly and reproachfully out of the waste of waters, +as if to rebuke the men who had been so deaf to his solemn warnings. + +Brussels, too, wearied and worn, its heart sick with hope deferred, now +fell into despair as the futile result of the French negotiation became +apparent. The stately and opulent city had long been in a most abject +condition. Many of its inhabitants attempted to escape from the horrors +of starving by flying from its walls. Of the fugitives, the men were +either scourged back by the Spaniards into the city, or hanged up along +the road-side. The women were treated, leniently, even playfully, for it +was thought an excellent jest to cut off the petticoats of the +unfortunate starving creatures up to their knees, and then command them +to go back and starve at home with their friends and fellow-citizens. A +great many persons literally died of hunger. Matrons with large families +poisoned their children and themselves to avoid the more terrible death +by starving. At last, when Vilvoorde was taken, when the baseness of the +French King was thoroughly understood, when Parma's bridge was completed +and the Scheldt bridled, Brussels capitulated on as favourable terms as +could well have been expected. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + College of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all + Military virtue in the support of an infamous cause + Not distinguished for their docility + Repentance, as usual, had come many hours too late + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History United Netherlands, 1585 + +Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + + + + +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 +command, instead of keeping them to their duty, joined in the chase. The +citizens roused themselves, attacked their invaders, killed many of them, +and put the rest to flight. When La Motte returned; he found the panic +general. His whole force, including the fresh soldiers just brought to +the rescue, were beside themselves with fear. He killed several with his +own hand, but the troops were not to be rallied. His quick triumph was +changed into an absolute defeat. + +Parma, furious at the ignominious result of a plan from which so much had +been expected, ordered the Walloon captain, from whose delinquency so +much disaster had resulted, to be forthwith hanged. "Such villainy," said +he, "must never go unpunished." + +It was impossible for the Prince to send a second expedition to attempt +the reduction of Ostend, for the patriots were at last arousing +themselves to the necessity of exertion. It was very obvious--now that +the bridge had been built, and the Kowenstyn fortified--that one or the +other was to be destroyed, or Antwerp abandoned to its fate. + +The patriots had been sleeping, as it were, all the winter, hugging the +delusive dream of French sovereignty and French assistance. No language +can exaggerate the deadly effects from the slow poison of that +negotiation. At any rate, the negotiation was now concluded. The dream +was dispelled. Antwerp must now fall, or a decisive blow must be struck +by the patriots themselves, and a telling blow had been secretly and +maturely meditated. Certain preparatory steps were however necessary. + +The fort of Liefkenshoek, "darling's corner," was a most important post. +The patriots had never ceased to regret that precious possession, lost, +as we have seen, in so tragical a manner on the very day of Orange's +death. Fort Lillo, exactly opposite, on the Brabant shore of the Scheldt, +had always been securely held by them; and was their strongest position. +Were both places in their power, the navigation of the river, at least as +far as the bridge, would be comparatively secure. + +A sudden dash was made upon Liefkenshoek. A number of armed vessels +sailed up from Zeeland, under command of Justinus de Nassau. They were +assisted from Fort Lillo by a detachment headed by Count Hohenlo. These +two officers were desirous of retrieving the reputation which they had +lost at Bois-le-Duc. They were successful, and the "darling" fort was +carried at a blow. After a brief cannonade, the patriots made a breach, +effected a landing, and sprang over the ramparts. The Walloons and +Spaniards fled in dismay; many of them were killed in the fort, and along +the dykes; others were hurled into the Scheldt. The victors followed up +their success by reducing, with equal impetuosity, the fort of Saint +Anthony, situate in the neighbourhood farther down the river. They thus +gained entire command of all the high ground, which remained in that +quarter above the inundation, and was called the Doel. + +The dyke, on which Liefkenshoek stood, led up the river towards Kalloo, +distant less than a league. There were Parma's head-quarters and the +famous bridge. But at Fort Saint Mary; where the Flemish head of that +bridge rested, the dyke was broken. Upon that broken end the commanders +of the expedition against Liefkenshoek were ordered to throw up an +entrenchment, without loss of a moment, so soon as they should have +gained the fortresses which they were ordered first to assault. Sainte +Aldegonde had given urgent written directions to this effect. From a +redoubt situated thus, in the very face of Saint Mary's, that position, +the palisade-work, the whole bridge, might be battered with all the +artillery that could be brought from Zeeland. + +But Parma was beforehand with them. Notwithstanding his rage and +mortification that Spanish soldiers should have ignominiously lost the +important fortress which Richebourg had conquered so brilliantly nine +months before, he was not the man to spend time in unavailing regrets. +His quick eye instantly, detected the flaw which might soon be fatal. In +the very same night of the loss of Liefkenshoek, he sent as strong a +party as could be spared, with plenty of sappers and miners, in +flat-bottomed boats across from Kalloo. As the morning dawned, an +improvised fortress, with the Spanish flag waving above its bulwarks, +stood on the broken end of the dyke. That done, he ordered one of the two +captains who had commanded in Liefkenshoek and Saint Anthony to be +beheaded on the same dyke. The other was dismissed with ignominy. Ostend +was, of course, given up; "but it was not a small matter," said Parma, +"to fortify ourselves that very night upon the ruptured place, and so +prevent the rebels from doing it, which would have been very +mal-a-propos." + +Nevertheless, the rebels had achieved a considerable success; and now or +never the telling blow, long meditated, was to be struck. + +There lived in Antwerp a subtle Mantuan, Gianibelli by name, who had +married and been long settled in the city. He had made himself busy with +various schemes for victualling the place. He had especially urged upon +the authorities, at an early period of the siege, the propriety of making +large purchases of corn and storing it in magazines at a time when +famine-price had by no means been reached. But the leading men had then +their heads full of a great ship, or floating castle, which they were +building, and which they had pompously named the 'War's End,' 'Fin de la +Guerre.' We shall hear something of this phenomenon at a later period. +Meanwhile, Gianibelli, who knew something of shipbuilding, as he did of +most other useful matters, ridiculed the design, which was likely to +cost, in itself before completion, as much money as would keep the city +in bread for a third of a year. + +Gianibelli was no patriot. He was purely a man of science and of great +acquirements, who was looked upon by the ignorant populace alternately as +a dreamer and a wizard. He was as indifferent to the cause of freedom as +of despotism, but he had a great love for chemistry. He was also a +profound mechanician, second to no man of his age in theoretic and +practical engineering. + +He had gone from Italy to Spain that he might offer his services to +Philip, and give him the benefit of many original and ingenious +inventions. Forced to dance attendance, day after day, among sneering +courtiers and insolent placemen, and to submit to the criticism of +practical sages and philosophers of routine, while, he was constantly +denied an opportunity of explaining his projects, the quick-tempered +Italian had gone away at last, indignant. He had then vowed revenge upon +the dulness by which his genius had been slighted, and had sworn that the +next time the Spaniards heard the name of the man whom they had dared to +deride, they should hear it with tears. + +He now laid before the senate of Antwerp a plan for some vessels likely +to prove more effective than the gigantic 'War's End,' which he had +prophesied would prove a failure. With these he pledged himself to +destroy the bridge. He demanded three ships which he had selected from +the city fleet; the 'Orange,' the 'Post,' and the 'Golden Lion,' +measuring, respectively, one hundred and fifty, three hundred and fifty, +and five hundred tons. Besides these, he wished sixty flat-bottomed +scows, which he proposed to send down the river, partially submerged, +disposed in the shape of a half moon, with innumerable anchors and +grapnel's thrusting themselves out of the water at every point. This +machine was intended to operate against the raft. + +Ignorance and incredulity did their work, as usual, and Gianbelli's +request was refused. As a quarter-measure, nevertheless, he was allowed +to take two smaller vessels of seventy and eighty tons. The Italian was +disgusted with parsimony upon so momentous an occasion, but he at the +same time determined, even with these slender materials, to give an +exhibition of his power. + +Not all his the glory, however, of the ingenious project. Associated with +him were two skilful artizans of Antwerp; a clockmaker named Bory, and a +mechanician named Timmerman--but Gianibelli was the chief and +superintendent of the whole daring enterprise. + +He gave to his two ships the cheerful names of the 'Fortune' and the +'Hope,' and set himself energetically to justify their titles by their +efficiency. They were to be marine volcanos, which, drifting down the +river with tide, were to deal destruction where the Spaniards themselves +most secure. + +In the hold of each vessel, along the whole length, was laid down a solid +flooring of brick and mortar, one foot thick and five feet wide. Upon +this was built a chamber of marble mason-work, forty feet long, three and +a half feet broad, as many high, and with side-walks [walls? D.W.] five +feet in thickness. + +This was the crater. It was filled with seven thousand of gunpowder, of a +kind superior to anything known, and prepared by Gianibelli himself. It +was covered with a roof, six feet in thickness, formed of blue +tombstones, placed edgewise. Over this crater, rose a hollow cone, or +pyramid, made of heavy marble slabs, and filled with mill-stones, cannon +balls, blocks of marble, chain-shot, iron hooks, plough-coulters, and +every dangerous missile that could be imagined. The spaces between the +mine and the sides of each ship were likewise filled with paving stones, +iron-bound stakes, harpoons, and other projectiles. The whole fabric was +then covered by a smooth light flooring of planks and brick-work, upon +which was a pile of wood: This was to be lighted at the proper time, in +order that the two vessels might present the appearance of simple +fire-ships, intended only to excite a conflagration of the bridge. On the +'Fortune' a slow match, very carefully prepared, communicated with the +submerged mine, which was to explode at a nicely-calculated moment. The +eruption of the other floating volcano was to be regulated by an +ingenious piece of clock-work, by which, at the appointed time, fire, +struck from a flint, was to inflame the hidden mass of gunpowder below. + +In addition to these two infernal machines, or "hell-burners," as they +were called, a fleet of thirty-two smaller vessels was prepared. Covered +with tar, turpentine, rosin, and filled with inflammable and combustible +materials, these barks were to be sent from Antwerp down the river in +detachments of eight every half hour with the ebb tide. The object was to +clear the way, if possible, of the raft, and to occupy the attention of +the Spaniards, until the 'Fortune' and the `Hope' should come down upon +the bridge. + +The 5th April, (1885) being the day following that on which the +successful assault upon Liefkenshoek and Saint Anthony had taken place, +was fixed for the descent of the fire-ships. So soon as it should be +dark, the thirty-two lesser burning-vessels, under the direction of +Admiral Jacob Jacobzoon, were to be sent forth from the neighborhood of +the 'Boor's Sconce'--a fort close to the city walls--in accordance with +the Italian's plan. "Run-a-way Jacob," however, or "Koppen Loppen," had +earned no new laurels which could throw into the shade that opprobrious +appellation. He was not one of Holland's naval heroes, but, on the whole, +a very incompetent officer; exactly the man to damage the best concerted +scheme which the genius of others could invent. Accordingly, +Koppen-Loppen began with a grave mistake. Instead of allowing the +precursory fire-ships to drift down the stream, at the regular intervals +agreed upon, he despatched them all rapidly, and helter skelter, one +after another, as fast as they could be set forth on their career. Not +long afterwards, he sent the two "hellburners," the 'Fortune' and the +'Hope,' directly in their wake. Thus the whole fiery fleet had set forth, +almost at once, upon its fatal voyage. + +It was known to Parma that preparations for an attack were making at +Antwerp, but as to the nature of the danger he was necessarily in the +dark. He was anticipating an invasion by a fleet from the city in +combination with a squadron of Zeelanders coming up from below. So soon +as the first vessels, therefore, with their trains not yet lighted, were +discovered bearing down from the city, he was confirmed in his +conjecture. His drama and trumpets instantly called to arms, and the +whole body of his troops was mustered upon the bridge; the palisades, and +in the nearest forts. Thus the preparations to avoid or to contend with +the danger, were leading the Spaniards into the very jaws of destruction. +Alexander, after crossing and recrossing the river, giving minute +directions for repelling the expected assault, finally stationed himself +in the block-house at the point of junction, on the Flemish aide, between +the palisade and the bridge of boats. He was surrounded by a group of +superior officers, among whom Richebourg, Billy, Gaetano, Cessis, and the +Englishman Sir Rowland Yorke, were conspicuous. + +It was a dark, mild evening of early spring. As the fleet of vessels +dropped slowly down the river, they suddenly became luminous, each ship +flaming out of the darkness, a phantom of living fire. The very waves of +the Scheldt seemed glowing with the conflagration, while its banks were +lighted up with a preternatural glare. It was a wild, pompous, theatrical +spectacle. The array of soldiers on both aides the river, along the dykes +and upon the bridge, with banners waving, and spear and cuirass glancing +in the lurid light; the demon fleet, guided by no human hand, wrapped in +flames, and flitting through the darkness, with irregular movement; but +portentous aspect, at the caprice of wind and tide; the death-like +silence of expectation, which had succeeded the sound of trumpet and the +shouts of the soldiers; and the weird glow which had supplanted the +darkness-all combined with the sense of imminent and mysterious danger to +excite and oppress the imagination. + +Presently, the Spaniards, as they gazed from the bridge, began to take +heart again. One after another, many of the lesser vessels drifted +blindly against the raft, where they entangled themselves among the hooks +and gigantic spearheads, and burned slowly out without causing any +extensive conflagration. Others grounded on the banks of the river, +before reaching their destination. Some sank in the stream. + +Last of all came the two infernal ships, swaying unsteadily with the +current; the pilots of course, as they neared the bridge, having +noiselessly effected their escape in the skiffs. The slight fire upon the +deck scarcely illuminated the dark phantom-like hulls. Both were carried +by the current clear of the raft, which, by a great error of judgment, as +it now appeared, on the part of the builders, had only been made to +protect the floating portion of the bridge. The 'Fortune' came first, +staggering inside the raft, and then lurching clumsily against the dyke, +and grounding near Kalloo, without touching the bridge. There was a +moment's pause of expectation. At last the slow match upon the deck +burned out, and there was a faint and partial explosion, by which little +or no damage was produced. + +Parma instantly called for volunteers to board the mysterious vessel. The +desperate expedition was headed by the bold Roland York, a Londoner, of +whom one day there was more to be heard in Netherland history. The party +sprang into the deserted and now harmless volcano, extinguishing the +slight fires that were smouldering on the deck, and thrusting spears and +long poles into the hidden recesses of the hold. There was, however, +little time to pursue these perilous investigations, and the party soon +made their escape to the bridge. + +The troops of Parma, crowding on the palisade, and looking over the +parapets, now began to greet the exhibition with peals of derisive +laughter. It was but child's play, they thought, to threaten a Spanish +army, and a general like Alexander Farnese, with such paltry fire-works +as these. Nevertheless all eyes were anxiously fixed upon the remaining +fire-ship, or "hell-burner," the 'Hope,' which had now drifted very near +the place of its destination. Tearing her way between the raft and the +shore, she struck heavily against the bridge on the Kalloo side, close to +the block-house at the commencement of the floating portion of the +bridge. A thin wreath of smoke was seen curling over a slight and +smouldering fire upon her deck. + +Marquis Richebourg, standing on the bridge, laughed loudly at the +apparently impotent conclusion of the whole adventure. It was his last +laugh on earth. A number of soldiers, at Parma's summons, instantly +sprang on board this second mysterious vessel, and occupied themselves, +as the party on board the 'Fortune' had done, in extinguishing, the +flames, and in endeavoring to ascertain the nature of the machine. +Richebourg boldly directed from the bridge their hazardous experiments. + +At the same moment a certain ensign De Vega, who stood near the Prince of +Parma, close to the block-house, approached him with vehement entreaties +that he should retire. Alexander refused to stir from the spot, being +anxious to learn the result of these investigations. Vega, moved by some +instinctive and irresistible apprehension, fell upon his knees, and +plucking the General earnestly by the cloak, implored him with such +passionate words and gestures to leave the place, that the Prince +reluctantly yielded. + +It was not a moment too soon. The clockwork had been better adjusted than +the slow match in the 'Fortune.' Scarcely had Alexander reached the +entrance of Saint Mary's Fort, at the end of the bridge, when a horrible +explosion was heard. The 'Hope' disappeared, together with the men who +had boarded her, and the block-house, against which she had struck, with +all its garrison, while a large portion of the bridge, with all the +troops stationed upon it, had vanished into air. It was the work of a +single instant. The Scheldt yawned to its lowest depth, and then cast its +waters across the dykes, deep into the forts, and far over the land. The +earth shook as with the throb of a volcano. A wild glare lighted up the +scene for one moment, and was then succeeded by pitchy darkness. Houses +were toppled down miles away, and not a living thing, even in remote +places, could keep its feet. The air was filled with a rain of +plough-shares, grave-stones, and marble balls, intermixed with the heads, +limbs, and bodies, of what had been human beings. Slabs of granite, +vomited by the flaming ship, were found afterwards at a league's +distance, and buried deep in the earth. A thousand soldiers were +destroyed in a second of time; many of them being torn to shreds, beyond +even the semblance of humanity. + +Richebourg disappeared, and was not found until several days later, when +his body was discovered; doubled around an iron chain, which hung from +one of the bridge-boats in the centre of the river. The veteran Robles, +Seigneur de Billy, a Portuguese officer of eminent service and high +military rank, was also destroyed. Months afterwards, his body was +discovered adhering to the timber-work of the bridge, upon the ultimate +removal of that structure, and was only recognized by a peculiar gold +chain which he habitually wore. Parma himself was thrown to the ground, +stunned by a blow on the shoulder from a flying stake. The page, who was +behind him, carrying his helmet, fell dead without a wound, killed by the +concussion of the air. + +Several strange and less tragical incidents occurred. The Viscomte de +Bruxelles was blown out of a boat on the Flemish side, and descended safe +and, sound into another in the centre of the stream. Captain Tucci, clad +in complete armour, was whirled out of a fort, shot perpendicularly into +the air, and then fell back into the river. Being of a cool temperament, +a good swimmer, and very pious, he skilfully divested himself of cuirass +and helmet, recommended himself to the Blessed Virgin, and swam safely +ashore. Another young officer of Parma's body-guard, Francois de Liege by +name, standing on the Kalloo end of the bridge, rose like a feather into +the clouds, and, flying quite across the river, alighted on the opposite +bank with no further harm than a contused shoulder. He imagined himself +(he said afterwards) to have been changed into a cannon-ball, as he +rushed through the pitchy atmosphere, propelled by a blast of +irresistible fury. + + [The chief authorities used in the foregoing account of this famous + enterprise are those already cited on a previous page, viz.: the MS. + Letters of the Prince of Parma in the Archives of Simancas; Bor, ii. + 596, 597; Strada, H. 334 seq.; Meteren, xii. 223; Hoofd Vervolgh, + 91; Baudartii Polemographia, ii. 24-27; Bentivoglio, etc., I have + not thought it necessary to cite them step by step; for all the + accounts, with some inevitable and unimportant discrepancies, agree + with each other. The most copious details are to be found in Strada + and in Bor.] + +It had been agreed that Admiral Jacobzoon should, immediately after the +explosion of the fire-ships, send an eight-oared barge to ascertain the +amount of damage. If a breach had been effected, and a passage up to the +city opened, he was to fire a rocket. At this signal, the fleet stationed +at Lillo, carrying a heavy armament, laden with provisions enough to +relieve Antwerp from all anxiety, and ready to sail on the instant, was +at once to force its way up the river. + +The deed was done. A breach, two hundred feet in width was made. Had the +most skilful pilot in Zeeland held the helm of the 'Hope,' with a choice +crew obedient to his orders, he could not have guided her more carefully +than she had been directed by wind and tide. Avoiding the raft which lay +in her way, she had, as it were, with the intelligence of a living +creature, fulfilled the wishes of the daring genius that had created her; +and laid herself alongside the bridge, exactly at the most telling point. +She had then destroyed herself, precisely at the right moment. All the +effects, and more than all, that had been predicted by the Mantuan wizard +had come to pass. The famous bridge was cleft through and through, and a +thousand picked men--Parma's very "daintiest"--were blown out of +existence. The Governor-General himself was lying stark and stiff upon +the bridge which he said should be his triumphal monument or his tomb. +His most distinguished officers were dead, and all the survivors were +dumb and blind with astonishment at the unheard of, convulsion. The +passage was open for the fleet, and the fleet, lay below with sails +spread, and oars in the rowlocks, only waiting for the signal to bear up +at once to the scene of action, to smite out of existence all that +remained of the splendid structure, and to carry relief and triumph into +Antwerp. + +Not a soul slept in the city. The explosion had shook its walls, and +thousands of people thronged the streets, their hearts beating high with +expectation. It was a moment of exquisite triumph. The 'Hope,' word of +happy augury, had not been relied upon in vain, and Parma's seven months +of patient labour had been annihilated in a moment. Sainte Aldegonde and +Gianibelli stood in the 'Boors' Sconce' on the edge of the river. They +had felt and heard the explosion, and they were now straining their eyes +through the darkness to mark the flight of the welcome rocket. + +That rocket never rose. And it is enough, even after the lapse of three +centuries, to cause a pang in every heart that beats for human liberty to +think of the bitter disappointment which crushed these great and +legitimate hopes. The cause lay in the incompetency and cowardice of the +man who had been so unfortunately entrusted with a share in a noble +enterprise. + +Admiral Jacobzoon, paralyzed by the explosion, which announced his own +triumph, sent off the barge, but did not wait for its return. The +boatmen, too, appalled by the sights and sounds which they had witnessed, +and by the murky darkness which encompassed them, did not venture near +the scene of action, but, after rowing for a short interval hither and +thither, came back with the lying report that nothing had been +accomplished, and that the bridge remained unbroken. Sainte Aldegonde and +Gianibelli were beside themselves with rage, as they surmised the +imbecility of the Admiral, and devoted him in their hearts to the +gallows, which he certainly deserved. The wrath of the keen Italian may +be conceived, now that his ingenious and entirely successful scheme was +thus rendered fruitless by the blunders of the incompetent Fleming. + +On the other side, there was a man whom no danger could appall. Alexander +had been thought dead, and the dismay among his followers was universal. +He was known to have been standing an instant before the explosion on the +very block-house where the 'Hope' had struck. After the first terrible +moments had passed, his soldiers found their general lying, as if in a +trance, on the threshold of St. Mary's Fort, his drawn sword in his hand, +with Cessis embracing his knees, and Gaetano extended at his side, +stunned with a blow upon the head. + +Recovering from his swoon, Parma was the first to spring to his feet. +Sword in hand, he rushed at once upon the bridge to mark the extent of +the disaster. The admirable structure, the result of so much patient and +intelligent energy, was fearfully shattered; the bridge, the river, and +the shore, strewed with the mangled bodies of his soldiers. He expected, +as a matter of certainty, that the fleet from below would instantly force +its passage, destroy, the remainder of his troops-stunned as they were +with the sudden catastrophe complete the demolition of the bridge, and +then make its way to Antwerp, with ample reinforcements and supplies. And +Alexander saw that the expedition would be successful. Momently expecting +the attack, he maintained his courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with +despair in his heart. + +His winter's work seemed annihilated, and it was probable that he should +be obliged to raise the siege. Nevertheless, he passed in person from +rank to rank, from post to post, seeing that the wounded were provided +for, encouraging those that remained unhurt, and endeavouring to infuse a +portion of his own courage into the survivors of his panic-stricken army. + +Nor was he entirely unsuccessful, as the night wore on and the expected +assault was still delayed. Without further loss of time, he employed his +men to collect the drifting boats, timber, and spar-work, and to make a +hasty and temporary restoration--in semblance at least--of the ruined +portion of his bridge. And thus he employed himself steadily all the +night, although expecting every instant to hear the first broadside of +the Zeeland cannon. When morning broke, and it became obvious that the +patriots were unable or unwilling to follow up their own success, the +Governor-General felt as secure as ever. He at once set about the +thorough repairs of his great work, and--before he could be again +molested--had made good the damage which it had sustained. + +It was not till three days afterwards that the truth was known in +Antwerp. Hohenlo then sent down a messenger, who swam, under the bridge, +ascertained the exact state of affairs, and returned, when it was too +late, with the first intelligence of the triumph which had been won and +lost. The disappointment and mortification were almost intolerable. And +thus had. Run-a-way Jacob, 'Koppen Loppen,' blasted the hopes of so many +wiser and braver spirits than his own. + +The loss to Parma and to the royalist cause in Marquis Richebourg, was +very great. The death of De Billy, who was a faithful, experienced, and +courageous general, was also much lamented. "The misfortune from their +death," said Parma, "is not to be exaggerated. Each was ever ready to do +his duty in your Majesty's service, and to save me much fatigue in all my +various affairs. Nevertheless," continued the Prince, with great piety, +"we give the Lord thanks for all, and take as a favour everything which +comes from His hand." + +Alexander had indeed reason to deplore the loss of Robert de Melun, +Viscount of Ghent, Marquis of Roubaix and Richebourg. He was a most +valuable officer. His wealth was great. It had been recently largely +increased by the confiscation of his elder brother's estates for his +benefit, a measure which at Parma's intercession had been accorded by the +King. That brother was the patriotic Prince of Espinoy, whom we have +recently seen heading the legation of the States to France. And +Richebourg was grateful to Alexander, for besides these fraternal spoils, +he had received two marquisates through his great patron, in addition to +the highest military offices. Insolent, overbearing, truculent to all the +world, to Parma he was ever docile, affectionate, watchful, obsequious. A +man who knew not fatigue, nor fear, nor remorse, nor natural affection, +who could patiently superintend all the details of a great military work, +or manage a vast political intrigue by alternations of browbeating and +bribery, or lead a forlorn hope, or murder a prisoner in cold blood, or +leap into the blazing crater of what seemed a marine volcano, the Marquis +of Richebourg had ever made himself most actively and unscrupulously +useful to his master. Especially had he rendered invaluable services in +the reduction, of the Walloon Provinces, and in the bridging of the +Scheldt, the two crowning triumphs of Alexander's life. He had now passed +from the scene where he had played so energetic and dazzling a part, and +lay doubled round an iron cable beneath the current of the restless +river. + +And in this eventful night, Parma, as always, had been true to himself +and to his sovereign. "We expected," said he, "that the rebels would +instantly attack us on all sides after the explosion. But all remained so +astonished by the unheard-of accident, that very few understood what was +going on. It seemed better that I--notwithstanding the risk of letting +myself be seen--should encourage the people not to run away. I did so, +and remedied matters a little but not so much as that--if the enemy had +then attacked us--we should not have been in the very greatest risk and +peril. I did not fail to do what I am obliged to do, and always hope to +do; but I say no more of what passed, or what was done by myself, because +it does not become me to speak of these things." + +Notwithstanding this discomfiture, the patriots kept up heart, and were +incessantly making demonstrations against Parma's works. Their +proceedings against the bridge, although energetic enough to keep the +Spanish commander in a state of perpetual anxiety, were never so +efficient however as on the memorable occasion when the Mantuan engineer +and the Dutch watchmaker had exhausted all their ingenuity. Nevertheless, +the rebel barks swarmed all over the submerged territory, now threatening +this post, and now that, and effecting their retreat at pleasure; for +nearly the whole of Parma's little armada was stationed at the two +extremities of his bridge. Many fire-ships were sent down from time to +time, but Alexander had organized a systematic patrol of a few +sentry-boats, armed with scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in +front of the rafts, and protected them against invasion. + +Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole +more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted. The perturbation of +spirit among the Spaniards when any of these 'demon fine-ships,' as they +called them, appeared bearing down upon their bridge, was excessive. It +could not be forgotten, that the `Hope' had sent into space a thousand of +the best soldiers of the little army within one moment of time. + +Such rapid proceedings had naturally left an uneasy impression on the +minds of the survivors. The fatigue of watching was enormous. Hardly an +officer or soldier among the besieging forces knew what it was to sleep. +There was a perpetual exchanging of signals and beacon-fires and rockets +among the patriots--not a day or night, when a concerted attack by the +Antwerpers from above, and the Hollanders from below, with gun-boats and +fire-ships, and floating mines, and other devil's enginry, was not +expected. + +"We are always upon the alert," wrote Parma, "with arms in our hands. +Every one must mount guard, myself as well as the rest, almost every +night, and the better part of every day." + +He was quite aware that something was ever in preparation; and the +nameless, almost sickening apprehension which existed among +his stout-hearted veterans, was a proof that the Mantuan's +genius--notwithstanding the disappointment as to the great result--had +not been exercised entirely in vain. The image of the Antwerp devil-ships +imprinted itself indelibly upon the Spanish mind, as of something +preternatural, with which human valour could only contend at a +disadvantage; and a day was not very far distant--one of the memorable +days of the world's history, big with the fate of England, Spain, +Holland, and all Christendom--when the sight of a half-dozen blazing +vessels, and the cry of "the Antwerp fireships," was to decide the issue +of a most momentous enterprise. The blow struck by the obscure Italian +against Antwerp bridge, although ineffective then, was to be most +sensibly felt after a few years had passed, upon a wider field. + +Meantime the uneasiness and the watchfulness in the besieging army were +very exhausting. "They are never idle in the city," wrote Parma. "They +are perpetually proving their obstinacy and pertinacity by their +industrious genius and the machines which they devise. Every day we are +expecting some new invention. On our side we endeavour to counteract +their efforts by every human means in our power. Nevertheless, I confess +that our merely human intellect is not competent to penetrate the designs +of their diabolical genius. Certainly, most wonderful and extraordinary +things have been exhibited, such as the oldest soldiers here have never +before witnessed." + +Moreover, Alexander saw himself growing weaker and weaker. His force had +dwindled to a mere phantom of an army. His soldiers, ill-fed, +half-clothed, unpaid, were fearfully overworked. He was obliged to +concentrate all the troops at his disposal around Antwerp. Diversions +against Ostend, operations in Friesland and Gelderland, although most +desirable, had thus been rendered quite impossible. + +"I have recalled my cavalry and infantry from Ostend," he wrote, "and Don +Juan de Manrique has fortunately arrived in Stabroek with a thousand good +German folk. The commissary-general of the cavalry has come in, too, with +a good lot of the troops that had been encamped in the open country. +Nevertheless, we remain wretchedly weak--quite insufficient to attempt +what ought to be done. If the enemy were more in force, or if the French +wished to make trouble, your Majesty would see how important it had been +to provide in time against such contingencies. And although our +neighbours, crestfallen, and rushing upon their own destruction, leave us +in quiet, we are not without plenty of work. It would be of inestimable +advantage to make diversions in Gelderland and Friesland, because, in +that case, the Hollanders, seeing the enemy so near their own borders, +would be obliged to withdraw their assistance from Antwerp. 'Tis pity to +see how few Spaniards your Majesty has left, and how diminished is our +army. Now, also, is the time to expect sickness, and this affair of +Antwerp is obviously stretching out into large proportions. Unless soon +reinforced, we must inevitably go to destruction. I implore your Majesty +to ponder the matter well, and not to defer the remedy." + +His Majesty was sure to ponder the matter well, if that had been all. +Philip was good at pondering; but it was equally certain that the remedy +would be deferred. Meantime Alexander and his starving but heroic little +army were left to fight their battles as they could. + +His complaints were incessant, most reasonable, but unavailing. With all +the forces he could muster, by withdrawing from the neighbourhood of +Ghent, Brussels, Vilvoorde, and from all the garrisons, every man that +could be spared, he had not strength enough to guard his own posts. To +attempt to win back the important forts recently captured by the rebels +on the Doel, was quite out of the question. The pictures he painted of +his army were indeed most dismal. + +The Spaniards were so reduced by sickness that it was pitiful to see +them. The Italians were not in much better condition, nor the Germans. +"As for the Walloons," said he, "they are deserting, as they always do. +In truth, one of my principal dangers is that the French civil wars are +now tempting my soldiers across the frontier; the country there is so +much richer, and offers so much more for the plundering." + +During the few weeks which immediately followed them famous descent of +the 'Hope' and the 'Fortune,' there had accordingly been made a variety +of less elaborate, but apparently mischievous, efforts against the +bridge. On the whole, however, the object was rather to deceive and amuse +the royalists, by keeping their attention fixed in that quarter, while a +great attack was, in reality, preparing against the Kowenstyn. That +strong barrier, as repeatedly stated, was even a more formidable obstacle +than the bridge to the communication between the beleagured city and +their allies upon the outside. Its capture and demolition, even at this +late period, would open the navigation to all the fleets of Zeeland. + +In the undertaking of the 5th of April all had been accomplished that +human ingenuity could devise; yet the triumph had been snatched away even +at the very moment when it was complete. A determined and vigorous effort +was soon to be made upon the Kowenstyn, in the very face of Parma; for it +now seemed obvious that the true crisis was to come upon that fatal dyke. +The great bulwark was three miles long. It reached from Stabroek in +Brabant, near which village Mansfeld's troops were encamped, across the +inundated country, up to the line of the Scheldt. Thence, along the +river-dyke, and across the bridge to Kalloo and Beveren, where Parma's +forces lay, was a continuous fortified road some three leagues in length; +so that the two divisions of the besieging army, lying four leagues +apart, were all connected by this important line. + +Could the Kowenstyn be pierced, the water, now divided by that great +bulwark into two vast lakes, would flow together in one continuous sea. +Moreover the Scheldt, it was thought, would, in that case, return to its +own cannel through Brabant, deserting its present bed, and thus leaving +the famous bridge high and dry. A wide sheet of navigable water would +then roll between Antwerp and the Zeeland coasts, and Parma's bridge, the +result of seven months' labour, would become as useless as a child's +broken toy. + +Alexander had thoroughly comprehended the necessity of maintaining the +Kowenstyn. All that it was possible to do with the meagre forces at his +disposal, he had done. He had fringed both its margins, along its whole +length, with a breastwork of closely-driven stakes. He had strengthened +the whole body of the dyke with timber-work and piles. Upon its +river-end, just at the junction with the great Scheldt dyke, a strong +fortress, called the Holy Cross, had been constructed, which was under +the special command of Mondragon. Besides this, three other forts had +been built, at intervals of about a mile, upon the dyke. The one nearest +to Mondragon was placed at the Kowenstyn manor-house, and was called +Saint James. This was entrusted to Camillo Bourbon del Monte, an Italian +officer, who boasted the blood royal of France in his veins, and was +disposed on all occasions to vindicate that proud pedigree by his deeds. +The next fort was Saint George's, sometimes called the Black Sconce. It +had been built by La Motte, but it was now in command of the Spanish +officer, Benites. The third was entitled the Fort of the Palisades, +because it had been necessary to support it by a stockade-work in the +water, there being absolutely not earth enough to hold the structure. It +was placed in the charge of Captain Gamboa. These little castles had been +created, as it were, out of water and upon water, and under a hot fire +from the enemy's forts and fleets, which gave the pioneers no repose. + +"'Twas very hard work," said Parma, "our soldiers are so exposed during +their labour, the rebels playing upon them perpetually from their +musket-proof vessels. They fill the submerged land with their boats, +skimming everywhere as they like, while we have none at all. We have been +obliged to build these three forts with neither material nor space; +making land enough for the foundation by bringing thither bundles of +hurdles and of earth. The fatigue and anxiety are incredible. Not a man +can sleep at night; not an officer nor soldier but is perpetually +mounting guard. But they are animated to their hard work by seeing that I +share in it, like one of themselves. We have now got the dyke into good +order, so far as to be able to give them a warm reception, whenever they +choose to come." + +Quite at the farther or land end of the Kowenstyn, was another fort, +called the Stabroek, which commanded and raked the whole dyke, and was in +the neighbourhood of Mansfeld's head-quarters. + +Placed as were these little citadels upon a slender, and--at brief +distance--invisible thread of land, with the dark waters rolling around +them far and near, they presented an insubstantial dream-like aspect, +seeming rather like castles floating between air and ocean than actual +fortifications--a deceptive mirage rather than reality. There was nothing +imaginary, however, in the work which they were to perform. + +A series of attacks, some serious, others fictitious, had been made, from +time to time, upon both bridge and dyke; but Alexander was unable to +inspire his soldiers with his own watchfulness. Upon the 7th of May a +more determined attempt was made upon the Kowenstyn, by the fleet from +Lillo. Hohenlo and Colonel Ysselstein conducted the enterprise. The +sentinels at the point selected--having recently been so often threatened +by an enemy, who most frequently made a rapid retreat, as to have grown +weary and indifferent-were surprised, at dawn of day, and put to the +sword. "If the truth must be told," said Parma, "the sentries were sound +asleep." Five hundred Zeelanders, with a strong party of sappers and +miners, fairly established themselves upon the dyke, between St. George's +and Fort Palisade. The attack, although spirited at its commencement, was +doomed to be unsuccessful. A co-operation, agreed upon by the fleet from +Antwerp, failed through a misunderstanding. Sainte Aldegonde had +stationed certain members of the munition-chamber in the cathedral tower, +with orders to discharge three rockets, when they should perceive a +beacon-fire which he should light in Fort Tholouse. The watchmen mistook +an accidental camp-fire in the neighbourhood for the preconcerted signal, +and sent up the rockets. Hohenlo understanding, accordingly, that the +expedition was on the point of starting from Antwerp, hastened to perform +his portion of the work, and sailed up from Lillo. He did his duty +faithfully and well, and established himself upon the dyke, but found +himself alone and without sufficient force to maintain his position. The +Antwerp fleet never sailed. It was even whispered that the delinquency +was rather intended than accidental; the Antwerpers being supposed +desirous to ascertain the result of Hohenlo's attempt before coming forth +to share his fate. Such was the opinion expressed by Farnese in his +letters to Philip, but it seems probable that he was mistaken. Whatever +the cause, however, the fact of the Zeelanders' discomfiture was certain. +The St. George battery and that of the Palisade were opened at once upon +them, the balls came plunging among the sappers and miners before they +had time to throw up many spade-fulls of earth, and the whole party were +soon dead or driven from the dyke. The survivors effected their retreat +as they best could, leaving four of their ships behind them and three or +four hundred men. + +"Forty rebels lay dead on the dyke," said Parma, "and one hundred and +fifty more, at least, were drowned. The enemy confess a much larger loss +than the number I state, but I am not a friend of giving details larger +than my ascertained facts; nor do I know how many were killed in the +boats." + +This enterprise was but a prelude, however, to the great undertaking +which had now been thoroughly matured. Upon the 26th May, another and +most determined attack was to be made upon the Kowenstyn, by the +Antwerpers and Hollanders acting in concert. This time, it was to be +hoped, there would be no misconception of signals. "It was a +determination," said Parma, "so daring and desperate that there was no +substantial reason why we should believe they would carry it out; but +they were at last solemnly resolved to die or to effect their purpose." + +Two hundred ships in all had been got ready, part of them under Hohenlo +and Justinus de Nassau, to sail up from Zeeland; the others to advance +from Antwerp under Sainte Aldegonde. Their destination was the Kowenstyn +Dyke. Some of the vessels were laden with provisions, others with +gabions, hurdles, branches, sacks of sand and of wool, and with other +materials for the rapid throwing up of fortifications. + +It was two o'clock, half an hour before the chill dawn of a May morning, +Sunday, the 26th of the month. The pale sight of a waning moon was +faintly perceptible in the sky. Suddenly the sentinels upon the +Kowenstyn--this time not asleep--descried, as they looked towards Lillo, +four fiery apparitions gliding towards them across the waves. The alarm +was given, and soon afterwards the Spaniards began to muster, somewhat +reluctantly, upon the dyke, filled as they always were with the +mysterious dread which those demon-vessels never failed to inspire. + +The fire-ships floated slowly nearer, and at last struck heavily against +the stockade-work. There, covered with tar, pitch, rosin, and gunpowder, +they flamed, flared, and exploded, during a brief period, with much +vigour, and then burned harmlessly out. One of the objects for which they +had been sent--to set fire to the palisade--was not accomplished. The +other was gained; for the enemy, expecting another volcanic shower of +tombstones and plough-coulters, and remembering the recent fate of their +comrades on the bridge, had retired shuddering into the forts. Meantime, +in the glare of these vast torches, a great swarm of gunboats and other +vessels, skimming across the leaden-coloured waters, was seen gradually +approaching the dyke. It was the fleet of Hohenlo and Justinus de Nassau, +who had been sailing and rowing since ten o'clock of the preceding night. +The burning ships lighted them on their way, while it had scared the +Spaniards from their posts. + +The boats ran ashore in the mile-long space between forts St. George and +the Palisade, and a party of Zeelanders, Admiral Haultain, governor of +Walcheren, at their head, sprang upon the dyke. Meantime, however, the +royalists, finding that the fire-ships had come to so innocent an end, +had rallied and emerged from their forts. Haultain and his Zeelanders, by +the time they had fairly mounted the dyke, found themselves in the iron +embrace of several hundred Spaniards. After a brief fierce struggle, face +to face, and at push of pike, the patriots reeled backward down the bank, +and took refuge in their boats. Admiral Haultain slipped as he left the +shore, missed a rope's end which was thrown to him, fell into the water, +and, borne down by the weight of his armour, was drowned. The enemy, +pursuing them, sprang to the waist in the ooze on the edge of the dyke, +and continued the contest. The boats opened a hot fire, and there was a +severe skirmish for many minutes, with no certain result. It was, +however, beginning to go hard with the Zeelanders, when, just at the +critical moment, a cheer from the other side of the dyke was heard, and +the Antwerp fleet was seen coming swiftly to the rescue. The Spaniards, +taken between the two bands of assailants, were at a disadvantage, and it +was impossible to prevent the landing of these fresh antagonists. The +Antwerpers sprang ashore. Among the foremost was Sainte Aldegonde, poet, +orator, hymn-book maker, burgomaster, lawyer, polemical divine--now armed +to the teeth and cheering on his men, in the very thickest of the fight. +The diversion was successful, and Sainte Aldegonde gallantly drove the +Spaniards quite off the field. The whole combined force from Antwerp and +Zeeland now effected their landing. Three thousand men occupied all the +space between Fort George and the Palisade. + +With Sainte Aldegonde came the unlucky Koppen Loppen, and all that could +be spared of the English and Scotch troops in Antwerp, under Balfour and +Morgan. With Hohenlo and Justinus de Nassau came Reinier Kant, who had +just succeeded Paul Buys as Advocate of Holland. Besides these came two +other men, side by side, perhaps in the same boat, of whom the world was +like to hear much, from that time forward, and whose names are to be most +solemnly linked together, so long as Netherland history shall endure; +one, a fair-faced flaxen-haired boy of eighteen, the other a +square-visaged, heavy-browed man of forty--Prince Maurice and John of +Olden-Barneveldt. The statesman had been foremost to urge the claim of +William the Silent's son upon the stadholderate of Holland and Zeeland, +and had been, as it were, the youth's political guardian. He had himself +borne arms more than once before, having shouldered his matchlock under +Batenburg, and marched on that officer's spirited but disastrous +expedition for the relief of Haarlem. But this was the life of those +Dutch rebels. Quill-driving, law-expounding, speech-making, diplomatic +missions, were intermingled with very practical business in besieged +towns or open fields, with Italian musketeers and Spanish pikemen. And +here, too, young Maurice was taking his first solid lesson in the art of +which he was one day to be so distinguished a professor. It was a sharp +beginning. Upon this ribband of earth, scarce six paces in breadth, with +miles of deep water on both sides--a position recently fortified by the +first general of the age, and held by the famous infantry of Spain and +Italy--there was likely to be no prentice-work. + +To assault such a position was in truth, as Alexander had declared it to +be, a most daring and desperate resolution on the part of the States. +"Soldiers, citizens, and all," said Parma, "they are obstinate as dogs to +try their fortune." + +With wool-sacks, sand-bags, hurdles, planks, and other materials brought +with them, the patriots now rapidly entrenched themselves in the position +so brilliantly gained; while, without deferring for an instant the great +purpose which they had come to effect, the sappers and miners fastened +upon the ironbound soil of the dyke, tearing it with pick, mattock, and +shovel, digging, delving, and throwing up the earth around them, busy as +human beavers, instinctively engaged in a most congenial task. + +But the beavers did not toil unmolested. The large and determined force +of Antwerpers and English, Hollanders and Zeelanders, guarded the +fortifications as they were rapidly rising, and the pioneers as they were +so manfully delving; but the enemy was not idle. From Fort Saint James, +next beyond Saint George, Camillo del Monte led a strong party to the +rescue. There was a tremendous action, foot to foot, breast to breast, +with pike and pistol, sword and dagger. Never since the beginning of the +war had there been harder fighting than now upon that narrow isthmus. +"'Twas an affair of most brave obstinacy on both sides," said Parma, who +rarely used strong language. "Soldiers, citizens, and all--they were like +mad bulldogs." Hollanders, Italians, Scotchmen, Spaniards, Englishmen, +fell thick and fast. The contest was about the entrenchments before they +were completed, and especially around the sappers and miners, in whose +picks and shovels lay the whole fate of Antwerp. Many of the +dyke-breakers were digging their own graves, and rolled, one after +another, into the breach which they were so obstinately creating. Upon +that slender thread of land the hopes of many thousands were hanging. To +tear it asunder, to roll the ocean-waves up to Antwerp, and thus to +snatch the great city triumphantly from the grasp of Philip--to +accomplish this, the three thousand had come forth that May morning. To +prevent it, to hold firmly that great treasure entrusted to them, was the +determination of the Spaniards. And so, closely pent and packed, +discharging their carbines into each other's faces, rolling, coiled +together, down the slimy sides of the dyke into the black waters, +struggling to and fro, while the cannon from the rebel fleet and from the +royal forts mingled their roar with the sharp crack of the musketry, +Catholics and patriots contended for an hour, while still, through all +the confusion and uproar, the miners dug and delved. + +At last the patriots were victorious. They made good their entrenchments, +drove the Spaniards, after much slaughter, back to the fort of Saint +George on the one side, and of the Palisade on the other, and cleared the +whole space between the two points. The centre of the dyke was theirs; +the great Kowenstyn, the only key by which the gates of Antwerp could be +unlocked, was in the deliverers' hands. They pursued their victory, and +attacked the Palisade Fort. Gamboa, its commandant, was severely wounded; +many other officers dead or dying; the outworks were in the hands of the +Hollanders; the slender piles on which the fortress rested in the water +were rudely shaken; the victory was almost complete. + +And now there was a tremendous cheer of triumph. The beavers had done +their work, the barrier was bitten through and through, the salt water +rushed like a river through the ruptured dyke. A few moments later, and a +Zeeland barge, freighted with provisions, floated triumphantly into the +waters beyond, now no longer an inland sea. The deed was done--the +victory achieved. Nothing more was necessary than to secure it, to tear +the fatal barrier to fragments, to bury it, for its whole length, beneath +the waves. Then, after the isthmus had been utterly submerged, when the +Scheldt was rolled back into its ancient bed, when Parma's famous bridge +had become useless, when the maritime communication between Antwerp and +Holland had been thoroughly established, the Spaniards would have nothing +left for it but to drown like rats in their entrenchments or to abandon +the siege in despair. All this was in the hands of the patriots. The +Kowenstyn was theirs. The Spaniards were driven from the field, the +batteries of their forts silenced. For a long period the rebels were +unmolested, and felt themselves secure. + +"We remained thus some three hours," says Captain James, an English +officer who fought in the action, and described it in rough, soldierly +fashion to Walsingham the same day, "thinking all things to be secure." +Yet in the very supreme moment of victory, the leaders, both of the +Hollanders and of the Antwerpers, proved themselves incompetent to their +position. With deep regret it must be admitted, that not only the +reckless Hohenlo, but the all-accomplished Sainte Aldegonde, committed +the gravest error. In the hour of danger, both had comported themselves +with perfect courage and conduct. In the instant of triumph, they gave +way to puerile exultation. With a celerity as censurable as it seems +incredible, both these commanders sprang into the first barge which had +thus floated across the dyke, in order that they might, in person, carry +the news of the victory to Antwerp, and set all the bells ringing and the +bonfires blazing. They took with them Ferrante Spinola, a +mortally-wounded Italian officer of rank, as a trophy of their battle, +and a boatload of beef and flour, as an earnest of the approaching +relief. + +While the conquerors were thus gone to enjoy their triumph, the +conquered, though perplexed and silenced, were not yet disposed to accept +their defeat. They were even ignorant that they were conquered. They had +been forced to abandon the field, and the patriots had entrenched +themselves upon the dyke, but neither Fort Saint George nor the Palisade +had been carried, although the latter was in imminent danger. + +Old Count Peter Ernest Mansfeld--a grizzled veteran, who had passed his +childhood, youth, manhood, and old age, under fire--commanded at the +land-end of the dyke, in the fortress of Stabroek, in which neighbourhood +his whole division was stationed. Seeing how the day was going, he called +a council of war. The patriots had gained a large section of the dyke. So +much was certain. Could they succeed in utterly demolishing that bulwark +in the course of the day? If so, how were they to be dislodged before +their work was perfected? It was difficult to assault their position. +Three thousand Hollanders, Antwerpers, Englishmen--"mad bulldogs all," as +Parma called them--showing their teeth very mischievously, with one +hundred and sixty Zeeland vessels throwing in their broadsides from both +margins of the dyke, were a formidable company to face. + +"Oh for one half hour of Alexander in the field!" sighed one of the +Spanish officers in council. But Alexander was more than four leagues +away, and it was doubtful whether he even knew of the fatal occurrence. +Yet how to send him a messenger. Who could reach him through that valley +of death? Would it not be better to wait till nightfall? Under the cover +of darkness something might be attempted, which in the daylight would be +hopeless. There was much anxiety, and much difference of opinion had been +expressed, when Camillo Capizucca, colonel of the Italian Legion, +obtained a hearing. A man bold in words as in deeds, he vehemently +denounced the pusillanimity which would wait either for Parma or for +nightfall. "What difference will it make," he asked, "whether we defer +our action until either darkness or the General arrives? In each case we +give the enemy time enough to destroy the dyke, and thoroughly to relieve +the city. That done, what good can be accomplished by our arms? Then our +disheartened soldiers will either shrink from a fruitless combat or march +to certain death." Having thus, very warmly but very sagaciously, defined +the position in which all were placed, he proceeded to declare that he +claimed, neither for himself nor for his legion, any superiority over the +rest of the army. He knew not that the Italians were more to be relied +upon than others in the time of danger, but this he did know, that no man +in the world was so devoted as he was to the Prince of Parma. To show +that devotion by waiting with folded arms behind a wall until the Prince +should arrive to extricate his followers, was not in his constitution. He +claimed the right to lead his Italians against the enemy at once--in the +front rank, if others chose to follow; alone, if the rest preferred to +wait till a better leader should arrive. + +The words of the Italian colonel sent a thrill through all who heard him. +Next in command under Capizucca was his camp-marshal, an officer who bore +the illustrious name of Piccolomini--father of the Duke Ottavio, of whom +so much was to be heard at a later day throughout the fell scenes of that +portion of the eighty years' tragedy now enacting, which was to be called +the Thirty Years' War of Germany. The camp-marshal warmly seconded the +proposition of his colonel. Mansfeld, pleased with such enthusiasm among +his officers, yielded to their wishes, which were, in truth, his own. Six +companies of the Italian Legion were in his encampment while the +remainder were stationed, far away, upon the bridge, under command of his +son, Count Charles. Early in the morning, before the passage across the +dyke had been closed the veteran condottiere, pricking his ears as he +snuffed the battle from afar, had contrived to send a message to his son. + +"Charles, my boy," were his words, "to-day we must either beat them or +burst." + +Old Peter Ernest felt that the long-expected, long-deferred assault was +to be made that morning in full force, and that it was necessary for the +royalists, on both bridge and dyke, to hold their own. Piccolomini now +drew up three hundred of his Italians, picked veterans all, and led them +in marching order to Mansfeld. That general at the same moment, received +another small but unexpected reinforcement. A portion of the Spanish +Legion, which had long been that of Pedro Pacchi, lay at the extreme +verge of the Stabroek encampment, several miles away. Aroused by the +distant cannonading, and suspecting what had occurred, Don Juan d'Aquila, +the colonel in command, marched without a moment's delay to Mansfeld's +head-quarters, at the head of all the force he could muster--about two +hundred strong. With him came Cardona, Gonzales de Castro, Toralva, and +other distinguished officers. As they arrived, Capizucca was just setting +forth for the field. There arose a dispute for precedence between the +Italians and the Spaniards. Capizucca had first demanded the privilege of +leading what seemed a forlorn hope, and was unwilling to yield his claim +to the new comer. On the other hand, the Spaniards were not disposed to +follow where they felt entitled to lead. The quarrel was growing warm, +when Aquila, seizing his Italian rival by the hand, protested that it was +not a moment for friends to wrangle for precedence. + +"Shoulder to shoulder," said he, "let us go into this business, and let +our blows rather fall on our enemies' heads than upon each other's." This +terminated the altercation. The Italians and Spaniards--in battle array +as they were--all dropped on their knees, offered a brief prayer to the +Holy Virgin, and then, in the best possible spirits, set forth along the +dyke. Next to fort Stabroek--whence they issued--was the Palisade Fort, +nearly a mile removed, which the patriots had nearly carried, and between +which and St. George, another mile farther on, their whole force was +established. + +The troops under Capizucca and Aquila soon reached the Palisade, and +attacked the besiegers, while the garrison, cheered by the unexpected +relief, made a vigorous sortie. There was a brief sharp contest, in which +many were killed on both sides; but at last the patriots fell back upon +their own entrenchments, and the fort was saved. Its name was instantly +changed to Fort Victory, and the royalists then prepared to charge the +fortified camp of the rebels, in the centre of which the dyke-cutting +operations were still in progress. At the same moment, from the opposite +end of the bulwark, a cry was heard along the whole line of the dyke. +From Fort Holy Cross, at the Scheldt end, the welcome intelligence was +suddenly communicated--as if by a magnetic impulse--that Alexander was in +the field! + +It was true. Having been up half the night, as usual, keeping watch along +his bridge, where he was ever expecting a fatal attack, he had retired +for a few hours' rest in his camp at Beveren. Aroused at day-break by the +roar of the cannon, he had hastily thrown on his armour, mounted his +horse, and, at the head of two hundred pikemen, set forth for the scene +of action. Detained on the bridge by a detachment of the Antwerp fleet, +which had been ordered to make a diversion in that quarter, he had, after +beating off their vessels with his boat-artillery, and charging Count +Charles Mansfeld to heed well the brief injunction of old Peter Ernest, +made all the haste he could to the Kowenstyn. Arriving at Fort Holy +Cross, he learned from Mondragon how the day was going. Three thousand +rebels, he learned, were established on the dyke, Fort Palisade was +tottering, a fleet from both sides was cannonading the Spanish +entrenchments, the salt water was flowing across the breach already made. +His seven months' work, it seemed, had come to nought. The navigation was +already open from the sea to Antwerp, the Lowenstyn was in the rebels' +hands. But Alexander was not prone to premature despair. "I arrived," +said he to Philip in a letter written on the same evening, "at the very +nick of time." A less hopeful person might have thought that he had +arrived several hours too late. Having brought with him every man that +could be spared from Beveren and from the bridge, he now ordered Camillo +del Monte to transport some additional pieces of artillery from Holy +Cross and from Saint James to Fort Saint Georg. At the same time a sharp +cannonade was to be maintained upon the rebel fleet from all the forts. + +Mondragon, with a hundred musketeers and pikemen, was sent forward +likewise as expeditiously as possible to Saint George. No one could be +more alert. The battered veteran, hero of some of the most remarkable +military adventures that history has ever recorded,' fought his way on +foot, in the midst of the fray, like a young ensign who had his first +laurels to win. And, in truth, the day was not one for cunning +manoeuvres, directed, at a distance, by a skillful tactician. It was a +brisk close contest, hand to hand and eye to eye--a Homeric encounter, in +which the chieftains were to prove a right to command by their personal +prowess. Alexander, descending suddenly--dramatically, as it were--when +the battle seemed lost--like a deity from the clouds-was to justify, by +the strength of his arm, the enthusiasm which his name always awakened. +Having, at a glance, taken in the whole situation, he made his brief +arrangements, going from rank to rank, and disposing his troops in the +most effective manner. He said but few words, but his voice had always a +telling effect. + +"The man who refuses, this day, to follow me," he said, "has never had +regard to his own honour, nor has God's cause or the King's ever been +dear to his heart." + +His disheartened Spaniards and Italians--roused as by a magic +trumpet--eagerly demanded to be led against the rebels. And now from each +end of the dyke, the royalists were advancing toward the central position +occupied by the patriots. While Capizucca and Aquila were occupied at +Fort Victory, Parma was steadily cutting his way from Holy Cross to Saint +George. On foot, armed with sword and shield, and in coat of mail, and +marching at the head of his men along the dyke, surrounded by Bevilacqua, +Bentivoglio, Manriquez, Sforza, and other officers of historic name and +distinguished courage, now upon the summit of the causeway, now on its +shelving banks, now breast-high in the waters, through which lay the +perilous path, contending at every inch with the scattered bands of the +patriots, who slowly retired to their entrenched camp, and with the +Antwerp and Zeeland vessels, whose balls tore through the royalist ranks, +the General at last reached Saint George. On the preservation of that +post depended the whole fortune of the day, for Parma had already +received the welcome intelligence that the Palisade--now Fort +Victory--had been regained. He instantly ordered an outer breast-work of +wool-sacks and sand-bags to be thrown up in front of Saint George, and +planted a battery to play point-blank at the enemy's entrenchments. Here +the final issue was to be made. + +The patriots and Spaniards were thus all enclosed in the mile-long space +between St. George and the Palisade. Upon that narrow strip of earth, +scarce six paces in width, more than five thousand men met in mortal +combat--a narrow arena for so many gladiators, hemmed in on both sides by +the sea. The patriots had, with solemn ceremony, before starting upon +their enterprise, vowed to destroy the dyke and relieve Antwerp, or to +perish in the attempt. They were true to their vow. Not the ancient +Batavians or Nervii had ever manifested more tenacity against the Roman +legions than did their descendants against the far-famed Spanish infantry +upon this fatal day. The fight on the Kowenstyn was to be long remembered +in the military annals of Spain and Holland. Never, since the curtain +first rose upon the great Netherland tragedy, had there been a fiercer +encounter. Flinching was impossible. There was scant room for the play of +pike and dagger, and, close packed as were the combatants, the dead could +hardly fall to the ground. It was a mile-long series of separate mortal +duels, and the oozy dyke was soon slippery with blood. + +From both sides, under Capizucca and Aquila on the one band, and under +Alexander on the other, the entrenchments of the patriots were at last +assaulted, and as the royalists fell thick and fast beneath the +breast-work which they were storming, their comrades clambered upon their +bodies, and attempted, from such vantage-ground, to effect an entrance. +Three times the invaders were beaten back with heavy loss, and after each +repulse the attack was renewed with fresh vigour, while within the +entrenchments the pioneers still plied the pick and shovel, undismayed by +the uproar around them. + +A fourth assault, vigorously made, was cheerfully repelled by the +Antwerpers and Hollanders, clustering behind their breast-works, and +looking steadily into their enemies' eyes. Captain Heraugiere--of whom +more was to be heard one day--had led two hundred men into action, and +now found himself at the head of only thirteen. The loss had been as +severe among many other patriot companies, as well as in the Spanish +ranks, and again the pikemen of Spain and Italy faltered before the iron +visages and cordial blows of the Hollanders. + +This work had lasted a good hour and a half, when at last, on the fifth +assault, a wild and mysterious apparition renewed the enthusiasm of the +Spaniards. The figure of the dead commander of the old Spanish Legion, +Don Pedro Pacchi, who had fallen a few months before at the siege of +Dendermonde was seen charging in front of his regiment, clad in his +well-known armour, and using the gestures which had been habitual with +him in life. No satisfactory explanation was ever made of this singular +delusion, but it was general throughout the ranks, and in that +superstitious age was as effective as truth. The wavering Spaniards +rallied once more under the guidance of their phantom leader, and again +charged the breast-work of the patriots. Toralva, mounting upon the back +of one of his soldiers, was first to vault into the entrenchments. At the +next instant he lay desperately wounded on the ground, but was close +followed by Capizucca, sustained by a determined band. The entrenchment +was carried, but the furious conflict still continued. At nearly the same +moment, however, several of the patriot vessels were observed to cast off +their moorings, and to be drifting away from the dyke. A large number of +the rest had been disabled by the hot fire, which by Alexander's +judicious orders had been directed upon the fleet. The ebbing tide left +no choice to the commander of the others but to retreat or to remain and +fall into the enemy's hands, should he gain the day. Had they risked the +dangerous alternative, it might have ensured the triumph of the whole +enterprise, while their actual decision proved most disastrous in the +end. + +"We have conquered," cried Alexander, stretching his arm towards the +receding waters. "The sea deserts the impious heretics. Strike from them +now their last hope, and cut off their retreat to the departing ships." +The Spaniards were not slow to perceive their advantage, while the +courage of the patriots at last began to ebb with the tide. The day was +lost. In the hour of transitory triumph the leaders of the expedition had +turned their backs on their followers, and now, after so much heroism had +been exhibited, fortune too had averted her face. The grim resistance +changed to desperate panic, and a mad chase began along the blood-stained +dyke. Some were slain with spear and bullet, others were hunted into the +sea, many were smothered in the ooze along the edge of the embankment. +The fugitives, making their way to the retreating vessels, were pursued +by the Spaniards, who swam after them, with their swords in their teeth, +and engaged them in mortal combat in the midst of the waves. + +"And so we cut all their throats," said Parma, "the rebels on every side +remaining at our mercy, and I having no doubt that my soldiers would +avenge the loss of their friends." + +The English and the Scotch, under Balfour and Morgan, were the very last +to abandon the position which they had held so manfully seven hours long. +Honest Captain James, who fought to the last, and described the action +the same night in the fewest possible words, was of opinion that the +fleet had moved away only to obtain a better position. "They put off to +have more room to play on the enemy," said he; "but the Hollanders and +Zeelanders, seeing the enemy come on so hotly, and thinking our galleys +would leave them, abandoned their string. The Scots, seeing them to +retire, left their string. The enemy pursued very hotly; the Englishmen +stood to repulse, and are put most to the sword. In this shameful retreat +there were slain or drowned to the number of two thousand." The blunt +Englishman was justly indignant that an enterprise, so nearly successful, +had been ruined by the desertion of its chiefs. "We had cut the dyke in +three places," said he; "but left it most shamefully for want of +commandment." + +Poor Koppen Loppen--whose blunders on former occasions had caused so much +disaster--was now fortunate enough to expiate them by a soldier's death. +Admiral Haultain had, as we have seen, been drowned at the commencement +of the action. Justinus de Nassau, at its close, was more successful in +his retreat to the ships. He, too, sprang into the water when the +overthrow was absolute; but, alighting in some shallows, was able to +conceal himself among weeds and waterlilies till he had divested himself +of his armour, when he made his escape by swimming to a boat, which +conveyed him to Lillo. Roelke van Deest, an officer of some note, was so +horribly wounded in the face, that he was obliged to wear a mask for the +remainder of his life. + +Parma, overjoyed at his victory, embraced Capizucca before the whole +army, with warm expressions of admiration for his conduct. Both the +Italian colonel and his Spanish rival Aquila were earnestly recommended +to Philip for reward and promotion. The wounded Toralva was carried to +Alexander's own quarters, and placed in Alexander's own bed, where he +remained till his recovery, and was then presented--a distinction which +he much valued--with the armour which the Prince had worn on the day of +the battle. Parma himself, so soon as the action was concluded, went with +his chief officers straight from the field to the little village-church +of Stabroek, where he fell upon his knees and offered up fervent thanks +for his victory. He next set about repairing the ruptured dyke, damaged +in many places but not hopelessly ruined, and for this purpose the bodies +of the rebels, among other materials, were cast by hundreds into the +ditches which their own hands had dug. + +Thus ended the eight hours' fight on the Kowenstyn. "The feast lasted +from seven to eight hours," said Parma, "with the most brave obstinacy on +both sides that has been seen for many a long day." A thousand royalists +were killed and twice as many patriots, and the issue of the conflict was +most uncertain up to the very last. + +"Our loss is greater than I wish it was," wrote Alexander to Philip: "It +was a very close thing, and I have never been more anxious in my life as +to the result for your Majesty's service. The whole fate of the battle +was hanging all the time by a thread." More than ever were reinforcements +necessary, and it was only by a miracle that the victory had at last been +gained with such slender resources. "'Tis a large, long, laborious, +expensive, and most perilous war," said Parma, when urging the claims of +Capizucca and Aquila, "for we have to fight every minute; and there are +no castles and other rewards, so that if soldiers are not to have +promotion, they will lose their spirit." Thirty-two of the rebel vessels +grounded, and fell into the hands of the Spaniards, who took from them +many excellent pieces of artillery. The result was most conclusive and +most disheartening for the patriots. + +Meantime--as we have seen--Hohenlo and Sainte Aldegonde had reached +Antwerp in breathless haste to announce their triumph. They had been met +on the quay by groups of excited citizens, who eagerly questioned the two +generals arriving thus covered with laurels from the field of battle, and +drank with delight all the details of the victory. The poor dying Spinola +was exhibited in triumph, the boat-load of breadstuffs received with +satisfaction, and vast preparations were made to receive, on wharves and +in storehouses, the plentiful supplies about to arrive. Beacons and +bonfires were lighted, the bells from all the steeples rang their +merriest peals, cannon thundered in triumph not only in Antwerp itself, +but subsequently at Amsterdam and other more distant cities. In due time +a magnificent banquet was spread in the town-house to greet the +conquering Hohenlo. Immense gratification was expressed by those of the +reformed religion; dire threats were uttered against the Catholics. Some +were for hanging them all out of hand, others for throwing them into the +Scheldt; the most moderate proposed packing them all out of town so soon +as the siege should be raised--an event which could not now be delayed +many days longer. + +Hohenlo, placed on high at the head of the banquet-table, assumed the +very god of war. Beside and near him sat the loveliest dames of Antwerp, +rewarding his bravery with their brightest smiles. The Count drained huge +goblets to their health, to the success of the patriots, and to the +confusion of the royalists, while, as he still drank and feasted, the +trumpet, kettle-drum, and cymbal, and merry peal of bell without, did +honour to his triumph. So gay and gallant was the victor, that he +announced another banquet on the following day, still further to +celebrate the happy release of Antwerp, and invited the fair ladies +around him again to grace the board. It is recorded that the gentlewoman +next him responded with a sigh, that, if her presentiments were just, the +morrow would scarcely be so joyful as the present day had been, and that +she doubted whether the triumph were not premature. + +Hardly had she spoken when sinister sounds were heard in the streets. The +first few stragglers, survivors of the deadly fight, had arrived with the +fatal news that all was lost, the dyke regained, the Spaniards +victorious, the whole band of patriots cut to pieces. A few +frightfully-wounded and dying sufferers were brought into the +banqueting-hall. Hohenlo sprang from the feast--interrupted in so ghastly +a manner--pursued by shouts and hisses. Howls of execration, saluted him +in the streets, and he was obliged to conceal himself for a time, to +escape the fury of the populace. + +On the other hand, Parma was, not unnaturally, overjoyed at the +successful issue to the combat, and expressed himself on the subject in +language of (for him) unusual exultation. "To-day, Sunday, 26th of June," +said he, in a letter to Philip, despatched by special courier on the very +same night, "the Lord has been pleased to grant to your Majesty a great +and most signal victory. In this conjuncture of so great importance it +may be easily conceived that the best results that can be desired will be +obtained if your Majesty is now ready to do what is needful. I +congratulate your Majesty very many times on this occasion, and I desire +to render infinite thanks to Divine Providence." + +He afterwards proceeded, in a rapid and hurried manner, to give his +Majesty the outlines of the battle, mentioning, with great encomium, +Capizucca and Aquila, Mondragon and Vasto, with many other officers, and +recommending them for reward and promotion; praising, in short, heartily +and earnestly, all who had contributed to the victory, except himself, to +whose personal exertions it was chiefly due. "As for good odd Mansfeld," +said he, "he bore himself like the man he is, and he deserves that your +Majesty should send him a particular mark of your royal approbation, +writing to him yourself pleasantly in Spanish, which is that which will +be most highly esteemed by him." Alexander hinted also that Philip would +do well to bestow upon Mansfeld the countship of Biart, as a reward for +his long years of faithful service! + +This action on the Kowenstyn terminated the effective resistance of +Antwerp. A few days before, the monster-vessel, in the construction of +which so much time and money had been consumed, had at last been set +afloat. She had been called the War's End, and, so far as Antwerp was +concerned, the fates that presided over her birth seemed to have been +paltering in a double sense when the ominous name was conferred. She was +larger than anything previously known in naval architecture; she had four +masts and three helms. Her bulwarks were ten feet thick; her tops were +musket-proof. She had twenty guns of largest size, besides many other +pieces of artillery of lesser calibre, the lower tier of which was almost +at the water's level. She was to carry one thousand men, and she was so +supported on corks and barrels as to be sure to float under any +circumstances. Thus she was a great swimming fortress which could not be +sunk, and was impervious to shot. Unluckily, however, in spite of her +four masts and three helms, she would neither sail nor steer, and she +proved but a great, unmanageable and very ridiculous tub, fully +justifying all the sarcasms that had been launched upon her during the +period of her construction, which had been almost as long as the siege +itself. + +The Spaniards called her the Bugaboo--a monster to scare children withal. +The patriots christened her the Elephant, the Antwerp Folly, the Lost +Penny, with many similar appellations. A small army might have been +maintained for a month, they said, on the money she had cost, or the +whole city kept in bread for three months. At last, late in May, a few +days before the battle of the Kowenstyn, she set forth from Antwerp, +across the submerged land, upon her expedition to sweep all the Spanish +forts out of existence, and to bring the war to its end. She came to her +own end very briefly, for, after drifting helplessly about for an hour, +she stuck fast in the sand in the neighbourhood of Ordam, while the crew +and soldiers made their escape, and came back to the city to share in the +ridicule which, from first to last, had attached itself to the +monster-ship. + +Two days after the Kowenstyn affair, Alexander sent an expedition under +Count Charles Mansfeld to take possession of the great Bugaboo. The boat, +in which were Count Charles, Count Aremberg, his brother de Barbancon, +and other noble volunteers, met with an accident: a keg of gun powder +accidentally exploding, blowing Aremberg into the water, whence he +escaped unharmed by swimming, and frightfully damaging Mansfeld in the +face. This indirect mischief--the only injury ever inflicted by the War's +End upon the enemy--did not prevent the rest of the party in the boats +from taking possession of the ship, and bringing her in triumph to the +Prince of Parma. After being thoroughly examined and heartily laughed at +by the Spaniards, she was broken up--her cannon, munitions, and other +valuable materials, being taken from her--and then there was an end of +the War's End. + +This useless expenditure-against the judgment and entreaties of many +leading personages--was but a type of the difficulties with which Sainte +Aldegonde had been obliged to contend from the first day of the siege to +the last. Every one in the city had felt himself called on to express an +opinion as to the proper measures for defence. Diversity of humours, +popular license, anarchy, did not constitute the best government for a +city beleagured by Alexander Farnese. We have seen the deadly injury +inflicted upon the cause at the outset by the brutality of the butchers, +and the manful struggle which Sainte Aldegonde had maintained against +their cupidity and that of their friends. He had dealt with the thousand +difficulties which rose up around him from day to day, but his best +intentions were perpetually misconstrued, his most strenuous exertions +steadily foiled. It was a city where there was much love of money, and +where commerce--always timid by nature, particularly when controlled by +alien residents--was often the cause of almost abject cowardice. + +From time to time there had been threatening demonstrations made against +the burgomaster, who, by protracting the resistance of Antwerp, was +bringing about the absolute destruction of a worldwide trade, and the +downfall of the most opulent capital in Christendom. There were also many +popular riots--very easily inflamed by the Catholic portion of the +inhabitants--for bread. "Bread, bread, or peace!" was hoarsely shouted by +ill-looking mischievous crowds, that dogged the steps and besieged the +doors of Sainte Aldegonde; but the burgomaster had done his best by +eloquence of tongue and personal courage, both against mobs and against +the enemy, to inspire the mass of his fellow-citizens with his own +generous spirit. He had relied for a long time on the negotiation with +France, and it would be difficult to exaggerate the disastrous effects +produced by the treachery of the Valois court. The historian Le Petit, a +resident of Antwerp at the time of the siege, had been despatched on +secret mission to Paris, and had communicated to the States' deputies +Sainte Aldegonde's earnest adjurations that they should obtain, if +possible, before it should be too late, an auxiliary force and a +pecuniary subsidy. An immediate assistance, even if slight, might be +sufficient to prevent Antwerp and its sister cities from falling into the +hands of the enemy. On that messenger's return, the burgomaster, much +encouraged by his report, had made many eloquent speeches in the senate, +and for a long time sustained the sinking spirits of the citizens. + +The irritating termination to the triumph actually achieved against the +bridge, and the tragical result to the great enterprise against the +Kowenstyn, had now thoroughly broken the heart of Antwerp. For the last +catastrophe Sainte Aldegonde himself was highly censurable, although the +chief portion of the blame rested on the head of Hohenlo. Nevertheless +the States of Holland were yet true to the cause of the Union and of +liberty. Notwithstanding their heavy expenditures, and their own loss of +men, they urged warmly and earnestly the continuance of the resistance, +and promised, within at latest three months' time, to raise an army of +twelve thousand foot and seven thousand horse, with which they pledged +themselves to relieve the city, or to perish in the endeavour. At the +same time, the legation, which had been sent to England to offer the +sovereignty to Queen Elizabeth, sent encouraging despatches to Antwerp, +assuring the authorities that arrangements for an auxiliary force had +been effected; while Elizabeth herself wrote earnestly upon the subject +with her own hand. + +"I am informed," said that Princess, "that through the closing of the +Scheldt you are likely to enter into a treaty with the Prince of Parma, +the issue of which is very much to be doubted, so far as the maintenance +of your privileges is concerned. Remembering the warm friendship which +has ever existed between this crown and the house of Burgundy, in the +realms of which you are an important member, and considering that my +subjects engaged in commerce have always met with more privilege and +comity in the Netherlands than in any other country, I have resolved to +send you at once, assistance, comfort, and aid. The details of the plan +will be stated by your envoys; but be assured that by me you will never +be forsaken or neglected." + +The negotiations with Queen Elizabeth--most important for the +Netherlands, for England, and for the destinies of Europe--which +succeeded the futile diplomatic transactions with France, will be laid +before the reader in a subsequent chapter. It is proper that they should +be massed by themselves, so that the eye can comprehend at a single +glance their whole progress and aspect, as revealed both by public and +official, and by secret and hitherto unpublished records. Meantime, so +far as regards Antwerp, those negotiations had been too deliberately +conducted for the hasty and impatient temper of the citizens. + +The spirit of the commercial metropolis, long flagging, seemed at last +broken. Despair was taking possession of all hearts. The common people +did nothing but complain, the magistrates did nothing but wrangle. In the +broad council the debates and dissensions were discouraging and endless. +Six of the eight militia-colonels were for holding out at all hazards, +while a majority of the eighty captains were for capitulation. The +populace was tumultuous and threatening, demanding peace and bread at any +price. Holland sent promises in abundance, and Holland was sincere; but +there had been much disappointment, and there was now infinite +bitterness. It seemed obvious that a crisis was fast approaching, +and--unless immediate aid should come from Holland or from England--that +a surrender was inevitable. La None, after five years' imprisonment, had +at last been exchanged against Count Philip Egmont. That noble, chief of +an ancient house, cousin of the Queen of France, was mortified at being +ransomed against a simple Huguenot gentleman--even though that gentleman +was the illustrious "iron-armed" La Noue--but he preferred to sacrifice +his dignity for the sake of his liberty. He was still more annoyed that +one hundred thousand crowns as security were exacted from La Noue--for +which the King of Navarre became bondsman--that he would never again bear +arms in the Netherlands except in obedience to the French monarch, while +no such pledges were required of himself. La None visited the Prince of +Parma at Antwerp, to take leave, and was received with the courtesy due +to his high character and great distinction. Alexander took pleasure in +showing him all his fortifications, and explaining to him the whole +system of the siege, and La Noue was filled with honest amazement. He +declared afterwards that the works were superb and impregnable; and that +if he had been on the outside at the head of twelve thousand troops, he +should have felt obliged to renounce the idea of relieving the city. +"Antwerp cannot escape you," confessed the veteran Huguenot, "but must +soon fall into your hands. And when you enter, I would counsel you to +hang up your sword at its gate, and let its capture be the crowning +trophy in your list of victories." + +"You are right," answered Parma, "and many of my friends have given me +the same advice; but how am I to retire, engaged as I am for life in the +service of my King?" + +Such was the opinion of La None, a man whose love for the reformed +religion and for civil liberty can be as little doubted as his competency +to form an opinion upon great military subjects. As little could he be +suspected just coming as he did from an infamous prison, whence he had +been at one time invited by Philip II. to emerge, on condition of +allowing his eyes to be put out--of any partiality for that monarch or +his representative. + +Moreover, although the States of Holland and the English government were +earnestly desirous of relieving the city, and were encouraging the +patriots with well-founded promises, the Zeeland authorities were +lukewarm. The officers of the Zeeland navy, from which so much was +expected, were at last discouraged. They drew up, signed, and delivered +to Admiral Justinus de Nassau, a formal opinion to the effect that the +Scheldt had now so many dry and dangerous places, and that the tranquil +summer-nights--so different from those long, stormy ones of winter--were +so short as to allow of no attempt by water likely to be successful to +relieve the city. + +Here certainly was much to discourage, and Sainte Aldegonde was at length +discouraged. He felt that the last hope of saving Antwerp was gone, and +with it all possibility of maintaining the existence of a United +Netherland commonwealth. The Walloon Provinces were lost already; Ghent, +Brussels, Mechlin, had also capitulated, and, with the fall of Antwerp, +Flanders and Brabant must fall. There would be no barrier left even to +save Holland itself. Despair entered the heart of the burgomaster, and he +listened too soon to its treacherous voice. Yet while he thought a free +national state no longer a possibility, he imagined it practicable to +secure religious liberty by negotiation with Philip II. He abandoned with +a sigh one of the two great objects for which he had struggled side by +side with Orange for twenty years, but he thought it possible to secure +the other. His purpose was now to obtain a favourable capitulation for +Antwerp, and at the same time to bring about the submission of Holland, +Zeeland, and the other United Provinces, to the King of Spain. Here +certainly was a great change of face on the part of one so conspicuous, +and hitherto so consistent, in the ranks of Netherland patriots, and it +is therefore necessary, in order thoroughly to estimate both the man and +the crisis, to follow carefully his steps through the secret path of +negotiation into which he now entered, and in which the Antwerp drama was +to find its conclusion. In these transactions, the chief actors are, on +the one side, the Prince of Parma, as representative of absolutism and +the Papacy; on the other, Sainte Aldegonde, who had passed his life as +the champion of the Reformation. + +No doubt the pressure upon the burgomaster was very great. Tumults were +of daily occurrence. Crowds of rioters beset his door with cries of +denunciations and demands for bread. A large and turbulent mob upon one +occasion took possession of the horse-market, and treated him with +personal indignity and violence, when he undertook to disperse them. On +the other hand, Parma had been holding out hopes of pardon with more +reasonable conditions than could well be expected, and had, with a good +deal of art, taken advantage of several trivial circumstances to inspire +the burghers with confidence in his good-will. Thus, an infirm old lady +in the city happened to imagine herself so dependent upon asses milk as +to have sent her purveyor out of the city, at the peril of his life, to +procure a supply from the neighbourhood. The young man was captured, +brought to Alexander, from whose hands he very naturally expected the +punishment of a spy. The prince, however, presented him, not only with +his liberty, but with a she-ass; and loaded the animal with partridges +and capons, as a present for the invalid. The magistrates, hearing of the +incident, and not choosing to be outdone in courtesy, sent back a +waggon-load of old wine and remarkable confectionary as an offering to +Alexander, and with this interchange of dainties led the way to the +amenities of diplomacy. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart + Demanding peace and bread at any price + Not a friend of giving details larger than my ascertained facts + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History United Netherlands, v41, 1584 + +Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + + + + +CHAPTER V., Part 3. + + Sainte Aldegonde discouraged--His Critical Position--His + Negotiations with the Enemy--Correspondence with Richardot-- + Commotion in the City--Interview of Marnix with Parma--Suspicious + Conduct of Marnix--Deputation to the Prince--Oration of Marnix-- + Private Views of Parma--Capitulation of Antwerp--Mistakes of Marnix + --Philip on the Religious Question--Triumphal Entrance of Alexander-- + Rebuilding of the Citadel--Gratification of Philip--Note on Sainte + Aldegonde + +Sainte Aldegonde's position had become a painful one. The net had been +drawn closely about the city. The bridge seemed impregnable, the great +Kowenstyn was irrecoverably in the hands of the enemy, and now all the +lesser forts in the immediate vicinity of Antwerp-Borght, Hoboken, +Cantecroix, Stralen, Berghen, and the rest--had likewise fallen into his +grasp. An account of grain, taken on the 1st of June, gave an average of +a pound a-head for a month long, or half a pound for two months. This was +not the famine-point, according to the standard which had once been +established in Leyden; but the courage of the burghers had been rapidly +oozing away, under the pressure of their recent disappointments. It +seemed obvious to the burgomaster, that the time for yielding had +arrived. + +"I had maintained the city," he said, "for a long period, without any +excessive tumult or great effusion of blood--a city where there was such +a multitude of inhabitants, mostly merchants or artisans deprived of all +their traffic, stripped of their manufactures, destitute of all +commodities and means of living. I had done this in the midst of a great +diversity of humours and opinions, a vast popular license, a confused +anarchy, among a great number of commanders, most of them inexperienced +in war; with very little authority of my own, with slender forces of +ships, soldiers, and sailors; with alight appearance of support from king +or prince without, or of military garrison within; and under all these +circumstances I exerted myself to do my uttermost duty in preserving the +city, both in regard to its internal government, and by force of arms by +land and sea, without sparing myself in any labour or peril. + +"I know very well that there are many persons, who, finding themselves +quite at their ease, and far away from the hard blows that are passing, +are pleased to exhibit their wisdom by sitting in judgment upon others, +founding their decision only upon the results. But I demand to be judged +by equity and reason, when passion has been set aside. I claim that my +honour shall be protected against my calumniators; for all should +remember that I am not the first man, nor shall I be the last, that has +been blamed unjustly. All persons employed in public affairs are subject +to such hazards, but I submit myself to Him who knows all hearts, and who +governs all. I take Him to witness that in the affair of Antwerp, as in +all my other actions since my earliest youth, I have most sincerely +sought His glory and the welfare of His poor people, without regard to +my own private interests." + +For it is not alone the fate of Antwerp that is here to be recorded. The +fame of Sainte Aldegonde was now seriously compromised. The character of +a great man must always be closely scanned and scrutinised; protected, if +needful, against calumny, but always unflinchingly held up to the light. +Names illustrious by genius and virtue are History's most precious +treasures, faithfully to be guarded by her, jealously to be watched; but +it is always a misfortune when her eyes are deceived by a glitter which +is not genuine. + +Sainte Aldegonde was a man of unquestionable genius. His character had +ever been beyond the reproach of self-seeking or ignoble ambition. He had +multiplied himself into a thousand forms to serve the cause of the United +Netherland States, and the services so rendered had been brilliant and +frequent. A great change in his conduct and policy was now approaching, +and it is therefore the more necessary to examine closely at this epoch +his attitude and his character. + +Early in June, Richardot, president of the council of Artois, addressed a +letter to Sainte Aldegonde, by command of Alexander of Parma, suggesting +a secret interview between the burgomaster and the Prince. + +On the 8th of June, Sainte Aldegonde replied, in favourable terms, as to +the interview; but observed, that, as he was an official personage, it +was necessary for him to communicate the project to the magistracy of the +city. He expressed likewise the hope that Parma would embrace the present +opportunity for making a general treaty with all the Provinces. A special +accord with Antwerp, leaving out Holland and Zeeland, would, he said, +lead to the utter desolation of that city, and to the destruction of its +commerce and manufactures, while the occasion now presented itself to the +Prince of "winning praise and immortal glory by bringing back all the +country to a voluntary and prompt obedience to his Majesty." He proposed, +that, instead of his coming alone, there should be a number of deputies +sent from Antwerp to confer with Alexander. + +On the 11th June, Richardot replied by expressing, his own regrets and +those of the Prince, that the interview could not have been with the +burgomaster alone, but acknowledging the weight of his reasons, and +acquiescing in the proposition to send a larger deputation. Three days +afterwards, Sainte Aldegonde, on private consultation with some +confidential personages, changed his ground; announced his preference for +a private interview, under four eyes, with Parma; and requested that a +passport might be sent. The passport was accordingly forwarded the same +day, with an expression of Alexander's gratification, and with the offer, +on the part of Richardot, to come himself to Antwerp as hostage during +the absence of the burgomaster in Parma's camp at Beveren. + +Sainte Aldegonde was accordingly about to start on the following day +(16th of June), but meantime the affair had got wind. A secret interview, +thus projected, was regarded by the citizens as extremely suspicious. +There was much bitter insinuation against the burgomaster--many violent +demonstrations. "Aldegonde, they say, is going to see Parma," said one of +the burghers, "which gives much dissatisfaction, because, 'tis feared +that he will make a treaty according to the appetite and pleasure of his +Highness, having been gained over to the royal cause by money. He says +that it would be a misfortune to send a large number of burghers. Last +Sunday (16th June) there was a meeting of the broad council. The +preachers came into the assembly and so animated the citizens by +demonstrations of their religion, that all rushed from the council-house, +crying with loud voices that they did not desire peace but war." + +This desire was a healthy and a reasonable one; but, unfortunately, the +Antwerpers had not always been so vigorous or so united in their +resistance to Parma. At present, however, they were very furious, so soon +as the secret purpose of Sainte Aldegonde became generally known. The +proposed capitulation, which great mobs had been for weeks long savagely +demanding at the hands of the burgomaster, was now ascribed to the +burgomaster's unblushing corruption. He had obviously, they thought, been +purchased by Spanish ducats to do what he had hitherto been so steadily +refusing. A certain Van Werne had gone from Antwerp into Holland a few +days before upon his own private affairs, with a safe-conduct from Parma. +Sainte Aldegonde had not communicated to him the project then on foot, +but he had permitted him to seek a secret interview with Count Mansfeld. +If that were granted, Van Werne was to hint that in case the Provinces +could promise themselves a religious peace it would be possible, in the +opinion of Sainte Aldegonde, to induce Holland and Zealand and all the +rest of the United Provinces, to return to their obedience. Van Werne, on +his return to Antwerp, divulged these secret negotiations, and so put a +stop to Sainte Aldegonde's scheme of going alone to Parma. "This has +given a bad suspicion to the people," wrote the burgomaster to Richardot, +"so much so that I fear to have trouble. The broad council has been in +session, but I don't know what has taken place there, and I do not dare +to ask." + +Sainte Aldegonde's motive, as avowed by himself, for seeking a private +interview, was because he had received no answer to the main point in his +first letter, as to the proposition for a general accord. In order +therefore to make the deliberations more rapid, he had been disposed to +discuss that preliminary question in secret. "But now," said he to +Richardot, "as the affair had been too much divulged, as well by diverse +reports and writings sown about, very inopportunely, as by the arrival of +M. Van Werne, I have not found it practicable to set out upon my road, +without communication with the members of the government. This has been +done, however, not in the way of consultation, but as the announcement of +a thing already resolved upon." + +He proceeded to state, that great difficulties had arisen, exactly as he +had foreseen. The magistrates would not hear of a general accord, and it +was therefore necessary that a delay should be interposed before it would +be possible for him to come. He begged Richardot to persuade Alexander, +that he was not trifling with him. "It is not," said he, "from lightness, +or any other passion, that I am retarding this affair. I will do all in +my power to obtain leave to make a journey to the camp of his Highness, +at whatever price it may cost and I hope before long to arrive at my +object. If I fail, it must be ascribed to the humours of the people; for +my anxiety to restore all the Provinces to obedience to his Majesty is +extreme." + +Richardot, in reply, the next day, expressed regret, without +astonishment, on the part of Alexander and himself, at the intelligence +thus received. People had such difference of humour, he said, and all men +were not equally capable of reason. Nevertheless the citizens were warned +not to misconstrue Parma's gentleness, because he was determined to die, +with his whole army, rather than not take Antwerp. "As for the King," +said Richardot, "he will lay down all his crowns sooner than abandon this +enterprise." Van Werne was represented as free from blame, and sincerely +desirous of peace. Richardot had only stated to him, in general terms, +that letters had been received from Sainte Aldegonde, expressing an +opinion in favour of peace. As for the royalists, they were quite +innocent of the reports and writings that had so inopportunely been +circulated in the city. It was desirable, however, that the negotiation +should not too long be deferred, for otherwise Antwerp might perish, +before a general accord with Holland and Zeeland could be made. He begged +Sainte Aldegonde to banish all anxiety as to Parma's sentiments towards +himself or the community. "Put yourself, Sir, quite at your ease," said +he. "His Highness is in no respects dissatisfied with you, nor prone to +conceive any indignation against this poor people." He assured the +burgomaster that he was not suspected of lightness, nor of a wish to +delay matters, but he expressed solicitude with regard to the threatening +demonstrations which had been made against him in Antwerp. "For," said +he, "popular governments are full of a thousand hazards, and it would be +infinitely painful to me, if you should come to harm." + +Thus it would appear that it was Sainte Aldegonde who was chiefly anxious +to effect the reconciliation of Holland and Zeeland with the King. The +initiative of this project to include all the United Provinces in one +scheme with the reduction of Antwerp came originally from him, and was +opposed, at the outset, by the magistrates of that city, by the Prince of +Parma and his councillors, and, by the States of Holland and Zeeland. The +demonstrations on the part of the preachers, the municipal authorities, +and the burghers, against Sainte Aldegonde and his plan for a secret +interview, so soon as it was divulged, made it impossible to carry that +project into effect. + +"Aldegonde, who governs Antwerp," wrote Parma to Philip, "was +endeavouring, eight days ago, to bring about some kind of negotiation for +an accord. He manifested a desire to come hither for the sake of a +personal interview with me, which I permitted. It was to have taken place +last Sunday, 16th of this month, but by reason of a certain popular +tumult, which arose out of these circumstances, it has been necessary to +defer the meeting." + +There was much disappointment felt by the royalist at this unsatisfactory +result. "These bravadoes and impertinent demonstrations on the part of +some of your people," wrote Richardot, ten days later, "will be the +destruction of the whole country, and will convert the Prince's +gentleness into anger. 'Tis these good and zealous patriots, trusting to +a little favourable breeze that blew for a few days past, who have been +the cause of all this disturbance, and who are ruining their miserable +country--miserable, I say, for having produced such abortions as +themselves." + +Notwithstanding what had passed, however, Richardot intimated that +Alexander was still ready to negotiate. "And if you, Sir," he concluded, +in his letter to Aldegonde, "concerning whom many of our friends have at +present a sinister opinion, as if your object was to circumvent us, are +willing to proceed roundly and frankly, as I myself firmly believe that +you will do, we may yet hope for a favourable issue." + +Thus the burgomaster was already the object of suspicion to both parties. +The Antwerpers denounced him as having been purchased by Spanish gold; +the royalists accused him of intending to overreach the King. It was not +probable therefore that all were correct in their conjectures. + +At last it was arranged that deputies should be appointed by the broad +council to commence a negotiation with Parma. Sainte Aldegonde informed +Richardot, that he would (5th July, 1585) accompany them, if his affairs +should permit. He protested his sincerity and frankness throughout the +whole affair. "They try to calumniate me," he said, "as much on one side +as on the other, but I will overcome by my innocence all the malice of my +slanderers. If his Highness should be pleased to grant us some liberty +for our religion, I dare to promise such faithful service as will give +very great satisfaction." + +Four days later, Sainte Aldegonde himself, together with M. de Duffel, M. +de Schoonhoven, and Adrian Hesselt, came to Parma's camp at Beveren, as +deputies on the part of the Antwerp authorities. They were courteously +received by the Prince, and remained three days as his guests. During the +period of this visit, the terms of a capitulation were thoroughly +discussed, between Alexander and his councillors upon one part, and the +four deputies on the other. The envoys endeavoured, with all the +arguments at their command, to obtain the consent of the Prince to three +preliminary points which they laid down as indispensable. Religious +liberty must be granted, the citadel must not be reconstructed, a foreign +garrison must not be admitted; they said. As it was the firm intention of +the King, however, not to make the slightest concession on any one of +these points, the discussion was not a very profitable one. Besides the +public interviews at which all the negotiators were present, there was a +private conference between Parma and Sainte Aldegonde which lasted more +than four hours, in which each did his best to enforce his opinions upon +the other. The burgomaster endeavoured to persuade the Prince with all +the eloquence for which he was so renowned, that the hearts not of the +Antwerpers only, but of the Hollanders and Zeelanders, were easily to be +won at that moment. Give them religious liberty, and attempt to govern +them by gentleness rather than by Spanish garrisons, and the road was +plain to a complete reconciliation of all the Provinces with his Majesty. + +Alexander, who knew his master to be inexorable upon these three points, +was courteous but peremptory in his statements. He recommended that the +rebels should take into consideration their own declining strength, the +inexhaustible resources of the King, the impossibility of obtaining +succour from France, and the perplexing dilatoriness of England, rather +than waste their time in idle expectations of a change in the Spanish +policy. He also intimated, obliquely but very plainly, to Sainte +Aldegonde, that his own fortune would be made, and that he had everything +to hope from his Majesty's bounty, if he were now willing to make himself +useful in carrying into effect the royal plans. + +The Prince urged these views with so much eloquence, that he seemed, in +his own words, to have been directly inspired by the Lord for this +special occasion! Sainte Aldegonde, too, was signally impressed by +Alexander's language, and thoroughly fascinated-magnetized, as it +were--by his character. He subsequently declared, that he had often +conversed familiarly with many eloquent personages, but that he had never +known a man more powerful or persuasive than the Prince of Parma. He +could honestly say of him--as Hasdrubal had said of Scipio--that Farnese +was even more admirable when seen face to face, than he had seemed when +one only heard of his glorious achievements. + +"The burgomaster and three deputies," wrote Parma to Philip, "were here +until the 12th July. We discussed (30th July, 1585) the points and form +of a capitulation, and they have gone back thoroughly satisfied. Sainte +Aldegonde especially was much pleased with the long interview which he +had with me, alone, and which lasted more than three hours. I told him, +as well as my weakness and suffering from the tertian fever permitted, +all that God inspired me to say on our behalf." + +Nevertheless, if Sainte Aldegonde and his colleagues went away thoroughly +satisfied, they had reason, soon after their return, to become thoroughly +dejected. The magistrates and burghers would not listen to a proposition +to abandon the three points, however strongly urged to do so by arguments +drawn from the necessity of the situation, and by representations of +Parma's benignity. As for the burgomaster, he became the target for +calumny, so soon as his three hours' private interview became known; and +the citizens loudly declared that his head ought to be cut off, and sent +in a bag, as a present, to Philip, in order that the traitor might meet +the sovereign with whom he sought a reconciliation, face to face, as soon +as possible. + +The deputies, immediately after their return, made their report to the +magistrates, as likewise to the colonels and captains, and to the deans +of guilds. Next day, although it was Sunday, there was a session of the +broad council, and Sainte Aldegonde made a long address, in which--as he +stated in a letter to Richardot--he related everything that had passed in +his private conversation with Alexander. An answer was promised to Parma +on the following Tuesday, but the burgomaster spoke very discouragingly +as to the probability of an accord. + +"The joy with which our return was greeted," he said, "was followed by a +general disappointment and sadness, so soon as the result was known. The +want of a religious toleration, as well as the refusal to concede on the +other two points, has not a little altered the hearts of all, even of the +Catholics. A citadel and a garrison are considered ruin and desolation to +a great commercial city. I have done what I can to urge the acceptance of +such conditions as the Prince is willing to give, and have spoken in +general terms of his benign intentions. The citizens still desire peace. +Had his Highness been willing to take both religions under his +protection, he might have won all hearts, and very soon all the other +Provinces would have returned to their obedience, while the clemency and +magnanimity of his Majesty would thus have been rendered admirable +throughout the world." + +The power to form an accurate conception as to the nature of Philip and +of other personages with whom he was dealing, and as to the general signs +of his times, seems to have been wanting in the character of the gifted +Aldegonde. He had been dazzled by the personal presence of Parma, and he +now spoke of Philip II., as if his tyranny over the Netherlands--which +for twenty years had been one horrible and uniform whole--were the +accidental result of circumstances, not the necessary expression of his +individual character, and might be easily changed at will--as if Nero, at +a moment's warning, might transform himself into Trajan. It is true that +the innermost soul of the Spanish king could by no possibility be +displayed to any contemporary, as it reveals itself, after three +centuries, to those who study the record of his most secret thoughts; +but, at any rate, it would seem that his career had been sufficiently +consistent, to manifest the amount of "clemency and magnanimity" which he +might be expected to exercise. + +"Had his Majesty," wrote Sainte Aldegonde, "been willing, since the year +sixty-six, to pursue a course of toleration, the memory of his reign +would have been sacred to all posterity, with an immortal praise of +sapience, benignity, and sovereign felicity." + +This might be true, but nevertheless a tolerating Philip, in the year +1585, ought to have seemed to Sainte Aldegonde an impossible idea. + +"The emperors," continued the burgomaster, "who immediately succeeded +Tiberius were the cause of the wisdom which displayed itself in the good +Trajan--also a Spaniard--and in Antoninus, Verus, and the rest: If you +think that this city, by the banishment of a certain number of persons, +will be content to abandon the profession of the reformed faith, you are +much mistaken. You will see, with time, that the exile of this religion +will be accompanied by a depopulation and a sorrowful ruin and desolation +of this flourishing city. But this will be as it pleases God. Meantime I +shall not fail to make all possible exertions to induce the citizens to +consent to a reconciliation with his Majesty. The broad council will soon +give their answer, and then we shall send a deputation. We shall invite +Holland and Zeeland to join with us, but there is little hope of their +consent." + +Certainly there was little hope of their consent. Sainte Aldegonde was +now occupied in bringing about the capitulation of Antwerp, without any +provision for religious liberty--a concession which Parma had most +distinctly refused--and it was not probable that Holland and Zeeland, +after twenty years of hard fighting, and with an immediate prospect of +assistance from England--could now be induced to resign the great object +of the contest without further struggle. + +It was not until a month had elapsed that the authorities of Antwerp sent +their propositions to the Prince of Parma. On the 12th August, however, +Sainte Aldegonde, accompanied by the same three gentlemen who had been +employed on the first mission, and by seventeen others besides, proceeded +with safe-conduct to the camp at Beveren. Here they were received with +great urbanity, and hospitably entertained by Alexander, who received +their formal draft of articles for a capitulation, and referred it to be +reported upon to Richardot, Pamel, and Vanden Burgh. Meantime there were +many long speeches and several conferences, sometimes between all the +twenty-one envoys and the Prince together; on other occasions, more +secret ones, at which only Aldegonde and one or two of his colleagues +were present. It had been obvious, from the date of the first interview, +in the preceding month, that the negotiation would be of no avail until +the government of Antwerp was prepared to abandon all the conditions +which they had originally announced as indispensable. Alexander had not +much disposition and no authority whatever to make concessions. + +"So far as I can understand," Parma had written on the 30th July, "they +are very far from a conclusion. They have most exorbitant ideas, talking +of some kind of liberty of conscience, besides refusing on any account to +accept of garrisons, and having many reasons to allege on such subjects." + +The discussions, therefore, after the deputies had at last arrived, +though courteously conducted, could scarcely be satisfactory to both +parties. "The articles were thoroughly deliberated upon," wrote +Alexander, "by all the deputies, nor did I fail to have private +conferences with Aldegonde, that most skilful and practised lawyer and +politician, as well as with two or three of the others. I did all in my +power to bring them to a thorough recognition of their errors, and to +produce a confidence in his Majesty's clemency, in order that they might +concede what was needful for the interests of the Catholic religion and +the security of the city. They heard all I had to say without +exasperating themselves, and without interposing any strong objections, +except in the matter of religion, and, still more, in the matter of the +citadel and the garrison. Aldegonde took much pains to persuade me that +it would be ruinous for a great, opulent, commercial city to submit to a +foreign military force. Even if compelled by necessity to submit now, the +inhabitants would soon be compelled by the same necessity to abandon the +place entirely, and to leave in ruins one of the most splendid and +powerful cities in the world, and in this opinion Catholics and heretics +unanimously concurred. The deputies protested, with one accord, that so +pernicious and abominable a thing as a citadel and garrison could not +even be proposed to their constituents. I answered, that, so long as the +rebellion of Holland and Zeeland lasted, it would be necessary for your +Majesty to make sure of Antwerp, by one or the other of those means, but +promised that the city should be relieved of the incumbrance so soon as +those islands should be reduced. + +"Sainte Aldegonde was not discouraged by this statement, but in the hope +of convincing others, or with the wish of showing that he had tried his +best, desired that I would hear him before the council of state. I +granted the request, and Sainte Aldegonde then made another long and very +elegant oration, intended to divert me from my resolution." + +It must be confessed--if the reports, which have come down to us of that +long and elegant oration be correct--that the enthusiasm of the +burgomaster for Alexander was rapidly degenerating into idolatry. + +"We are not here, O invincible Prince," he said, "that we may excuse, by +an anxious legation, the long defence which we have made of our homes. +Who could have feared any danger to the most powerful city in the +Netherlands from so moderate a besieging force? You would yourself have +rather wished for, than approved of, a greater facility on our part, for +the brave cannot love the timid. We knew the number of your troops, we +had discovered the famine in your camp, we were aware of the paucity of +your ships, we had heard of the quarrels in your army, we were expecting +daily to hear of a general mutiny among your soldiers. Were we to believe +that with ten or eleven thousand men you would be able to block up the +city by land and water, to reduce the open country of Brabant, to cut off +all aid as well from the neighbouring towns as from the powerful +provinces of Holland and Zeeland, to oppose, without a navy, the whole +strength of our fleets, directed against the dyke? Truly, if you had been +at the head of fifty thousand soldiers, and every soldier had possessed +one hundred hands, it would have seemed impossible for you to meet so +many emergencies in so many places, and under so many distractions. What +you have done we now believe possible to do, only because we see that it +has been done. You have subjugated the Scheldt, and forced it to bear its +bridge, notwithstanding the strength of its current, the fury of the +ocean-tides, the tremendous power of the icebergs, the perpetual +conflicts with our fleets. We destroyed your bridge, with great slaughter +of your troops. Rendered more courageous by that slaughter, you restored +that mighty work. We assaulted the great dyke, pierced it through and +through, and opened a path for our ships. You drove us off when victors, +repaired the ruined bulwark, and again closed to us the avenue of relief. +What machine was there that we did not employ? what miracles of fire did +we not invent? what fleets and floating citadels did we not put in +motion? All that genius, audacity, and art, could teach us we have +executed, calling to our assistance water, earth, heaven, and hell +itself. Yet with all these efforts, with all this enginry, we have not +only failed to drive you from our walls, but we have seen you gaining +victories over other cities at the same time. You have done a thing, O +Prince, than which there is nothing greater either in ancient or modern +story. It has often occurred, while a general was besieging one city that +he lost another situate farther off. But you, while besieging Antwerp, +have reduced simultaneously Dendermonde, Ghent, Nymegen, Brussels, and +Mechlin." + +All this, and much more, with florid rhetoric, the burgomaster pronounced +in honour of Farnese, and the eulogy was entirely deserved. It was hardly +becoming, however, for such lips, at such a moment, to sound the praise +of him whose victory had just decided the downfall of religious liberty, +and of the national independence of the Netherlands. His colleagues +certainly must have winced, as they listened to commendations so lavishly +bestowed upon the representative of Philip, and it is not surprising that +Sainte Aldegonde's growing unpopularity should, from that hour, have +rapidly increased. To abandon the whole object of the siege, when +resistance seemed hopeless, was perhaps pardonable, but to offer such +lip-homage to the conqueror was surely transgressing the bounds of +decorum. + +His conclusion, too, might to Alexander seem as insolent as the whole +tenor of his address had been humble; for, after pronouncing this solemn +eulogy upon the conqueror, he calmly proposed that the prize of the +contest should be transferred to the conquered. + +"So long as liberty of religion, and immunity from citadel and garrison +can be relied upon," he said, "so long will Antwerp remain the most +splendid and flourishing city in Christendom; but desolation will ensue +if the contrary policy is to prevail." + +But it was very certain that liberty of religion, as well as immunity +from citadel and garrison, were quite out of the question. Philip and +Parma had long been inexorably resolved upon all the three points. + +"After the burgomaster had finished his oration," wrote Alexander to his +sovereign, "I discussed the matter with him in private, very distinctly +and minutely." + +The religious point was soon given up, Sainte Aldegonde finding it waste +of breath to say anything more about freedom of conscience. A suggestion +was however made on the subject of the garrison, which the prince +accepted, because it contained a condition which it would be easy to +evade. + +"Aldegonde proposed," said Parma, "that a garrison might be admissible if +I made my entrance into the city merely with infantry and cavalry of +nations which were acceptable--Walloons, namely, and Germans--and in no +greater numbers than sufficient for a body-guard. I accepted, because, in +substance, this would amount to a garrison, and because, also, after the +magistrates shall have been changed, I shall have no difficulty in making +myself master of the people, continuing the garrison, and rebuilding the +citadel." + +The Prince proceeded to give his reasons why he was willing to accept the +capitulation on what he considered so favourable terms to the besieged. +Autumn was approaching. Already the fury of the storms had driven vessels +clean over the dykes; the rebels in Holland and Zeeland were preparing +their fleets--augmented by many new ships of war and fire-machines--for +another desperate attack upon the Palisades, in which there was great +possibility of their succeeding; an auxiliary force from England was soon +expected; so that, in view of all these circumstances, he had resolved to +throw himself at his Majesty's feet and implore his clemency. "If this +people of Antwerp, as the head, is gained," said he, "there will be +tranquillity in all the members." + +These reasons were certainly conclusive; nor is it easy to believe, that, +under the circumstances thus succinctly stated by Alexander, it would +have been impossible for the patriots to hold out until the promised +succour from Holland and from England should arrive. In point of fact, +the bridge could not have stood the winter which actually ensued; for it +was the repeatedly expressed opinion of the Spanish officers in Antwerp, +that the icebergs which then filled the Scheldt must inevitably have +shattered twenty bridges to fragments, had there been so many. It +certainly was superfluous for the Prince to make excuses to Philip for +accepting the proposed capitulation. All the prizes of victory had been +thoroughly secured, unless pillage, massacre, and rape, which had been +the regular accompaniments of Alva's victories, were to be reckoned among +the indispensable trophies of a Spanish triumph. + +Nevertheless, the dearth in the city had been well concealed from the +enemy; for, three days after the surrender, not a loaf of bread was to be +had for any money in all Antwerp, and Alexander declared that he would +never have granted such easy conditions had he been aware of the real +condition of affairs. + +The articles of capitulation agreed upon between Parma and the deputies +were brought before the broad council on the 9th August. There was much +opposition to them, as many magistrates and other influential personages +entertained sanguine expectations from the English negotiation, and were +beginning to rely with confidence upon the promises of Queen Elizabeth. +The debate was waxing warm, when some of the councillors, looking out of +window of the great hall, perceived that a violent mob had collected in +the streets. Furious cries for bread were uttered, and some +meagre-looking individuals were thrust forward to indicate the famine +which was prevailing, and the necessity of concluding the treaty without +further delay. Thus the municipal government was perpetually exposed to +democratic violence, excited by diametrically opposite influences. +Sometimes the burgomaster was denounced for having sold himself and his +country to the Spaniards, and was assailed with execrations for being +willing to conclude a sudden and disgraceful peace. At other moments he +was accused of forging letters containing promises of succour from the +Queen of England and from the authorities of Holland, in order to +protract the lingering tortures of the war. Upon this occasion the +peace-mob carried its point. The councillors, looking out of window, +rushed into the hall with direful accounts of the popular ferocity; the +magistrates and colonels who had been warmest in opposition suddenly +changed their tone, and the whole body of the broad council accepted the +articles of capitulation by a unanimous vote. + +The window was instantly thrown open, and the decision publicly +announced. The populace, wild with delight, rushed through the streets, +tearing down the arms of the Duke of Anjou, which had remained above the +public edifices since the period of that personage's temporary residence +in the Netherlands, and substituting, with wonderful celerity, the +escutcheon of Philip the Second. Thus suddenly could an Antwerp mob pass +from democratic insolence to intense loyalty. + +The articles, on the whole, were as liberal as could have been expected. +The only hope for Antwerp and for a great commonwealth of all the +Netherlands was in holding out, even to the last gasp, until England and +Holland, now united, had time to relieve the city. This was, +unquestionably, possible. Had Antwerp possessed the spirit of Leyden, had +William of Orange been alive, that Spanish escutcheon, now raised with +such indecent haste, might have never been seen again on the outside wall +of any Netherland edifice. Belgium would have become at once a +constituent portion of a great independent national realm, instead of +languishing until our own century, the dependency of a distant and a +foreign metropolis. Nevertheless, as the Antwerpers were not disposed to +make themselves martyrs, it was something that they escaped the nameless +horrors which had often alighted upon cities subjected to an enraged +soldiery. It redounds to the eternal honour of Alexander Farnese--when +the fate of Naarden and Haarlem and Maestricht, in the days of Alva, and +of Antwerp itself in the horrible "Spanish fury," is remembered--that +there were no scenes of violence and outrage in the populous and wealthy +city, which was at length at his mercy after having defied him so long. + +Civil and religious liberty were trampled in the dust, commerce and +manufactures were destroyed, the most valuable portion of the citizens +sent into hopeless exile, but the remaining inhabitants were not +butchered in cold blood. + +The treaty was signed on the 17th August. Antwerp was to return to its +obedience. There was to be an entire amnesty and oblivion for the past, +without a single exception. Royalist absentees were to be reinstated in +their possessions. Monasteries, churches, and the King's domains were to +be restored to their former proprietors. The inhabitants of the city were +to practise nothing but the Catholic religion. Those who refused to +conform were allowed to remain two years for the purpose of winding up +their affairs and selling out their property, provided that during that +period they lived "without scandal towards the ancient religion"--a very +vague and unsatisfactory condition. All prisoners were to be released +excepting Teligny. Four hundred thousand florins were to be paid by the +authorities as a fine. The patriot garrison was to leave the city with +arms and baggage and all the honours of war. + +This capitulation gave more satisfaction to the hungry portion of the +Antwerpers than to the patriot party of the Netherlands. Sainte Aldegonde +was vehemently and unsparingly denounced as a venal traitor. It is +certain, whatever his motives, that his attitude had completely changed. +For it was not Antwerp alone that he had reconciled or was endeavouring +to reconcile with the King of Spain, but Holland and Zeeland as well, and +all the other independent Provinces. The ancient champion of the patriot +army, the earliest signer of the 'Compromise,' the bosom friend of +William the Silent, the author of the 'Wilhelmus' national song, now +avowed his conviction, in a published defence of his conduct against the +calumnious attacks upon it, "that it was impossible, with a clear +conscience, for subjects, under any circumstances, to take up arms +against Philip, their king." Certainly if he had always entertained that +opinion he must have suffered many pangs of remorse during his twenty +years of active and illustrious rebellion. He now made himself secretly +active in promoting the schemes of Parma and in counteracting the +negotiation with England. He flattered himself, with an infatuation which +it is difficult to comprehend, that it would be possible to obtain +religious liberty for the revolting Provinces, although he had consented +to its sacrifice in Antwerp. It is true that he had not the privilege of +reading Philip's secret letters to Parma, but what was there in the +character of the King--what intimation had ever been given by the +Governor-General--to induce a belief in even the possibility of such a +concession? + +Whatever Sainte Aldegonde's opinions, it is certain that Philip had no +intention of changing his own policy. He at first suspected the +burgomaster of a wish to protract the negotiations for a perfidious +purpose. + +"Necessity has forced Antwerp," he wrote on the 17th of August--the very +day on which the capitulation was actually signed--"to enter into +negotiation. I understand the artifice of Aldegonde in seeking to prolong +and make difficult the whole affair, under pretext of treating for the +reduction of Holland and Zeeland at the same time. It was therefore very +adroit in you to defeat this joint scheme at once, and urge the Antwerp +matter by itself, at the same time not shutting the door on the others. +With the prudence and dexterity with which this business has thus far +been managed I am thoroughly satisfied." + +The King also expressed his gratification at hearing from Parma that the +demand for religious liberty in the Netherlands would soon be abandoned. + +"In spite of the vehemence," he said, "which they manifest in the +religious matter, desiring some kind of liberty, they will in the end, as +you say they will, content themselves with what the other cities, which +have returned to obedience, have obtained. This must be done in all cases +without flinching, and without permitting any modification." + +What "had been obtained" by Brussels, Mechlin, Ghent, was well known. The +heretics had obtained the choice of renouncing their religion or of going +into perpetual exile, and this was to be the case "without flinching" in +Holland and Zeeland, if those provinces chose to return to obedience. Yet +Sainte Aldegonde deluded himself with the thought of a religious peace. + +In another and very important letter of the same date Philip laid down +his policy very distinctly. The Prince of Parma, by no means such a bigot +as his master, had hinted at the possibility of tolerating the reformed +religion in the places recovered from the rebels, sub silentio, for a +period not defined, and long enough for the heretics to awake from their +errors. + +"You have got an expression of opinion, I see," wrote the King to +Alexander, "of some grave men of wisdom and conscience, that the +limitation of time, during which the heretics may live without scandal, +may be left undefined; but I feel very keenly the danger of such a +proposition. With regard to Holland and Zeeland, or any other provinces +or towns, the first step must be for them to receive and maintain alone +the exercise of the Catholic religion, and to subject themselves to the +Roman church, without tolerating the exercise of any other religion, in +city, village, farm-house, or building thereto destined in the fields, or +in any place whatsoever; and in this regulation there is to be no flaw, +no change, no concession by convention or otherwise of a religious peace, +or anything of the sort. They are all to embrace the Roman Catholic +religion, and the exercise of that is alone to be permitted." + +This certainly was distinct enough, and nothing had been ever said in +public to induce a belief in any modification of the principles on which +Philip had uniformly acted. That monarch considered himself born to +suppress heresy, and he had certainly been carrying out this work during +his whole lifetime. + +The King was willing, however, as Alexander had intimated in his +negotiations with Antwerp, and previously in the capitulation of +Brussels, Ghent, and other places, that there should be an absence of +investigation into the private chambers of the heretics, during the +period allotted them for choosing between the Papacy and exile. + +"It may be permitted," said Philip, "to abstain from inquiring as to what +the heretics are doing within their own doors, in a private way, without +scandal, or any public exhibition of their rites during a fixed time. But +this connivance, and the abstaining from executing the heretics, or from +chastising them, even although they may be living very circumspectly, is +to be expressed in very vague terms." + +Being most anxious to provide against a second crop of heretics to +succeed the first, which he was determined to uproot, he took pains to +enjoin with his own hand upon Parma the necessity of putting in Catholic +schoolmasters and mistresses to the exclusion of reformed teachers into +all the seminaries of the recovered Provinces, in order that all the boys +and girls might grow up in thorough orthodoxy. + +Yet this was the man from whom Sainte Aldegonde imagined the possibility +of obtaining a religious peace. + +Ten days after the capitulation, Parma made his triumphal entrance into +Antwerp; but, according to his agreement, he spared the citizens the +presence of the Spanish and Italian soldiers, the military procession +being composed of the Germans and Walloons. Escorted by his body-guard, +and surrounded by a knot of magnates and veterans, among whom the Duke of +Arschot, the Prince of Chimay, the Counts Mansfeld, Egmont, and Aremberg, +were conspicuous, Alexander proceeded towards the captured city. He was +met at the Keyser Gate by a triumphal chariot of gorgeous workmanship, in +which sat the fair nymph Antwerpia, magnificently bedizened, and +accompanied by a group of beautiful maidens. Antwerpia welcomed the +conqueror with a kiss, recited a poem in his honour, and bestowed upon +him the keys of the city, one of which was in gold. This the Prince +immediately fastened to the chain around his neck, from which was +suspended the lamb of the golden fleece, with which order he had just +been, amid great pomp and ceremony, invested. + +On the public square called the Mere, the Genoese merchants had erected +two rostral columns, each surmounted by a colossal image, representing +respectively Alexander of Macedon and Alexander of Parma. Before the +house of Portugal was an enormous phoenix, expanding her wings quite +across the street; while, in other parts of the town, the procession was +met by ships of war, elephants, dromedaries, whales, dragons, and other +triumphal phenomena. In the market-place were seven statues in copper, +personifying the seven planets, together with an eighth representing +Bacchus; and perhaps there were good mythological reasons why the god of +wine, together with so large a portion of our solar system, should be +done in copper by Jacob Jongeling, to honour the triumph of Alexander, +although the key to the enigma has been lost. + +The cathedral had been thoroughly fumigated with frankincense, and +besprinkled with holy water, to purify the sacred precincts from their +recent pollution by the reformed rites; and the Protestant pulpits which +had been placed there, had been soundly beaten with rods, and then burned +to ashes. The procession entered within its walls, where a magnificent Te +Deum was performed, and then, after much cannon-firing, bell-ringing, +torch-light exhibition, and other pyrotechnics, the Prince made his way +at last to the palace provided for him. The glittering display, by which +the royalists celebrated their triumph, lasted three days' long, the city +being thronged from all the country round with eager and frivolous +spectators, who were never wearied with examining the wonders of the +bridge and the forts, and with gazing at the tragic memorials which still +remained of the fight on the Kowenstyn. + +During this interval, the Spanish and Italian soldiery, not willing to be +outdone in demonstrations of respect to their chief, nor defrauded of +their rightful claim to a holiday amused themselves with preparing a +demonstration of a novel character. The bridge, which, as it was well +known, was to be destroyed within a very few days, was adorned with +triumphal arches, and decked with trees and flowering plants; its roadway +was strewed with branches; and the palisades, parapets, and forts, were +garnished with wreaths, emblems, and poetical inscriptions in honour of +the Prince. The soldiers themselves, attired in verdurous garments of +foliage and flower-work, their swart faces adorned with roses and lilies, +paraded the bridge and the dyke in fantastic procession with clash of +cymbal and flourish of trumpet, dancing, singing, and discharging their +carbines, in all the delirium of triumph. Nor was a suitable termination +to the festival wanting, for Alexander, pleased with the genial character +of these demonstrations, repaired himself to the bridge, where he was +received with shouts of rapture by his army, thus whimsically converted +into a horde of fauns and satyrs. Afterwards, a magnificent banquet was +served to the soldiers upon the bridge. The whole extent of its surface, +from the Flemish to the Brabant shore--the scene so lately of deadly +combat, and of the midnight havoc caused by infernal enginery--was +changed, as if by the stroke of a wand, into a picture of sylvan and +Arcadian merry-making, and spread with tables laden with delicate viands. +Here sat that host of war--bronzed figures, banqueting at their ease, +their heads crowned with flowers, while the highest magnates of the army, +humouring them in their masquerade, served them with dainties, and filled +their goblets with wine. + +After these festivities had been concluded, Parma set himself to +practical business. There had been a great opposition, during the +discussion of the articles of capitulation to the reconstruction of the +famous citadel. That fortress had been always considered, not as a +defence of the place against a foreign enemy, but as an instrument to +curb the burghers themselves beneath a hostile power. The city +magistrates, however, as well as the dean and chief officers in all the +guilds and fraternities, were at once changed by Parma--Catholics being +uniformly substituted for heretics. In consequence, it was not difficult +to bring about a change of opinion in the broad council. It is true that +neither Papists nor Calvinists regarded with much satisfaction the +prospect of military violence being substituted for civic rule, but in +the first effusion of loyalty, and in the triumph of the ancient +religion, they forgot the absolute ruin to which their own action was now +condemning their city. Champagny, who had once covered himself with glory +by his heroic though unsuccessful efforts to save Antwerp from the +dreadful "Spanish fury" which had descended from that very citadel, was +now appointed governor of the town, and devoted himself to the +reconstruction of the hated fortress. "Champagny has particularly aided +me," wrote Parma, "with his rhetoric and clever management, and has +brought the broad council itself to propose that the citadel should be +rebuilt. It will therefore be done, as by the burghers themselves, +without your Majesty or myself appearing to desire it." + +This was, in truth, a triumph of "rhetoric and clever management," nor +could a city well abase itself more completely, kneeling thus cheerfully +at its conqueror's feet, and requesting permission to put the yoke upon +its own neck. "The erection of the castle has thus been determined upon," +said Parma, "and I am supposed to know nothing of the resolution." + +A little later he observed that they, were "working away most furiously +at the citadel, and that within a month it would be stronger than it ever +had been before." + +The building went on, indeed, with astonishing celerity, the fortress +rising out of its ruins almost as rapidly, under the hands of the +royalists, as it had been demolished, but a few years before, by the +patriots. The old foundations still remained, and blocks of houses, which +had been constructed out of its ruins, were thrown down that the +materials might be again employed in its restoration. + +The citizens, impoverished and wretched, humbly demanded that the expense +of building the citadel might be in part defrayed by the four hundred +thousand florins in which they had been mulcted by the capitulation. "I +don't marvel at this," said Parma, "for certainly the poor city is most +forlorn and poverty-stricken, the heretics having all left it." It was +not long before it was very satisfactorily established, that the presence +of those same heretics and liberty of conscience for all men, were +indispensable conditions for the prosperity of the great capital. Its +downfall was instantaneous. The merchants and industrious artisans all +wandered away from the place which had been the seat of a world-wide +traffic. Civilisation and commerce departed, and in their stead were the +citadel and the Jesuits. By express command of Philip, that order, +banished so recently, was reinstated in Antwerp, as well as throughout +the obedient provinces; and all the schools and colleges were placed +under its especial care. No children could be thenceforth instructed +except by the lips of those fathers. Here was a curb more efficacious +even than the citadel. That fortress was at first garrisoned with +Walloons and Germans. "I have not yet induced the citizens," said Parma, +"to accept a Spanish garrison, nor am I surprised; so many of them +remembering past events (alluding to the 'Spanish fury,' but not +mentioning it by name), and observing the frequent mutinies at the +present time. Before long, I expect, however, to make the Spaniards as +acceptable and agreeable as the inhabitants of the country themselves." + +It may easily be supposed that Philip was pleased with the triumphs that +had thus been achieved. He was even grateful, or affected to be grateful, +to him who had achieved them. He awarded great praise to Alexander for +his exertions, on the memorable occasions of the attack upon the bridge, +and the battle of the Kowenstyn; but censured him affectionately for so +rashly exposing his life. "I have no words," he said, "to render the +thanks which are merited for all that you have been doing. I recommend +you earnestly however to have a care for the security of your person, for +that is of more consequence than all the rest." + +After the news of the reduction of the city, he again expressed +gratification, but in rather cold language. "From such obstinate people," +said he, "not more could be extracted than has been extracted; therefore +the capitulation is satisfactory." What more he wished to extract it +would be difficult to say, for certainly the marrow had been extracted +from the bones, and the dead city was thenceforth left to moulder under +the blight of a foreign garrison and an army of Jesuits. "Perhaps +religious affairs will improve before long," said Philip. They did +improve very soon, as he understood the meaning of improvement. A +solitude of religion soon brought with it a solitude in every other +regard, and Antwerp became a desert, as Sainte Aldegonde had foretold +would be the case. + +The King had been by no means so calm, however, when the intelligence of +the capitulation first reached him at Madrid. On the contrary, his oldest +courtiers had never seen him exhibit such marks of hilarity. + +When he first heard of the glorious victory at Lepanto, his countenance +had remained impassive, and he had continued in the chapel at the +devotional exercises which the messenger from Don John had interrupted. +Only when the news of the Massacre of St. Bartholomew first reached him, +had he displayed an amount of cheerfulness equal to that which he +manifested at the fall of Antwerp. "Never," said Granvelle, "had the King +been so radiant with joy as when he held in his hand the despatches which +announced the capitulation." The letters were brought to him after he had +retired to rest, but his delight was so great that he could not remain in +his bed. Rushing from his chamber, so soon as he had read them, to that +of his dearly-beloved daughter, Clara Isabella, he knocked loudly at the +door, and screaming through the keyhole the three words, "Antwerp is +ours," returned precipitately again to his own apartment. + +It was the general opinion in Spain, that the capture of this city had +terminated the resistance of the Netherlands. Holland and Zeeland would, +it was thought, accept with very little hesitation the terms which Parma +had been offering, through the agency of Sainte Aldegonde; and, with the +reduction of those two provinces, the Spanish dominion over the whole +country would of course become absolute. Secretary Idiaquez observed, on +drawing up instructions for Carlo Coloma, a Spanish financier then +departing on special mission for the Provinces, that he would soon come +back to Spain, for the Prince of Parma was just putting an end to the +whole Belgic war. + +Time was to show whether Holland and Zeeland were as malleable as +Antwerp, and whether there would not be a battle or two more to fight +before that Belgic war would come to its end. Meantime Antwerp was +securely fettered, while the spirit of commerce--to which its unexampled +prosperity had been due--now took its flight to the lands where civil and +religious liberty had found a home. + + ===================================== + +NOTE on MARNIX DE SAINTE ALDEGONDE. + +As every illustration of the career and character of this eminent +personage excites constant interest in the Netherlands, I have here +thrown together, in the form of an Appendix, many important and entirely +unpublished details, drawn mainly from the Archives of Simancas, and from +the State Paper Office and British Museum in London. + +The ex-burgomaster seemed determined to counteract the policy of those +Netherlanders who wished to offer the sovereignty of the Provinces to the +English Queen. He had been earnestly in favour of annexation to France, +for his sympathies and feelings were eminently French. He had never been +a friend to England, and he was soon aware that a strong feeling of +indignation--whether just or unjust--existed against him both in that +country and in the Netherlands, on account of the surrender of Antwerp. + +"I have had large conference with Villiers," wrote Sir John Norris to +Walsingham, "he condemneth Ste. Aldegonde's doings, but will impute it to +fear and not to malice. Ste. Aldegonde, notwithstanding that he was +forbidden to come to Holland, and laid for at the fleet, yet stole +secretly to Dort, where they say he is staid, but I doubt he will be +heard speak, and then assuredly he will do great hurt." + +It was most certainly Sainte Aldegonde's determination, so soon as the +capitulation of Antwerp had been resolved upon, to do his utmost to +restore all the independent Provinces to their ancient allegiance. Rather +Spanish than English was his settled resolution. Liberty of religion, if +possible--that was his cherished wish--but still more ardently, perhaps, +did he desire to prevent the country from falling into the hands of +Elizabeth. + +"The Prince of Parma hath conceived such an assured hope of the fidelity +of Aldegonde," wrote one of Walsingham's agents, Richard Tomson, "in +reducing the Provinces, yet enemies, into a perfect subjection, that the +Spaniards are so well persuaded of the man as if he had never been +against them. They say, about the middle of this month, he departed for +Zeeland and Holland, to prosecute the effect of his promises, and I am +the more induced to believe that he is become altogether Spanish, for +that the common bruit goeth that he hastened the surrendering of the town +of Antwerp, after he had intelligence of the coming of the English +succours." + +There was naturally much indignation felt in the independent Provinces, +against all who had been thought instrumental in bringing about the +reduction of the great cities of Flanders. Famars, governor of Mechlin, +Van den Tympel, governor of Brussels, Martini, who had been active in +effecting the capitulation of Antwerp, were all arrested in Holland. +"From all that I can hear," said Parma, "it is likely that they will be +very severely handled, which is the reason why Ste. Aldegonde, although +he sent his wife and children to Holland, has not ventured thither +himself: It appears that they threaten him there, but he means now to go, +under pretext of demanding to justify himself from the imputations +against him. Although he tells me freely that, without some amplification +of the concessions hitherto made on the point of religion, he hopes for +no good result, yet I trust that he will do good offices in the meantime, +in spite of the difficulties which obstruct his efforts. On my part, +every exertion will be made, and not without hope of some fruit, if not +before, at least after, these people have become as tired of the English +as they were of the French." + +Of this mutual ill-feeling between the English and the burgomaster, there +can be no doubt whatever. The Queen's government was fully aware of his +efforts to counteract its negotiation with the Netherlands, and to bring +about their reconciliation with Spain. When the Earl of Leicester--as +will soon be related--arrived in the Provinces, he was not long in +comprehending his attitude and his influence. + +"I wrote somewhat of Sir Aldegonde in putting his case," wrote Leicester, +"but this is certain, I have the copy of his very letters sent hither to +practise the peace not two days before I came, and this day one hath told +me that loves him well, that he hates our countrymen unrecoverably. I am +sorry for it." + +On the other hand, the Queen was very indignant with the man whom she +looked upon as the paid agent of Spain. She considered him a renegade, +the more dangerous because his previous services had been so illustrious. +"Her Majesty's mislike towards Ste. Aldegonde continueth," wrote +Walsingham to Leicester, "and she taketh offence that he was not +restrained of his liberty by your Lordship's order." It is unquestionable +that the exburgomaster intended to do his best towards effecting the +reconciliation of all the Provinces with Spain; and it is equally certain +that the King had offered to pay him well, if he proved successful in his +endeavours. There is no proof, however, and no probability that Sainte +Aldegonde ever accepted or ever intended to accept the proffered bribe. +On the contrary, his whole recorded career ought to disprove the +supposition. Yet it is painful, to find him, at this crisis, assiduous in +his attempts to undo the great work of his own life, and still more +distressing to find that great rewards were distinctly offered to him for +such service. Immense promises had been frequently made no doubt to +William the Silent; nor could any public man, in such times, be so pure +that an attempt to tamper with him might not be made: but when the +personage, thus solicited, was evidently acting in the interests of the +tempters, it is not surprising that he should become the object of grave +suspicion. + +"It does not seem to me bad," wrote Philip to Parma, "this negotiation +which you have commenced with Ste. Aldegonde, in order to gain him, and +thus to employ his services in bringing about a reduction of the islands +(Holland and Zeeland). In exchange for this work, any thing which you +think proper to offer to him as a reward, will be capital well invested; +but it must not be given until the job is done." + +But the job was hard to do, and Sainte Aldegonde cared nothing for the +offered bribe. He was, however, most strangely confident of being able to +overcome, on the one hand, the opposition of Holland and Zeeland to the +hated authority of Spain, and, on the other, the intense abhorrence +entertained by Philip to liberty of conscience. + +Soon after the capitulation, he applied for a passport to visit those two +Provinces. Permission to come was refused him. Honest men from Antwerp, +he was informed, would be always welcome, but there was no room for him. +There was, however--or Parma persuaded himself that there was--a +considerable party in those countries in favour of reconciliation with +Spain. If the ex-burgomaster could gain a hearing, it was thought +probable that his eloquence would prove very effective. + +"We have been making efforts to bring about negotiations with Holland and +Zeeland," wrote Alexander to Philip. "Gelderland and Overyssel likewise +show signs of good disposition, but I have not soldiers enough to animate +the good and terrify the bad. As for Holland and Zeeland, there is a +strong inclination on the part of the people to a reconciliation, if some +concession could be made on the religious question, but the governors +oppose it, because they are perverse, and are relying on assistance from +England. Could this religious concession be made, an arrangement could, +without doubt, be accomplished, and more quickly than people think. +Nevertheless, in such a delicate matter, I am obliged to await your +Majesty's exact instructions and ultimatum." + +He then proceeded to define exactly the position and intentions of the +burgomaster. + +"The government of Holland and Zeeland," he said, "have refused a +passport to Ste. Aldegonde, and express dissatisfaction with him for +having surrendered Antwerp so soon. They know that he has much credit +with the people and with the ministers of the sects, and they are in much +fear of him because he is inclined for peace, which is against their +interests. They are, therefore, endeavouring to counteract my +negotiations with him. These have been, thus far, only in general terms. +I have sought to induce him to perform the offices required, without +giving him reason to expect any concession as to the exercise of +religion. He persuades himself that, in the end, there will be some +satisfaction obtained upon this point, and, under this impression he +considers the peace as good as concluded, there remaining no doubt as to +other matters. He has sent his wife to Zeeland, and is himself going to +Germany, where, as he says, he will do all the good service that he can. +He hopes that very shortly the Provinces will not only invite, but +implore him to come to them; in which case, he promises me to perform +miracles." + +Alexander then proceeded to pay a distinct tribute to Sainte Aldegonde's +motives; and, when it is remembered that the statement thus made is +contained in a secret despatch, in cipher, to the King, it may be assumed +to convey the sincere opinion of the man most qualified to judge +correctly as to this calumniated person's character. + +"Ste. Aldegonde offers me wonders," he said, "and I have promised him +that he shall be recompensed very largely; yet, although he is poor, I do +not find him influenced by mercenary or selfish considerations, but only +very set in opinions regarding his religion." + +The Prince had however no doubt of Sainte Aldegonde's sincerity, for +sincerity was a leading characteristic of the man. His word, once given, +was sacred, and he had given his word to do his best towards effecting a +reconciliation of the Provinces with Spain, and frustrating the efforts +of England. "Through the agency of Ste. Aldegonde and that of others" +wrote Parma, "I shall watch, day and night, to bring about a reduction of +Holland and Zeeland, if humanly possible. I am quite persuaded that they +will soon be sick of the English, who are now arriving, broken down, +without arms or money, and obviously incapable of holding out very long. +Doubtless, however, this English alliance, and the determination of the +Queen to do her utmost against us, complicates matters, and assists the +government of Holland and Zeeland in opposing the inclinations of their +people." + +Nothing ever came of these intended negotiations. The miracles were never +wrought, and even had Sainte Aldegonde been as venal as he was suspected +of being--which we have thus proof positive that he was not--he never +could have obtained the recompense, which, according to Philip's thrifty +policy, was not to be paid until it had been earned. Sainte Aldegonde's +hands were clean. It is pity that we cannot render the same tribute to +his political consistency of character. It is also certain that he +remained--not without reason--for a long time under a cloud. He became +the object of unbounded and reckless calumny. Antwerp had fallen, and the +necessary consequence of its reduction was the complete and permanent +prostration of its commerce and manufactures. These were transferred to +the new, free, national, independent, and prosperous commonwealth that +had risen in the "islands" which Parma and Sainte Aldegonde had vainly +hoped to restore to their ancient servitude. In a very few years after +the subjugation of Antwerp, it appeared by statistical documents that +nearly all the manufactures of linen, coarse and fine cloths, serges, +fustians, tapestry, gold-embroidery, arms-work, silks, and velvets, had +been transplanted to the towns of Holland and Zeeland, which were +flourishing and thriving, while the Flemish and Brabantine cities had +become mere dens of thieves and beggars. It was in the mistaken hope of +averting this catastrophe--as melancholy as it was inevitable and in +despair of seeing all the Netherlands united, unless united in slavery, +and in deep-rooted distrust of the designs and policy of England, that +this statesman, once so distinguished, had listened to the insidious +tongue of Parma. He had sought to effect a general reconciliation with +Spain, and the only result of his efforts was a blight upon his own +illustrious name. + +He published a defence of his conduct, and a detailed account of the +famous siege. His apology, at the time, was not considered conclusive, +but his narrative remains one of the clearest and most trustworthy +sources for the history of these important transactions. He was never +brought to trial, but he discovered, with bitterness, that he had +committed a fatal error, and that his political influence had passed +away. He addressed numerous private epistles to eminent persons, +indignantly denying the imputations against his character, and demanding +an investigation. Among other letters he observed in one to Count +Hohenlo, that he was astonished and grieved to find that all his faithful +labours and sufferings in the cause of his fatherland had been forgotten +in an hour. In place of praise and gratitude, he had reaped nothing but +censure and calumny; because men ever judged, not by the merits, but by +the issue. That common people should be so unjust, he said, was not to be +wondered at, but of men like Hohenlo be had hoped better things. He +asserted that he had saved Antwerp from another "Spanish fury," and from +impending destruction--a city in which there was not a single regular +soldier, and in which his personal authority was so slight that he was +unable to count the number of his masters. If a man had ever performed a +service to his country, he claimed to have done so in this capitulation. +Nevertheless, he declared that he was the same Philip Marnix, earnestly +devoted to the service of God, the true religion, and the fatherland; +although he avowed himself weary of the war, and of this perpetual +offering of the Netherland sovereignty to foreign potentates. He was now +going, he said, to his estates in Zeeland; there to turn farmer again; +renouncing public affairs, in the administration of which he had +experienced so much ingratitude from his countrymen. Count Maurice and +the States of Holland and Zeeland wrote to him, however, in very plain +language, describing the public indignation as so strong as to make it +unsafe for him to visit the country. + +The Netherlands and England--so soon as they were united in policy--were, +not without reason, indignant with the man who had made such strenuous +efforts to prevent that union. The English were, in truth, deeply +offended. He had systematically opposed their schemes, and to his +prejudice against their country, and distrust of their intentions, they +attributed the fall of Antwerp. Envoy Davison, after his return to +Holland, on the conclusion of the English treaty, at once expressed his +suspicions of the ex-burgomaster, and the great dangers to be apprehended +from his presence in the free States. "Here is some working underhand," +said he to Walsingham, "to draw hither Sainte Aldegonde, under a pretext +of his justification, which--as it has hitherto been denied him--so is +the sequel suspected, if he should obtain it before they were well +settled here, betwixt her Majesty and them, considering the manifold +presumptions that the subject of his journey should be little profitable +or advantageous to the state of these poor countries, as tending, at the +best, to the propounding of some general reconcilement." It was certainly +not without substantial grounds that the English and Hollanders, after +concluding their articles of alliance, felt uneasy at the possibility of +finding their plans reversed by the intrigues of a man whom they knew to +be a mediator between Spain and her revolted Provinces, and whom they +suspected of being a venal agent of the Catholic King. It was given out +that Philip had been induced to promise liberty of religion, in case of +reconciliation. We have seen that Parma was at heart in favour of such a +course, and that he was very desirous of inducing Marnix to believe in +the possibility of obtaining such a boon, however certain the Prince had +been made by the King's secret letters, that such a belief was a +delusion. "Martini hath been examined," wrote Davison, "who confesseth +both for himself and others, to become hither by direction of the Prince +of Parma and intelligence of Sainte Aldegonde, from whom he was first +addressed by Villiers and afterwards to others for advice and assistance. +That the scope of this direction was to induce them here to hearken to a +peace, wherein the Prince of Parma promiseth them toleration of religion, +although he confesseth yet to have no absolute power in that behalf, but +hath written thereof to the King expressly, and holdeth himself assured +thereof by the first post, as I have likewise been advertised from +Rowland York, which if it had been propounded openly here before things +had been concluded with her Majesty, and order taken for her assurance, +your honour can judge what confusion it must of necessity have brought +forth." + +At last, when Marnix had become convinced that the toleration would not +arrive "by the very next mail from Spain," and that, in truth, such a +blessing was not to be expected through the post-office at all, he felt +an inward consciousness of the mistake which he had committed. Too +credulously had he inclined his ear to the voice of Parma; too +obstinately had he steeled his heart against Elizabeth, and he was now +the more anxious to clear himself at least from the charges of corruption +so clamorously made against him by Holland and by England. Conscious of +no fault more censurable than credulity and prejudice, feeling that his +long fidelity to the reformed religion ought to be a defence for him +against his calumniators, he was desirous both to clear his own honour, +and to do at least a tardy justice to England. He felt confident that +loyal natures, like those of Davison and his colleagues at home, would +recognize his own loyalty. He trusted, not without cause, to English +honour, and coming to his manor-house of Zoubourg, near Flushing, he +addressed a letter to the ambassador of Elizabeth, in which the strong +desire to vindicate his aspersed integrity is quite manifest. + +"I am very joyous," said he, "that coming hither in order to justify +myself against the false and malignant imputations with which they charge +me, I have learned your arrival here on the part of her Majesty, as well +as the soon expected coming of the Earl of Leicester. I see, in truth, +that the Lord God is just, and never abandons his own. I have never +spared myself in the service of my country, and I would have sacrificed +my life, a thousand times, had it been possible, in her cause. Now, I am +receiving for all this a guerdon of blame and calumny, which is cast upon +me in order to cover up faults which have been committed by others in +past days. I hope, however, to come soon to give you welcome, and to +speak more particularly to you of all these things. Meantime demanding my +justification before these gentlemen, who ought to have known me better +than to have added faith to such villanous imputations, I will entreat +you that my definite justification, or condemnation, if I have merited +it, may be reserved till the arrival of Lord Leicester." + +This certainly was not the language of a culprit, Nevertheless, his words +did not immediately make a deep impression on the hearts of those who +heard him. He had come secretly to his house at Zoubourg, having +previously published his memorable apology; and in accordance with the +wishes of the English government, he was immediately confined to his own +house. Confidence in the intention of a statesman, who had at least +committed such grave errors of judgment, and who had been so deeply +suspected of darker faults, was not likely very soon to revive. So far +from shrinking from an investigation which would have been dangerous, +even to his life, had the charges against his honour been founded in +fact, he boldly demanded to be confronted with his accusers, in order +that he might explain his conduct before all the world. "Sir, +yesternight, at the shutting of the gates," wrote Davison to Walsingham, +transmitting the little note from Marnix, which has just been cited--"I +was advertised that Ste. Aldegonde was not an hour before secretly landed +at the head on the other side the Rammekens, and come to his house at +Zoubourg, having prepared his way by an apology, newly published in his +defence, whereof I have as yet recovered one only copy, which herewith I +send your honour. This day, whilst I was at dinner, he sent his son unto +me, with a few lines, whereof I send you the copy, advertising me of his +arrival (which he knew I understood before), together with the desire he +had to see me, and speak with me, if the States, before whom he was to +come to purge himself of the crimes wherewith he stood, as he with, +unjustly charged, would vouchsafe him so much liberty. The same morning, +the council of Zeeland, taking knowledge of his arrival, sent unto him +the pensioner of Middelburgh and this town, to sound the causes of his +coming, and to will him, in their behalf, to keep his house, and to +forbear all meddling by word or writing, with any whatsoever, till they +should further advise and determine in his cause. In defence thereof, he +fell into large and particular discourse with the deputies, accusing his +enemies of malice and untruth, offering himself to any trial, and to +abide what punishment the laws should lay upon him, if he were found +guilty of the crimes imputed to him. Touching the cause of his coming, he +pretended and protested that he had no other end than his simple +justification, preferring any hazard he might incur thereby, to his +honour and good fame." As to the great question at issue, Marnix had at +last become conscious that he had been a victim to Spanish dissimulation, +and that Alexander Fainese was in reality quite powerless to make that +concession of religious liberty, without which a reconciliation between +Holland and Philip was impossible. "Whereas," said Davison, "it was +supposed that Ste. Aldegonde had commission from the Prince of Parma to +make some offer of peace, he assured them of the contrary as a thing +which neither the Prince had any power to yield unto with the surety of +religion, or himself would, in conscience, persuade without it; with a +number of other particularities in his excuse; amongst the rest, allowing +and commending in his speech, the course they had taken with her Majesty, +as the only safe way of deliverance for these afflicted +countries--letting them understand how much the news thereof--specially +since the entry of our garrison into this place (which before they would +in no sort believe), hath troubled the enemy, who doth what he may to +suppress the bruit thereof, and yet comforteth himself with the hope that +between the factions and partialities nourished by his industry, and +musters among the towns, especially in Holland and Zeeland (where he is +persuaded to find some pliable to a reconcilement) and the disorders and +misgovernment of our people, there will be yet occasion offered him to +make his profit and advantage. I find that the gentleman hath here many +friends indifferently persuaded of his innocency, notwithstanding the +closing up of his apology doth make but little for him. Howsoever it be, +it falleth out the better that the treaty with her Majesty is finished, +and the cautionary towns assured before his coming, which, if he be ill +affected, will I hope either reform his judgment or restrain his will. I +will not forget to do the best I can to sift and decipher him yet more +narrowly and particularly." + +Thus, while the scales had at length fallen from the eyes of Marnix, it +was not strange that the confidence which he now began to entertain in +the policy of England, should not be met, at the outset, with a +corresponding sentiment on the part of the statesman by whom that policy +was regulated. "Howsoever Ste. Aldegonde would seem to purge himself," +said Davison, "it is suspected that his end is dangerous. I have done +what I may to restrain him, so nevertheless as it may not seem to come +from me." And again--"Ste. Aldegonde," he wrote, "contimieth still our +neighbor at his house between this and Middelburg; yet unmolested. He +findeth many favourers, and, I fear, doth no good offices. He desireth to +be reserved till the coming of my Lord of Leicester, before whom he +pretends a desired trial." + +This covert demeanour on the part of the ambassador was in accordance +with, the wishes of his government. It was thought necessary that Sainte +Aldegonde should be kept under arrest until the arrival of the Earl, but +deemed preferable that the restraint should proceed from the action of +the States rather than from the order of the Queen. Davison was +fulfilling orders in attempting, by underhand means, to deprive Marnix, +for a time, of his liberty. "Let him, I pray you, remain in good safety +in any wise," wrote Leicester, who was uneasy at the thought of so +influential, and, as he thought, so ill-affected a person being at large, +but at the same time disposed to look dispassionately upon his past +conduct, and to do justice, according to the results of an investigation. +"It is thought meet," wrote Walsingham to Davison, "that you should do +your best endeavour to procure that Ste. Aldegonde may be restrained, +which in mine opinion were fit to be handled in such sort, as the +restraint might rather proceed from themselves than by your solicitation. +And yet rather than he should remain at liberty to practise underhand, +whereof you seem to stand in great doubt, it is thought meet that you +should make yourself a partizan, to seek by all the means that you may to +have him restrained under the guard of some well affected patriot until +the Earl's coming, at what time his cause may receive examination." + +This was, however, a result somewhat difficult to accomplish; for twenty +years of noble service in the cause of liberty had not been utterly in +vain, and there were many magnanimous spirits to sympathize with a great +man struggling thus in the meshes of calumny. That the man who challenged +rather than shunned investigation, should be thrown into prison, as if he +were a detected felon upon the point of absconding, seemed a heartless +and superfluous precaution. Yet Davison and others still feared the man +whom they felt obliged to regard as a baffled intriguer. "Touching the +restraint of Ste. Aldegonde," wrote Davison to Lord Burghley, "which I +had order from Mr. Secretary to procure underhand, I find the difficulty +will be great in regard of his many friends and favourers, preoccupied +with some opinion of his innocence, although I have travailled with +divers of them underhand, and am promised that some order shall be taken +in that behalf, which I think will be harder to execute as long as Count +Maurice is here. For Ste. Aldegonde's affection, I find continual matter +to suspect it inclined to a peace, and that as one notably prejudging our +scope and proceeding in this cause, doth lie in wait for an occasion to +set it forward, being, as it seems, fed with a hope of 'telle quelle +liberte de conscience,' which the Prince of Parma and others of his +council have, as he confesseth, earnestly solicited at the King's hands. +This appeareth, in truth, the only apt and easy way for them to prevail +both against religion and the liberty of these poor countries, having +thereby once recovered the authority which must necessarily follow a +peace, to renew and alter the magistrates of the particular towns, which, +being at their devotion, may turn, as we say, all upside down, and so in +an instant being under their servitude, if not wholly, at the least in a +great part of the country, leaving so much the less to do about the rest, +a thing confessed and looked for of all men of any judgment here, if the +drift of our peace-makers may take effect." + +Sainte Aldegonde had been cured of his suspicions of England, and at last +the purity of his own character shone through the mists. + +One winter's morning, two days after Christmas, 1585, Colonel Morgan, an +ingenuous Welshman, whom we have seen doing much hard fighting on +Kowenstyn Dyke, and at other places, and who now commanded the garrison +at Flushing, was taking a walk outside the gates, and inhaling the salt +breezes from the ocean. While thus engaged he met a gentleman coming +along, staff in hand, at a brisk pace towards the town, who soon proved +to be no other than the distinguished and deeply suspected Sainte +Aldegonde. The two got at once into conversation. "He began," said +Morgan, "by cunning insinuations, to wade into matters of state, and at +the last fell to touching the principal points, to wit, her Majesty's +entrance into the cause now in hand, which, quoth he, was an action of +high importance, considering how much it behoved her to go through the +same, as well in regard of the hope that thereby was given to the +distressed people of these parts, as also in consideration of that worthy +personage whom she hath here placed, whose estate and credit may not be +suffered to quail, but must be upholden as becometh the lieutenant of +such a princess as her Majesty." + +"The opportunity thus offered," continued honest Morgan, "and the way +opened by himself, I thought good to discourse with him to the full, +partly to see the end and drift of his induced talk, and consequently to +touch his quick in the suspected cause of Antwerp." And thus, word for +word, taken down faithfully the same day, proceeded the dialogue that +wintry morning, near three centuries ago. From that simple +record--mouldering unseen and unthought of for ages, beneath piles of +official dust--the forms of the illustrious Fleming and the bold Welsh +colonel, seem to start, for a brief moment, out of the three hundred +years of sleep which have succeeded their energetic existence upon earth. +And so, with the bleak winds of December whistling over the breakers of +the North Sea, the two discoursed together, as they paced along the +coast. + +Morgan.--"I charge you with your want of confidence in her Majesty's +promised aid. 'Twas a thing of no small moment had it been embraced when +it was first most graciously offered." + +Sainte Aldegonde.--"I left not her prince-like purpose unknown to the +States, who too coldly and carelessly passed over the benefit thereof, +until it was too late to put the same in practice. For my own part, I +acknowledge that indeed I thought some further advice would either alter +or at least detract from the accomplishment of her determination. I +thought this the rather because she had so long been wedded to peace, and +I supposed it impossible to divorce her from so sweet a spouse. But, set +it down that she were resolute, yet the sickness of Antwerp was so +dangerous, as it was to be doubted the patient would be dead before the +physician could come. I protest that the state of the town was much worse +than was known to any but myself and some few private persons. The want +of victuals was far greater than they durst bewray, fearing lest the +common people, perceiving the plague of famine to be at hand, would +rather grow desperate than patiently expect some happy event. For as they +were many in number, so were they wonderfully divided: some being +Martinists, some Papists, some neither the one nor the other, but +generally given to be factious, so that the horror at home was equal to +the hazard abroad." + +Morgan.--"But you forget the motion made by the martial men for putting +out of the town such as were simple artificers, with women and children, +mouths that consumed meat, but stood in no stead for defence." + +Sainte Aldegonde.--"Alas, alas! would you have had me guilty of the +slaughter of so many innocents, whose lives were committed to my charge, +as well as the best? Or might I have answered my God when those massacred +creatures should have stood up against me, that the hope of Antwerp's +deliverance was purchased with the blood of so many simple souls? No, no. +I should have found my conscience such a hell and continual worm as the +gnawing thereof would have been more painful and bitter than the +possession of the whole world would have been pleasant." + +Morgan continued to press the various points which had created suspicion +as to the character and motives of Marnix, and point by point Marnix +answered his antagonist, impressing him, armed as he had been in +distrust, with an irresistible conviction as to the loftiness of the +nature which had been so much calumniated. + +Sainte Aldegonde (with vehemence).--"I do assure you, in conclusion, that +I have solemnly vowed service and duty to her Majesty, which I am ready +to perform where and when it may best like her to use the same. I will +add moreover that I have oftentimes determined to pass into England to +make my own purgation, yet fearing lest her Highness would mislike so +bold a resolution, I have checked that purpose with a resolution to tarry +the Lord's leisure, until some better opportunity might answer my desire. +For since I know not how I stand in her grace, unwilling I am to attempt +her presence without permission; but might it please her to command my +attendance, I should not only most joyfully accomplish the same, but also +satisfy her of and in all such matters as I stand charged with, and +afterwards spend life, land, and goods, to witness my duty towards her +Highness." + +Morgan.--"I tell you plainly, that if you are in heart the same man that +you seem outwardly to be, I doubt not but her Majesty might easily be +persuaded to conceive a gracious opinion of you. For mine own part, I +will surely advertise Sir Francis Walsingham of as much matter as this +present conference hath ministered. + +"Hereof," said the Colonel--when, according to his promise, faithfully +recording the conversation in all its details for Mr. Secretary's +benefit, "he seemed not only content but most glad. Therefore I beseech +your honour to vouchsafe some few lines herein, that I may return him +some part of your mind. I have already written thereof to Sir Philip +Sidney, lord governor of Flushing, with request that his Excellency the +Earl of Leicester may presently be made acquainted with the cause." + +Indeed the brave Welshman was thoroughly converted from his suspicions by +the earnest language and sympathetic presence of the fallen statesman. +This result of the conference was creditable to the ingenuous character +of both personages. + +"Thus did he," wrote Morgan to Sir Francis, "from point to point, answer +all objections from the first to the last, and that in such sound and +substantial manner, with a strong show of truth, as I think his very +enemies, having heard his tale, would be satisfied. And truly, Sir, as +heretofore I have thought hardly of him, being led by a superficial +judgment of things as they stood in outward appearance; so now, having +pierced deep, and weighed causes by a sounder and more deliberate +consideration, I find myself somewhat changed in conceit--not so much +carried away by the sweetness of his speech, as confirmed by the force of +his religious profession, wherein he remaineth constant, without +wavering--an argument of great strength to set him free from treacherous +attempts; but as I am herein least able and most unworthy to yield any +censure, much less to give advice, so I leave the man and the matter to +your honour's opinion. Only (your graver judgment reserved) thus I think, +that it were good either to employ him as a friend, or as an enemy to +remove him farther from us, being a man of such action as the world +knoweth he is. And to conclude," added Morgan, "this was the upshot +between us." + +Nevertheless, he remained in this obscurity for a long period. When, +towards the close of the year 1585, the English government was +established in Holland, he was the object of constant suspicion. + +"Here is Aldegonde," wrote Sir Philip Sidney to Lord Leicester from +Flushing, "a man greatly suspected, but by no man charged. He lives +restrained to his own house, and for aught I can find, deals with +nothing, only desiring to have his cause wholly referred to your +Lordship, and therefore, with the best heed I can to his proceedings, I +will leave him to his clearing or condemning, when your Lordship shall +hear him." + +In another letter, Sir Philip again spoke of Sainte Aldegonde as "one of +whom he kept a good opinion, and yet a suspicious eye." + +Leicester himself was excessively anxious on the subject, deeply fearing +the designs of a man whom he deemed so mischievous, and being earnestly +desirous that he should not elude the chastisement which he seemed to +deserve. + +"Touching Ste. Aldegonde," he wrote to Davison, "I grieve that he is at +his house without good guard. I do earnestly pray you to move such as +have power presently to commit a guard about him, for I know he is a +dangerous and a bold man, and presumes yet to carry all, for he hath made +many promises to the Prince of Parma. I would he were in Fort Rammekyns, +or else that Mr. Russell had charge of him, with a recommendation from me +to Russell to look well to him till I shall arrive. You must have been so +commanded in this from her Majesty, for she thinks he is in close and +safe guard. If he is not, look for a turn of all things, for he hath +friends, I know." + +But very soon after his arrival, the Earl, on examining into the matter, +saw fit to change his opinions and his language. Persuaded, in spite of +his previous convictions, even as the honest Welsh colonel had been, of +the upright character of the man, and feeling sure that a change had come +over the feelings of Marnix himself in regard to the English alliance, +Leicester at once interested himself in removing the prejudices +entertained towards him by the Queen. + +"Now a few words for Ste. Aldegonde," said he in his earliest despatches +from Holland; "I will beseech her Majesty to stay her judgment till I +write next. If the man be as he now seemeth, it were pity to lose him, +for he is indeed marvellously friended. Her Majesty will think, I know, +that I am easily pacified or led in such a matter, but I trust so to deal +as she shall give me thanks. Once if he do offer service it is sure +enough, for he is esteemed that way above all the men in this country for +his word, if he give it. His worst enemies here procure me to win him, +for sure, just matter for his life there is none. He would fain come into +England, so far is he come already, and doth extol her Majesty for this +work of hers to heaven, and confesseth, till now an angel could not make +him believe it." + +Here certainly was a noble tribute paid unconsciously, as it were, to the +character of the maligned statesman. "Above all the men in the country +for his word, if he give it." What wonder that Orange had leaned upon +him, that Alexander had sought to gain him, and how much does it add to +our bitter regret that his prejudices against England should not have +been removed until too late for Antwerp and for his own usefulness. Had +his good angel really been present to make him believe in that "work of +her Majesty," when his ear was open to the seductions of Parma, the +destiny of Belgium and his own subsequent career might have been more +fortunate than they became. + +The Queen was slow to return from her prejudices. She believed--not +without reason--that the opposition of Ste. Aldegonde to her policy had +been disastrous to the cause both of England and the Netherlands; and it +had been her desire that he should be imprisoned, and tried for his life. +Her councillors came gradually to take a more favourable view of the +case, and to be moved by the pathetic attitude of the man who had once +been so conspicuous. + +"I did acquaint Sir Christopher Hatton," wrote Walsingham to Leicester, +"with the letter which Ste. Aldegonde wrote to your Lordship, which, +carrying a true picture of an afflicted mind, cannot but move an honest +heart, weighing the rare parts the gentleman is endowed withal, to pity +his distressed estate, and, to procure him relief and comfort, which Mr. +Vice-Chamberlain (Hatton) bath promised on his part to perform. I thought +good to send Ste. Aldegonde's letter unto the Lord Treasurer (Burghley), +who heretofore has carried a hard conceit of the gentleman, hoping that +the view of his letter will breed some remorse towards him. I have also +prayed his Lordship, if he see cause, to acquaint her Majesty with the +said letter." + +But his high public career was closed. He lived down calumny; and put his +enemies to shame, but the fatal error which he had committed, in taking +the side of Spain rather than of England at so momentous a crisis, could +never be repaired. He regained the good opinion of the most virtuous and +eminent personages in Europe, but in the noon of life he voluntarily +withdrew from public affairs. The circumstances just detailed had made +him impossible as a political leader, and it was equally impossible for +him to play a secondary part. He occasionally consented to be employed in +special diplomatic missions, but the serious avocations of his life now +became theological and literary. He sought--in his own words--to +penetrate himself still more deeply than ever with the spirit of the +reformation, and to imbue the minds of the young with that deep love for +the reformed religion which had been the guiding thought of his own +career. He often spoke with a sigh of his compulsory exile from the field +where he had been so conspicuous all his lifetime; he bitterly lamented +the vanished dream of the great national union between Belgium and +Holland, which had flattered his youth and his manhood; and he sometimes +alluded with bitterness to the calumny which had crippled him of his +usefulness. He might have played a distinguished part in that powerful +commonwealth which was so steadily and splendidly arising out of the +lagunes of Zeeland and Holland, but destiny and calumny and his own error +had decided otherwise. + +"From the depth of my exile--" he said, "for I am resolved to retire, I +know not where, into Germany, perhaps into Sarmatia, I shall look from +afar upon the calamities of my country. That which to me is most mournful +is no longer to be able to assist my fatherland by my counsels and my +actions." He did not go into exile, but remained chiefly at his mansion +of Zoubourg, occupied with agriculture and with profound study. Many +noble works conspicuous in the literature of the epoch--were the results +of his learned leisure; and the name of Marnix of Sainte Aldegonde will +be always as dear to the lovers of science and letters as to the +believers in civil and religious liberty. At the request of the States of +Holland he undertook, in 1593, a translation of the Scriptures from the +original, and he was at the same time deeply engaged with a History of +Christianity, which he intended for his literary master-piece. The man +whose sword had done knightly service on many a battle-field for freedom, +whose tongue had controlled mobs and senates, courts and councils, whose +subtle spirit had metamorphosed itself into a thousand shapes to do +battle with the genius of tyranny, now quenched the feverish agitation of +his youth and manhood in Hebrew and classical lore. A grand and noble +figure always: most pathetic when thus redeeming by vigorous but solitary +and melancholy hard labor, the political error which had condemned him to +retirement. To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature. +Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" was the device which he +assumed in earliest youth, and to which he was faithful all his days. + +A great and good man whose life had been brim-full of noble deeds, and +who had been led astray from the path, not of virtue, but of sound +policy, by his own prejudices and by the fascination of an intellect even +more brilliant than his own, he at least enjoyed in his retirement +whatever good may come from hearty and genuine labor, and from the high +regard entertained for him by the noblest spirits among his +contemporaries. + +"They tell me," said La Noue, "that the Seigneur de Ste. Aldegonde has +been suspected by the Hollanders and the English. I am deeply grieved, +for 'tis a personage worthy to be employed. I have always known him to be +a zealous friend of his religion and his country, and I will bear him +this testimony, that his hands and his heart are clean. Had it been +otherwise, I must have known it. His example has made me regret the less +the promise I was obliged to make, never to bear arms again in the +Netherlands. For I have thought that since this man, who has so much +credit and authority among your people, after having done his duty well, +has not failed to be calumniated and ejected from service, what would +they have done with me, who am a stranger, had I continued in their +employment? The consul Terentius Varro lost, by his fault, the battle of +Canna; nevertheless, when he returned to Rome, offering the remainder of +his life in the cause of his Republic reduced to extremity, he was not +rejected, but well received, because he hoped well for the country. It is +not to be imputed as blame to Ste. Aldegonde that he lost Antwerp, for he +surrendered when it could not be saved. What I now say is drawn from me +by the compassion I feel when persons of merit suffer without cause at +the hands of their fellow citizens. In these terrible tempests, as it is +a duty rigorously to punish the betrayers of their country, even so it is +an obligation upon us to honor good patriots, and to support them in +venial errors, that we may all encourage each other to do the right." + +Strange too as it may now seem to us, a reconciliation of the Netherlands +with Philip was not thought an impossibility by other experienced and +sagacious patriots, besides Marnix. Even Olden-Barneveld, on taking +office as Holland's Advocate, at this period, made it a condition that +his service was to last only until the reunion of the Provinces with +Spain. + +There was another illustrious personage in a foreign land who ever +rendered homage to the character of the retired Netherland statesman. +Amid the desolation of France, Duplessis Mornay often solaced himself by +distant communion with that kindred and sympathizing spirit. + +"Plunged in public annoyances," he wrote to Sainte Aldegonde, "I find no +consolation, except in conference with the good, and among the good I +hold you for one of the best. With such men I had rather sigh profoundly +than laugh heartily with others. In particular, Sir, do me the honor to +love me, and believe that I honor you singularly. Impart to me something +from your solitude, for I consider your deserts to be more fruitful and +fertile than our most cultivated habitations. As for me, think of me as +of a man drowning in the anxieties of the time, but desirous, if +possible, of swimming to solitude." + +Thus solitary, yet thus befriended,--remote from public employment, yet +ever employed, doing his daily work with all his soul and strength, +Marnix passed the fifteen years yet remaining to him. Death surprised him +at last, at Leyden, in the year 1598, while steadily laboring upon his +Flemish translation of the Old Testament, and upon the great political, +theological, controversial, and satirical work on the differences of +religion, which remains the most stately, though unfinished, monument of +his literary genius. At the age of sixty he went at last to the repose +which he had denied to himself on earth. "Repos ailleurs." + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors + Possible to do, only because we see that it has been done + Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" + Soldiers enough to animate the good and terrify the bad + To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature + When persons of merit suffer without cause + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History United Netherlands, Volume 42, 1585 + + + + +CHAPTER VI., Part 1. + + Policy of England--Diplomatic Coquetry--Dutch Envoys in England-- + Conference of Ortel and Walsingham--Interview with Leicester-- + Private Audience of the Queen--Letters of the States--General-- + Ill Effects of Gilpin's Despatch--Close Bargaining of the Queen and + States--Guarantees required by England--England's comparative + Weakness--The English characterised--Paul Hentzner--The Envoys in + London--Their Characters--Olden-Barneveldt described--Reception at + Greenwich--Speech of Menin--Reply of the Queen--Memorial of the + Envoys--Discussions with the Ministers--Second Speech of the Queen + --Third Speech of the Queen + +England as we have seen--had carefully watched the negotiations between +France and the Netherlands. Although she had--upon the whole, for that +intriguing age--been loyal in her bearing towards both parties, she was +perhaps not entirely displeased with the result. As her cherished +triumvirate was out of the question, it was quite obvious that, now or +never, she must come forward to prevent the Provinces from falling back +into the hands of Spain. The future was plainly enough foreshadowed, and +it was already probable, in case of a prolonged resistance on the part of +Holland, that Philip would undertake the reduction of his rebellious +subjects by a preliminary conquest of England. It was therefore quite +certain that the expense and danger of assisting the Netherlands must +devolve upon herself, but, at the same time it was a consolation that her +powerful next-door neighbour was not to be made still more powerful by +the annexation to his own dominion of those important territories. + +Accordingly, so soon as the deputies in France had received their +definite and somewhat ignominious repulse from Henry III. and his mother, +the English government lost no time in intimating to the States that they +were not to be left without an ally. Queen Elizabeth was however +resolutely averse from assuming that sovereignty which she was not +unwilling to see offered for her acceptance; and her accredited envoy at +the Hague, besides other more secret agents, were as busily employed in +the spring of 1585--as Des Pruneaux had been the previous winter on the +part of France--to bring about an application, by solemn embassy, for her +assistance. + +There was, however, a difference of view, from the outset, between the +leading politicians of the Netherlands and the English Queen. The +Hollanders were extremely desirous of becoming her subjects; for the +United States, although they had already formed themselves into an +independent republic, were quite ignorant of their latent powers. The +leading personages of the country--those who were soon to become the +foremost statesmen of the new commonwealth--were already shrinking from +the anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form of +government, and were seeking protection for and against the people under +a foreign sceptre. On the other hand, they were indisposed to mortgage +large and important fortified towns, such as Flushing, Brill, and others, +for the repayment of the subsidies which Elizabeth might be induced to +advance. They preferred to pay in sovereignty rather than in money. The +Queen, on the contrary, preferred money to sovereignty, and was not at +all inclined to sacrifice economy to ambition. Intending to drive a hard +bargain with the States, whose cause was her own, and whose demands for +aid she; had secretly prompted, she meant to grant a certain number of +soldiers for as brief a period as possible, serving at her expense, and +to take for such outlay a most ample security in the shape of cautionary +towns. + +Too intelligent a politician not to feel the absolute necessity of at +last coming into the field to help the Netherlanders to fight her own +battle, she was still willing, for a season longer, to wear the mask of +coyness and coquetry, which she thought most adapted to irritate the +Netherlanders into a full compliance with her wishes. Her advisers in the +Provinces were inclined to take the same view. It seemed obvious, after +the failure in France, that those countries must now become either +English or Spanish; yet Elizabeth, knowing the risk of their falling +back, from desperation, into the arms of her rival, allowed them to +remain for a season on the edge of destruction--which would probably have +been her ruin also--in the hope of bringing them to her feet on her own +terms. There was something of feminine art in this policy, and it was not +without the success which often attends such insincere manoeuvres. At the +same time, as the statesmen of the republic knew that it was the Queen's +affair, when so near a neighbour's roof was blazing, they entertained +little doubt of ultimately obtaining her alliance. It was pity--in so +grave an emergency--that a little frankness could not have been +substituted for a good deal of superfluous diplomacy. + +Gilpin, a highly intelligent agent of the English government in Zeeland, +kept Sir Francis Walsingham thoroughly informed of the sentiments +entertained by the people of that province towards England. Mixing +habitually with the most influential politicians, he was able to render +material assistance to the English council in the diplomatic game which +had been commenced, and on which a no less important stake than the crown +of England was to be hazarded. + +"In conference," he said, "with particular persons that bear any rule or +credit, I find a great inclination towards her Majesty, joined +notwithstanding with a kind of coldness. They allege that matters of such +importance are to be maturely and thoroughly pondered, while some of them +harp upon the old string, as if her Majesty, for the security of her own +estate, was to have the more care of theirs here." + +He was also very careful to insinuate the expediency of diplomatic +coquetry into the mind of a Princess who needed no such prompting. "The +less by outward appearance," said he, "this people shall perceive that +her Majesty can be contented to take the protection of them upon her, the +forwarder they will be to seek and send unto her, and the larger +conditions in treaty may be required. For if they see it to come from +herself, then do they persuade themselves that it is for the greater +security of our own country and her Highness to fear the King of Spain's +greatness. But if they become seekers unto her Majesty, and if they may, +by outward show, deem that she accounteth not of the said King's might, +but able and sufficient to defend her own realms, then verily I think +they may be brought to whatsoever points her Majesty may desire." + +Certainly it was an age of intrigue, in which nothing seemed worth +getting at all unless it could be got by underhand means, and in which it +was thought impossible for two parties to a bargain to meet together +except as antagonists, who believed that one could not derive a profit +from the transaction unless the other had been overreached. This was +neither good morality nor sound diplomacy, and the result of such +trifling was much loss of time and great disaster. In accordance with +this crafty system, the agent expressed the opinion that it would "be +good and requisite for the English government somewhat to temporise," and +to dally for a season longer, in order to see what measures the States +would take to defend themselves, and how much ability and resources they +would show for belligerent purposes. If the Queen were too eager, the +Provinces would become jealous, "yielding, as it were, their power, and +yet keeping the rudder in their own hands." + +At the same time Gilpin was favourably impressed with the character both +of the country and the nation, soon to be placed in such important +relations with England. "This people," he said, "is such as by fair means +they will be won to yield and grant any reasonable motion or demand. What +these islands of Zeeland are her Majesty and all my lords of her council +do know. Yet for their government thus much I must write; that during +these troubles it never was better than now. They draw, in a manner, one +line, long and carefully in their resolution; but the same once taken and +promises made, they would perform them to the uttermost." + +Such then was the character of the people, for no man was better enabled +to form an opinion on the subject than was Gilpin. Had it not been as +well, then, for Englishmen--who were themselves in that age, as in every +other, apt to "perform to the uttermost promises once taken and made," +and to respect those endowed with the same wholesome characteristic--to +strike hands at once in a cause which was so vital to both nations? + +So soon as the definite refusal of Henry III, was known in England, +Leicester and Walsingham wrote at once to the Netherlands. The Earl +already saw shining through the distance a brilliant prize for his own +ambition, although he was too haughty, perhaps too magnanimous, but +certainly far too crafty, to suffer such sentiments as yet to pierce to +the surface. + +"Mr. Davison," he wrote, "you shall perceive by Mr. Secretary's letters +how the French have dealt with these people. They are well enough served; +but yet I think, if they will heartily and earnestly seek it, the Lord +hath appointed them a far better defence. But you must so use the matter +as that they must seek their own good, although we shall be partakers +thereof also. They may now, if they will effectually and liberally deal, +bring themselves to a better end than ever France would have brought +them." + +At that moment there were two diplomatic agents from the States resident +in England--Jacques de Gryze; whom Paul Buys had formerly described as +having thrust himself head and shoulders into the matter without proper +authority, and Joachim Ortel, a most experienced and intelligent man, +speaking and writing English like a native, and thoroughly conversant +with English habits and character. So soon as the despatches from France +arrived, Walsingham, 18th March, 1585, sent for Ortel, and the two held a +long conference. + +Walsingham.--"We have just received letters from Lord Derby and Sir +Edward Stafford, dated the 13th March. They inform us that your +deputies--contrary to all expectation and to the great hopes that had +been hold out to them--have received, last Sunday, their definite answer +from the King of France. He tells them, that, considering the present +condition of his kingdom, he is unable to undertake the protection of the +Netherlands; but says that if they like, and if the Queen of England be +willing to second his motion, he is disposed to send a mission of +mediation to Spain for the purpose of begging the King to take the +condition of the provinces to heart, and bringing about some honourable +composition, and so forth, and so forth. + +"Moreover the King of France has sent Monsieur de Bellievre to Lord Derby +and Mr. Stafford, and Bellievre has made those envoys a long oration. He +explained to them all about the original treaty between the States and +Monsieur, the King's brother, and what had taken place from that day to +this, concluding, after many allegations and divers reasons, that the +King could not trouble himself with the provinces at present; but hoped +her Majesty would make the best of it, and not be offended with him. + +"The ambassadors say further, that they have had an interview with your +deputies, who are excessively provoked at this most unexpected answer +from the King, and are making loud complaints, being all determined to +take themselves off as fast as possible. The ambassadors have recommended +that some of the number should come home by the way of England." + +Ortel.--"It seems necessary to take active measures at once, and to leave +no duty undone in this matter. It will be advisable to confer, so soon as +may be, with some of the principal counsellors of her Majesty, and +recommend to them most earnestly the present condition of the provinces. +They know the affectionate confidence which the States entertain towards +England, and must now, remembering the sentiments of goodwill which they +have expressed towards the Netherlands, be willing to employ their +efforts with her Majesty in this emergency." + +Walsingham (with much show of vexation).--"This conduct on the part of +the French court has been most pernicious. Your envoys have been delayed, +fed with idle hopes, and then disgracefully sent away, so that the best +part of the year has been consumed, and it will be most difficult now, in +a great hurry, to get together a sufficient force of horse and foot folk, +with other necessaries in abundance. On the contrary, the enemy, who knew +from the first what result was to be expected in France, has been doing +his best to be beforehand with you in the field: add, moreover, that this +French negotiation has given other princes a bad taste in their mouths. +This is the case with her Majesty. The Queen is, not without reason, +annoyed that the States have not only despised her friendly and +good-hearted offers, but have all along been endeavouring to embark her +in this war, for the defence of the Provinces, which would have cost her +several millions, without offering to her the slightest security. On the +contrary, others, enemies of the religion, who are not to be depended +upon--who had never deserved well of the States or assisted them in their +need, as she has done--have received this large offer of sovereignty +without any reserve whatever." + +Ortel (not suffering himself to be disconcerted at this unjust and +somewhat insidious attack).--"That which has been transacted with France +was not done except with the express approbation and full foreknowledge +of her Majesty, so far back as the lifetime of his Excellency (William of +Orange), of high and laudable memory. Things had already gone so far, and +the Provinces had agreed so entirely together, as to make it inexpedient +to bring about a separation in policy. It was our duty to hold together, +and, once for all, thoroughly to understand what the King of France, +after such manifold presentations through Monsieur Des Pruneaulx and +others, and in various letters of his own, finally intended to do. At the +same time, notwithstanding these negotiations, we had always an especial +eye upon her Majesty. We felt a hopeful confidence that she would never +desert us, leaving us without aid or counsel, but would consider that +these affairs do not concern the Provinces alone or even especially, but +are just as deeply important to her and to all other princes of the +religion." + +After this dialogue, with much more conversation of a similar character, +the Secretary and the envoy set themselves frankly and manfully to work. +It was agreed between them that every effort should be made with the +leading members of the Council to induce the Queen "in this terrible +conjuncture, not to forsake the Provinces, but to extend good counsel and +prompt assistance to them in their present embarrassments." + +There was, however, so much business in Parliament just then, that it was +impossible to obtain immediately the desired interviews. + +On the 20th, Ortel and De Gryze had another interview with Walsingham at +the Palace of Greenwich. The Secretary expressed the warmest and most +sincere affection for the Provinces, and advised that one of the two +envoys should set forth at once for home in order to declare to the +States, without loss of time, her Majesty's good inclination to assume +the protection of the land, together with the maintenance of the reformed +religion and the ancient privileges. Not that she was seeking her own +profit, or wished to obtain that sovereignty which had just been offered +to another of the contrary religion, but in order to make manifest her +affectionate solicitude to preserve the Protestant faith and to support +her old allies and neighbours. Nevertheless, as she could not assume this +protectorate without embarking in a dangerous war with the King of Spain, +in which she would not only be obliged to spend the blood of her +subjects, but also at least two millions of gold, there was the more +reason that the States should give her certain cities as security. Those +cities would be held by certain of her gentlemen, nominated thereto, of +quality, credit, and religion, at the head of good, true, and well-paid +garrisons, who should make oath never to surrender them to the King of +Spain or to any one else without consent of the States. The Provinces +were also reciprocally to bind themselves by oath to make no treaty with +the King, without the advice and approval of her Majesty. It was likewise +thoroughly to be understood that such cautionary towns should be restored +to the States so soon as payment should be made of all moneys advanced +during the war. + +Next day the envoys had an interview with the Earl of Leicester, whom +they found as amicably disposed towards their cause as Secretary +Walsingham had been. "Her Majesty," said the Earl, "is excessively +indignant with the King of France, that he should so long have abused the +Provinces, and at last have dismissed their deputies so contemptuously. +Nevertheless," he continued, "'tis all your own fault to have placed your +hopes so entirely upon him as to entirely forget other princes, and more +especially her Majesty. Notwithstanding all that has passed, however, I +find her fully determined to maintain the cause of the Provinces. For my +own part, I am ready to stake my life, estates, and reputation, upon this +issue, and to stand side by side with other gentlemen in persuading her +Majesty to do her utmost for the assistance of your country." + +He intimated however, as Walsingham had done, that the matter of +cautionary towns would prove an indispensable condition, and recommended +that one of the two envoys should proceed homeward at once, in order to +procure, as speedily as possible, the appointment of an embassy for that +purpose to her Majesty. "They must bring full powers," said the Earl, "to +give her the necessary guarantees, and make a formal demand for +protection; for it would be unbecoming, and against her reputation, to be +obliged to present herself, unsought by the other party." + +In conclusion, after many strong expressions of good-will, Leicester +promised to meet them next day at court, where he would address the Queen +personally on the subject, and see that they spoke with her as well. +Meantime he sent one of his principal gentlemen to keep company with the +envoys, and make himself useful to them. This personage, being "of good +quality and a member of Parliament," gave them much useful information, +assuring them that there was a strong feeling in England in favour of the +Netherlands, and that the matter had been very vigorously taken up in the +national legislature. That assembly had been strongly encouraging her +Majesty boldly to assume the protectorate, and had manifested a +willingness to assist her with the needful. "And if," said he, "one +subsidy should not be enough, she shall have three, four, five, or six, +or as much as may be necessary." + +The same day, the envoys had an interview with Lord Treasurer Burghley, +who held the same language as Walsingham and Leicester had done. "The +Queen, to his knowledge," he said, "was quite ready to assume the +protectorate; but it was necessary that it should be formally offered, +with the necessary guarantees, and that without further loss of time." + +On the 22nd March, according to agreement, Ortel and De Gryze went to the +court at Greenwich. While waiting there for the Queen, who had ridden out +into the country, they had more conversation with Walsingham, whom they +found even more energetically disposed in their favour than ever, and who +assured them that her Majesty was quite ready to assume the protectorate +so soon as offered. "Within a month," he said, "after the signing of a +treaty, the troops would be on the spot, under command of such a +personage of quality and religion as would be highly satisfactory." While +they were talking, the Queen rode into the court-yard, accompanied by the +Earl of Leicester and other gentlemen. Very soon afterwards the envoys +were summoned to her presence, and allowed to recommend the affairs of +the Provinces to her consideration. She lamented the situation of their +country, and in a few words expressed her inclination to render +assistance, provided the States would manifest full confidence in her. +They replied by offering to take instant measures to gratify all her +demands, so soon as those demands should be made known; and the Queen +finding herself surrounded by so many gentlemen and by a crowd of people, +appointed them accordingly to come to her private apartments the same +afternoon. + +At that interview none were present save Walsingham and Lord Chamberlain +Howard. The Queen showed herself "extraordinarily resolute" to take up +the affairs of the Provinces. "She had always been sure," she said, "that +the French negotiation would have no other issue than the one which they +had just seen. She was fully aware what a powerful enemy she was about to +make--one who could easily create mischief for her in Scotland and +Ireland; but she was nevertheless resolved, if the States chose to deal +with her frankly and generously, to take them under her protection. She +assured the envoys that if a deputation with full powers and reasonable +conditions should be immediately sent to her, she would not delay and +dally with them, as had been the case in France, but would despatch them +back again at the speediest, and would make her good inclination manifest +by deeds as well as words. As she was hazarding her treasure together +with the blood and repose of her subjects, she was not at liberty to do +this except on receipt of proper securities." + +Accordingly De Gryze went to the Provinces, provided with complimentary +and affectionate letters from the Queen, while Ortel remained in England. +So far all was plain and above-board; and Walsingham, who, from the +first, had been warmly in favour of taking up the Netherland cause, was +relieved by being able to write in straightforward language. Stealthy and +subtle, where the object was to get within the guard of an enemy who +menaced a mortal blow, he was, both by nature and policy, disposed to +deal frankly with those he called his friends. + +"Monsieur de Gryze repaireth presently," he wrote to Davison, "to try if +he can induce the States to send their deputies hither, furnished with +more ample instructions than they had to treat with the French King, +considering that her Majesty carryeth another manner of princely +disposition than that sovereign. Meanwhile, for that she doubteth lest in +this hard estate of their affairs, and the distrust they have conceived +to be relieved from hence, they should from despair throw themselves into +the course of Spain, her pleasure therefore is--though by Burnham I sent +you directions to put them in comfort of relief, only as of +yourself--that you shall now, as it were, in her name, if you see cause +sufficient, assure some of the aptest instruments that you shall make +choice of for that purpose, that her Majesty, rather than that they +should perish, will be content to take them under her protection." + +He added that it was indispensable for the States, upon their part, to +offer "such sufficient cautions and assurances as she might in reason +demand." + +Matters were so well managed that by the 22nd April the States-General +addressed a letter to the Queen, in which they notified her, that the +desired deputation was on the point of setting forth. "Recognizing," they +said, "that there is no prince or potentate to whom they are more obliged +than they are to your Majesty, we are about to request you very humbly to +accept the sovereignty of these Provinces, and the people of the same for +your very humble vassals and subjects." They added that, as the necessity +of the case was great, they hoped the Queen would send, so soon as might +be, a force of four or five thousand men for the purpose of relieving the +siege of Antwerp. + +A similar letter was despatched by the same courier to the Earl of +Leicester. + +On the 1st of May, Ortel had audience of the Queen, to deliver the +letters from the States-General. He found that despatches, very +encouraging and agreeable in their tenor, had also just arrived from +Davison. The Queen was in good humour. She took the letter from Ortel, +read it attentively, and paused a good while. Then she assured him that +her good affection towards the Provinces was not in the least changed, +and that she thanked the States for the confidence in her that they were +manifesting. "It is unnecessary," said the Queen, "for me to repeat over +and over again sentiments which I have so plainly declared. You are to +assure the States that they shall never be disappointed in the trust that +they have reposed in my good intentions. Let them deal with me sincerely, +and without holding open any back-door. Not that I am seeking the +sovereignty of the Provinces, for I wish only to maintain their +privileges and ancient liberties, and to defend them in this regard +against all the world. Let them ripely consider, then, with what fidelity +I am espousing their cause, and how, without fear of any one, I am +arousing most powerful enemies." + +Ortel had afterwards an interview with Leicester, in which the Earl +assured him that her Majesty had not in the least changed in her +sentiments towards the Provinces. "For myself," said he, "I am ready, if +her Majesty choose to make use of me, to go over there in person, and to +place life, property, and all the assistance I can gain from my friends, +upon the issue. Yea, with so good a heart, that I pray the Lord may be +good to me, only so far as I serve faithfully in this cause." He added a +warning that the deputies to be appointed should come with absolute +powers, in order that her Majesty's bountiful intentions might not be +retarded by their own fault. + +Ortel then visited Walsingham at his house, Barn-Elms, where he was +confined by illness. Sir Francis assured the envoy that he would use +every effort, by letter to her Majesty and by verbal instructions to his +son-in-law, Sir Philip Sidney, to further the success of the negotiation, +and that he deeply regretted his enforced absence from the court on so +important an occasion. + +Matters were proceeding most favourably, and the all-important point of +sending an auxiliary force of Englishmen to the relief of Antwerp--before +it should be too late, and in advance of the final conclusion of the +treaty between the countries-had been nearly conceded. Just at that +moment, however, "as ill-luck would have it," said Ortel, "came a letter +from Gilpin. I don't think he meant it in malice, but the effect was most +pernicious. He sent the information that a new attack was to be made by +the 10th May upon the Kowenstyn, that it was sure to be successful, and +that the siege of Antwerp was as good as raised. So Lord Burghley +informed me, in presence of Lord Leicester, that her Majesty was +determined to await the issue of this enterprise. It was quite too late +to get troops in readiness; to co-operate with the States' army, so soon +as the 10th May, and as Antwerp was so sure to be relieved, there was no +pressing necessity for haste. I uttered most bitter complaints to these +lords and to other counsellors of the Queen, that she should thus draw +back, on account of a letter from a single individual, without paying +sufficient heed to the despatches from the States-General, who certainly +knew their own affairs and their own necessities better than any one else +could do, but her Majesty sticks firm to her resolution." + +Here were immense mistakes committed on all sides. The premature shooting +up of those three rockets from the cathedral-tower, on the unlucky 10th +May, had thus not only ruined the first assault against the Kowenstyn, +but also the second and the more promising adventure. Had the four +thousand bold Englishmen there enlisted, and who could have reached the +Provinces in time to cooperate in that great enterprise, have stood side +by side with the Hollanders, the Zeelanders, and the Antwerpers, upon +that fatal dyke, it is almost a certainty that Antwerp would have been +relieved, and the whole of Flanders and Brabant permanently annexed to +the independent commonwealth, which would have thus assumed at once most +imposing proportions. + +It was a great blunder of Sainte Aldegonde to station in the cathedral, +on so important an occasion, watchmen in whose judgment he could not +thoroughly rely. It was a blunder in Gilpin, intelligent as he generally +showed himself, to write in such sanguine style before the event. But it +was the greatest blunder of all for Queen Elizabeth to suspend her +cooperation at the very instant when, as the result showed, it was likely +to prove most successful. It was a chapter of blunders from first to +last, but the most fatal of all the errors was the one thus prompted by +the great Queen's most traitorous characteristic, her obstinate +parsimony. + +And now began a series of sharp chafferings on both sides, not very much +to the credit of either party. The kingdom of England, and the rebellious +Provinces of Spain, were drawn to each other by an irresistible law of +political attraction. Their absorption into each other seemed natural and +almost inevitable; and the weight of the strong Protestant organism, had +it been thus completed, might have balanced the great Catholic League +which was clustering about Spain. + +It was unfortunate that the two governments of England and the +Netherlands should now assume the attitude of traders driving a hard +bargain with each other, rather than that of two important commonwealths, +upon whose action, at that momentous epoch, the weal and wo of +Christendom was hanging. It is quite true that the danger to England was +great, but that danger in any event was to be confronted--Philip was to +be defied, and, by assuming the cause of the Provinces to be her own, +which it unquestionably was, Elizabeth was taking the diadem from her +head--as the King of Sweden well observed--and adventuring it upon the +doubtful chance of war. Would it not have been better then--her mind +being once made up--promptly to accept all the benefits, as well as all +the hazards, of the bold game to which she was of necessity a party? But +she could not yet believe in the incredible meanness of Henry III. "I +asked her Majesty" (3rd May, 1585), said Ortel, "whether, in view of +these vast preparations in France, it did not behove her to be most +circumspect and upon her guard. For, in the opinion of many men, +everything showed one great scheme already laid down--a general +conspiracy throughout Christendom against the reformed religion. She +answered me, that thus far she could not perceive this to be the case; +'nor could she believe,' she said, 'that the King of France could be so +faint-hearted as to submit to such injuries from the Guises.'" + +Time was very soon to show the nature of that unhappy monarch with regard +to injuries, and to prove to Elizabeth the error she had committed in +doubting his faint-heartedness. Meanwhile, time was passing, and the +Netherlands were shivering in the storm. They, needed the open sunshine +which her caution kept too long behind the clouds. For it was now +enjoined upon Walsingham to manifest a coldness upon the part of the +English government towards the States. Davison was to be allowed to +return; "but," said Sir Francis, "her Majesty would not have you +accompany the commissioners who are coming from the Low Countries; but to +come over, either before them or after them, lest it be thought they come +over by her Majesty's procurement." + +As if they were not coming over by her Majesty's most especial +procurement, and as if it would matter to Philip--the union once made +between England and Holland--whether the invitation to that union came +first from the one party or the other! + +"I am retired for my health from the court to mine own house," said +Walsingham, "but I find those in whose judgment her Majesty reposeth +greatest trust so coldly affected unto the cause, as I have no great hope +of the matter; and yet, for that the hearts of princes are in the hands +of God, who both can will and dispose them at his pleasure, I would be +loath to hinder the repair of the commissioners." + +Here certainly, had the sun gone most suddenly into a cloud. Sir Francis +would be loath to advise the commissioners to stay at home, but he +obviously thought them coming on as bootless an errand as that which had +taken their colleagues so recently into France. + +The cause of the trouble was Flushing. Hence the tears, and the coldness, +and the scoldings, on the part of the imperious and the economical Queen. +Flushing was the patrimony--a large portion of that which was left to +him--of Count Maurice. It was deeply mortgaged for the payment of the +debts of William the Silent, but his son Maurice, so long as the elder +brother Philip William remained a captive in Spain, wrote himself Marquis +of Flushing and Kampveer, and derived both revenue and importance from +his rights in that important town. The States of Zeeland, while desirous +of a political fusion of the two countries, were averse from the prospect +of converting, by exception, their commercial, capital into an English +city, the remainder of the Provinces remaining meanwhile upon their +ancient footing. The negociations on the subject caused a most ill-timed +delay. The States finding the English government cooling, affected to +grow tepid themselves. This was the true mercantile system, perhaps, for +managing a transaction most thriftily, but frankness and promptness would +have been more statesmanlike at such a juncture. + +"I am sorry to understand," wrote Walsingham, "that the States are not +yet grown to a full resolution for the delivering of the town of Flushing +into her Majesty's hands. The Queen finding the people of that island so +wavering and inconstant, besides that they can hardly, after the so long +enjoying a popular liberty, bear a regal authority, would be loath to +embark herself into so dangerous a war without some sufficient caution +received from them. It is also greatly to be doubted, that if, by +practice and corruption, that town might be recovered by the Spaniards, +it would put all the rest of the country in peril. I find her Majesty, in +case that town may be gotten, fully resolved to receive them into her +protection, so as it may also be made probable unto her that the promised +three hundred thousand guilders the month will be duly paid." + +A day or two after writing this letter, Walsingham sent one afternoon, in +a great hurry, for Ortel, and informed him very secretly, that, according +to information just received, the deputies from the States were coming +without sufficient authority in regard to this very matter. Thus all the +good intentions of the English government were likely to be frustrated, +and the Provinces to be reduced to direful extremity. + +"What can we possibly advise her Majesty to do?" asked Walsingham, "since +you are not willing to put confidence in her intentions. You are trying +to bring her into a public war, in which she is to risk her treasure and +the blood of her subjects against the greatest potentates of the world, +and you hesitate meantime at giving her such security as is required for +the very defence of the Provinces themselves. The deputies are coming +hither to offer the sovereignty to her Majesty, as was recently done in +France, or, if that should not prove acceptable, they are to ask +assistance in men and money upon a mere 'taliter qualiter' guaranty. +That's not the way. And there are plenty of ill-disposed persons here to +take advantage of this position of affairs to ruin the interest of the +Provinces now placed on so good a footing. Moreover, in this perpetual +sending of despatches back and forth, much precious time is consumed; and +this is exactly what our enemies most desire." + +In accordance with Walsingham's urgent suggestions, Ortel wrote at once +to his constituents, imploring them to remedy this matter. "Do not allow," +he said, "any, more time to be wasted. Let us not painfully, build a wall +only to knock our own heads against it, to the dismay of our friends and +the gratification of our enemies." + +It was at last arranged that an important blank should be left in the +articles to be brought by the deputies, upon which vacant place the names +of certain cautionary towns, afterwards to be agreed upon, were to be +inscribed by common consent. + +Meantime the English ministers were busy in preparing to receive the +commissioners, and to bring the Netherland matter handsomely before the +legislature. + +The integrity, the caution, the thrift, the hesitation, which +characterized Elizabeth's government, were well pourtrayed in the +habitual language of the Lord Treasurer, chief minister of a third-rate +kingdom now called on to play a first-rate part, thoroughly acquainted +with the moral and intellectual power of the nation whose policy he +directed, and prophetically conscious of the great destinies which were +opening upon her horizon. Lord Burghley could hardly be censured--least +of all ridiculed--for the patient and somewhat timid attributes of his +nature: The ineffable ponderings, which might now be ludicrous, on the +part of a minister of the British Empire, with two hundred millions of +subjects and near a hundred millions of revenue, were almost inevitable +in a man guiding a realm of four millions of people with half a million +of income. + +It was, on the whole, a strange negotiation, this between England and +Holland. A commonwealth had arisen, but was unconscious of the strength +which it was to find in the principle of states' union, and of religious +equality. It sought, on the contrary, to exchange its federal sovereignty +for provincial dependence, and to imitate, to a certain extent, the very +intolerance by which it had been driven into revolt. It was not unnatural +that the Netherlanders should hate the Roman Catholic religion, in the +name of which they had endured such infinite tortures, but it is, +nevertheless, painful to observe that they requested Queen Elizabeth, +whom they styled defender, not of "the faith" but of the "reformed +religion," to exclude from the Provinces, in case she accepted the +sovereignty, the exercise of all religious rites except those belonging +to the reformed church. They, however, expressly provided against +inquisition into conscience. Private houses were to be sacred, the +papists free within their own walls, but the churches were to be closed +to those of the ancient faith. This was not so bad as to hang, burn, +drown, and bury alive nonconformists, as had been done by Philip and the +holy inquisition in the name of the church of Rome; nor is it very +surprising that the horrible past should have caused that church to be +regarded with sentiments of such deep-rooted hostility as to make the +Hollanders shudder at the idea of its re-establishment. Yet, no doubt, it +was idle for either Holland or England, at that day, to talk of a +reconciliation with Rome. A step had separated them, but it was a step +from a precipice. No human power could bridge the chasm. The steep +contrast between the league and the counter-league, between the systems +of Philip and Mucio, and that of Elizabeth and Olden-Barneveld, ran +through the whole world of thought, action, and life. + +But still the negociation between Holland and England was a strange one. +Holland wished to give herself entirely, and England feared to accept. +Elizabeth, in place of sovereignty, wanted mortgages; while Holland was +afraid to give a part, although offering the whole. There was no great +inequality between the two countries. Both were instinctively conscious, +perhaps, of standing on the edge of a vast expansion. Both felt that they +were about to stretch their wings suddenly for a flight over the whole +earth. Yet each was a very inferior power, in comparison with the great +empires of the past or those which then existed. + +It is difficult, without a strong effort of the imagination, to reduce +the English empire to the slender proportions which belonged to her in +the days of Elizabeth. That epoch was full of light and life. The +constellations which have for centuries been shining in the English +firmament were then human creatures walking English earth. The captains, +statesmen, corsairs, merchant-adventurers, poets, dramatists, the great +Queen herself, the Cecils, Raleigh, Walsingham, Drake, Hawkins, Gilbert, +Howard, Willoughby, the Norrises, Essex, Leicester, Sidney, Spenser, +Shakspeare and the lesser but brilliant lights which surrounded him; such +were the men who lifted England upon an elevation to which she was not +yet entitled by her material grandeur. At last she had done with Rome, +and her expansion dated from that moment. + +Holland and England, by the very condition of their existence, were sworn +foes to Philip. Elizabeth stood excommunicated of the Pope. There was +hardly a month in which intelligence was not sent by English agents out +of the Netherlands and France, that assassins, hired by Philip, were +making their way to England to attempt the life of the Queen. The +Netherlanders were rebels to the Spanish monarch, and they stood, one and +all, under death-sentence by Rome. The alliance was inevitable and +wholesome. Elizabeth was, however, consistently opposed to the acceptance +of a new sovereignty. England was a weak power. Ireland was at her side +in a state of chronic rebellion--a stepping-stone for Spain in its +already foreshadowed invasion. Scotland was at her back with a strong +party of Catholics, stipendiaries of Philip, encouraged by the Guises and +periodically inflamed to enthusiasm by the hope of rescuing Mary Stuart +from her imprisonment, bringing her rival's head to the block, and +elevating the long-suffering martyr upon the throne of all the British +Islands. And in the midst of England itself, conspiracies were weaving +every day. The mortal duel between the two queens was slowly approaching +its termination. In the fatal form of Mary was embodied everything most +perilous to England's glory and to England's Queen. Mary Stuart meant +absolutism at home, subjection to Rome and Spain abroad. The uncle Guises +were stipendiaries of Philip, Philip was the slave of the Pope. Mucio had +frightened the unlucky Henry III. into submission, and there was no +health nor hope in France. For England, Mary Stuart embodied the possible +relapse into sloth, dependence, barbarism. For Elizabeth, Mary Stuart +embodied sedition, conspiracy, rebellion, battle, murder, and sudden +death. + +It was not to be wondered at that the Queen thus situated should be +cautious, when about throwing down the gauntlet to the greatest powers of +the earth. Yet the commissioners from the United States were now on their +way to England to propose the throwing of that gauntlet. What now was +that England? + +Its population was, perhaps, not greater than the numbers which dwell +to-day within its capital and immediate suburbs. Its revenue was perhaps +equal to the sixtieth part of the annual interest on the present national +debt. Single, highly-favoured individuals, not only in England but in +other countries cis-and trans-Atlantic, enjoy incomes equal to more than +half the amount of Elizabeth's annual budget. London, then containing +perhaps one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, was hardly so +imposing a town as Antwerp, and was inferior in most material respects to +Paris and Lisbon. Forty-two hundred children were born every year within +its precincts, and the deaths were nearly as many. In plague years, which +were only too frequent, as many as twenty and even thirty thousand people +had been annually swept away. + +At the present epoch there are seventeen hundred births every week, and +about one thousand deaths. + +It is instructive to throw a glance at the character of the English +people as it appeared to intelligent foreigners at that day; for the +various parts of the world were not then so closely blended, nor did +national colours and characteristics flow so liquidly into each other, as +is the case in these days of intimate juxta-position. + +"The English are a very clever, handsome, and well-made people," says a +learned Antwerp historian and merchant, who had resided a long time in +London, "but, like all islanders, by nature weak and tender. They are +generally fair, particularly the women, who all--even to the peasant +women--protect their complexions from the sun with fans and veils, as +only the stately gentlewomen do in Germany and the Netherlands. As a +people they are stout-hearted, vehement, eager, cruel in war, zealous in +attack, little fearing: death; not revengeful, but fickle, presumptuous, +rash, boastful, deceitful, very suspicious, especially of strangers, whom +they despise. They are full of courteous and hypocritical gestures and +words, which they consider to imply good manners, civility, and wisdom. +They are well spoken, and very hospitable. They feed well, eating much +meat, which-owing to the rainy climate and the ranker character of the +grass--is not so firm and succulent as the meat of France and the +Netherlands. The people are not so laborious as the French and +Hollanders, preferring to lead an indolent life, like the Spaniards. The +most difficult and ingenious of the handicrafts are in the hands of +foreigners, as is the case with the lazy inhabitants of Spain. They feed +many sheep, with fine wool, from which, two hundred years ago, they +learned to make cloth. They keep many idle servants, and many wild +animals for their pleasure, instead of cultivating the sail. They have +many ships, but they do not even catch fish enough for their own +consumption, but purchase of their neighbours. They dress very elegantly. +Their costume is light and costly, but they are very changeable and +capricious, altering their fashions every year, both the men and the +women. When they go away from home, riding or travelling, they always +wear their best clothes, contrary to the habit of other nations. The +English language is broken Dutch, mixed with French and British terms and +words, but with a lighter pronunciation. They do not speak from the +chest, like the Germans, but prattle only with the tongue." + +Here are few statistical facts, but certainly it is curious to see how +many national traits thus photographed by a contemporary, have quite +vanished, and have been exchanged for their very opposites. Certainly the +last physiological criticism of all would indicate as great a national +metamorphosis, during the last three centuries, as is offered by many +other of the writer's observations. + +"With regard to the women," continues the same authority, "they are +entirely in the power of the men, except in matters of life and death, +yet they are not kept so closely and strictly as in Spain and elsewhere. +They are not locked up, but have free management of their household, like +the Netherlanders and their other neighbours. They are gay in their +clothing, taking well their ease, leaving house-work to the +servant-maids, and are fond of sitting, finely-dressed, before their +doors to see the passers-by and to be seen of them. In all banquets and +dinner-parties they have the most honour, sitting at the upper end of the +board, and being served first. + +"Their time is spent in riding, lounging, card-playing, and making merry +with their gossips at child-bearings, christenings, churchings, and +buryings; and all this conduct the men wink at, because such are the +customs of the land. They much commend however the industry and careful +habits of the German and Netherland women, who do the work which in +England devolves upon the men. Hence, England is called the paradise of +married women, for the unmarried girls are kept much more strictly than +upon the continent. The women are, handsome, white, dressy, modest; +although they go freely about the streets without bonnet, hood, or veil; +but lately learned to cover their faces with a silken mask or vizard with +a plumage of feathers, for they change their fashions every year, to the +astonishment of many." + +Paul Hentzner, a tourist from Germany at precisely the same epoch, +touches with equal minuteness on English characteristics. It may be +observed, that, with some discrepancies, there is also much similarity, +in the views of the two critics. + +"The English," says the whimsical Paul, are serious, like the Germans, +lovers of show, liking to be followed, wherever they go, by troops of +servants, who wear their master's arms, in silver, fastened to their left +sleeves, and are justly ridiculed for wearing tails hanging down their +backs. They excel in dancing and music, for they are active and lively, +although they are of thicker build than the Germans. They cut their hair +close on the forehead, letting it hang down on either side. They are good +sailors, and better pirates, cunning, treacherous, thievish. Three +hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London. Hawking is the +favourite sport of the nobility. The English are more polite in eating +than the French, devouring less bread, but more meat, which they roast in +perfection. They put a great deal of sugar in their drink. Their beds are +covered with tapestry, even those of farmers. They are powerful in the +field, successful against their enemies, impatient of anything like +slavery, vastly fond of great ear-filling noises, such as cannon-firing, +drum-beating, and bell-ringing; so that it is very common for a number of +them, when they have got a cup too much in their heads, to go up to some +belfry, and ring the bells for an hour together, for the sake of the +amusement. If they see a foreigner very well made or particularly +handsome, they will say "'tis pity he is not an Englishman." + +It is also somewhat amusing, at the present day, to find a German +elaborately explaining to his countrymen the mysteries of +tobacco-smoking, as they appeared to his unsophisticated eyes in England. +"At the theatres and everywhere else," says the traveller, "the English +are constantly smoking tobacco in the following manner. They have pipes, +made on purpose, of clay. At the further end of these is a bowl. Into the +bowl they put the herb, and then setting fire to it, they draw the smoke +into their mouths, which they puff out again through their nostrils, like +funnels," and so on; conscientious explanations which a German tourist of +our own times might think it superfluous to offer to his compatriots. + +It is also instructive to read that the light-fingered gentry of the +metropolis were nearly as adroit in their calling as they are at present, +after three additional centuries of development for their delicate craft; +for the learned Tobias Salander, the travelling companion of Paul +Hentzner, finding himself at a Lord Mayor's Show, was eased of his purse, +containing nine crowns, as skilfully as the feat could have been done by +the best pickpocket of the nineteenth century, much to that learned +person's discomfiture. + +Into such an England and among such English the Netherland envoys had now +been despatched on their most important errand. + +After twice putting back, through stress of weather, the commissioners, +early in July, arrived at London, and were "lodged and very worshipfully +appointed at charges of her Majesty in the Clothworkers' Hall in +Pynchon-lane, near Tower-street." About the Tower and its faubourgs the +buildings were stated to be as elegant as they were in the city itself, +although this was hardly very extravagant commendation. From this +district a single street led along the river's strand to Westminster, +where were the old and new palaces, the famous hall and abbey, the +Parliament chambers, and the bridge to Southwark, built of stone, with +twenty arches, sixty feet high, and with rows of shops and +dwelling-houses on both its sides. Thence, along the broad and beautiful +river, were dotted here and there many stately mansions and villas, +residences of bishops and nobles, extending farther and farther west as +the city melted rapidly into the country. London itself was a town lying +high upon a hill--the hill of Lud--and consisted of a coil of narrow, +tortuous, unseemly streets, each with a black, noisome rivulet running +through its centre, and with rows of three-storied, leaden-roofed houses, +built of timber-work filled in with lime, with many gables, and with the +upper stories overhanging and darkening the basements. There were one +hundred and twenty-one churches, small and large, the most conspicuous of +which was the Cathedral. Old Saint Paul's was not a very magnificent +edifice--but it was an extremely large one, for it was seven hundred and +twenty feet long, one hundred and thirty broad, and had a massive +quadrangular tower, two hundred and sixty feet high. Upon this tower had +stood a timber-steeple, rising, to a height of five hundred and +thirty-four feet from the ground, but it had been struck by lightning in +the year 1561, and consumed to the stone-work. + +The Queen's favourite residence was Greenwich Palace, the place of her +birth, and to this mansion, on the 9th of July, the Netherland envoys +were conveyed, in royal barges, from the neighbourhood of Pynchon-lane, +for their first audience. + +The deputation was a strong one. There was Falck of Zeeland, a man of +consummate adroitness, perhaps not of as satisfactory integrity; "a +shrewd fellow and a fine," as Lord Leicester soon afterwards +characterised him. There was Menin, pensionary of Dort, an eloquent and +accomplished orator, and employed on this occasion as chief spokesman of +the legation--"a deeper man, and, I think, an honester," said the same +personage, adding, with an eye to business, "and he is but poor, which +you must consider, but with great secrecy." There was Paul Buys, whom we +have met with before; keen, subtle, somewhat loose of life, very +passionate, a most most energetic and valuable friend to England, a +determined foe to France, who had resigned the important post of +Holland's Advocate, when the mission offering sovereignty to Henry III. +had been resolved upon, and who had since that period been most +influential in procuring the present triumph of the English policy. +Through his exertions the Province of Holland had been induced at an +early moment to furnish the most ample instructions to the commissioners +for the satisfaction of Queen Elizabeth in the great matter of the +mortgages. "Judge if this Paul Buys has done his work well," said a +French agent in the Netherlands, who, despite the infamous conduct of his +government towards the Provinces, was doing his best to frustrate the +subsequent negotiation with England, "and whether or no he has Holland +under his thumb." The same individual had conceived hopes from Falck of +Zeeland. That Province, in which lay the great bone of contention between +the Queen and the States--the important town of Flushing--was much slower +than Holland to agree to the English policy. It is to be feared that +Falck was not the most ingenuous and disinterested politician that could +be found even in an age not distinguished for frankness or purity; for +even while setting forth upon the mission to Elizabeth, he was still +clinging, or affecting to cling, to the wretched delusion of French +assistance. "I regret infinitely," said Falck to the French agent just +mentioned, "that I am employed in this affair, and that it is necessary +in our present straits to have recourse to England. There is--so to +speak--not a person in our Province that is inclined that way, all +recognizing very well that France is much more salutary for us, besides +that we all bear her a certain affection. Indeed, if I were assured that +the King still felt any goodwill towards us, I would so manage matters +that neither the Queen of England, nor any other prince whatever except +his most Christian-Majesty should take a bite at this country, at least +at this Province, and with that view, while waiting for news from France, +I will keep things in suspense, and spin them out as long as it is +possible to do." + +The news from France happened soon to be very conclusive, and it then +became difficult even for Falek to believe--after intelligence received +of the accord between Henry III. and the Guises--that his Christian +Majesty, would be inclined for a bite at the Netherlands. This duplicity +on the part of so leading a personage furnishes a key to much of the +apparent dilatoriness on the part of the English government: It has been +seen that Elizabeth, up to the last moment, could not fairly comprehend +the ineffable meanness of the French monarch. She told Ortel that she saw +no reason to believe in that great Catholic conspiracy against herself +and against all Protestantism which was so soon to be made public by the +King's edict of July, promulgated at the very instant of the arrival in +England of the Netherland envoys. Then that dread fiat had gone forth, +the most determined favourer of the French alliance could no longer admit +its possibility, and Falck became the more open to that peculiar line of +argument which Leicester had suggested with regard to one of the other +deputies. "I will do my best," wrote Walsingham, "to procure that Paul +Buys and Falck shall receive underhand some reward." + +Besides Menin, Falck, and Buys, were Noel de Caron, an experienced +diplomatist; the poet-soldier, Van der Does; heroic defender of Leyden; +De Gryze, Hersolte, Francis Maalzoon, and three legal Frisians of pith +and substance, Feitsma, Aisma, and Jongema; a dozen Dutchmen together--as +muscular champions as ever little republic sent forth to wrestle with all +comers in the slippery ring of diplomacy. For it was instinctively felt +that here were conclusions to be tried with a nation of deep, solid +thinkers, who were aware that a great crisis in the world's history had +occurred, and would put forth their most substantial men to deal with it: +Burghley and Walsingham, the great Queen herself, were no feather-weights +like the frivolous Henry III., and his minions. It was pity, however, +that the discussions about to ensue presented from the outset rather the +aspect of a hard hitting encounter of antagonists than that of a frank +and friendly congress between two great parties whose interests were +identical. + +Since the death of William the Silent, there was no one individual in the +Netherlands to impersonate the great struggle of the Provinces with Spain +and Rome, and to concentrate upon his own head a poetical, dramatic, and +yet most legitimate interest. The great purpose of the present history +must be found in its illustration of the creative power of civil and +religious freedom. Here was a little republic, just born into the world, +suddenly bereft of its tutelary saint, left to its own resources, yet +already instinct with healthy vigorous life, and playing its difficult +part among friends and enemies with audacity, self-reliance, and success. +To a certain extent its achievements were anonymous, but a great +principle manifested itself through a series of noble deeds. Statesmen, +soldiers, patriots, came forward on all sides to do the work which was to +be done, and those who were brought into closest contact with the +commonwealth acknowledged in strongest language the signal ability with +which, self-guided, she steered her course. Nevertheless, there was at +this moment one Netherlander, the chief of the present mission to +England, already the foremost statesman of his country, whose name will +not soon be effaced from the record of the sixteenth and seventeenth +centuries. That man was John of Olden-Barneveld. + +He was now in his thirty-eighth year, having been born at Amersfoot on +the 14th of September, 1547. He bore an imposing name, for the +Olden-Barnevelds of Gelderland were a race of unquestionable and antique +nobility. His enemies, however, questioned his right to the descent which +he claimed. They did not dispute that the great grandfather, Class van +Olden-Barneveld, was of distinguished lineage and allied to many +illustrious houses, but they denied that Class was really the great +grandfather of John. John's father, Gerritt, they said, was a nameless +outcast, a felon, a murderer, who had escaped the punishment due to his +crimes, but had dragged out a miserable existence in the downs, burrowing +like a rabbit in the sand. They had also much to say in disparagement of +all John's connections. Not only was his father a murderer, but his wife, +whom he had married for money, was the child of a most horrible incest, +his sisters were prostitutes, his sons and brothers were debauchees and +drunkards, and, in short, never had a distinguished man a more +uncomfortable and discreditable family-circle than that which surrounded +Barneveld, if the report of his enemies was to be believed. Yet it is +agreeable to reflect that, with all the venom which they had such power +of secreting, these malignant tongues had been unable to destroy the +reputation of the man himself. John's character was honourable and +upright, his intellectual power not disputed even by those who at a later +period hated him the most bitterly. He had been a profound and +indefatigable student from his earliest youth. He had read law at Leyden, +in France, at Heidelberg. Here, in the head-quarters of German Calvinism, +his youthful mind had long pondered the dread themes of foreknowledge, +judgment absolute, free will, and predestination: To believe it worth the +while of a rational and intelligent Deity to create annually several +millions of thinking beings, who were to struggle for a brief period on +earth, and to consume in perpetual brimstone afterwards, while others +were predestined to endless enjoyment, seemed to him an indifferent +exchange for a faith in the purgatory and paradise of Rome. Perplexed in +the extreme, the youthful John bethought himself of an inscription over +the gateway of his famous but questionable great grandfather's house at +Amersfort--'nil scire tutissima fides.' He resolved thenceforth to adopt +a system of ignorance upon matters beyond the flaming walls of the world; +to do the work before him manfully and faithfully while he walked the +earth, and to trust that a benevolent Creator would devote neither him +nor any other man to eternal hellfire. For this most offensive doctrine +he was howled at by the strictly pious, while he earned still deeper +opprobrium by daring to advocate religious toleration: In face of the +endless horrors inflicted by the Spanish Inquisition upon his native +land, he had the hardihood--although a determined Protestant himself--to +claim for Roman Catholics the right to exercise their religion in the +free States on equal terms with those of the reformed faith. "Anyone," +said his enemies, "could smell what that meant who had not a wooden +nose." In brief, he was a liberal Christian, both in theory and practice, +and he nobly confronted in consequence the wrath of bigots on both sides. +At a later period the most zealous Calvinists called him Pope John, and +the opinions to which he was to owe such appellations had already been +formed in his mind. + +After completing his very thorough legal studies, he had practised as an +advocate in Holland and Zeeland. An early defender of civil and religious +freedom, he had been brought at an early day into contact with William +the Silent, who recognized his ability. He had borne a snap-hance on his +shoulder as a volunteer in the memorable attempt to relieve Haarlem, and +was one of the few survivors of that bloody night. He had stood outside +the walls of Leyden in company of the Prince of Orange when that +magnificent destruction of the dykes had taken place by which the city +had been saved from the fate impending over it. At a still more recent +period we have seen him landing from the gun-boats upon the Kowenstyn, on +the fatal 26th May. These military adventures were, however, but brief +and accidental episodes in his career, which was that of a statesman and +diplomatist. As pensionary of Rotterdam, he was constantly a member of +the General Assembly, and had already begun to guide the policy of the +new commonwealth. His experience was considerable, and he was now in the +high noon of his vigour and his usefulness. + +He was a man of noble and imposing presence, with thick hair pushed from +a broad forehead rising dome-like above a square and massive face; a +strong deeply-coloured physiognomy, with shaggy brow, a chill blue eye, +not winning but commanding, high cheek bones, a solid, somewhat scornful +nose, a firm mouth and chin, enveloped in a copious brown beard; the +whole head not unfitly framed in the stiff formal ruff of the period; and +the tall stately figure well draped in magisterial robes of velvet and +sable--such was John of Olden-Barneveld. + +The Commissioners thus described arrived at Greenwich Stairs, and were at +once ushered into the palace, a residence which had been much enlarged +and decorated by Henry VIII. + +They were received with stately ceremony. The presence-chamber was hung +with Gobelin tapestry, its floor strewn with rushes. Fifty-gentlemen +pensioners, with gilt battle-ages, and a throng of 'buffetiers', or +beef-eaters, in that quaint old-world garb which has survived so many +centuries, were in attendance, while the counsellors of the Queen, in +their robes of state, waited around the throne. + +There, in close skull-cap and dark flowing gown, was the subtle, +monastic-looking Walsingham, with long, grave, melancholy face and +Spanish eyes. There too, white staff in hand, was Lord High Treasurer +Burghley, then sixty-five years of age, with serene blue eye, large, +smooth, pale, scarce-wrinkled face and forehead; seeming, with his +placid, symmetrical features, and great velvet bonnet, under which such +silver hairs as remained were soberly tucked away, and with his long dark +robes which swept the ground, more like a dignified gentlewoman than a +statesman, but for the wintery beard which lay like a snow-drift on his +ancient breast. + +The Queen was then in the fifty-third year of her age, and considered +herself in the full bloom of her beauty. Her, garments were of satin and +velvet, with fringes of pearl as big as beans. A small gold crown was +upon her head, and her red hair, throughout its multiplicity of curls, +blazed with diamonds and emeralds. Her forehead was tall, her face long, +her complexion fair, her eyes small, dark, and glittering, her nose high +and hooked, her lips thin, her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally +exposed. As she passed through the ante-chamber to the presence-hall, +supplicants presented petitions upon their knees. Wherever she glanced, +all prostrated themselves on the ground. The cry of "Long live Queen +Elizabeth" was spontaneous and perpetual; the reply; "I thank you, my +good people," was constant and cordial. She spoke to various foreigners +in their respective languages, being mistress, besides the Latin and +Greek, of French, Spanish, Italian, and German. As the Commissioners were +presented to her by Lord Buckhurst it was observed that she was +perpetually gloving and ungloving, as if to attract attention to her +hand, which was esteemed a wonder of beauty. She spoke French with purity +and elegance, but with a drawling, somewhat affected accent, saying "Paar +maa foi; paar le Dieeu vivaant," and so forth, in a style which was +ridiculed by Parisians, as she sometimes, to her extreme annoyance, +discovered. + +Joos de Menin, pensionary of Dort, in the name of all the envoys, made an +elaborate address. He expressed the gratitude which the States +entertained for her past kindness, and particularly for the good offices +rendered by Ambassador Davison after the death of the Prince of Orange, +and for the deep regret expressed by her Majesty for their disappointment +in the hopes they had founded upon France. + +"Since the death of the Prince of Orange," he said, "the States have lost +many important cities, and now, for the preservation of their existence, +they have need of a prince and sovereign lord to defend them against the +tyranny and iniquitous oppression of the Spaniards and their adherents, +who are more and more determined utterly to destroy their country, and +reduce the poor people to a perpetual slavery worse than that of Indians, +under the insupportable and detestable yoke of the Spanish Inquisition. +We have felt a confidence that your Majesty will not choose to see us +perish at the hands of the enemy against whom we have been obliged to +sustain this long and cruel war. That war we have undertaken in order to +preserve for the poor people their liberty, laws, and franchises, +together with the exercise of the true Christian religion, of which your +Majesty bears rightfully the title of defender, and against which the +enemy and his allies have made so many leagues and devised so many +ambushes and stratagems, besides organizing every day so many plots +against the life of your Majesty and the safety of your realms--schemes +which thus far the good God has averted for the good of Christianity and +the maintenance of His churches. For these reasons, Madam, the States +have taken a firm resolution to have recourse to your Majesty, seeing +that it is an ordinary thing for all oppressed nations to apply in their +calamity to neighbouring princes, and especially to such as are endowed +with piety, justice, magnanimity, and other kingly virtues. For this +reason we have been deputed to offer to your Majesty the sovereignty over +these Provinces, under certain good and equitable conditions, having +reference chiefly to the maintenance of the reformed religion and of our +ancient liberties and customs. And although, in the course of these long +and continued wars, the enemy has obtained possession of many cities and +strong places within our couniry, nevertheless the Provinces of Holland, +Zeeland, Utrecht, and Friesland, are, thank God, still entire. And in +those lands are many large and stately cities, beautiful and deep rivers, +admirable seaports, from which your Majesty and your successors can +derive much good fruit and commodity, of which it is scarcely, necessary +to make a long recital. This point, however, beyond the rest, merits a +special consideration; namely, that the conjunction of those Provinces of +Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and Friesland, together with the cities of +Sluys and Ostend, with the kingdoms of your Majesty, carries with it the +absolute empire of the great ocean, and consequently an assurance of +perpetual felicity for your subjects. We therefore humbly entreat you to +agree to our conditions, to accept the sovereign seignory of these +Provinces, and consequently to receive the people of the same as your +very humble and obedient subjects, under the perpetual safeguard of your +crown--a people certainly as faithful and loving towards their princes +and sovereign lords, to speak without boasting, as any in all +Christendom. + +"So doing, Madam, you will preserve many beautiful churches which it has +pleased God to raise up in these lands, now much afflicted and shaken, +and you will deliver this country and people--before the iniquitous +invasion of the Spaniards, so rich and flourishing by the great Commodity +of the sea, their ports and rivers, their commerce and manufactures, for +all which they have such natural advantages--from ruin and perpetual +slavery of body and soul. This will be a truly excellent work, agreeable +to God, profitable to Christianity, worthy of immortal praise, and +comporting with the heroic virtues of your Majesty, and ensuring the +prosperity of your country and people. With this we present to your +Majesty our articles and conditions, and pray that the King of Kings may +preserve you from all your enemies and ever have you in His holy +keeping." + +The Queen listened intently and very courteously to the delivery of this +address, and then made answer in French to this effect:--"Gentlemen,--Had +I a thousand tongues I should not be able to express my obligation to you +for the great and handsome offers which you have just made. I firmly +believe that this proceeds from the true zeal, devotion, and affection, +which you have always borne me, and I am certain that you have ever +preferred me to all the princes and potentates in the world. Even when +you selected the late Duke of Anjou, who was so dear to me, and to whose +soul I hope that God has been merciful, I know that you would sooner have +offered your country to me if I had desired that you should do so. +Certainly I esteem it a great thing that you wish to be governed by me, +and I feel so much obliged to you in consequence that I will never +abandon you, but, on the contrary, assist you till the last sigh of my +life. I know very well that your princes have treated you ill, and that +the Spaniards are endeavouring to ruin you entirely; but I will come to +your aid, and I will consider what I can do, consistently with my honour, +in regard to the articles which you have brought me. They shall be +examined by the members of my council, and I promise that I will not keep +you three or four months, for I know very well that your affairs require +haste, and that they will become ruinous if you are not assisted. It is +not my custom to procrastinate, and upon this occasion I shall not dally, +as others have done, but let you have my answer very soon." + +Certainly, if the Provinces needed a king, which they had most +unequivocally declared to be the case, they might have wandered the whole +earth over, and, had it been possible, searched through the whole range +of history, before finding a monarch with a more kingly spirit than the +great Queen to whom they had at last had recourse. + +Unfortunately, she was resolute in her refusal to accept the offered +sovereignty. The first interview terminated with this exchange of +addresses, and the deputies departed in their barges for their lodgings +in Pynchon-lane. + +The next two days were past in perpetual conferences, generally at Lord +Burghley's house, between the envoys and the lords of the council, in +which the acceptance of the sovereignty was vehemently urged on the part +of the Netherlanders, and steadily declined in the name of her Majesty. + +"Her Highness," said Burghley, "cannot be induced, by any writing or +harangue that you can make, to accept the principality or proprietorship +as sovereign, and it will therefore be labour lost for you to exhibit any +writing for the purpose of changing her intention. It will be better to +content yourselves with her Majesty's consent to assist you, and to take +you under her protection." + +Nevertheless, two days afterwards, a writing was exhibited, drawn up by +Menin, in which another elaborate effort was made to alter the Queen's +determination. This anxiety, on the part of men already the principal +personages in a republic, to merge the independent existence of their +commonwealth in another and a foreign political organism, proved, at any +rate; that they were influenced by patriotic motives alone. It is also +instructive to observe the intense language with which the necessity of a +central paramount sovereignty for all the Provinces, and the +inconveniences of the separate States' right principle were urged by a +deputation, at the head of which stood Olden-Barneveld. "Although it is +not becoming in us," said they, "to enquire into your Majesty's motives +for refusing the sovereignty of our country, nevertheless, we cannot help +observing that your consent would be most profitable, as well to your +Majesty, and your successors, as to the Provinces themselves. By your +acceptance of the sovereignty the two peoples would be, as it were, +united in one body. This would cause a fraternal benevolence between +them, and a single reverence, love, and obedience to your Majesty.--The +two peoples being thus under the government of the same sovereign prince, +the intrigues and practices which the enemy could attempt with persons +under a separate subjection, would of necessity surcease. Moreover, those +Provinces are all distinct duchies, counties, seignories, governed by +their own magistrates, laws, and ordinances; each by itself, without any +authority or command to be exercised by one Province over another. To +this end they have need of a supreme power and of one sovereign prince or +seignor, who may command all equally, having a constant regard to the +public weal--considered as a generality, and not with regard to the +profit of the one or the other individual Province--and, causing promptly +and universally to be executed such ordinances as may be made in the +matter of war or police, according to various emergencies. Each Province, +on the contrary, retaining its sovereignty over its own inhabitants, +obedience will not be so promptly and completely rendered to the commands +of the lieutenant-general of your Majesty, and many, a good enterprise +and opportunity, will be lost. Where there is not a single authority it +is always found that one party endeavours to usurp power over another, or +to escape doing his duty so thoroughly as the others. And this has +notoriously been the case in the matter of contributions, imposts, and +similar matters." + +Thus much, and more of similar argument, logically urged, made it +sufficiently evident that twenty years of revolt and of hard fighting +against one king, had not destroyed in the minds of the leading +Netherlanders their conviction of the necessity of kingship. If the new +commonwealth was likely to remain a republic, it was, at that moment at +any rate, because they could not find a king. Certainly they did their +best to annex themselves to England, and to become loyal subjects of +England's Elizabeth. But the Queen, besides other objections to the +course proposed by the Provinces, thought that she could do a better +thing in the way of mortgages. In this, perhaps, there was something of +the penny-wise policy, which sprang from one great defect in her +character. At any rate much mischief was done by the mercantile spirit +which dictated the hard chaffering on both sides the Channel at this +important juncture; for during this tedious flint-paring, Antwerp, which +might have been saved, was falling into the hands of Philip. It should +never be forgotten, however, that the Queen had no standing army, and but +a small revenue. The men to be sent from England to the Netherland wars +were first to be levied wherever it was possible to find them. In truth, +many were pressed in the various wards of London, furnished with red +coats and matchlocks at the expense of the citizens, and so despatched, +helter-skelter, in small squads as opportunity offered. General Sir John +Norris was already superintending these operations, by command of the +Queen, before the present formal negotiation with the States had begun. + +Subsequently to the 11th July, on which day the second address had been +made to Elizabeth, the envoys had many conferences with Leicester, +Burghley, Walsingham, and other councillors, without making much +progress. There was perpetual wrangling about figures and securities. + +"What terms will you pledge for the repayment of the monies to be +advanced?" asked Burghley and Walsingham. + +"But if her Majesty takes the sovereignty," answered the deputies, "there +will be no question of guarantees. The Queen will possess our whole land, +and there will be no need of any repayment." + +"And we have told you over and over again," said the Lord Treasurer, +"that her Majesty will never think of accepting the sovereignty. She will +assist you in money and men, and must be repaid to the last farthing when +the war is over; and, until that period, must have solid pledges in the +shape of a town in each Province." + +Then came interrogatories as to the amount of troops and funds to be +raised respectively by the Queen and the States for the common cause. The +Provinces wished her Majesty to pay one-third of the whole expense, while +her Majesty was reluctant to pay one-quarter. The States wished a +permanent force to be kept on foot in the Netherlands of thirteen +thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry for the field, and +twenty-three thousand for garrisons. The councillors thought the last +item too much. Then there were queries as to the expense of maintaining a +force in the Provinces. The envoys reckoned one pound sterling, or ten +florins, a month for the pay of each foot soldier, including officers; +and for the cavalry, three times as much. This seemed reasonable, and the +answers to the inquiries touching the expense of the war-vessels and +sailors were equally satisfactory. Nevertheless it was difficult to bring +the Queen up to the line to which the envoys had been limited by their +instructions. Five thousand foot and one thousand horse serving at the +Queen's expense till the war should be concluded, over and above the +garrisons for such cautionary towns as should be agreed upon; this was +considered, by the States, the minimum. The Queen held out for giving +only four thousand foot and four hundred horse, and for deducting the +garrisons even from this slender force. As guarantee for the expense thus +to be incurred, she required that Flushing and Brill should be placed in +her hands. Moreover the position of Antwerp complicated the negotiation. +Elizabeth, fully sensible of the importance of preserving that great +capital, offered four thousand soldiers to serve until that city should +be relieved, requiring repayment within three months after the object +should have been accomplished. As special guarantee for such repayment +she required Sluys and Ostend. This was sharp bargaining, but, at any +rate, the envoys knew that the Queen, though cavilling to the ninth-part +of a hair, was no trifler, and that she meant to perform whatever she +should promise. + +There was another exchange of speeches at the Palace of Nonesuch, on the +5th August; and the position of affairs and the respective attitudes of +the Queen and envoys were plainly characterized by the language then +employed. + +After an exordium about the cruelty of the Spanish tyranny and the +enormous expense entailed by the war upon the Netherlands, Menin, who, as +usual, was the spokesman, alluded to the difficulty which the States at +last felt in maintaining themselves. + +"Five thousand foot and one thousand horse," he said, "over and above the +maintenance of garrisons in the towns to be pledged as security to your +Majesty, seemed the very least amount of succour that would be probably +obtained from your royal bounty. Considering the great demonstrations of +affection and promises of support, made as well by your Majesty's own +letters as by the mouth of your ambassador Davison, and by our envoys De +Gryse and Ortel, who have all declared publicly that your Majesty would +never forsake us, the States sent us their deputies to this country in +full confidence that such reasonable demands as we had been authorized to +make would be satisfied." + +The speaker then proceeded to declare that the offer made by the royal +councillors of four thousand foot and four hundred horse, to serve during +the war, together with a special force of four thousand for the relief of +Antwerp, to be paid for within three months after the siege should be +raised, against a concession of the cities of Flushing, Brill, Sluys, and +Ostend, did not come within the limitations of the States-General. They +therefore begged the Queen to enlarge her offer to the number of five +thousand foot and one thousand horse, or at least to allow the envoys to +conclude the treaty provisionally, and subject to approval of their +constituents. + +So soon as Menin had concluded his address, her Majesty instantly +replied, with much earnestness and fluency of language. + +"Gentlemen," she said, "I will answer you upon the first point, because +it touches my honour. You say that I promised you, both by letters and +through my agent Davison, and also by my own lips, to assist you and +never to abandon you, and that this had moved you to come to me at +present. Very well, masters, do you not think I am assisting you when I +am sending you four thousand foot and four hundred horse to serve during +the war? Certainly, I think yes; and I say frankly that I have never been +wanting to my word. No man shall ever say, with truth, that the Queen of +England had at any time and ever so slightly failed in her promises, +whether to the mightiest monarch, to republics, to gentlemen, or even to +private persons of the humblest condition. Am I, then, in your opinion, +forsaking you when I send you English blood, which I love, and which is +my own blood, and which I am bound to defend? It seems to me, no. For my +part I tell you again that I will never forsake you. + +"'Sed de modo?' That is matter for agreement. You are aware, gentlemen, +that I have storms to fear from many quarters--from France, Scotland, +Ireland, and within my own kingdom. What would be said if I looked only +on one side, and if on that side I employed all my resources. No, I will +give my subjects no cause for murmuring. I know that my counsellors +desire to manage matters with prudence; 'sed aetatem habeo', and you are +to believe, that, of my own motion, I have resolved not to extend my +offer of assistance, at present, beyond the amount already stated. But I +don't say that at another time I may not be able to do more for you. For +my intention is never to abandon your cause, always to assist you, and +never more to suffer any foreign nation to have dominion over you. + +"It is true that you present me with two places in each of your +Provinces. I thank you for them infinitely, and certainly it is a great +offer. But it will be said instantly, the Queen of England wishes to +embrace and devour everything; while, on the contrary, I only wish to +render you assistance. I believe, in truth, that if other monarchs should +have this offer, they would not allow such an opportunity to escape. I do +not let it slip because of fears that I entertain for any prince +whatever. For to think that I am not aware--doing what I am doing--that I +am embarking in a war against the King of Spain, is a great mistake. I +know very well that the succour which I am affording you will offend him +as much as if I should do a great deal more. But what care I? Let him +begin, I will answer him. For my part, I say again, that never did fear +enter my heart. We must all die once. I know very well that many princes +are my enemies, and are seeking my ruin; and that where malice is joined +with force, malice often arrives at its ends. But I am not so feeble a +princess that I have not the means and the will to defend myself against +them all. They are seeking to take my life, but it troubles me not. He +who is on high has defended me until this hour, and will keep me still, +for in Him do I trust. + +"As to the other point, you say that your powers are not extensive enough +to allow your acceptance of the offer I make you. Nevertheless, if I am +not mistaken, I have remarked in passing--for princes look very close to +words--that you would be content if I would give you money in place of +men, and that your powers speak only of demanding a certain proportion of +infantry and another of cavalry. I believe this would be, as you say, an +equivalent, 'secundum quod'. But I say this only because you govern +yourselves so precisely by the measure of your instructions. Nevertheless +I don't wish to contest these points with you. For very often 'dum Romae +disputatur Saguntum perit.' Nevertheless, it would be well for you to +decide; and, in any event, I do not think it good that you should all +take your departure, but that, on the contrary, you should leave some of +your number here. Otherwise it would at once be said that all was broken +off, and that I had chosen to nothing for you; and with this the bad +would comfort themselves, and the good would be much discouraged. + +"Touching the last point of your demand--according to which you desire a +personage of quality--I know, gentlemen, that you do not always agree +very well among yourselves, and that it would be good for you to have +some one to effect such agreement. For this reason I have always +intended, so soon as we should have made our treaty, to send a lord of +name and authority to reside with you, to assist you in governing, and to +aid, with his advice, in the better direction of your affairs. + +"Would to God that Antwerp were relieved! Certainly I should be very +glad, and very well content to lose all that I am now expending if that +city could be saved. I hope, nevertheless, if it can hold out six weeks +longer, that we shall see something good. Already the two thousand men of +General Norris have crossed, or are crossing, every day by companies. I +will hasten the rest as much as possible; and I assure you, gentlemen, +that I will spare no diligence. Nevertheless you may, if you choose, +retire with my council, and see if together you can come to some good +conclusion." + +Thus spoke Elizabeth, like the wise, courageous, and very parsimonious +princess that she was. Alas, it was too true, that Saguntum was perishing +while the higgling went on at Rome. Had those two thousand under Sir John +Norris and the rest of the four thousand but gone a few weeks earlier, +how much happier might have been the result! + +Nevertheless, it was thought in England that Antwerp would still hold +out; and, meantime, a treaty for its relief, in combination with another +for permanent assistance to the Provinces, was agreed upon between the +envoys and the lords of council. + +On the 12th August, Menin presented himself at Nonesuch at the head of +his colleagues, and, in a formal speech, announced the arrangement which +had thus been entered into, subject to the approval of the States. Again +Elizabeth, whose "tongue," in the homely phrase of the Netherlanders, +"was wonderfully well hung," replied with energy and ready eloquence. + +"You see, gentlemen," she said, "that I have opened the door; that I am +embarking once for all with you in a war against the King of Spain. Very +well, I am not anxious about the matter. I hope that God will aid us, and +that we shall strike a good blow in your cause. Nevertheless, I pray you, +with all my heart, and by the affection you bear me, to treat my soldiers +well; for they are my own Englishmen, whom I love as I do myself. +Certainly it would be a great cruelty, if you should treat them ill, +since they are about to hazard their lives so freely in your defence, and +I am sure that my request in this regard will be received by you as it +deserves. + +"In the next place, as you know that I am sending, as commander of these +English troops, an honest gentleman, who deserves most highly for his +experience in arms, so I am also informed that you have on your side a +gentleman of great valour. I pray you, therefore, that good care be taken +lest there be misunderstanding between these two, which might prevent +them from agreeing well together, when great exploits of war are to be +taken in hand. For if that should happen--which God forbid--my succour +would be rendered quite useless to you. I name Count Hohenlo, because him +alone have I heard mentioned. But I pray you to make the same +recommendation to all the colonels and gentlemen in your army; for I +should be infinitely sad, if misadventures should arise from such a +cause, for your interest and my honour are both at stake. + +"In the third place, I beg you, at your return, to make a favourable +report of me, and to thank the States, in my behalf, for their great +offers, which I esteem so highly as to be unable to express my thanks. +Tell them that I shall remember them for ever. I consider it a great +honour, that from the commencement, you have ever been so faithful to me, +and that with such great constancy you have preferred me to all other +princes, and have chosen me for your Queen. And chiefly do I thank the +gentlemen of Holland and Zeeland, who, as I have been informed, were the +first who so singularly loved me. And so on my own part I will have a +special care of them, and will do my best to uphold them by every +possible means, as I will do all the rest who have put their trust in me. +But I name Holland and Zeeland more especially, because they have been so +constant and faithful in their efforts to assist the rest in shaking off +the yoke of the enemy. + +"Finally, gentlemen, I beg you to assure the States that I do not decline +the sovereignty of your country from any dread of the King of Spain. For +I take God to witness that I fear him not; and I hope, with the blessing +of God, to make such demonstrations against him, that men shall say the +Queen of England does not fear the Spaniards." + +Elizabeth then smote herself upon the breast, and cried, with great +energy, "'Illa que virgo viri;' and is it not quite the same to you, even +if I do not assume the sovereignty, since I intend to protect you, and +since therefore the effects will be the same? It is true that the +sovereignty would serve to enhance my grandeur, but I am content to do +without it, if you, upon your own part, will only do your duty. + +"For myself, I promise you, in truth, that so long as I live, and even to +my last sigh, I will never forsake you. Go home and tell this boldly to +the States which sent you hither." + +Menin then replied with fresh expressions of thanks and compliments, and +requested, in conclusion, that her Majesty would be pleased to send, as +soon as possible, a personage of quality to the Netherlands. + +"Gentlemen," replied Elizabeth, "I intend to do this, so soon as our +treaty shall be ratified, for, in contrary case, the King of Spain, +seeing your government continue on its present footing, would do nothing +but laugh at us. Certainly I do not mean this year to provide him with so +fine a banquet." + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form + Dismay of our friends and the gratification of our enemies + Her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally exposed (Eliz.) + Holland was afraid to give a part, although offering the whole + Resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance + Say "'tis pity he is not an Englishman" + Seeking protection for and against the people + Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London + We must all die once + Wrath of bigots on both sides + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History United Netherlands, Volume 43, 1585 + + + + +CHAPTER VI., Part 2. + + Sir John Norris sent to Holland--Parsimony of Elizabeth--Energy of + Davison--Protracted Negotiations--Friendly Sentiments of Count + Maurice--Letters from him and Louisa de Coligny--Davison vexed by + the Queen's Caprice--Dissatisfaction of Leicester--His vehement + Complaints--The Queen's Avarice--Perplexity of Davison--Manifesto + of Elizabeth--Sir Philip Sidney--His Arrival at Flushing. + +The envoys were then dismissed, and soon afterwards a portion of the +deputation took their departure from the Netherlands with the proposed +treaty. It was however, as we know, quite too late for Saguntum. Two days +after the signing of the treaty, the remaining envoys were at the palace +of Nonesuch, in conference with the Earl of Leicester, when a gentleman +rushed suddenly into the apartment, exclaiming with great manifestations +of anger: + +"Antwerp has fallen! A treaty has been signed with the Prince of Parma. +Aldegonde is the author of it all. He is the culprit, who has betrayed +us;" with many more expressions of vehement denunciation. + +The Queen was disappointed, but stood firm. She had been slow in taking +her resolution, but she was unflinching when her mind was made up. +Instead of retreating from her, position, now that it became doubly +dangerous, she advanced several steps nearer towards her allies. For it +was obvious, if more precious time should be lost, that Holland and +Zeeland would share the fate of Antwerp. Already the belief, that, with +the loss of that city, all had been lost, was spreading both in the +Provinces and in England, and Elizabeth felt that the time had indeed +come to confront the danger. + +Meantime the intrigues of the enemy in the independent Provinces were +rife. Blunt Roger Williams wrote in very plain language to Walsingham, a +very few days after the capitulation of Antwerp: + +"If her Majesty means to have Holland and Zeeland," said he, "she must +resolve presently. Aldegonde hath promised the enemy to bring them to +compound. Here arrived already his ministers which knew all his dealings +about Antwerp from first to last. Count Maurice is governed altogether by +Villiers, and Villiers was never worse for the English than at this hour. +To be short, the people say in general, they will accept a peace, unless +her Majesty do sovereign them presently. All the men of war will be at +her Highness' devotion, if they be in credit in time. What you do, it +must be done presently, for I do assure your honour there is large offers +presented unto them by the enemies. If her Majesty deals not roundly and +resolutely with them now, it will be too late two months hence." + +Her Majesty meant to deal roundly and resolutely. Her troops had already +gone in considerable numbers. She wrote encouraging letters with her own +hand to the States, imploring them not to falter now, even though the +great city had fallen. She had long since promised never to desert them, +and she was, if possible, more determined than ever to redeem her pledge. +She especially recommended to their consideration General Norris, +commander of the forces that had been despatched to the relief of +Antwerp. + +A most accomplished officer, sprung of a house renowned for its romantic +valour, Sir John was the second of the six sons of Lord Norris of Rycot, +all soldiers of high reputation, "chickens of Mars," as an old writer +expressed himself. "Such a bunch of brethren for eminent achievement," +said he, "was never seen. So great their states and stomachs that they +often jostled with others." Elizabeth called their mother, "her own +crow;" and the darkness of her hair and visage was thought not unbecoming +to her martial issue, by whom it had been inherited. Daughter of Lord +Williams of Tame, who had been keeper of the Tower in the time of +Elizabeth's imprisonment, she had been affectionate and serviceable to +the Princess in the hour of her distress, and had been rewarded with her +favour in the days of her grandeur. We shall often meet this crow-black +Norris, and his younger brother Sir Edward--the most daring soldiers of +their time, posters of sea and land--wherever the buffeting was closest, +or adventure the wildest on ship-board or shore, for they were men who +combined much of the knight-errantry of a vanishing age with the more +practical and expansive spirit of adventure that characterized the new +epoch. + +Nor was he a stranger in the Netherlands. "The gentleman to whom we have +committed the government of the forces going to the relief of Antwerp," +said Elizabeth, "has already given you such proofs of his affection by +the good services he has rendered you, that without recommendation on our +part, he should stand already recommended. Nevertheless, in respect for +his quality, the house from which he is descended, and the valour which +he has manifested in your own country, we desire to tell you that we hold +him dear, and that he deserves also to be dear to you." + +When the fall of Antwerp was certain, the Queen sent Davison, who had +been for a brief period in England, back again to his post. "We have +learned," she said in the letter which she sent by that envoy; "with very +great regret of the surrender of Antwerp. Fearing lest some apprehension +should take possession of the people's mind in consequence, and that some +dangerous change might ensue, we send you our faithful and well-beloved +Davison to represent to you how much we have your affairs at heart, and +to say that we are determined to forget nothing that may be necessary to +your preservation. Assure yourselves that we shall never fail to +accomplish all that he may promise you in our behalf." + +Yet, notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, the thorough +discussion that had taken place of the whole matter, and the enormous +loss which had resulted from the money-saving insanity upon both sides, +even then the busy devil of petty economy was not quite exorcised. +Several precious weeks were wasted in renewed chafferings. The Queen was +willing that the permanent force should now be raised to five thousand +foot and one thousand horse--the additional sixteen, hundred men being +taken from the Antwerp relieving-force--but she insisted that the +garrisons for the cautionary towns should be squeezed out of this general +contingent. The States, on the contrary, were determined to screw these +garrisons out of her grip, as an additional subsidy. Each party +complained with reason of the other's closeness. No doubt the states were +shrewd bargainers, but it would have been difficult for the sharpest +Hollander that ever sent a cargo of herrings to Cadiz, to force open +Elizabeth's beautiful hand when she chose to shut it close. Walsingham +and Leicester were alternately driven to despair by the covetousness of +the one party or the other. + +It was still uncertain what "personage of quality" was to go to the +Netherlands in the Queen's name, to help govern the country. Leicester +had professed his readiness to risk his life, estates, and reputation, in +the cause, and the States particularly desired his appointment. "The name +of your Excellency is so very agreeable to this people," said they in a +letter to the Earl, "as to give promise of a brief and happy end to this +grievous and almost immortal war." The Queen was, or affected to be, +still undecided as to the appointment. While waiting week after week for +the ratifications of the treaty from Holland, affairs were looking gloomy +at home, and her Majesty was growing very uncertain in her temper. + +"I see not her Majesty disposed to use the service of the Earl of +Leicester," wrote Walsingham. "I suppose the lot of government will light +on Lord Gray. I would to God the ability of his purse were answerable to +his sufficiency otherwise." This was certainly a most essential +deficiency on the part of Lord Gray, and it will soon be seen that the +personage of quality to be selected as chief in the arduous and +honourable enterprise now on foot, would be obliged to rely quite as much +on that same ability of purse as upon the sufficiency of his brain or +arm. The Queen did not mean to send her favourite forth to purchase +anything but honour in the Netherlands; and it was not the Provinces only +that were likely to struggle against her parsimony. Yet that parsimony +sprang from a nobler motive than the mere love of pelf. Dangers +encompassed her on every side, and while husbanding her own exchequer, +she was saving her subjects' resources. "Here we are but book-worms," +said Walsingham, "yet from sundry quarters we hear of great practices +against this poor crown. The revolt in Scotland is greatly feared, and +that out of hand." + +Scotland, France, Spain, these were dangerous enemies and neighbours to a +maiden Queen, who had a rebellious Ireland to deal with on one side the +channel, and Alexander of Parma on the other. + +Davison experienced great inconvenience and annoyance before the definite +arrangements could be made. There is no doubt that the Spanish party had +made great progress since the fall of Antwerp. Roger Williams was right +in advising the Queen to deal "roundly and resolutely" with the States, +and to "sovereign them presently." + +They had need of being sovereigned, for it must be confessed that the +self-government which prevailed at that moment was very like no +government. The death of Orange, the treachery of Henry III., the +triumphs of Parma, disastrous facts, treading rapidly upon each other, +had produced a not very unnatural effect. The peace-at-any-price party +was struggling hard for the ascendancy, and the Spanish partizans were +doing their best to hold up to suspicion the sharp practice of the +English Queen. She was even accused of underhand dealing with Spain, to +the disadvantage of the Provinces; so much had slander, anarchy, and +despair, been able to effect. The States were reluctant to sign those +articles with Elizabeth which were absolutely necessary to their +salvation. + +"In how doubtful and uncertain terms I found things at my coming hither," +wrote Davison to Burghley, "how thwarted and delayed since for a +resolution, and with what conditions, and for what reasons I have been +finally drawn to conclude with them as I have done, your Lordship may +perceive by that I have written to Mr. Secretary. The chief difficulty +has rested upon the point of entertaining the garrisons within the towns +of assurance, over and besides the five thousand footmen and one thousand +horse." + +This, as Davison proceeded to observe, was considered a 'sine qua non' by +the States, so that, under the perilous circumstances in which both +countries were placed, he had felt it his duty to go forward as far as +possible to meet their demands. Davison always did his work veraciously, +thoroughly, and resolutely; and it was seldom that his advice, in all +matters pertaining to Netherland matters, did not prove the very best +that could be offered. No man knew better than he the interests and the +temper of both countries. + +The imperious Elizabeth was not fond of being thwarted, least of all by +any thing savouring of the democratic principle, and already there was +much friction between the Tudor spirit of absolutism and the rough +"mechanical" nature with which it was to ally itself in the Netherlands. +The economical Elizabeth was not pleased at being overreached in a +bargain; and, at a moment when she thought herself doing a magnanimous +act, she was vexed at the cavilling with which her generosity was +received. "'Tis a manner of proceeding," said Walsingham, "not to be +allowed of, and may very well be termed mechanical, considering that her +Majesty seeketh no interest in that country--as Monsieur and the French +King did--but only their good and benefit, without regard had of the +expenses of her treasure and the hazard of her subjects' lives; besides +throwing herself into a present war for their sakes with the greatest +prince and potentate in Europe. But seeing the government of those +countries resteth in the hands of merchants and advocates--the one +regarding profit, the other standing upon vantage of quirks--there is no +better fruit to be looked to from them." + +Yet it was, after all, no quirk in those merchants and advocates to urge +that the Queen was not going to war with the great potentate for their +sakes alone. To Elizabeth's honour, she did thoroughly comprehend that +the war of the Netherlands was the war of England, of Protestantism, and +of European liberty, and that she could no longer, without courting her +own destruction, defer taking a part in active military operations. It +was no quirk, then, but solid reasoning, for the States to regard the +subject in the same light. Holland and England were embarked in one boat, +and were to sink or swim together. It was waste of time to wrangle so +fiercely over pounds and shillings, but the fault was not to be +exclusively imputed to the one side or the other. There were bitter +recriminations, particularly on the part of Elizabeth, for it was not +safe to touch too closely either the pride or the pocket of that frugal +and despotic heroine. "The two thousand pounds promised by the States to +Norris upon the muster of the two thousand volunteers," said Walsingham, +"were not paid. Her Majesty is not a little offended therewith, seeing +how little care they have to yield her satisfaction, which she imputeth +to proceed rather from contempt, than from necessity. If it should fall +out, however, to be such as by them is pretended, then doth she conceive +her bargain to be very ill made, to join her fortune with so weak and +broken an estate." Already there were indications that the innocent might +be made to suffer for the short-comings of the real culprits; nor would +it be, the first time, or by any means the last, for Davison to appear in +the character of a scape-goat. + +"Surely, sir," continued Mr. Secretary, "it is a thing greatly to be +feared that the contributions they will yield will fall not more true in +paper than in payment; which if it should so happen, it would turn some +to blame, whereof you among others are to bear your part." + +And thus the months of September and of October wore away, and the +ratifications of the treaty had not arrived from the Netherlands. +Elizabeth became furious, and those of the Netherland deputation who had +remained in England were at their wits' end to appease her choler. No +news arrived for many weeks. Those were not the days of steam and +magnetic telegraphs--inventions by which the nature of man and the aspect +of history seem altered--and the Queen had nothing for it but to fret, +and the envoys to concert with her ministers expedients to mitigate her +spleen. Towards the end of the month, the commissioners chartered a +vessel which they despatched for news to Holland. On his way across the +sea the captain was hailed on the 28th October by a boat, in which one +Hans Wyghans was leisurely proceeding to England with Netherland +despatches dated on the 5th of the same month. This was the freshest +intelligence that had yet been received. + +So soon as the envoys were put in possession of the documents, they +obtained an audience of the Queen. This was the last day of October. +Elizabeth read her letters, and listened to the apologies made by the +deputies for the delay with anything but a benignant countenance. Then, +with much vehemence of language, and manifestations of ill-temper, she +expressed her displeasure at the dilatoriness of the States. Having sent +so many troops, and so many gentlemen of quality, she had considered the +whole affair concluded. + +"I have been unhandsomely treated," she said, "and not as comports with a +prince of my quality. My inclination for your support--because you show +yourselves unworthy of so great benefits--will be entirely destroyed, +unless you deal with me and mine more worthily for the future than you +have done in the past. Through my great and especial affection for your +welfare, I had ordered the Earl of Leicester to proceed to the +Netherlands, and conduct your affairs; a man of such quality as all the +world knows, and one whom I love, as if he were my own brother. He was +getting himself ready in all diligence, putting himself in many perils +through the practices of the enemy, and if I should have reason to +believe that he would not be respected there according to his due, I +should be indeed offended. He and many others are not going thither to +advance their own affairs, to make themselves rich, or because they have +not means enough to live magnificently at home. They proceed to the +Netherlands from pure affection for your cause. This is the case, too, +with many other of my subjects, all dear to me, and of much worth. For I +have sent a fine heap of folk thither--in all, with those his Excellency +is taking with him, not under ten thousand soldiers of the English +nation. This is no small succour, and no little unbaring of this realm of +mine, threatened as it is with war from many quarters. Yet I am seeking +no sovereignty, nor anything else prejudicial to the freedom of your +country. I wish only, in your utmost need, to help you out of this +lamentable war, to maintain for you liberty of conscience, and to see +that law and justice are preserved." + +All this, and more, with great eagerness of expression and gesture, was +urged by the Queen, much to the discomfiture of the envoys. In vain they +attempted to modify and to explain. Their faltering excuses were swept +rapidly away upon the current of royal wrath; until at last Elizabeth +stormed herself into exhaustion and comparative tranquillity. She then +dismissed them with an assurance that her goodwill towards the States was +not diminished, as would be found to be the case, did they not continue +to prove themselves unworthy of her favour that a permanent force of five +thousand foot and one thousand horse should serve in the Provinces at the +Queen's expense; and that the cities of Flushing and Brill should be +placed in her Majesty's hands until the entire reimbursement of the debt +thus incurred by the States. Elizabeth also--at last overcoming her +reluctance--agreed that the force necessary to garrison these towns +should form an additional contingent, instead of being deducted from the +general auxiliary force. + +Count Maurice of Nassau had been confirmed by the States of Holland and +Zeeland as permanent stadholder of those provinces. This measure excited +some suspicion on the part of Leicester, who, as it was now understood, +was the "personage of quality" to be sent to the Netherlands as +representative of the Queen's authority. "Touching the election of Count +Maurice," said the Earl, "I hope it will be no impairing of the authority +heretofore allotted to me, for if it will be, I shall tarry but awhile." + +Nothing, however, could be more frank or chivalrously devoted than the +language of Maurice to the Queen. "Madam, if I have ever had occasion," +he wrote, "to thank God for his benefits, I confess that it was when, +receiving in all humility the letters with which it pleased your Majesty +to honour me, I learned that the great disaster of my lord and father's +death had not diminished the debonaire affection and favour which it has +always pleased your Majesty to manifest to my father's house. It has been +likewise grateful to me to learn that your Majesty, surrounded by so many +great and important affairs, had been pleased to approve the command +which the States-General have conferred upon me. I am indeed grieved that +my actions cannot correspond with the ardent desire which I feel to serve +your Majesty and these Provinces, for which I hope that my extreme youth +will be accepted as an excuse. And although I find myself feeble enough +for the charge thus imposed upon me, yet God will assist my efforts to +supply by diligence and sincere intention the defect of the other +qualities requisite for my thorough discharge of my duty to the +contentment of your Majesty. To fulfil these obligations, which are +growing greater day by day, I trust to prove by my actions that I will +never spare either my labour or life." + +When it was found that the important town of Flushing was required as +part of the guaranty to the Queen, Maurice, as hereditary seignor and +proprietor of the place--during the captivity of his elder brother in +Spain--signified his concurrence in the transfer, together with the most +friendly feelings towards the Earl of Leicester, and to Sir Philip +Sidney, appointed English governor of the town. He wrote to Davison, whom +he called "one of the best and most certain friends that the house of +Nassau possessed in England," begging that he would recommend the +interests of the family to the Queen, "whose favour could do more than +anything else in the world towards maintaining what remained of the +dignity of their house." After solemn deliberation with his step-mother, +Louisa de Coligny, and the other members of his family, he made a formal +announcement of adhesion on the part of the House of Nassau to the +arrangements concluded with the English government, and asked the +benediction of God upon the treaty. While renouncing, for the moment, any +compensation for his consent to the pledging of Flushing his "patrimonial +property, and a place of such great importance"--he expressed a +confidence that the long services of his father, as well as those which +he himself hoped to render, would meet in time with "condign +recognition." He requested the Earl of Leicester to consider the +friendship which had existed between himself and the late Prince of +Orange, as an hereditary affection to be continued to the children, and +he entreated the Earl to do him the honour in future to hold him as a +son, and to extend to him counsel and authority; declaring, on his part, +that he should ever deem it an honour to be allowed to call him father. +And in order still more strongly to confirm his friendship, he begged Sir +Philip Sidney to consider him as his brother, and as his companion in +arms, promising upon his own part the most faithful friendship. In the +name of Louisa de Coligny, and of his whole family, he also particularly +recommended to the Queen the interests of the eldest brother of the +house, Philip William, "who had been so long and so iniquitously detained +captive in Spain," and begged that, in case prisoners of war of high rank +should fall into the hands of the English commanders, they might be +employed as a means of effecting the liberation of that much-injured +Prince. He likewise desired the friendly offices of the Queen to protect +the principality of Orange against the possible designs of the French +monarch, and intimated that occasions might arise in which the +confiscated estates of the family in Burgundy might be recovered through +the influence of the Swiss cantons, particularly those of the Grisons and +of Berne. + +And, in conclusion, in case the Queen should please--as both Count +Maurice and the Princess of Orange desired with all their hearts--to +assume the sovereignty of these Provinces, she was especially entreated +graciously to observe those suggestions regarding the interests of the +House of Nassau, which had been made in the articles of the treaty. + +Thus the path had been smoothed, mainly through the indefatigable energy +of Davison. Yet that envoy was not able to give satisfaction to his +imperious and somewhat whimsical mistress, whose zeal seemed to cool in +proportion to the readiness with which the obstacles to her wishes were +removed. Davison was, with reason, discontented. He had done more than +any other man either in England or the Provinces, to bring about a hearty +cooperation in the common cause, and to allay mutual heart-burnings and +suspicions. He had also, owing to the negligence of the English treasurer +for the Netherlands, and the niggardliness of Elizabeth, been placed in a +position, of great financial embarrassment. His situation was very +irksome. + +"I mused at the sentence you sent me," he wrote, "for I know no cause her +Majesty hath to shrink at her charges hitherto. The treasure she hath yet +disbursed here is not above five or six thousand pounds, besides that +which I have been obliged to take up for the saving of her honour, and +necessity of her service, in danger otherwise of some notable disgrace. I +will not, for shame, say how I have been left here to myself." + +The delay in the formal appointment of Leicester, and, more particularly, +of the governors for the cautionary towns, was the cause of great +confusion and anarchy in the transitional condition of the country. "The +burden I am driven to sustain," said Davison, "doth utterly weary me. If +Sir Philip Sidney were here, and if my Lord of Leicester follow not all +the sooner, I would use her Majesty's liberty to return home. If her +Majesty think me worthy the reputation of a poor, honest, and loyal +servant, I have that contents me. For the rest, I wish + + 'Vivere sine invidia, mollesque inglorius annos + Egigere, amicitias et mihi jungere pares.'" + +There was something almost prophetic in the tone which this faithful +public servant--to whom, on more than one occasion, such hard measure was +to be dealt--habitually adopted in his private letters and conversation. +He did his work, but he had not his reward; and he was already weary of +place without power, and industry without recognition. + +"For mine own particular," he said, "I will say with the poet, + + 'Crede mihi, bene qui latuit bene vixit, + Et intra fortunam debet quisque manere suam.'" + +For, notwithstanding the avidity with which Elizabeth had sought the +cautionary towns, and the fierceness with which she had censured the +tardiness of the States, she seemed now half inclined to drop the prize +which she had so much coveted, and to imitate the very languor which she +had so lately rebuked. "She hath what she desired," said Davison, "and +might yet have more, if this content her not. Howsoever you value the +places at home, they are esteemed here, by such as know them best, no +little increase to her Majesty's honour, surety, and greatness, if she be +as careful to keep them as happy in getting them. Of this, our cold +beginning doth already make me jealous." + +Sagacious and resolute Princess as she was, she showed something of +feminine caprice upon this grave occasion. Not Davison alone, but her +most confidential ministers and favourites at home, were perplexed and +provoked by her misplaced political coquetries. But while the alternation +of her hot and cold fits drove her most devoted courtiers out of +patience, there was one symptom that remained invariable throughout all +her paroxysms, the rigidity with which her hand was locked. Walsingham, +stealthy enough when an advantage was to be gained by subtlety, was +manful and determined in his dealings with his friends; and he had more +than once been offended with Elizabeth's want of frankness in these +transactions. + +"I find you grieved, and not without cause," he wrote to Davison, "in +respect to the over thwart proceedings as well there as here. The +disorders in those countries would be easily redressed if we could take a +thoroughly resolute course here--a matter that men may rather pray for +than hope for. It is very doubtful whether the action now in hand will be +accompanied by very hard success, unless they of the country there may be +drawn to bear the greatest part of the burden of the wars." + +And now the great favourite of all had received the appointment which he +coveted. The Earl of Leicester was to be Commander-in-Chief of her +Majesty's forces in the Netherlands, and representative of her authority +in those countries, whatever that office might prove to be. The nature of +his post was anomalous from the beginning. It was environed with +difficulties, not the least irritating of which proceeded from the +captious spirit of the Queen. The Earl was to proceed in great pomp to +Holland, but the pomp was to be prepared mainly at his own expense. +Besides the auxiliary forces that had been shipped during the latter +period of the year, Leicester was raising a force of lancers, from four +to eight hundred in number; but to pay for that levy he was forced to +mortgage his own property, while the Queen not only refused to advance +ready money, but declined endorsing his bills. + +It must be confessed that the Earl's courtship of Elizabeth was anything +at that moment but a gentle dalliance. In those thorny regions of finance +were no beds of asphodel or amaranthine bowers. There was no talk but of +troopers, saltpetre, and sulphur, of books of assurance, and bills of +exchange; and the aspect of Elizabeth, when the budget was under +discussion, must effectually have neutralized for the time any very +tender sentiment. The sharpness with which she clipped Leicester's +authority, when authority was indispensable to his dignity, and the heavy +demands upon his resources that were the result of her avarice, were +obstacles more than enough to the calm fruition of his triumphs. He had +succeeded, in appearance at least, in the great object of his ambition, +this appointment to the Netherlands; but the appointment was no sinecure, +and least of all a promising pecuniary speculation. Elizabeth had told +the envoys, with reason, that she was not sending forth that man--whom +she loved as a brother--in order that he might make himself rich. On the +contrary, the Earl seemed likely to make himself comparatively poor +before he got to the Provinces, while his political power, at the moment, +did not seem of more hopeful growth. + +Leicester had been determined and consistent in this great enterprize +from the beginning. He felt intensely the importance of the crisis. He +saw that the time had come for swift and uncompromising action, and the +impatience with which he bore the fetters imposed upon him may be easily +conceived. + +"The cause is such," he wrote to Walsingham, "that I had as lief be dead +as be in the case I shall be in if this restraint hold for taking the +oath there, or if some more authority be not granted than I see her +Majesty would I should have. I trust you all will hold hard for this, or +else banish me England withal. I have sent you the books to be signed by +her Majesty. I beseech you return them with all haste, for I get no money +till they be under seal." + +But her Majesty would not put them under her seal, much to the +favourite's discomfiture. + +"Your letter yieldeth but cold answer," he wrote, two days afterwards. +"Above all things yet that her Majesty doth stick at, I marvel most at +her refusal to sign my book of assurance; for there passeth nothing in +the earth against her profit by that act, nor any good to me but to +satisfy the creditors, who were more scrupulous than needs. I did +complain to her of those who did refuse to lend me money, and she was +greatly offended with them. But if her Majesty were to stay this, if I +were half seas over, I must of necessity come back again, for I may not +go without money. I beseech, if the matter be refused by her, bestow a +post on me to Harwich. I lie this night at Sir John Peters', and but for +this doubt I had been to-morrow at Harwich. I pray God make you all that +be counsellors plain and direct to the furtherance of all good service +for her Majesty and the realm; and if it be the will of God to plague us +that go, and you that tarry, for our sins, yet let us not be negligent to +seek to please the Lord." + +The Earl was not negligent at any rate in seeking to please the Queen, +but she was singularly hard to please. She had never been so uncertain in +her humours as at this important crisis. She knew, and had publicly +stated as much, that she was "embarking in a war with the greatest +potentate in Europe;" yet now that the voyage had fairly commenced, and +the waves were rolling around her, she seemed anxious to put back to the +shore. For there was even a whisper of peace-negotiations, than which +nothing could have been more ill-timed. "I perceive by your message," +said Leicester to Walsingham, "that your peace with Spain will go fast +on, but this is not the way." Unquestionably it was not the way, and the +whisper was, for the moment at least, suppressed. Meanwhile Leicester had +reached Harwich, but the post "bestowed on him," contained, as usual, but +cold comfort. He was resolved, however, to go manfully forward, and do +the work before him, until the enterprise should prove wholly +impracticable. It is by the light afforded by the secret never-published +correspondence of the period with which we are now occupied, that the +true characteristics of Elizabeth, the Earl of Leicester, and other +prominent personages, must be scanned, and the study is most important, +for it was by those characteristics, in combination with other human +elements embodied in distant parts of Christendom, that the destiny of +the world was determined. In that age, more than in our own perhaps, the +influence of the individual was widely and intensely felt. Historical +chymistry is only rendered possible by a detection of the subtle +emanations, which it was supposed would for ever elude analysis, but +which survive in those secret, frequently ciphered intercommunications. +Philip II., William of Orange, Queen Elizabeth, Alexander Farnese, Robert +Dudley, never dreamed--when disclosing their inmost thoughts to their +trusted friends at momentous epochs--that the day would come on earth +when those secrets would be no longer hid from the patient enquirer after +truth. Well for those whose reputations before the judgment-seat of +history appear even comparatively pure, after impartial comparison of +their motives with their deeds. + +"For mine own part, Mr. Secretary," wrote Leicester, "I am resolved to do +that which shall be fit for a poor man's honour, and honestly to obey her +Majesty's commandment. Let the rest fall out to others, it shall not +concern me. I mean to assemble myself to the camp, where my authority +must wholly lie, and will there do that which in good reason and duty I +shall be bound to do. I am sorry that her Majesty doth deal in this sort, +and if content to overthrow so willingly her own cause. If there can be +means to salve this sore, I will. If not,--I tell you what shall become +of me, as truly as God lives." + +Yet it is remarkable, that, in spite of this dark intimation, the Earl, +after all, did not state what was to become of him if the sore was not +salved. He was, however, explicit enough as to the causes of his grief, +and very vehement in its manifestations. "Another matter which shall +concern me deeply," he said, "and all the subjects there, is now by you +to be carefully considered, which is--money. I find that the money is +already gone, and this now given to the treasurer will do no more than +pay to the end of the month. I beseech you look to it, for by the Lord! I +will bear no more so miserable burdens; for if I have no money to pay +them, let them come home, or what else. I will not starve them, nor stay +them. There was never gentleman nor general so sent out as I am; and if +neither Queen nor council care to help it, but leave men desperate, as I +see men shall be, that inconvenience will follow which I trust in the +Lord I shall be free of." + +He then used language about himself, singularly resembling the +phraseology employed by Elizabeth concerning him, when she was scolding +the Netherland commissioners for the dilatoriness and parsimony of the +States. + +"For mine own part," he said, "I have taken upon me this voyage, not as a +desperate nor forlorn man, but as one as well contented with his place +and calling at home as any subject was ever. My cause was not, nor is, +any other than the Lord's and the Queen's. If the Queen fail, yet must I +trust in the Lord, and on Him, I see, I am wholly to depend. I can say no +more, but pray to God that her Majesty never send General again as I am +sent. And yet I will do what I can for her and my country." + +The Earl had raised a choice body of lancers to accompany him to the +Netherlands, but the expense of the levy had come mainly upon his own +purse. The Queen had advanced five thousand pounds, which was much less +than the requisite amount, while for the balance required, as well as for +other necessary expenses, she obstinately declined to furnish Leicester +with funds, even refusing him, at last, a temporary loan. She violently +accused him of cheating her, reclaimed money which he had wrung from her +on good security, and when he had repaid the sum, objected to give him a +discharge. As for receiving anything by way of salary, that was quite out +of the question. At that moment he would have been only too happy to be +reimbursed for what he was already out of pocket. Whether Elizabeth loved +Leicester as a brother, or better than a brother, may be a historical +question, but it is no question at all that she loved money better than +she did Leicester. Unhappy the man, whether foe or favourite, who had +pecuniary transactions with her Highness. + +"I am sorry," said the Earl, "that her Majesty hath so hard a conceit of +me, that I should go about to cozen her, as though I had got a fee simple +from her, and had it not before, or that I had not had her full release +for payment of the money I borrowed. I pray God, any that did put such +scruple in her, have not deceived her more than I have done. I thank God +I have a clear conscience for deceiving her, and for money matters. I +think I may justly say I have been the only cause of more gain to her +coffers than all her chequer-men have been. But so is the hap of some, +that all they do is nothing, and others that do nothing, do all, and have +all the thanks. But I would this were all the grief I carry with me; but +God is my comfort, and on Him I cast all, for there is no surety in this +world beside. What hope of help can I have, finding her Majesty so strait +with myself as she is? I did trust that--the cause being hers and this +realm's--if I could have gotten no money of her merchants, she would not +have refused to have lent money on so easy prized land as mine, to have +been gainer and no loser by it. Her Majesty, I see, will make trial of me +how I love her, and what will discourage me from her service. But +resolved am I that no worldly respect shall draw me back from my faithful +discharge of my duty towards her, though she shall show to hate me, as it +goeth very near; for I find no love or favour at all. And I pray you to +remember that I have not had one penny of her Majesty towards all these +charges of mine--not one penny-and, by all truth, I have already laid out +above five thousand pounds. Her Majesty appointed eight thousand pounds +for the levy, which was after the rate of four hundred horse, and, upon +my fidelity, there is shipped, of horse of service, eight hundred, so +that there ought eight thousand more to have been paid me. No general +that ever went that was not paid to the uttermost of these things before +he went, but had cash for his provision, which her Majesty would not +allow me--not one groat. Well, let all this go, it is like I shall be the +last shall bear this, and some must suffer for the people. Good Mr. +Secretary, let her Majesty know this, for I deserve God-a-mercy, at the +least." + +Leicester, to do him justice, was thoroughly alive to the importance of +the Crisis. On political principle, at any rate, he was a firm supporter +of Protestantism, and even of Puritanism; a form of religion which +Elizabeth detested, and in which, with keen instinct, she detected a +mutinous element against the divine right of kings. The Earl was quite +convinced of the absolute necessity that England should take up the +Netherland matter most vigorously, on pain of being herself destroyed. +All the most sagacious counsellors of Elizabeth were day by day more and +more confirmed in this opinion, and were inclined heartily to support the +new Lieutenant-General. As for Leicester himself, while fully conscious +of his own merits, and of his firm intent to do his duty, he was also +grateful to those who were willing to befriend him in his arduous +enterprise. + +"I have received a letter from my Lord Willoughby," he said, "to my +seeming, as wise a letter as I have read a great while, and not unfit for +her Majesty's sight. I pray God open her eyes, that they may behold her +present estate indeed, and the wonderful means that God doth offer unto +her. If she lose these opportunities, who can look for other but +dishonour and destruction? My Lord Treasurer hath also written me a most +hearty and comfortable letter touching this voyage, not only in showing +the importance of it, both for her Majesty's own safety and the realm's, +but that the whole state of religion doth depend thereon, and therefore +doth faithfully promise his whole and best assistance for the supply of +all wants. I was not a little glad to receive such a letter from him at +this time." + +And from on board the 'Amity,' ready to set sail, he expressed his thanks +to Burghley, at finding him so "earnestly bent for the good supply and +maintenance of us poor men sent in her Majesty's service and our +country's." + +As for Walsingham, earnestly a defender of the Netherland cause from the +beginning, he was wearied and disgusted with fighting against the Queen's +parsimony and caprice. "He is utterly discouraged," said Leicester to +Burghley, "to deal any more in these causes. I pray God your Lordship +grow not so too; for then all will to the ground; on my poor side +especially." + +And to Sir Francis himself, he wrote, even as his vessel was casting off +her moorings:--"I am sorry, Mr. Secretary," he said, "to find you so +discouraged, and that her Majesty doth deem you so partial. And yet my +suits to her Majesty have not of late been so many nor great, while the +greatest, I am sure, are for her Majesty's own service. For my part, I +will discharge my duty as far as my poor ability and capacity shall +serve, and if I shall not have her gracious and princely support and +supply, the lack will be to us, for the present, but the shame and +dishonour will be hers." + +And with these parting words the Earl committed himself to the December +seas. + +Davison had been meantime doing his best to prepare the way in the +Netherlands for the reception of the English administration. What man +could do, without money and without authority, he had done. The governors +for Flushing and the Brill, Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Thomas Cecil, +eldest son of Lord Burghley, had been appointed, but had not arrived. +Their coming was anxiously looked for, as during the interval the +condition of the garrisons was deplorable. The English treasurer--by some +unaccountable and unpardonable negligence, for which it is to be feared +the Queen was herself to blame--was not upon the spot, and Davison was +driven out of his wits to devise expedients to save the soldiers from +starving. + +"Your Lordship has seen by my former letters," wrote the Ambassador to +Burghley from Flushing, "what shift I have been driven to for the relief +of this garrison here, left 'a l'abandon;' without which means they had +all fallen into wild and shameful disorder, to her Majesty's great +disgrace and overthrow of her service. I am compelled, unless I would see +the poor men famish, and her Majesty dishonoured, to try my poor credit +for them." + +General Sir John Norris was in the Betuwe, threatening Nvymegen, a town +which he found "not so flexible as he had hoped;" and, as he had but two +thousand men, while Alexander Farnese was thought to be marching upon him +with ten thousand, his position caused great anxiety. Meantime, his +brother, Sir Edward, a hot-headed and somewhat wilful young man, who +"thought that all was too little for him," was giving the sober Davison a +good deal of trouble. He had got himself into a quarrel, both with that +envoy and with Roger Williams, by claiming the right to control military +matters in Flushing until the arrival of Sidney. "If Sir Thomas and Sir +Philip," said Davison, "do not make choice of more discreet, staid, and +expert commanders than those thrust into these places by Mr. Norris, they +will do themselves a great deal of worry, and her Majesty a great deal of +hurt." + +As might naturally be expected, the lamentable condition of the English +soldiers, unpaid and starving--according to the report of the Queen's +envoy himself--exercised anything but a salutary influence upon the minds +of the Netherlanders and perpetually fed the hopes of the Spanish +partizans that a composition with Philip and Parma would yet take place. +On the other hand, the States had been far more liberal in raising funds +than the Queen had shown herself to be, and were somewhat indignant at +being perpetually taunted with parsimony by her agents. Davison was +offended by the injustice of Norris in this regard. "The complaints which +the General hath made of the States to her Majesty," said he, "are +without cause, and I think, when your Lordship shall examine it well, you +will find it no little sum they have already disbursed unto him for their +part. Wherein, nevertheless, if they had been looked into, they were +somewhat the more excusable, considering how ill our people at her +Majesty's entertainment were satisfied hitherto--a thing that doth much +prejudice her reputation, and hurt her service." + +At last, however, the die had been cast. The Queen, although rejecting +the proposed sovereignty of the Netherlands, had espoused their cause, by +solemn treaty of alliance, and thereby had thrown down the gauntlet to +Spain. She deemed it necessary, therefore, out of respect for the +opinions of mankind, to issue a manifesto of her motives to the world. +The document was published, simultaneously in Dutch, French, English, and +Italian. + +In this solemn state-paper she spoke of the responsibility of princes to +the Almighty, of the ancient friendship between England and the +Netherlands, of the cruelty and tyranny of the Spaniards, of their +violation of the liberties of the Provinces, of their hanging, beheading, +banishing without law and against justice, in the space of a few months, +so many of the highest nobles in the land. Although in the beginning of +the cruel persecution, the pretext had been the maintenance of the +Catholic religion, yet it was affirmed they had not failed to exercise +their barbarity upon Catholics also, and even upon ecclesiastics. Of the +principal persons put to death, no one, it was asserted, had been more +devoted to the ancient church than was the brave Count Egmont, who, for +his famous victories in the service of Spain, could never be forgotten in +veracious history any more than could be the cruelty of his execution. + +The land had been made desolate, continued the Queen, with fire, sword, +famine, and murder. These misfortunes had ever been bitterly deplored by +friendly nations, and none could more truly regret such sufferings than +did the English, the oldest allies, and familiar neighbours of the +Provinces, who had been as close to them in the olden time by community +of connexion and language, as man and wife. She declared that she had +frequently, by amicable embassies, warned her brother of Spain--speaking +to him like a good, dear sister and neighbour--that unless he restrained +the cruelty of his governors and their soldiers, he was sure to force his +Provinces into allegiance to some other power. She expressed the danger +in which she should be placed if the Spaniards succeeded in establishing +their absolute government in the Netherlands, from which position their +attacks upon England would be incessant. She spoke of the enterprise +favoured and set on foot by the Pope and by Spain, against the kingdom of +Ireland. She alluded to the dismissal of the Spanish envoy, Don +Bernardino de Mendoza, who had been treated by her with great regard for +a long time, but who had been afterwards discovered in league with +certain ill-disposed and seditious subjects of hers, and with publicly +condemned traitors. That envoy had arranged a plot according to which, as +appeared by his secret despatches, an invasion of England by a force of +men, coming partly from Spain, and partly from the Netherlands, might be +successfully managed, and he had even noted down the necessary number of +ships and men, with various other details. Some of the conspirators had +fled, she observed, and were now consorting with Mendoza, who, after his +expulsion from England, had been appointed ambassador in Paris; while +some had been arrested, and had confessed the plot. So soon as this envoy +had been discovered to be the chief of a rebellion and projected +invasion, the Queen had requested him, she said, to leave the kingdom +within a reasonable time, as one who was the object of deadly hatred to +the English people. She had then sent an agent to Spain, in order to +explain the whole transaction. That agent had not been allowed even to +deliver despatches to the King. + +When the French had sought, at a previous period, to establish their +authority in Scotland, even as the Spaniards had attempted to do in the +Netherlands, and through the enormous ambition of the House of Guise, to +undertake the invasion of her kingdom, she had frustrated their plots, +even as she meant to suppress these Spanish conspiracies. She spoke of +the Prince of Parma as more disposed by nature to mercy and humanity, +than preceding governors had been, but as unable to restrain the +blood-thirstiness of Spaniards, increased by long indulgence. She avowed, +in assuming the protection of the Netherlands, and in sending her troops +to those countries, but three objects: peace, founded upon the +recognition of religious freedom in the Provinces, restoration of their +ancient political liberties, and security for England. Never could there +be tranquillity, for her own realm until these neighbouring countries +were tranquil. These were her ends and aims, despite all that slanderous +tongues might invent. The world, she observed, was overflowing with +blasphemous libels, calumnies, scandalous pamphlets; for never had the +Devil been so busy in supplying evil tongues with venom against the +professors of the Christian religion. + +She added that in a pamphlet, ascribed to the Archbishop of Milan, just +published, she had been accused of ingratitude to the King of Spain, and +of plots to take the life of Alexander Farnese. In answer to the first +charge, she willingly acknowledged her obligations to the King of Spain +during the reign of her sister. She pronounced it, however, an absolute +falsehood that he had ever saved her life, as if she had ever been +condemned to death. She likewise denied earnestly the charge regarding +the Prince of Parma. She protested herself incapable of such a crime, +besides declaring that he had never given her offence. On the contrary, +he was a man whom she had ever honoured for the rare qualities that she +had noted in him, and for which he had deservedly acquired a high +reputation. + +Such, in brief analysis, was the memorable Declaration of Elizabeth in +favour of the Netherlands--a document which was a hardly disguised +proclamation of war against Philip. In no age of the world could an +unequivocal agreement to assist rebellious subjects, with men and money, +against their sovereign, be considered otherwise than as a hostile +demonstration. The King of Spain so regarded the movement, and forthwith +issued a decree, ordering the seizure of all English as well as all +Netherland vessels within his ports, together with the arrest of persons, +and confiscation of property. + +Subsequently to the publication of the Queen's memorial, and before the +departure of the Earl of Leicester, Sir Philip Sidney, having received +his appointment, together with the rank of general of cavalry, arrived in +the Isle of Walcheren, as governor of Flushing, at the head of a portion +of the English contingent. + +It is impossible not to contemplate with affection so radiant a figure, +shining through the cold mists of that Zeeland winter, and that distant +and disastrous epoch. There is hardly a character in history upon which +the imagination can dwell with more unalloyed delight. Not in romantic +fiction was there ever created a more attractive incarnation of martial +valour, poetic genius, and purity of heart. If the mocking spirit of the +soldier of Lepanto could "smile chivalry away," the name alone of his +English contemporary is potent enough to conjure it back again, so long +as humanity is alive to the nobler impulses. + +"I cannot pass him over in silence," says a dusty chronicler, "that +glorious star, that lively pattern of virtue, and the lovely joy of all +the learned sort. It was God's will that he should be born into the +world, even to show unto our age a sample of ancient virtue." The +descendant of an ancient Norman race, and allied to many of the proudest +nobles in England, Sidney himself was but a commoner, a private +individual, a soldier of fortune. He was now in his thirty second year, +and should have been foremost among the states men of Elizabeth, had it +not been, according to Lord Bacon, a maxim of the Cecils, that "able men +should be by design and of purpose suppressed." Whatever of truth there +may have been in the bitter remark, it is certainly strange that a man so +gifted as Sidney--of whom his father-in-law Walsingham had declared, that +"although he had influence in all countries, and a hand upon all affairs, +his Philip did far overshoot him with his own bow"--should have passed so +much of his life in retirement, or in comparatively insignificant +employments. The Queen, as he himself observed, was most apt to interpret +everything to his disadvantage. Among those who knew him well, there +seems never to have been a dissenting voice. His father, Sir Henry +Sidney, lord-deputy of Ireland, and president of Wales, a states man of +accomplishments and experience, called him "lumen familiae suae," and +said of him, with pardonable pride, "that he had the most virtues which +he had ever found in any man; that he was the very formular that all +well-disposed young gentlemen do form their manners and life by." + +The learned Hubert Languet, companion of Melancthon, tried friend of +William the Silent, was his fervent admirer and correspondent. The great +Prince of Orange held him in high esteem, and sent word to Queen +Elizabeth, that having himself been an actor in the most important +affairs of Europe, and acquainted with her foremost men, he could "pledge +his credit that her Majesty had one of the ripest and greatest +councillors of state in Sir Philip Sidney that lived in Europe." + +The incidents of his brief and brilliant life, up to his arrival upon the +fatal soil of the Netherlands, are too well known to need recalling. +Adorned with the best culture that, in a learned age, could be obtained +in the best seminaries of his native country, where, during childhood and +youth, he had been distinguished for a "lovely and familiar gravity +beyond his years," he rapidly acquired the admiration of his comrades and +the esteem of all his teachers. + +Travelling for three years, he made the acquaintance and gained the +personal regard of such opposite characters as Charles IX. of France, +Henry of Navarre, Don John of Austria, and William of Orange, and +perfected his accomplishments by residence and study, alternately, in +courts, camps, and learned universities. He was in Paris during the +memorable days of August, 1572, and narrowly escaped perishing in the St. +Bartholomew Massacre. On his return, he was, for a brief period, the idol +of the English court, which, it was said, "was maimed without his +company." At the age of twenty-one he was appointed special envoy to +Vienna, ostensibly for the purpose of congratulating the Emperor Rudolph +upon his accession, but in reality that he might take the opportunity of +sounding the secret purposes of the Protestant princes of Germany, in +regard to the great contest of the age. In this mission, young as he was, +he acquitted himself, not only to the satisfaction, but to the admiration +of Walsingham, certainly a master himself in that occult science, the +diplomacy of the sixteenth century. "There hath not been," said he, "any +gentleman, I am sure, that hath gone through so honourable a charge with +as great commendations as he." + +When the memorable marriage-project of Queen Elizabeth with Anjou seemed +about to take effect, he denounced the scheme in a most spirited and +candid letter, addressed to her Majesty; nor is it recorded that the +Queen was offended with his frankness. Indeed we are informed that +"although he found a sweet stream of sovereign humours in that +well-tempered lady to run against him, yet found he safety in herself +against that selfness which appeared to threaten him in her." Whatever +this might mean, translated out of euphuism into English, it is certain +that his conduct was regarded with small favour by the court-grandees, by +whom "worth, duty, and justice, were looked upon with no other eyes than +Lamia's." + +The difficulty of swimming against that sweet stream of sovereign humours +in the well-tempered Elizabeth, was aggravated by his quarrel, at this +period, with the magnificent Oxford. A dispute at a tennis-court, where +many courtiers and foreigners were looking on, proceeded rapidly from one +extremity to another. The Earl commanded Sir Philip to leave the place. +Sir Philip responded, that if he were of a mind that he should go, he +himself was of a mind that he should remain; adding that if he had +entreated, where he had no right to command, he might have done more than +"with the scourge of fury."--"This answer," says Fulke Greville, in a +style worthy of Don Adriano de Armado, "did, like a bellows, blowing up +the sparks of excess already kindled, make my lord scornfully call Sir +Philip by the name of puppy. In which progress of heat, as the tempest +grew more and more vehement within, so did their hearts breathe out their +perturbations in a more loud and shrill accent;" and so on; but the +impending duel was the next day forbidden by express command of her +Majesty. Sidney, not feeling the full force of the royal homily upon the +necessity of great deference from gentlemen to their superiors in rank, +in order to protect all orders from the insults of plebeians, soon +afterwards retired from the court. To his sylvan seclusion the world owes +the pastoral and chivalrous romance of the 'Arcadia' and to the pompous +Earl, in consequence, an emotion of gratitude. Nevertheless, it was in +him to do, rather than to write, and humanity seems defrauded, when +forced to accept the 'Arcadia,' the `Defence of Poesy,' and the +'Astrophel and Stella,' in discharge of its claims upon so great and pure +a soul. + +Notwithstanding this disagreeable affair, and despite the memorable +letter against Anjou, Sir Philip suddenly flashes upon us again, as one +of the four challengers in a tournament to honour the Duke's presence in +England. A vision of him in blue gilded armour--with horses caparisoned +in cloth of gold, pearl-embroidered, attended by pages in cloth of +silver, Venetian hose, laced hats, and by gentlemen, yeomen, and +trumpeters, in yellow velvet cassocks, buskins, and feathers--as one of +"the four fostered children of virtuous desire" (to wit, Anjou) storming +"the castle of perfect Beauty" (to wit, Queen Elizabeth, aetatis 47) +rises out of the cloud-dusts of ancient chronicle for a moment, and then +vanishes into air again. + + "Having that day his hand, his horse, his lance, + Guided so well that they attained the prize + Both in the judgment of our English eyes, + But of some sent by that sweet enemy, France," + +as he chivalrously sings, he soon afterwards felt inclined for wider +fields of honourable adventure. It was impossible that knight-errant so +true should not feel keenest sympathy with an oppressed people struggling +against such odds, as the Netherlanders were doing in their contest with +Spain. So soon as the treaty with England was arranged, it was his +ambition to take part in the dark and dangerous enterprise, and, being +son-in-law to Walsingham and nephew to Leicester, he had a right to +believe that his talents and character would, on this occasion, be +recognised. But, like his "very friend," Lord Willoughby, he was "not of +the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch," and he failed, +as usual, to win his way to the Queen's favour. The governorship of +Flushing was denied him, and, stung to the heart by such neglect, he +determined to seek his fortune beyond the seas. + +"Sir Philip hath taken a very hard resolution," wrote Walsingham to +Davison, "to accompany Sir Francis Drake in this voyage, moved thereto +for that he saw her Majesty disposed to commit the charge of Flushing +unto some other; which he reputed would fall out greatly to his disgrace, +to see another preferred before him, both for birth and judgment inferior +unto him. The despair thereof and the disgrace that he doubted he should +receive have carried him into a different course." + +The Queen, however, relenting at last, interfered to frustrate his +design. Having thus balked his ambition in the Indian seas, she felt +pledged to offer him the employment which he had originally solicited, +and she accordingly conferred upon him the governorship of Flushing, with +the rank of general of horse, under the Earl of Leicester. In the latter +part of November, he cast anchor, in the midst of a violent storm, at +Rammekins, and thence came to the city of his government. Young, and +looking even younger than his years--"not only of an excellent wit, but +extremely beautiful of face"--with delicately chiselled Anglo-Norman +features, smooth fair cheek, a faint moustache, blue eyes, and a mass of +amber-coloured hair; such was the author of 'Arcadia' and the governor of +Flushing. + +And thus an Anglo-Norman representative of ancient race had come back to +the home of his ancestors. Scholar, poet, knight-errant, finished +gentleman, he aptly typified the result of seven centuries of +civilization upon the wild Danish pirate. For among those very quicksands +of storm-beaten Walachria that wondrous Normandy first came into +existence whose wings were to sweep over all the high places of +Christendom. Out of these creeks, lagunes, and almost inaccessible +sandbanks, those bold freebooters sailed forth on their forays against +England, France, and other adjacent countries, and here they brought and +buried the booty of many a wild adventure. Here, at a later day, Rollo +the Dane had that memorable dream of leprosy, the cure of which was the +conversion of North Gaul into Normandy, of Pagans into Christians, and +the subsequent conquest of every throne in Christendom from Ultima Thule +to Byzantium. And now the descendant of those early freebooters had come +back to the spot, at a moment when a wider and even more imperial swoop +was to be made by their modern representatives. For the sea-kings of the +sixteenth century--the Drakes, Hawkinses, Frobishers, Raleighs, +Cavendishes--the De Moors, Heemskerks, Barendts--all sprung of the old +pirate-lineage, whether called Englanders or Hollanders, and instinct +with the same hereditary love of adventure, were about to wrestle with +ancient tyrannies, to explore the most inaccessible regions, and to +establish new commonwealths in worlds undreamed of by their ancestors--to +accomplish, in short, more wondrous feats than had been attempted by the +Knuts, and Rollos, Rurics, Ropers, and Tancreds, of an earlier age. + +The place which Sidney was appointed to govern was one of great military +and commercial importance. Flushing was the key to the navigation of the +North Seas, ever since the disastrous storm of a century before, in which +a great trading city on the outermost verge of the island had been +swallowed bodily by the ocean. The Emperor had so thoroughly recognized +its value, as to make special mention of the necessity for its +preservation, in his private instructions to Philip, and now the Queen of +England had confided it to one who was competent to appreciate and to +defend the prize. "How great a jewel this place (Flushing) is to the +crown of England," wrote Sidney to his Uncle Leicester, "and to the +Queen's safety, I need not now write it to your lordship, who knows it so +well. Yet I must needs say, the better I know it, the more I find the +preciousness of it." + +He did not enter into his government, however, with much pomp and +circumstance, but came afoot into Flushing in the midst of winter and +foul weather. "Driven to land at Rammekins," said he, "because the wind +began to rise in such sort as from thence our mariners durst not enter +the town, I came with as dirty a walk as ever poor governor entered his +charge withal." But he was cordially welcomed, nor did he arrive by any +means too soon. + +"I find the people very glad of our coming," he said, "and promise myself +as much surety in keeping this town, as popular good-will, gotten by +light hopes, and by as slight conceits, may breed; for indeed the +garrison is far too weak to command by authority, which is pity . . . . I +think, truly, that if my coming had been longer delayed, some alteration +would have followed; for the truth is, this people is weary of war, and +if they do not see such a course taken as may be likely to defend them, +they will in a sudden give over the cause. . . . All will be lost if +government be not presently used." + +He expressed much anxiety for the arrival of his uncle, with which +sentiments he assured the Earl that the Netherlanders fully sympathized. +"Your Lordship's coming," he said, "is as much longed for as Messias is +of the Jews. It is indeed most necessary that your Lordship make great +speed to reform both the Dutch and English abuses." + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Able men should be by design and of purpose suppressed + He did his work, but he had not his reward + Matter that men may rather pray for than hope for + Not of the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch + Others that do nothing, do all, and have all the thanks + Peace-at-any-price party + The busy devil of petty economy + Thought that all was too little for him + Weary of place without power + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History United Netherlands, Volume 44, 1585-1586 + + + + +CHAPTER VII., Part 1. + + The Earl of Leicester--His Triumphal Entrance into Holland--English + Spies about him--Importance of Holland to England--Spanish Schemes + for invading England--Letter of the Grand Commander--Perilous + Position of England--True Nature of the Contest--wealth and Strength + of the Provinces--Power of the Dutch and English People--Affection + of the Hollanders for the Queen--Secret Purposes of Leicester-- + Wretched condition of English Troops--The Nassaus and Hohenlo--The + Earl's Opinion of them--Clerk and Killigrew--Interview with the + States Government General offered to the Earl--Discussions on the + Subject--The Earl accepts the Office--His Ambition and Mistakes--His + Installation at the Hague--Intimations of the Queen's Displeasure-- + Deprecatory Letters of Leicester--Davison's Mission to England-- + Queen's Anger and Jealousy--Her angry Letters to the Earl and the + States--Arrival of Davison--Stormy Interview with the Queen--The + second one is calmer--Queen's Wrath somewhat mitigated--Mission of + Heneago to the States--Shirley sent to England by the Earl--His + Interview with Elizabeth + +At last the Earl of Leicester came. Embarking at Harwich, with a fleet of +fifty ships, and attended "by the flower and chief gallants of +England"--the Lords Sheffield, Willoughby, North, Burroughs, Sir Gervase +Clifton, Sir William Russell, Sir Robert Sidney, and others among the +number--the new lieutenant-general of the English forces in the +Netherlands arrived on the 19th December, 1585, at Flushing. + +His nephew, Sir Philip Sidney, and Count Maurice of Nassau, with a body +of troops and a great procession of civil functionaries; were in +readiness to receive him, and to escort him to the lodgings prepared for +him. + +Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was then fifty-four years of age. There +are few personages in English history whose adventures, real or +fictitious, have been made more familiar to the world than his have been, +or whose individuality has been presented in more picturesque fashion, by +chronicle, tragedy, or romance. Born in the same day of the month and +hour of the day with the Queen, but two years before her birth, the +supposed synastry of their destinies might partly account, in that age of +astrological superstition, for the influence which he perpetually +exerted. They had, moreover, been fellow-prisoners together, in the +commencement of the reign of Mary, and it is possible that he may have +been the medium through which the indulgent expressions of Philip II. +were conveyed to the Princess Elizabeth. + +His grandfather, John Dudley, that "caterpillar of the commonwealth," who +lost his head in the first year of Henry VIII. as a reward for the grist +which he brought to the mill of Henry VII.; his father, the mighty Duke +of Northumberland, who rose out of the wreck of an obscure and ruined +family to almost regal power, only to perish, like his predecessor, upon +the scaffold, had bequeathed him nothing save rapacity, ambition, and the +genius to succeed. But Elizabeth seemed to ascend the throne only to +bestow gifts upon her favourite. Baronies and earldoms, stars and +garters, manors and monopolies, castles and forests, church livings and +college chancellorships, advowsons and sinecures, emoluments and +dignities, the most copious and the most exalted, were conferred upon him +in breathless succession. Wine, oil, currants, velvets, ecclesiastical +benefices, university headships, licences to preach, to teach, to ride, +to sail, to pick and to steal, all brought "grist to his mill." His +grandfather, "the horse leach and shearer," never filled his coffers more +rapidly than did Lord Robert, the fortunate courtier. Of his early +wedlock with the ill-starred Amy Robsart, of his nuptial projects with +the Queen, of his subsequent marriages and mock-marriages with Douglas +Sheffield and Lettice of Essex, of his plottings, poisonings, imaginary +or otherwise, of his countless intrigues, amatory and political--of that +luxuriant, creeping, flaunting, all-pervading existence which struck its +fibres into the mould, and coiled itself through the whole fabric, of +Elizabeth's life and reign--of all this the world has long known too much +to render a repetition needful here. The inmost nature and the secret +deeds of a man placed so high by wealth and station, can be seen but +darkly through the glass of contemporary record. There was no tribunal to +sit upon his guilt. A grandee could be judged only when no longer a +favourite, and the infatuation of Elizabeth for Leicester terminated only +with his life. He stood now upon the soil of the Netherlands in the +character of a "Messiah," yet he has been charged with crimes sufficient +to send twenty humbler malefactors to the gibbet. "I think," said a most +malignant arraigner of the man, in a published pamphlet, "that the Earl +of Leicester hath more blood lying upon his head at this day, crying for +vengeance, than ever had private man before, were he never so wicked." + +Certainly the mass of misdemeanours and infamies hurled at the head of +the favourite by that "green-coated Jesuit," father Parsons, under the +title of 'Leycester's Commonwealth,' were never accepted as literal +verities; yet the value of the precept, to calumniate boldly, with the +certainty that much of the calumny would last for ever, was never better +illustrated than in the case of Robert Dudley. Besides the lesser +delinquencies of filling his purse by the sale of honours and dignities, +by violent ejectments from land, fraudulent titles, rapacious enclosures +of commons, by taking bribes for matters of justice, grace, and +supplication to the royal authority, he was accused of forging various +letters to the Queen, often to ruin his political adversaries, and of +plottings to entrap them into conspiracies, playing first the comrade and +then the informer. The list of his murders and attempts to murder was +almost endless. "His lordship hath a special fortune," saith the Jesuit, +"that when he desireth any woman's favour, whatsoever person standeth in +his way hath the luck to die quickly." He was said to have poisoned Alice +Drayton, Lady Lennox, Lord Sussex, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, Lord +Sheffield, whose widow he married and then poisoned, Lord Essex, whose +widow he also married, and intended to poison, but who was said to have +subsequently poisoned him--besides murders or schemes for murder of +various other individuals, both French and English. "He was a rare artist +in poison," said Sir Robert Naunton, and certainly not Caesar Borgia, nor +his father or sister, was more accomplished in that difficult profession +than was Dudley, if half the charges against him could be believed. +Fortunately for his fame, many of them were proved to be false. Sir Henry +Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, at the time of the death of Lord Essex, +having caused a diligent inquiry to be made into that dark affair, wrote +to the council that it was usual for the Earl to fall into a bloody flux +when disturbed in his mind, and that his body when opened showed no signs +of poison. It is true that Sir Henry, although an honourable man, was +Leicester's brother-in-law, and that perhaps an autopsy was not conducted +at that day in Ireland on very scientific principles. + +His participation in the strange death of his first wife was a matter of +current belief among his contemporaries. "He is infamed by the death of +his wife," said Burghley, and the tale has since become so interwoven +with classic and legendary fiction, as well as with more authentic +history, that the phantom of the murdered Amy Robsart is sure to arise at +every mention of the Earl's name. Yet a coroner's inquest--as appears +from his own secret correspondence with his relative and agent at +Cumnor--was immediately and persistently demanded by Dudley. A jury was +impaneled--every man of them a stranger to him, and some of them +enemies. Antony Forster, Appleyard, and Arthur Robsart, brother-in-law +and brother of the lady, were present, according to Dudley's special +request; "and if more of her friends could have been sent," said he, "I +would have sent them;" but with all their minuteness of inquiry, "they +could find," wrote Blount, "no presumptions of evil," although he +expressed a suspicion that "some of the jurymen were sorry that they +could not." That the unfortunate lady was killed by a fall down stairs +was all that could be made of it by a coroner's inquest, rather hostile +than otherwise, and urged to rigorous investigation by the supposed +culprit himself. Nevertheless, the calumny has endured for three +centuries, and is likely to survive as many more. + +Whatever crimes Dudley may have committed in the course of his career, +there is no doubt whatever that he was the most abused man in Europe. He +had been deeply wounded by the Jesuit's artful publication, in which all +the misdeeds with which he was falsely or justly charged were drawn up in +awful array, in a form half colloquial, half judicial. "You had better +give some contentment to my Lord Leicester," wrote the French envoy from +London to his government, "on account of the bitter feelings excited in +him by these villainous books lately written against him." + +The Earl himself ascribed these calumnies to the Jesuits, to the Guise +faction, and particularly to--the Queen of Scots. He was said, in +consequence, to have vowed an eternal hatred to that most unfortunate and +most intriguing Princess. "Leicester has lately told a friend," wrote +Charles Paget, "that he will persecute you to the uttermost, for that he +supposeth your Majesty to be privy to the setting forth of the book +against him." Nevertheless, calumniated or innocent he was at least +triumphant over calumny. Nothing could shake his hold upon Elizabeth's +affections. The Queen scorned but resented the malignant attacks upon the +reputation of her favourite. She declared "before God and in her +conscience, that she knew the libels against him to be most scandalous, +and such as none but an incarnate devil himself could dream to be true." +His power, founded not upon genius nor virtue, but upon woman's caprice, +shone serenely above the gulf where there had been so many shipwrecks. "I +am now passing into another world," said Sussex, upon his death-bed, to +his friends, "and I must leave you to your fortunes; but beware of the +gipsy, or he will be too hard for you. You know not the beast so well as +I do." + +The "gipsy," as he had been called from his dark complexion, had been +renowned in youth for the beauty of his person, being "tall and +singularly well-featured, of a sweet aspect, but high foreheaded, which +was of no discommendation," according to Naunton. The Queen, who had the +passion of her father for tall and proper men, was easier won by +externals, from her youth even to the days of her dotage, than befitted +so very sagacious a personage. Chamberlains, squires of the body, +carvers, cup-bearers, gentlemen-ushers, porters, could obtain neither +place nor favour at court, unless distinguished for stature, strength, or +extraordinary activity. To lose a tooth had been known to cause the loss +of a place, and the excellent constitution of leg which helped Sir +Christopher Hatton into the chancellorship, was not more remarkable +perhaps than the success of similar endowments in other contemporaries. +Leicester, although stately and imposing, had passed his summer solstice. +A big bulky man, with a long red face, a bald head, a defiant somewhat +sinister eye, a high nose, and a little torrent of foam-white curly +beard, he was still magnificent in costume. Rustling in satin and +feathers, with jewels in his ears, and his velvet toque stuck as airily +as ever upon the side of his head, he amazed the honest Hollanders, who +had been used to less gorgeous chieftains. + +"Every body is wondering at the great magnificence and splendour of his +clothes," said the plain chronicler of Utrecht. For, not much more than a +year before, Fulke Greville had met at Delft a man whose external +adornments were simpler; a somewhat slip-shod personage, whom he thus +pourtrayed: "His uppermost garment was a gown," said the euphuistic +Fulke, "yet such as, I confidently affirm, a mean-born student of our +Inns of Court would not have been well disposed to walk the streets in. +Unbuttoned his doublet was, and of like precious matter and form to the +other. His waistcoat, which showed itself under it, not unlike the best +sort of those woollen knit ones which our ordinary barge-watermen row us +in. His company about him, the burgesses of that beerbrewing town. No +external sign of degree could have discovered the inequality of his worth +or estate from that multitude. Nevertheless, upon conversing with him, +there was an outward passage of inward greatness." + +Of a certainty there must have been an outward passage of inward +greatness about him; for the individual in unbuttoned doublet and +bargeman's waistcoat, was no other than William the Silent. A different +kind of leader had now descended among those rebels, yet it would be a +great mistake to deny the capacity or vigorous intentions of the +magnificent Earl, who certainly was like to find himself in a more +difficult and responsible situation than any he had yet occupied. + +And now began a triumphal progress through the land, with a series of +mighty banquets and festivities, in which no man could play a better part +than Leicester. From Flushing he came to Middelburg, where, upon +Christmas eve (according to the new reckoning), there was an +entertainment, every dish of which has been duly chronicled. Pigs served +on their feet, pheasants in their feathers, and baked swans with their +necks thrust through gigantic pie-crust; crystal castles of confectionery +with silver streams flowing at their base, and fair virgins leaning from +the battlements, looking for their new English champion, "wine in +abundance, variety of all sorts, and wonderful welcomes "--such was the +bill of fare. The next day the Lieutenant-General returned the compliment +to the magistrates of Middelburg with a tremendous feast. Then came an +interlude of unexpected famine; for as the Earl sailed with his suite in +a fleet of two hundred vessels for Dort--a voyage of not many hours' +usual duration--there descended a mighty frozen fog upon the waters, and +they lay five whole days and nights in their ships, almost starved with +hunger and cold--offering in vain a "pound of silver for a pound of +bread." Emerging at last from this dismal predicament, he landed at Dort, +and so went to Rotterdam and Delft, everywhere making his way through +lines of musketeers and civic functionaries, amid roaring cannon, pealing +bells, burning cressets, blazing tar-barrels, fiery winged dragons, +wreaths of flowers, and Latin orations. + +The farther he went the braver seemed the country, and the better beloved +his. Lordship. Nothing was left undone, in the language of ancient +chronicle, to fill the bellies and the heads of the whole company. At the +close of the year he came to the Hague, where the festivities were +unusually magnificent. A fleet of barges was sent to escort him. Peter, +James, and John, met him upon the shore, while the Saviour appeared +walking upon the waves, and ordered his disciples to cast their nets, and +to present the fish to his Excellency. Farther on, he was confronted by +Mars and Bellona, who recited Latin odes in his honour. Seven beautiful +damsels upon a stage, representing the United States, offered him golden +keys; seven others equally beautiful, embodying the seven sciences, +presented him with garlands, while an enthusiastic barber adorned his +shop with seven score of copper basins, with a wax-light in each, +together with a rose, and a Latin posy in praise of Queen Elizabeth. Then +there were tiltings in the water between champions mounted upon whales, +and other monsters of the deep-representatives of siege, famine, +pestilence, and murder--the whole interspersed with fireworks, poetry, +charades, and Matthias, nor Anjou, nor King Philip, nor the Emperor +Charles, in their triumphal progresses, had been received with more +spontaneous or more magnificent demonstrations. Never had the living +pictures been more startling, the allegories more incomprehensible, the +banquets more elaborate, the orations more tedious. Beside himself with +rapture, Leicester almost assumed the God. In Delft, a city which he +described as "another London almost for beauty and fairness," he is said +so far to have forgotten himself as to declare that his family had--in +the person of Lady Jane Grey, his father, and brother--been unjustly +deprived of the crown of England; an indiscretion which caused a shudder +in all who heard him. It was also very dangerous for the +Lieutenant-General to exceed the bounds of becoming modesty at that +momentous epoch. His power, as we shall soon have occasion to observe, +was anomalous, and he was surrounded by enemies. He was not only to +grapple with a rapidly developing opposition in the States, but he was +surrounded with masked enemies, whom he had brought with him from +England. Every act and word of his were liable to closest scrutiny, and +likely to be turned against him. For it was most characteristic of that +intriguing age, that even the astute Walsingham, who had an eye and an +ear at every key-hole in Europe, was himself under closest domestic +inspection. There was one Poley, a trusted servant of Lady Sidney, then +living in the house of her father Walsingham, during Sir Philip's +absence, who was in close communication with Lord Montjoy's brother, +Blount, then high in favour of Queen Elizabeth--"whose grandmother she +might be for his age and hers"--and with another brother Christopher +Blount, at that moment in confidential attendance upon Lord Leicester in +Holland. Now Poley, and both the Blounts, were, in reality, Papists, and +in intimate correspondence with the agents of the Queen of Scots, both at +home and abroad, although "forced to fawn upon Leicester, to see if they +might thereby live quiet." They had a secret "alphabet," or cipher, among +them, and protested warmly, that they "honoured the ground whereon Queen +Mary trod better than Leicester with all his generation; and that they +felt bound to serve her who was the only saint living on the earth." + +It may be well understood then that the Earl's position was a slippery +one, and that great assumption might be unsafe. "He taketh the matter +upon him," wrote Morgan to the Queen of Scots, "as though he were an +absolute king; but he hath many personages about him of good place out of +England, the best number whereof desire nothing more than his confusion. +Some of them be gone with him to avoid the persecution for religion in +England. My poor advice and labour shall not be wanting to give Leicester +all dishonour, which will fall upon him in the end with shame enough; +though for the present he be very strong." Many of these personages of +good place, and enjoying "charge and credit" with the Earl had very +serious plans in their heads. Some of them meant "for the service of God, +and the advantage of the King of Spain, to further the delivery of some +notable towns in Holland and Zeeland to the said King and his ministers," +and we are like to hear of these individuals again. + +Meantime, the Earl of Leicester was at the Hague. Why was he there? What +was his work? Why had Elizabeth done such violence to her affection as to +part with her favourite-in-chief; and so far overcome her thrift, as to +furnish forth, rather meagrely to be sure, that little army of +Englishmen? Why had the flower of England's chivalry set foot upon that +dark and bloody ground where there seemed so much disaster to encounter, +and so little glory to reap? Why had England thrown herself so heroically +into the breach, just as the last bulwarks were falling which protected +Holland from the overwhelming onslaught of Spain? It was because Holland +was the threshold of England; because the two countries were one by +danger and by destiny; because the naval expedition from Spain against +England was already secretly preparing; because the deposed tyrant of +Spain intended the Provinces, when again subjugated, as a steppingstone +to the conquest of England; because the naval and military forces of +Holland--her numerous ships, her hardy mariners, her vast wealth, her +commodious sea-ports, close to the English coast--if made Spanish +property would render Philip invincible by sea and land; and because the +downfall of Holland and of Protestantism would be death to Elizabeth, and +annihilation to England. + +There was little doubt on the subject in the minds of those engaged in +this expedition. All felt most keenly the importance of the game, in +which the Queen was staking her crown, and England its national +existence. + +"I pray God," said Wilford, an officer much in Walsingham's confidence, +"that I live not to see this enterprise quail, and with it the utter +subversion of religion throughout all Christendom. It may be I may be +judged to be afraid of my own shadow. God grant it be so. But if her +Majesty had not taken the helm in hand, and my Lord of Leicester sent +over, this country had been gone ere this. . . . This war doth defend +England. Who is he that will refuse to spend his life and living in it? +If her Majesty consume twenty thousand men in the cause, the experimented +men that will remain will double that strength to the realm." + +This same Wilford commanded a company in Ostend, and was employed by +Leicester in examining the defences of that important place. He often +sent information to the Secretary, "troubling him with the rude stile of +a poor soldier, being driven to scribble in haste." He reiterated, in +more than one letter, the opinion, that twenty thousand men consumed in +the war would be a saving in the end, and his own determination--although +he had intended retiring from the military profession--to spend not only +his life in the cause, but also the poor living that God had given him. +"Her Highness hath now entered into it," he said; "the fire is kindled; +whosoever suffers it to go out, it will grow dangerous to that side. The +whole state of religion is in question, and the realm of England also, if +this action quail. God grant we never live to see that doleful day. Her +Majesty hath such footing now in these parts, as I judge it impossible +for the King to weary her out, if every man will put to the work his +helping hand, whereby it may be lustily followed, and the war not +suffered to cool. The freehold of England will be worth but little, if +this action quail, and therefore I wish no subject to spare his purse +towards it." + +Spain moved slowly. Philip the Prudent was not sudden or rash, but his +whole life had proved, and was to prove, him inflexible in his purposes, +and patient in his attempts to carry them into effect, even when the +purposes had become chimerical, and the execution impossible. Before the +fall of Antwerp he had matured his scheme for the invasion of England, in +most of its details--a necessary part of which was of course the +reduction of Holland and Zeeland. "Surely no danger nor fear of any +attempt can grow to England," wrote Wilford, "so long as we can hold this +country good." But never was honest soldier more mistaken than he, when +he added:--"The Papists will make her Highness afraid of a great fleet +now preparing in Spain. We hear it also, but it is only a scare-crow to +cool the enterprise here." + +It was no scare-crow. On the very day on which Wilford was thus writing +to Walsingham, Philip the Second was writing to Alexander Farnese. "The +English," he said, "with their troops having gained a footing in the +islands (Holland and Zeeland) give me much anxiety. The English Catholics +are imploring me with much importunity to relieve them from the +persecution they are suffering. When you sent me a plan, with the coasts, +soundings, quicksands, and ports of England, you said that the enterprise +of invading that country should be deferred till we had reduced the +isles; that, having them, we could much more conveniently attack England; +or that at least we should wait till we had got Antwerp. As the city is +now taken, I want your advice now about the invasion of England. To cut +the root of the evils constantly growing up there, both for God's service +and mine, is desirable. So many evils will thus be remedied, which would +not be by only warring with the islands. It would be an uncertain and +expensive war to go to sea for the purpose of chastising the insolent +English corsairs, however much they deserve chastisement. I charge you to +be secret, to give the matter your deepest attention, and to let me have +your opinions at once." Philip then added a postscript, in his own hand, +concerning the importance of acquiring a sea-port in Holland, as a basis +of operations against England. "Without a port," he said, "we can do +nothing whatever." + +A few weeks later, the Grand Commander of Castile, by Philip's orders, +and upon subsequent information received from the Prince of Parma, drew +up an elaborate scheme for the invasion of England, and for the +government of that country afterwards; a program according to which the +King was to shape his course for a long time to come. The plot was an +excellent plot. Nothing could be more artistic, more satisfactory to the +prudent monarch; but time was to show whether there might not be some +difficulty in the way of its satisfactory development. + +"The enterprise," said the Commander, "ought certainly to be undertaken +as serving the cause of the Lord. From the Pope we must endeavour to +extract a promise of the largest aid we can get for the time when the +enterprise can be undertaken. We must not declare that time however, in +order to keep the thing a secret, and because perhaps thus more will be +promised, under the impression that it will never take effect. He added +that the work could not well be attempted before August or September of +the following year; the only fear of such delay being that the French +could hardly be kept during all that time in a state of revolt." For this +was a uniform portion of the great scheme. France was to be kept, at +Philip's expense, in a state of perpetual civil war; its every city and +village to be the scene of unceasing conflict and bloodshed--subjects in +arms against king, and family against family; and the Netherlands were to +be ravaged with fire and sword; all this in order that the path might be +prepared for Spanish soldiers into the homes of England. So much of +misery to the whole human race was it in the power of one painstaking +elderly valetudinarian to inflict, by never for an instant neglecting the +business of his life. + +Troops and vessels for the English invasion ought, in the Commander's +opinion, to be collected in Flanders, under colour of an enterprise +against Holland and Zeeland, while the armada to be assembled in Spain, +of galleons, galeazas, and galleys, should be ostensibly for an +expedition to the Indies. + +Then, after the conquest, came arrangements for the government of +England. Should Philip administer his new kingdom by a viceroy, or should +he appoint a king out of his own family? On the whole the chances for the +Prince of Parma seemed the best of any. "We must liberate the Queen of +Scotland," said the Grand Commander, "and marry her to some one or +another, both in order to put her out of love with her son, and to +conciliate her devoted adherents. Of course the husband should be one of +your Majesty's nephews, and none could be so appropriate as the Prince of +Parma, that great captain, whom his talents, and the part he has to bear +in the business, especially indicate for that honour." + +Then there was a difficulty about the possible issue of such a marriage. +The Farneses claimed Portugal; so that children sprung from the +bloodroyal of England blended with that of Parma, might choose to make +those pretensions valid. But the objection was promptly solved by the +Commander:--"The Queen of Scotland is sure to have no children," he said. + +That matter being adjusted, Parma's probable attitude as King of England +was examined. It was true his ambition might cause occasional uneasiness, +but then he might make himself still more unpleasant in the Netherlands. +"If your Majesty suspects him," said the Commander, "which, after all, is +unfair, seeing the way, in which he has been conducting himself--it is to +be remembered that in Flanders are similar circumstances and +opportunities, and that he is well armed, much beloved in the country, +and that the natives are of various humours. The English plan will +furnish an honourable departure for him out of the Provinces; and the +principle of loyal obligation will have much influence over so chivalrous +a knight as he, when he is once placed on the English throne. Moreover, +as he will be new there, he will have need of your Majesty's favour to +maintain himself, and there will accordingly be good correspondence with +Holland and the Islands. Thus your Majesty can put the Infanta and her +husband into full possession of all the Netherlands; having provided them +with so excellent a neighbour in England, and one so closely bound and +allied to them. Then, as he is to have no English children" (we have seen +that the Commander had settled that point) "he will be a very good +mediator to arrange adoptions, especially if you make good provision for +his son Rainuccio in Italy. The reasons in favour of this plan being so +much stronger than those against it, it would be well that your Majesty +should write clearly to the Prince of Parma, directing him to conduct the +enterprise" (the English invasion), "and to give him the first offer for +this marriage (with Queen Mary) if he likes the scheme. If not, he had +better mention which of the Archdukes should be substituted in his +place." + +There happened to be no lack of archdukes at that period for anything +comfortable that might offer--such as a throne in England, Holland, or +France--and the Austrian House was not remarkable for refusing convenient +marriages; but the immediate future only could show whether Alexander I. +of the House of Farnese was to reign in England, or whether the next king +of that country was to be called Matthias, Maximilian, or Ernest of +Hapsburg. + +Meantime the Grand Commander was of opinion that the invasion-project was +to be pushed forward as rapidly and as secretly as possible; because, +before any one of Philip's nephews could place himself upon the English +throne, it was first necessary to remove Elizabeth from that position. +Before disposing of the kingdom, the preliminary step of conquering it +was necessary. Afterwards it would be desirable, without wasting more +time than was requisite, to return with a large portion of the invading +force out of England, in order to complete the conquest of Holland. For +after all, England was to be subjugated only as a portion of one general +scheme; the main features of which were the reannexation of Holland and +"the islands," and the acquisition of unlimited control upon the seas. + +Thus the invasion of England was no "scarecrow," as Wilford imagined, but +a scheme already thoroughly matured. If Holland and Zeeland should +meantime fall into the hands of Philip, it was no exaggeration on that +soldier's part to observe that the "freehold of England would be worth +but little." + +To oppose this formidable array against the liberties of Europe stood +Elizabeth Tudor and the Dutch Republic. For the Queen, however arbitrary +her nature, fitly embodied much of the nobler elements in the expanding +English national character. She felt instinctively that her reliance in +the impending death-grapple was upon the popular principle, the national +sentiment, both in her own country and in Holland. That principle and +that sentiment were symbolized in the Netherland revolt; and England, +although under a somewhat despotic rule, was already fully pervaded with +the instinct of self-government. The people held the purse and the sword. + +No tyranny could be permanently established so long as the sovereign was +obliged to come every year before Parliament to ask for subsidies; so +long as all the citizens and yeomen of England had weapons in their +possession, and were carefully trained to use them; so long, in short, as +the militia was the only army, and private adventurers or trading +companies created and controlled the only navy. War, colonization, +conquest, traffic, formed a joint business and a private speculation. If +there were danger that England, yielding to purely mercantile habits of +thought and action, might degenerate from the more martial standard to +which she had been accustomed, there might be virtue in that Netherland +enterprise, which was now to call forth all her energies. The Provinces +would be a seminary for English soldiers. + +"There can be no doubt of our driving the enemy out of the country +through famine and excessive charges," said the plain-spoken English +soldier already quoted, who came out with Leicester, "if every one of us +will put our minds to go forward without making a miserable gain by the +wars. A man may see, by this little progress journey, what this long +peace hath wrought in us. We are weary of the war before we come where it +groweth, such a danger hath this long peace brought us into. This is, and +will be, in my opinion, a most fit school and nursery to nourish soldiers +to be able to keep and defend our country hereafter, if men will follow +it." + +Wilford was vehement in denouncing the mercantile tendencies of his +countrymen, and returned frequently to that point in his communications +with Walsingham and other statesmen. "God hath stirred up this action," +he repeated again, "to be a school to breed up soldiers to defend the +freedom of England, which through these long times of peace and quietness +is brought into a most dangerous estate, if it should be attempted. Our +delicacy is such that we are already weary, yet this journey is naught in +respect to the misery and hardship that soldiers must and do endure." + +He was right in his estimate of the effect likely to be produced by the +war upon the military habits of Englishmen; for there can be no doubt +that the organization and discipline of English troops was in anything +but a satisfactory state at that period. There was certainly vast room +for improvement. Nevertheless he was wrong in his views of the leading +tendencies of his age. Holland and England, self-helping, self-moving, +were already inaugurating a new era in the history of the world. The +spirit of commercial maritime enterprise--then expanding rapidly into +large proportions--was to be matched against the religious and knightly +enthusiasm which had accomplished such wonders in an age that was passing +away. Spain still personified, and had ever personified, chivalry, +loyalty, piety; but its chivalry, loyalty, and piety, were now in a +corrupted condition. The form was hollow, and the sacred spark had fled. +In Holland and England intelligent enterprise had not yet degenerated +into mere greed for material prosperity. The love of danger, the thirst +for adventure, the thrilling sense of personal responsibility and human +dignity--not the base love for land and lucre--were the governing +sentiments which led those bold Dutch and English rovers to +circumnavigate the world in cockle-shells, and to beard the most potent +monarch on the earth, both at home and abroad, with a handful of +volunteers. + +This then was the contest, and this the machinery by which it was to be +maintained. A struggle for national independence, liberty of conscience, +freedom of the seas, against sacerdotal and world-absorbing tyranny; a +mortal combat of the splendid infantry of Spain and Italy, the +professional reiters of Germany, the floating castles of a world-empire, +with the militiamen and mercantile-marine of England and Holland united. +Holland had been engaged twenty years long in the conflict. England had +thus far escaped it; but there was no doubt, and could be none, that her +time had come. She must fight the battle of Protestantism on sea and +shore, shoulder to shoulder, with the Netherlanders, or await the +conqueror's foot on her own soil. + +What now was the disposition and what the means of the Provinces to do +their part in the contest? If the twain as Holland wished, had become of +one flesh, would England have been the loser? Was it quite sure that +Elizabeth--had she even accepted the less compromising title which she +refused--would not have been quite as much the protected as the +"protectress?" + +It is very certain that the English, on their arrival in the Provinces, +were singularly impressed by the opulent and stately appearance of the +country and its inhabitants. Notwithstanding the tremendous war which the +Hollanders had been waging against Spain for twenty years, their commerce +had continued to thrive, and their resources to increase. Leicester was +in a state of constant rapture at the magnificence which surrounded him, +from his first entrance into the country. Notwithstanding the admiration +expressed by the Hollanders for the individual sumptuousness of the +Lieutenant-General; his followers, on their part, were startled by the +general luxury of their new allies. "The realm is rich and full of men," +said Wilford, "the sums men exceed in apparel would bear the brunt of +this war;" and again, "if the excess used in sumptuous apparel were only +abated, and that we could convert the same to these wars, it would stop a +great gap." + +The favourable view taken by the English as to the resources and +inclination of the Netherland commonwealth was universal. "The general +wish and desire of these countrymen," wrote Sir Thomas Shirley, "is that +the amity begun between England and this nation may be everlasting, and +there is not any of our company of judgment but wish the same. For all +they that see the goodliness and stateliness of these towns, strengthened +both with fortification and natural situation, all able to defend +themselves with their own abilities, must needs think it too fair a prey +to be let pass, and a thing most worthy to be embraced." + +Leicester, whose enthusiasm continued to increase as rapidly as the +Queen's zeal seemed to be cooling, was most anxious lest the +short-comings of his own Government should work irreparable evil. "I pray +you, my lord," he wrote to Burghley, "forget not us poor exiles; if you +do, God must and will forget you. And great pity it were that so noble +provinces and goodly havens, with such infinite ships and mariners, +should not be always as they may now easily be, at the assured devotion +of England. In my opinion he can neither love Queen nor country that +would not wish and further it should be so. And seeing her Majesty is +thus far entered into the cause, and that these people comfort themselves +in full hope of her favour, it were a sin and a shame it should not be +handled accordingly, both for honour and surety." + +Sir John Conway, who accompanied the Earl through the whole of his +"progress journey," was quite as much struck as he by the flourishing +aspect and English proclivities of the Provinces. "The countries which we +have passed," he said, "are fertile in their nature; the towns, cities, +buildings, of more state and beauty, to such as have travelled other +countries, than any they have ever seen. The people the most industrious +by all means to live that be in the world, and, no doubt, passing rich. +They outwardly show themselves of good heart, zeal, and loyalty, towards +the Queen our mistress. There is no doubt that the general number of them +had rather come under her Majesty's regiment, than to continue under the +States and burgomasters of their country. The impositions which they lay +in defence of their State is wonderful. If her Highness proceed in this +beginning, she may retain these parts hers, with their good love, and her +great glory and gain. I would she might as perfectly see the whole +country, towns, profits, and pleasures thereof, in a glass, as she may +her own face; I do then assure myself she would with careful +consideration receive them, and not allow of any man's reason to the +contrary . . . . The country is worthy any prince in the world, the +people do reverence the Queen, and in love of her do so believe that the +Grace of Leicester is by God and her sent among them for her good. And +they believe in him for the redemption of their bodies, as they do in God +for their souls. I dare pawn my soul, that if her Majesty will allow him +the just and rightful mean to manage this cause, that he will so handle +the manner and matter as shall highly both please and profit her Majesty, +and increase her country, and his own honour." + +Lord North, who held a high command in the auxiliary force, spoke also +with great enthusiasm. "Had your Lordship seen," he wrote to Burghley, +"with what thankful hearts these countries receive all her Majesty's +subjects, what multitudes of people they be, what stately cities and +buildings they have, how notably fortified by art, how strong by nature, +flow fertile the whole country, and how wealthy it is, you would, I know, +praise the Lord that opened your lips to undertake this enterprise, the +continuance and good success whereof will eternise her Majesty, beautify +her crown, with the most shipping, with the most populous and wealthy +countries, that ever prince added to his kingdom, or that is or can be +found in Europe. I lack wit, good my Lord, to dilate this matter." + +Leicester, better informed than some of those in his employment, +entertained strong suspicions concerning Philip's intentions with regard +to England; but he felt sure that the only way to laugh at a Spanish +invasion was to make Holland and England as nearly one as it was possible +to do. + +"No doubt that the King of Spain's preparations by sea be great," he, +said; "but I know that all that he and his friends can make are not able +to match with her Majesty's forces, if it please her to use the means +that God hath given her. But besides her own, if she need; I will +undertake to furnish her from hence, upon two months' warning, a navy for +strong and tall ships, with their furniture and mariners, that the King +of Spain, and all that he can make, shall not be able to encounter with +them. I think the bruit of his preparations is made the greater to +terrify her Majesty and this country people. But, thanked be God, her +Majesty hath little cause to fear him. And in this country they esteem no +more of his power by sea than I do of six fisher-boats off Rye." + +Thus suggestive is it to peep occasionally behind the curtain. In the +calm cabinet of the Escorial, Philip and his comendador mayor are laying +their heads together, preparing the invasion of England; making +arrangements for King Alexander's coronation in that island, and--like +sensible, farsighted persons as they are--even settling the succession to +the throne after Alexander's death, instead of carelessly leaving such +distant details to chance, or subsequent consideration. On the other +hand, plain Dutch sea-captains, grim beggars of the sea, and the like, +denizens of a free commonwealth and of the boundless ocean-men who are at +home on blue water, and who have burned gunpowder against those +prodigious slave-rowed galleys of Spain--together with their new allies, +the dauntless mariners of England--who at this very moment are "singeing +the King of Spain's beard," as it had never been singed before--are not +so much awestruck with the famous preparations for invasion as was +perhaps to be expected. There may be a delay, after all, before Parma can +be got safely established in London, and Elizabeth in Orcus, and before +the blood-tribunal of the Inquisition can substitute its sway for that of +the "most noble, wise, and learned United States." Certainly, Philip the +Prudent would have been startled, difficult as he was to astonish, could +he have known that those rebel Hollanders of his made no more account of +his slowly-preparing invincible armada than of six fisher-boats off Rye. +Time alone could show where confidence had been best placed. Meantime it +was certain, that it well behoved Holland and England to hold hard +together, nor let "that enterprise quail." + +The famous expedition of Sir Francis Drake was the commencement of a +revelation. "That is the string," said Leicester, "that touches the King +indeed." It was soon to be made known to the world that the ocean was not +a Spanish Lake, nor both the Indies the private property of Philip. +"While the riches of the Indies continue," said Leicester, "he thinketh +he will be able to weary out all other princes; and I know, by good +means, that he more feareth this action of Sir Francis than he ever did +anything that has been attempted against him." With these continued +assaults upon the golden treasure-houses of Spain, and by a determined +effort to maintain the still more important stronghold which had been +wrested from her in the Netherlands, England might still be safe. "This +country is so full of ships and mariners," said Leicester, "so abundant +in wealth, and in the means to make money, that, had it but stood +neutral, what an aid had her Majesty been deprived of. But if it had been +the enemy's also, I leave it to your consideration what had been likely +to ensue. These people do now honour and love her Majesty in marvellous +sort." + +There was but one feeling on this most important subject among the +English who went to the Netherlands. All held the same language. The +question was plainly presented to England whether she would secure to +herself the great bulwark of her defence, or place it in the hands of her +mortal foe? How could there be doubt or supineness on such a momentous +subject? "Surely, my Lord," wrote Richard Cavendish to Burghley, "if you +saw the wealth, the strength, the shipping, and abundance of mariners, +whereof these countries stand furnished, your heart would quake to think +that so hateful an enemy as Spain should again be furnished with such +instruments; and the Spaniards themselves do nothing doubt upon the hope +of the consequence hereof, to assure themselves of the certain ruin of +her Majesty and the whole estate." + +And yet at the very outset of Leicester's administration, there was a +whisper of peace-overtures to Spain, secretly made by Elizabeth in her +own behalf, and in that of the Provinces. We shall have soon occasion to +examine into the truth of these rumours, which, whether originating in +truth or falsehood, were most pernicious in their effects. The Hollanders +were determined never to return to slavery again, so long as they could +fire a shot in their own defence. They earnestly wished English +cooperation, but it was the cooperation of English matchlocks and English +cutlasses, not English protocols and apostilles. It was military, not +diplomatic machinery that they required. If they could make up their +minds to submit to Philip and the Inquisition again, Philip and the Holy +office were but too ready to receive the erring penitents to their +embrace without a go-between. + +It was war, not peace, therefore, that Holland meant by the English +alliance. It was war, not peace, that Philip intended. It was war, not +peace, that Elizabeth's most trusty counsellors knew to be inevitable. +There was also, as we have shown, no doubt whatever as to the good +disposition, and the great power of the republic to bear its share in the +common cause. The enthusiasm of the Hollanders was excessive. "There was +such a noise, both in Delft, Rotterdam, and Dort," said Leicester, "in +crying 'God save the Queen!' as if she had been in Cheapside." Her own +subjects could not be more loyal than were the citizens and yeomen of +Holland. "The members of the States dare not but be Queen Elizabeth's," +continued the Earl, "for by the living God! if there should fall but the +least unkindness through their default, the people would kill them. All +sorts of people, from highest to lowest, assure themselves, now that they +have her Majesty's good countenance, to beat all the Spaniards out of +their country. Never was there people in such jollity as these be. I +could be content to lose a limb, could her Majesty see these countries +and towns as I have done." He was in truth excessively elated, and had +already, in imagination, vanquished Alexander Farnese, and eclipsed the +fame of William the Silent. "They will serve under me," he observed, +"with a better will than ever they served under the Prince of Orange. Yet +they loved him well, but they never hoped of the liberty of this country +till now." + +Thus the English government had every reason to be satisfied with the +aspect of its affairs in the Netherlands. But the nature of the Earl's +authority was indefinite. The Queen had refused the sovereignty and the +protectorate. She had also distinctly and peremptorily forbidden +Leicester to assume any office or title that might seem at variance with +such a refusal on her part. Yet it is certain that, from the very first, +he had contemplated some slight disobedience to these prohibitions. "What +government is requisite"--wrote he in a secret memorandum of "things most +necessary to understand"--"to be appointed to him that shall be their +governor? First, that he have as much authority as the Prince of Orange, +or any other governor or captain-general, hath had heretofore." Now the +Prince of Orange hath been stadholder of each of the United Provinces, +governor-general, commander-in-chief, count of Holland in prospect, and +sovereign, if he had so willed it. It would doubtless have been most +desirable for the country, in its confused condition, had there been a +person competent to wield, and willing to accept, the authority once +exercised by William I. But it was also certain that this was exactly the +authority which Elizabeth had forbidden Leicester to assume. Yet it is +difficult to understand what position the Queen intended that her +favourite should maintain, nor how he was to carry out her instructions, +while submitting to her prohibitions. He was directed to cause the +confused government of the Provinces to be redressed, and a better form +of polity to be established. He was ordered, in particular, to procure a +radical change in the constitution, by causing the deputies to the +General Assembly to be empowered to decide upon important matters, +without, as had always been the custom, making direct reference to the +assemblies of the separate Provinces. He was instructed to bring about, +in some indefinite way, a complete reform in financial matters, by +compelling the States-General to raise money by liberal taxation, +according to the "advice of her Majesty, delivered unto them by her +lieutenant." + +And how was this radical change in the institutions of the Provinces to +be made by an English earl, whose only authority was that of +commander-in-chief over five thousand half-starved, unpaid, +utterly-forlorn English troops? + +The Netherland envoys in England, in their parting advice, most +distinctly urged him "to hale authority with the first, to declare +himself chief head and governor-general" of the whole country,--for it +was a political head that was wanted in order to restore unity of +action--not an additional general, where there were already generals in +plenty. Sir John Norris, valiant, courageous, experienced--even if not, +as Walsingham observed, a "religious soldier," nor learned in anything +"but a kind of licentious and corrupt government"--was not likely to +require the assistance of the new lieutenant-general in field operations +nor could the army be brought into a state of thorough discipline and +efficiency by the magic of Leicester's name. The rank and file of the +English army--not the commanders-needed strengthening. The soldiers +required shoes and stockings, bread and meat, and for these articles +there were not the necessary funds, nor would the title of +Lieutenant-General supply the deficiency. The little auxiliary force was, +in truth, in a condition most pitiable to behold: it was difficult to say +whether the soldiers who had been already for a considerable period in +the Netherlands, or those who had been recently levied in the purlieus of +London, were in the most unpromising plight. The beggarly state in which +Elizabeth had been willing that her troops should go forth to the wars +was a sin and a disgrace. Well might her Lieutenant-General say that her +"poor subjects were no better than abjects." There were few effective +companies remaining of the old force. "There is but a small number of the +first bands left," said Sir John Conway, "and those so pitiful and unable +ever to serve again, as I leave to speak further of theirs, to avoid +grief to your heart. A monstrous fault there hath been somewhere." + +Leicester took a manful and sagacious course at starting. Those who had +no stomach for the fight were ordered to depart. The chaplain gave them +sermons; the Lieutenant-General, on St. Stephen's day, made them a "pithy +and honourable" oration, and those who had the wish or the means to buy +themselves out of the adventure, were allowed to do so: for the Earl was +much disgusted with the raw material out of which he was expected to +manufacture serviceable troops. Swaggering ruffians from the disreputable +haunts of London, cockney apprentices, brokendown tapsters, discarded +serving men; the Bardolphs and Pistols, Mouldys, Warts, and the +like--more at home in tavern-brawls or in dark lanes than on the +battle-field--were not the men to be entrusted with the honour of England +at a momentous crisis. He spoke with grief and shame of the worthless +character and condition of the English youths sent over to the +Netherlands. "Believe me," said he, "you will all repent the cockney kind +of bringing up at this day of young men. They be gone hence with shame +enough, and too many, that I will warrant, will make as many frays with +bludgeons and bucklers as any in London shall do; but such shall never +have credit with me again. Our simplest men in show have been our best +men, and your gallant blood and ruffian men the worst of all others." + +Much winnowed, as it was, the small force might in time become more +effective; and the Earl spent freely of his own substance to supply the +wants of his followers, and to atone for the avarice of his sovereign. +The picture painted however by muster-master Digger of the plumed troops +that had thus come forth to maintain the honour of England and the cause +of liberty, was anything but imposing. None knew better than Digges their +squalid and slovenly condition, or was more anxious to effect a +reformation therein. "A very wise, stout fellow he is," said the Earl, +"and very careful to serve thoroughly her Majesty." Leicester relied much +upon his efforts. "There is good hope," said the muster-master, "that his +excellency will shortly establish such good order for the government and +training of our nation, that these weak, bad-furnished, ill-armed, and +worse-trained bands, thus rawly left unto him, shall within a few months +prove as well armed, trained, complete, gallant companies as shall be +found elsewhere in Europe." The damage they were likely to inflict upon +the enemy seemed very problematical, until they should have been improved +by some wholesome ball-practice. "They are so unskilful," said Digger, +"that if they should be carried to the field no better trained than yet +they are, they would prove much more dangerous to their own leaders and +companies than any ways serviceable on their enemies. The hard and +miserable estate of the soldiers generally, excepting officers, hath been +such, as by the confessions of the captains themselves, they have been +offered by many of their soldiers thirty and forty pounds a piece to be +dismissed and sent away; whereby I doubt not the flower of the pressed +English bands are gone, and the remnant supplied with such paddy persons +as commonly, in voluntary procurements, men are glad to accept." + +Even after the expiration of four months the condition of the paddy +persons continued most destitute. The English soldiers became mere +barefoot starving beggars in the streets, as had never been the case in +the worst of times, when the States were their paymasters. The little +money brought from the treasury by the Earl, and the large sums which he +had contributed out of his own pocket, had been spent in settling, and +not fully settling, old scores. "Let me entreat you," wrote Leicester to +Walsingham, "to be a mean to her Majesty, that the poor soldiers be not +beaten for my sake. There came no penny of treasure over since my coming +hither. That which then came was most part due before it came. There is +much still due. They cannot get a penny, their credit is spent, they +perish for want of victuals and clothing in great numbers. The whole are +ready to mutiny. They cannot be gotten out to service, because they +cannot discharge the debts they owe in the places where they are. I have +let of my own more than I may spare."--"There was no soldier yet able to +buy himself a pair of hose," said the Earl again, "and it is too, too +great shame to see how they go, and it kills their hearts to show +themselves among men." + +There was no one to dispute the Earl's claims. The Nassau family was +desperately poor, and its chief, young Maurice, although he had been +elected stadholder of Holland and Zeeland, had every disposition--as Sir +Philip upon his arrival in Flushing immediately informed his uncle--to +submit to the authority of the new governor. Louisa de Coligny, widow of +William the Silent, was most anxious for the English alliance, through +which alone she believed that the fallen fortunes of the family could be +raised. It was thus only, she thought, that the vengeance for which she +thirsted upon the murderers of her father and her husband could be +obtained. "We see now," she wrote to Walsingham, in a fiercer strain than +would seem to comport with so gentle a nature--deeply wronged as the +daughter of Coligny and the wife of Orange had been by Papists--"we see +now the effects of our God's promises. He knows when it pleases Him to +avenge the blood of His own; and I confess that I feel most keenly the +joy which is shared in by the whole Church of God. There is none that has +received more wrong from these murderers than I have done, and I esteem +myself happy in the midst of my miseries that God has permitted me to see +some vengeance. These beginnings make me hope that I shall see yet more, +which will be not less useful to the good, both in your country and in +these isles." + +There was no disguise as to the impoverished condition to which the +Nassau family had been reduced by the self-devotion of its chief. They +were obliged to ask alms of England, until the "sapling should become a +tree."--"Since it is the will of God," wrote the Princess to Davison, "I +am not ashamed to declare the necessity of our house, for it is in His +cause that it has fallen. I pray you, Sir, therefore to do me and these +children the favour to employ your thoughts in this regard." If there had +been any strong French proclivities on their part--as had been so warmly +asserted--they were likely to disappear. Villiers, who had been a +confidential friend of William the Silent, and a strong favourer of +France, in vain endeavoured to keep alive the ancient sentiments towards +that country, although he was thought to be really endeavouring to bring +about a submission of the Nassaus to Spain. "This Villiers," said +Leicester, "is a most vile traitorous knave, and doth abuse a young +nobleman here extremely, the Count Maurice. For all his religion, he is a +more earnest persuader secretly to have him yield to a reconciliation +than Sainte Aldegonde was. He shall not tarry ten days neither in Holland +nor Zeeland. He is greatly hated here of all sorts, and it shall go hard +but I will win the young Count." + +As for Hohenlo, whatever his opinions might once have been regarding the +comparative merits of Frenchmen and Englishmen, he was now warmly in +favour of England, and expressed an intention of putting an end to the +Villiers' influence by simply drowning Villiers. The announcement of this +summary process towards the counsellor was not untinged with rudeness +towards the pupil. "The young Count," said Leicester, "by Villiers' +means, was not willing to have Flushing rendered, which the Count Hollock +perceiving, told the Count Maurice, in a great rage, that if he took any +course than that of the Queen of England, and swore by no beggars, he +would drown his priest in the haven before his face, and turn himself and +his mother-in-law out of their house there, and thereupon went with Mr. +Davison to the delivery of it." Certainly, if Hohenlo permitted himself +such startling demonstrations towards the son and widow of William the +Silent, it must have been after his habitual potations had been of the +deepest. Nevertheless it was satisfactory for the new chieftain to know +that the influence of so vehement a partisan was secured for England. The +Count's zeal deserved gratitude upon Leicester's part, and Leicester was +grateful. "This man must be cherished," said the Earl; "he is sound and +faithful, and hath indeed all the chief holds in his hands, and at his +commandment. Ye shall do well to procure him a letter of thanks, taking +knowledge in general of his good-will to her Majesty. He is a right +Almayn in manner and fashion, free of his purse and of his drink, yet do +I wish him her Majesty's pensioner before any prince in Germany, for he +loves her and is able to serve her, and doth desire to be known her +servant. He hath been laboured by his nearest kinsfolk and friends in +Germany to have left the States and to have the King of Spain's pension +and very great reward; but he would not. I trust her Majesty will accept +of his offer to be her servant during his life, being indeed a very noble +soldier." The Earl was indeed inclined to take so cheerful view of +matters as to believe that he should even effect a reform in the noble +soldier's most unpleasant characteristic. "Hollock is a wise gallant +gentleman," he said, "and very well esteemed. He hath only one fault, +which is drinking; but good hope that he will amend it. Some make me +believe that I shall be able to do much with him, and I mean to do my +best, for I see no man that knows all these countries, and the people of +all sorts, like him, and this fault overthrows all." + +Accordingly, so long as Maurice continued under the tutelage of this +uproarious cavalier--who, at a later day, was to become his +brother-in-law-he was not likely to interfere with Leicester's authority. +The character of the young Count was developing slowly. More than his +father had ever done, he deserved the character of the taciturn. A quiet +keen observer of men and things, not demonstrative nor talkative, nor +much given to writing--a modest, calm, deeply-reflecting student of +military and mathematical science--he was not at that moment deeply +inspired by political ambition. He was perhaps more desirous of raising +the fallen fortunes of his house than of securing the independence of his +country. Even at that early age, however, his mind was not easy to read, +and his character was somewhat of a puzzle to those who studied it. "I +see him much discontented with the States," said Leicester; "he hath a +sullen deep wit. The young gentleman is yet to be won only to her +Majesty, I perceive, of his own inclination. The house is marvellous poor +and little regarded by the States, and if they get anything it is like to +be by her Majesty, which should be altogether, and she may easily, do for +him to win him sure. I will undertake it." Yet the Earl was ever anxious +about some of the influences which surrounded Maurice, for he thought him +more easily guided than he wished him to be by any others but himself. +"He stands upon making and marring," he said, "as he meets with good +counsel." And at another time he observed, "The young gentleman hath a +solemn sly wit; but, in troth, if any be to be doubted toward the King of +Spain, it is he and his counsellors, for they have been altogether, so +far, French, and so far in mislike with England as they cannot almost +hide it." + +And there was still another member of the house of Nassau who was already +an honour to his illustrious race. Count William Lewis, hardly more than +a boy in years, had already served many campaigns, and had been +desperately wounded in the cause for which so much of the heroic blood of +his race had been shed. Of the five Nassau brethren, his father Count +John was the sole survivor, and as devoted as ever to the cause of +Netherland liberty. The other four had already laid down their lives in +its defence. And William Lewis, was worthy to be the nephew of William +and Lewis, Henry and Adolphus, and the son of John. Not at all a +beautiful or romantic hero in appearance, but an odd-looking little man, +with a round bullet-head, close-clipped hair, a small, twinkling, +sagacious eye, rugged, somewhat puffy features screwed whimsically awry, +with several prominent warts dotting, without ornamenting, all that was +visible of a face which was buried up to the ears in a furzy thicket of +yellow-brown beard, the tough young stadholder of Friesland, in his iron +corslet, and halting upon his maimed leg, had come forth with other +notable personages to the Hague. + +He wished to do honour heartily and freely to Queen Elizabeth and her +representative. And Leicester was favourably impressed with his new +acquaintance. "Here is another little fellow," he said, "as little as may +be, but one of the gravest and wisest young men that ever I spake withal; +it is the Count Guilliam of Nassau. He governs Friesland; I would every +Province had such another." + +Thus, upon the great question which presented itself upon the very +threshold--the nature and extent of the authority to be exercised by +Leicester--the most influential Netherlanders were in favour of a large +and liberal interpretation of his powers. The envoys in England, the +Nassau family Hohenlo, the prominent members of the States, such as the +shrewd, plausible Menin, the "honest and painful" Falk, and the +chancellor of Gelderland--"that very great, wise, old man Leoninus," as +Leicester called him,--were all desirous that he should assume an +absolute governor-generalship over the whole country. This was a grave +and a delicate matter, and needed to be severely scanned, without delay. +But besides the natives, there were two Englishmen--together with +ambassador Davison--who were his official advisers. Bartholomew Clerk, +LL.D., and Sir Henry Killigrew had been appointed by the Queen to be +members of the council of the United States, according to the provisions +of the August treaty. The learned Bartholomew hardly seemed equal to his +responsible position among those long-headed Dutch politicians. Philip +Sidney--the only blemish in whose character was an intolerable tendency +to puns--observed that "Doctor Clerk was of those clerks that are not +always the wisest, and so my lord too late was finding him." The Earl +himself, who never undervalued the intellect of the Netherlanders whom he +came to govern, anticipated but small assistance from the English +civilian. "I find no great stuff in my little colleague," he said, +"nothing that I looked for. It is a pity you have no more of his +profession, able men to serve. This man hath good will, and a pretty +scholar's wit; but he is too little for these big fellows, as heavy as +her Majesty thinks them to be. I would she had but one or two, such as +the worst of half a score be here." The other English statecounsellor +seemed more promising. "I have one here," said the Earl, "in whom I take +no small comfort; that is little Hal Killigrew. I assure you, my lord, he +is a notable servant, and more in him than ever I heretofore thought of +him, though I always knew him to be an honest man and an able." + +But of all the men that stood by Leicester's side, the most faithful, +devoted, sagacious, experienced, and sincere of his counsellors, English +or Flemish, was envoy Davison. It is important to note exactly the +opinion that had been formed of him by those most competent to judge, +before events in which he was called on to play a prominent and +responsible though secondary part, had placed him in a somewhat false +position. + +"Mr. Davison," wrote Sidney, "is here very careful in her Majesty's +causes, and in your Lordship's. He takes great pains and goes to great +charges for it." The Earl himself was always vehement in his praise. "Mr. +Davison," said he at another time, "has dealt most painfully and +chargeably in her Majesty's service here, and you shall find him as +sufficiently able to deliver the whole state of this country as any man +that ever was in it, acquainted with all sorts here that are men of +dealing. Surely, my Lord, you shall do a good deed that he may be +remembered with her Majesty's gracious consideration, for his being here +has been very chargeable, having kept a very good countenance, and a very +good table, all his abode here, and of such credit with all the chief +sort, as I know no stranger in any place hath the like. As I am a suitor +to you to be his good friend to her Majesty, so I must heartily pray you, +good my Lord, to procure his coming hither shortly to me again, for I +know not almost how to do without him. I confess it is a wrong to the +gentleman, and I protest before God, if it were for mine own particular +respect, I would not require it for L5000. But your Lordship doth little +think how greatly I have to do, as also how needful for her Majesty's +service his being here will, be. Wherefore, good my Lord, if it may not +offend her Majesty, be a mean for this my request, for her own service' +sake wholly." + +Such were the personages who surrounded the Earl on his arrival in the +Netherlands, and such their sentiments respecting the position that it +was desirable for him to assume. But there was one very important fact. +He had studiously concealed from Davison that the Queen had peremptorily +and distinctly forbidden his accepting the office of governor-general. It +seemed reasonable, if he came thither at all, that he should come in that +elevated capacity. The Staten wished it. The Earl ardently longed for it. +The ambassador, who knew more of Netherland politics and Netherland +humours than any man did, approved of it. The interests of both England +and Holland seemed to require it. No one but Leicester knew that her +Majesty had forbidden it. + +Accordingly, no sooner had the bell-ringing, cannon-explosions, bonfires, +and charades, come to an end, and the Earl got fairly housed in the +Hague, than the States took the affair of government seriously in hand. + +On the 9th January, Chancellor Leoninus and Paul Buys waited upon +Davison, and requested a copy of the commission granted by the Queen to +the Earl. The copy was refused, but the commission was read; by which it +appeared that he had received absolute command over her Majesty's forces +in the Netherlands by land and sea, together with authority to send for +all gentlemen and other personages out of England that he might think +useful to him. On the 10th the States passed a resolution to offer him +the governor-generalship over all the Provinces. On the same day another +committee waited upon his "Excellency"--as the States chose to denominate +the Earl, much to the subsequent wrath of the Queen--and made an +appointment for the whole body to wait upon him the following morning. + +Upon that day accordingly--New Year's Day, by the English reckoning, 11th +January by the New Style--the deputies of all the States at an early hour +came to his lodgings, with much pomp, preceded by a herald and +trumpeters. Leicester, not expecting them quite so soon, was in his +dressing-room, getting ready for the solemn audience, when, somewhat to +his dismay, a flourish of trumpets announced the arrival of the whole +body in his principal hall of audience. Hastening his preparations as +much as possible, he descended to that apartment, and was instantly +saluted by a flourish of rhetoric still more formidable; for that "very +great, and wise old Leoninus," forthwith began an oration, which promised +to be of portentous length and serious meaning. The Earl was slightly +flustered, when, fortunately; some one whispered in his ear that they had +come to offer him the much-coveted prize of the stadholderate-general. +Thereupon he made bold to interrupt the flow of the chancellor's +eloquence in its first outpourings. "As this is a very private matter," +said he, "it will be better to treat of it in a more private place I pray +you therefore to come into my chamber, where these things may be more +conveniently discussed." + +"You hear what my Lord says," cried Leoninus, turning to his companions; +"we are to withdraw into his chamber." + +Accordingly they withdrew, accompanied by the Earl, and by five or six +select counsellors, among whom were Davison and Dr. Clerk. Then the +chancellor once more commenced his harangue, and went handsomely through +the usual forms of compliment, first to the Queen, and then to her +representative, concluding with an earnest request that the +Earl--although her Majesty had declined the sovereignty "would take the +name and place of absolute governor and general of all their forces and +soldiers, with the disposition of their whole revenues and taxes." + +So soon as the oration was concluded, Leicester; who did not speak +French, directed Davison to reply in that language. + +The envoy accordingly, in name of the Earl, expressed the deepest +gratitude for this mark of the affection and confidence of the +States-General towards the Queen. He assured them that the step thus +taken by them would be the cause of still more favour and affection on +the part of her Majesty, who would unquestionably, from day to day, +augment the succour that she was extending to the Provinces in order to +relieve men from their misery. For himself, the Earl protested that he +could never sufficiently recompense the States for the honour which had +thus been conferred upon him, even if he should live one hundred lives. +Although he felt himself quite unable to sustain the weight of so great +an office, yet he declared that they might repose with full confidence on +his integrity and good intentions. Nevertheless, as the authority thus +offered to him was very arduous, and as the subject required deep +deliberation, he requested that the proposition should be reduced to +writing, and delivered into his hands. He might then come to a conclusion +thereupon, most conducive to the glory of God and the welfare of the +land. + +Three days afterwards, 14th January, the offer, drawn up formally in +writing, was presented to envoy Davison, according to the request of +Leicester. Three days latter, 17th January, his Excellency having +deliberated upon the proposition, requested a committee of conference. +The conference took place the same day, and there was some discussion +upon matters of detail, principally relating to the matter of +contributions. The Earl, according to the report of the committee, +manifested no repugnance to the acceptance of the office, provided these +points could be satisfactorily adjusted. He seemed, on the contrary, +impatient, rather than reluctant; for, on the day following the +conference, he sent his secretary Gilpin with a somewhat importunate +message. "His Excellency was surprised," said the secretary, "that the +States were so long in coming to a resolution on the matters suggested by +him in relation to the offer of the government-general; nor could his +Excellency imagine the cause of the delay." + +For, in truth, the delay was caused by an excessive, rather than a +deficient, appetite for power on the part of his Excellency. The States, +while conferring what they called the "absolute" government, by which it +afterwards appeared that they meant absolute, in regard to time, not to +function--were very properly desirous of retaining a wholesome control +over that government by means of the state-council. They wished not only +to establish such a council, as a check upon the authority of the new +governor, but to share with him at least in the appointment of the +members who were to compose the board. But the aristocratic Earl was +already restive under the thought of any restraint--most of all the +restraint of individuals belonging to what he considered the humbler +classes. + +"Cousin, my lord ambassador," said he to Davison, "among your sober +companions be it always remembered, I beseech you, that your cousin have +no other alliance but with gentle blood. By no means consent that he be +linked in faster bonds than their absolute grant may yield him a free and +honourable government, to be able to do such service as shall be meet for +an honest man to perform in such a calling, which of itself is very +noble. But yet it is not more to be embraced, if I were to be led in +alliance by such keepers as will sooner draw my nose from the right scent +of the chace, than to lead my feet in the true pace to pursue the game I +desire to reach. Consider, I pray you, therefore, what is to be done, and +how unfit it will be in respect of my poor self, and how unacceptable to +her Majesty, and how advantageous to enemies that will seek holes in my +coat, if I should take so great a name upon me, and so little power. They +challenge acceptation already, and I challenge their absolute grant and +offer to me, before they spoke of any instructions; for so it was when +Leoninus first spoke to me with them all on New Years Day, as you +heard--offering in his speech all manner of absolute authority. If it +please them to confirm this, without restraining instructions, I will +willingly serve the States, or else, with such advising instructions as +the Dowager of Hungary had." + +This was explicit enough, and Davison, who always acted for Leicester in +the negotiations with the States, could certainly have no doubt as to the +desires of the Earl, on the subject of "absolute" authority. He did +accordingly what he could to bring the States to his Excellency's way of +thinking; nor was he unsuccessful. + +On the 22nd January, a committee of conference was sent by the States to +Leyden, in which city Leicester was making a brief visit. They were +instructed to procure his consent, if possible, to the appointment, by +the States themselves, of a council consisting of members from each +Province. If they could not obtain this concession, they were directed to +insist as earnestly as possible upon their right to present a double. +list of candidates, from which he was to make nominations. And if the one +and the other proposition should be refused, the States were then to +agree that his Excellency should freely choose and appoint a council of +state, consisting of native residents from every Province, for the period +of one year. The committee was further authorised to arrange the +commission for the governor, in accordance with these points; and to draw +up a set of instructions for the state-council, to the satisfaction of +his Excellency. The committee was also empowered to conclude the matter +at once, without further reference to the States. + +Certainly a committee thus instructed was likely to be sufficiently +pliant. It had need to be, in order to bend to the humour of his +Excellency, which was already becoming imperious. The adulation which he +had received; the triumphal marches, the Latin orations, the flowers +strewn in his path, had produced their effect, and the Earl was almost +inclined to assume the airs of royalty. The committee waited upon him at +Leyden. He affected a reluctance to accept the "absolute" government, but +his coyness could not deceive such experienced statesmen as the "wise old +Leoliinus," or Menin, Maalzoon, Florin Thin, or Aitzma, who composed the +deputation. It was obvious enough to them that it was not a King Log that +had descended among them, but it was not a moment for complaining. The +governor elect insisted, of course, that the two Englishmen, according to +the treaty with her Majesty, should be members of, the council. He also, +at once, nominated Leoninus, Meetkerk, Brederode, Falck, and Paul Buys, +to the same office; thinking, no doubt, that these were five keepers--if +keepers he must have--who would not draw his nose off the scent, nor +prevent his reaching the game he hunted, whatever that game might be. It +was reserved for the future, however, to show, whether, the five were +like to hunt in company with him as harmoniously as he hoped. As to the +other counsellors, he expressed a willingness that candidates should be +proposed for him, as to whose qualifications he would make up his mind at +leisure. + +This matter being satisfactorily adjusted-and certainly unless the game +pursued by the Earl was a crown royal, he ought to have been satisfied +with his success--the States received a letter from their committee at +Leyden, informing them that his Excellency, after some previous +protestations, had accepted the government (24th January, 1586). + +It was agreed that he should be inaugurated Governor-General of the +United Provinces of Gelderland and Zutphen, Flanders, Holland, Zeeland, +Utrecht, Friesland, and all others in confederacy with them. He was to +have supreme military command by land and sea. He was to exercise supreme +authority in matters civil and political, according to the customs +prevalent in the reign of the Emperor Charles V. All officers, political, +civil, legal, were to be appointed by him out of a double or triple +nomination made by the States of the Provinces in which vacancies might +occur. The States-General were to assemble whenever and wherever he +should summon them. They were also--as were the States of each separate +Province--competent to meet together by their own appointment. The +Governor-General was to receive an oath of fidelity from the States, and +himself to swear the maintenance of the ancient laws, customs, and +privileges of the country. + +The deed was done. In vain had an emissary of the French court been +exerting his utmost to prevent the consummation of this close alliance. +For the wretched government of Henry III., while abasing itself before +Philip II., and offering the fair cities and fertile plains of France as +a sacrifice to that insatiable ambition which wore the mask of religious +bigotry, was most anxious that Holland and England should not escape the +meshes by which it was itself enveloped. The agent at the Hague came +nominally upon some mercantile affairs, but in reality, according to +Leicester, "to impeach the States from binding themselves to her +Majesty." But he was informed that there was then no leisure for his +affairs; "for the States would attend to the service of the Queen of +England, before all princes in the world." The agent did not feel +complimented by the coolness of this reception; yet it was reasonable +enough, certainly, that the Hollanders should remember with bitterness +the contumely, which they had experienced the previous year in France. +The emissary was; however, much disgusted. "The fellow," said Leicester, +"took it in such snuff, that he came proudly to the States and offered +his letters, saying; 'Now I trust you have done all your sacrifices to +the Queen of England, and may yield me some leisure to read my masters +letters.'"--"But they so shook him, up," continued the Earl, "for naming +her Majesty in scorn--as they took it--that they hurled him his letters; +and bid him content himself;" and so on, much to the agent's +discomfiture, who retired in greater "snuff" than ever. + +So much for the French influence. And now Leicester had done exactly what +the most imperious woman in the world, whose favour was the breath of his +life, had expressly forbidden him to do. The step having been taken, the +prize so tempting to his ambition having been snatched, and the policy +which had governed the united action of the States and himself seeming so +sound, what ought he to have done in order to avert the tempest which he +must have foreseen? Surely a man who knew so much of woman's nature and +of Elizabeth's nature as he did, ought to have attempted to conciliate +her affections, after having so deeply wounded her pride. He knew his +power. Besides the graces of his person and manner--which few women, once +impressed by them, could ever forget--he possessed the most insidious and +flattering eloquence, and, in absence, his pen was as wily as his tongue. +For the Earl was imbued with the very genius of courtship. None was +better skilled than he in the phrases of rapturous devotion, which were +music to the ear both of the woman and the Queen; and he knew his royal +mistress too well not to be aware that the language of passionate +idolatry, however extravagant, had rarely fallen unheeded upon her soul. +It was strange therefore, that in this emergency, he should not at once +throw himself upon her compassion without any mediator. Yet, on the +contrary, he committed the monstrous error of entrusting his defence to +envoy Davison, whom he determined to despatch at once with instructions +to the Queen, and towards whom he committed the grave offence of +concealing from him her previous prohibitions. But how could the Earl +fail to perceive that it was the woman, not the Queen, whom he should +have implored for pardon; that it was Robert Dudley, not William Davison, +who ought to have sued upon his knees. This whole matter of the +Netherland sovereignty and the Leicester stadholderate, forms a strange +psychological study, which deserves and requires some minuteness of +attention; for it was by the characteristics of these eminent personages +that the current history was deeply stamped. + +Certainly, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the first letter +conveying intelligence so likely to pique the pride of Elizabeth, should +have been a letter from Leicester. On the contrary, it proved to be a +dull formal epistle from the States. + +And here again the assistance of the indispensable Davison was considered +necessary. On the 3rd February the ambassador--having announced his +intention of going to England, by command of his Excellency, so soon as +the Earl should have been inaugurated, for the purpose of explaining all +these important transactions to her Majesty--waited upon the States with +the request that they should prepare as speedily as might be their letter +to the Queen, with other necessary documents, to be entrusted to his +care. He also suggested that the draft or minute of their proposed +epistle should be submitted to him for advice--"because the humours of +her Majesty were best known to him." + +Now the humours of her Majesty were best known to Leicester of all men in +the whole world, and it is inconceivable that he should have allowed so +many days and weeks to pass without taking these humours properly into +account. But the Earl's head was slightly turned by his sudden and +unexpected success. The game that he had been pursuing had fallen into +his grasp, almost at the very start, and it is not astonishing that he +should have been somewhat absorbed in the enjoyment of his victory. + +Three days later (6th February) the minute of a letter to Elizabeth, +drawn up by Menin, was submitted to the ambassador; eight days after that +(14th February) Mr. Davison took leave of the States, and set forth for +the Brill on his way to England; and three or four days later yet, he was +still in that sea-port, waiting for a favourable wind. Thus from the 11th +January, N.S., upon which day the first offer of the absolute government +had been made to Leicester, nearly forty days had elapsed, during which +long period the disobedient Earl had not sent one line, private or +official, to her Majesty on this most important subject. And when at last +the Queen was to receive information of her favourite's delinquency, it +was not to be in his well-known handwriting and accompanied by his +penitent tears and written caresses, but to be laid before her with all +the formality of parchment and sealingwax, in the stilted diplomatic +jargon of those "highly-mighty, very learned, wise, and very foreseeing +gentlemen, my lords the States-General." Nothing could have been managed +with less adroitness. + +Meantime, not heeding the storm gathering beyond the narrow seas, the new +governor was enjoying the full sunshine of power. On the 4th February the +ceremony of his inauguration took place, with great pomp and ceremony at +the Hague. + +The beautiful, placid, village-capital of Holland wore much the same +aspect at that day as now. Clean, quiet, spacious streets, shaded with +rows of whispering poplars and umbrageous limes, broad sleepy +canals--those liquid highways alone; which glided in phantom silence the +bustle, and traffic, and countless cares of a stirring population--quaint +toppling houses, with tower and gable; ancient brick churches, with +slender spire and musical chimes; thatched cottages on the outskirts, +with stork-nests on the roofs--the whole without fortification save the +watery defences which enclosed it with long-drawn lines on every side; +such was the Count's park, or 's Graven Haage, in English called the +Hague. + +It was embowered and almost buried out of sight by vast groves of oaks +and beeches. Ancient Badahuennan forests of sanguinary Druids, the "wild +wood without mercy" of Saxon savages, where, at a later period, sovereign +Dirks and Florences, in long succession of centuries, had ridden abroad +with lance in rest, or hawk on fist; or under whose boughs, in still +nearer days, the gentle Jacqueline had pondered and wept over her +sorrows, stretched out in every direction between the city and the +neighbouring sea. In the heart of the place stood the ancient palace of +the counts, built in the thirteenth century by William II. of Holland, +King of the Romans, with massive brick walls, cylindrical turrets, +pointed gable and rose-shaped windows, and with spacious coup-yard, +enclosed by feudal moat, drawbridge, and portcullis. + +In the great banqueting-hall of the ancient palace, whose cedarn-roof of +magnificent timber-work, brought by crusading counts from the Holy Land, +had rung with the echoes of many a gigantic revel in the days of +chivalry--an apartment one hundred and fifty feet long and forty feet +high--there had been arranged an elevated platform, with a splendid chair +of state for the "absolute" governor, and with a great profusion of +gilding and velvet tapestry, hangings, gilt emblems, complimentary +devices, lions, unicorns, and other imposing appurtenances. Prince +Maurice, and all the members of his house, the States-General in full +costume, and all the great functionaries, civil and military, were +assembled. There was an elaborate harangue by orator Menin, in which it +was proved; by copious citations from Holy Writ and from ancient +chronicle, that the Lord never forsakes His own; so that now, when the +Provinces were at their last gasp by the death of Orange and the loss of +Antwerp, the Queen of England and the Earl of Leicester had suddenly +descended, as if from Heaven; to their rescue. Then the oaths of mutual +fidelity were exchanged between the governor and the States, and, in +conclusion, Dr. Bartholomew Clerk ventured to measure himself with the +"big fellows," by pronouncing an oration which seemed to command +universal approbation. And thus the Earl was duly installed +Governor-General of the United States of the Netherlands. + +But already the first mutterings of the storm were audible. A bird in the +air had whispered to the Queen that her favourite was inclined to +disobedience. "Some flying tale hath been told me here," wrote Leicester +to Walsingham, "that her Majesty should mislike my name of Excellency. +But if I had delighted, or would have received titles, I refused a title +higher than Excellency, as Mr. Davison, if you ask him, will tell you; +and that I, my own self, refused most earnestly that, and, if I might +have done it, this also." Certainly, if the Queen objected to this common +form of address, which had always been bestowed upon Leicester, as he +himself observed, ever since she had made him an earl, it might be +supposed that her wrath would mount high when she should hear of him as +absolute governor-general. It is also difficult to say what higher title +he had refused, for certainly the records show that he had refused +nothing, in the way of power and dignity, that it was possible for him to +obtain. + +But very soon afterwards arrived authentic intelligence that the Queen +had been informed of the proposition made on New Year's-Day (O.S.), and +that, although she could not imagine the possibility of his accepting, +she was indignant that he had not peremptorily rejected the offer. + +"As to the proposal made to you," wrote Burghley, "by the mouth of +Leoninus, her Majesty hath been informed that you had thanked them in her +name, and alleged that there was no such thing in the contract, and that +therefore you could not accept nor knew how to answer the same." + +Now this information was obviously far from correct, although it had been +furnished by the Earl himself to Burghley. We have seen that Leicester +had by no means rejected, but very gratefully entertained, the +proposition as soon as made. Nevertheless the Queen was dissatisfied, +even without suspecting that she had been directly disobeyed. "Her +Majesty," continued the Lord-Treasurer; "is much offended with this +proceeding. She allows not that you should give them thanks, but findeth +it very strange that you did not plainly declare to them that they did +well know how often her Majesty had refused to have any one for her take +any such government there, and that she had always so answered +peremptorily. Therefore there might be some suspicion conceived that by +offering on their part, and refusal on hers, some further mischief might +be secretly hidden by some odd person's device to the hurt of the cause. +But in that your Lordship did not flatly say to them that yourself did +know her Majesty's mind therein, that she never meant, in this sort, to +take the absolute government, she is offended considering, as she saith, +that none knew her determination therein better than yourself. For at +your going hence, she did peremptorily charge you not to accept any such +title and office; and therefore her straight commandment now is that you +shall not accept the same, for she will never assent thereto, nor avow +you with any such title." + +If Elizabeth was so wrathful, even while supposing that the offer had +been gratefully declined, what were likely to be her emotions when she +should be informed that it had been gratefully accepted. The Earl already +began to tremble at the probable consequences of his mal-adroitness. +Grave was the error he had committed in getting himself made +governor-general against orders; graver still, perhaps fatal, the blunder +of not being swift to confess his fault, and cry for pardon, before other +tongues should have time to aggravate his offence. Yet even now he shrank +from addressing the Queen in person, but hoped to conjure the rising +storm by means of the magic wand of the Lord-Treasurer. He implored his +friend's interposition to shield him in the emergency, and begged that at +least her Majesty and the lords of council would suspend their judgment +until Mr. Davison should deliver those messages and explanations with +which, fully freighted, he was about to set sail from the Brill. + +"If my reasons seem to your wisdoms," said he, "other than such as might +well move a true and a faithful careful man to her Majesty to do as I +have done, I do desire, for my mistaking offence, to bear the burden of +it; to be disavowed with all displeasure and disgrace; a matter of as +great reproach and grief as ever can happen to any man." He begged that +another person might be sent as soon as possible in his place-protesting, +however, by his faith in Christ, that he had done only what he was bound +to do by his regard for her Majesty's service--and that when he set foot +in the country he had no more expected to be made Governor of the +Netherlands than to be made King of Spain. Certainly he had been paying +dear for the honour, if honour it was, and he had not intended on setting +forth for the Provinces to ruin himself, for the sake of an empty title. +His motives--and he was honest, when he so avowed them--were motives of +state at least as much as of self-advancement. "I have no cause," he +said, "to have played the fool thus far for myself; first, to have her +Majesty's displeasure, which no kingdom in the world could make me +willingly deserve; next, to undo myself in my later days; to consume all +that should have kept me all my life in one half year. But I must thank +God for all, and am most heartily grieved at her Majesty's heavy +displeasure. I neither desire to live, nor to see my country with it." + +And at this bitter thought, he began to sigh like furnace, and to shed +the big tears of penitence. + +"For if I have not done her Majesty good service at this time," he said, +"I shall never hope to do her any, but will withdraw me into some +out-corner of the world, where I will languish out the rest of my few-too +many-days, praying ever for her Majesty's long and prosperous life, and +with this only comfort to live an exile, that this disgrace hath happened +for no other cause but for my mere regard for her Majesty's estate." + +Having painted this dismal picture of the probable termination to his +career--not in the hope of melting Burghley but of touching the heart of +Elizabeth--he proceeded to argue the point in question with much logic +and sagacity. He had satisfied himself on his arrival in the Provinces, +that, if he did not take the governor-generalship some other person +would; and that it certainly was for the interest of her Majesty that her +devoted servant, rather than an indifferent person, should be placed in +that important position. He maintained that the Queen had intimated, to +him, in private, her willingness that he should accept the office in +question provided the proposition should come from the States and not +from her; he reasoned that the double nature of his functions--being +general and counsellor for her, as well as general and counsellor for the +Provinces--made his acceptance of the authority conferred on him almost +indispensable; that for him to be merely commander over five thousand +English troops, when an abler soldier than himself, Sir John Norris, was +at their head, was hardly worthy her Majesty's service or himself, and +that in reality the Queen had lost nothing, by his appointment, but had +gained much benefit and honour by thus having the whole command of the +Provinces, of their forces by land and sea, of their towns and treasures, +with knowledge of all their secrets of state. + +Then, relapsing into a vein of tender but reproachful melancholy, he +observed, that, if it had been any man but himself that had done as he +had done, he would have been thanked, not censured. "But such is now my +wretched case," he said, "as for my faithful, true, and loving heart to +her Majesty and my country, I have utterly undone myself. For favour, I +have disgrace; for reward, utter spoil and ruin. But if this taking upon +me the name of governor is so evil taken as it hath deserved dishonour, +discredit, disfavour, with all griefs that may be laid upon a man, I must +receive it as deserved of God and not of my Queen, whom I have reverenced +with all humility, and whom I have loved with all fidelity." + +This was the true way, no doubt, to reach the heart of Elizabeth, and +Leicester had always plenty of such shafts in his quiver. Unfortunately +he had delayed too long, and even now he dared not take a direct aim. He +feared to write to the Queen herself, thinking that his so doing, "while +she had such conceipts of him, would only trouble her," and he therefore +continued to employ the Lord-Treasurer and Mr. Secretary as his +mediators. Thus he committed error upon error. + +Meantime, as if there had not been procrastination enough, Davison was +loitering at the Brill, detained by wind and weather. Two days after the +letter, just cited, had been despatched to Walsingham, Leicester sent an +impatient message to the envoy. "I am heartily sorry, with all my heart," +he said, "to hear of your long stay at Brill, the wind serving so fair as +it hath done these two days. I would have laid any wager that you had +been in England ere this. I pray you make haste, lest our cause take too +great a prejudice there ere you come, although I cannot fear it, because +it is so good and honest. I pray you imagine in what care I dwell till I +shall hear from you, albeit some way very resolute." + +Thus it was obvious that he had no secret despair of his cause when it +should be thoroughly laid before the Queen. The wonder was that he had +added the offence of long silence to the sin of disobedience. Davison had +sailed, however, before the receipt of the Earl's letter. He had been +furnished with careful instructions upon the subject of his mission. He +was to show how eager the States had been to have Leicester for their +absolute governor--which was perfectly true--and how anxious the Earl had +been to decline the proffered honour--which was certainly false, if +contemporary record and the minutes of the States-General are to be +believed. He was to sketch the general confusion which had descended upon +the country, the quarrelling of politicians, and the discontent of +officers and soldiers, from out of all which chaos one of two results was +sure to arise: the erection of a single chieftain, or a reconciliation of +the Provinces with Spain. That it would be impossible for the Earl to +exercise the double functions with which he was charged--of general of +her Majesty's forces, and general and chief counsellor of the States--if +any other man than himself should be appointed governor; was obvious. It +was equally plain that the Provinces could only be kept at her Majesty's +disposition by choosing the course which, at their own suggestion, had +been adopted. The offer of the government by the States, and its +acceptance by the Earl, were the logical consequence of the step which +the Queen had already taken. It was thus only that England could retain +her hold upon the country, and even upon the cautionary towns. As to a +reconciliation of the Provinces with Spain--which would have been the +probable result of Leicester's rejection of the proposition made by the +Stateait was unnecessary to do more than allude to such a catastrophe. No +one but a madman could doubt that, in such an event, the subjugation of +England was almost certain. + +But before the arrival of the ambassador, the Queen had been thoroughly +informed as to the whole extent of the Earl's delinquency. Dire was the +result. The wintry gales which had been lashing the North Sea, and +preventing the unfortunate Davison from setting forth on his disastrous +mission, were nothing to the tempest of royal wrath which had been +shaking the court-world to its centre. The Queen had been swearing most +fearfully ever since she read the news, which Leicester had not dared to +communicate directly, to herself. No one was allowed to speak a word in +extenuation of the favourite's offence. Burghley, who lifted up his voice +somewhat feebly to appease her wrath, was bid, with a curse, to hold his +peace. So he took to his bed-partly from prudence, partly from gout--and +thus sheltered himself for a season from the peltings of the storm. +Walsingham, more manful, stood to his post, but could not gain a hearing. +It was the culprit that should have spoken, and spoken in time. "Why, why +did you not write yourself?" was the plaintive cry of all the Earl's +friends, from highest to humblest. "But write to her now," they +exclaimed, "at any rate; and, above all, send her a present, a +love-gift." "Lay out two or three hundred crowns in some rare thing, for +a token to her Majesty," said Christopher Hatton. + +Strange that his colleagues and his rivals should have been obliged to +advise Leicester upon the proper course to pursue; that they--not +himself--should have been the first to perceive that it was the enraged +woman, even more than the offended sovereign, who was to be propitiated +and soothed. In truth, all the woman had been aroused in Elizabeth's +bosom. She was displeased that her favourite should derive power and +splendour from any source but her own bounty. She was furious that his +wife, whom she hated, was about to share in his honours. For the +mischievous tongues of court-ladies had been collecting or fabricating +many unpleasant rumours. A swarm of idle but piquant stories had been +buzzing about the Queen's ears, and stinging her into a frenzy of +jealousy. The Countess--it was said--was on the point of setting forth +for the Netherlands, to join the Earl, with a train of courtiers and +ladies, coaches and side-saddles, such as were never seen before--where +the two were about to establish themselves in conjugal felicity, as well +as almost royal state. What a prospect for the jealous and imperious +sovereign! "Coaches and side-saddles! She would show the upstarts that +there was one Queen, and that her name was Elizabeth, and that there was +no court but hers." And so she continued to storm and swear, and threaten +unutterable vengeance, till all her courtiers quaked in their shoes. + +Thomas Dudley, however, warmly contradicted the report, declaring, of his +own knowledge, that the Countess had no wish to go to the Provinces, nor +the Earl any intention of receiving her there. This information was at +once conveyed to the Queen, "and," said Dudley, "it did greatly pacify +her stomach." His friends did what they could to maintain the governor's +cause; but Burghley, Walsingham, Hatton, and the rest of them, were all +"at their wits end," and were nearly distraught at the delay in Davison's +arrival. Meantime the Queen's stomach was not so much pacified but that +she was determined to humiliate the Earl with the least possible delay. +Having waited sufficiently long for his explanations, she now appointed +Sir Thomas Heneage as special commissioner to the States, without waiting +any longer. Her wrath vented itself at once in the preamble to the +instructions for this agent. + +"Whereas," she said, "we have been given to understand that the Earl of +Leicester hath in a very contemptuous sort--contrary to our express +commandment given unto him by ourself, accepted of an offer of a more +absolute government made by the States unto him, than was agreed on +between us and their commissioners--which kind of contemptible manner of +proceeding giveth the world just cause to think that there is not that +reverent respect carried towards us by our subjects as in duty +appertaineth; especially seeing so notorious a contempt committed by one +whom we have raised up and yielded in the eye of the world, even from the +beginning of our reign, as great portion of our favour as ever subject +enjoyed at any prince's hands; we therefore, holding nothing dearer than +our honour, and considering that no one thing could more touch our +reputation than to induce so open and public a faction of a prince, and +work a greater reproach than contempt at a subject's hand, without +reparation of our honour, have found it necessary to send you unto him, +as well to charge him with the said contempt, as also to execute such +other things as we think meet to be done, for the justifying of ourselves +to the world, as the repairing of the indignity cast upon us by his +undutiful manner of proceeding towards us. . . . And for that we find +ourselves also not well dealt withal by the States, in that they have +pressed the said Earl, without our assent or privity, to accept of a more +absolute government than was agreed on between us and their +commissioners, we have also thought meet that you shall charge them +therewith, according to the directions hereafter ensuing. And to the end +there may be no delay used in the execution of that which we think meet +to be presently done, you shall charge the said States, even as they +tender the continuance of our good-will towards them, to proceed to the +speedy execution of our request." + +After this trumpet-like preamble it may be supposed that the blast which +followed would be piercing and shrill. The instructions, in truth, +consisted in wild, scornful flourishes upon one theme. The word contempt +had occurred five times in the brief preamble. It was repeated in almost +every line of the instructions. + +"You shall let the Earl" (our cousin no longer) "understand," said the +Queen, "how highly and justly we are offended with his acceptation of the +government, which we do repute to be a very great and strange contempt, +least looked for at our hands, being, as he is, a creature of our own." +His omission to acquaint her by letter with the causes moving him "so +contemptuously to break" her commandment, his delay in sending Davison +"to answer the said contempt," had much "aggravated the fault," although +the Queen protested herself unable to imagine any "excuse for so manifest +a contempt." The States were to be informed that she "held it strange" +that "this creature of her own" should have been pressed by them to +"commit so notorious a contempt" against her, both on account of this +very exhibition of contempt on Leicester's part, and because they thereby +"shewed themselves to have a very slender and weak conceit of her +judgment, by pressing a minister of hers to accept that which she had +refused, as: though her long experience in government had not taught her +to discover what was fit to do in matters of state." As the result of +such a proceeding would be to disgrace her in the eyes of mankind, by +inducing an opinion that her published solemn declaration on this great +subject had been intended to abuse the world, he was directed--in order +to remove the hard conceit justly to be taken by the world, "in +consideration of the said contempt,"--to make a public and open +resignation of the government in the place where he had accepted the +same. + +Thus it had been made obvious to the unlucky "creature of her own," that +the Queen did not easily digest "contempt." Nevertheless these +instructions to Heneage were gentle, compared with the fierce billet +which she addressed directly to the Earl: It was brief, too, as the posy +of a ring; and thus it ran: "To my Lord of Leicester, from the Queen, by +Sir Thomas Heneage. How contemptuously we conceive ourself to have been +used by you, you shall by this bearer understand, whom we have expressly +sent unto you to charge you withal. We could never have imagined, had we +not seen it fall out in experience, that a man raised up by ourself, and +extraordinarily favoured by us above any other subject of this land, +would have, in so contemptible a sort, broken our commandment, in a cause +that so greatly toucheth us in honour; whereof, although you have showed +yourself to make but little account, in most undutiful a sort, you may +not therefore think that we have so little care of the reparation thereof +as we mind to pass so great a wrong in silence unredressed. And therefore +our express pleasure and commandment is, that--all delays and excuses +laid apart--you do presently, upon the duty of your allegiance, obey and +fulfil whatsoever the bearer hereof shall direct you to do in our name. +Whereof fail not, as you will answer the contrary at your uttermost +peril." + +Here was no billing and cooing, certainly, but a terse, biting +phraseology, about which there could be no misconception. + +By the same messenger the Queen also sent a formal letter to the +States-General; the epistle--'mutatis mutandis'--being also addressed to +the state-council. + +In this document her Majesty expressed her great surprise that Leicester +should have accepted their offer of the absolute government, "both for +police and war," when she had so expressly rejected it herself. "To tell +the truth," she observed, "you seem to have treated us with very little +respect, and put a too manifest insult upon us, in presenting anew to one +of, our subjects the same proposition which we had already declined, +without at least waiting for our answer whether we should like it or no; +as if we had not sense enough to be able to decide upon what we ought to +accept or refuse." She proceeded to express her dissatisfaction with the +course pursued, because so repugnant to her published declaration, in +which she had stated to the world her intention of aiding the Provinces, +without meddling in the least with the sovereignty of the country. "The +contrary would now be believed," she said, "at least by those who take +the liberty of censuring, according to their pleasure, the actions of +princes." Thus her honour was at stake. She signified her will, +therefore, that, in order to convince the world of her sincerity, the +authority conferred should be revoked, and that "the Earl," whom she had +decided to recall very soon, should, during his brief residence there, +only exercise the power agreed upon by the original contract. She warmly +reiterated her intention, however, of observing inviolably the promise of +assistance which she had given to the States. "And if," she said, "any +malicious or turbulent spirits should endeavour, perchance, to persuade +the people that this our refusal proceeds from lack of affection or +honest disposition to assist you--instead of being founded only on +respect for our honour, which is dearer to us than life--we beg you, by +every possible means, to shut their mouths, and prevent their pernicious +designs." + +Thus, heavily laden with the royal wrath, Heneage was on the point of +leaving London for the Netherlands, on the very day upon which Davison +arrived, charged with deprecatory missives from that country. After his +long detention he had a short passage, crossing from the Brill to Margate +in a single night. Coming immediately to London, he sent to Walsingham to +inquire which way the wind was blowing at court, but received a somewhat +discouraging reply. "Your long detention by his Lordship," said the +Secretary, "has wounded the whole cause;" adding, that he thought her +Majesty would not speak with him. On the other hand, it seemed +indispensable for him to go to the court, because if the Queen should +hear of his arrival before he had presented himself, she was likely to be +more angry than ever. + +So, the same afternoon, Davison waited upon Walsingham, and found him in +a state of despondency. "She takes his Lordship's acceptance of the +government most haynously," said Sir Francis, "and has resolved to send +Sir Thomas Heneage at once, with orders for him to resign the office. She +has been threatening you and Sir Philip Sidney, whom she considers the +chief actors and persuaders in the matter, according to information +received from some persons about my Lord of Leicester." + +Davison protested himself amazed at the Secretary's discourse, and at +once took great pains to show the reasons by which all parties had been +influenced in the matter of the government. He declared roundly that if +the Queen should carry out her present intentions, the Earl would be most +unworthily disgraced, the cause utterly overthrown, the Queen's honour +perpetually stained, and that her kingdom would incur great disaster. + +Directly after this brief conversation, Walsingham went up stairs to the +Queen, while Davison proceeded to the apartments of Sir Christopher +Hatton. Thence he was soon summoned to the royal presence, and found that +he had not been misinformed as to the temper of her Majesty. The Queen +was indeed in a passion, and began swearing at Davison so soon as he got +into the chamber; abusing Leicester for having accepted the offer of the +States, against her many times repeated commandment, and the ambassador +for not having opposed his course. The thing had been done, she said, in +contempt of her, as if her consent had been of no consequence, or as if +the matter in no way concerned her. + +So soon as she paused to take breath, the envoy modestly, but firmly, +appealed to her reason, that she would at any rate lend him a patient and +favourable ear, in which case he doubted not that she would form a more +favourable opinion of the case than she had hitherto done: He then +entered into a long discourse upon the state of the Netherlands before +the arrival of Leicester, the inclination in many quarters for a peace, +the "despair that any sound and good fruit would grow of her Majesty's +cold beginning," the general unpopularity of the States' government, the +"corruption, partiality, and confusion," which were visible everywhere, +the perilous condition of the whole cause, and the absolute necessity of +some immediate reform. + +"It was necessary," said Davison, "that some one person of wisdom and +authority should take the helm. Among the Netherlanders none was +qualified for such a charge. Lord Maurice is a child, poor, and of but +little respect among them. Elector Truchsess, Count Hohenlo, Meurs, and +the rest, strangers and incapable of the burden. These considerations +influenced the States to the step which had been taken; without which all +the rest of her benevolence was to little purpose." Although the contract +between the commissioners and the Queen had not literally provided for +such an arrangement, yet it had always been contemplated by the States, +who had left themselves without a head until the arrival of the Earl. + +"Under one pretext or another," continued the envoy, "my Lord of +Leicester had long delayed to satisfy them,"--(and in so stating he went +somewhat further in defence of his absent friend than the facts would +warrant), "for he neither flatly refused it, nor was willing to accept, +until your Majesty's pleasure should be known." Certainly the records +show no reservation of his acceptance until the Queen had been consulted; +but the defence by Davison of the offending Earl was so much the more +courageous. + +"At length, wearied by their importunity, moved with their reasons, and +compelled by necessity, he thought it better to take the course he did," +proceeded the diplomatist, "for otherwise he must have been an +eye-witness of the dismemberment of the whole country, which could not be +kept together but by a reposed hope in her Majesty's found favour, which +had been utterly despaired of by his refusal. He thought it better by +accepting to increase the honour, profit; and surety, of her Majesty, and +the good of the cause, than, by refusing, to utterly hazard the one, and +overthrow the other." + +To all this and more, well and warmly urged by Davison; the Queen +listened by fits and starts, often interrupting his discourse by violent +abuse of Leicester, accusing him of contempt for her, charging him with +thinking more of his own particular greatness than of her honour and +service, and then "digressing into old griefs," said the envoy, "too long +and tedious to write." She vehemently denounced Davison also for +dereliction of duty in not opposing the measure; but he manfully declared +that he never deemed so meanly of her Majesty or of his Lordship as to +suppose that she would send him, or that he would go to the Provinces, +merely, "to take command of the relics of Mr. Norris's worn and decayed +troops." Such a change, protested Davison, was utterly unworthy a person +of the Earl's quality, and utterly unsuited to the necessity of the time +and state. + +But Davison went farther in defence of Leicester. He had been present at +many of the conferences with the Netherland envoys during the preceding +summer in England, and he now told the Queen stoutly to her face that she +herself, or at any rate one of her chief counsellors, in her hearing and +his, had expressed her royal determination not to prevent the acceptance +of whatever authority the states might choose to confer, by any one whom +she might choose to send. She had declined to accept it in person, but +she had been willing that it should be wielded by her deputy; and this +remembrance of his had been confirmed by that of one of the commissioners +since their return. She had never--Davison maintained--sent him one +single line having any bearing on the subject. Under such circumstances, +"I might have been accused of madness,", said he, "to have dissuaded an +action in my poor opinion so necessary and expedient for your Majesty's +honour, surety, and greatness." If it were to do over again, he avowed, +and "were his opinion demanded, he could give no other advice than that +which he had given, having received no contrary, commandment from her +Highness." + +And so ended the first evening's long and vehement debate, and Davison +departed, "leaving her," as he said, "much qualified, though in many +points unsatisfied." She had however, absolutely refused to receive a +letter from Leicester, with which he had been charged, but which, in her +opinion, had better have been written two months before. + +The next day, it seemed, after all, that Heneage was to be despatched, +"in great heat," upon his mission. Davison accordingly requested an +immediate audience. So soon as admitted to the presence he burst into +tears, and implored the Queen to pause before she should inflict the +contemplated disgrace on one whom she had hitherto so highly esteemed, +and, by so doing, dishonour herself and imperil both countries. But the +Queen was more furious than ever that morning, returning at every pause +in the envoy's discourse to harp upon the one string--"How dared he come +to such a decision without at least imparting it to me?"--and so on, as +so many times before. And again Davison, with all the eloquence and with +every soothing art he had at command; essayed to pour oil upon the waves. +Nor was he entirely unsuccessful; for presently the Queen became so calm +again that he ventured once more to present the rejected letter of the +Earl. She broke the seal, and at sight of the well-known handwriting she +became still more gentle; and so soon as she had read the first of her +favourite's honied phrases she thrust the precious document into her +pocket, in order to read it afterwards, as Davison observed, at her +leisure. + +The opening thus successfully made, and the envoy having thus, "by many +insinuations," prepared her to lend him a "more patient and willing ear +than she had vouchsafed before," he again entered into a skilful and +impassioned argument to show the entire wisdom of the course pursued by +the Earl. + +It is unnecessary to repeat the conversation. Since to say that no man +could have more eloquently and faithfully supported an absent friend +under difficulties than Davison now defended the Earl. The line of +argument is already familiar to the reader, and, in truth, the Queen had +nothing to reply, save to insist upon the governor's delinquency in +maintaining so long and inexplicable a silence. And--at this thought, in +spite of the envoy's eloquence, she went off again in a paroxysm of +anger, abusing the Earl, and deeply censuring Davison for his "peremptory +and partial dealing." + +"I had conceived a better opinion of you," she said, "and I had intended +more good to you than I now find you worthy of." + +"I humbly thank your Highness," replied the ambassador, "but I take +yourself to witness that I have never affected or sought any such grace +at your hands. And if your Majesty persists in the dangerous course on +which you are now entering, I only pray your leave, in recompense for all +my travails, to retire myself home, where I may spend the rest of my life +in praying for you, whom Salvation itself is not able to save, if these +purposes are continued. Henceforth, Madam, he is to be deemed happiest +who is least interested in the public service." + +And so ended the second day's debate. The next day the Lord-Treasurer, +who, according to Davison, employed himself diligently--as did also +Walsingham and Hatton--in dissuading the Queen from the violent measures +which she had resolved upon, effected so much of a change as to procure +the insertion of those qualifying clauses in Heneage's instructions which +had been previously disallowed. The open and public disgrace of the Earl, +which was to have been peremptorily demanded, was now to be deferred, if +such a measure seemed detrimental to the public service. Her Majesty, +however, protested herself as deeply offended as ever, although she had +consented to address a brief, somewhat mysterious, but benignant letter +of compliment to the States. + +Soon after this Davison retired for a few days from the court, having +previously written to the Earl that "the heat of her Majesty's offence to +his Lordship was abating every day somewhat, and that she was disposed +both to hear and to speak more temperately of him." + +He implored him accordingly to a "more diligent entertaining of her by +wise letters and messages, wherein his slackness hitherto appeared to +have bred a great part of this unkindness." He observed also that the +"traffic of peace was still going on underhand; but whether to use it as +a second string to our bow, if the first should fail, or of any settled +inclination thereunto, he could not affirm." + +Meantime Sir Thomas Heneage was despatched on his mission to the Staten, +despite all the arguments and expostulations of Walsingham, Burghley, +Hatton, and Davison. All the Queen's counsellors were unequivocally in +favour of sustaining Leicester; and Heneage was not a little embarrassed +as to the proper method of conducting the affair. Everything, in truth, +was in a most confused condition. He hardly understood to what power he +was accredited. "Heneage writes even now unto me," said Walsingham to +Davison, "that he cannot yet receive any information who be the States, +which he thinketh will be a great maimer unto him in his negotiation. I +have told him that it is an assembly much like that of our burgesses that +represent the State, and that my Lord of Leicester may cause some of them +to meet together, unto whom he may deliver his letters and messages." +Thus the new envoy was to request the culprit to summon the very assembly +by which his downfall and disgrace were to be solemnized, as formally as +had been so recently his elevation to the height of power. The prospect +was not an agreeable one, and the less so because of his general want of +familiarity with the constitutional forms of the country he was about to +visit. Davison accordingly, at the request of Sir Francis, furnished +Heneage with much valuable information and advice upon the subject. + +Thus provided with information, forewarned of danger, furnished with a +double set of letters from the Queen to the States--the first expressed +in language of extreme exasperation, the others couched in almost +affectionate terms--and laden with messages brimfull of wrathful +denunciation from her Majesty to one who was notoriously her Majesty's +dearly-beloved, Sir Thomas Heneage set forth on his mission. These were +perilous times for the Davisons and the Heneages, when even Leicesters +and Burghleys were scarcely secure. + +Meantime the fair weather at court could not be depended upon from one +day to another, and the clouds were perpetually returning after the rain. + +"Since my second and third day's audience," said Davison, "the storms I +met with at my arrival have overblown and abated daily. On Saturday again +she fell into some new heat, which lasted not long. This day I was myself +at the court, and found her in reasonable good terms, though she will not +yet seem satisfied to me either with the matter or manner of your +proceeding, notwithstanding all the labour I have taken in that behalf. +Yet I find not her Majesty altogether so sharp as some men look, though +her favour has outwardly cooled in respect both of this action and of our +plain proceeding with her here in defence thereof." + +The poor Countess--whose imaginary exodus, with the long procession of +coaches and side-saddles, had excited so much ire--found herself in a +most distressing position. "I have not seen my Lady these ten or twelve +days," said Davison. "To-morrow I hope to do my duty towards her. I found +her greatly troubled with tempestuous news she received from court, but +somewhat comforted when she understood how I had proceeded with her +Majesty . . . . But these passions overblown, I hope her Majesty will +have a gracious regard both towards myself and the cause." + +But the passions seemed not likely to blow over so soon as was desirable. +Leicester's brother the Earl of Warwick took a most gloomy view of the +whole transaction, and hoarser than the raven's was his boding tone. + +"Well, our mistress's extreme rage doth increase rather than diminish," +he wrote, "and she giveth out great threatening words against you. +Therefore make the best assurance you can for yourself, and trust not her +oath, for that her malice is great and unquenchable in the wisest of +their opinions here, and as for other friendships, as far as I can learn, +it is as doubtful as the other. Wherefore, my good brother, repose your +whole trust in God, and He will defend you in despite of all your +enemies. And let this be a great comfort to you, and so it is likewise to +myself and all your assured friends, and that is, that you were never so +honoured and loved in your life amongst all good people as you are at +this day, only for dealing so nobly and wisely in this action as you have +done; so that, whatsoever cometh of it, you have done your part. I praise +God from my heart for it. Once again, have great care of yourself, I mean +for your safety, and if she will needs revoke you, to the overthrowing of +the cause, if I were as you, if I could not be assured there, I would go +to the farthest part of Christendom rather than ever come into England +again. Take heed whom you trust, for that you have some false boys about +you." + +And the false boys were busy enough, and seemed likely to triumph in the +result of their schemes. For a glance into the secret correspondence of +Mary of Scotland has already revealed the Earl to us constantly +surrounded by men in masks. Many of those nearest his person, and of +highest credit out of England, were his deadly foes, sworn to compass his +dishonour, his confusion, and eventually his death, and in correspondence +with his most powerful adversaries at home and abroad. Certainly his path +was slippery and perilous along those icy summits of power, and he had +need to look well to his footsteps. + +Before Heneage had arrived in the Netherlands, Sir Thomas Shirley, +despatched by Leicester to England with a commission to procure supplies +for the famishing soldiers, and, if possible, to mitigate the Queen's +wrath, had, been admitted more than once to her Majesty's presence. He +had fought the Earl's battle as manfully as Davison had done, and, like +that envoy, had received nothing in exchange for his plausible arguments +but bitter words and big oaths. Eight days after his arrival he was +introduced by Hatton into the privy chamber, and at the moment of his +entrance was received with a volley of execrations. + +"I did expressly and peremptorily forbid his acceptance of the absolute +government, in the hearing of divers of my council," said the Queen. + +Shirley.--"The necessity of the case was imminent, your Highness. It was +his Lordship's intent to do all for your Majesty's service. Those +countries did expect him as a governor at his first landing, and the +States durst do no other than satisfy the people also with that opinion. +The people's mislike of their present government is such and so great as +that the name of States is grown odious amongst them. Therefore the +States, doubting the furious rage of the people, conferred the authority +upon his Lordship with incessant suit to him to receive it. +Notwithstanding this, however, he did deny it until he saw plainly both +confusion and ruin of that country if he should refuse. On the other +hand, when he had seen into their estates, his lordship found great +profit and commodity like to come unto your Majesty by your acceptance of +it. Your Highness may now have garrisons of English in as many towns as +pleaseth you, without any more charge than you are now at. Nor can any +peace be made with Spain at any time hereafter, but through you: and by +you. Your Majesty should remember, likewise, that if a man of another +nation had been chosen governor it might have wrought great danger. +Moreover it would have been an indignity that your lieutenant-general +should of necessity be under him that so should have been elected. +Finally, this is a stop to any other that may affect the place of +government there." + +Queen (who has manifested many signs of impatience during this +discourse).--"Your speech is all in vain. His Lordship's proceeding is +sufficient to make me infamous to all princes, having protested the +contrary, as I have done, in a book which is translated into divers and +sundry languages. His Lordship, being my servant, a creature of my own, +ought not, in duty towards me, have entered into this course without my +knowledge and good allowance." + +Shirley.--"But the world hath conceived a high judgment of your Majesty's +great wisdom and providence; shown by your assailing the King of Spain at +one time both in the Low Countries and also by Sir Francis Drake. I do +assure myself that the same judgment which did first cause you to take +this in hand must continue a certain knowledge in your Majesty that one +of these actions must needs stand much better by the other. If Sir +Frances do prosper, then all is well. And though he should not prosper, +yet this hold that his Lordship hath taken for you on the Low Countries +must always assure an honourable peace at your Highness's pleasure. I +beseech your Majesty to remember that to the King of Spain the government +of his Lordship is no greater matter than if he were but your +lieutenant-general there; but the voyage of Sir Francis is of much +greater offence than all." + +Queen (interrupting).--"I can very well answer for Sir Francis. Moreover, +if need be, the gentleman careth not if I should disavow him." + +Shirley.--"Even so standeth my Lord, if your disavowing of him may also +stand with your Highness's favour towards him. Nevertheless; should this +bruit of your mislike of his Lordship's authority there come unto the +ears of those people; being a nation both sudden and suspicious, and +having been heretofore used to stratagem--I fear it may work some strange +notion in them, considering that, at this time, there is an increase of +taxation raised upon them, the bestowing whereof perchance they know not +of. His Lordship's giving; up of the government may leave them altogether +without government, and in worse case than they were ever in before. For +now the authority of the States is dissolved, and his Lordship's +government is the only thing that holdeth them together. I do beseech +your Highness, then, to consider well of it, and if there be any private +cause for which you take grief against his Lordship, nevertheless, to +have regard unto the public cause, and to have a care of your own safety, +which in many wise men's opinions, standeth much upon the good +maintenance and upholding of this matter." + +Queen.--"I believe nothing of, what you say concerning the dissolving of +the authority of the States. I know well enough that the States do remain +states still. I mean not to do harm to the cause, but only to reform that +which his Lordship hath done beyond his warrant from me." + +And with this the Queen swept suddenly from the apartment. Sir Thomas, at +different stages of the conversation, had in vain besought her to accept +a letter from the Earl which had been entrusted to his care. She +obstinately refused to touch it. Shirley had even had recourse to +stratagem: affecting ignorance on many points concerning which the Queen +desired information, and suggesting that doubtless she would find those +matters fully explained in his Lordship's letter. The artifice was in +vain, and the discussion was, on the whole, unsatisfactory. Yet there is +no doubt that the Queen had had the worst of the argument, and she was +far too sagacious a politician not to feel the weight of that which had +been urged so often in defence of the course pursued. But it was with her +partly a matter of temper and offended pride, perhaps even of wounded +affection. + +On the following morning Shirley saw the Queen walking in the garden of +the palace, and made bold to accost her. Thinking, as he said, "to test +her affection to Lord Leicester by another means," the artful Sir Thomas +stepped up to her, and observed that his Lordship was seriously ill. "It +is feared," he said, "that the Earl is again attacked by the disease of +which Dr. Goodrowse did once cure him. Wherefore his Lordship is now a +humble suitor to your Highness that it would please you to spare +Goodrowse, and give him leave to go thither for some time." + +The Queen was instantly touched. + +"Certainly--with all my heart, with all my heart, he shall have him," she +replied, "and sorry I am that his Lordship hath that need of him." + +"And indeed," returned sly Sir Thomas, "your Highness is a very gracious +prince, who are pleased not to suffer his Lordship to perish in health, +though otherwise you remain deeply offended with him." + +"You know my mind," returned Elizabeth, now all the queen again, and +perhaps suspecting the trick; "I may not endure that any man should alter +my commission and the authority that I gave him, upon his own fancies and +without me." + +With this she instantly summoned one of her gentlemen, in order to break +off the interview, fearing that Shirley was about to enter again upon a +discussion of the whole subject, and again to attempt the delivery of the +Earl's letter. + +In all this there was much of superannuated coquetry, no doubt, and much +of Tudor despotism, but there was also a strong infusion of artifice. For +it will soon be necessary to direct attention to certain secret +transactions of an important nature in which the Queen was engaged, and +which were even hidden from the all-seeing eye of Walsingham--although +shrewdly suspected both by that statesman and by Leicester--but which +were most influential in modifying her policy at that moment towards the +Netherlands. + +There could be no doubt, however, of the stanch and strenuous manner in +which the delinquent Earl was supported by his confidential messengers +and by some of his fellow-councillors. His true friends were urgent that +the great cause in which he was engaged should be forwarded sincerely and +without delay. Shirley had been sent for money; but to draw money from +Elizabeth was like coining her life-blood, drachma by drachma. + +"Your Lordship is like to have but a poor supply of money at this time," +said Sir Thomas. "To be plain with you, I fear she groweth weary of the +charge, and will hardly be brought to deal thoroughly in the action." + +He was also more explicit than he might have been--had he been better +informed as to the disposition of the chief personages of the court, +concerning whose temper the absent Earl was naturally anxious. Hatton was +most in favour at the moment, and it was through Hatton that the +communications upon Netherland matters passed; "for," said Shirley, "she +will hardly endure Mr. Secretary (Walsingham) to speak unto her therein." + +"And truly, my Lord," he continued, "as Mr. Secretary is a noble, good, +and true friend unto you, so doth Mr. Vice-Chamberlain show himself an +honourable, true, and faithful gentleman, and doth carefully and most +like a good friend for your Lordship." + +And thus very succinctly and graphically had the envoy painted the +situation to his principal. "Your Lordship now sees things just as they +stand," he moralized. "Your Lordship is exceeding wise. You know the +Queen and her nature best of any man. You know all men here. Your +Lordship can judge the sequel by this that you see: only this I must tell +your Lordship, I perceive that fears and doubts from thence are like to +work better effects here than comforts and assurance. I think it my part +to send your Lordship this as it is, rather than to be silent." + +And with these rather ominous insinuations the envoy concluded for the +time his narrative. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Intolerable tendency to puns + New Years Day in England, 11th January by the New Style + Peace and quietness is brought into a most dangerous estate + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +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 in great jollity that +her Majesty doth rather mislike than allow of our doings here, which; if +it be true, let her be sure her own sweet self shall first smart." + +Moreover; the English troops were, as we have seen, mere shoeless, +shivering, starving vagabonds. The Earl had generously advanced very +large sums of money from his own pocket to relieve their necessity. The +States, on the other hand, had voluntarily increased the monthly +contribution of 200,000 florins, to which their contract with Elizabeth +obliged them, and were more disposed than ever they had been since the +death of Orange to proceed vigorously and harmoniously against the common +enemy of Christendom. Under such circumstances it may well be imagined +that there was cause on Leicester's part for deep mortification at the +tragical turn which the Queen's temper seemed to be taking. + +"I know not," he said, "how her Majesty doth mean to dispose of me. It +hath grieved me more than I can express that for faithful and good +service she should so deeply conceive against me. God knows with what +mind I have served her Highness, and perhaps some others might have +failed. Yet she is neither tied one jot by covenant or promise by me in +any way, nor at one groat the more charges, but myself two or three +thousand pounds sterling more than now is like to be well spent. I will +desire no partial speech in my favour. If my doings be ill for her +Majesty and the realm, let me feel the smart of it. The cause is now well +forward; let not her majesty suffer it to quail. If you will have it +proceed to good effect, send away Sir William Pelham with all the haste +you can. I mean not to complain, but with so weighty a cause as this is, +few men have been so weakly assisted. Her Majesty hath far better choice +for my place, and with any that may succeed me let Sir William Pelham be +first that may come. I speak from my soul for her Majesty's service. I am +for myself upon an hour's warning to obey her good pleasure." + +Thus far the Earl had maintained his dignity. He had yielded to the +solicitations of the States, and had thereby exceeded his commission, and +gratified his ambition, but he had in no wise forfeited his self-respect. +But--so soon as the first unquestionable intelligence of the passion to +which the Queen had given way at his misdoings reached him--he began to +whimper, The straightforward tone which Davison had adopted in his +interviews with Elizabeth, and the firmness with which he had defended +the cause of his absent friend, at a moment when he had plunged himself +into disgrace, was worthy of applause. He deserved at least a word of +honest thanks. + +Ignoble however was the demeanor of the Earl towards the man--for whom he +had but recently been unable to invent eulogies sufficiently warm--so +soon as he conceived the possibility of sacrificing his friend as the +scape-goat for his own fault. An honest schoolboy would have scorned to +leave thus in the lurch a comrade who had been fighting his battles so +honestly. + +"How earnest I was," he wrote to the lords of the council, 9th March, +1586, "not only to acquaint her Majesty, but immediately upon the first +motion made by the States, to send Mr. Davison over to her with letters, +I doubt not but he will truly affirm for me; yea, and how far against my +will it was, notwithstanding any reasons delivered me, that he and others +persisted in, to have me accept first of this place. . . . The +extremity of the case, and my being persuaded that Mr. Davison might have +better satisfied her Majesty, than I perceive he can, caused, me-neither +arrogantly nor contemptuously, but even merely and faithfully--to do her +Majesty the best service." + +He acknowledged, certainly, that Davison had been influenced by honest +motives, although his importunities had been the real cause of the Earl's +neglect of his own obligations. But he protested that he had himself, +only erred through an excessive pliancy to the will of others. "My +yielding was my own fault," he admitted, "whatsoever his persuasions; but +far from a contemptuous heart, or else God pluck out both heart and +bowels with utter shame." + +So soon as Sir Thomas Heneage had presented himself, and revealed the +full extent of the Queen's wrath, the Earl's disposition to cast the +whole crime on the shoulders of Davison became quite undisguised. + +"I thank you for your letters," wrote Leicester to Walsingham, "though +you can send me no comfort. Her Majesty doth deal hardly to believe so +ill of me. It is true I faulted, but she doth not consider what +commodities she hath withal, and herself no way engaged for it, as Mr. +Davison might have better declared it, if it had pleased him. And I must +thank him only for my blame, and so he will confess to you, for, I +protest before God, no necessity here could have made me leave her +Majesty unacquainted with the cause before I would have accepted of it, +but only his so earnest pressing me with his faithfull assured promise to +discharge me, however her Majesty should take it. For you all see there +she had no other cause to be offended but this, and, by the Lord, he was +the only cause; albeit it is no sufficient allegation, being as I am . . +. . . He had, I think, saved all to have told her, as he promised me. But +now it is laid upon me, God send the cause to take no harm, my grief must +be the less. + +"How far Mr. Heneage's commission shall deface me I know not. He is wary +to observe his commission, and I consent withal. I know the time will be +her Majesty will be sorry for it. In the meantime I am too, too weary of +the high dignity. I would that any that could serve her Majesty were +placed in it, and I to sit down with all my losses." + +In more manful strain he then alluded to the sufferings of his army. +"Whatsoever become of me," he said, "give me leave to speak for the poor +soldiers. If they be not better maintained, being in this strange +country, there will be neither good service done, nor be without great +dishonour to her Majesty. . . . Well, you see the wants, and it is one +cause that will glad me to be rid of this heavy high calling, and wish me +at my poor cottage again, if any I shall find. But let her Majesty pay +them well, and appoint such a man as Sir William Pelham to govern them, +and she never wan more honour than these men here will do, I am +persuaded." + +That the Earl was warmly urged by all most conversant with Netherland +politics to assume the government was a fact admitted by all. That he +manifested rather eagerness than reluctance on the subject, and that his +only hesitation arose from the proposed restraints upon the power, not +from scruples about accepting the power, are facts upon record. There is +nothing save his own assertion to show any backwardness on his part to +snatch the coveted prize; and that assertion was flatly denied by +Davison, and was indeed refuted by every circumstance in the case. It is +certain that he had concealed from Davison the previous prohibitions of +the Queen. He could anticipate much better than could Davison, therefore, +the probable indignation of the Queen. It is strange then that he should +have shut his eyes to it so wilfully, and stranger still that he should +have relied on the envoy's eloquence instead of his own to mitigate that +emotion. Had he placed his defence simply upon its true basis, the +necessity of the case, and the impossibility of carrying out the Queen's +intentions in any other way, it would be difficult to censure him; but +that he should seek to screen himself by laying the whole blame on a +subordinate, was enough to make any honest man who heard him hang his +head. "I meant not to do it, but Davison told me to do it, please your +Majesty, and if there was naughtiness in it, he said he would make it all +right with your Majesty." Such, reduced to its simplest expression, was +the defence of the magnificent Earl of Leicester. + +And as he had gone cringing and whining to his royal mistress, so it was +natural that he should be brutal and blustering to his friend. + +"By your means," said he, "I have fallen into her Majesty's deep +displeasure . . . . If you had delivered to her the truth of my +dealing, her Highness never could have conceived, as I perceive she doth +. . . . Nor doth her Majesty know how hardly I was drawn to accept this +place before I had acquainted her--as to which you promised you would not +only give her full satisfaction, but would, procure me great thanks. . . . +You did chiefly persuade me to take this charge upon me . . . . You +can remember how many treaties you and others had with the States, before +I agreed; for all yours and their persuasion to take it. . . . You +gave me assurance to satisfy her Majesty, but I see not that you have +done anything . . . . I did not hide from you the doubt I had of her +Majesty's ill taking it . . . . You chiefly brought me into it . . . . +and it could no way have been heavy to you, though you had told the +uttermost of your own doing, as you faithfully promised you would . . . . +I did very unwillingly come into the matter, doubting that to fall out +which is come to pass . . . . and it doth so fall out by your negligent +carelessness, whereof I many hundred times told you that you would both +mar the goodness of the matter, and breed me her Majesty's displeasure. +. . . Thus fare you well, and except your embassages have better +success, I shall have no cause to commend them." + +And so was the unfortunate Davison ground into finest dust between the +upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency. + +Meantime the other special envoy had made his appearance in the +Netherlands; the other go-between between the incensed Queen and the +backsliding favourite. It has already been made sufficiently obvious, by +the sketch given of his instructions, that his mission was a delicate +one. In obedience to those instructions, Heneage accordingly made his +appearance before the council, and, in Leicester's presence, delivered to +them the severe and biting reprimand which Elizabeth had chosen to +inflict upon the States and upon the governor. The envoy performed his +ungracious task as daintily, as he could, and after preliminary +consultation with Leicester; but the proud Earl was deeply mortified. +"The fourteenth day of this month of March," said he, "Sir Thomas Heneage +delivered a very sharp letter from her Majesty to the council of estate, +besides his message--myself being, present, for so was her Majesty's +pleasure, as he said, and I do think he did but as he was commanded. How +great a grief it must be to an honest heart and a true, faithful servant, +before his own face, to a company of very wise and grave counsellors, who +had conceived a marvellous opinion before of my credit with her Majesty, +to be charged now with a manifest and wilful contempt! Matter enough to +have broken any man's heart, that looked rather for thanks, as God doth +know I did when I first heard of Mr. Heneage's arrival--I must say to +your Lordship, for discharge of my duty, I can be no fit man to serve +here--my disgrace is too great--protesting to you that since that day I +cannot find it in my heart to come into that place, where, by my own +sufferings torn, I was made to be thought so lewd a person." + +He then comforted himself--as he had a right to do--with the reflection +that this disgrace inflicted was more than he deserved, and that such +would be the opinion of those by whom he was surrounded. + +"Albeit one thing," he said, "did greatly comfort me, that they all best +knew the wrong was great I had, and that her Majesty was very wrongfully +informed of the state of my cause. I doubt not but they can and will +discharge me, howsoever they shall satisfy her Majesty. And as I would +rather wish for death than justly to deserve her displeasure; so, good my +Lord, this disgrace not coming for any ill service to her, pray procure +me a speedy resolution, that I may go hide me and pray for her. My heart +is broken, though thus far I can quiet myself, that I know I have done +her Majesty as faithful and good service in these countries as ever she +had done her since she was Queen of England . . . . Under correction, +my good Lord, I have had Halifax law--to be condemned first and inquired +upon after. I pray God that no man find this measure that I have done, +and deserved no worse." + +He defended himself--as Davison had already defended him--upon the +necessities of the case. + +"I, a poor gentleman," he said, "who have wholly depended upon herself +alone--and now, being commanded to a service of the greatest importance +that ever her Majesty employed any servant in, and finding the occasion +so serving me, and the necessity of time such as would not permit such +delays, flatly seeing that if that opportunity were lost, the like again +for her service and the good of the realm was never, to be looked for, +presuming upon the favour of my prince, as many servants have done, +exceeding somewhat thereupon, rather than breaking any part of my +commission, taking upon me a place whereby I found these whole countries +could be held at her best devotion, without binding her Majesty to any +such matter as she had forbidden to the States before finding, I say, +both the time and opportunity to serve, and no lack but to trust to her +gracious acceptation, I now feel that how good, how honourable, how +profitable soever it be, it is turned to a worse part than if I had +broken all her commissions and commandments, to the greatest harm, and +dishonour, and danger, that may be imagined against her person, state, +and dignity." + +He protested, not without a show of reason, that he was like to be worse +punished "for well-doing than any man that had committed a most heinous +or traitorous offence," and he maintained that if he had not accepted the +government, as he had done, "the whole State had been gone and wholly +lost." All this--as we have seen--had already been stoutly urged by +Davison, in the very face of the tempest, but with no result, except to +gain the enmity of both parties to the quarrel. The ungrateful Leicester +now expressed confidence that the second go-between would be more adroit +than the first had proved. "The causes why," said he, "Mr. Davison could +have told--no man better--but Mr. Heneage can now tell, who hath sought +to the uttermost the bottom of all things. I will stand to his report, +whether glory or vain desire of title caused me to step one foot forward +in the matter. My place was great enough and high enough before, with +much less trouble than by this, besides the great indignation of her +Majesty . . . . If I had overslipt the good occasion then in danger, I +had been worthy to be hanged, and to be taken for a most lewd servant to +her Majesty, and a dishonest wretch to my country." + +But diligently as Heneage had sought to the bottom of all things, he had +not gained the approbation of Sidney. Sir Philip thought that the new man +had only ill botched a piece of work that had been most awkwardly +contrived from the beginning. "Sir Thomas Heneage," said he, "hath with +as much honesty, in my opinion done as much hurt as any man this +twelve-month hath done with naughtiness. But I hope in God, when her +Majesty finds the truth of things, her graciousness will not utterly, +overthrow a cause so behooveful and costly unto her." + +He briefly warned the government that most disastrous effects were likely +to ensue, if the Earl should be publicly disgraced, and the recent action +of the States reversed. The penny-wise economy, too, of the Queen, was +rapidly proving a most ruinous extravagance. "I only cry for Flushing;" +said Sidney, "but, unless the monies be sent over, there will some +terrible accident follow, particularly to the cautionary towns, if her +Majesty mean to have them cautions." + +The effect produced by the first explosion of the Queen's wrath was +indeed one of universal suspicion and distrust. The greatest care had +been taken, however, that the affair should be delicately handled, for +Heneage, while, doing as much hurt by honesty as, others by naughtiness, +had modified his course as much as he dared in deference to the opinions +of the Earl himself, and that of his English counsellors. The great +culprit himself, assisted by his two lawyers, Clerk and Killigrew--had +himself drawn the bill of his own indictment. The letters of the Queen to +the States, to the council, and to the Earl himself, were, of necessity, +delivered, but the reprimand which Heneage had been instructed to +fulminate was made as harmless as possible. It was arranged that he +should make a speech before the council; but abstain from a protocol. The +oration was duly pronounced, and it was, of necessity, stinging. +Otherwise the disobedience to the Queen, would have been flagrant. But +the pain inflicted was to disappear with the first castigation. The +humiliation was to be public and solemn, but it was not to be placed on +perpetual record. + +"We thought best," said Leicester, Heneage, Clerk, and Killigrew--"In +according to her Majesty's secret instructions--to take that course which +might least endanger the weak estate of the Provinces--that is to say, to +utter so much in words as we hoped might satisfy her excellent Majesty's +expectation, and yet leave them nothing in writing to confirm that which +was secretly spread in many places to the hindrance of the good course of +settling these affairs. Which speech, after Sir Thomas Heneage had +devised, and we both perused and allowed, he, by our consent and advice, +pronounced to the council of state. This we did think needful--especially +because every one of the council that was present at the reading of her +Majesty's first letters, was of the full mind, that if her Majesty should +again show the least mislike of the present government, or should not by +her next letters confirm it, they, were all undone--for that every man +would cast with himself which way to make his peace." + +Thus adroitly had the "poor gentleman, who could not find it in his heart +to come again into the place, where--by his own sufferings torn--he was +made to appear so lewd a person"--provided that there should remain no +trace of that lewdness and of his sovereign's displeasure, upon the +record of the States. It was not long, too, before the Earl was enabled +to surmount his mortification; but the end was not yet. + +The universal suspicion, consequent on these proceedings, grew most +painful. It pointed to one invariable quarter. It was believed by all +that the Queen was privately treating for peace, and that the transaction +was kept a secret not only from the States but from her own most trusted +counsellors also. It would be difficult to exaggerate the pernicious +effects of this suspicion. Whether it was a well-grounded one or not, +will be shown in a subsequent chapter, but there is no doubt that the +vigour of the enterprise was thus sapped at a most critical moment. The +Provinces had never been more heartily banded together since the fatal +10th of July, 1584, than they were in the early spring of 1586. They were +rapidly organizing their own army, and, if the Queen had manifested more +sympathy with her own starving troops, the united Englishmen and +Hollanders would have been invincible even by Alexander Farnese. + +Moreover, they had sent out nine war-vessels to cruise off the Cape Verd +Islands for the homeward-bound Spanish treasure fleet from America, with +orders, if they missed it, to proceed to the West Indies; so that, said +Leicester, "the King of Spain will have enough to do between these men +and Drake." All parties had united in conferring a generous amount of +power upon the Earl, who was, in truth, stadholder-general, under grant +from the States--and both Leicester and the Provinces themselves were +eager and earnest for the war. In war alone lay the salvation of England +and Holland. Peace was an impossibility. It seemed to the most +experienced statesmen of both countries even an absurdity. It may well be +imagined, therefore, that the idea of an underhand negotiation by +Elizabeth would cause a frenzy in the Netherlands. In Leicester's +opinion, nothing short of a general massacre of the English would be the +probable consequence. "No doubt," said he, "the very way it is to put us +all to the sword here. For mine own part it would be happiest for me, +though I wish and trust to lose my life in better sort." + +Champagny, however, was giving out mysterious hints that the King of +Spain could have peace with England when he wished for it. Sir Thomas +Cecil, son of Lord Burghley, on whose countenance the States especially +relied, was returning on sick-leave from his government of the Brill, and +this sudden departure of so eminent a personage, joined with the public +disavowal of the recent transaction between Leicester and the Provinces, +was producing a general and most sickening apprehension as to the Queen's +good faith. The Earl did not fail to urge these matters most warmly on +the consideration of the English council, setting forth that the States +were stanch for the war, but that they would be beforehand with her if +she attempted by underhand means to compass a peace. "If these men once +smell any such matter," wrote Leicester to Burghley, "be you sure they +will soon come before you, to the utter overthrow of her Majesty and +state for ever." + +The Earl was suspecting the "false boys," by whom he was surrounded, +although it was impossible for him to perceive, as we have been enabled +to do, the wide-spread and intricate meshes by which he was enveloped. +"Your Papists in England," said he, "have sent over word to some in this +company, that all that they ever hoped for is come to pass; that my Lord +of Leicester shall be called away in greatest indignation with her +Majesty, and to confirm this of Champagny, I have myself seen a letter +that her Majesty is in hand with a secret peace. God forbid! for if it be +so, her Majesty, her realm, and we, are all undone." + +The feeling in the Provinces was still sincerely loyal towards England. +"These men," said Leicester, "yet honour and most dearly love her +Majesty, and hardly, I know, will be brought to believe ill of her any +way." Nevertheless these rumours, to the discredit of her good faith, +were doing infinite harm; while the Earl, although keeping his eyes and +ears wide open, was anxious not to compromise himself any further with +his sovereign, by appearing himself to suspect her of duplicity. "Good, +my Lord," he besought Burghley, "do not let her Majesty know of this +concerning Champagny as coming from me, for she will think it is done for +my own cause, which, by the Lord God, it is not, but even on the +necessity of the case for her own safety, and the realm, and us all. Good +my Lord, as you will do any good in the matter, let not her Majesty +understand any piece of it to come from me." + +The States-General, on the 25th March, N.S., addressed a respectful +letter to the Queen, in reply to her vehement chidings. They expressed +their deep regret that her Majesty should be so offended with the +election of the Earl of Leicester as absolute governor. + +They confessed that she had just cause of displeasure, but hoped that +when she should be informed of the whole matter she would rest better +satisfied with their proceedings. They stated that the authority was the +same which had been previously bestowed upon governors-general; observing +that by the word "absolute," which had been used in designation of that +authority, nothing more had been intended than to give to the Earl full +power to execute his commission, while the sovereignty of the country was +reserved to the people. This commission, they said, could not be without +danger revoked. And therefore they most humbly besought her Majesty to +approve what had been done, and to remember its conformity with her own +advice to them, that a multitude of heads, whereby confusion in the +government is bred, should be avoided. + +Leicester, upon the same occasion, addressed a letter to Burghley and +Walsingham, expressing himself as became a crushed and contrite man, +never more to raise his drooping head again, but warmly and manfully +urging upon the attention of the English government--for the honour and +interest of the Queen herself--"the miserable state of the poor +soldiers." The necessity of immediate remittances in order to keep them +from starving, was most imperious. For himself, he was smothering his +wretchedness until he should learn her Majesty's final decision, as to +what was to become of him. "Meantime," said he, "I carry my grief inward, +and will proceed till her Majesty's full pleasure come with as little +discouragement to the cause as I can. I pray God her Majesty may do that +may be best for herself. For my own part my heart is broken, but not by +the enemy." + +There is no doubt that the public disgrace thus inflicted upon the +broken-hearted governor, and the severe censure administered to the +States by the Queen were both ill-timed and undeserved. Whatever his +disingenuousness towards Davison, whatever his disobedience to Elizabeth, +however ambitious his own secret motives may, have been, there is no +doubt at all that thus far he had borne himself well in his great office. + +Richard Cavendish--than whom few had better opportunities of +judging--spoke in strong language on the subject. "It is a thing almost +incredible," said he, "that the care and diligence of any, one man living +could, in so small time; have so much repaired so disjointed and loose an +estate as my Lord found this country, in. But lest he should swell in +pride of that his good success, your Lordship knoweth that God hath so +tempered the cause with the construction thereof, as may well hold him in +good consideration of human things." He alluded with bitterness--as did +all men in the Netherlands who were not open or disguised Papists--to the +fatal rumours concerning the peace-negotiation in connection with the +recall of Leicester. "There be here advertisements of most fearful +instance," he said, "namely, that Champagny doth not spare most liberally +to bruit abroad that he hath in his hands the conditions of peace offered +by her Majesty unto the King his master, and that it is in his power to +conclude at pleasure--which fearful and mischievous plot, if in time it +be not met withal by some notable encounter, it cannot but prove the root +of great ruin." + +The "false boys" about Leicester were indefatigable in spreading these +rumours, and in taking advantage--with the assistance of the Papists in +the obedient Provinces and in England--of the disgraced condition in +which the Queen had placed the favourite. Most galling to the haughty +Earl--most damaging to the cause of England, Holland, and, liberty--were +the tales to his discredit, which circulated on the Bourse at Antwerp, +Middelburg, Amsterdam, and in all the other commercial centres. The most +influential bankers and merchants, were assured--by a thousand +chattering--but as it were invisible--tongues, that the Queen had for a +long time disliked Leicester; that he was a man of no account among the +statesmen of England; that he was a beggar and a bankrupt; that, if he +had waited two months longer, he would have made his appearance in the +Provinces with one man and one boy for his followers; that the Queen had +sent him thither to be rid of him; that she never intended him to have +more authority than Sir John Norris had; that she could not abide the +bestowing the title of Excellency upon him, and that she had not +disguised her fury at his elevation to the post of governor-general. + +All who attempted a refutation of these statements were asked, with a +sneer, whether her Majesty had ever written a line to him, or in +commendation of him, since his arrival. Minute inquiries were made by the +Dutch merchants of their commercial correspondents, both in their own +country and in England, as to Leicester's real condition and character. +at home. What was his rank, they asked, what his ability, what: his +influence at court? Why, if he were really of so high quality as had been +reported, was he thus neglected, and at last disgraced? Had he any landed +property in England? Had he really ever held any other office but that of +master of the horse? "And then," asked one particular busy body, who made +himself very unpleasant on the Amsterdam Exchange, "why has her Majesty +forbidden all noblemen and gentlemen from coming hither, as was the case +at the beginning? Is it because she is hearkening to a peace? And if it +be so, quoth he, we are well handled; for if her Majesty hath sent a +disgraced man to amuse us, while she is secretly working a peace for +herself, when we--on the contrary--had broken off all our negotiations, +upon confidence of her Majesty's goodness; such conduct will be +remembered to the end of the world, and the Hollanders will never abide +the name of England again." + +On such a bed of nettles there was small chance of repose for the +governor. Some of the rumours were even more stinging. So +incomprehensible did it seem that the proud sovereign of England should +send over her subjects to starve or beg in the streets of Flushing and +Ostend, that it was darkly intimated that Leicester had embezzled the +funds, which, no doubt, had been remitted for the poor soldiers. This was +the most cruel blow of all. The Earl had been put to enormous charges. +His household at the Hague cost him a thousand pounds a month. He had +been paying and furnishing five hundred and fifty men out of his own +purse. He had also a choice regiment of cavalry, numbering seven hundred +and fifty horse; three hundred and fifty of which number were over and +above those allowed for by the Queen, and were entirely at his expense. +He was most liberal in making presents of money to every gentleman in his +employment. He had deeply mortgaged his estates in order to provide for +these heavy demands upon him, and professed his willingness "to spend +more, if he might have got any more money for his land that was left;" +and in the face of such unquestionable facts--much to the credit +certainly of his generosity--he was accused of swindling a Queen whom +neither Jew nor Gentile had ever yet been sharp enough to swindle; while +he was in reality plunging forward in a course of reckless extravagance +in order to obviate the fatal effects of her penuriousness. + +Yet these sinister reports were beginning to have a poisonous effect. +Already an alteration of mien was perceptible in the States-General. +"Some buzzing there is amongst them," said Leicester, "whatsoever it be. +They begin to deal very strangely within these few days." Moreover the +industry of the Poleys, Blunts, and Pagets, had turned these unfavourable +circumstances to such good account that a mutiny had been near breaking +out among the English troops. "And, before the Lord I speak it," said the +Earl, "I am sure some of these good towns had been gone ere this, but for +my money. As for the States, I warrant you, they see day at a little +hole. God doth know what a forward and a joyful country here was within a +month. God send her Majesty to recover it so again, and to take care of +it, on the condition she send me after Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, +my service here being no more acceptable." + +Such was the aspect of affairs in the Provinces after the first explosion +of the Queen's anger had become known. Meanwhile the court-weather was +very changeable in England, being sometimes serene, sometimes +cloudy,--always treacherous. + +Mr. Vavasour, sent by the Earl with despatches to her Majesty and the +council, had met with a sufficiently benignant reception. She accepted +the letters, which, however, owing to a bad cold with a defluxion in the +eyes, she was unable at once to read; but she talked ambiguously with the +messenger. Yavasour took pains to show the immediate necessity of sending +supplies, so that the armies in the Netherlands might take the field at +the earliest possible moment. "And what," said she, "if a peace should +come in the mean time?" + +"If your Majesty desireth a convenient peace," replied Vavasour, "to take +the field is the readiest way to obtain it; for as yet the King of Spain +hath had no reason to fear you. He is daily expecting that your own +slackness may give your Majesty an overthrow. Moreover, the Spaniards are +soldiers, and are not to be moved by-shadows." + +But the Queen had no ears for these remonstrances, and no disposition to +open her coffers. A warrant for twenty-four thousand pounds had been +signed by her at the end of the month of March, and was about to be sent, +when Vavasour arrived; but it was not possible for him, although assisted +by the eloquence of Walsingham and Burghley, to obtain an enlargement of +the pittance. "The storms are overblown," said Walsingham, "but I fear +your Lordship shall receive very scarce measure from hence. You will not +believe how the sparing humour doth increase upon us." + +Nor were the storms so thoroughly overblown but that there were not daily +indications of returning foul weather. Accordingly--after a conference +with Vavasour--Burghley, and Walsingham had an interview with the Queen, +in which the Lord Treasurer used bold and strong language. He protested +to her that he was bound, both by his duty to himself and his oath as her +councillor, to declare that the course she was holding to Lord Leicester +was most dangerous to her own honour, interest and safety. If she +intended to continue in this line of conduct, he begged to resign his +office of Lord Treasurer; wishing; before God and man, to wash his bands +of the shame and peril which he saw could not be avoided. The Queen, +astonished at the audacity of Burghley's attitude and language, hardly +knew whether to chide him for his presumption or to listen to his +arguments. She did both. She taxed him with insolence in daring to +address her so roundly, and then finding he was speaking even in +'amaritudine animae' and out of a clear conscience, she became calm +again, and intimated a disposition to qualify her anger against the +absent Earl. + +Next day, to their sorrow, the two councillors found that the Queen had +again changed her mind--"as one that had been by some adverse counsel +seduced." She expressed the opinion that affairs would do well enough in +the Netherlands, even though Leicester were displaced. A conference +followed between Walsingham, Hatton, and Burghley, and then the three +went again to her Majesty. They assured her that if she did not take +immediate steps to satisfy the States and the people of the Provinces, +she would lose those countries and her own honour at the same time; and +that then they would prove a source of danger to her instead of +protection and glory. At this she was greatly troubled, and agreed to do +anything they might advise consistently with her honour. It was then +agreed that Leicester should be continued in the government which he had +accepted until the matter should be further considered, and letters to +that effect were at once written. Then came messenger from Sir Thomas +Heneage, bringing despatches from that envoy, and a second and most secret +one from the Earl himself. Burghley took the precious letter which the +favourite had addressed to his royal mistress, and had occasion to +observe its magical effect. Walsingham and the Lord Treasurer had been +right in so earnestly remonstrating with him on his previous silence. + +"She read your letter," said Burghley, "and, in very truth, I found her +princely heart touched with favourable interpretation of your actions; +affirming them to be only offensive to her, in that she was not made +privy to them; not now misliking that you had the authority." + +Such, at fifty-three, was Elizabeth Tudor. A gentle whisper of idolatry +from the lips of the man she loved, and she was wax in his hands. Where +now were the vehement protestations of horror that her public declaration +of principles and motives had been set at nought? Where now were her +vociferous denunciations of the States, her shrill invectives against +Leicester, her big oaths, and all the 'hysterica passio,' which had sent +poor Lord Burghley to bed with the gout, and inspired the soul of +Walsingham with dismal forebodings? Her anger had dissolved into a shower +of tenderness, and if her parsimony still remained it was because that +could only vanish when she too should cease to be. + +And thus, for a moment, the grave diplomatic difference between the crown +of England and their high mightinesses the United States--upon the +solution of which the fate of Christendom was hanging--seemed to shrink +to the dimensions of a lovers' quarrel. Was it not strange that the +letter had been so long delayed? + +Davison had exhausted argument in defence of the acceptance by the Earl +of the authority conferred by the States and had gained nothing by his +eloquence, save abuse from the Queen, and acrimonious censure from the +Earl. He had deeply offended both by pleading the cause of the erring +favourite, when the favourite should have spoken for himself. "Poor Mr. +Davison," said Walsingham, "doth take it very grievously that your +Lordship should conceive so hardly of him as you do. I find the conceit +of your Lordship's disfavour hath greatly dejected him. But at such time +as he arrived her Majesty was so incensed, as all the arguments and +orators in the world could not have wrought any satisfaction." + +But now a little billet-doux had done what all the orators in the world +could not do. The arguments remained the same, but the Queen no longer +"misliked that Leicester should have the authority." It was natural that +the Lord Treasurer should express his satisfaction at this auspicious +result. + +"I did commend her princely nature," he said, "in allowing your good +intention, and excusing you of any spot of evil meaning; and I thought +good to hasten her resolution, which you must now take to come from a +favourable good mistress. You must strive with your nature to throw over +your shoulder that which is past." + +Sir Walter Raleigh, too, who had been "falsely and pestilently" +represented to the Earl as an enemy, rather than what he really was, a +most ardent favourer of the Netherland cause, wrote at once to +congratulate him on the change in her Majesty's demeanour. "The Queen is +in very good terms with you now," he said, "and, thanks be to God, well +pacified, and you are again her 'sweet Robin.'" + +Sir Walter wished to be himself the bearer of the comforting despatches +to Leicester, on the ground that he had been represented as an "ill +instrument against him," and in order that he might justify himself +against the charge, with his own lips. The Queen, however, while +professing to make use of Shirley as the messenger, bade Walsingham +declare to the Earl, upon her honour, that Raleigh had done good offices +for him, and that, in the time of her anger, he had been as earnest in +his defence as the best friend could be. It would have been--singular, +indeed, had it been otherwise. "Your Lordship," said Sir Walter, "doth +well understand my affection toward Spain, and how I have consumed the +best part of my fortune, hating the tyrannous prosperity of that state. +It were strange and monstrous that I should now become an enemy to my +country and conscience. All that I have desired at your Lordship's hands +is that you will evermore deal directly with me in all matters--of +suspect doubleness, and so ever esteem me as you shall find me deserving +good or bad. In the mean time, let no poetical scribe work your Lordship +by any device to doubt that I am a hollow or cold servant to the action." + +It was now agreed that letters should be drawn, up authorizing Leicester +to continue in the office which he held, until the state-council should +devise some modification in his commission. As it seemed, however, very +improbable that the board would devise anything of the kind, Burghley +expressed the belief that the country was like to continue in the Earl's +government without any change whatever. The Lord Treasurer was also of +opinion that the Queen's letters to Leicester would convey as much +comfort as he had received discomfort; although he admitted that there +was a great difference: The former letters he knew had deeply wounded his +heart, while the new ones could not suddenly sink so low as the wound. + +The despatch to the States-General was benignant, elaborate, slightly +diffuse. The Queen's letter to 'sweet Robin' was caressing, but +argumentative. + +"It is always thought," said she, "in the opinion of the world, a hard +bargain when both parties are losers, and so doth fall out in the case +between us two. You, as we hear, are greatly grieved in respect of the +great displeasure you find we have conceived against you. We are no less +grieved that a subject of ours of that quality that you are, a creature +of our own, and one that hath always received an extraordinary portion of +our favour above all our subjects, even from the beginning of our reign, +should deal so carelessly, not to say contemptuously, as to give the +world just cause to think that we are had in contempt by him that ought +most to respect and reverence us, which, we do assure you, hath wrought +as great grief in us as anyone thing that ever happened unto us. + +"We are persuaded that you, that have so long known us, cannot think that +ever we could have been drawn to have taken so hard a course therein had +we not been provoked by an extraordinary cause. But for that your grieved +and wounded mind hath more need of comfort than reproof, who, we are +persuaded, though the act of contempt can no ways be excused, had no +other meaning and intent than to advance our service, we think meet to +forbear to dwell upon a matter wherein we ourselves do find so little +comfort, assuring you that whosoever professeth to love you best taketh +not more comfort of your well doing, or discomfort of your evil doing +than ourself." + +After this affectionate preface she proceeded to intimate her desire that +the Earl should take the matter as nearly as possible into his own hands. +It was her wish that he should retain the authority of absolute governor, +but--if it could be so arranged--that he should dispense with the title, +retaining only that of her lieutenant-general. It was not her intention +however, to create any confusion or trouble in the Provinces, and she was +therefore willing that the government should remain upon precisely the +same footing as that on which it then stood, until circumstances should +permit the change of title which she suggested. And the whole matter was +referred to the wisdom of Leicester, who was to advise with Heneage and +such others as he liked to consult, although it was expressly stated that +the present arrangement was to be considered a provisional and not a +final one. + +Until this soothing intelligence could arrive in the Netherlands the +suspicions concerning the underhand negotiations with Spain grew daily +more rife, and the discredit cast upon the Earl more embarrassing. The +private letters which passed between the Earl's enemies in Holland and in +England contained matter more damaging to himself and to the cause which +he had at heart than the more public reports of modern days can +disseminate, which, being patent to all, can be more easily contradicted. +Leicester incessantly warned his colleagues of her Majesty's council +against the malignant manufacturers of intelligence. "I pray you, my +Lords, as you are wise," said he, "beware of them all. You shall find +them here to be shrewd pick-thinks, and hardly worth the hearkening +unto." + +He complained bitterly of the disgrace that was heaped upon him, both +publicly and privately, and of the evil consequences which were sure to +follow from the course pursued. "Never was man so villanously handled by +letters out of England as I have been," said he, "not only advertising +her Majesty's great dislike with me before this my coming over, but that +I was an odious man in England, and so long as I tarried here that no +help was to be looked for, that her Majesty would send no more men or +money, and that I was used here but for a time till a peace were +concluded between her Majesty and the Prince of Parma. What the +continuance of a man's discredit thus will turn out is to be thought of, +for better I were a thousand times displaced than that her Majesty's +great advantage of so notable Provinces should be hindered." + +As to the peace-negotiations--which, however cunningly managed, could not +remain entirely concealed--the Earl declared them to be as idle as they +were disingenuous. "I will boldly pronounce that all the peace you can +make in the world, leaving these countries," said he to Burghley, "will +never prove other than a fair spring for a few days, to be all over +blasted with a hard storm after." Two days later her Majesty's comforting +letters arrived, and the Earl began to raise his drooping head. Heneage, +too, was much relieved, but he was, at the same time, not a little +perplexed. It was not so easy to undo all the mischief created by the +Queen's petulance. The "scorpion's sting"--as her Majesty expressed +herself--might be balsamed, but the poison had spread far beyond the +original wound. + +"The letters just brought in," wrote Heneage to Burghley, "have well +relieved a most noble and sufficient servant, but I fear they will not +restore the much-repaired wrecks of these far-decayed noble countries +into the same state I found them in. A loose, disordered, and unknit +state needs no shaking, but propping. A subtle and fearful kind of +people--should not be made more distrustful, but assured." He then +expressed annoyance at the fault already found with him, and surely if +ever man had cause to complain of reproof administered him, in quick +succession; for not obeying contradictory directions following upon each +other as quickly, that man was Sir Thomas Heneage. He had been, as he +thought, over cautious in administering the rebuke to the Earl's +arrogance, which he had been expressly sent over to administer but +scarcely had he accomplished his task, with as much delicacy as he could +devise, when he found himself censured;--not for dilatoriness, but for +haste. "Fault I perceive," said he to Burghley, "is found in me, not by +your Lordship, but by some other, that I did not stay proceeding if I +found the public cause might take hurt. It is true I had good warrant for +the manner, the place, and the persons, but, for the matter none, for +done it must be. Her Majesty's offence must be declared. Yet if I did not +all I possibly could to uphold the cause, and to keep the tottering cause +upon the wheels, I deserve no thanks, but reproof." + +Certainly, when the blasts of royal rage are remembered, by which the +envoy had been, as it were, blown out of England into Holland, it is +astonishing to find his actions censured for undue precipitancy. But it +was not the first, nor was it likely to be the last time, for +comparatively subordinate agents in Elizabeth's government to be, +distressed by, contradictory commands, when the sovereign did not know or +did not chose to make known, her own mind on important occasions. "Well, +my Lord," said plaintive Sir Thomas, "wiser men may serve more pleasingly +and happily, but never shall any serve her Majesty more, faithfully and +heartily. And so I cannot be persuaded her Majesty thinketh; for from +herself I find nothing but most sweet and--gracious, favour, though by +others' censures I may gather otherwise of her judgment; which I confess, +doth cumber me." + +He was destined to be cumbered more than once before these negotiations +should be concluded; but meantime; there was a brief gleam of sunshine. +The English friends of Leicester in the Netherlands were enchanted with +the sudden change in the Queen's humour; and to Lord Burghley, who was +not, in reality, the most stanch of the absent Earl's defenders, they +poured themselves out in profuse and somewhat superfluous gratitude. + +Cavendish, in strains exultant, was sure that Burghley's children, +grand-children, and remotest posterity, would rejoice that their great +ancestor, in such a time of need had been "found and felt to be indeed a +'pater patria,' a good-father to a happy land." And, although unwilling +to "stir up the old Adam" in his Lordship's soul, he yet took the liberty +of comparing the Lord Treasurer, in his old and declining years with Mary +Magdalen; assuring him, that for ever after; when the tale of the +preservation of the Church of God, of her Majesty; and of the Netherland +cause; which were all one, should be told; his name and well-doing would +be held in memory also. + +And truly there was much of honest and generous enthusiasm, even if +couched in language somewhat startling to the ears of a colder and more +material age; in the hearts of these noble volunteers. They were fighting +the cause of England, of the Netherland republic, and of human liberty; +with a valour worthy the best days of English' chivalry, against manifold +obstacles, and they were certainly; not too often cheered by the beams of +royal favour. + +It was a pity that a dark cloud was so soon again to sweep over the +scene: For the temper of Elizabeth at this important juncture seemed as +capricious: as the April weather in which the scenes were enacting. We +have seen the genial warmth of her letters and messages to Leicester, to +Heneage,--to the States-General; on the first of the month. Nevertheless +it was hardly three weeks after they had been despatched when Walsingham +and Burghley found, her Majesty one morning a towering passion, because, +the Earl had not already laid down the government. The Lord Treasurer +ventured to remonstrate, but was bid to bold his tongue. Ever variable +and mutable as woman, Elizabeth was perplexing and baffling to her +counsellors, at this epoch, beyond all divination. The "sparing humour" +was increasing fearfully, and she thought it would be easier for her to +slip out of the whole expensive enterprise, provided Leicester were +merely her lieutenant-general, and not stadholder for the Provinces. +Moreover the secret negotiations for peace were producing a deleterious +effect upon her mind. Upon this subject, the Queen and Burghley, +notwithstanding his resemblance to Mary Magdalen, were better informed +than the Secretary, whom, however, it had been impossible wholly to +deceive. The man who could read secrets so far removed as the Vatican, +was not to be blinded to intrigues going on before his face. The Queen, +without revealing more than she could help, had been obliged to admit +that informal transactions were pending, but had authorised the Secretary +to assure the United States that no treaty would be made without their +knowledge and full concurrence. "She doth think," wrote Walsingham to +Leicester, "that you should, if you shall see no cause to the contrary, +acquaint the council of state there that certain overtures of peace are +daily made unto her, but that she meaneth not to proceed therein without +their good liking and privity, being persuaded that there can no peace be +made profitable or sure for her that shall not also stand with their +safety; and she doth acknowledge hers to be so linked with theirs as +nothing can fall out to their prejudice, but she must be partaker of +their harm." + +This communication was dated on the 21st April, exactly three weeks after +the Queen's letter to Heneage, in which she had spoken of the "malicious +bruits" concerning the pretended peace-negotiations; and the Secretary +was now confirming, by her order, what she had then stated under her own +hand, that she would "do nothing that might concern them without their +own knowledge and good liking." + +And surely nothing could be more reasonable. Even if the strict letter of +the August treaty between the Queen and the States did not provide +against any separate negotiations by the one party without the knowledge +of the other, there could be no doubt at all that its spirit absolutely +forbade the clandestine conclusion of a peace with Spain by England +alone, or by the Netherlands alone, and that such an arrangement would be +disingenuous, if not positively dishonourable. + +Nevertheless it would almost seem that Elizabeth had been taking +advantage of the day when she was writing her letter to Heneage on the +1st of April. Never was painstaking envoy more elaborately trifled with. +On the 26th of the month--and only five days after the communication by +Walsingham just noticed--the Queen was furious that any admission should +have been made to the States of their right to participate with her in +peace-negotiations. + +"We find that Sir Thomas Heneage," said she to Leicester, "hath gone +further--in assuring the States that we would make no peace without their +privity and assent--than he had commission; for that our direction +was--if our meaning had been well set down, and not mistaken by our +Secretary--that they should have been only let understand that in any +treaty that might pass between us and Spain, they might be well assured +we would have no less care of their safety than of our own." Secretary +Walsingham was not likely to mistake her Majesty's directions in this or +any other important affair of state. Moreover, it so happened that the +Queen had, in her own letter to Heneage, made the same statement which +she now chose to disavow. She had often a convenient way of making +herself misunderstood, when she thought it desirable to shift +responsibility from her own shoulders upon those of others; but upon this +occasion she had been sufficiently explicit. Nevertheless, a scape-goat +was necessary, and unhappy the subordinate who happened to be within her +Majesty's reach when a vicarious sacrifice was to be made. Sir Francis +Walsingham was not a man to be brow-beaten or hood-winked, but Heneage +was doomed to absorb a fearful amount of royal wrath. + +"What phlegmatical reasons soever were made you," wrote the Queen, who +but three weeks before had been so gentle and affectionate to her, +ambassador, "how happeneth it that you will not remember, that when a man +hath faulted and committed by abettors thereto, neither the one nor the +other will willingly make their own retreat. Jesus! what availeth wit, +when it fails the owner at greatest need? Do that you are bidden, and +leave your considerations for your own affairs. For in some things you +had clear commandment, which you did not, and in others none, and did. We +princes be wary enough of our bargains. Think you I will be bound by your +own speech to make no peace for mine own matters without their consent? +It is enough that I injure not their country nor themselves in making +peace for them without their consent. I am assured of your dutiful +thoughts, but I am utterly at squares with this childish dealing." + +Blasted by this thunderbolt falling upon his head out of serenest sky, +the sad. Sir. Thomas remained, for a time, in a state of political +annihilation. 'Sweet Robin' meanwhile, though stunned, was +unscathed--thanks to the convenient conductor at his side. For, in +Elizabeth's court, mediocrity was not always golden, nor was it usually +the loftiest mountains that the lightnings smote. The Earl was deceived +by his royal mistress, kept in the dark as to important transactions, +left to provide for his famishing' soldiers as he best might; but the +Queen at that moment, though angry, was not disposed, to trample upon +him. Now that his heart was known to be broken, and his sole object in +life to be retirement to remote regions--India or elsewhere--there to +languish out the brief remainder of his days in prayers for Elizabeth's +happiness, Elizabeth was not inclined very bitterly to upbraid him. She +had too recently been employing herself in binding up his broken heart, +and pouring balm into the "scorpion's sting," to be willing so soon to +deprive him of those alleviations. + +Her tone--was however no longer benignant, and her directions were +extremely peremptory. On the 1st of April she had congratulated +Leicester, Heneage, the States, and all the world, that her secret +commands had been staid, and that the ruin which would have followed, +had, those decrees been executed according to her first violent wish, was +fortunately averted. Heneage was even censured, not by herself, but by +courtiers in her confidence, and with her concurrence, for being over +hasty in going before the state-council, as he had done, with her +messages and commands. On the 26th of April she expressed astonishment +that Heneage had dared to be so dilatory, and that the title of governor +had not been laid down by Leicester "out of hand." She marvelled greatly, +and found it very strange that "ministers in matters of moment should +presume to do things of their own head without direction." She +accordingly gave orders that there should be no more dallying, but that +the Earl should immediately hold a conference with the state-council in +order to arrange a modification in his commission. It was her pleasure +that he should retain all the authority granted to him by the States, but +as already intimated by her, that he should abandon the title of +"absolute governor," and retain only that of her lieutenant-general. + +Was it strange that Heneage, placed in so responsible a situation, and +with the fate of England, of Holland, and perhaps of all Christendom, +hanging in great measure upon this delicate negotiation, should be amazed +at such contradictory orders, and grieved by such inconsistent censures? + +"To tell you my griefs and my lacks," said he to Walsingham, "would +little please you or help me. Therefore I will say nothing, but think +there was never man in so great a service received so little comfort and +so contrarious directions. But 'Dominus est adjutor in tribulationibus.' +If it be possible, let me receive some certain direction, in following +which I shall not offend her Majesty, what good or hurt soever I do +besides." + +This certainly seemed a loyal and reasonable request, yet it was not one +likely to be granted. Sir Thomas, perplexed, puzzled, blindfolded, and +brow-beaten, always endeavoring to obey orders, when he could comprehend +them, and always hectored and lectured whether he obeyed them or +not--ruined in purse by the expenses, of a mission on which he had been +sent without adequate salary--appalled at the disaffection waging more +formidable every hour in Provinces which were recently so loyal to her +Majesty, but which were now pervaded by a suspicion that there was +double-dealing upon her part became quite sick of his life. He fell +seriously ill, and was disappointed, when, after a time, the physicians +declared him convalescent. For when when he rose from his sick-bed, it +was only to plunge once more, without a clue, into the labyrinth where he +seemed to be losing his reason. "It is not long," said he to Walsingham, +"since I looked to have written you no more letters, my extremity was so +great. . . But God's will is best, otherwise I could have liked better to +have cumbered the earth no longer, where I find myself contemned, and +which I find no reason to see will be the better in the wearing . . . It +were better for her Majesty's service that the directions which come were +not contrarious one to another, and that those you would have serve might +know what is meant, else they cannot but much deceive you, as well as +displease you." + +Public opinion concerning the political morality of the English court was +not gratifying, nor was it rendered more favourable by these recent +transactions. "I fear," said Heneage, "that the world will judge what +Champagny wrote in one of his letters out of England (which I have lately +seen) to be over true. His words be these, 'Et de vray, c'est le plus +fascheux et le plus incertain negocier de ceste court, que je pense soit +au monde.'" And so "basting," as he said, "with a weak body and a willing +mind; to do, he feared, no good work," he set forth from Middelburgh to +rejoin Leicester at Arnheim, in order to obey, as well as he could, the +Queen's latest directions. + +But before he could set to work there came more "contrarious" orders. The +last instructions, both to Leicester and himself, were that the Earl +should resign the post of governor absolute "out of hand," and the Queen +had been vehement in denouncing any delay on such an occasion. He was now +informed, that, after consulting with Leicester and with the +state-council, he was to return to England with the result of such +deliberations. It could afterwards be decided how the Earl could retain +all the authority of governor absolute, while bearing only the title of +the Queen's lieutenant general. "For her meaning is not," said +Walsingham, "that his Lord ship should presently give it over, for she +foreseeth in her princely judgment that his giving over the government +upon a sudden, and leaving those countries without a head or director, +cannot but breed a most dangerous alteration there." The secretary +therefore stated the royal wish at present to be that the "renunciation +of the title" should be delayed till Heneage could visit England, and +subsequently return to Holland with her Majesty's further directions. +Even the astute Walsingham was himself puzzled, however, while conveying +these ambiguous orders; and he confessed that he was doubtful whether he +had rightly comprehended the Queen's intentions. Burghley, however, was +better at guessing riddles than he was, and so Heneage was advised to +rely chiefly upon Burghley. + +But Heneage had now ceased to be interested in any enigmas that might be +propounded by the English court, nor could he find comfort, as Walsingham +had recommended he should do, in railing. "I wish I could follow your +counsel," he said, "but sure the uttering of my choler doth little ease +my grief or help my case." + +He rebuked, however, the inconsistency and the tergiversations of the +government with a good deal of dignity. "This certainly shall I tell her +Majesty," he said, "if I live to see her, that except a more constant +course be taken with this inconstant people, it is not the blaming of her +ministers will advance her Highness's service, or better the state of +things. And shall I tell you what they now say here of us--I fear not +without some cause--even as Lipsius wrote of the French, 'De Gallis +quidem enigmata veniunt, non veniunt, volunt, holunt, audent, timent, +omnia, ancipiti metu, suspensa et suspecta.' God grant better, and ever +keep you and help me." + +He announced to Burghley that he was about to attend a meeting of the +state-council the next day, for the purpose of a conference on these +matters at Arnheim, and that he would then set forth for England to +report proceedings to her Majesty. He supposed, on the whole, that this +was what was expected of him, but acknowledged it hopeless to fathom the +royal intentions. Yet if he went wrong, he was always, sure to make +mischief, and though innocent, to be held accountable for others' +mistakes. "Every prick I make," said he, "is made a gash; and to follow +the words of my directions from England is not enough, except I likewise +see into your minds. And surely mine eyesight is not so good. But I will +pray to God for his help herein. With all the wit I have, I will use all +the care I can--first, to satisfy her Majesty, as God knoweth I have ever +most desired; then, not to hurt this cause, but that I despair of." +Leicester, as maybe supposed, had been much discomfited and perplexed +during the course of these contradictory and perverse directions. There +is no doubt whatever that his position bad been made discreditable and +almost ridiculous, while he was really doing his best, and spending large +sums out of his private fortune to advance the true interests of the +Queen. He had become a suspected man in the Netherlands, having been, in +the beginning of the year, almost adored as a Messiah. He had submitted +to the humiliation which had been imposed upon him, of being himself the +medium to convey to the council the severe expressions of the Queen's +displeasure at the joint action of the States-General and himself. He had +been comforted by the affectionate expressions with which that explosion +of feminine and royal wrath had been succeeded. He was now again +distressed by the peremptory command to do what was a disgrace to him, +and an irreparable detriment to the cause, yet he was humble and +submissive, and only begged to be allowed, as a remedy for all his +anguish, to return to the sunlight of Elizabeth's presence. He felt that +her course; if persisted in, would lead to the destruction of the +Netherland commonwealth, and eventually to the downfall of England; and +that the Provinces, believing themselves deceived by the Queen; were +ready to revolt against an authority to which, but a short time before, +they were so devotedly loyal Nevertheless, he only wished to know what +his sovereign's commands distinctly were, in order to set himself to +their fulfilment. He had come from the camp before Nymegen in order to +attend the conference with the state-council at Arnheim, and he would +then be ready and anxious to, despatch Heneage to England, to learn her +Majesty's final determination. + +He protested to the Queen that he had come upon this arduous and perilous +service only, because he, considered her throne in danger, and that this +was the only means of preserving it; that, in accepting the absolute +government, he had been free from all ambitious motives, but deeply +impressed with the idea that only by so doing could he conduct the +enterprise entrusted to him to the desired consummation; and he declared +with great fervour that no advancement to high office could compensate +him for this enforced absence from her. To be sent back even in disgrace +would still be a boon to him, for he should cease to be an exile from her +sight. He knew that his enemies had been busy in defaming him, while he +had been no longer there to defend himself, but his conscience acquitted +him of any thought which was not for her happiness and glory. "Yet +grievous it is to me," said he in, a tone of tender reproach, "that +having left all--yea, all that may be imagined--for you, you have left me +for very little, even to the uttermost of all hard fortune. For what have +I, unhappy man, to do here either with cause or country but for you?" + +He stated boldly that his services had not been ineffective, that the +enemy had never been in worse plight than now, that he had lost at least +five thousand men in divers overthrows, and that, on the other hand, the +people and towns of the Seven Provinces had been safely preserved. "Since +my arrival," he said, "God hath blessed the action which you have taken +in hand, and committed to the charge of me your poor unhappy servant. I +have good cause to say somewhat for myself, for that I think I have as +few friends to speak for me as any man." + +Nevertheless--as he warmly protested--his only wish was to return; for +the country in which he had lost her favour, which was more precious than +life, had become odious to him. + +The most lowly office in her presence was more to be coveted than the +possession of unlimited power away from her. It was by these tender and +soft insinuations, as the Earl knew full well, that he was sure to obtain +what he really coveted--her sanction for retaining the absolute +government in the Provinces. And most artfully did he strike the key. + +"Most dear and gracious Lady," he cried, "my care and service here do +breed me nothing but grief and unhappiness. I have never had your +Majesty's good favour since I came into this charge--a matter that from +my first beholding your eyes hath been most dear unto me above all +earthly treasures. Never shall I love that place or like that soil which +shall cause the lack of it. Most gracious Lady, consider my long, true, +and faithful heart toward you. Let not this unfortunate place here +bereave me of that which, above all the world, I esteem there, which is +your favor and your presence. I see my service is not acceptable, but +rather more and more disliketh you. Here I can do your Majesty no +service; there I can do you some, at the least rub your horse's heels--a +service which shall be much more welcome to me than this, with all that +these men may give me. I do, humbly and from my heart, prostrate at your +feet, beg this grace at your sacred hands, that you will be pleased to +let me return to my home-service, with your favour, let the revocation be +used in what sort shall please and like you. But if ever spark of favour +was in your Majesty toward your old servant, let me obtain this my humble +suit; protesting before the Majesty of all Majesties, that there was no +cause under Heaven but his and yours, even for your own special and +particular cause, I say, could have made me take this absent journey from +you in hand. If your Majesty shall refuse me this, I shall think all +grace clean gone from me, and I know: my days will not be long." + +She must melt at this, thought 'sweet Robin' to himself; and meantime +accompanied by Heneage; he proceeded with the conferences in the +state-council-chamber touching the modification of the title and the +confirmation of his authority. This, so far as Walsingham could divine, +and Burghley fathom, was the present intention of the Queen. He averred +that he had ever sought most painfully to conform his conduct to her +instructions as fast as they were received, and that he should continue +so to do. On the whole it was decided by the conference to let matters +stand as, they were for a little longer, and until: after Heneage should +have time once more to go and come. "The same manner of proceeding that +was is now," said Leicester, "Your pleasure is declared to the council +here as you have willed it. How it will fall out again in your Majesty's +construction, the Lord knoweth." + +Leicester might be forgiven for referring to higher powers, for any +possible interpretation of her Majesty's changing humour; but meantime; +while Sir. Thomas was getting ready, for his expedition to England, the +Earl's heart was somewhat gladdened by more gracious messages from the +Queen. The alternation of emotions would however prove too much for him, +he feared, and he was reluctant to open his heart to so unwonted a tenant +as joy. + +"But that my fear is such, most dear and gracious Lady," he said, "as my +unfortunate destiny will hardly permit; whilst I remain here; any +good-acceptation of so simple a service as, mine, I should, greatly +rejoice and comfort myself with the hope of your Majesty's most +prayed-for favour. But of late, being by your own sacred hand lifted even +up into Heaven with joy of your favour, I was bye and bye without any new +desert or offence at all, cast down and down: again into the depth of all +grief. God doth know, my dear and dread Sovereign, that after I first +received your resolute pleasure by Sir Thomas Heneage, I made neither +stop nor stay nor any excuse to be rid of this place, and to satisfy your +command. . . . So much I mislike this place and fortune of mine; as I +desire nothing in the world so much, as to be delivered, with your +favours from all charge here, fearing still some new cross of your +displeasure to fall upon me, trembling continually with the fear thereof, +in such sort as till I may be fully confirmed in my new regeneration of +your wonted favour I cannot receive that true comfort which doth +appertain to so great a hope. Yet I will not only acknowledge with all +humbleness and dutiful thanks the exceeding joy these last blessed lines +brought to my long-wearied heart, but will, with all true loyal +affection, attend that further joy from your sweet self which may +utterly, extinguish all consuming fear away." + +Poor Heneage--who likewise received a kind word or two after having been +so capriciously and petulantly dealt with was less extravagant in his +expressions of gratitude. "The Queen hath sent me a paper-plaister which +must please for a time," he said. "God Almighty bless her Majesty ever, +and best direct her." He was on the point of starting for England, the +bearer of the States' urgent entreaties that Leicester might retain the +government, and of despatches; announcing the recent success of the +allies before Grave. "God prospereth the action in these countries beyond +all expectation," he said, "which all amongst you will not be over glad +of, for somewhat I know." The intrigues of Grafigni, Champagny, and +Bodman, with Croft, Burghley, and the others were not so profound a +secret as they could wish. + +The tone adopted by Leicester has been made manifest in his letters to +the Queen. He had held the same language of weariness and dissatisfaction +in his communications to his friends. He would not keep the office, he +avowed, if they should give him "all Holland and Zeeland, with all their +appurtenances," and he was ready to resign at any moment. He was not +"ceremonious for reputation," he said, but he gave warning that the +Netherlanders would grow desperate if they found her Majesty dealing +weakly or carelessly with them. As for himself he had already had enough +of government. "I am weary, Mr. Secretary," he plaintively exclaimed, +"indeed I am weary; but neither of pains nor travail. My ill hap that I +can please her Majesty no better hath quite discouraged me." + +He had recently, however--as we have seen--received some comfort, and he +was still further encouraged, upon the eve of Heneage's departure, by +receiving another affectionate epistle from the Queen. Amends seemed at +last to be offered for her long and angry silence, and the Earl was +deeply grateful. + +"If it hath not been, my most dear and gracious Lady," said he in reply, +"no small comfort to your poor old servant to receive but one line of +your blessed hand-writing in many months, for the relief of a most +grieved, wounded heart, how far more exceeding joy must it be, in the +midst of all sorrow, to receive from the same sacred hand so many +comfortable lines as my good friend Mr. George hath at once brought me. +Pardon me, my sweet Lady, if they cause me to forget myself. Only this I +do say, with most humble dutiful thanks, that the scope of all my service +hath ever been to content and please you; and if I may do that, then is +all sacrifice, either of life or whatsoever, well offered for you." + +The matter of the government absolute having been so fully discussed +during the preceding four months, and the last opinions of the +state-council having been so lucidly expounded in the despatches to be +carried by Heneage to England, the matter might be considered as +exhausted. Leicester contented himself, therefore, with once more calling +her Majesty's attention to the fact that if he had not himself accepted +the office thus conferred upon him by the States, it would have been +bestowed upon some other personage. It would hardly have comported with +her dignity, if Count Maurice of Nassau, or Count William, or Count +Moeurs, had been appointed governor absolute, for in that case the Earl, +as general of the auxiliary English force, would have been subject to the +authority of the chieftain thus selected. It was impossible, as the +state-council had very plainly shown, for Leicester to exercise supreme +authority, while merely holding the military office of her Majesty's +lieutenant-general. The authority of governor or stadholder could only be +derived from the supreme power of the country. If her Majesty had chosen +to accept the sovereignty, as the States had ever desired, the requisite +authority could then have been derived from her, as from the original +fountain. As she had resolutely refused that offer however, his authority +was necessarily to be drawn from the States-General, or else the Queen +must content herself with seeing him serve as an English military +officer, only subject to the orders of the supreme power, wherever that +power might reside. In short, Elizabeth's wish that her general might be +clothed with the privileges of her viceroy, while she declined herself to +be the sovereign, was illogical, and could not be complied with. + +Very soon after inditing these last epistles to the Provinces, the Queen +became more reasonable on the subject; and an elaborate communication was +soon received by the state-council, in which the royal acquiescence was +signified to the latest propositions of the States. The various topics, +suggested in previous despatches from Leicester and from the council, +were reviewed, and the whole subject was suddenly placed in a somewhat +different light from that in which it seemed to have been previously +regarded by her Majesty. She alluded to the excuse, offered by the +state-council, which had been drawn from the necessity of the case, and +from their "great liking for her cousin of Leicester," although in +violation of the original contract. "As you acknowledge, however," she +said, "that therein you were justly to be blamed, and do crave pardon for +the same, we cannot, upon this acknowledgment of your fault, but remove +our former dislike." + +Nevertheless it would now seem that her "mistake" had proceeded, not from +the excess, but from the insufficiency of the powers conferred upon the +Earl, and she complained, accordingly, that they had given him shadow +rather than substance. + +Simultaneously with this royal communication, came a joint letter to +Leicester, from Burghley, Walsingham; and Hatton, depicting the long and +strenuous conflict which they had maintained in his behalf with the +rapidly varying inclinations of the Queen. They expressed a warm sympathy +with the difficulties of his position, and spoke in strong terms of the +necessity that the Netherlands and England should work heartily together. +For otherwise, they said, "the cause will fall, the enemy will rise, and +we must stagger." Notwithstanding the secret negotiations with the enemy, +which Leicester and Walsingham suspected, and which will be more fully +examined in a subsequent chapter, they held a language on that subject, +which in the Secretary's mouth at least was sincere. "Whatsoever speeches +be blown abroad of parleys of peace," they said, "all will be but smoke, +yea fire will follow." + +They excused themselves for their previous and enforced silence by the +fact that they had been unable to communicate any tidings but messages of +distress, but they now congratulated the Earl that her Majesty, as he +would see by her letter to the council, was firmly resolved, not only to +countenance his governorship, but to sustain him in the most thorough +manner. It would be therefore quite out of the question for them to +listen to his earnest propositions to be recalled. + +Moreover, the Lord Treasurer had already apprized Leicester that Heneage +had safely arrived in England, that he, had made his report to the Queen, +and that her Majesty was "very well contented with him and his mission." +It may be easily believed that the Earl would feel a sensation of relief, +if not of triumph, at this termination to the embarrassments under which +he had been labouring ever since, he listened to the oration of the wise +Leoninus upon New Years' Day. At last the Queen had formally acquiesced +in the action of the States, and in his acceptance of their offer. He now +saw himself undisputed "governor absolute," having been six months long a +suspected, discredited, almost disgraced man. It was natural that he +should express himself cheerfully. + +"My great comfort received, oh my most gracious Lady," he said, "by your +most favourable lines written by your own sacred hand, I did most humbly +acknowledge by my former letter; albeit I can no way make testimony of +enough of the great joy I took thereby. And seeing my wounded heart is by +this means almost made whole, I do pray unto God that either I may never +feel the like again from you, or not be suffered to live, rather than I +should fall again into those torments of your displeasure. Most gracious +Queen, I beseech you, therefore, make perfect that which you have begun. +Let not the common danger, nor any ill, incident to the place I serve you +in, be accompanied with greater troubles and fears indeed than all the +horrors of death can bring me. My strong hope doth now so assure me, as I +have almost won the battle against despair, and I do arm myself with as +many of those wonted comfortable conceits as may confirm my new revived +spirits, reposing myself evermore under the shadow of those blessed beams +that must yield the only nourishment to this disease." + +But however nourishing the shade of those blessed beams might prove to +Leicester's disease, it was not so easy to bring about a very sunny +condition in the Provinces. It was easier for Elizabeth to mend the +broken heart of the governor than to repair the damage which had been +caused to the commonwealth by her caprice and her deceit. The dispute +concerning the government absolute had died away, but the authority of +the Earl had got a "crack in it" which never could be handsomely made +whole. The States, during the long period of Leicester's +discredit--feeling more and more doubtful as to the secret intentions of +Elizabeth--disappointed in the condition of the auxiliary troops and in +the amount of supplies furnished from England, and, above all, having had +time to regret their delegation of a power which they began to find +agreeable to exercise with their own hands, became indisposed to entrust +the Earl with the administration and full inspection of their resources. +To the enthusiasm which had greeted the first arrival of Elizabeth's +representative had succeeded a jealous, carping, suspicious sentiment. +The two hundred thousand florins monthly were paid, according to the +original agreement, but the four hundred thousand of extra service-money +subsequently voted were withheld, and withheld expressly on account of +Heneage's original mission to disgrace the governor. + +"The late return of Sir Thomas Heneage," said Lord North, "hath put such +busses in their heads, as they march forward with leaden heels and +doubtful hearts." + +In truth, through the discredit cast by the Queen upon the Earl in this +important affair, the supreme authority was forced back into the hands of +the States, at the very moment when they had most freely divested +themselves of power. After the Queen had become more reasonable, it was +too late to induce them to part, a second time, so freely with the +immediate control of their own affairs. Leicester had become, to a +certain extent, disgraced and disliked by the Estates. He thought +himself, by the necessity of the case, forced to appeal to the people +against their legal representatives, and thus the foundation of a +nominally democratic party, in opposition to the municipal one, was +already laid. Nothing could be more unfortunate at that juncture; for we +shall, in future, find the Earl in perpetual opposition to the most +distinguished statesmen in the Provinces; to the very men indeed who had +been most influential in offering the sovereignty to England, and in +placing him in the position which he had so much coveted. No sooner +therefore had he been confirmed by Elizabeth in that high office than his +arrogance broke forth, and the quarrels between himself and the +representative body became incessant. + +"I stand now in somewhat better terms than I did," said he; "I was not in +case till of late to deal roundly with them as I have now done. I have +established a chamber of finances, against some of their wills, whereby I +doubt not to procure great benefit to increase our ability for payments +hereafter. The people I find still best devoted to her Majesty, though of +late many lewd practices have been used to withdraw their good wills. But +it will not be; they still pray God that her Majesty may be their +sovereign. She should then see what a contribution they will all bring +forth. But to the States they will never return, which will breed some +great mischief, there is such mislike of the States universally. I would +your Lordship had seen the case I had lived in among them these four +months, especially after her Majesty's mislike was found. You would then +marvel to see how I have waded, as I have done, through no small +obstacles, without help, counsel, or assistance." + +Thus the part which he felt at last called upon to enact was that +of an aristocratic demagogue, in perpetual conflict with the +burgher-representative body. + +It is now necessary to lift a corner of the curtain, by which some +international--or rather interpalatial--intrigues were concealed, as much +as possible, even from the piercing eyes of Walsingham. The Secretary +was, however, quite aware--despite the pains taken to deceive him--of the +nature of the plots and of the somewhat ignoble character of the actors +concerned in them. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + A hard bargain when both parties are losers + Condemned first and inquired upon after + Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping + Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency + Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS + +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + +History of the United Netherlands, Volume 46, 1586 + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Forlorn Condition of Flanders--Parma's secret Negotiations with the + Queen--Grafigni and Bodman--Their Dealings with English Counsellors + --Duplicity of Farnese--Secret Offers of the English Peace-Party-- + Letters and Intrigues of De Loo--Drake's Victories and their Effect + --Parma's Perplexity and Anxiety--He is relieved by the News from + England--Queen's secret Letters to Parma--His Letters and + Instructions to Bodman--Bodman's secret Transactions at Greenwich-- + Walsingham detects and exposes the Plot--The Intriguers baffled-- + Queen's Letter to Parma and his to the King--Unlucky Results of the + Peace--Intrigues--Unhandsome Treatment of Leicester--Indignation of + the Earl and Walsingham--Secret Letter of Parma to Philip--Invasion + of England recommended--Details of the Project. + +Alexander Farnese and his heroic little army had been left by their +sovereign in as destitute a condition as that in which Lord Leicester and +his unfortunate "paddy persons" had found themselves since their arrival +in the Netherlands. These mortal men were but the weapons to be used and +broken in the hands of the two great sovereigns, already pitted against +each other in mortal combat. That the distant invisible potentate, the +work of whose life was to do his best to destroy all European +nationality, all civil and religious freedom, should be careless of the +instruments by which his purpose was to be effected, was but natural. It +is painful to reflect that the great champion of liberty and of +Protestantism was almost equally indifferent to the welfare of the human +creatures enlisted in her cause. Spaniards and Italians, English and +Irish, went half naked and half starving through the whole inclement +winter, and perished of pestilence in droves, after confronting the less +formidable dangers of battlefield and leaguer. Manfully and +sympathetically did the Earl of Leicester--while whining in absurd +hyperbole over the angry demeanour of his sovereign towards +himself-represent the imperative duty of an English government to succour +English troops. + +Alexander Farnese was equally plain-spoken to a sovereign with whom +plain-speaking was a crime. In bold, almost scornful language, the Prince +represented to Philip the sufferings and destitution of the little band +of heroes, by whom that magnificent military enterprise, the conquest of +Antwerp, had just been effected. "God will be weary of working miracles +for us," he cried, "and nothing but miracles can save the troops from +starving." There was no question of paying them their wages, there was no +pretence at keeping them reasonably provided with lodging and clothing, +but he asserted the undeniable proposition that they "could not pass +their lives without eating," and he implored his sovereign to send at +least money enough to buy the soldiers shoes. To go foodless and barefoot +without complaining, on the frozen swamps of Flanders, in January, was +more than was to be expected from Spaniards and Italians. The country +itself was eaten bare. The obedient Provinces had reaped absolute ruin as +the reward of their obedience. Bruges, Ghent, and the other cities of +Brabant and Flanders, once so opulent and powerful, had become mere dens +of thieves and paupers. Agriculture, commerce, manufactures--all were +dead. The condition of Antwerp was most tragical. The city, which had +been so recently the commercial centre of the earth, was reduced to +absolute beggary. Its world-wide traffic was abruptly terminated, for the +mouth of its great river was controlled by Flushing, and Flushing was in +the firm grasp of Sir Philip Sidney, as governor for the English Queen. +Merchants and bankers, who had lately been possessed of enormous +resources, were stripped of all. Such of the industrial classes as could +leave the place had wandered away to Holland and England. There was no +industry possible, for there was no market for the products of industry. +Antwerp was hemmed in by the enemy on every side, surrounded by royal +troops in a condition of open mutiny, cut off from the ocean, deprived of +daily bread, and yet obliged to contribute out of its poverty to the +maintenance of the Spanish soldiers, who were there for its destruction. +Its burghers, compelled to furnish four hundred thousand florins, as the +price of their capitulation, and at least six hundred thousand more for +the repairs of the dykes, the destruction of which, too long deferred, +had only spread desolation over the country without saving the city, and +over and above all forced to rebuild, at their own expense, that fatal +citadel, by which their liberty and lives were to be perpetually +endangered, might now regret at leisure that they had not been as +stedfast during their siege as had been the heroic inhabitants of Leyden +in their time of trial, twelve years before. Obedient Antwerp was, in +truth, most forlorn. But there was one consolation for her and for +Philip, one bright spot in the else universal gloom. The ecclesiastics +assured Parma, that, notwithstanding the frightful diminution in the +population of the city, they had confessed and absolved more persons that +Easter than they had ever done since the commencement of the revolt. +Great was Philip's joy in consequence. "You cannot imagine my +satisfaction," he wrote, "at the news you give me concerning last +Easter." + +With a ruined country, starving and mutinous troops, a bankrupt +exchequer, and a desperate and pauper population, Alexander Farnese was +not unwilling to gain time by simulated negotiations for peace. It was +strange, however, that so sagacious a monarch as the Queen of England +should suppose it for her interest to grant at that moment the very delay +which was deemed most desirable by her antagonist. + +Yet it was not wounded affection alone, nor insulted pride, nor startled +parsimony, that had carried the fury of the Queen to such a height on the +occasion of Leicester's elevation to absolute government. It was still +more, because the step was thought likely to interfere with the progress +of those negotiations into which the Queen had allowed herself to be +drawn. + +A certain Grafigni--a Genoese merchant residing much in London and in +Antwerp, a meddling, intrusive, and irresponsible kind of individual, +whose occupation was gone with the cessation of Flemish trade--had +recently made his appearance as a volunteer diplomatist. The principal +reason for accepting or rather for winking at his services, seemed to be +the possibility of disavowing him, on both sides, whenever it should be +thought advisable. He had a partner or colleague, too, named Bodman, who +seemed a not much more creditable negotiator than himself. The chief +director of the intrigue was, however, Champagny, brother of Cardinal +Granvelle, restored to the King's favour and disposed to atone by his +exuberant loyalty for his heroic patriotism on a former and most +memorable occasion. Andrea de Loo, another subordinate politician, was +likewise employed at various stages of the negotiation. + +It will soon be perceived that the part enacted by Burghley, Hatton, +Croft, and other counsellors, and even by the Queen herself, was not a +model of ingenuousness towards the absent Leicester and the +States-General. The gentlemen sent at various times to and from the Earl +and her Majesty's government; Davison, Shirley, Vavasor, Heneage, and the +rest--had all expressed themselves in the strongest language concerning +the good faith and the friendliness of the Lord-Treasurer and the +Vice-Chamberlain, but they were not so well informed as they would have +been, had they seen the private letters of Parma to Philip II. + +Walsingham, although kept in the dark as much as it was possible, +discovered from time to time the mysterious practices of his political +antagonists, and warned the Queen of the danger and dishonour she was +bringing upon herself. Elizabeth, when thus boldly charged, equivocated +and stormed alternately. She authorized Walsingham to communicate the +secrets--which he had thus surprised--to the States-General, and then +denied having given any such orders. + +In truth, Walsingham was only entrusted with such portions of the +negotiations as he had been able, by his own astuteness, to divine; and +as he was very much a friend to the Provinces and to Leicester, he never +failed to keep them instructed, to the best of his ability. It must be +confessed, however, that the shuffling and paltering among great men and +little men, at that period, forms a somewhat painful subject of +contemplation at the present day. + +Grafigni having some merchandise to convey from Antwerp to London, went +early in the year to the Prince of Parma, at Brussels, in order to +procure a passport. They entered into some conversation upon the misery +of the country, and particularly concerning the troubles to which the +unfortunate merchants had been exposed. Alexander expressed much sympathy +with the commercial community, and a strong desire that the ancient +friendship between his master and the Queen of England might be restored. +Grafigni assured the Prince--as the result of his own observation in +England--that the Queen participated in those pacific sentiments: "You +are going to England," replied the Prince, "and you may say to the +ministers of her Majesty, that, after my allegiance to my King, I am most +favourably and affectionately inclined towards her. If it pleases them +that I, as Alexander Farnese, should attempt to bring about an accord, +and if our commissioners could be assured of a hearing in England, I +would take care that everything should be conducted with due regard to +the honour and reputation of her Majesty." + +Grafigni then asked for a written letter of credence. "That cannot be," +replied Alexander; "but if you return to me I shall believe your report, +and then a proper person can be sent, with authority from the King to +treat with her Majesty." + +Grafigni proceeded to England, and had an interview with Lord Cobham. A +few days later that nobleman gave the merchant a general assurance that +the Queen had always felt a strong inclination to maintain firm +friendship with the House of Burgundy. Nevertheless, as he proceeded to +state, the bad policy of the King's ministers, and the enterprises +against her Majesty, had compelled her to provide for her own security +and that of her realm by remedies differing in spirit from that good +inclination. Being however a Christian princess, willing to leave +vengeance to the Lord and disposed to avoid bloodshed, she was ready to +lend her ear to a negotiation for peace, if it were likely to be a +sincere and secure one. Especially she was pleased that his Highness of +Parma should act as mediator of such a treaty, as she considered him a +most just and honourable prince in all his promises and actions. Her +Majesty would accordingly hold herself in readiness to receive the +honourable commissioners alluded to, feeling sure that every step taken +by his Highness would comport with her honour and safety. + +At about the same time the other partner in this diplomatic enterprise, +William Bodman, communicated to Alexander, the result of his observations +in England. He stated that Lords Burghley, Buckhurst, and Cobham, Sir +Christopher Hatton, and Comptroller Croft, were secretly desirous of +peace with Spain and that they had seized the recent opportunity of her +pique against the Earl of Leicester to urge forward these underhand +negotiations. Some progress had been made; but as no accredited +commissioner arrived from the Prince of Parma, and as Leicester was +continually writing earnest letters against peace, the efforts of these +counsellors had slackened. Bodman found them all, on his arrival, anxious +as he said, "to get their necks out of the matter;" declaring everything +which had been done to be pure matter of accident, entirely without the +concurrence of the Queen, and each seeking to outrival the other in the +good graces of her Majesty. Grafigni informed Bodman, however, that Lord +Cobham was quite to be depended upon in the affair, and would deal with +him privately, while Lord Burghley would correspond with Andrea de Loo at +Antwerp. Moreover, the servant of Comptroller Croft would direct Bodman +as to his course, and would give him daily instructions. + +Now it so happened that this servant of Croft, Norris by name, was a +Papist, a man of bad character, and formerly a spy of the Duke of Anjou. +"If your Lordship or myself should use such instruments as this," wrote +Walsingham to Leicester, "I know we should bear no small reproach; but it +is the good hap of hollow and doubtful men to be best thought of." Bodman +thought the lords of the peace-faction and their adherents not +sufficiently strong to oppose the other party with success. He assured +Farnese that almost all the gentlemen and the common people of England +stood ready to risk their fortunes and to go in person to the field to +maintain the cause of the Queen and religious liberty; and that the +chance of peace was desperate unless something should turn the tide, such +as, for example, the defeat of Drake, or an invasion by Philip of Ireland +or Scotland. + +As it so happened that Drake was just then engaged in a magnificent +career of victory, sweeping the Spanish Main and startling the nearest +and the most remote possessions of the King with English prowess, his +defeat was not one of the cards to be relied on by the peace-party in the +somewhat deceptive game which they had commenced. Yet, strange to say, +they used, or attempted to use, those splendid triumphs as if they had +been disasters. + +Meantime there was an active but very secret correspondence between Lord +Cobham, Lord Burghley, Sir James Croft, and various subordinate +personages in England, on the one side, and Champagny, President +Richardot, La Motte, governor of Gravelines, Andrea de Loo, Grafigni, and +other men in the obedient Provinces, more or less in Alexander's +confidence, on the other side. Each party was desirous of forcing or +wheedling the antagonist to show his hand. "You were employed to take +soundings off the English coast in the Duke of Norfolk's time," said +Cobham to La Motte: "you remember the Duke's fate. Nevertheless, her +Majesty hates war, and it only depends on the King to have a firm and +lasting peace." + +"You must tell Lord Cobham," said Richardot to La Motte, "that you are +not at liberty to go into a correspondence, until assured of the +intentions of Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty ought to speak first, in order +to make her good-will manifest," and so on. + +"The 'friend' can confer with you," said Richardot to Champagny; "but his +Highness is not to appear to know anything at all about it. The Queen +must signify her intentions." + +"You answered Champagny correctly," said Burghley to De Loo, "as to what +I said last winter concerning her Majesty's wishes in regard to a +pacification. The Netherlands must be compelled to return to obedience to +the King; but their ancient privileges are to be maintained. You omitted, +however, to say a word about toleration, in the Provinces, of the +reformed religion. But I said then, as I say now, that this is a +condition indispensable to peace." + +This was a somewhat important omission on the part of De Loo, and gives +the measure of his conscientiousness or his capacity as a negotiator. +Certainly for the Lord-Treasurer of England to offer, on the part of her +Majesty, to bring about the reduction of her allies under the yoke which +they had thrown off without her assistance, and this without leave asked +of them, and with no provision for the great principle of religious +liberty, which was the cause of the revolt, was a most flagitious +trifling with the honour of Elizabeth and of England. Certainly the more +this mysterious correspondence is examined, the more conclusive is the +justification of the vague and instinctive jealousy felt by Leicester and +the States-General as to English diplomacy during the winter and spring +of 1586. + +Burghley summoned De Loo, accordingly, to recall to his memory all that +had been privately said to him on the necessity of protecting the +reformed religion in the Provinces. If a peace were to be perpetual, +toleration was indispensable, he observed, and her Majesty was said to +desire this condition most earnestly. + +The Lord-Treasurer also made the not unreasonable suggestion, that, in +case of a pacification, it would be necessary to provide that English +subjects--peaceful traders, mariners, and the like--should no longer be +shut up in the Inquisition prisons of Spain and Portugal, and there +starved to death, as, with great multitudes, had already been the case. + +Meantime Alexander, while encouraging and directing all these underhand +measures, was carefully impressing upon his master that he was not, in +the least degree; bound by any such negotiations. "Queen Elizabeth," he +correctly observed to Philip, "is a woman: she is also by no means fond +of expense. The kingdom, accustomed to repose, is already weary of war +therefore, they are all pacifically inclined." "It has been intimated to +me," he said, "that if I would send a properly qualified person, who +should declare that your Majesty had not absolutely forbidden the coming +of Lord Leicester, such an agent would be well received, and perhaps the +Earl would be recalled." Alexander then proceeded, with the coolness +befitting a trusted governor of Philip II., to comment upon the course +which he was pursuing. He could at any time denounce the negotiations +which he was secretly prompting. Meantime immense advantages could be +obtained by the deception practised upon an enemy whose own object was to +deceive. + +The deliberate treachery of the scheme was cynically enlarged upon, and +its possible results mathematically calculated: + +Philip was to proceed with the invasion while Alexander was going on with +the negotiation. If, meanwhile, they could receive back Holland and +Zeeland from the hands of England, that would be an immense success. The +Prince intimated a doubt, however, as to so fortunate a result, because, +in dealing with heretics and persons of similar quality, nothing but +trickery was to be expected. The chief good to be hoped for was to "chill +the Queen in her plots, leagues, and alliances," and during the chill, to +carry forward their own great design. To slacken not a whit in their +preparations, to "put the Queen to sleep," and, above all, not to leave +the French for a moment unoccupied with internal dissensions and civil +war; such was the game of the King and the governor, as expounded between +themselves. + +President Richardot, at the same time, stated to Cardinal Granvelle that +the English desire for peace was considered certain at Brussels. Grafigni +had informed the Prince of Parma and his counsellors that the Queen was +most amicably disposed, and that there would be no trouble on the point +of religion, her Majesty not wishing to obtain more than she would +herself be willing to grant. "In this," said Richardot, "there is both +hard and soft;" for knowing that the Spanish game was deception, pure and +simple, the excellent President could not bring himself to suspect a +possible grain of good faith in the English intentions. Much anxiety was +perpetually felt in the French quarter, her Majesty's government being +supposed to be secretly preparing an invasion of the obedient Netherlands +across the French frontier, in combination, not with the Bearnese, but +with Henry III. So much in the dark were even the most astute +politicians. "I can't feel satisfied in this French matter," said the +President: "we mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh." +Moreover, there was no self-deception nor self-tickling possible as to +the unmitigated misery of the obedient Netherlands. Famine was a more +formidable foe than Frenchmen, Hollanders, and Englishmen combined; so +that Richardot avowed that the "negotiation would be indeed holy," if it +would restore Holland and Zeeland to the King without fighting. The +prospect seemed on the whole rather dismal to loyal Netherlanders like +the old leaguing, intriguing, Hispamolized president of the privy +council. "I confess," said he plaintively, "that England needs +chastisement; but I don't see how we are to give it to her. Only let us +secure Holland and Zeeland, and then we shall always find a stick +whenever we like to beat the dog." + +Meantime Andrea de Loo had been bustling and buzzing about the ears of +the chief counsellors at the English court during all the early spring. +Most busily he had been endeavouring to efface the prevalent suspicion +that Philip and Alexander were only trifling by these informal +negotiations. We have just seen whether or not there was ground for that +suspicion. De Loo, being importunate, however--"as he usually was," +according to his own statement--obtained in Burghley's hand a +confirmation, by order of the Queen, of De Loo's--letter of the 26th +December. The matter of religion gave the worthy merchant much +difficulty, and he begged Lord Buckhurst, the Lord Treasurer, and many +other counsellors, not to allow this point of toleration to ruin the +whole affair; "for," said he, "his Majesty will never permit any exercise +of the reformed religion." + +At last Buckhurst sent for him, and in presence of Comptroller Croft, +gave him information that he had brought the Queen to this conclusion: +firstly, that she would be satisfied with as great a proportion of +religious toleration for Holland, Zeeland, and the other United +Provinces, as his Majesty could concede with safety to his conscience and +his honour; secondly, that she required an act of amnesty; thirdly, that +she claimed reimbursement by Philip for the money advanced by her to the +States. + +Certainly a more wonderful claim was never made than this--a demand upon +an absolute monarch for indemnity for expenses incurred in fomenting a +rebellion of his own subjects. The measure of toleration proposed for the +Provinces--the conscience, namely, of the greatest bigot ever born into +the world--was likely to prove as satisfactory as the claim for damages +propounded by the most parsimonious sovereign in Christendom. It was, +however, stipulated that the nonconformists of Holland and Zeeland, who +should be forced into exile, were to have their property administered by +papist trustees; and further, that the Spanish inquisition was not to be +established in the Netherlands. Philip could hardly demand better terms +than these last, after a career of victory. That they should be offered +now by Elizabeth was hardly compatible with good faith to the States. + +On account of Lord Burghley's gout, it was suggested that the negotiators +had better meet in England, as it would be necessary for him to take the +lead in the matters and as he was but an indifferent traveller. Thus, +according to De Loo, the Queen was willing to hand over the United +Provinces to Philip, and to toss religious toleration to the winds, if +she could only get back the seventy thousand pounds--more or less--which +she had invested in an unpromising speculation. A few weeks later, and at +almost the very moment when Elizabeth had so suddenly overturned +her last vial of wrath upon the discomfited Heneage for having +communicated--according to her express command--the fact of the pending +negotiations to the Netherland States; at that very instant Parma was +writing secretly, and in cipher, to Philip. His communication--could Sir +Thomas have read it--might have partly explained her Majesty's rage. + +Parma had heard, he said, through Bodman, from Comptroller Croft, that +the Queen would willingly receive a proper envoy. It was very easy to +see, he observed, that the English counsellors were seeking every means +of entering into communication with Spain, and that they were doing so +with the participation of the Queen! Lord-Treasurer Burghley and +Comptroller Croft had expressed surprise that the Prince had not yet sent +a secret agent to her Majesty, under pretext of demanding explanations +concerning Lord Leicester's presence in the Provinces, but in reality to +treat for peace. Such an agent, it had been intimated, would be well +received. The Lord-Treasurer and the Comptroller would do all in their +power to advance the negotiation, so that, with their aid and with the +pacific inclination of the Queen, the measures proposed in favour of +Leicester would be suspended, and perhaps the Earl himself and all the +English would be recalled. + +The Queen was further represented as taking great pains to excuse both +the expedition of Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, and the mission of +Leicester to the Provinces. She was said to throw the whole blame of +these enterprises upon Walsingham and other ill-intentioned personages, +and to avow that she now understood matters better; so that, if Parma +would at once send an envoy, peace would, without question, soon be made. + +Parma had expressed his gratification at these hopeful dispositions on +the part of Burghley and Croft, and held out hopes of sending an agent to +treat with them, if not directly with her Majesty. For some time +past--according to the Prince--the English government had not seemed to +be honestly seconding the Earl of Leicester, nor to correspond with his +desires. "This makes me think," he said, "that the counsellors +before-mentioned, being his rivals, are trying to trip him up." + +In such a caballing, prevaricating age, it is difficult to know which of +all the plotters and counterplotters engaged in these intrigues could +accomplish the greatest amount of what--for the sake of diluting in nine +syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in one--was then +called diplomatic dissimulation. It is to be feared, notwithstanding her +frequent and vociferous denials, that the robes of the "imperial +votaress" were not so unsullied as could be wished. We know how loudly +Leicester had complained--we have seen how clearly Walsingham could +convict; but Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute: for an +absolute sovereign, even without resorting to Philip's syllogisms of axe +and faggot, was apt in the sixteenth century to have the best of an +argument with private individuals. + +The secret statements of Parma-made, not for public effect, but for the +purpose of furnishing his master with the most accurate information he +could gather as to English policy--are certainly entitled to +consideration. They were doubtless founded upon the statements of +individuals rejoicing in no very elevated character; but those +individuals had no motive to deceive their patron. If they clashed with +the vehement declarations of very eminent personages, it must be +admitted, on the other hand, that they were singularly in accordance with +the silent eloquence of important and mysterious events. + +As to Alexander Farnese--without deciding the question whether Elizabeth +and Burghley were deceiving Walsingham and Leicester, or only trying to +delude Philip and himself--he had no hesitation, of course, on his part, +in recommending to Philip the employment of unlimited dissimulation. +Nothing could be more ingenuous than the intercourse between the King and +his confidential advisers. It was perfectly understood among them that +they were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion. Only let them +be false, and it was impossible to be wholly wrong; but grave mistakes +might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity. It was no question +at all, therefore, that it was Parma's duty to delude Elizabeth and +Burghley. Alexander's course was plain. He informed his master that he +would keep these difficulties alive as much as it was possible. In order +to "put them all to sleep with regard to the great enterprise of the +invasion," he would send back Bodman to Burghley and Croft, and thus keep +this unofficial negotiation upon its legs. The King was quite +uncommitted, and could always disavow what had been done. Meanwhile he +was gaining, and his adversaries losing, much precious time. "If by this +course," said Parma, "we can induce the English to hand over to us the +places which they hold in Holland and Zeeland, that will be a great +triumph." Accordingly he urged the King not to slacken, in the least, his +preparations for invasion, and, above all, to have a care that the French +were kept entangled and embarrassed among themselves, which was a most +substantial point. + +Meantime Europe was ringing with the American successes of the bold +corsair Drake. San Domingo, Porto Rico, Santiago, Cartliagena, Florida, +were sacked and destroyed, and the supplies drawn so steadily from the +oppression of the Western World to maintain Spanish tyranny in Europe, +were for a time extinguished. Parma was appalled at these triumphs of the +Sea-King--"a fearful man to the King of Spain"--as Lord Burghley well +observed. The Spanish troops were starving in Flanders, all Flanders +itself was starving, and Philip, as usual, had sent but insignificant +remittances to save his perishing soldiers. Parma had already exhausted +his credit. Money was most difficult to obtain in such a forlorn country; +and now the few rich merchants and bankers of Antwerp that were left +looked very black at these crushing news from America. "They are drawing +their purse-strings very tight," said Alexander, "and will make no +accommodation. The most contemplative of them ponder much over this +success of Drake, and think that your Majesty will forget our matters +here altogether." For this reason he informed the King that it would be +advisable to drop all further negotiation with England for the time, as +it was hardly probable that, with such advantages gained by the Queen, +she would be inclined to proceed in the path which had been just secretly +opened. Moreover, the Prince was in a state of alarm as to the intentions +of France. Mendoza and Tassis had given him to understand that a very +good feeling prevailed between the court of Henry and of Elizabeth, and +that the French were likely to come to a pacification among themselves. +In this the Spanish envoys were hardly anticipating so great an effect as +we have seen that they had the right to do from their own indefatigable +exertions; for, thanks to their zeal, backed by the moderate subsidies +furnished by their master, the civil war in France already seemed likely +to be as enduring as that of the Netherlands. But Parma--still quite in +the dark as to French politics--was haunted by the vision of seventy +thousand foot and six thousand horses ready to be let slip upon him at +any, moment, out of a pacified and harmonious France; while he had +nothing but a few starving and crippled regiments to withstand such an +invasion. When all these events should have taken place, and France, in +alliance with England, should have formally declared war against Spain, +Alexander protested that he should have learned nothing new. + +The Prince was somewhat mistaken as to political affairs; but his doubts +concerning his neighbours, blended with the forlorn condition of himself +and army, about which there was no doubt at all, showed the exigencies of +his situation. In the midst of such embarrassments it is impossible not +to admire his heroism as a military chieftain, and his singular +adroitness as a diplomatist. He had painted for his sovereign a most +faithful and horrible portrait of the obedient Provinces. The soil was +untilled; the manufactories had all stopped; trade had ceased to exist. +It was a pity only to look upon the raggedness of his soldiers. No +language could describe the misery of the reconciled Provinces--Artois, +Hainault, Flanders. The condition of Bruges would melt the hardest heart; +other cities were no better; Antwerp was utterly ruined; its inhabitants +were all starving. The famine throughout the obedient Netherlands was +such as had not been known for a century. The whole country had been +picked bare by the troops, and the plough was not put into the ground. +Deputations were constantly with him from Bruges, Dendermonde, +Bois-le-Duc, Brussels, Antwerp, Nymegen, proving to him by the most +palpable evidence that the whole population of those cities had almost +literally nothing to eat. He had nothing, however, but exhortations to +patience to feed them withal. He was left without a groat even to save +his soldiers from starving, and he wildly and bitterly, day after day, +implored his sovereign for aid. These pictures are not the sketches of a +historian striving for effect, but literal transcripts from the most +secret revelations of the Prince himself to his sovereign. On the other +hand, although Leicester's complaints of the destitution of the English +troops in the republic were almost as bitter, yet the condition of the +United Provinces was comparatively healthy. Trade, external and internal, +was increasing daily. Distant commercial and military expeditions were +fitted out, manufactures were prosperous, and the war of independence was +gradually becoming--strange to say--a source of prosperity to the new +commonwealth. + +Philip--being now less alarmed than his nephew concerning French affairs, +and not feeling so keenly the misery of the obedient Provinces, or the +wants of the Spanish army--sent to Alexander six hundred thousand ducats, +by way of Genoa. In the letter submitted by his secretary recording this +remittance, the King made, however, a characteristic marginal note:--"See +if it will not be as well to tell him something concerning the two +hundred thousand ducats to be deducted for Mucio, for fear of more +mischief, if the Prince should expect the whole six hundred thousand." + +Accordingly Mucio got the two hundred thousand. One-third of the meagre +supply destined for the relief of the King's starving and valiant little +army in the Netherlands was cut off to go into the pockets of the +intriguing Duke of Guise. "We must keep the French," said Philip, "in a +state of confusion at home, and feed their civil war. We must not allow +them to come to a general peace, which would be destruction for the +Catholics. I know you will put a good face on the matter; and, after all, +'tis in the interest of the Netherlands. Moreover, the money shall be +immediately refunded." + +Alexander was more likely to make a wry face, notwithstanding his views +of the necessity of fomenting the rebellion against the House of Valois. +Certainly if a monarch intended to conquer such countries as France, +England, and Holland, without stirring from his easy chair in the +Escorial, it would have been at least as well--so Alexander thought--to +invest a little more capital in the speculation. No monarch ever dreamed +of arriving at universal empire with less personal fatigue or exposure, +or at a cheaper rate, than did Philip II. His only fatigue was at his +writing-table. But even here his merit was of a subordinate description. +He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting; but he now +wrote few letters himself. A dozen words or so, scrawled in hieroglyphics +at the top, bottom, or along the margin of the interminable despatches of +his secretaries, contained the suggestions, more or less luminous, which +arose in his mind concerning public affairs. But he held firmly to his +purpose: He had devoted his life to the extermination of Protestantism, +to the conquest of France and England, to the subjugation of Holland. +These were vast schemes. A King who should succeed in such enterprises, +by his personal courage and genius, at the head of his armies, or by +consummate diplomacy, or by a masterly system of finance-husbanding and +concentrating the resources of his almost boundless realms--might be in +truth commended for capacity. Hitherto however Philip's triumph had +seemed problematical; and perhaps something more would be necessary than +letters to Parma, and paltry remittances to Mucio, notwithstanding +Alexander's splendid but local victories in Flanders. + +Parma, although in reality almost at bay, concealed his despair, and +accomplished wonders in the field. The military events during the spring +and summer of 1586 will be sketched in a subsequent chapter. For the +present it is necessary to combine into a complete whole the subterranean +negotiations between Brussels and England. + +Much to his surprise and gratification, Parma found that the peace-party +were not inclined to change their views in consequence of the triumphs of +Drake. He soon informed the King that--according to Champagny and +Bodman--the Lord Treasurer, the Comptroller, Lord Cobham, and Sir +Christopher Hatton, were more pacific than they had ever been. These four +were represented by Grafigni as secretly in league against Leicester and +Walsingham, and very anxious to bring about a reconciliation between the +crowns of England and Spain. The merchant-diplomatist, according to his +own statement, was expressly sent by Queen Elizabeth to the prince of +Parma, although without letter of credence or signed instructions, but +with the full knowledge and approbation of the four counsellors just +mentioned. He assured Alexander that the Queen and the majority of her +council felt a strong desire for peace, and had manifested much +repentance for what had been done. They had explained their proceedings +by the necessity of self-defence. They had avowed--in case they should be +made sure of peace--that they should, not with reluctance and against +their will, but, on the contrary, with the utmost alacrity and at once, +surrender to the King of Spain the territory which they possessed in the +Netherlands, and especially the fortified towns in Holland and Zeeland; +for the English object had never been conquest. Parma had also been +informed of the Queen's strong desire that he should be employed as +negotiator, on account of her great confidence in his sincerity. They had +expressed much satisfaction on hearing that he was about to send an agent +to England, and had protested themselves rejoiced at Drake's triumphs, +only because of their hope that a peace with Spain would thus be rendered +the easier of accomplishment. They were much afraid, according to +Grafigni, of Philip's power, and dreaded a Spanish invasion of their +country, in conjunction with the Pope. They were now extremely anxious +that Parma--as he himself informed the King--should send an agent of good +capacity, in great secrecy, to England. + +The Comptroller had said that he had pledged himself to such a result, +and if it failed, that they would probably cut off his head. The four +counsellors were excessively solicitous for the negotiation, and each of +them was expecting to gain favour by advancing it to the best of his +ability. + +Parma hinted at the possibility that all these professions were false, +and that the English were only intending to keep the King from the +contemplated invasion. At the same time he drew Philip's attention to the +fact that Burghley and his party had most evidently been doing everything +in their power to obstruct Leicester's progress in the Netherlands and to +keep back the reinforcements of troops and money which he so much +required. + +No doubt these communications of Parma to the King were made upon the +faith of an agent not over-scrupulous, and of no elevated or recognised +rank in diplomacy. It must be borne in mind, however, that he had been +made use of by both parties; perhaps because it would be easy to throw +off, and discredit, him whenever such a step should be convenient; and +that, on the other hand, coming fresh from Burghley and the rest into the +presence of the keen-eyed Farnese, he would hardly invent for his +employer a budget of falsehoods. That man must have been a subtle +negotiator who could outwit such a statesman as Burghley--and the other +counsellors of Elizabeth, and a bold one who could dare to trifle on a +momentous occasion with Alexander of Parma. + +Leicester thought Burghley very much his friend, and so thought Davison +and Heneage; and the Lord-Treasurer had, in truth, stood stoutly by the +Earl in the affair of the absolute governorship;--"a matter more severe +and cumbersome to him and others," said Burghley, "than any whatsoever +since he was a counsellor." But there is no doubt that these negotiations +were going forward all the spring and summer, that they were most +detrimental to Leicester's success, and that they were kept--so far as it +was possible--a profound secret from him, from Walsingham, and from the +States-General. Nothing was told them except what their own astuteness +had discovered beforehand; and the game of the counsellors--so far as +their attitude towards Leicester and Walsingham was concerned--seems both +disingenuous and impolitic. + +Parma, it was to be feared, was more than a match for the English +governor-general in the field; and it was certainly hopeless for poor old +Comptroller Croft, even though backed by the sagacious Burghley, to +accomplish so great an amount of dissimulation in a year as the Spanish +cabinet, without effort, could compass in a week. Nor were they +attempting to do so. It is probable that England was acting towards +Philip in much better faith than he deserved, or than Parma believed; but +it is hardly to be wondered at that Leicester should think himself +injured by being kept perpetually in the dark. + +Elizabeth was very impatient at not receiving direct letters from Parma, +and her anxiety on the subject explains much of her caprice during the +quarrel about the governor-generalship. Many persons in the Netherlands +thought those violent scenes a farce, and a farce that had been arranged +with Leicester beforehand. In this they were mistaken; for an examination +of the secret correspondence of the period reveals the motives--which to +contemporaries were hidden--of many strange transactions. The Queen was, +no doubt, extremely anxious, and with cause, at the tempest slowly +gathering over her head; but the more the dangers thickened, the more was +her own official language to those in high places befitting the sovereign +of England. + +She expressed her surprise to Farnese that he had not written to her on +the subject of the Grafigni and Bodman affair. The first, she said, was +justified in all which he had narrated, save in his assertion that she +had sent him. The other had not obtained audience, because he had not +come provided with any credentials, direct or indirect. Having now +understood from Andrea de Loo and the Seigneur de Champagny that Parma +had the power to conclude a peace, which he seemed very much to desire, +she observed that it was not necessary for him to be so chary in +explaining the basis of the proposed negotiations. It was better to enter +into a straightforward path, than by ambiguous words to spin out to great +length matters which princes should at once conclude. + +"Do not suppose," said the Queen, "that I am seeking what belongs to +others. God forbid. I seek only that which is mine own. But be sure that +I will take good heed of the sword which threatens me with destruction, +nor think that I am so craven-spirited as to endure a wrong, or to place +myself at the mercy of my enemy. Every week I see advertisements and +letters from Spain that this year shall witness the downfall of England; +for the Spaniards--like the hunter who divided, with great liberality, +among his friends the body and limbs of the wolf, before it had been +killed--have partitioned this kingdom and that of Ireland before the +conquest has been effected. But my royal heart is no whit appalled by +such threats. I trust, with the help of the Divine hand--which has thus +far miraculously preserved me--to smite all these braggart powers into +the dust, and to preserve my honour, and the kingdoms which He has given +me for my heritage. + +"Nevertheless, if you have authority to enter upon and to conclude this +negotiation, you will find my ears open to hear your propositions; and I +tell you further, if a peace is to be made, that I wish you to be the +mediator thereof. Such is the affection I bear you, notwithstanding that +some letters, written by your own hand, might easily have effaced such +sentiments from my mind." + +Soon afterwards, Bodman was again despatched to England, Grafigni being +already there. He was provided with unsigned instructions, according to +which he was to say that the Prince, having heard of the Queen's good +intentions, had despatched him and Grafigni to her court. They were to +listen to any suggestions made by the Queen to her ministers; but they +were to do nothing but listen. If the counsellors should enter into their +grievances against his Majesty, and ask for explanations, the agents were +to say that they had no authority or instructions to speak for so great +and Christian a monarch. Thus they were to cut the thread of any such +discourse, or any other observations not to the purpose. + +Silence, in short, was recommended, first and last, as the one great +business of their mission; and it was unlucky that men whose talent for +taciturnity was thus signally relied upon should be somewhat remarkable +for loquacity. Grafigni was also the bearer of a letter from Alexander to +the Queen--of which Bodman received a copy--but it was strictly enjoined +upon them to keep the letter, their instructions, and the objects of +their journey, a secret from all the world. + +The letter of the Prince consisted mainly of complimentary flourishes. He +had heard, he said, all that Agostino Grafigni had communicated, and he +now begged her Majesty to let him understand the course which it was +proper to take; assuring her of his gratitude for her good opinion +touching his sincerity, and his desire to save the effusion of blood, and +so on; concluding of course with expressions of most profound +consideration and devotion. + +Early in July Bodman arrived in London. He found Grafigni in very low +spirits. He had been with Lord Cobham, and was much disappointed with his +reception, for Cobham--angry that Grafigni had brought no commission from +the King--had refused to receive Parma's letter to the Queen, and had +expressed annoyance that Bodman should be employed on this mission, +having heard that lie was very ill-tempered and passionate. The same +evening, he had been sent for by Lord Burghley--who had accepted the +letter for her Majesty without saying a word--and on the following +morning, he had been taken to task, by several counsellors, on the ground +that the Prince, in that communication, had stated that the Queen had +expressed a desire for peace. + +It has just been shown that there was no such intimation at all in the +letter; but as neither Grafigni nor Bodman had read the epistle itself, +but only the copy furnished them, they could merely say that such an +assertion; if made by the Prince, had been founded on no statement of +theirs. Bodman consoled his colleague, as well as he could, by assurances +that when the letter was fairly produced, their vindication would be +complete, and Grafigni, upon that point, was comforted. He was, however, +very doleful in general, and complained bitterly of Burghley and the +other English counsellors. He said that they had forced him, against his +will, to make this journey to Brussels, that they had offered him +presents, that they would leave him no rest in his own house, but had +made him neglect all his private business, and caused him a great loss of +time and money, in order that he might serve them. They had manifested +the strongest desire that Parma should open this communication, and had +led him to expect a very large recompense for his share in the +transaction. "And now," said Grafigni to his colleague, with great +bitterness, "I find no faith nor honour in them at all. They don't keep +their word, and every one of them is trying to slide out of the very +business, in which each was, but the other day, striving to outrival the +other, in order that it might be brought to a satisfactory conclusion." + +After exploding in this way to Bodman, he went back to Cobham, and +protested, with angry vehemence, that Parma had never written such a word +to the Queen, and that so it would prove, if the letter were produced. + +Next day, Bodman was sent for to Greenwich, where her Majesty was, as +usual, residing. A secret pavilion was indicated to him, where he was to +stay until sunset. When that time arrived, Lord Cobham's secretary came +with great mystery, and begged the emissary to follow him, but at a +considerable distance, towards the apartments of Lord Burghley in the +palace. Arriving there, they found the Lord Treasurer accompanied by +Cobham and Croft. Burghley instantly opened the interview by a defence of +the Queen's policy in sending troops to the Netherlands, and in espousing +their cause, and then the conversation proceeded to the immediate matter +in hand. + +Bodman (after listening respectfully to the Lord-Treasurer's +observations).--"His Highness has, however, been extremely surprised that +my Lord Leicester should take an oath, as governor-general of the King's +Provinces. He is shocked likewise by the great demonstrations of +hostility on the part of her Majesty." + +Burghley.--"The oath was indispensable. The Queen was obliged to tolerate +the step on account of the great urgency of the States to have a head. +But her Majesty has commanded us to meet you on this occasion, in order +to hear what you have to communicate on the part of the Prince of Parma." + +Bodman (after a profusion of complimentary phrases).--"I have no +commission to say anything. I am only instructed to listen to anything +that may be said to me, and that her Majesty may be pleased to command." + +Burghley.--"'Tis very discreet to begin thus. But time is pressing, and +it is necessary to be brief. We beg you therefore to communicate, without +further preface, that which you have been charged to say." + +Bodman.--"I can only repeat to your Lordship, that I have been charged to +say nothing." + +After this Barmecide feast of diplomacy, to partake of which it seemed +hardly necessary that the guests should have previously attired +themselves in such garments of mystery, the parties separated for the +night. + +In spite of their care, it would seem that the Argus-eyed Walsingham had +been able to see after sunset; for, the next evening--after Bodman had +been introduced with the same precautions to the same company, in the +same place--Burghley, before a word had been spoken, sent for Sir +Francis. + +Bodman was profoundly astonished, for he had been expressly informed that +Walsingham was to know nothing of the transaction. The Secretary of State +could not so easily be outwitted, however, and he was soon seated at the +table, surveying the scene, with his grave melancholy eyes, which had +looked quite through the whole paltry intrigue. + +Burghley.--"Her Majesty has commanded us to assemble together, in order +that, in my presence, it may be made clear that she did not commence this +negotiation. Let Grafigni be summoned." + +Grafigni immediately made his appearance. + +Burghley.--"You will please to explain how you came to enter into this +business." + +Grafigni.--"The first time I went to the States, it was on my private +affairs; I had no order from any one to treat with the Prince of Parma. +His Highness, having accidentally heard, however, that I resided in +England, expressed a wish to see me. I had an interview with the Prince. +I told him, out of my own head, that the Queen had a strong inclination +to hear propositions of peace, and that--as some of her counsellors were +of the same opinion--I believed that if his Highness should send a +negotiator, some good would be effected. The Prince replied that he felt +by no means sure of such a result; but that, if I should come back from +England, sent by the Queen or her council, he would then despatch a +person with a commission to treat of peace. This statement, together with +other matters that had passed between us, was afterwards drawn up in +writing by command of his Highness." + +Burghley.--"Who bade you say, after your second return to Brussels, that +you came on the part of the Queen? For you well know that her Majesty did +not send you." + +Grafigni.--"I never said so. I stated that my Lord Cobham had set down in +writing what I was to say to the Prince of Parma. It will never appear +that I represented the Queen as desiring peace. I said that her Majesty +would lend her ears to peace. Bodman knows this too; and he has a copy of +the letter of his Highness." + +Walsingham to Bodman.--"Have you the copy still?" + +Bodman.--"Yes, Mr. Secretary." + +Walsingham.--"Please to produce it, in order that this matter may be +sifted to the bottom." + +Bodman.--"I supplicate your Lorships to pardon me, but indeed that cannot +be. My instructions forbid my showing the letter." + +Walsingham (rising).--"I will forthwith go to her Majesty, and fetch the +original." A pause. Mr. Secretary returns in a few minutes, having +obtained the document, which the Queen, up to that time, had kept by her, +without showing it to any one. + +Walsingham (after reading the letter attentively, and aloud).--"There is +not such a word, as that her Majesty is desirous of peace, in the whole +paper." + +Burghley (taking the letter, and slowly construing it out of Italian into +English).--"It would seem that his Highness hath written this, assuming +that the Signor Grafigni came from the Queen, although he had received +his instructions from my Lord Cobham. It is plain, however, that the +negotiation was commenced accidentally." + +Comptroller Croft (nervously, and with the air of a man fearful of +getting into trouble).--"You know very well, Mr. Bodman, that my servant +came to Dunkirk only to buy and truck away horses; and that you then, by +chance, entered into talk with him, about the best means of procuring a +peace between the two kingdoms. My servant told you of the good feeling +that prevailed in England. You promised to write on the subject to the +Prince, and I immediately informed the Lord-Treasurer of the whole +transaction." + +Burghley.--"That is quite true." + +Croft.--"My servant subsequently returned to the Provinces in order to +learn what the Prince might have said on the subject." + +Bodman (with immense politeness, but very decidedly).--"Pardon me, Mr. +Comptroller; but, in this matter, I must speak the truth, even if the +honour and life of my father were on the issue. I declare that your +servant Norris came to me, directly commissioned for that purpose by +yourself, and informed me from you, and upon your authority, that if I +would solicit the Prince of Parma to send a secret agent to England, a +peace would be at once negotiated. Your servant entreated me to go to his +Highness at Brussels. I refused, but agreed to consider the proposition. +After the lapse of several days, the servant returned to make further +enquiries. I told him that the Prince had come to no decision. Norris +continued to press the matter. I excused myself. He then solicited and +obtained from me a letter of introduction to De Loo, the secretary of his +Highness. Armed with this, he went to Brussels and had an interview--as I +found, four days later--with the Prince. In consequence of the +representations of Norris, those of Signor Grafigni, and those by way of +Antwerp, his Highness determined to send me to England." + +Burghley to Croft.--"Did you order your servant to speak with Andrea de +Loo?" + +Croft.--"I cannot deny it." + +Burghley.--"The fellow seems to have travelled a good way out of his +commission. His master sends him to buy horses, and he commences a +peace-negotiation between two kingdoms. It would be well he were +chastised. As regards the Antwerp matter, too, we have had many letters, +and I have, seen one from the Seigneur de Champagny, the same effect as +that of all the rest." + +Walsingham.--"I see not to what end his Highness of Parma has sent Mr. +Bodman hither. The Prince avows that he hath no commission from Spain." + +Bodman.--"His Highness was anxious to know what was her Majesty's +pleasure. So soon as that should be known, the Prince could obtain ample +authority. He would never have proceeded so far without meaning a good +end." + +Walsingham.--"Very like. I dare say that his Highness will obtain the +commission. Meantime, as Prince of Parma, he writes these letters, and +assists his sovereign perhaps more than he doth ourselves." + +Here the interview terminated. A few days later, Bodman had another +conversation with Burghley and Cobham. Reluctantly, at their urgent +request, he set down in writing all that he had said concerning his +mission. + +The Lord Treasurer said that the Queen and her counsellors were "ready to +embrace peace when it was treated of sincerely." Meantime the Queen had +learned that the Prince had been sending letters to the cautionary towns +in Holland and Zeeland, stating that her Majesty was about to surrender +them to the King of Spain. These were tricks to make mischief, and were +very detrimental to the Queen. + +Bodman replied that these were merely the idle stories of quidnuncs; and +that the Prince and all his counsellors were dealing with the utmost +sincerity. + +Burghley answered that he had intercepted the very letters, and had them +in his possession. + +A week afterwards, Bodman saw Walsingham alone, and was informed by him +that the Queen had written an answer to Parma's letter, and that +negotiations for the future were to be carried on in the usual form, or +not at all. Walsingham, having thus got the better of his rivals, and +delved below their mines, dismissed the agent with brief courtesy. +Afterwards the discomfited Mr. Comptroller wished a private interview +with Bodman. Bodman refused to speak with him except in presence of Lord +Cobham. This Croft refused. In the same way Bodman contrived to get rid, +as he said, of Lord Burghley and Lord Cobham, declining to speak with +either of them alone. Soon afterwards he returned to the Provinces! + +The Queen's letter to Parma was somewhat caustic. It was obviously +composed through the inspiration of Walsingham rather than that of +Burghley. The letter, brought by a certain Grafigni and a certain Bodman, +she said, was a very strange one, and written under a delusion. It was a +very grave error, that, in her name, without her knowledge, contrary to +her disposition, and to the prejudice of her honour, such a person as +this Grafigni, or any one like him, should have the audacity to commence +such a business, as if she had, by messages to the Prince, sought a +treaty with his King, who had so often returned evil for her good. +Grafigni, after representing the contrary to his Highness, had now denied +in presence of her counsellors having received any commission from the +Queen. She also briefly gave the result of Bodman's interviews with +Burghley and the others, just narrated. That agent had intimated that +Parma would procure authority to treat for peace, if assured that the +Queen would lend her ear to any propositions. + +She replied by referring to her published declarations, as showing her +powerful motives for interfering in these affairs. It was her purpose to +save her own realm and to rescue her ancient neighbours from misery and +from slavery. To this end she should still direct her actions, +notwithstanding the sinister rumours which had been spread that she was +inclined to peace before providing for the security and liberty of her +allies. She was determined never to separate their cause from her own. +Propositions tending to the security of herself and of her neighbours +would always be favourably received. + +Parma, on his part, informed his master that there could be no doubt that +the Queen and the majority of her council abhorred the war, and that +already much had been gained by the fictitious negotiation. +Lord-Treasurer Burghley had been interposing endless delays and +difficulties in the way of every measure proposed for the relief of Lord +Leicester, and the assistance rendered him had been most lukewarm. +Meantime the Prince had been able, he said, to achieve much success in +the field, and the English had done nothing to prevent it. Since the +return of Grafigni and Bodman, however, it was obvious that the English +government had disowned these non-commissioned diplomatists. The whole +negotiation and all the negotiators were now discredited, but there was +no doubt that there had been a strong desire to treat, and great +disappointment at the result. Grafigni and Andrea de Loo had been +publishing everywhere in Antwerp that England would consider the peace as +made, so soon as his Majesty should be willing to accept any +propositions. + +His Majesty, meanwhile, sat in his cabinet, without the slightest +intention of making or accepting any propositions save those that were +impossible. He smiled benignantly at his nephew's dissimulation and at +the good results which it had already produced. He approved of gaining +time, he said, by fictitious negotiations and by the use of a mercantile +agent; for, no doubt, such a course would prevent the proper succours +from being sent to the Earl of Leicester. If the English would hand over +to him the cautionary towns held by them in Holland and Zeeland, promise +no longer to infest the seas, the Indies, and the Isles, with their +corsairs, and guarantee the complete obedience to their King and +submission to the holy Catholic Church of the rebellious Provinces, +perhaps something might be done with them; but, on the whole, he was +inclined to think that they had been influenced by knavish and deceitful +motives from the beginning. He enjoined it upon Parma, therefore, to +proceed with equal knavery--taking care, however, not to injure his +reputation--and to enter into negotiations wherever occasion might serve, +in order to put the English off their guard and to keep back the +reinforcements so imperatively required by Leicester. + +And the reinforcements were indeed kept back. Had Burghley and Croft been +in the pay of Philip II. they could hardly have served him better than +they had been doing by the course pursued. Here then is the explanation +of the shortcomings of the English government towards Leicester and the +States during the memorable spring and summer of 1586. No money, no +soldiers, when most important operations in the field were required. The +first general of the age was to be opposed by a man who had certainly +never gained many laurels as a military chieftain, but who was brave and +confident, and who, had he been faithfully supported by the government +which sent him to the Netherlands, would have had his antagonist at a +great disadvantage. Alexander had scarcely eight thousand effective men. +Famine, pestilence, poverty, mutiny, beset and almost paralyzed him. +Language could not exaggerate the absolute destitution of the country. +Only miracles could save the King's cause, as Farnese repeatedly +observed. A sharp vigorous campaign, heartily carried on against him by +Leicester and Hohenlo, with plenty of troops and money at command, would +have brought the heroic champion of Catholicism to the ground. He was +hemmed in upon all sides; he was cut off from the sea; he stood as it +were in a narrowing circle, surrounded by increasing dangers. His own +veterans, maddened by misery, stung by their King's ingratitude, naked, +starving, ferocious, were turning against him. Mucio, like his evil +genius, was spiriting away his supplies just as they were reaching his +hands; a threatening tempest seemed rolling up from France; the whole +population of the Provinces which he had "reconciled"--a million of +paupers--were crying to him for bread; great commercial cities, suddenly +blasted and converted into dens of thieves and beggars, were cursing the +royal author of their ruin, and uttering wild threats against his +vicegerent; there seemed, in truth, nothing left for Alexander but to +plunge headlong into destruction, when, lo! Mr. Comptroller Croft, +advancing out of the clouds, like a propitious divinity, disguised in the +garb of a foe--and the scene was changed. + +The feeble old man, with his shufling, horse-trucking servant, ex-spy of +Monsieur, had accomplished more work for Philip and Alexander than many +regiments of Spaniards and Walloons could have done. The arm of Leicester +was paralyzed upon the very threshold of success. The picture of these +palace-intrigues has been presented with minute elaboration, because, +however petty and barren in appearance, they were in reality prolific of +grave results. A series of victories by Parma was substituted for the +possible triumphs of Elizabeth and the States. + +The dissimulation of the Spanish court was fathomless. The secret +correspondence of the times reveals to us that its only purpose was to +deceive the Queen and her counsellors, and to gain time to prepare the +grand invasion of England and subjugation of Holland--that double purpose +which Philip could only abandon with life. There was never a thought, on +his part, of honest negotiation. On the other hand, the Queen was +sincere; Burghley and Hatton and Cobham were sincere; Croft was sincere, +so far as Spain was concerned. At least they had been sincere. In the +private and doleful dialogues between Bodman and Grafigni which we have +just been overhearing, these intriguers spoke the truth, for they could +have no wish to deceive each other, and no fear of eaves-droppers not to +be born till centuries afterwards. These conversations have revealed to +us that the Lord Treasurer and three of his colleagues had been secretly +doing their best to cripple Leicester, to stop the supplies for the +Netherlands, and to patch up a hurried and unsatisfactory, if not a +disgraceful peace; and this, with the concurrence of her Majesty. After +their plots had been discovered by the vigilant Secretary of State, there +was a disposition to discredit the humbler instruments in the cabal. +Elizabeth was not desirous of peace. Far from it. She was qualmish at the +very suggestion. Dire was her wrath against Bodman, De Loo, Graafigni, +and the rest, at their misrepresentations on the subject. But she would +"lend her ear." And that royal ear was lent, and almost fatal was the +distillment poured into its porches. The pith and marrow of the great +Netherland enterprise was sapped by the slow poison of the ill-timed +negotiation. The fruit of Drake's splendid triumphs in America was +blighted by it. The stout heart of the vainglorious but courageous +Leicester was sickened by it, while, meantime, the maturing of the great +armada-scheme, by which the destruction of England was to be +accomplished, was furthered, through the unlimited procrastination so +precious to the heart of Philip. + +Fortunately the subtle Walsingham was there upon the watch to administer +the remedy before it was quite too late; and to him England and the +Netherlands were under lasting obligations. While Alexander and Philip +suspected a purpose on the part of the English government to deceive +them, they could not help observing that the Earl of Leicester was both +deserted and deceived. Yet it had been impossible for the peace-party in +the government wholly to conceal their designs, when such prating fellows +as Grafigni and De Loo were employed in what was intended to be a secret +negotiation. In vain did the friends of Leicester in the Netherlands +endeavour to account for the neglect with which he was treated, and for +the destitution of his army. Hopelessly did they attempt to counteract +those "advertisements of most fearful instance," as Richard Cavendish +expressed himself, which were circulating everywhere. + +Thanks to the babbling of the very men, whose chief instructions had been +to hold their tongues, and to listen with all their ears, the secret +negotiations between Parma and the English counsellors became the +town-talk at Antwerp, the Hague, Amsterdam, Brussels, London. It is true +that it was impossible to know what was actually said and done; but that +there was something doing concerning which Leicester was not to be +informed was certain. Grafigni, during one of his visits to the obedient +provinces, brought a brace of greyhounds and a couple of horses from +England, as a present to Alexander, and he perpetually went about, +bragging to every one of important negotiations which he was conducting, +and of his intimacy with great personages in both countries. Leicester, +on the other hand, was kept in the dark. To him Grafigni made no +communications, but he once sent him a dish of plums, "which," said the +Earl, with superfluous energy, "I will boldly say to you, by the living +God, is all that I have ever had since I came into these countries." When +it is remembered that Leicester had spent many thousand pounds in the +Netherland cause, that he had deeply mortgaged his property in order to +provide more funds, that he had never received a penny of salary from the +Queen, that his soldiers were "ragged and torn like rogues-pity to see +them," and were left without the means of supporting life; that he had +been neglected, deceived, humiliated, until he was forced to describe +himself as a "forlorn man set upon a forlorn hope," it must be conceded +that Grafigni's present of a dish of plums could hardly be sufficient to +make him very happy. + +From time to time he was enlightened by Sir Francis, who occasionally +forced his adversaries' hands, and who always faithfully informed the +Earl of everything he could discover. "We are so greedy of a peace, in +respect of the charges of the wars," he wrote in April, "as in the +procuring thereof we weigh neither honour nor safety. Somewhat here is +a dealing underhand, wherein there is great care taken that I should not +be made acquainted withal." But with all their great care, the +conspirators, as it has been seen, were sometimes outwitted by the +Secretary, and, when put to the blush, were forced to take him into +half-confidence. "Your Lordship may see," he wrote, after getting +possession of Parma's letter to the Queen, and unravelling Croft's +intrigues, "what effects are wrought by such weak ministers. They that +have been the employers of them are ashamed of the matter." + +Unutterable was the amazement, as we have seen, of Bodman and Grafigni +when they had suddenly found themselves confronted in Burghley's private +apartments in Greenwich Palace, whither they had been conducted so +mysteriously after dark from the secret pavilion--by the grave Secretary +of State, whom they had been so anxious to deceive; and great was the +embarrassment of Croft and Cobham, and even of the imperturbable +Burghley. + +And thus patiently did Walsingham pick his course, plummet in hand, +through the mists and along the quicksands, and faithfully did he hold +out signals to his comrade embarked on the same dangerous voyage. As for +the Earl himself, he was shocked at the short-sighted policy of his +mistress, mortified by the neglect to which he was exposed, disappointed +in his ambitious schemes. Vehemently and judiciously he insisted upon the +necessity of vigorous field operations throughout the spring and summer +thus frittered away in frivolous negotiations. He was for peace, if a +lasting and honourable peace could be procured; but he insisted that the +only road to such a result was through a "good sharp war." His troops were +mutinous for want of pay, so that he had been obliged to have a few of +them executed, although he protested that he would rather have "gone a +thousand miles a-foot" than have done so; and he was crippled by his +government at exactly the time when his great adversary's condition was +most forlorn. Was it strange that the proud Earl should be fretting his +heart away when such golden chances were eluding his grasp? He would +"creep upon the ground," he said, as far as his hands and knees would +carry him, to have a good peace for her Majesty, but his care was to have +a peace indeed, and not a show of it. It was the cue of Holland and +England to fight before they could expect to deal upon favourable terms +with their enemy. He was quick enough to see that his false colleagues at +home were playing into the enemy's hands. Victory was what was wanted; +victory the Earl pledged himself, if properly seconded, to obtain; and, +braggart though he was, it is by no means impossible that he might have +redeemed his pledge. "If her Majesty will use her advantage," he said, +"she shall bring the King, and especially this Prince of Parma, to seek +peace in other sort than by way of merchants." Of courage and confidence +the governor had no lack. Whether he was capable of outgeneralling +Alexander Farnese or no, will be better seen, perhaps, in subsequent +chapters; but there is no doubt that he was reasonable enough in +thinking, at that juncture, that a hard campaign rather than a +"merchant's brokerage" was required to obtain an honourable peace. Lofty, +indeed, was the scorn of the aristocratic Leicester that "merchants and +pedlars should be paltering in so weighty a cause," and daring to send +him a dish of plums when he was hoping half a dozen regiments from the +Queen; and a sorry business, in truth, the pedlars had made of it. + +Never had there been a more delusive diplomacy, and it was natural that +the lieutenant-general abroad and the statesman at home should be sad and +indignant, seeing England drifting to utter shipwreck while pursuing that +phantom of a pacific haven. Had Walsingham and himself tampered with the +enemy, as some counsellors he could name had done, Leicester asserted +that the gallows would be thought too good for them; and yet he hoped he +might be hanged if the whole Spanish faction in England could procure for +the Queen a peace fit for her to accept. + +Certainly it was quite impossible for the Spanish-faction to bring about +a peace. No human power could bring it about. Even if England had been +willing and able to surrender Holland, bound hand and foot, to Philip, +even then she could only have obtained a hollow armistice. Philip had +sworn in his inmost soul the conquest of England and the dethronement of +Elizabeth. His heart was fixed. It was only by the subjugation of England +that he hoped to recover the Netherlands. England was to be his +stepping-stone to Holland. The invasion was slowly but steadily maturing, +and nothing could have diverted the King from his great purpose. In the +very midst of all these plots and counterplots, Bodmans and Grafignis, +English geldings and Irish greyhounds, dishes of plums and autograph +letters of her Majesty and his Highness, the Prince was deliberately +discussing all the details of the invasion, which, as it was then hoped, +would be ready by the autumn of the year 1586. Although he had sent a +special agent to Philip, who was to state by word of mouth that which it +was deemed unsafe to write, yet Alexander, perpetually urged by his +master, went at last more fully into particulars than he had ever +ventured to do before; and this too at the very moment when Elizabeth was +most seriously "lending her ear" to negotiation, and most vehemently +expressing her wrath at Sir Thomas Heneage for dealing candidly with the +States-General. + +The Prince observed that when, two or three years before, he had sent his +master an account of the coasts, anchoring-places, and harbours of +England, he had then expressed the opinion that the conquest of England +was an enterprise worthy of the grandeur and Christianity of his Majesty, +and not so difficult as to be considered altogether impossible. To make +himself absolutely master of the business, however, he had then thought +that the King should have no associates in the scheme, and should make no +account of the inhabitants of England. Since that time the project had +become more difficult of accomplishment, because it was now a stale and +common topic of conversation everywhere--in Italy, Germany, and +France--so that there could be little doubt that rumours on the subject +were daily reaching the ears of Queen Elizabeth and of every one in her +kingdom. Hence she had made a strict alliance with Sweden, Denmark, the +Protestant princes of Germany, and even with the Turks and the French. +Nevertheless, in spite of these obstacles, the King, placing his royal +hand to the work, might well accomplish the task; for the favour of the +Lord, whose cause it was, would be sure to give him success. + +Being so Christian and Catholic a king, Philip naturally desired to +extend the area of the holy church, and to come to the relief of so many +poor innocent martyrs in England, crying aloud before the Lord for help. +Moreover Elizabeth had fomented rebellion in the King's Provinces for a +long time secretly, and now, since the fall of Antwerp, and just as +Holland and Zeeland were falling into his grasp, openly. + +Thus, in secret and in public, she had done the very worst she could do; +and it was very clear that the Lord, for her sins; had deprived her of +understanding, in order that his Majesty might be the instrument of that +chastisement which she so fully deserved. A monarch of such great +prudence, valour, and talent as Philip, could now give all the world to +understand that those who dared to lose a just and decorous respect for +him, as this good lady had done, would receive such chastisement as royal +power guided by prudent counsel could inflict. Parma assured his +sovereign, that, if the conquest of England were effected, that of the +Netherlands would be finished with much facility and brevity; but that +otherwise, on account of the situation, strength and obstinacy of those +people, it would be a very long, perilous, and at best doubtful business. + +"Three points," he said, "were most vital to the invasion of +England--secrecy, maintenance of the civil war in France, and judicious +arrangement of matters in the Provinces." + +The French, if unoccupied at home, would be sure to make the enterprise +so dangerous as to become almost impossible; for it might be laid down as +a general maxim that that nation, jealous of Philip's power, had always +done and would always do what it could to counteract his purposes. + +With regard to the Netherlands, it would be desirable to leave a good +number of troops in those countries--at least as many as were then +stationed there--besides the garrisons, and also to hold many German and +Swiss mercenaries in "wartgeld." It would be further desirable that +Alexander should take most of the personages of quality and sufficiency +in the Provinces over with him to England, in order that they should not +make mischief in his absence. + +With regard to the point of secrecy, that was, in Parma's opinion, the +most important of all. All leagues must become more or less public, +particularly those contrived at or with Rome. Such being the case, the +Queen of England would be well aware of the Spanish projects, and, +besides her militia at home, would levy German infantry and cavalry, and +provide plenty of vessels, relying therein upon Holland and Zeeland, +where ships and sailors were in such abundance. Moreover, the English and +the Netherlanders knew the coasts, currents, tides, shallows, quicksands, +ports, better than did the pilots of any fleets that the King could send +thither. Thus, having his back assured, the enemy would meet them in +front at a disadvantage. Although, notwithstanding this inequality, the +enemy would be beaten, yet if the engagement should be warm, the +Spaniards would receive an amount of damage which could not fail to be +inconvenient, particularly as they would be obliged to land their troops, +and to give battle to those who would be watching their landing. Moreover +the English would be provided with cavalry, of which his Majesty's forces +would have very little, on account of the difficulty of its embarkation. + +The obedient Netherlands would be the proper place in which to organize +the whole expedition. There the regiments could be filled up, provisions +collected, the best way of effecting the passage ascertained, and the +force largely increased without exciting suspicion; but with regard to +the fleet, there were no ports there capacious enough for large vessels. +Antwerp had ceased to be a seaport; but a large number of flat-bottomed +barges, hoys, and other barks, more suitable for transporting soldiers, +could be assembled in Dunkirk, Gravelines, and Newport, which, with some +five-and-twenty larger vessels, would be sufficient to accompany the +fleet. + +The Queen, knowing that there were no large ships, nor ports to hold them +in the obedient Provinces, would be unauspicious, if no greater levies +seemed to be making than the exigencies of the Netherlands might +apparently require. + +The flat-bottomed boats, drawing two or three feet of water, would be +more appropriate than ships of war drawing twenty feet. The passage +across, in favourable weather, might occupy from eight to twelve hours. + +The number of troops for the invading force should be thirty thousand +infantry, besides five hundred light troopers, with saddles, bridles, and +lances, but without horses, because, in Alexander's opinion, it would be +easier to mount them in England. Of these thirty thousand there should be +six thousand Spaniards, six thousand Italians, six thousand Walloons, +nine thousand Germans, and three thousand Burgundians. + +Much money would be required; at least three hundred thousand dollars the +month for the new force, besides the regular one hundred and fifty +thousand for the ordinary provision in the Netherlands; and this ordinary +provision would be more necessary than ever, because a mutiny breaking +forth in the time of the invasion would be destruction to the Spaniards +both in England and in the Provinces. + +The most appropriate part of the coast for a landing would, in +Alexander's opinion, be between Dover and Margate, because the Spaniards, +having no footing in Holland and Zeeland, were obliged to make their +starting-point in Flanders. The country about Dover was described by +Parma as populous, well-wooded, and much divided by hedges; advantageous +for infantry, and not requiring a larger amount of cavalry than the small +force at his disposal, while the people there were domestic in their +habits, rich, and therefore less warlike, less trained to arms, and more +engrossed by their occupations and their comfortable ways of life. +Therefore, although some encounters would take place, yet after the +commanders of the invading troops had given distinct and clear orders, it +would be necessary to leave the rest in the "hands of God who governs +all things, and from whose bounty and mercy it was to be hoped that He +would favour a cause so eminently holy, just, and His own." + +It would be necessary to make immediately for London, which city, not +being fortified, would be very easily taken. This point gained, the whole +framework of the business might be considered as well put together. If +the Queen should fly--as, being a woman, she probably would +do--everything would be left in such confusion, as, with the blessing of +God, it might soon be considered that the holy and heroic work had been +accomplished: Her Majesty, it was suggested, would probably make her +escape in a boat before she could be captured; but the conquest would be +nevertheless effected. Although, doubtless, some English troops might be +got together to return and try their fortune, yet it would be quite +useless; for the invaders would have already planted themselves upon the +soil, and then, by means of frequent excursions and forays hither and +thither about the island, all other places of importance would be gained, +and the prosperous and fortunate termination of the adventure assured. + +As, however, everything was to be provided for, so, in case the secret +could not be preserved, it would be necessary for Philip, under pretext +of defending himself against the English and French corsairs, to send a +large armada to sea, as doubtless the Queen would take the same measure. +If the King should prefer, however, notwithstanding Alexander's advice to +the contrary, to have confederates in the enterprise,--then, the matter +being public, it would be necessary to prepare a larger and stronger +fleet than any which Elizabeth, with the assistance of her French and +Netherland allies, could oppose to him. That fleet should be well +provided with vast stores of provisions, sufficient to enable the +invading force, independently of forage, to occupy three or four places +in England at once, as the enemy would be able to come from various towns +and strong places to attack them. + +As for the proper season for the expedition, it would be advisable to +select the month of October of the current year, because the English +barns would then be full of wheat and other forage, and the earth would +have been sown for the next year--points of such extreme importance, that +if the plan could not be executed at that time, it would be as well to +defer it until the following October. + +The Prince recommended that the negotiations with the League should be +kept spinning, without allowing them to come to a definite conclusion; +because there would be no lack of difficulties perpetually offering +themselves, and the more intricate and involved the policy of France, the +better it would be for the interests of Spain. Alexander expressed the +utmost confidence that his Majesty, with his powerful arm, would overcome +all obstacles in the path of his great project, and would show the world +that he "could do a little more than what was possible." He also assured +his master, in adding in this most extravagant language, of his personal +devotion, that it was unnecessary for him to offer his services in this +particular enterprise, because, ever since his birth, he had dedicated +and consecrated himself to execute his royal commands. + +He further advised that old Peter Ernest Mansfeld should be left +commander-in-chief of the forces in the Netherlands during his own +absence in England. "Mansfeld was an honourable cavalier," he said, "and +a faithful servant of the King;" and although somewhat ill-conditioned at +times, yet he had essential good qualities, and was the only general fit +to be trusted alone. + +The reader, having thus been permitted to read the inmost thoughts of +Philip and Alexander, and to study their secret plans for conquering +England in October, while their frivolous yet mischievous negotiations +with the Queen had been going on from April to June, will be better able +than before to judge whether Leicester were right or no in doubting if a +good peace could be obtained by a "merchant's brokerage." + +And now, after examining these pictures of inter-aulic politics and +back-stairs diplomacy, which represent so large and characteristic a +phasis of European history during the year 1586, we must throw a glance +at the external, more stirring, but not more significant public events +which were taking place during the same period. + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + + Could do a little more than what was possible + Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute + He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting + Mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity + Nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in on + They were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion + We mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh + + ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +1584-86 + + A hard bargain when both parties are losers + Able men should be by design and of purpose suppressed + Anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form + College of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all + Condemned first and inquired upon after + Could do a little more than what was possible + Courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart + Demanding peace and bread at any price + Diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to deceive + Dismay of our friends and the gratification of our enemies + Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping + Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute + Enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists + Find our destruction in our immoderate desire for peace + German-Lutheran sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom + He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting + He did his work, but he had not his reward + Her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally exposed (Eliz.) + Hibernian mode of expressing himself + His inordinate arrogance + His insolence intolerable + Holland was afraid to give a part, although offering the whole + Honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors + Humility which was but the cloak to his pride + Intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions + Intolerable tendency to puns + Longer they delay it, the less easy will they find it + Lord was better pleased with adverbs than nouns + Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf will eat you + Matter that men may rather pray for than hope for + Military virtue in the support of an infamous cause + Mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity + Necessity of kingship + Neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own + New Years Day in England, 11th January by the New Style + Nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in on + Nor is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence + Not a friend of giving details larger than my ascertained facts + Not of the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch + Not distinguished for their docility + Oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts + Others that do nothing, do all, and have all the thanks + Pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law + Peace and quietness is brought into a most dangerous estate + Peace-at-any-price party + Possible to do, only because we see that it has been done + Repentance, as usual, had come many hours too late + Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" + Resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance + Round game of deception, in which nobody was deceived + Seeking protection for and against the people + Seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous + Shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen + Soldiers enough to animate the good and terrify the bad + String of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza + The very word toleration was to sound like an insult + The busy devil of petty economy + There was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm + They were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion + Thought that all was too little for him + Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London + Tis pity he is not an Englishman + To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature + Tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health + Twas pity, he said, that both should be heretics + Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency + Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case + Wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening the knife for himself + We must all die once + We mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh + Weary of place without power + When persons of merit suffer without cause + With something of feline and feminine duplicity + Wrath of bigots on both sides + Write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the United Netherlands, +1584-1686, Vol. I. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c749e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #4847 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4847) diff --git a/old/jm47v10.txt b/old/jm47v10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fd99ab --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jm47v10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17618 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook History of United Netherlands, 1584-86, Entire +#47 in our series by John Lothrop Motley + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers***** + + +Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1584-86, Entire + +Author: John Lothrop Motley + +Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4847] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 2, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1584-86 *** + + + +This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + + + +[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the +file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an +entire meal of them. D.W.] + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Volume 47 + +History United Netherlands, 1584-1586, Complete + + + +PREFACE. + +The indulgence with which the History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic +was received has encouraged me to prosecute my task with renewed +industry. + +A single word seems necessary to explain the somewhat increased +proportions which the present work has assumed over the original design. +The intimate connection which was formed between the Kingdom of England +and the Republic of Holland, immediately after the death of William the +Silent, rendered the history and the fate of the two commonwealths for a +season almost identical. The years of anxiety and suspense during which +the great Spanish project for subjugating England and reconquering the +Netherlands, by the same invasion, was slowly matured, were of deepest +import for the future destiny of those two countries, and for the cause +of national liberty. The deep-laid conspiracy of Spain and Rome against +human rights deserves to be patiently examined, for it is one of the +great lessons of history. The crisis was long and doubtful, and the +health--perhaps the existence--of England and Holland, and, with them, of +a great part of Christendom, was on the issue. + +History has few so fruitful examples of the dangers which come from +superstition and despotism, and the blessings which flow from the +maintenance of religious and political freedom, as those afforded by the +struggle between England and Holland on the one side, and Spain and Rome +on the other, during the epoch which I have attempted to describe. It is +for this reason that I have thought it necessary to reveal, as minutely +as possible, the secret details of this conspiracy of king and priest +against the people, and to show how it was baffled at last by the strong +self-helping energy of two free nations combined. + +The period occupied by these two volumes is therefore a short one, when +counted by years, for it begins in 1584 and ends with the commencement of +1590. When estimated by the significance of events and their results for +future ages, it will perhaps be deemed worthy of the close examination +which it has received. With the year 1588 the crisis was past; England +was safe, and the new Dutch commonwealth was thoroughly organized. It is +my design, in two additional volumes, which, with the two now published, +will complete the present work, to carry the history of the Republic down +to the Synod of Dort. After this epoch the Thirty Years' War broke out +in Germany; and it is my wish, at a future day, to retrace the history of +that eventful struggle, and to combine with it the civil and military +events in Holland, down to the epoch when the Thirty Years' War and the +Eighty Years' War of the Netherlands were both brought to a close by the +Peace of Westphalia. + +The materials for the volumes now offered to the public were so abundant +that it was almost impossible to condense them into smaller compass +without doing injustice to the subject. It was desirable to throw full +light on these prominent points of the history, while the law of +historical perspective will allow long stretches of shadow in the +succeeding portions, in which less important objects may be more slightly +indicated. That I may not be thought capable of abusing the reader's +confidence by inventing conversations, speeches, or letters, I would take +this opportunity of stating--although I have repeated the remark in the +foot-notes--that no personage in these pages is made to write or speak +any words save those which, on the best historical evidence, he is known +to have written or spoken. + +A brief allusion to my sources of information will not seem superfluous: +I have carefully studied all the leading contemporary chronicles and +pamphlets of Holland, Flanders, Spain, France, Germany, and England; but, +as the authorities are always indicated in the notes, it is unnecessary +to give a list of them here. But by far my most valuable materials are +entirely unpublished ones. + +The archives of England are especially rich for the history of the +sixteenth century; and it will be seen, in the course of the narrative, +how largely I have drawn from those mines of historical wealth, the State +Paper Office and the MS. department of the British Museum. Although both +these great national depositories are in admirable order, it is to be +regretted that they are not all embraced in one collection, as much +trouble might then be spared to the historical student, who is now +obliged to pass frequently from the one place to the other, in order to, +find different portions of the same correspondence. + +From the royal archives of Holland I have obtained many most important, +entirely unpublished documents, by the aid of which I have endeavoured to +verify, to illustrate, or sometimes to correct, the recitals of the elder +national chroniclers; and I have derived the greatest profit from the +invaluable series of Archives and Correspondence of the Orange-Nassau +Family, given to the world by M. Groen van Prinsterer. I desire to renew +to that distinguished gentleman, and to that eminent scholar M. Bakhuyzen +van den Brink, the expression of my gratitude for their constant kindness +and advice during my residence at the Hague. Nothing can exceed the +courtesy which has been extended to me in Holland, and I am deeply +grateful for the indulgence with which my efforts to illustrate the +history of the country have been received where that history is best +known. + +I have also been much aided by the study of a portion of the Archives of +Simancas, the originals of which are in the Archives de l'Empire in +Paris, and which were most liberally laid before me through the kindness +of M. le Comte de La Borde. + +I have, further; enjoyed an inestimable advantage in the perusal of the +whole correspondence between Philip II., his ministers, and governors, +relating to the affairs of the Netherlands, from the epoch at which this +work commences down to that monarch's death. Copies of this +correspondence have been carefully made from the originals at Simancas by +order of the Belgian Government, under the superintendence of the eminent +archivist M. Gachard, who has already published a synopsis or abridgment +of a portion of it in a French translation. The translation and +abridgment of so large a mass of papers, however, must necessarily occupy +many years, and it may be long, therefore, before the whole of the +correspondence--and particularly that portion of it relating to the epoch +occupied by these volumes sees the light. It was, therefore, of the +greatest importance for me to see the documents themselves unabridged and +untranslated. This privilege has been accorded me, and I desire to +express my thanks to his Excellency M. van de Weyer, the distinguished +representative of Belgium at the English Court, to whose friendly offices +I am mainly indebted for the satisfaction of my wishes in this respect. +A letter from him to his Excellency M. Rogier, Minister of the Interior +in Belgium--who likewise took the most courteous interest in promoting my +views--obtained for me the permission thoroughly to study this +correspondence; and I passed several months in Brussels, occupied with +reading the whole of it from the year 1584 to the end of the reign of +Philip II. + +I was thus saved a long visit to the Archives of Simancas, for it would +be impossible conscientiously to write the history of the epoch without a +thorough examination of the correspondence of the King and his ministers. +I venture to hope, therefore--whatever judgment may be passed upon my own +labours--that this work may be thought to possess an intrinsic value; for +the various materials of which it is composed are original, and--so far +as I am aware--have not been made use of by any historical writer. + +I would take this opportunity to repeat my thanks to M. Gachard, +Archivist of the kingdom of Belgium, for the uniform courtesy and +kindness which I have received at his-hands, and to bear my testimony to +the skill and critical accuracy with which he has illustrated so many +passages of Belgian and Spanish history. + +31, HERTFORD-STREET, MAY-FAIR, +November llth 1860. + + + + +THE UNITED NETHERLANDS. + +CHAPTER I. + + Murder of Orange--Extension of Protestantism--Vast Power of Spain-- + Religious Origin of the Revolt--Disposal of the Sovereignty--Courage + of the Estates of Holland--Children of William the Silent-- + Provisional Council of State--Firm attitude of Holland and Zeeland-- + Weakness of Flanders--Fall of Ghent--Adroitness of Alexander + Farnese. + +WILLIAM THE SILENT, Prince of Orange, had been murdered on the 10th of +July, 1534. It is difficult to imagine a more universal disaster than +the one thus brought about by the hand of a single obscure fanatic. For +nearly twenty years the character of the Prince had been expanding +steadily as the difficulties of his situation increased. Habit, +necessity, and the natural gifts of the man, had combined to invest him +at last with an authority which seemed more than human. There was such +general confidence in his sagacity, courage, and purity, that the nation +had come to think with his brain and to act with his hand. It was +natural that, for an instant, there should be a feeling as of absolute +and helpless paralysis. + +Whatever his technical attributes in the polity of the Netherlands--and +it would be difficult to define them with perfect accuracy--there is no +doubt that he stood there, the head of a commonwealth, in an attitude +such as had been maintained by but few of the kings, or chiefs, or high +priests of history. Assassination, a regular and almost indispensable +portion of the working machinery of Philip's government, had produced, in +this instance, after repeated disappointments, the result at last which +had been so anxiously desired. The ban of the Pope and the offered gold +of the King had accomplished a victory greater than any yet achieved by +the armies of Spain, brilliant as had been their triumphs on the blood- +stained soil of the Netherlands. + +Had that "exceeding proud, neat, and spruce" Doctor of Laws, William +Parry, who had been busying himself at about the same time with his +memorable project against the Queen of England, proved as successful as +Balthazar Gerard, the fate of Christendom would have been still darker. +Fortunately, that member of Parliament had made the discovery in time-- +not for himself, but for Elizabeth--that the "Lord was better pleased +with adverbs than nouns;" the well-known result being that the traitor +was hanged and the Sovereign saved. + +Yet such was the condition of Europe at that day. A small, dull, +elderly, imperfectly-educated, patient, plodding invalid, with white hair +and protruding under jaw, and dreary visage, was sitting day after day; +seldom speaking, never smiling, seven or eight hours out of every twenty- +four, at a writing table covered with heaps of interminable despatches, +in a cabinet far away beyond the seas and mountains, in the very heart of +Spain. A clerk or two, noiselessly opening and shutting the door, from +time to time, fetching fresh bundles of letters and taking away others-- +all written and composed by secretaries or high functionaries--and all +to be scrawled over in the margin by the diligent old man in a big +schoolboy's hand and style--if ever schoolboy, even in the sixteenth +century, could write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly; +couriers in the court-yard arriving from or departing for the uttermost +parts of earth-Asia, Africa America, Europe-to fetch and carry these +interminable epistles which contained the irresponsible commands of this +one individual, and were freighted with the doom and destiny of countless +millions of the world's inhabitants--such was the system of government +against which the Netherlands had protested and revolted. It was a +system under which their fields had been made desolate, their cities +burned and pillaged, their men hanged, burned, drowned, or hacked to +pieces; their women subjected to every outrage; and to put an end to +which they had been devoting their treasure and their blood for nearly +the length of one generation. It was a system, too, which, among other +results, had just brought about the death of the foremost statesman of +Europe, and had nearly effected simultaneously the murder of the most +eminent sovereign in the world. The industrious Philip, safe and +tranquil in the depths of the Escorial, saying his prayers three times +a day with exemplary regularity, had just sent three bullets through the +body of William the Silent at his dining-room door in Delft. "Had it +only been done two years earlier," observed the patient old man, "much +trouble might have been spared me; but 'tis better late than never." Sir +Edward Stafford, English envoy in Paris, wrote to his government--so soon +as the news of the murder reached him--that, according to his information +out of the Spanish minister's own house, "the same practice that had been +executed upon the Prince of Orange, there were practisers more than two +or three about to execute upon her Majesty, and that within two months." +Without vouching for the absolute accuracy of this intelligence, he +implored the Queen to be more upon her guard than ever. "For there is no +doubt," said the envoy, "that she is a chief mark to shoot at; and seeing +that there were men cunning enough to inchant a man and to encourage him +to kill the Prince of Orange, in the midst of Holland, and that there was +a knave found desperate enough to do it, we must think hereafter that +anything may be done. Therefore God preserve her Majesty." + +Invisible as the Grand Lama of Thibet, clothed with power as extensive +and absolute as had ever been wielded by the most imperial Caesar, Philip +the Prudent, as he grew older and feebler in mind and body seemed to +become more gluttonous of work, more ambitious to extend his sceptre over +lands which he had never seen or dreamed of seeing, more fixed in his +determination to annihilate that monster Protestantism, which it had been +the business of his life to combat, more eager to put to death every +human creature, whether anointed monarch or humble artizan, that defended +heresy or opposed his progress to universal empire. + +If this enormous power, this fabulous labour, had, been wielded or +performed with a beneficent intention; if the man who seriously regarded +himself as the owner of a third of the globe, with the inhabitants +thereof, had attempted to deal with these extensive estates inherited +from his ancestors with the honest intention of a thrifty landlord, an +intelligent slave-owner, it would have yet been possible for a little +longer to smile at the delusion, and endure the practice. + +But there was another old man, who lived in another palace in another +remote land, who, in his capacity of representative of Saint Peter, +claimed to dispose of all the kingdoms of the earth--and had been willing +to bestow them upon the man who would go down and worship him. Philip +stood enfeoffed, by divine decree, of all America, the East Indies, the +whole Spanish Peninsula, the better portion of Italy, the seventeen +Netherlands, and many other possessions far and near; and he contemplated +annexing to this extensive property the kingdoms of France, of England, +and Ireland. The Holy League, maintained by the sword of Guise, the +pope's ban, Spanish ducats, Italian condottieri, and German mercenaries, +was to exterminate heresy and establish the Spanish dominion in France. +The same machinery, aided by the pistol or poniard of the assassin, was +to substitute for English protestantism and England's queen the Roman +Catholic religion and a foreign sovereign. "The holy league," said +Duplessis-Mornay, one of the noblest characters of the age, "has destined +us all to the name sacrifice. The ambition of the Spaniard, which has +overleaped so many lands and seas, thinks nothing inaccessible." + +The Netherland revolt had therefore assumed world-wide proportions. +Had it been merely the rebellion of provinces against a sovereign, the +importance of the struggle would have been more local and temporary. But +the period was one in which the geographical land-marks of countries were +almost removed. The dividing-line ran through every state, city, and +almost every family. There was a country which believed in the absolute +power of the church to dictate the relations between man and his Maker, +and to utterly exterminate all who disputed that position. There was +another country which protested against that doctrine, and claimed, +theoretically or practically, a liberty of conscience. The territory of +these countries was mapped out by no visible lines, but the inhabitants +of each, whether resident in France, Germany, England, or Flanders, +recognised a relationship which took its root in deeper differences than +those of race or language. It was not entirely a question of doctrine or +dogma. A large portion of the world had become tired of the antiquated +delusion of a papal supremacy over every land, and had recorded its +determination, once for all, to have done with it. The transition to +freedom of conscience became a necessary step, sooner or later to be +taken. To establish the principle of toleration for all religions was +an inevitable consequence of the Dutch revolt; although thus far, perhaps +only one conspicuous man in advance of his age had boldly announced that +doctrine and had died in its defence. But a great true thought never +dies--though long buried in the earth--and the day was to come, after +long years, when the seed was to ripen into a harvest of civil and +religious emancipation, and when the very word toleration was to sound +like an insult and an absurdity. + +A vast responsibility rested upon the head of a monarch, placed as Philip +II. found himself, at this great dividing point in modern history. To +judge him, or any man in such a position, simply from his own point of +view, is weak and illogical. History judges the man according to its +point of view. It condemns or applauds the point of view itself. The +point of view of a malefactor is not to excuse robbery and murder. Nor +is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence of the evil-doer at a +time when mortals were divided into almost equal troops. The age of +Philip II. was also the age of William of Orange and his four brethren, +of Sainte Aldegonde, of Olden-Barneveldt, of Duplessis-Mornay, La Noue, +Coligny, of Luther, Melancthon, and Calvin, Walsingham, Sidney, Raleigh, +Queen Elizabeth, of Michael Montaigne, and William Shakspeare. It was +not an age of blindness, but of glorious light. If the man whom the +Maker of the Universe had permitted to be born to such boundless +functions, chose to put out his own eyes that he might grope along his +great pathway of duty in perpetual darkness, by his deeds he must be +judged. The King perhaps firmly believed that the heretics of the +Netherlands, of France, or of England, could escape eternal perdition +only by being extirpated from the earth by fire and sword, and therefore; +perhaps, felt it his duty to devote his life to their extermination. +But he believed, still more firmly, that his own political authority, +throughout his dominions, and his road to almost universal empire, lay +over the bodies of those heretics. Three centuries have nearly past +since this memorable epoch; and the world knows the fate of the states +which accepted the dogma which it was Philip's life-work to enforce, and +of those who protested against the system. The Spanish and Italian +Peninsulas have had a different history from that which records the +career of France, Prussia, the Dutch Commonwealth, the British Empire, +the Transatlantic Republic. + +Yet the contest between those Seven meagre Provinces upon the sand-banks +of the North Sea, and--the great Spanish Empire, seemed at the moment +with which we are now occupied a sufficiently desperate one. Throw a +glance upon the map of Europe. Look at the broad magnificent Spanish +Peninsula, stretching across eight degrees of latitude and ten of +longitude, commanding the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with a genial +climate, warmed in winter by the vast furnace of Africa, and protected +from the scorching heats of summer by shady mountain and forest, and +temperate breezes from either ocean. A generous southern territory, +flowing with wine and oil, and all the richest gifts of a bountiful +nature-splendid cities--the new and daily expanding Madrid, rich in the +trophies of the most artistic period of the modern world--Cadiz, as +populous at that day as London, seated by the straits where the ancient +and modern systems of traffic were blending like the mingling of the two +oceans--Granada, the ancient wealthy seat of the fallen Moors--Toledo, +Valladolid, and Lisbon, chief city of the recently-conquered kingdom of +Portugal, counting, with its suburbs, a larger population than any city, +excepting Paris, in Europe, the mother of distant colonies, and the +capital of the rapidly-developing traffic with both the Indies--these +were some of the treasures of Spain herself. But she possessed Sicily +also, the better portion of Italy, and important dependencies in Africa, +while the famous maritime discoveries of the age had all enured to her +aggrandizement. The world seemed suddenly to have expanded its wings +from East to West, only to bear the fortunate Spanish Empire to the most +dizzy heights of wealth and power. The most accomplished generals, the +most disciplined and daring infantry the world has ever known, the best- +equipped and most extensive navy, royal and mercantile, of the age, were +at the absolute command of the sovereign. Such was Spain. + +Turn now to the north-western corner of Europe. A morsel of territory, +attached by a slight sand-hook to the continent, and half-submerged by +the stormy waters of the German Ocean--this was Holland. A rude climate, +with long, dark, rigorous, winters, and brief summers, a territory, the +mere wash of three great rivers, which had fertilized happier portions of +Europe only to desolate and overwhelm this less-favoured land, a soil so +ungrateful, that if the whole of its four hundred thousand acres of +arable land had been sowed with grain, it could not feed the labourers +alone, and a population largely estimated at one million of souls--these +were the characteristics of the Province which already had begun to give +its name to the new commonwealth. The isles of Zeeland--entangled in the +coils of deep slow-moving rivers, or combating the ocean without--and the +ancient episcopate of Utrecht, formed the only other Provinces that had +quite shaken off the foreign yoke. In Friesland, the important city of +Groningen was still held for the King, while Bois-le-Duc, Zutphen, +besides other places in Gelderland and North Brabant, also in possession +of the royalists, made the position of those provinces precarious. + +The limit of the Spanish or "obedient" Provinces, on the one hand, and of +the United Provinces on the other, cannot, therefore, be briefly and +distinctly stated. The memorable treason--or, as it was called, the +"reconciliation" of the Walloon Provinces in the year 1583-4--had placed +the Provinces of Hainault, Arthois, Douay, with the flourishing cities +Arran, Valenciennes, Lille, Tournay, and others--all Celtic Flanders, in +short-in the grasp of Spain. Cambray was still held by the French +governor, Seigneur de Balagny, who had taken advantage of the Duke of +Anjou's treachery to the States, to establish himself in an unrecognized +but practical petty sovereignty, in defiance both of France and Spain; +while East Flanders and South Brabant still remained a disputed +territory, and the immediate field of contest. With these limitations, +it may be assumed, for general purposes, that the territory of the United +States was that of the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the +obedient Provinces occupied what is now the territory of Belgium. + +Such, then, were the combatants in the great eighty years' war for civil +and religious liberty; sixteen of which had now passed away. On the one +side, one of the most powerful and, populous world-empires of history, +then in the zenith of its prosperity; on the other hand, a slender group +of cities, governed by merchants and artisans, and planted precariously +upon a meagre, unstable soil. A million and a half of souls against the +autocrat of a third part of the known world. The contest seemed as +desperate as the cause was certainly sacred; but it had ceased to be a +local contest. For the history which is to occupy us in these volumes is +not exclusively the history of Holland. It is the story of the great +combat between despotism, sacerdotal and regal, and the spirit of +rational human liberty. The tragedy opened in the Netherlands, and its +main scenes were long enacted there; but as the ambition of Spain +expanded, and as the resistance to the principle which she represented +became more general, other nations were, of necessity, involved in the +struggle. There came to be one country, the citizens of which were the +Leaguers; and another country, whose inhabitants were Protestants. And +in this lay the distinction between freedom and absolutism. The religious +question swallowed all the others. There was never a period in the early +history of the Dutch revolt when the Provinces would not have returned to +their obedience, could they have been assured of enjoying liberty of +conscience or religious peace; nor was there ever a single moment in +Philip II.'s life in which he wavered in his fixed determination never to +listen to such a claim. The quarrel was in its nature irreconcilable and +eternal as the warfare between wrong and right; and the establishment of +a comparative civil liberty in Europe and America was the result of the +religious war of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The struggle +lasted eighty years, but the prize was worth the contest. + +The object of the war between the Netherlands and Spain was not, +therefore, primarily, a rebellion against established authority for the +maintenance of civil rights. To preserve these rights was secondary. +The first cause was religion. The Provinces had been fighting for years +against the Inquisition. Had they not taken arms, the Inquisition would +have been established in the Netherlands, and very probably in England, +and England might have become in its turn a Province of the Spanish +Empire. + +The death of William the Silent produced a sudden change in the political +arrangements of the liberated Netherlands. During the year 1583, the +United Provinces had elected Francis, Duke of Anjou, to be Duke of +Brabant and sovereign of the whole country, under certain constitutional +provisions enumerated in articles of solemn compact. That compact had +been grossly violated. The Duke had made a treacherous attempt to +possess himself of absolute power and to seize several important cities. +He had been signally defeated in Antwerp, and obliged to leave the +country, covered with ignominy. The States had then consulted William of +Orange as to the course to be taken in the emergency. The Prince had +told them that their choice was triple. They might reconcile themselves +with Spain, and abandon the contest for religious liberty which they had +so long been waging; they might reconcile themselves with Anjou, +notwithstanding that he had so utterly forfeited all claims to their +consideration; or they might fight the matter out with Spain single- +handed. The last course was, in his opinion, the most eligible one, and +he was ready to sacrifice his life to its furtherance. It was, however, +indispensable, should that policy be adopted, that much larger supplies +should be voted than had hitherto been raised, and, in general, that a +much more extensive and elevated spirit of patriotism should manifest +itself than had hitherto been displayed. + +It was, on the whole, decided to make a second arrangement with the Duke +of Anjou, Queen Elizabeth warmly urging that course. At the same time, +however, that articles of agreement were drawn up for the installation of +Anjou as sovereign of the United Provinces, the Prince had himself +consented to accept the title of Count of Holland, under an ample +constitutional charter, dictated by his own lips. Neither Anjou nor +Orange lived to be inaugurated into the offices thus bestowed upon them. +The Duke died at Chateau-Thierry on the 10th June, and the Prince was +assassinated a month later at Delft. + +What now was the political position of the United Provinces at this +juncture? The sovereignty which had been held by the Estates, ready to +be conferred respectively upon Anjou and Orange, remained in the hands of +the Estates. There was no opposition to this theory. No more enlarged +view of the social compact had yet been taken. The people, as such, +claimed no sovereignty. Had any champion claimed it for them they would +hardly have understood him. The nation dealt with facts. After abjuring +Philip in 1581--an act which had been accomplished by the Estates--the +same Estates in general assembly had exercised sovereign power, and had +twice disposed of that sovereign power by electing a hereditary ruler. +Their right and their power to do this had been disputed by none, save by +the deposed monarch in Spain. Having the sovereignty to dispose of, it +seemed logical that the Estates might keep it, if so inclined. They did +keep it, but only in trust. While Orange lived, he might often have been +elected sovereign of all the Provinces, could he have been induced to +consent. After his death, the Estates retained, ex necessitate, the +sovereignty; and it will soon be related what they intended to do with +it. One thing is very certain, that neither Orange, while he lived, nor +the Estates, after his death, were actuated in their policy by personal +ambition. It will be seen that the first object of the Estates was to +dispossess themselves of the sovereignty which had again fallen into +their hands. + +What were the Estates? Without, at the present moment, any farther +inquiries into that constitutional system which had been long +consolidating itself, and was destined to exist upon a firmer basis for +centuries longer, it will be sufficient to observe, that the great +characteristic of the Netherland government was the municipality. + +Each Province contained a large number of cities, which were governed by +a board of magistrates, varying in number from twenty to forty. This +college, called the Vroedschap (Assembly of Sages), consisted of the most +notable citizens, and was a self-electing body--a close corporation--the +members being appointed for life, from the citizens at large. Whenever +vacancies occurred from death or loss of citizenship, the college chose +new members--sometimes immediately, sometimes by means of a double or +triple selection of names, the choice of one from among which was offered +to the stadtholder of the province. This functionary was appointed by +the Count, as he was called, whether Duke of Bavaria or of Burgundy, +Emperor, or King. After the abjuration of Philip, the governors were +appointed by the Estates of each Province. + +The Sage-Men chose annually a board of senators, or schepens, whose +functions were mainly judicial; and there were generally two, and +sometimes three, burgomasters, appointed in the same way. This was +the popular branch of the Estates. But, besides this body of +representatives, were the nobles, men of ancient lineage and large +possessions, who had exercised, according to the general feudal law of +Europe, high, low, and intermediate jurisdiction upon their estates, and +had long been recognized as an integral part of the body politic, having +the right to appear, through delegates of their order, in the provincial +and in the general assemblies. + +Regarded as a machine for bringing the most decided political capacities +into the administration of public affairs, and for organising the most +practical opposition to the system of religious tyranny, the Netherland +constitution was a healthy, and, for the age, an enlightened one. The +officeholders, it is obvious, were not greedy for the spoils of office; +for it was, unfortunately, often the case that their necessary expenses +in the service of the state were not defrayed. The people raised +enormous contributions for carrying on the war; but they could not afford +to be extremely generous to their faithful servants. + +Thus constituted was the commonwealth upon the death of William the +Silent. The gloom produced by that event was tragical. Never in human +history was a more poignant and universal sorrow for the death of any +individual. The despair was, for a brief season, absolute; but it was +soon succeeded by more lofty sentiments. It seemed, after they had laid +their hero in the tomb, as though his spirit still hovered above the +nation which he had loved so well, and was inspiring it with a portion of +his own energy and wisdom. + +Even on the very day of the murder, the Estates of Holland, then sitting +at Delft, passed a resolution "to maintain the good cause, with God's +help, to the uttermost, without sparing gold or blood." This decree was +communicated to Admiral de Warmont, to Count Hohenlo, to William Lewis of +Nassau, and to other commanders by land and sea. At the same time, the +sixteen members--for no greater number happened to be present at the +session--addressed letters to their absent colleagues, informing them +of the calamity which had befallen them, summoning them at once to +conference, and urging an immediate convocation of the Estates of all +the Provinces in General Assembly. They also addressed strong letters of +encouragement, mingled with manly condolence, upon the common affliction, +to prominent military and naval commanders and civil functionaries, +begging them to "bear themselves manfully and valiantly, without +faltering in the least on account of the great misfortune which had +occurred, or allowing themselves to be seduced by any one from the union +of the States." Among these sixteen were Van Zuylen, Van Nyvelt, the +Seigneur de Warmont, the Advocate of Holland, Paul Buys, Joost de Menin, +and John van Olden-Barneveldt. A noble example was thus set at once to +their fellow citizens by these their representatives--a manful step taken +forward in the path where Orange had so long been leading. + +The next movement, after the last solemn obsequies had been rendered to +the Prince was to provide for the immediate wants of his family. For the +man who had gone into the revolt with almost royal revenues, left his +estate so embarrassed that his carpets, tapestries, household linen-- +nay, even his silver spoons, and the very clothes of his wardrobe were +disposed of at auction for the benefit of his creditors. He left eleven +children--a son and daughter by the first wife, a son and daughter by +Anna of Saxony, six daughters by Charlotte of Bourbon, and an infant, +Frederic Henry, born six months before his death. The eldest son, Philip +William, had been a captive in Spain for seventeen years, having been +kidnapped from school, in Leyden, in the year 1567. He had already +become so thoroughly Hispaniolized under the masterly treatment of the +King and the Jesuits, that even his face had lost all resemblance to the +type of his heroic family, and had acquired a sinister, gloomy, +forbidding expression, most painful to contemplate. All of good that +he had retained was a reverence for his father's name--a sentiment which +he had manifested to an extravagant extent on a memorable occasion in +Madrid, by throwing out of window, and killing on the spot a Spanish +officer who had dared to mention the great Prince with insult. + +The next son was Maurice, then seventeen years of age, a handsome youth, +with dark blue eyes, well-chiselled features, and full red lips, who had +already manifested a courage and concentration of character beyond his +years. The son of William the Silent, the grandson of Maurice of Saxony, +whom he resembled in visage and character, he was summoned by every drop +of blood in his veins to do life-long battle with the spirit of Spanish +absolutism, and he was already girding himself for his life's work. He +assumed at once for his device a fallen oak, with a young sapling +springing from its root. His motto, "Tandem fit surculus arbor," "the +twig shall yet become a tree"--was to be nobly justified by his career. + +The remaining son, then a six months' child, was also destined to high +fortunes, and to win an enduring name in his country's history. For the +present he remained with his mother, the noble Louisa de Coligny, who had +thus seen, at long intervals, her father and two husbands fall victims to +the Spanish policy; for it is as certain that Philip knew beforehand, and +testified his approbation of, the massacre of St. Bartholomew, as that he +was the murderer of Orange. + +The Estates of Holland implored the widowed Princess to remain in their +territority, settling a liberal allowance upon herself and her child, and +she fixed her residence at Leyden. + +But her position was most melancholy. Married in youth to the Seigneur +de Teligny, a young noble of distinguished qualities, she had soon become +both a widow and an orphan in the dread night of St. Bartholomew. She +had made her own escape to Switzerland; and ten years afterwards she had +united herself in marriage with the Prince of Orange. At the age of +thirty-two, she now found herself desolate and wretched in a foreign +land, where she had never felt thoroughly at home. The widow and +children of William the Silent were almost without the necessaries of +life. "I hardly know," wrote the Princess to her brother-in-law, Count +John, "how the children and I are to maintain ourselves according to the +honour of the house. May God provide for us in his bounty, and certainly +we have much need of it." Accustomed to the more luxurious civilisation +of France, she had been amused rather than annoyed, when, on her first +arrival in Holland for her nuptials, she found herself making the journey +from Rotterdam to Delft in an open cart without springs, instead of the +well-balanced coaches to which she had been used, arriving, as might have +been expected, "much bruised and shaken." Such had become the primitive +simplicity of William the Silent's household. But on his death, in +embarrassed circumstances, it was still more straightened. She had no +cause either to love Leyden, for, after the assassination of her husband, +a brutal preacher, Hakkius by name, had seized that opportunity for +denouncing the French marriage, and the sumptuous christening of the +infant in January, as the deeds which had provoked the wrath of God and +righteous chastisement. To remain there in her widowhood, with that six +months' child, "sole pledge of her dead lord, her consolation and only +pleasure," as she pathetically expressed herself, was sufficiently +painful, and she had been inclined to fix her residence in Flushing, in +the edifice which had belonged to her husband, as Marquis of Vere. She +had been persuaded, however, to remain in Holland, although "complaining, +at first, somewhat of the unkindness of the people." + +A small well-formed woman, with delicate features, exquisite complexion, +and very beautiful dark eyes, that seemed in after-years, as they looked +from beneath her coif, to be dim with unshed tears; with remarkable +powers of mind, angelic sweetness of disposition, a winning manner, and a +gentle voice, Louisa de Coligny became soon dear to the rough Hollanders, +and was ever a disinterested and valuable monitress both to her own child +and to his elder brother Maurice. + +Very soon afterwards the States General established a State Council, +as a provisional executive board, for the term of three months, for the +Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Friesland, and such parts of +Flanders and Brabant as still remained in the Union. At the head of this +body was placed young Maurice, who accepted the responsible position, +after three days' deliberation. The young man had been completing his +education, with a liberal allowance from Holland and Zeeland, at the +University of Leyden; and such had been their tender care for the child +of so many hopes, that the Estates had given particular and solemn +warning, by resolution, to his governor during the previous summer, +on no account to allow him to approach the sea-shore, lest he should be +kidnapped by the Prince of Parma, who had then some war-vessels cruising +on the coast. + +The salary of Maurice was now fixed at thirty thousand florins a year, +while each of the councillors was allowed fifteen hundred annually, out +of which stipend he was to support at least one servant; without making +any claim for travelling or other incidental expenses. + +The Council consisted of three members from Brabant, two from Flanders, +four from Holland, three from Zeeland, two from Utrecht, one from +Mechlin, and three from Friesland--eighteen in all. They were empowered +and enjoined to levy troops by land and sea, and to appoint naval and +military officers; to establish courts of admiralty, to expend the moneys +voted by the States, to maintain the ancient privileges of the country, +and to see that all troops in service of the Provinces made oath of +fidelity to the Union. Diplomatic relations, questions of peace and war, +the treaty-making power, were not entrusted to the Council, without the +knowledge and consent of the States General, which body was to be +convoked twice a year by the State Council. + +Thus the Provinces in the hour of danger and darkness were true to +themselves, and were far from giving way to a despondency which under +the circumstances would not have been unnatural. + +For the waves of bitterness were rolling far and wide around them. A +medal, struck in Holland at this period, represented a dismasted hulk +reeling through the tempest. The motto, "incertum quo fate ferent" (who +knows whither fate is sweeping her?) expressed most vividly the ship +wrecked condition of the country. Alexander of Parma, the most +accomplished general and one of the most adroit statesmen of the age, +was swift to take advantage of the calamity which had now befallen the +rebellious Provinces. Had he been better provided with men and money, +the cause of the States might have seemed hopeless. He addressed many +letters to the States General, to the magistracies of various cities, and +to individuals, affecting to consider that with the death of Orange had +died all authority, as well as all motive for continuing the contest with +Spain. He offered easy terms of reconciliation with the discarded +monarch--always reserving, however, as a matter of course, the religious +question--for it was as well known to the States as to Parma that there +was no hope of Philip making concessions upon that important point. + +In Holland and Zeeland the Prince's blandishments were of no avail. His +letters received in various towns of those Provinces, offered, said one +who saw them, "almost every thing they would have or demand, even till +they should repent." But the bait was not taken. Individuals and +municipalities were alike stanch, remembering well that faith was not to +be kept with heretics. The example was followed by the Estates of other +Provinces, and all sent in to the General Assembly, soon in session at +Delft, "their absolute and irrevocable authority to their deputies to +stand to that which they, the said States General, should dispose of as +to their persons, goods and country; a resolution and agreement which +never concurred before among them, to this day, in what age or government +soever." + +It was decreed that no motion of agreement "with the tyrant of Spain" +should be entertained either publicly or privately, "under pain to be +reputed ill patriots." It was also enacted in the city of Dort that any +man that brought letter or message from the enemy to any private person +"should be forthwith hanged." This was expeditious and business-like. +The same city likewise took the lead in recording its determination by +public act, and proclaiming it by sound of trumpet, "to live and die in +the cause now undertaken." + +In Flanders and Brabant the spirit was less noble. Those Provinces were +nearly lost already. Bruges seconded Parma's efforts to induce its +sister-city Ghent to imitate its own baseness in surrendering without +a struggle; and that powerful, turbulent, but most anarchical little +commonwealth was but too ready to listen to the voice of the tempter. +"The ducats of Spain, Madam, are trotting about in such fashion," wrote +envoy Des Pruneaux to Catherine de Medici, "that they have vanquished a +great quantity of courages. Your Majesties, too, must employ money if +you wish to advance one step." No man knew better than Parma how to +employ such golden rhetoric to win back a wavering rebel to his loyalty, +but he was not always provided with a sufficient store of those practical +arguments. + +He was, moreover, not strong in the field, although he was far superior +to the States at this contingency. He had, besides his garrisons, +something above 18,000 men. The Provinces had hardly 3000 foot and 2500 +horse, and these were mostly lying in the neighbourhood of Zutphen. +Alexander was threatening at the same time Ghent, Dendermonde, Mechlin, +Brussels, and Antwerp. These five powerful cities lie in a narrow +circle, at distances varying from six miles to thirty, and are, as it +were, strung together upon the Scheldt, by which river, or its tributary, +the Senne, they are all threaded. It would have been impossible for +Parma, with 100,000 men at his back, to undertake a regular and +simultaneous siege of these important places. His purpose was to isolate +them from each other and from the rest of the country, by obtaining the +control of the great river, and so to reduce them by famine. The scheme +was a masterly one, but even the consummate ability of Farnese would have +proved inadequate to the undertaking, had not the preliminary +assassination of Orange made the task comparatively easy. Treason, +faint-heartedness, jealousy, were the fatal allies that the Governor- +General had reckoned upon, and with reason, in the council-rooms of these +cities. The terms he offered were liberal. Pardon, permission for +soldiers to retreat with technical honour, liberty to choose between +apostacy to the reformed religion or exile, with a period of two years +granted to the conscientious for the winding up of their affairs; these +were the conditions, which seemed flattering, now that the well-known +voice which had so often silenced the Flemish palterers and intriguers +was for ever hushed. + +Upon the 17th August (1584) Dendermonde surrendered, and no lives were +taken save those of two preachers, one of whom was hanged, while the +other was drowned. Upon the 7th September Vilvoorde capitulated, by +which event the water-communication between Brussels and Antwerp was cut +off. Ghent, now thoroughly disheartened, treated with Parma likewise; +and upon the 17th September made its reconciliation with the King. The +surrender of so strong and important a place was as disastrous to the +cause of the patriots as it was disgraceful to the citizens themselves. +It was, however, the result of an intrigue which had been long spinning, +although the thread had been abruptly, and, as it was hoped, +conclusively, severed several months before. During the early part of +the year, after the reconciliation of Bruges with the King--an event +brought about by the duplicity and adroitness of Prince Chimay--the same +machinery had been diligently and almost successfully employed to produce +a like result in Ghent. Champagny, brother of the famous Cardinal +Granvelle, had been under arrest for six years in that city. His +imprisonment was not a strict one however; and he avenged himself for +what he considered very unjust treatment at the hands of the patriots, +by completely abandoning a cause which he had once begun to favour. +A man of singular ability, courage, and energy, distinguished both for +military and diplomatic services, he was a formidable enemy to the party +from which he was now for ever estranged. As early as April of this +year, secret emissaries of Parma, dealing with Champagny in his nominal +prison, and with the disaffected burghers at large, had been on the point +of effecting an arrangement with the royal governor. The negotiation had +been suddenly brought to a close by the discovery of a flagrant attempt +by Imbue, one of the secret adherents of the King, to sell the city of +Dendermonde, of which he was governor, to Parma. For this crime he had +been brought to Ghent for trial, and then publicly beheaded. The +incident came in aid of the eloquence of Orange, who, up to the latest +moment of his life, had been most urgent in his appeals to the patriotic +hearts of Ghent, not to abandon the great cause of the union and of +liberty. William the Silent knew full well, that after the withdrawal of +the great keystone-city of Ghent, the chasm between the Celtic-Catholic +and the Flemish-Calvinist Netherlands could hardly be bridged again. +Orange was now dead. The negotiations with France, too, on which those +of the Ghenters who still held true to the national cause had fastened +their hopes, had previously been brought to a stand-still by the death of +Anjou; and Champagny, notwithstanding the disaster to Imbize, became more +active than ever. A private agent, whom the municipal government had +despatched to the French court for assistance, was not more successful +than his character and course of conduct would have seemed to warrant; +for during his residence in Paris, he had been always drunk, and +generally abusive. This was not good diplomacy, particularly on the part +of an agent from a weak municipality to a haughty and most undecided +government. + +"They found at this court," wrote Stafford to Walsingham, "great fault +with his manner of dealing that was sent from Gaunt. He was scarce sober +from one end of the week to the other, and stood so much on his tiptoes +to have present answer within three days, or else that they of Gaunt +could tell where to bestow themselves. They sent him away after keeping +him three weeks, and he went off in great dudgeon, swearing by yea and +nay that he will make report thereafter." + +Accordingly, they of Ghent did bestow themselves very soon thereafter +upon the King of Spain. The terms were considered liberal, but there +was, of course, no thought of conceding the great object for which the +patriots were contending--religious liberty. The municipal privileges-- +such as they might prove to be worth under the interpretation of a royal +governor and beneath the guns of a citadel filled with Spanish troops-- +were to be guaranteed; those of the inhabitants who did not choose to go +to mass were allowed two years to wind up their affairs before going into +perpetual exile, provided they behaved themselves "without scandal;" +while on the other hand, the King's authority as Count of Flanders was to +be fully recognised, and all the dispossessed monks and abbots to be +restored to their property. + +Accordingly, Champagny was rewarded for his exertions by being released +from prison and receiving the appointment of governor of the city: and, +after a very brief interval, about one-half of the population, the most +enterprising of its merchants and manufacturers, the most industrious of +its artizans, emigrated to Holland and Zeeland. The noble city of Ghent +--then as large as Paris, thoroughly surrounded with moats, and fortified +with bulwarks, ravelins, and counterscarps, constructed of earth, during +the previous two years, at great expense, and provided with bread and +meat, powder and shot, enough to last a year--was ignominiously +surrendered. The population, already a very reduced and slender one +for the great extent of the place and its former importance, had been +estimated at 70,000. The number of houses was 35,000, so that as the +inhabitants were soon farther reduced to one-half, there remained but one +individual to each house. On the other hand, the twenty-five monasteries +and convents in the town were repeopled--with how much advantage as a +set-off to the thousands of spinners and weavers who had wandered away, +and who in the flourishing days of Ghent had sent gangs of workmen +through the streets "whose tramp was like that of an army"--may be +sufficiently estimated by the result. + +The fall of Brussels was deferred till March, and that of Mechlin (19th +July, 1585) and of Antwerp (19th August, 1585), till Midsummer of the +following year; but, the surrender of Ghent (10th March 1585) +foreshadowed the fate of Flanders and Brabant. Ostend and Sluys, +however, were still in the hands of the patriots, and with them the +control of the whole Flemish coast. The command of the sea was destined +to remain for centuries with the new republic. + +The Prince of Parma, thus encouraged by the great success of his +intrigues, was determined to achieve still greater triumphs with his +arms, and steadily proceeded with his large design of closing the +Scheldt--and bringing about the fall of Antwerp. The details of that +siege-one of the most brilliant military operations of the age and one of +the most memorable in its results--will be given, as a connected whole, +in a subsequent series of chapters. For the present, it will be better +for the reader who wishes a clear view of European politics at this +epoch, and of the position of the Netherlands, to give his attention to +the web of diplomatic negotiation and court-intrigue which had been +slowly spreading over the leading states of Christendom, and in which the +fate of the world was involved. If diplomatic adroitness consists mainly +in the power to deceive, never were more adroit diplomatists than those +of the sixteenth century. It would, however, be absurd to deny them a +various range of abilities; and the history of no other age can show more +subtle, comprehensive, indefatigable--but, it must also be added, often +unscrupulous--intellects engaged in the great game of politics in which +the highest interests of millions were the stakes, than were those of +several leading minds in England, France, Germany, and Spain. With such +statesmen the burgher-diplomatists of the new-born commonwealth had to +measure themselves; and the result was to show whether or not they could +hold their own in the cabinet as on the field, + +For the present, however, the new state was unconscious of its latent +importance, The new-risen republic remained for a season nebulous, and +ready to unsphere itself so soon as the relative attraction of other +great powers should determine its absorption. By the death of Anjou and +of Orange the United Netherlands had became a sovereign state, an +independent republic; but they stood with that sovereignty in their +hands, offering it alternately, not to the highest bidder, but to the +power that would be willing to accept their allegiance, on the sole +condition of assisting them in the maintenance of their religious +freedom. + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Relations of the Republic to France--Queen's Severity towards + Catholics and Calvinists--Relative Positions of England and France-- + Timidity of Germany--Apathy of Protestant Germany--Indignation of + the Netherlanders--Henry III. of France--The King and his Minions-- + Henry of Guise--Henry of Navarre--Power of France--Embassy of the + States to France--Ignominious position of the Envoys--Views of the + French Huguenots--Efforts to procure Annexation--Success of Des + Pruneaux. + +The Prince of Orange had always favoured a French policy. He had ever +felt a stronger reliance upon the support of France than upon that of any +other power. This was not unreasonable, and so long as he lived, the +tendency of the Netherlands had been in that direction. It had never +been the wish of England to acquire the sovereignty of the Provinces. In +France on the contrary, the Queen Dowager, Catharine de' Medici had +always coveted that sovereignty for her darling Francis of Alencon; and +the design had been favoured, so far as any policy could be favoured, by +the impotent monarch who occupied the French throne. + +The religion of the United Netherlands was Calvinistic. There were also +many Anabaptists in the country. The Queen of England hated Anabaptists, +Calvinists, and other sectarians, and banished them from her realms on +pain of imprisonment and confiscation of property. As firmly opposed as +was her father to the supremacy of the Bishop of Rome, she felt much of +the paternal reluctance to accept the spirit of the Reformation. Henry +Tudor hanged the men who believed in the Pope, and burnt alive those who +disbelieved in transubstantiation, auricular confession, and the other +'Six Articles.' His daughter, whatever her secret religious convictions, +was stanch in her resistance to Rome, and too enlightened a monarch not +to see wherein the greatness and glory of England were to be found; but +she had no thought of tolerating liberty of conscience. All opposed to +the Church of England, whether Papists or Puritans, were denounced as +heretics, and as such imprisoned or banished. "To allow churches with +contrary rites and ceremonies," said Elizabeth, "were nothing else but to +sow religion out of religion, to distract good men's minds, to cherish +factious men's humours, to disturb religion and commonwealth, and mingle +divine and human things; which were a thing in deed evil, in example +worst of all; to our own subjects hurtful, and to themselves--to whom it +is granted, neither greatly commodious, nor yet at all safe."--[Camden] +The words were addressed, it is true, to Papists, but there is very +little doubt that Anabaptists or any other heretics would have received a +similar reply, had they, too, ventured to demand the right of public +worship. It may even be said that the Romanists in the earlier days of +Elizabeth's reign fared better than the Calvinists. The Queen neither +banished nor imprisoned the Catholics. She did not enter their houses to +disturb their private religious ceremonies, or to inquire into their +consciences. This was milder treatment than the burning alive, burying +alive, hanging, and drowning, which had been dealt out to the English and +the Netherland heretics by Philip and by Mary, but it was not the spirit +which William the Silent had been wont to manifest in his measures +towards Anabaptists and Papists alike. Moreover, the Prince could hardly +forget that of the nine thousand four hundred Catholic ecclesiastics who +held benefices at the death of Queen Mary, all had renounced the Pope on +the accession of Queen Elizabeth, and acknowledged her as the head of the +church, saving only one hundred and eighty-nine individuals. In the +hearts of the nine thousand two hundred and eleven others, it might be +thought perhaps that some tenderness for the religion from which they had +so suddenly been converted, might linger, while it could hardly be hoped +that they would seek to inculcate in the minds of their flocks or of +their sovereign any connivance with the doctrines of Geneva. + +When, at a later period, the plotting of Catholics, suborned by the Pope +and Philip, against the throne and person of the Queen, made more +rigorous measures necessary; when it was thought indispensable to execute +as traitors those Roman seedlings--seminary priests and their disciples-- +who went about preaching to the Queen's subjects the duty of carrying out +the bull by which the Bishop of Rome had deposed and excommunicated their +sovereign, and that "it was a meritorious act to kill such princes as +were excommunicate," even then, the men who preached and practised +treason and murder experienced no severer treatment than that which other +"heretics" had met with at the Queen's hands. Jesuits and Popish priests +were, by Act of Parliament, ordered to depart the realm within forty +days. Those who should afterwards return to the kingdom were to be held +guilty of high treason. Students in the foreign seminaries were +commanded to return within six months and recant, or be held guilty of +high treason. Parents and guardians supplying money to such students +abroad were to incur the penalty of a preamunire--perpetual exile, +namely, with loss of all their goods. + +Many seminary priests and others were annually executed in England under +these laws, throughout the Queen's reign, but nominally at least they +were hanged not as Papists, but as traitors; not because they taught +transubstantiation, ecclesiastical celibacy, auricular confession, or +even Papal supremacy, but because they taught treason and murder--because +they preached the necessity of killing the Queen. It was not so easy, +however, to defend or even comprehend the banishment and imprisonment of +those who without conspiring against the Queen's life or throne, desired +to see the Church of England reformed according to the Church of Geneva. +Yet there is no doubt that many sectaries experienced much inhuman +treatment for such delinquency, both in the early and the later years of +Elizabeth's reign. + +There was another consideration, which had its due weight in this +balance, and that was the respective succession to the throne in the two +kingdoms of France and England. Mary Stuart, the Catholic, the niece of +the Guises, emblem and exponent of all that was most Roman in Europe, the +sworn friend of Philip, the mortal foe to all heresy, was the legitimate +successor to Elizabeth. Although that sovereign had ever refused to +recognize that claim; holding that to confirm Mary in the succession was +to "lay her own winding sheet before her eyes, yea, to make her, own +grave, while she liveth and looketh on;" and although the unfortunate +claimant of two thrones was a prisoner in her enemy's hands, yet, so long +as she lived, there was little security for Protestantism, even in +Elizabeth's lifetime, and less still in case of her sudden death. On the +other hand, not only were the various politico-religious forces of France +kept in equilibrium by their action upon each other--so that it was +reasonable to believe that the House of Valois, however Catholic itself, +would be always compelled by the fast-expanding strength of French +Calvinism, to observe faithfully a compact to tolerate the Netherland +churches--but, upon the death of Henry III. the crown would be +legitimately placed upon the head of the great champion and chief of the +Huguenots, Henry of Navarre. + +It was not unnatural, therefore, that the Prince of Orange, a Calvinist +himself, should expect more sympathy with the Netherland reformers in +France than in England. A large proportion of the population of that +kingdom, including an influential part of the nobility, was of the +Huguenot persuasion, and the religious peace, established by royal edict, +had endured so long, that the reformers of France and the Netherlands had +begun to believe in the royal clemency, and to confide in the royal word. +Orange did not live to see the actual formation of the Holy League, and +could only guess at its secrets. + +Moreover, it should be remembered that France at that day was a more +formidable state than England, a more dangerous enemy, and, as it was +believed, a more efficient protector. The England of the period, +glorious as it was for its own and all future ages, was, not the great +British Empire of to-day. On the contrary, it was what would now be +considered, statistically speaking, a rather petty power. The England of +Elizabeth, Walsingham, Burghley, Drake, and Raleigh, of Spenser and +Shakspeare, hardly numbered a larger population than now dwells in its +capital and immediate suburbs. It had neither standing army nor +considerable royal navy. It was full of conspirators, daring and +unscrupulous, loyal to none save to Mary of Scotland, Philip of Spain, +and the Pope of Rome, and untiring in their efforts to bring about a +general rebellion. With Ireland at its side, nominally a subject +province, but in a state of chronic insurrection--a perpetual hot-bed for +Spanish conspiracy and stratagem; with Scotland at its back, a foreign +country, with half its population exasperated enemies of England, and the +rest but doubtful friends, and with the legitimate sovereign of that +country, "the daughter of debate, who discord still did sow,"--[Sonnet by +Queen Elizabeth.]--a prisoner in Elizabeth's hands, the central point +around which treason was constantly crystallizing itself, it was not +strange that with the known views of the Queen on the subject of the +reformed Dutch religion, England should seem less desirable as a +protector for the Netherlands than the neighbouring kingdom of France. + +Elizabeth was a great sovereign, whose genius Orange always appreciated, +in a comparatively feeble realm. Henry of Valois was the contemptible +monarch of a powerful state, and might be led by others to produce +incalculable mischief or considerable good. Notwithstanding the massacre +of St. Bartholomew, therefore, and the more recent "French fury" of +Antwerp, Orange had been willing to countenance fresh negociations with +France. + +Elizabeth, too, it should never be forgotten, was, if not over generous, +at least consistent and loyal in her policy towards the Provinces. She +was not precisely jealous of France, as has been unjustly intimated on +distinguished authority, for she strongly advocated the renewed offer of +the sovereignty to Anjou, after his memorable expulsion from the +Provinces. At that period, moreover, not only her own love-coquetries +with Anjou were over, but he was endeavouring with all his might, though +in secret, to make a match with the younger Infanta of Spain. Elizabeth +furthered the negociation with France, both publicly and privately. It +will soon be narrated how those negociations prospered. + +If then England were out of the, question, where, except in France, +should the Netherlanders, not deeming themselves capable of standing +alone, seek for protection and support? + +We have seen the extensive and almost ubiquitous power of Spain. Where +she did not command as sovereign, she was almost equally formidable as an +ally. The Emperor of Germany was the nephew and the brother-in-law of +Philip, and a strict Catholic besides. Little aid was to be expected +from him or the lands under his control for the cause of the Netherland +revolt. Rudolph hated his brother-in-law, but lived in mortal fear of +him. He was also in perpetual dread of the Grand Turk. That formidable +potentate, not then the "sick man" whose precarious condition and +territorial inheritance cause so much anxiety in modern days, was, it is +true, sufficiently occupied for the moment in Persia, and had been +sustaining there a series of sanguinary defeats. He was all the more +anxious to remain upon good terms with Philip, and had recently sent him +a complimentary embassy, together with some rather choice presents, among +which were "four lions, twelve unicorns, and two horses coloured white, +black, and blue." Notwithstanding these pacific manifestations towards +the West, however, and in spite of the truce with the German Empire which +the Turk had just renewed for nine years,--Rudolph and his servants still +trembled at every report from the East. + +"He is much deceived," wrote Busbecq, Rudolph's ambassador in Paris, "who +doubts that the Turk has sought any thing by this long Persian war, but +to protect his back, and prepare the way, after subduing that enemy, to +the extermination of all Christendom, and that he will then, with all his +might, wage an unequal warfare with us, in which the existence of the +Empire will be at stake." + +The envoy expressed, at the same period, however, still greater awe of +Spain. "It is to no one," he wrote, "endowed with good judgment, in the +least obscure, that the Spanish nation, greedy of empire, will never be +quiet, even with their great power, but will seek for the dominion of the +rest of Christendom. How much remains beyond what they have already +acquired? Afterwards, there will soon be no liberty, no dignity, for +other princes and republics. That single nation will be arbiter of all +things, than which nothing can be more miserable, nothing more degrading. +It cannot be doubted that all kings, princes, and states, whose safety or +dignity is dear to them, would willingly associate in arms to extinguish +the common conflagration. The death of the Catholic king would seem the +great opportunity 'miscendis rebus'." + +Unfortunately neither Busbecq's master nor any other king or prince +manifested any of this commendable alacrity to "take up arms against the +conflagration." Germany was in a shiver at every breeze from East or +West-trembling alike before Philip and Amurath. The Papists were making +rapid progress, the land being undermined by the steady and stealthy +encroachments of the Jesuits. Lord Burghley sent many copies of his +pamphlet, in Latin, French, and Italian, against the Seminaries, to +Gebhard Truchsess; and the deposed archbishop made himself busy in +translating that wholesome production into German, and in dispersing it +"all Germany over." The work, setting duly forth "that the executions of +priests in England were not for religion but for treason," was +"marvellously liked" in the Netherlands. "In uttering the truth," said +Herle, "'tis likely to do great good;" and he added, that Duke Augustus +of Saxony "did now see so far into the sect of Jesuits, and to their +inward mischiefs, as to become their open enemy, and to make friends +against them in the Empire." + +The love of Truchsess for Agnes Mansfeld had created disaster not only +for himself but for Germany. The whole electorate of Cologne had become +the constant seat of partisan warfare, and the resort of organised bands +of brigands. Villages were burned and rifled, highways infested, cities +threatened, and the whole country subjected to perpetual black mail +(brandschatzung)--fire-insurance levied by the incendiaries in person--by +the supporters of the rival bishops. Truchsess had fled to Delft, where +he had been countenanced and supported by Orange. Two cities still held +for him, Rheinberg and Neuss. On the other hand, his rival, Ernest of +Bavaria; supported by Philip II., and the occasional guest of Alexander +of Parma, had not yet succeeded in establishing a strong foothold in the +territory. Two pauper archbishops, without men or means of their own, +were thus pushed forward and back, like puppets, by the contending +highwaymen on either side; while robbery and murder, under the name of +Protestantism or Catholicism, were for a time the only motive or result +of the contest. + +Thus along the Rhine, as well as the Maas and the Scheldt, the fires of +civil war were ever burning. Deeper within the heart of Germany, there +was more tranquillity; but it was the tranquillity rather of paralysis +than of health. A fearful account was slowly accumulating, which was +evidently to be settled only by one of the most horrible wars which +history has ever recorded. Meantime there was apathy where there should +have been enthusiasm; parsimony and cowardice where generous and combined +effort were more necessary than ever; sloth without security. The +Protestant princes, growing fat and contented on the spoils of the +church, lent but a deaf ear to the moans of Truchsess, forgetting that +their neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own. "They +understand better, 'proximus sum egomet mild'," wrote Lord Willoughby +from Kronenburg, "than they have learned, 'humani nihid a me alienum +puto'. These German princes continue still in their lethargy, careless +of the state of others, and dreaming of their ubiquity, and some of them, +it is thought, inclining to be Spanish or Popish more of late than +heretofore." + +The beggared archbishop, more forlorn than ever since the death of his +great patron, cried woe from his resting-place in Delft, upon Protestant +Germany. His tones seemed almost prophetic of the thirty years' wrath to +blaze forth in the next generation. "Courage is wanting to the people +throughout Germany," he wrote to William Lewis of Nassau. "We are +becoming the laughing-stock of the nations. Make sheep of yourselves, +and the wolf will eat you. We shall find our destruction in our +immoderate desire for peace. Spain is making a Papistical league in +Germany. Therefore is Assonleville despatched thither, and that's the +reason why our trash of priests are so insolent in the empire. 'Tis +astonishing how they are triumphing on all sides. God will smite them. +Thou dear God! What are our evangelists about in Germany? Asleep on +both ears. 'Dormiunt in utramque aurem'. I doubt they will be suddenly +enough awakened one day, and the cry will be, 'Who'd have thought it?' +Then they will be for getting oil for the lamp, for shutting the stable- +door when the steed is stolen," and so on, with a string of homely +proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza, or landgrave William of Hesse. + +In truth, one of the most painful features is the general aspect of +affairs was the coldness of the German Protestants towards the +Netherlands. The enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists was almost as +fatal as that between Protestants and Papists. There was even a talk, at +a little later period, of excluding those of the "reformed" church from +the benefits of the peace of Passau. The princes had got the Augsburg +confession and the abbey-lands into the bargain; the peasants had got the +Augsburg confession without the abbey-lands, and were to believe exactly +what their masters believed. This was the German-Lutheran sixteenth- +century idea of religious freedom. Neither prince nor peasant stirred in +behalf of the struggling Christians in the United Provinces, battling, +year after year, knee-deep in blood, amid blazing cities and inundated +fields, breast to breast with the yellow jerkined pikemen of Spain and +Italy, with the axe and the faggot and the rack of the Holy Inquisition +distinctly visible behind them. Such were the realities which occupied +the Netherlanders in those days, not watery beams of theological +moonshine, fantastical catechism-making, intermingled with scenes of riot +and wantonness, which drove old John of Nassau half frantic; with +banquetting and guzzling, drinking and devouring, with unchristian +flaunting and wastefulness of apparel, with extravagant and wanton +dancing, and other lewd abominations; all which, the firm old reformer +prophesied, would lead to the destruction of Germany. + +For the mass, slow moving but apparently irresistible, of Spanish and +papistical absolutism was gradually closing over Christendom. The +Netherlands were the wedge by which alone the solid bulk could be riven +asunder. It was the cause of German, of French, of English liberty, for +which the Provinces were contending. It was not surprising that they +were bitter, getting nothing in their hour of distress from the land of +Luther but dogmas and Augsburg catechisms instead of money and gunpowder, +and seeing German reiters galloping daily to reinforce the army of Parma +in exchange for Spanish ducats. + +Brave old La Noue, with the iron arm, noblest of Frenchmen and Huguenots +--who had just spent five years in Spanish bondage, writing military +discourses in a reeking dungeon, filled with toads and vermin, after +fighting the battle of liberty for a life-time, and with his brave son +already in the Netherlands emulating his father's valour on the same +field--denounced at a little later day, the lukewarmness of Protestant +Germany with whimsical vehemence:--"I am astounded," he cried, "that +these princes are not ashamed of themselves; doing nothing while they see +the oppressed cut to pieces at their gates. When will God grant me grace +to place me among those who are doing their duty, and afar from those who +do nothing, and who ought to know that the cause is a common one. If I +am ever caught dancing the German cotillon, or playing the German flute, +or eating pike with German sauce, I hope it may be flung in my teeth." + +The great league of the Pope and Philip was steadily consolidating +itself, and there were but gloomy prospects for the counter-league in +Germany. There was no hope but in England and France. For the reasons +already indicated, the Prince of Orange, taking counsel with the Estates, +had resolved to try the French policy once more. The balance of power in +Europe, which no man in Christendom so well understood as he, was to be +established by maintaining (he thought) the equilibrium between France +and Spain. In the antagonism of those two great realms lay the only hope +for Dutch or European liberty. Notwithstanding the treason of Anjou, +therefore, it had been decided to renew negociations with that Prince. +On the death of the Duke, the envoys of the States were accordingly +instructed to make the offer to King Henry III. which had been intended +for his brother. That proposition was the sovereignty of all the +Netherlands, save Holland and Zeeland, under a constitution maintaining +the reformed religion and the ancient laws and privileges of the +respective provinces. + +But the death of Francis of Anjou had brought about a considerable change +in French policy. It was now more sharply defined than ever, a right- +angled triangle of almost mathematical precision. The three Henrys and +their partizans divided the realm into three hostile camps--threatening +each other in simulated peace since the treaty of Fleig (1580), which had +put an end to the "lover's war" of the preceding year,--Henry of Valois, +Henry of Guise, and Henry of Navarre. + +Henry III., last of the Valois line, was now thirty-three years of age. +Less than king, less even than man, he was one of those unfortunate +personages who seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous, +and to test the capacity of mankind to eat and drink humiliation as if it +were wholesome food. It proved how deeply engraved in men's minds of +that century was the necessity of kingship, when the hardy Netherlanders, +who had abjured one tyrant, and had been fighting a generation long +rather than return to him, were now willing to accept the sovereignty of +a thing like Henry of Valois. + +He had not been born without natural gifts, such as Heaven rarely denies +to prince or peasant; but the courage which he once possessed had been +exhausted on the field of Moncontour, his manhood had been left behind +him at Venice, and such wit as Heaven had endowed him withal was now +expended in darting viperous epigrams at court-ladies whom he was only +capable of dishonouring by calumny, and whose charms he burned to +outrival in the estimation of his minions. For the monarch of France was +not unfrequently pleased to attire himself like a woman and a harlot. +With silken flounces, jewelled stomacher, and painted face, with pearls +of great price adorning his bared neck and breast, and satin-slippered +feet, of whose delicate shape and size he was justly vain, it was his +delight to pass his days and nights in a ceaseless round of gorgeous +festivals, tourneys, processions; masquerades, banquets, and balls, the +cost of which glittering frivolities caused the popular burthen and the +popular execration to grow, from day to day, more intolerable and more +audible. Surrounded by a gang of "minions," the most debauched and the +most desperate of France, whose bedizened dresses exhaled perfumes +throughout Paris, and whose sanguinary encounters dyed every street in +blood, Henry lived a life of what he called pleasure, careless of what +might come after, for he was the last of his race. The fortunes of his +minions rose higher and higher, as their crimes rendered them more and +more estimable in the eyes of a King who took a woman's pride in the +valour of such champions to his weakness, and more odious to a people +whose miserable homes were made even more miserable, that the coffers of +a few court-favourites might be filled: Now sauntering, full-dressed, in +the public promenades, with ghastly little death's heads strung upon his +sumptuous garments, and fragments of human bones dangling among his +orders of knighthood--playing at cup and ball as he walked, and followed +by a few select courtiers who gravely pursued the same exciting +occupation--now presiding like a queen of beauty at a tournament to +assign the prize of valour, and now, by the advice of his mother, going +about the streets in robes of penitence, telling his beads as he went, +that the populace might be edified by his piety, and solemnly offering up +prayers in the churches that the blessing of an heir might be vouchsafed +to him,--Henry of Valois seemed straining every nerve in order to bring +himself and his great office into contempt. + +As orthodox as he was profligate, he hated the Huguenots, who sought his +protection and who could have saved his throne, as cordially as he loved +the Jesuits, who passed their lives in secret plottings against his +authority and his person, or in fierce denunciations from the Paris +pulpits against his manifold crimes. Next to an exquisite and sanguinary +fop, he dearly loved a monk. The presence of a friar, he said, exerted +as agreeable an effect upon his mind as the most delicate and gentle +tickling could produce upon his body; and he was destined to have a +fuller dose of that charming presence than he coveted. + +His party--for he was but the nominal chief of a faction, 'tanquam unus +ex nobis'--was the party in possession--the office-holders' party; the +spoilsmen, whose purpose was to rob the exchequer and to enrich +themselves. His minions--for the favourites were called by no other +name--were even more hated, because less despised than the King. Attired +in cloth of gold--for silk and satin were grown too coarse a material for +them--with their little velvet porringer-caps stuck on the sides of their +heads, with their long hair stiff with pomatum, and their heads set +inside a well-starched ruff a foot wide, "like St. John's head in a +charger," as a splenetic contemporary observed, with a nimbus of musk and +violet-powder enveloping them as they passed before vulgar mortals, these +rapacious and insolent courtiers were the impersonation of extortion and +oppression to the Parisian populace. They were supposed, not unjustly, +to pass their lives in dancing, blasphemy, dueling, dicing, and intrigue, +in following the King about like hounds, fawning at his feet, and showing +their teeth to all besides; and for virtues such as these they were +rewarded by the highest offices in church, camp, and state, while new +taxes and imposts were invented almost daily to feed their avarice and +supply their extravagance. France, doomed to feel the beak and talons of +these harpies in its entrails, impoverished by a government that robbed +her at home while it humiliated her abroad, struggled vainly in its +misery, and was now on the verge of another series of internecine +combats--civil war seeming the only alternative to a voluptuous and +licentious peace. + +"We all stood here at gaze," wrote ambassador Stafford to Walsingham, +"looking for some great matter to come of this sudden journey to Lyons; +but, as far as men can find, 'parturient montes', for there hath been +nothing but dancing and banquetting from one house to another, bravery in +apparel, glittering like the sun." He, mentioned that the Duke of +Epernon's horse, taking fright at a red cloak, had backed over a +precipice, breaking his own neck, while his master's shoulder merely was +put out of joint. At the same time the Duke of Joyeuse, coming over +Mount Cenis, on his return from Savoy, had broken his wrist. The people, +he said, would rather they had both broken their necks "than any other +joint, the King having racked the nation for their sakes, as he hath- +done." Stafford expressed much compassion for the French in the plight +in which they found themselves. "Unhappy people!" he cried, "to have +such a King, who seeketh nothing but to impoverish them to enrich a +couple, and who careth not what cometh after his death, so that he may +rove on while he liveth, and careth neither for doing his own estate good +nor his neighbour's state harm." Sir Edward added, however, in a +philosophizing vein, worthy of Corporal Nym, that, "seeing we cannot be +so happy as to have a King to concur with us to do us any good, yet we +are happy to have one that his humour serveth him not to concur with +others to do us harm; and 'tis a wisdom for us to follow these humours, +that we may keep him still in that humour, and from hearkening to others +that may egg him on to worse." + +It was a dark hour for France, and rarely has a great nation been reduced +to a lower level by a feeble and abandoned government than she was at +that moment under the distaff of Henry III. Society was corrupted to its +core. "There is no more truth, no more justice, no more mercy," moaned +President L'Etoile. "To slander, to lie, to rob, to wench, to steal; all +things are permitted save to do right and to speak the truth." Impiety +the most cynical, debauchery the most unveiled, public and unpunished +homicides, private murders by what was called magic, by poison, by hired +assassins, crimes natural, unnatural, and preternatural, were the common +characteristics of the time. All posts and charges were venal. Great +offices of justice were sold to the highest bidder, and that which was +thus purchased by wholesale was retailed in the same fashion. Unhappy +the pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law. The great +ecclesiastical benefices were equally matter of merchandise, and married +men, women, unborn children, enjoyed revenues as dignitaries of the +church. Infants came into the world, it was said, like the mitre-fish, +stamped with the emblems of place. + +"'Twas impossible," said L'Etoile, "to find a crab so tortuous and +backsliding as the government." + +This was the aspect of the first of the three factions in France. Such +was the Henry at its head, the representative of royalty. + +Henry with the Scar, Duke of Guise, the well-known chief of the house of +Lorraine, was the chief of the extreme papistical party. He was now +thirty-four years of age, tall, stately, with a dark, martial face and +dangerous eyes, which Antonio Moro loved to paint; a physiognomy made +still more expressive by the arquebus-shot which had damaged his left +cheek at the fight near Chateau-Thierry and gained him his name of +Balafre. Although one of the most turbulent and restless plotters of +that plotting age, he was yet thought more slow and heavy in character +than subtle, Teutonic rather than Italian. He was the idol of the +Parisian burghers. The grocers, the market-men, the members of the +arquebus and crossbow clubs, all doated on him. The fishwomen worshipped +him as a god. He was the defender of the good old religion under which +Paris and the other cities of France had thriven, the uncompromising +opponent of the new-fangled doctrines which western clothiers, and dyers, +and tapestry-workers, had adopted, and which the nobles of the mountain- +country, the penniless chevaliers of Bearn and Gascony and Guienne, were +ceaselessly taking the field and plunging France into misery and +bloodshed to support. But for the Balafre and Madam League--as the great +Spanish Catholic conspiracy against the liberties of France, and of +England, and of all Europe, was affectionately termed by the Paris +populace--honest Catholics would fare no better in France than they did +in England, where, as it was well known, they were every day subjected to +fearful tortures: The shopwindows were filled with coloured engravings, +representing, in exaggerated fashion, the sufferings of the English +Catholics under bloody Elizabeth, or Jezebel, as she was called; and as +the gaping burghers stopped to ponder over these works of art, there were +ever present, as if by accident, some persons of superior information who +would condescendingly explain the various pictures, pointing out with a +long stick the phenomena most worthy of notice. These caricatures +proving highly successful, and being suppressed by order of government, +they were repeated upon canvas on a larger scale, in still more +conspicuous situations, as if in contempt of the royal authority, which +sullied itself by compromise with Calvinism! The pulpits, meanwhile, +thundered denunciations on the one hand against the weak and wicked King, +who worshipped idols, and who sacrificed the dearly-earned pittance of +his subjects to feed the insolent pomp of his pampered favourites; and on +the other, upon the arch-heretic, the arch-apostate, the Bearnese +Huguenot, who, after the death of the reigning monarch, would have the +effrontery to claim his throne, and to introduce into France the +persecutions and the horrors under which unhappy England was already +groaning. + +The scarce-concealed instigator of these assaults upon the royal and upon +the Huguenot faction was, of course, the Duke of Guise,--the man whose +most signal achievement had been the Massacre of St. Bartholomew--all the +preliminary details of that transaction having been arranged by his +skill. So long as Charles IX. was living, the Balafre had created the +confusion which was his element, by entertaining and fomenting the +perpetual intrigues of Anjou and Alencon against their brother; while the +altercations between them and the Queen Mother and the furious madman who +then sat upon the throne, had been the cause of sufficient disorder and +calamity for France. On the death of Charles IX. Guise had sought the +intimacy of Henry of Navarre, that by his means he might frustrate the +hopes of Alencon for the succession. During the early period of the +Bearnese's residence at the French court the two had been inseparable, +living together, going to the same festivals, tournaments, and +masquerades, and even sleeping in the same bed. "My master," was ever +Guise's address to Henry; "my gossip," the young King of Navarre's reply. +But the crafty Bearnese had made use of the intimacy only to read the +secrets of the Balafre's heart; and on Navarre's flight from the court, +and his return to Huguenotism, Guise knew that he had been played upon by +a subtler spirit than his own. The simulated affection was now changed +into undisguised hatred. Moreover, by the death of Alencon, Navarre now +stood next the throne, and Guise's plots became still more extensive and +more open as his own ambition to usurp the crown on the death of the +childless Henry III. became more fervid. + +Thus, by artfully inflaming the populace of Paris, and through his +organized bands of confederates--that of all the large towns of France, +against the Huguenots and their chief, by appeals to the religious +sentiment; and at the same time by stimulating the disgust and +indignation of the tax-payers everywhere at the imposts and heavy +burthens which the boundless extravagance of the court engendered, Guise +paved the way for the advancement of the great League which he +represented. The other two political divisions were ingeniously +represented as mere insolent factions, while his own was the true +national and patriotic party, by which alone the ancient religion and the +cherished institutions of France could be preserved. + +And the great chief of this national patriotic party was not Henry of +Guise, but the industrious old man who sat writing despatches in the +depths of the Escorial. Spanish counsels, Spanish promises, Spanish +ducats--these were the real machinery by which the plots of Guise against +the peace of France and of Europe were supported. Madam League was +simply Philip II. Nothing was written, officially or unofficially, to +the French government by the Spanish court that was not at the same time +communicated to "Mucio"--as the Duke of Guise was denominated in the +secret correspondence of Philip, and Mucio was in Philip's pay, his +confidential agent, spy, and confederate, long before the actual +existence of the League was generally suspected. + +The Queen-Mother, Catharine de' Medici, played into the Duke's hands. +Throughout the whole period of her widowhood, having been accustomed to +govern her sons, she had, in a certain sense, been used to govern the +kingdom. By sowing dissensions among her own children, by inflaming +party against party, by watching with care the oscillations of France +--so than none of the great divisions should obtain preponderance--by +alternately caressing and massacring the Huguenots, by cajoling or +confronting Philip, by keeping, as she boasted, a spy in every family +that possessed the annual income of two thousand livres, by making +herself the head of an organized system of harlotry, by which the +soldiers and politicians of France were inveigled, their secrets +faithfully revealed to her by her well-disciplined maids of honour, by +surrounding her unfortunate sons with temptation from earliest youth, and +plunging them by cold calculation into deepest debauchery, that their +enervated faculties might be ever forced to rely in political affairs on +the maternal counsel, and to abandon the administration to the maternal +will; such were the arts by which Catharine had maintained her influence, +and a great country been governed for a generation--Machiavellian state- +craft blended with the more simple wiles of a procuress. + +Now that Alencon was dead, and Henry III. hopeless of issue, it was her +determination that the children of her daughter, the Duchess of Lorraine, +should succeed to the throne. The matter was discussed as if the throne +were already vacant, and Guise and the Queen-Mother, if they agreed in +nothing else, were both cordial in their detestation of Henry of Navarre. +The Duke affected to support the schemes in favour of his relatives, the +Princes of Lorraine, while he secretly informed the Spanish court that +this policy was only a pretence. He was not likely, he said, to advance +the interests of the younger branch of a house of which he was himself +the chief, nor were their backs equal to the burthen. It was necessary +to amuse the old queen, but he was profoundly of opinion that the only +sovereign for France, upon the death of Henry, was Philip II. himself. +This was the Duke's plan of arriving, by means of Spanish assistance, +at the throne of France; and such was Henry le Balafre, chief of the +League. + +And the other Henry, the Huguenot, the Bearnese, Henry of Bourbon, Henry +of Navarre, the chieftain of the Gascon chivalry, the king errant, the +hope and the darling of the oppressed Protestants in every land--of him +it is scarce needful to say a single word. At his very name a figure +seems to leap forth from the mist of three centuries, instinct with ruddy +vigorous life. Such was the intense vitality of the Bearnese prince, +that even now he seems more thoroughly alive and recognizable than half +the actual personages who are fretting their hour upon the stage. + +We see, at once, a man of moderate stature, light, sinewy, and strong; a +face browned with continual exposure; small, mirthful, yet commanding +blue eyes, glittering from beneath an arching brow, and prominent +cheekbones; a long hawk's nose, almost resting upon a salient chin, a +pendent moustache, and a thick, brown, curly beard, prematurely grizzled; +we see the mien of frank authority and magnificent good humour, we hear +the ready sallies of the shrewd Gascon mother-wit, we feel the +electricity which flashes out of him, and sets all hearts around him on +fire, when the trumpet sounds to battle. The headlong desperate charge, +the snow-white plume waving where the fire is hottest, the large capacity +for enjoyment of the man, rioting without affectation in the 'certaminis +gaudia', the insane gallop, after the combat, to lay its trophies at the +feet of the Cynthia of the minute, and thus to forfeit its fruits; all +are as familiar to us as if the seven distinct wars, the hundred pitched +battles, the two hundred sieges; in which the Bearnese was personally +present, had been occurrences of our own day. + +He at least was both king and man, if the monarch who occupied the throne +was neither. He was the man to prove, too, for the instruction of the +patient letter-writer of the Escorial, that the crown of France was to be +won with foot in stirrup and carbine in hand, rather than to be caught by +the weaving and casting of the most intricate nets of diplomatic +intrigue, though thoroughly weighted with Mexican gold. + +The King of Navarre was now thirty-one years old; for the three Henrys +were nearly of the same age. The first indications of his existence had +been recognized amid the cannon and trumpets of a camp in Picardy, and +his mother had sung a gay Bearnese song as he was coming into the world +at Pau. Thus, said his grandfather, Henry of Navarre, thou shalt not +bear to us a morose and sulky child. The good king, without a kingdom, +taking the child, as soon as born, in the lappel of his dressing-gown, +had brushed his infant lips with a clove of garlic, and moistened them +with a drop of generous Gascon wine. Thus, said the grandfather again, +shall the boy be both merry and bold. There was something mythologically +prophetic in the incidents of his birth. + +The best part of Navarre had been long since appropriated by Ferdinand of +Aragon. In France there reigned a young and warlike sovereign with four +healthy boys. But the new-born infant had inherited the lilies of France +from St. Louis, and a later ancestor had added to the escutcheon the +motto "Espoir." His grandfather believed that the boy was born to +revenge upon Spain the wrongs of the House of Albret, and Henry's nature +seemed ever. pervaded with Robert of Clermont's device. + +The same sensible grandfather, having different views on the subject of +education from those manifested by Catherine de Medici towards her +children, had the boy taught to run about bare-headed and bare-footed, +like a peasant, among the mountains and rocks of Bearn, till he became as +rugged as a young bear, and as nimble as a kid. Black bread, and beef, +and garlic, were his simple fare; and he was taught by his mother and his +grandfather to hate lies and liars, and to read the Bible. + +When he was fifteen, the third religious war broke out. Both his father +and grandfather were dead. His mother, who had openly professed the +reformed faith, since the death of her husband, who hated it, brought her +boy to the camp at Rochelle, where he was received as the chief of the +Huguenots. His culture was not extensive. He had learned to speak the +truth, to ride, to shoot, to do with little sleep and less food. He +could also construe a little Latin, and had read a few military +treatises; but the mighty hours of an eventful life were now to take him +by the hand, and to teach him much good and much evil, as they bore him +onward. He now saw military treatises expounded practically by +professors, like his uncle Condo, and Admiral Coligny, and Lewis Nassau, +in such lecture-rooms as Laudun, and Jarnac, and Montcontour, and never +was apter scholar. + +The peace of Arnay-le-Duc succeeded, and then the fatal Bartholomew +marriage with the Messalina of Valois. The faith taught in the mountains +of Bearn was no buckler against the demand of "the mass or death," +thundered at his breast by the lunatic Charles, as he pointed to +thousands of massacred Huguenots. Henry yielded to such conclusive +arguments, and became a Catholic. Four years of court imprisonment +succeeded, and the young King of Navarre, though proof to the artifices +of his gossip Guise, was not adamant to the temptations spread for him by +Catherine de' Medici. In the harem entertained for him in the Louvre +many pitfalls entrapped him; and he became a stock-performer in the state +comedies and tragedies of that plotting age. + +A silken web of palace-politics, palace-diplomacy, palace revolutions, +enveloped him. Schemes and counter-schemes, stratagems and conspiracies, +assassinations and poisonings; all the state-machinery which worked so +exquisitely in fair ladies' chambers, to spread havoc and desolation over +a kingdom, were displayed before his eyes. Now campaigning with one +royal brother against Huguenots, now fighting with another on their side, +now solicited by the Queen-Mother to attempt the life of her son, now +implored by Henry III. to assassinate his brother, the Bearnese, as fresh +antagonisms, affinities; combinations, were developed, detected, +neutralized almost daily, became rapidly an adept in Medicean state- +chemistry. Charles IX. in his grave, Henry III. on the throne, Alencon +in the Huguenot camp--Henry at last made his escape. The brief war and +peace of Monsieur succeeded, and the King of Navarre formally abjured the +Catholic creed. The parties were now sharply defined. Guise mounted +upon the League, Henry astride upon the Reformation, were prepared to do +battle to the death. The temporary "war of the amorous" was followed by +the peace of Fleix. + +Four years of peace again; four fat years of wantonness and riot +preceding fourteen hungry famine-stricken years of bloodiest civil war. +The voluptuousness and infamy of the Louvre were almost paralleled in +vice, if not in splendour, by the miniature court at Pau. Henry's +Spartan grandfather would scarce have approved the courses of the youth, +whose education he had commenced on so simple a scale. For Margaret +of Valois, hating her husband, and living in most undisguised and +promiscuous infidelity to him, had profited by her mother's lessons. +A seraglio of maids of honour ministered to Henry's pleasures, and were +carefully instructed that the peace and war of the kingdom were +playthings in their hands. While at Paris royalty was hopelessly sinking +in a poisonous marsh, there was danger that even the hardy nature of the +Bearnese would be mortally enervated by the atmosphere in which he lived. + +The unhappy Henry III., baited by the Guises, worried by Alencon and his +mother, implored the King of Navarre to return to Paris and the Catholic +faith. M. de Segur, chief of Navarre's council, who had been won over +during a visit to the capital, where he had made the discovery that +"Henry III. was an angel, and his ministers devils," came back to Pau, +urging his master's acceptance of the royal invitation. Henry wavered. +Bold D'Aubigne, stanchest of Huguenots, and of his friends, next day +privately showed Segur a palace-window opening on a very steep precipice +over the Bayae, and cheerfully assured him that he should be flung from +it did he not instantly reverse his proceedings, and give his master +different advice. If I am not able to do the deed myself, said +D'Aubigne, here are a dozen more to help me. The chief of the council +cast a glance behind him, saw a number of grim Puritan soldiers, with +their hats plucked down upon their brows, looking very serious; so made +his bow, and quite changed his line of conduct. + +At about the same time, Philip II. confidentially offered Henry of +Navarre four hundred thousand crowns in hand, and twelve hundred thousand +yearly, if he would consent to make war upon Henry III. Mucio, or the +Duke of Guise, being still in Philip's pay, the combination of Leaguers +and Huguenots against the unfortunate Valois would, it was thought, be a +good triangular contest. + +But Henry--no longer the unsophisticated youth who had been used to run +barefoot among the cliffs of Coarasse--was grown too crafty a politician +to be entangled by Spanish or Medicean wiles. The Duke of Anjou was now +dead. Of all the princes who had stood between him and the throne, there +was none remaining save the helpless, childless, superannuated youth, who +was its present occupant. The King of Navarre was legitimate heir to the +crown of France. "Espoir" was now in letters of light upon his shield, +but he knew that his path to greatness led through manifold dangers, and +that it was only at the head of his Huguenot chivalry that he could cut +his way. He was the leader of the nobles of Gascony, and Dauphins, and +Guienne, in their mountain fastnesses, of the weavers, cutlers, and +artizans, in their thriving manufacturing and trading towns. It was not +Spanish gold, but carbines and cutlasses, bows and bills, which could +bring him to the throne of his ancestors. + +And thus he stood the chieftain of that great austere party of Huguenots, +the men who went on, their knees before the battle, beating their breasts +with their iron gauntlets, and singing in full chorus a psalm of David, +before smiting the Philistines hip and thigh. + +Their chieftain, scarcely their representative--fit to lead his Puritans +on the battle-field, was hardly a model for them elsewhere. Yet, though +profligate in one respect, he was temperate in every other. In food, +wine, and sleep, he was always moderate. Subtle and crafty in self- +defence, he retained something of his old love of truth, of his hatred +for liars. Hardly generous perhaps, he was a friend of justice, while +economy in a wandering King, like himself, was a necessary virtue, of +which France one day was to feel the beneficent action. Reckless and +headlong in appearance, he was in truth the most careful of men. On the +religious question, most cautious of all, he always left the door open +behind him, disclaimed all bigotry of opinion, and earnestly implored the +Papists to seek, not his destruction, but his instruction. Yet prudent +as he was by nature in every other regard, he was all his life the slave +of one woman or another, and it was by good luck rather than by sagacity +that he did not repeatedly forfeit the fruits of his courage and conduct, +in obedience to his master-passion. + +Always open to conviction on the subject of his faith, he repudiated the +appellation of heretic. A creed, he said, was not to be changed like a +shirt, but only on due deliberation, and under special advice. In his +secret heart he probably regarded the two religions as his chargers, and +was ready to mount alternately the one or the other, as each seemed the +more likely to bear him safely in the battle. The Bearnese was no +Puritan, but he was most true to himself and to his own advancement. His +highest principle of action was to reach his goal, and to that principle +he was ever loyal. Feeling, too, that it was the interest of France that +he should succeed, he was even inspired--compared with others on the +stage--by an almost lofty patriotism. + +Amiable by nature and by habit, he had preserved the most unimpaired +good-humour throughout the horrible years which succeeded St. +Bartholomew, during which he carried his life in his hand, and learned +not to wear his heart upon his sleeve. Without gratitude, without +resentment, without fear, without remorse, entirely arbitrary, yet with +the capacity to use all men's judgments; without convictions, save in +regard to his dynastic interests, he possessed all the qualities, +necessary to success. He knew how to use his enemies. He knew how to +use his friends, to abuse them, and to throw them away. He refused to +assassinate Francis Alencon at the bidding of Henry III., but he +attempted to procure the murder of the truest of his own friends, one of +the noblest characters of the age--whose breast showed twelve scars +received in his services--Agrippa D'Aubigne, because the honest soldier +had refused to become his pimp--a service the King had implored upon his +knees. + +Beneath the mask of perpetual careless good-humour, lurked the keenest +eye, a subtle, restless, widely combining brain, and an iron will. +Native sagacity had been tempered into consummate elasticity by the fiery +atmosphere in which feebler natures had been dissolved. His wit was as +flashing and as quickly unsheathed as his sword. Desperate, apparently +reckless temerity on the battle-field was deliberately indulged in, that +the world might be brought to recognise a hero and chieftain in a King. +The do-nothings of the Merovingian line had been succeeded by the Pepins; +to the effete Carlovingians had come a Capet; to the impotent Valois +should come a worthier descendant of St. Louis. This was shrewd Gascon +calculation, aided by constitutional fearlessness. When despatch- +writing, invisible Philips, stargazing Rudolphs, and petticoated Henrys, +sat upon the thrones of Europe, it was wholesome to show the world that +there was a King left who could move about in the bustle and business of +the age, and could charge as well as most soldiers at the head of his +cavalry; that there was one more sovereign fit to reign over men, besides +the glorious Virgin who governed England. + +Thus courageous, crafty, far-seeing, consistent, untiring, imperturbable, +he was born to command, and had a right to reign. He had need of the +throne, and the throne had still more need of him. + +This then was the third Henry, representative of the third side of the +triangle, the reformers of the kingdom. + +And before this bubbling cauldron of France, where intrigues, foreign and +domestic, conflicting ambitions, stratagems, and hopes, were whirling in +never-ceasing tumult, was it strange if the plain Netherland envoys +should stand somewhat aghast? + +Yet it was necessary that they should ponder well the aspect of affairs; +for all their hopes, the very existence of themselves and of their +religion, depended upon the organization which should come of this chaos. + +It must be remembered, however, that those statesmen--even the wisest or +the best-informed of them--could not take so correct a view of France and +its politics as it is possible for us, after the lapse of three +centuries, to do. The interior leagues, subterranean schemes, +conflicting factions, could only be guessed at; nor could the immediate +future be predicted, even by such far-seeing politicians as William of +Orange; at a distance, or Henry of Navarre, upon the spot. + +It was obvious to the Netherlanders that France, although torn by +faction, was a great and powerful realm. There had now been, with the +brief exception of the lovers' war in 1580, a religious peace of eight +years' duration. The Huguenots had enjoyed tranquil exercise of their +worship during that period, and they expressed perfect confidence in the +good faith of the King. That the cities were inordinately taxed to +supply the luxury of the court could hardly be unknown to the +Netherlanders. Nevertheless they knew that the kingdom was the richest +and most populous of Christendom, after that of Spain. Its capital, +already called by contemporaries the "compendium of the world," was +described by travellers as "stupendous in extent and miraculous for its +numbers." It was even said to contain eight hundred thousand souls; and +although, its actual population did not probably exceed three hundred and +twenty thousand, yet this was more than double the number of London's +inhabitants, and thrice as many as Antwerp could then boast, now that a +great proportion of its foreign denizens had been scared away. Paris was +at least by one hundred thousand more populous than any city of Europe, +except perhaps the remote and barbarous Moscow, while the secondary +cities of France, Rouen in the north, Lyons in the centre, and Marseilles +in the south, almost equalled in size, business, wealth, and numbers, the +capitals of other countries. In the whole kingdom were probably ten or +twelve millions of inhabitants, nearly as many as in Spain, without her +colonies, and perhaps three times the number that dwelt in England. + +In a military point of view, too, the alliance of France was most +valuable to the contiguous Netherlands. A few regiments of French +troops, under the command of one of their experienced Marshals, could +block up the Spaniards in the Walloon Provinces, effectually stop their +operations against Ghent, Antwerp, and the other great cities of Flanders +and Brabant, and, with the combined action of the United Provinces on the +north, so surround and cripple the forces of Parma, as to reduce the +power of Philip, after a few vigorous and well-concerted blows, to an +absolute nullity in, the Low Countries. As this result was of as vital +importance to the real interests of France and of Europe, whether +Protestant or Catholic, as it was to the Provinces, and as the French +government had privately manifested a strong desire to oppose the +progress of Spain towards universal empire, it was not surprising that +the States General, not feeling capable of standing alone, should make +their application to France. This they had done with the knowledge and +concurrence of the English government. What lay upon the surface the +Netherland statesmen saw and pondered well. What lurked beneath, they +surmised as shrewdly as they could, but it was impossible, with plummet +and fathom-line ever in hand, to sound the way with perfect accuracy, +where the quicksands were ever shifting, and the depth or shallowness of +the course perpetually varying. It was not easy to discover the +intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions, and +whose changing policy was controlled by so many hidden currents. + +Moreover, as already indicated, the envoys and those whom they +represented had not the same means of arriving at a result as are granted +to us. Thanks to the liberality of many modern governments of Europe, +the archives where the state-secrets of the buried centuries have so +long mouldered, are now open to the student of history. To him who +has patience and industry many mysteries are thus revealed, which no +political sagacity or critical acumen could have divined. He leans over +the shoulder of Philip the Second at his writing-table, as the King +spells patiently out, with cipher-key in hand, the most concealed +hieroglyphics of Parma or Guise or Mendoza. He reads the secret thoughts +of "Fabius,"--[The name usually assigned to Philip himself in the Paris- +Simancas Correspondence.]--as that cunctative Roman scrawls his marginal +apostilles on each despatch; he pries into all the stratagems of +Camillus, Hortensius, Mucius, Julius, Tullius, and the rest of those +ancient heroes who lent their names to the diplomatic masqueraders of +the 16th century; he enters the cabinet of the deeply-pondering Burghley, +and takes from the most private drawer the memoranda which record that +minister's unutterable doubtings; he pulls from the dressing-gown folds +of the stealthy, softly-gliding Walsingham the last secret which he has +picked from the Emperor's pigeon-holes, or the Pope's pocket, and which, +not Hatton, nor Buckhurst, nor Leicester, nor the Lord Treasurer, is to +see; nobody but Elizabeth herself; he sits invisible at the most secret +councils of the Nassaus and Barneveldt and Buys, or pores with Farnese +over coming victories, and vast schemes of universal conquest; he reads +the latest bit of scandal, the minutest characteristic of king or +minister, chronicled by the gossiping Venetians for the edification of +the Forty; and, after all this prying and eavesdropping, having seen the +cross-purposes, the bribings, the windings, the fencings in the dark, he +is not surprised, if those who were systematically deceived did not +always arrive at correct conclusions. + +Noel de Caron, Seigneur de Schoneval, had been agent of the States at the +French court at the time of the death of the Duke of Anjou. Upon the +occurrence of that event, La Mouillerie and Asseliers were deputed by the +Provinces to King Henry III., in order to offer him the sovereignty, +which they had intended to confer upon his brother. Meantime that +brother, just before his death, and with the privity of Henry, had been +negotiating for a marriage with the younger daughter of Philip II.--an +arrangement somewhat incompatible with his contemporaneous scheme to +assume the sovereignty of Philip's revolted Provinces. An attempt had +been made at the same time to conciliate the Duke of Savoy, and invite +him to the French court; but the Duc de Joyeuse, then on his return from +Turin, was bringing the news, not only that the match with Anjou was not +favored--which, as Anjou was dead, was of no great consequence--but that +the Duke of Savoy was himself to espouse the Infanta, and was therefore +compelled to decline the invitation to Paris, for fear of offending his +father-in-law. Other matters were in progress, to be afterwards +indicated, very much interfering with the negotiations of the Netherland +envoys. + +When La Mouillerie and Asseliers arrived at Rouen, on their road from +Dieppe to Paris, they received a peremptory order from the Queen-Mother +to proceed no farther. This prohibition was brought by an unofficial +personage, and was delivered, not to them, but to Des Pruneaux, French +envoy to the States General, who had accompanied the envoys to France. + +After three weeks' time, during which they "kept themselves continually +concealed in Rouen," there arrived in that city a young nephew of +Secretary Brulart, who brought letters empowering him to hear what they +had in charge for the King. The envoys, not much flattered by such +cavalier treatment on the part of him to, whom they were offering a +crown, determined to digest the affront as they best might, and, to save +time, opened the whole business to this subordinate stripling. He +received from them accordingly an ample memoir to be laid before his +Majesty, and departed by the post the same night. Then they waited ten +days longer, concealed as if they had been thieves or spies, rather than +the representatives of a friendly power, on a more than friendly errand. + +At last, on the 24th July 1854, after the deputies had been thus shut up +a whole month, Secretary Brulart himself arrived from Fontainebleau. + +He stated that the King sent his royal thanks to the States for the offer +which they had made him, and to the deputies in particular for taking the +trouble of so long a journey; but that he did not find his realm in +condition to undertake a foreign war so inopportunely. In every other +regard, his Majesty offered the States "all possible favours and +pleasures." + +Certainly, after having been thus kept in prison for a month, the +ambassadors had small cause to be contented with this very cold +communication. To be forbidden the royal presence, and to be turned out +of the country without even an official and accredited answer to a +communication in which they had offered the sovereignty of their +fatherland, was not flattering to their dignity. "We little thought," +said they to Brulart, after a brief consultation among themselves, "to +receive such a reply as this. It displeases us infinitely that his +Majesty will not do us the honour to grant us an audience. We must take +the liberty of saying, that 'tis treating the States, our masters, with +too much contempt. Who ever heard before of refusing audience to public +personages? Kings often grant audience to mere letter-carriers. Even +the King of Spain never refused a hearing to the deputies from the +Netherlands when they came to Spain to complain of his own government. +The States General have sent envoys to many other kinds and princes, and +they have instantly granted audience in every case. His Majesty, too, +has been very ill-informed of the contracts which we formerly made with +the Duke of Anjou, and therefore a personal interview is the more +necessary." As the envoys were obstinate on the point of Paris, Brulart +said "that the King, although he should himself be at Lyons, would not +prevent any one from going to the capital on his own private affairs; but +would unquestionably take it very ill if, they should visit that city in +a public manner, and as deputies." + +Des Pruneaux professed himself "very grievous at this result, and +desirous of a hundred deaths in consequence." + +They stated that they should be ready within a month to bring an army of +3,000 horse and 13,000 foot into the field for the relief of Ghent, +besides their military operations against Zutphen; and that the enemy had +recently been ignominiously defeated in his attack upon Fort Lille, and +had lost 2,000 of his best soldiers. + +Here were encouraging facts; and it certainly was worth the while of the +French sovereign to pause a moment before rejecting without a hearing, +the offer of such powerful and conveniently-situated provinces. + +Des Pruneaux, a man of probity and earnestness, but perhaps of +insufficient ability to deal with such grave matters as now fell almost +entirely upon his shoulders, soon afterwards obtained audience of the +King. Being most sincerely in favour of the annexation of the +Netherlands to France, and feeling that now or never was the opportunity +of bringing it about, he persuaded the King to send him back to the +Provinces, in order to continue the negotiation directly with the States +General. The timidity and procrastination of the court could be overcome +no further. + +The two Dutch envoys, who had stolen secretly to Paris, were indulged in +a most barren and unmeaning interview with the Queen-Mother. Before +their departure from France, however, they had the advantage of much +conversation with leading members of the royal council, of the +parliaments of Paris and Rouen, and also with various persons professing +the reformed religion. They endeavoured thus to inform themselves, as +well as they could, why the King made so much difficulty in accepting +their propositions, and whether, and by what means, his Majesty could be +induced to make war in their behalf upon the King of Spain. + +They were informed that, should Holland and Zeeland unite with the rest +of the Netherlands, the King "without any doubt would undertake the cause +most earnestly." His councillors, also--even those who had been most +active in dissuading his Majesty from such a policy--would then be +unanimous in supporting the annexation of the Provinces and the war with +Spain. In such a contingency, with the potent assistance of Holland and +Zeeland, the King would have little difficulty, within a very short time, +in chasing every single Spaniard out of the Netherlands. To further this +end, many leading personages in France avowed to the envoys their +determination "to venture their lives and their fortunes, and to use all +the influence which they possessed at court." + +The same persons expressed their conviction that the King, once satisfied +by the Provinces as to conditions and reasons, would cheerfully go into +the war, without being deterred by any apprehension as to the power of +Spain. It was, however, fitting that each Province should chaffer as +little as possible about details, but should give his Majesty every +reasonable advantage. They should remember that they were dealing with +"a great, powerful monarch, who was putting his realm in jeopardy, and +not with a Duke of Anjou, who had every thing to gain and nothing to +lose." + +All the Huguenots, with whom the envoys conversed, were excessively +sanguine. Could the King be once brought they said, to promise the +Netherlands his protection, there was not the least fear but that he +would keep his word. He would use all the means within his power; "yea, +he would take the crown from his head," rather than turn back. Although +reluctant to commence a war with so powerful a sovereign, having once +promised his help, he would keep his pledge to the utmost, "for he was a +King of his word," and had never broken and would never break his faith +with those of the reformed religion. + +Thus spoke the leading Huguenots of France, in confidential communication +with the Netherland envoys, not many months before the famous edict of +extermination, published at Nemours. + +At that moment the reformers were full of confidence; not foreseeing the +long procession of battles and sieges which was soon to sweep through the +land. Notwithstanding the urgency of the Papists for their extirpation, +they extolled loudly the liberty of religious worship which Calvinists, +as well as Catholics, were enjoying in France, and pointed to the fact +that the adherents of both religions were well received at court, and +that they shared equally in offices of trust and dignity throughout the +kingdom. + +The Netherland envoys themselves bore testimony to the undisturbed +tranquillity and harmony in which the professors of both religions were +living and worshipping side by side "without reproach or quarrel" in all +the great cities which they had visited. They expressed the conviction +that the same toleration would be extended to all the Provinces when +under French dominion; and, so far as their ancient constitutions and +privileges were concerned, they were assured that the King of France +would respect and maintain them with as much fidelity as the States could +possibly desire. + +Des Pruneaux, accompanied by the two States' envoys, departed forthwith +for the Netherlands. On the 24th August, 1584 he delivered a discourse +before the States General, in which he disclosed, in very general terms, +the expectations of Henry III., and intimated very clearly that the +different Provinces were to lose no time in making an unconditional offer +to that monarch. With regard to Holland and Zeeland he observed that he +was provided with a special commission to those Estates. It was not long +before one Province after the other came to the conclusion to offer the +sovereignty to the King without written conditions, but with a general +understanding that their religious freedom and their ancient +constitutions were to be sacredly respected. Meantime, Des Pruneaux made +his appearance in Holland and Zeeland, and declared the King's intentions +of espousing the cause of the States, and of accepting the sovereignty of +all the Provinces. He distinctly observed, however, that it was as +sovereign, not as protector, that his Majesty must be recognised in +Holland and Zeeland, as well as in the rest of the country. + +Upon this grave question there was much debate and much difference of +opinion. Holland and Zeeland had never contemplated the possibility of +accepting any foreign sovereignty, and the opponents of the present +scheme were loud and angry, but very reasonable in their remarks. + +The French, they said, were no respecters of privileges nor of persons. +The Duke of Anjou had deceived William of Orange and betrayed the +Provinces. Could they hope to see farther than that wisest and most +experienced prince? Had not the stout hearts of the Antwerp burghers +proved a stronger defence to Brabant liberties than the "joyous entry" on +the dread day of the "French fury," it would have fared ill then and for +ever with the cause of freedom and religion in the Netherlands. The King +of France was a Papist, a Jesuit. He was incapable of keeping his +pledges. Should they make the arrangement now proposed and confer the +sovereignty upon him, he would forthwith make peace with Spain, and +transfer the Provinces back to that crown in exchange for the duchy of +Milan, which France had ever coveted. The Netherlands, after a quarter +of a century of fighting in defence of their hearths and altars, would +find themselves handed over again, bound and fettered, to the tender +mercies of the Spanish Inquisition. + +The Kings of France and of Spain always acted in concert, for religion +was the most potent of bonds. Witness the sacrifice of thousands of +French soldiers to Alva by their own sovereign at Mons, witness the fate +of Genlis, witness the bloody night of St. Bartholomew, witness the +Antwerp fury. Men cited and relied upon the advice of William of Orange +as to this negotiation with France. But Orange never dreamed of going so +far as now proposed. He was ever careful to keep the Provinces of +Holland and Zeeland safe from every foreign master. That spot was to be +holy ground. Not out of personal ambition. God forbid that they, should +accuse his memory of any such impurity, but because he wished one safe +refuge for the spirit of freedom. + +Many years long they had held out by land and sea against the Spaniards, +and should they now, because this Des Pruneaux shrugged his shoulders, be +so alarmed as to open the door to the same Spaniard wearing the disguise +of a Frenchman? + +Prince Maurice also made a brief representation to the States' Assembly +of Holland, in which, without distinctly opposing the negotiation with +France, he warned them not to proceed too hastily with so grave a matter. +He reminded them how far they had gone in the presentation of the +sovereignty to his late father, and requested them, in their dealings +with France, not to forget his interests and those of his family. He +reminded them of the position of that family, overladen with debt +contracted in their service alone. He concluded by offering most +affectionately his service in any way in which he, young and +inexperienced as he knew himself to be, might be thought useful; as he +was long since resolved to devote his life to the welfare of his country. + +These passionate appeals were answered with equal vehemence by those who +had made up their minds to try the chances of the French sovereignty. +Des Pruneaux, meanwhile, was travelling from province to province, and +from city to city, using the arguments which have already been +sufficiently indicated, and urging a speedy compliance with the French +King's propositions. At the same time, in accordance with his +instructions, he was very cautious to confine himself to generalities, +and to avoid hampering his royal master with the restrictions which had +proved so irksome to the Duke of Anjou. + +"The States General demanded a copy of my speech," he wrote the day after +that harangue had been delivered, "but I only gave them a brief outline; +extending myself [25th August, 1584] as little as I possibly could, +according to the intention and command of your Majesty. When I got here, +I found them without hope of our assistance, and terribly agitated by the +partizans of Spain. There was some danger of their going over in a panic +to the enemy. They are now much changed again, and the Spanish partizans +are beginning to lose their tongues. I invite them, if they intend to +address your Majesty, to proceed as they ought towards a veritably grand +monarch, without hunting up any of their old quibbles, or reservations of +provinces, or any thing else which could inspire suspicion. I have sent +into Gelderland and Friesland, for I find I must stay here in Holland and +Zeeland myself. These two provinces are the gates and ramparts through +which we must enter. 'Tis, in my opinion, what could be called superb, +to command all the sea, thus subject to the crown of France. And France, +too, with assistance of this country, will command the land as well. +They are much astonished here, however, that I communicate nothing of the +intention of your Majesty. They say that if your Majesty does not accept +this offer of their country, your Majesty puts the rope around their +necks." + +The French envoy was more and more struck with the brilliancy of the +prize offered to his master. "If the King gets these Provinces," said he +to Catharine, "'t will be the most splendid inheritance which Prince has +ever conquered." + +In a very few weeks the assiduity of the envoy and of the French party +was successful. All the other provinces had very soon repeated the offer +which they had previously made through Asseliers and La Mouillerie. By +the beginning of October the opposition of Holland was vanquished. The +estates of that Province--three cities excepted, however--determined "to +request England and France to assume a joint protectorate over the +Netherlands. In case the King of France should refuse this proposition, +they were then ready to receive him as prince and master, with knowledge +and consent of the Queen of England, and on such conditions as the United +States should approve." + +Immediately afterwards, the General Assembly of all the States determined +to offer the sovereignty to King Henry "on conditions to be afterwards +settled." + +Des Pruneaux, thus triumphant, received a gold chain of the value of two +thousand florins, and departed before the end of October for France. + +The departure of the solemn embassy to that country, for the purpose of +offering the sovereignty to the King, was delayed till the beginning of +January. Meantime it is necessary to cast a glance at the position of +England in relation to these important transactions. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to deceive +Enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists +Find our destruction in our immoderate desire for peace +German-Lutheran sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom +Intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions +Lord was better pleased with adverbs than nouns +Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf will eat you +Necessity of kingship +Neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own +Nor is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence +Pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law +Seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous +Shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen +String of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza +The very word toleration was to sound like an insult +There was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm +Tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health +Write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v37 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History United Netherlands, 1584-1585 + + +CHAPTER III. + + Policy of England--Schemes of the Pretender of Portugal--Hesitation + of the French Court--Secret Wishes of France--Contradictory Views as + to the Opinions of Netherlanders--Their Love for England and + Elizabeth--Prominent Statesmen of the Provinces--Roger Williams the + Welshman Views of Walsingham, Burghley, and the Queen--An Embassy to + Holland decided upon--Davison at the Hague--Cautious and Secret + Measures of Burghley--Consequent Dissatisfaction of Walsingham-- + English and Dutch Suspicion of France--Increasing Affection of + Holland for England. + +The policy of England towards the Provinces had been somewhat hesitating, +but it had not been disloyal. It was almost inevitable that there should +be timidity in the councils of Elizabeth, when so grave a question as +that of confronting the vast power of Spain was forcing itself day by +day more distinctly upon the consideration of herself and her statesmen. +It was very clear, now that Orange was dead, that some new and decided +step would be taken. Elizabeth was in favour of combined action by the +French and English governments, in behalf of the Netherlands--a joint +protectorate of the Provinces, until such time as adequate concessions on +the religious question could be obtained from Spain. She was unwilling +to plunge into the peril and expense of a war with the strongest power in +the world. She disliked the necessity under which she should be placed +of making repeated applications to her parliament, and of thus fostering +the political importance of the Commons; she was reluctant to encourage +rebellious subjects in another land, however just the cause of their +revolt. She felt herself vulnerable in Ireland and on the Scottish +border. Nevertheless, the Spanish power was becoming so preponderant, +that if the Netherlands were conquered, she could never feel a moment's +security within her own territory. If the Provinces were annexed to +France, on the other hand, she could not contemplate with complacency +the increased power thus placed in the hands of the treacherous and +jesuitical house of Valois. + +The path of the Queen was thickly strewed with peril: her advisers were +shrewd, far-seeing, patriotic, but some of them were perhaps over +cautious. The time had, however, arrived when the danger was to be +faced, if the whole balance of power in Europe were not to come to an +end, and weak states, like England and the Netherlands, to submit to the +tyranny of an overwhelming absolutism. The instinct of the English +sovereign, of English statesmen, of the English nation, taught them that +the cause of the Netherlands was their own. Nevertheless, they were +inclined to look on yet a little longer, although the part of spectator +had become an impossible one. The policy of the English government was +not treacherous, although it was timid. That of the French court was +both the one and the other, and it would have been better both for +England and the Provinces, had they more justly appreciated the character +of Catharine de' Medici and her son. + +The first covert negotiations between Henry and the States had caused +much anxiety among the foreign envoys in France. Don Bernardino de +Mendoza, who had recently returned from Spain after his compulsory +retreat from his post of English ambassador, was now established in +Paris, as representative of Philip. He succeeded Tasais--a Netherlander +by birth, and one of the ablest diplomatists in the Spanish service--and +his house soon became the focus of intrigue against the government to +which he was accredited--the very head-quarters of the League. His +salary was large, his way of living magnificent, his insolence +intolerable. + +"Tassis is gone to the Netherlands," wrote envoy Busbecq to the Emperor, +"and thence is to proceed to Spain. Don Bernardino has arrived in his +place. If it be the duty of a good ambassador to expend largely, it +would be difficult to find a better one than he; for they say 'tis his +intention to spend sixteen thousand dollars yearly in his embassy. I +would that all things were in correspondence; and that he were not in +other respects so inferior to Tassis." + +It is, however, very certain that Mendoza was not only a brave soldier, +but a man of very considerable capacity in civil affairs, although his +inordinate arrogance interfered most seriously with his skill as a +negotiator. He was, of course, watching with much fierceness the +progress of these underhand proceedings between the French court and the +rebellious subjects of his master, and using threats and expostulations +in great profusion. "Mucio," too, the great stipendiary of Philip, was +becoming daily more dangerous, and the adherents of the League were +multiplying with great celerity. + +The pretender of Portugal, Don Antonio, prior of Crato, was also in +Paris; and it was the policy of both the French and the English +governments to protect his person, and to make use of him as a rod over +the head of Philip. Having escaped, after the most severe sufferings, in +the mountains of Spain, where he had been tracked like a wild beast, with +a price of thirty thousand crowns placed upon his head, he was now most +anxious to stir the governments of Europe into espousing his cause, and +into attacking Spain through the recently acquired kingdom of Portugal. +Meantime, he was very desirous of some active employment, to keep himself +from starving, and conceived the notion, that it would be an excellent +thing for the Netherlands and himself, were he to make good to them the +loss of William the Silent. + +"Don Antonio," wrote Stafford, "made a motion to me yesterday, to move +her Majesty, that now upon the Prince of Orange's death, as it is a +necessary thing for them to have a governor and head, and him to be at +her Majesty's devotion, if her Majesty would be at the means to work it +for him, she should be assured nobody should be more faithfully tied in +devotion to her than he. Truly you would pity the poor man's case, who +is almost next door to starving in effect." + +A starving condition being, however, not the only requisite in a governor +and head to replace the Prince of Orange, nothing came of this motion. +Don Antonio remained in Paris, in a pitiable plight, and very much +environed by dangers; for the Duke of Guise and his brother had +undertaken to deliver him into the hands of Philip the Second, or those +of his ministers, before the feast of St. John of the coming year. Fifty +thousand dollars were to be the reward of this piece of work, combined +with other services; "and the sooner they set about it the better," said +Philip, writing a few months later, "for the longer they delay it, the +less easy will they find it."' + +The money was never earned, however, and meantime Don Antonio made +himself as useful as he could, in picking up information for Sir Edward +Stafford and the other opponents of Spanish policy in Paris. + +The English envoy was much embarrassed by the position of affairs. He +felt sure that the French monarch would never dare to enter the lists +against the king of Spain, yet he was accurately informed of the secret +negotiations with the Netherlands, while in the dark as to the ultimate +intentions of his own government. + +"I was never set to school so much," he wrote to Walsingham (27th July, +1584), "as I have been to decipher the cause of the deputies of the Low +Countries coming hither, the offers that they made the King here, and the +King's manner of dealing with them!" + +He expressed great jealousy at the mystery which enveloped the whole +transaction; and much annoyance with Noel de Caron, who "kept very +secret, and was angry at the motion," when he endeavoured to discover the +business in which they were engaged. Yet he had the magnanimity to +request Walsingham not to mention the fact to the Queen, lest she should +be thereby prejudiced against the States. + +"For my part," said he, "I would be glad in any thing to further them, +rather than to hinder them--though they do not deserve it--yet for the +good the helping them at this time may bring ourselves." + +Meantime, the deputies went away from France, and the King went to Lyons, +where he had hoped to meet both the Duke of Savoy and the King of +Navarre. But Joyeuse, who had been received at Chambery with "great +triumphs and tourneys," brought back only a broken wrist, without +bringing the Duke of Savoy; that potentate sending word that the "King of +Spain had done him the honour to give him his daughter, and that it was +not fit for him to do any thing that might bring jealousy." + +Henry of Navarre also, as we have seen, declined the invitation sent him, +M. de Segur not feeling disposed for the sudden flight out of window +suggested by Agrippa D' Aubigne; so that, on the whole, the King and his +mother, with all the court, returned from Lyons in marvellous ill humour. + +"The King storms greatly," said Stafford, "and is in a great dump." +It was less practicable than ever to discover the intentions of the +government; for although it was now very certain that active exertions +were making by Des Pruneaux in the Provinces, it was not believed by the +most sagacious that a serious resolution against Spain had been taken in +France. There was even a talk of a double matrimonial alliance, at that +very moment, between the two courts. + +"It is for certain here said," wrote Stafford, "that the King of Spain +doth presently marry the dowager of France, and 'tis thought that if the +King of Spain marry, he will not live a year. Whensoever the marriage +be," added the envoy, "I would to God the effect were true, for if it be +not by some such handy work of God, I am afraid things will not go so +well as I could wish." + +There was a lull on the surface of affairs, and it was not easy to sound +the depths of unseen combinations and intrigues. + +There was also considerable delay in the appointment and the arrival of +the new deputies from the Netherlands; and Stafford was as doubtful as +ever as to the intentions of his own government. + +"They look daily here for the States," he wrote to Walsingham (29th Dec. +1584), "and I pray that I may hear from you as soon as you may, what +course I shall take when they be here, either hot or cold or lukewarm in +the matter, and in what sort I shall behave myself. Some badly affected +have gone about to put into the King's head, that they never meant to +offer the sovereignty, which, though the King be not thoroughly persuaded +of, yet so much is won by this means that the King hearkeneth to see the +end, and then to believe as he seeth cause, and in the meantime to speak +no more of any such matter than if it had never been moved." + +While his Majesty was thus hearkening in order to see more, according to +Sir Edward's somewhat Hibernian mode of expressing himself, and keeping +silent that he might see the better, it was more difficult than ever for +the envoy to know what course to pursue. Some persons went so far as to +suggest that the whole negotiation was a mere phantasmagoria devised by +Queen Elizabeth--her purpose being to breed a quarrel between Henry and +Philip for her own benefit; and "then, seeing them together by the ears, +as her accustomed manner was, to let them go alone, and sit still to look +on." + +The King did not appear to be much affected by these insinuations against +Elizabeth; but the doubt and the delay were very harrassing. "I would to +God," wrote the English envoy, "that if the States mean to do anything +here with the King, and if her. Majesty and the council think it fit, +they would delay no time, but go roundly either to an agreement or to a +breach with the King. Otherwise, as the matter now sleepeth, so it will +die, for the King must be taken in his humour when he begins to nibble at +any bait, for else he will come away, and never bite a full bite while he +liveth." + +There is no doubt that the bait, at which Henry nibbled with much +avidity, was the maritime part of the Netherlands. Holland and Zeeland +in the possession of either England or Spain, was a perpetual +inconvenience to France. The King, or rather the Queen-Mother and her +advisers--for Henry himself hardly indulged in any profound reflections. +on state-affairs,--desired and had made a sine qua non of those +Provinces. It had been the French policy, from the beginning, to delay +matters, in order to make the States feel the peril of their position to +the full. + +"The King, differing and temporising," wrote Herle to the Queen, "would +have them fall into that necessity and danger, as that they should offer +unto him simply the possession of all their estates. Otherwise, they +were to see, as in a glass, their evident and hasty ruin." + +Even before the death of Orange, Henry had been determined, if possible, +to obtain possession of the island of Walcheren, which controlled the +whole country. "To give him that," said Herle, "would be to turn the hot +end of the poker towards themselves, and put the cold part in the King's +hand. He had accordingly made a secret offer to William of Orange, +through the Princess, of two millions of livres in ready money, or, +if he preferred it, one hundred thousand livres yearly of perpetual +inheritance, if he would secure to him the island of Walcheren. In that +case he promised to declare war upon the King of Spain, to confirm to the +States their privileges, and to guarantee to the Prince the earldoms of +Holland and Zeeland, with all his other lands and titles." + +It is superfluous to say that such offers were only regarded by the +Prince as an affront. It was, however, so necessary, in his opinion; to +maintain the cause of the reformed churches in France, and to keep up the +antagonism between that country and Spain, that the French policy was not +abandoned, although the court was always held in suspicion. + +But on the death of William, there was a strong reaction against France +and in favour of England. Paul Buys, one of the ablest statesmen of the +Netherlands, Advocate of Holland, and a confidential friend of William +the Silent up to the time of his death, now became the leader of the +English party, and employed his most strenuous efforts against the French +treaty-having "seen the scope of that court." + +With regard to the other leading personages, there was a strong +inclination in favour of Queen Elizabeth, whose commanding character +inspired great respect. At the same time warmer sentiments of adhesion +seem to have been expressed towards the French court, by the same +individuals, than the, mere language of compliment justified. + +Thus, the widowed Princess of Orange was described by Des Pruneaux to his +sovereign, as "very desolate, but nevertheless doing all in her power to +advance his interests; the Count Maurice, of gentle hopes, as also most +desirous of remaining his Majesty's humble servant, while Elector +Truchsess was said to be employing himself, in the same cause, with very +great affection." + +A French statesman resident in the Provinces, whose name has not been +preserved, but who was evidently on intimate terms with many eminent +Netherlanders, declared that Maurice, "who had a mind entirely French, +deplored infinitely the misfortunes of France, and regretted that all the +Provinces could not be annexed to so fair a kingdom. I do assure you," +he added, "that he is in no wise English." + +Of Count Hohenlo, general-in-chief of the States' army under Prince +Maurice, and afterwards his brother-in-law, the same gentleman spoke with +even greater confidence. "Count d'Oloc," said he (for by that ridiculous +transformation of his name the German general was known to French and +English), "with whom I have passed three weeks on board the fleet of the +States, is now wholly French, and does not love the English at all. The +very first time I saw him, he protested twice or thrice, in presence of +members of the States General and of the State Council, that if he had no +Frenchmen he could never carry on the war. He made more account," he +said, "of two thousand French than of six thousand others, English, or +Germans." + +Yet all these distinguished persons--the widowed Princess of Orange, +Count Maurice, ex-elector Truchsess, Count Holenlo--were described to +Queen Elizabeth by her confidential agent, then employed in the +Provinces, as entirely at that sovereign's devotion. + +"Count Maurice holds nothing of the French, nor esteems them," said +Herle, "but humbly desired me to signify unto your Majesty that he had in +his mind and determination faithfully vowed his service to your Majesty, +which should be continued in his actions with all duty, and sealed with +his blood; for he knew how much his father and the cause were beholden +ever to your Highness's goodness." + +The Princess, together with her sister-in-law Countess Schwartzenburg, +and the young daughters of the late Prince were described on the same +occasion "as recommending their service unto her Majesty with a most +tender affection, as to a lady of all ladies." "Especially," said Herle, +"did the two Princesses in most humble and wise sort, express a certain +fervent devotion towards your Majesty." + +Elector Truchsess was spoken of as "a prince well qualified and greatly +devoted to her Majesty; who, after many grave and sincere words had of +her Majesty's virtue, calling her 'la fille unique de Dieu, and le bien +heureuse Princesse', desired of God that he might do her service as she +merited." + +And, finally, Count Hollock--who seemed to "be reformed in sundry things, +if it hold" (a delicate allusion to the Count's propensity for strong +potations), was said "to desire humbly to be known for one that would +obey the commandment of her Majesty more than of any earthly prince +living besides." + +There can be no doubt that there was a strong party in favour of an +appeal to England rather than to France. The Netherlanders were too +shrewd a people not to recognize the difference between the king of a +great realm, who painted his face and wore satin petticoats, and the +woman who entertained ambassadors, each in his own language, on gravest +affairs of state, who matched in her wit and wisdom the deepest or the +most sparkling intellects of her council, who made extemporaneous Latin +orations to her universities, and who rode on horseback among her +generals along the lines of her troops in battle-array, and yet was only +the unmarried queen of a petty and turbulent state. + +"The reverend respect that is borne to your Majesty throughout these +countries is great," said William Herle. They would have thrown +themselves into her arms, heart and soul, had they been cordially +extended at that moment of their distress; but she was coy, hesitating, +and, for reasons already sufficiently indicated, although not so +conclusive as they seemed, disposed to temporize and to await the issue +of the negotiations between the Provinces and France. + +In Holland and Zeeland especially, there was an enthusiastic feeling in +favour of the English alliance. "They recommend themselves," said Herleo +"throughout the country in their consultations and assemblies, as also in +their common and private speeches, to the Queen of England's only favour +and goodness, whom they call their saviour, and the Princess of greatest +perfection in wisdom and sincerity that ever governed. Notwithstanding +their treaty now on foot by their deputies with France, they are not more +disposed to be governed by the French than to be tyrannized over by the +Spaniard; concluding it to be alike; and even 'commutare non sortem sed +servitutem'." + +Paul Buys was indefatigable in his exertions against the treaty with +France, and in stimulating the enthusiasm for England and Elizabeth. He +expressed sincere and unaffected devotion to the Queen on all occasions, +and promised that no negotiations should take place, however secret and +confidential, that were not laid before her Majesty. "He has the chief +administration among the States," said Herle, "and to his credit and +dexterity they attribute the despatch of most things. He showed unto me +the state of the enemy throughout the provinces, and of the negotiation +in France, whereof he had no opinion at all of success, nor any will of +his own part but to please the Prince of Orange in his life-time." + +It will be seen in the sequel whether or not the views of this +experienced and able statesman were lucid and comprehensive. It will +also be seen whether his strenuous exertions in favour of the English +alliance were rewarded as bountifully as they deserved, by those most +indebted to him. + +Meantime he was busily employed in making the English government +acquainted with the capacity, disposition, and general plans of the +Netherlanders. + +"They have certain other things in consultation amongst the States to +determine of," wrote Herle, "which they were sworn not to reveal to any, +but Buys protested that nothing should pass but to your liking and +surety, and the same to be altered and disposed as should seem good to +your Highness's own authority; affirming to me sincerely that Holland and +Zeeland, with the rest of the provinces, for the estimation they had of +your high virtue and temperancy, would yield themselves absolutely to +your Majesty and crown for ever, or to none other (their liberties only +reserved), whereof you should have immediate possession, without +reservation of place or privilege." + +The important point of the capability of the Provinces to defend +themselves, about which Elizabeth was most anxious to be informed, was +also fully elucidated by the Advocate. "The means should be such, +proceeding from the Provinces," said he, "as your Majesty might defend +your interest therein with facility against the whole world." He then +indicated a plan, which had been proposed by the States of Brabant to the +States General, according to which they were to keep on foot an army of +15,000 foot and 5000 horse, with which they should be able, "to expulse +the enemy and to reconquer their towns and country lost, within three +months." Of this army they hoped to induce the Queen to furnish 5000 +English footmen and 500 horse, to be paid monthly by a treasurer of her +own; and for the assistance thus to be furnished they proposed to give +Ostend and Sluys as pledge of payment. According to this scheme the +elector palatine, John Casimir, had promised to furnish, equip, and pay +2000 cavalry, taking the town of Maestricht and the country of Limburg, +when freed from the enemy, in pawn for his disbursements; while Antwerp +and Brabant had agreed to supply 300,000 crowns in ready money for +immediate use. Many powerful politicians opposed this policy, however, +and urged reliance upon France, "so that this course seemed to be lame in +many parts."--[Letter of Herle]. + +Agents had already been sent both to England and France, to procure, if +possible, a levy of troops for immediate necessity. The attempt was +unsuccessful in France, but the Dutch community of the reformed religion +in London subscribed nine thousand and five florins. This sum, with +other contributions, proved sufficient to set Morgan's regiment on foot, +which soon after began to arrive in the Netherlands by companies. "But +if it were all here at once," said Stephen Le Sieur, "'t would be but a +breakfast for the enemy." + +The agent for the matter in England was De Griyse, formerly bailiff of +Bruges; and although tolerably successful in his mission, he was not +thought competent for so important a post, nor officially authorised for +the undertaking. While procuring this assistance in English troops he +had been very urgent with the Queen to further the negotiations between +the States and France; and Paul Buys was offended with him as a mischief- +maker and an intriguer. He complained of him as having "thrust himself +in, to deal and intermeddle in the affairs of the Low Countries +unavowed," and desired that he might be closely looked after. + +After the Advocate, the next most important statesman in the provinces +was, perhaps, Meetkerk, President of the High Court of Flanders, a man of +much learning, sincerity, and earnestness of character; having had great +experience in the diplomatic service of the country on many important +occasions. "He stands second in reputation here," said Herle, "and both +Buys and he have one special care in all practises that are discovered, +to examine how near anything may concern your person or kingdom, whereof +they will advertise as matter shall fall out in importance." + +John van Olden-Barneveldt, afterwards so conspicuous in the history of +the country, was rather inclined, at this period, to favour the French +party; a policy which was strenuously furthered by Villiers and by Sainte +Aldegonde. + +Besides the information furnished to the English government, as to the +state of feeling and resources of the Netherlands, by Buys, Meetkerk, and +William Herle, Walsingham relied much upon the experienced eye and the +keen biting humour of Roger Williams. + +A frank open-hearted Welshman, with no fortune but his sword, but as true +as its steel, he had done the States much important service in the hard- +fighting days of Grand Commander Requesens and of Don John of Austria. +With a shrewd Welsh head under his iron morion, and a stout Welsh heart +under his tawny doublet, he had gained little but hard knocks and a dozen +wounds in his campaigning, and had but recently been ransomed, rather +grudgingly by his government, from a Spanish prison in Brabant. He was +suffering in health from its effects, but was still more distressed in +mind, from his sagacious reading of the signs of the times. Fearing that +England was growing lukewarm, and the Provinces desperate, he was +beginning to find himself out of work, and was already casting about him +for other employment. Poor, honest, and proud, he had repeatedly +declined to enter the Spanish service. Bribes, such as at a little later +period were sufficient to sully conspicuous reputations and noble names, +among his countrymen in better circumstances than his own, had been +freely but unsuccessfully offered him. To serve under any but the +English or States' flag in the Provinces he scorned; and he thought the +opportunity fast slipping away there for taking the Papistical party in +Europe handsomely by the beard. He had done much manful work in the +Netherlands, and was destined to do much more; but he was now +discontented, and thought himself slighted. In more remote regions of +the world, the, thrifty soldier thought that there might be as good +harvesting for his sword as in the thrice-trampled stubble of Flanders. + +"I would refuse no hazard that is possible to be done in the Queen's +service," he said to Walsingham; "but I do persuade myself she makes no +account of me. Had it not been for the duty that nature bound me towards +her and my country, I needed not to have been in that case that I am in. +Perhaps I could have fingered more pistoles than Mr. Newell, the late +Latiner, and had better usage and pension of the Spaniards than he. Some +can tell that I refused large offers, in the misery of Alost, of the +Prince of Parma. Last of all, Verdugo offered me very fair, being in +Loccum, to quit the States' service, and accept theirs, without treachery +or betraying of place or man." + +Not feeling inclined to teach Latin in Spain, like the late Mr. Newell, +or to violate oaths and surrender fortresses, like brave soldiers of +fortune whose deeds will be afterwards chronicled, he was disposed to +cultivate the "acquaintance of divers Pollacks," from which he had +received invitations. "Find I nothing there," said he, "Duke Matthias +has promised me courtesy if I would serve in Hungary. If not, I will +offer service to one of the Turk's bashaws against the Persians." + +Fortunately, work was found for the trusty Welshman in the old fields. +His brave honest face often reappeared; his sharp sensible tongue uttered +much sage counsel; and his ready sword did various solid service, in +leaguer, battle-field, and martial debate, in Flanders, Holland, Spain, +and France. + +For the present, he was casting his keen glances upon the negotiations in +progress, and cavilling at the general policy which seemed predominant. + +He believed that the object of the French was to trifle with the States, +to protract interminably their negotiations, to prevent the English +government from getting any hold upon the Provinces, and then to leave +them to their fate. + +He advised Walsingham to advance men and money, upon the security of +Sluys and Ostend. + +"I dare venture my life," said he, with much energy, "that were Norris, +Bingham, Yorke, or Carlisle, in those ports, he would keep them during +the Spanish King's life." + +But the true way to attack Spain--a method soon afterwards to be carried +into such brilliant effect by the naval heroes of England and the +Netherlands--the long-sighted Welshman now indicated; a combined attack, +namely, by sea upon the colonial possessions of Philip. + +"I dare be bound," said he, "if you join with Treslong, the States +Admiral, and send off, both, three-score sail into his Indies, we will +force him to retire from conquering further, and to be contented to let +other princes live as well as he." + +In particular, Williams urged rapid action, and there is little doubt, +that had the counsels of prompt, quick-witted, ready-handed soldiers like +himself, and those who thought with him, been taken; had the stealthy but +quick-darting policy of Walsingham prevailed over the solemn and stately +but somewhat ponderous proceedings of Burghley, both Ghent and Antwerp +might have been saved, the trifling and treacherous diplomacy of +Catharine de' Medici neutralized, and an altogether more fortunate aspect +given at once to the state of Protestant affairs. + +"If you mean to do anything," said he, "it is more than time now. If you +will send some man of credit about it, will it please your honour, I will +go with him, because I know the humour of the people, and am acquainted +with a number of the best. I shall be able to show him a number of their +dealings, as well with the French as in other affairs, and perhaps will +find means to send messengers to Ghent, and to other places, better than +the States; for the message of one soldier is better than twenty boors." + +It was ultimately decided--as will soon be related--to send a man of +credit to the Provinces. Meantime, the policy of England continued to be +expectant and dilatory, and Advocate Buys, after having in vain attempted +to conquer the French influence, and bring about the annexation of the +Provinces to England, threw down his office in disgust, and retired for a +time from the contest. He even contemplated for a moment taking service +in Denmark, but renounced the notion of abandoning his country, and he +will accordingly be found, at a later period, conspicuous in public +affairs. + +The deliberations in the English councils were grave and anxious, for it +became daily more obvious that the Netherland question was the hinge upon +which the, whole fate of Christendom was slowly turning. To allow the +provinces to fall back again into the grasp of Philip, was to offer +England herself as a last sacrifice to the Spanish Inquisition. This was +felt by all the statesmen in the land; but some of them, more than the +rest, had a vivid perception of the danger, and of the necessity of +dealing with it at once. + +To the prophetic eye of Walsingham, the mists of the future at times +were lifted; and the countless sails of the invincible Armada, wafting +defiance and destruction to England, became dimly visible. He felt that +the great Netherland bulwark of Protestantism and liberty was to be +defended at all hazards, and that the death-grapple could not long be +deferred. + +Burghley, deeply pondering, but less determined, was still disposed to +look on and to temporize. + +The Queen, far-seeing and anxious, but somewhat hesitating, still clung +to the idea of a joint protectorate. She knew that the reestablishment +of Spanish authority in the Low Countries would be fatal to England, but +she was not yet prepared to throw down the gauntlet to Philip. She felt +that the proposed annexation of the Provinces to France would be almost +as formidable; yet she could not resolve, frankly and fearlessly, to +assume, the burthen of their protection. Under the inspiration of +Burghley, she was therefore willing to encourage the Netherlanders +underhand; preventing them at every hazard from slackening in their +determined hostility to Spain; discountenancing, without absolutely +forbidding, their proposed absorption by France; intimating, without +promising, an ultimate and effectual assistance from herself. Meantime, +with something of feline and feminine duplicity, by which the sex of the +great sovereign would so often manifest itself in the most momentous +affairs, she would watch and wait, teasing the Provinces, dallying with +the danger, not quite prepared as yet to abandon the prize to Henry or +Philip, or to seize it herself. + +The situation was rapidly tending to become an impossible one. + +Late in October a grave conference was held council, "upon the question +whether her Majesty should presently relieve the States of the Low +Countries." + +It was shown, upon one side, that the "perils to the Queen and to the +realm were great, if the King of Spain should recover Holland and +Zeeland, as he had the other countries, for lack of succour in seasonable +time, either by the French King or the Queen's Majesty." + +On the other side, the great difficulties in the way of effectual +assistance by England, were "fully remembered." + +"But in the end, and upon comparison made," said Lord Burghley, summing +up, "betwixt the perils on the one part, and the difficulties on the +other," it was concluded that the Queen would be obliged to succumb to +the power of Spain, and the liberties of England be hopelessly lost, if +Philip were then allowed to carry out his designs, and if the Provinces +should be left without succour at his mercy. + +A "wise person" was accordingly to be sent into Holland; first, to +ascertain whether the Provinces had come to an actual agreement with the +King of France, and, if such should prove to be the case, to enquire +whether that sovereign had pledged himself to declare war upon Philip. +In this event, the wise person was to express her Majesty's satisfaction +that the Provinces were thus to be "relieved from the tyranny of the King +of Spain." + +On the other hand, if it should appear that no such conclusive +arrangements had been made, and that the Provinces were likely to fall +again victims to the "Spanish tyranny," her Majesty would then "strain +herself as far as, with preservation of her own estate, she might, to +succour them at this time." + +The agent was then to ascertain "what conditions the Provinces would +require" upon the matter of succour, and, if the terms seemed reasonable, +he would assure them that "they should not be left to the cruelties of +the Spaniards." + +And further, the wise person, "being pressed to answer, might by +conference of speeches and persuasions provoke them to offer to the Queen +the ports of Flushing and Middelburg and the Brill, wherein she meant not +to claim any property, but to hold them as gages for her expenses, and +for performances of their covenants." + +He was also to make minute inquiries as to the pecuniary resources of the +Provinces, the monthly sums which they would be able to contribute, the +number of troops and of ships of war that they would pledge themselves to +maintain. These investigations were very important, because the Queen, +although very well disposed to succour them, "so nevertheless she was to +consider how her power might be extended, without ruin or manifest peril +to her own estate." + +It was also resolved, in the same conference, that a preliminary step of +great urgency was to "procure a good peace with the King of Scots." +Whatever the expense of bringing about such a pacification might be, it +was certain that a "great deal more would be expended in defending the +realm against Scotland," while England was engaged in hostilities with +Spain. Otherwise, it was argued that her Majesty would be "so impeached +by Scotland in favour of the King of Spain, that her action against that +King would be greatly weakened." + +Other measures necessary to be taken in view of the Spanish war were also +discussed. The ex-elector of Cologne, "a man of great account in +Germany," was to be assisted with money to make head against his rival +supported by the troops of Philip. + +Duke Casimir of the Palatinate was to be solicited to make a diversion +in Gelderland. + +The King of France was to be reminded of his treaty with England for +mutual assistance in case of the invasion by a foreign power of either +realm, and to be informed "not only of the intentions of the Spaniards +to invade England, upon their conquest of the Netherlands, but of their +actual invasion of Ireland." + +It was "to be devised how the King of Navarre and Don Antonio of +Portugal, for their respective titles, might be induced to offend and +occupy the King of Spain, whereby to diminish his forces bent upon the +Low Countries." + +It was also decided that Parliament should be immediately summoned, in +which, besides the request of a subsidy, many other necessary, provisions +should be made for her Majesty's safety. + +"The conclusions of the whole," said Lord Burghley, with much +earnestness, "was this. Although her Majesty should hereby enter into a +war presently, yet were she better to do it now, while she may make the +same out of her realm, having the help of the people of Holland, and +before the King of Spain shall have consummated his conquests in those +countries, whereby he shall be so provoked with pride, solicited by the +Pope, and tempted by the Queen's own subjects, and shall be so strong by +sea, and so free from all other actions and quarrels,--yea, shall be so +formidable to all the rest of Christendom, as that her Majesty shall no +wise be able, with her own power, nor with aid of any other, neither by +sea nor land, to withstand his attempts, but shall be forced to give +place to his insatiable malice, which is most terrible to be thought of, +but miserable to suffer." + +Thus did the Lord Treasurer wisely, eloquently, and well, describe the +danger by which England was environed. Through the shield of Holland the +spear was aimed full at the heart of England. But was it a moment to +linger? Was that buckler to be suffered to fall to the ground, or to be +raised only upon the arm of a doubtful and treacherous friend? Was it an +hour when the protection of Protestantism and of European liberty against +Spain was to be entrusted to the hand of a feeble and priest-ridden +Valois? Was it wise to indulge any longer in doubtings and dreamings, +and in yet a little more folding of the arms to sleep, while that +insatiable malice, so terrible to be thought of, so miserable to feel, +was bowing hourly more formidable, and approaching nearer and nearer? + +Early in December, William Davison, gentleman-in-ordinary of her +Majesty's household, arrived at the Hague; a man painstaking, earnest, +and zealous, but who was fated, on more than one great occasion, to be +made a scape-goat for the delinquencies of greater personages than +himself. + +He had audience of the States General on the 8th December. He then +informed that body that the Queen had heard, with, sorrowful heart, of +the great misfortunes which the United Provinces had sustained since the +death of the Prince of Orange; the many cities which they had lost, and +the disastrous aspect of the common cause. Moved by the affection which +she had always borne the country, and anxious for its preservation, she +had ordered her ambassador Stafford to request the King of France to +undertake, jointly with herself, the defence of the provinces against the +king of Spain. Not till very lately, however, had that envoy succeeded +in obtaining an audience, and he had then received "a very cold answer." +It being obvious to her Majesty, therefore, that the French government +intended to protract these matters indefinitely, Davison informed the +States that she had commissioned him to offer them "all possible +assistance, to enquire into the state of the country, and to investigate +the proper means of making that assistance most useful." He accordingly +requested the appointment of a committee to confer with him upon the +subject; and declared that the Queen did not desire to make herself +mistress of the Provinces, but only to be informed how she best could aid +their cause. + +A committee was accordingly appointed, and a long series of somewhat +concealed negotiations was commenced. As the deputies were upon the eve +of their departure for France, to offer the sovereignty of the Provinces +to Henry, these proceedings were necessarily confused, dilatory, and at +tines contradictory. + +After the arrival of the deputies in France, the cunctative policy +inspired by the Lord Treasurer was continued by England. The delusion of +a joint protectorate was still clung to by the Queen, although the +conduct of France was becoming very ambiguous, and suspicion growing +darker as to the ultimate and secret purport of the negotiations in +progress. + +The anxiety and jealousy of Elizabeth were becoming keener than ever. If +the offers to the King were unlimited; he would accept them, and would +thus become as dangerous as Philip. If they were unsatisfactory, he +would turn his back upon the Provinces, and leave them a prey to Philip. +Still she would not yet renounce the hope of bringing the French King +over to an ingenuous course of action. It was thought, too, that +something might be done with the great malcontent nobles of Flanders, +whose defection from the national cause had been so disastrous, but who +had been much influenced in their course, it was thought, by their +jealousy of William the Silent. + +Now that the Prince was dead, it was thought probable that the Arschots, +and Havres, Chimays, and Lalaings, might arouse themselves to more +patriotic views than they had manifested when they espoused the cause of +Spain. + +It would be desirable to excite their jealousy of French influence, and, +at the same time, to inspire throughout the popular mind the fear of +another tyranny almost as absolute as that of Spain. "And if it be +objected," said Burghley, "that except they shall admit the French King +to the absolute dominion, he will not aid them, and they, for lack of +succour, be forced to yield to the Spaniard, it may be answered that +rather than they should be wholly subjected to the French, or overcome +by the Spaniard, her Majesty would yield unto them as much as, with +preservation of her estate, and defence of her own country, might be +demanded." + +The real object kept in view by the Queen's government was, in short, to +obtain for the Provinces and for the general cause of liberty the +greatest possible amount of assistance from Henry, and to allow him to +acquire in return the least possible amount of power. The end proposed +was a reasonable one, but the means employed savoured too much of +intrigue. + +"It may be easily made probable to the States," said the Lord Treasurer, +"that the government of the French is likely to prove as cumbersome and +perilous as that of the Spaniards; and likewise it may probably be +doubted how the French will keep touch and covenants with them, when any +opportunity shall be offered to break them; so that her Majesty thinketh +no good can be looked for to those countries by yielding this large +authority to the French. If they shall continue their title by this +grant to be absolute lords, there is no end, for a long time, to be +expected of this war; and, contrariwise, if they break off, there is an +end of any good composition with the King of Spain." + +Shivering and shrinking, but still wading in deeper and deeper, inch by +inch, the cautious minister was fast finding himself too far advanced to +retreat. He was rarely decided, however, and never lucid; and least of +all in emergencies, when decision and lucidity would have been more +valuable than any other qualities. + +Deeply doubting, painfully balancing, he at times drove the unfortunate +Davison almost distraught. Puzzled himself and still more puzzling to +others, he rarely permitted the Netherlanders, or even his own agents, to +perceive his drift. It was fair enough, perhaps, to circumvent the +French government by its own arts, but the Netherlanders meanwhile were +in danger of sinking into despair. + +"Thus," wrote the Lord Treasurer to the envoy, "I have discoursed to you +of these uncertainties and difficulties, things not unknown to yourself, +but now being imparted to you by her Majesty's commandment, you are, by +your wisdom, to consider with whom to deal for the stay of this French +course, and yet, so to use it (as near as you may) that they of the +French faction there be not able to charge you therewith, by-advertising +into France. For it hath already appeared, by some speeches past between +our ambassador there and Des Pruneaux, that you are had in some jealousy +as a hinderer of this French course, and at work for her Majesty to have +some entrance and partage in that country. Nevertheless our ambassador; +by his answer, hath satisfied them to think the contrary." + +They must have been easily satisfied, if they knew as much of the +dealings of her Majesty's government as the reader already knows. To +inspire doubt of the French, to insinuate the probability of their not +"keeping touch and covenant," to represent their rule as "cumbersome and +perilous," was wholesome conduct enough towards the Netherlanders--and +still more so, had it been accompanied with frank offers of assistance +--but it was certainly somewhat to "hinder the courses of the French." + +But in truth all parties were engaged for a season in a round game of +deception, in which nobody was deceived. + +Walsingham was impatient, almost indignant at this puerility. "Your +doings, no doubt of it," he wrote to Davison, "are observed by the French +faction, and therefore you cannot proceed so closely but it will be +espied. Howsoever it be, seeing direction groweth from hence, we cannot +but blame ourselves, if the effects thereof do not fall out to our +liking." + +That sagacious statesman was too well informed, and too much accustomed +to penetrate the designs of his antagonists, to expect anything from the +present intrigues. + +To loiter thus, when mortal blows should be struck, was to give the +Spanish government exactly that of which it was always most gluttonous-- +time; and the Netherlanders had none of it to spare. "With time and +myself, there are two of us," was Philip II.'s favourite observation; and +the Prince of Parma was at this moment sorely perplexed by the parsimony +and the hesitations of his own government, by which his large, swift and +most creative genius was so often hampered. + +Thus the Spanish soldiers, deep in the trenches, went with bare legs and +empty stomachs in January; and the Dutchmen, among their broken dykes, +were up to their ears in mud and water; and German mercenaries, in the +obedient Provinces, were burning the peasants' houses in order to sell +the iron to buy food withal; while grave-visaged statesmen, in +comfortable cabinets, wagged their long white beards at each other from a +distance, and exchanged grimaces and protocols which nobody heeded. + +Walsingham was weary of this solemn trifling. "I conclude," said he to +Davison, "that her Majesty--with reverence be it spoken--is ill advised, +to direct you in a course that is like to work so great peril. I know +you will do your best endeavour to keep all things upright, and yet it is +hard--the disease being now come to this state, or, as the physicians +term it, crisis--to carry yourself in such sort, but that it will, I +fear, breed a dangerous alteration in the cause." + +He denounced with impatience, almost with indignation, the insincerity +and injustice of these intolerable hesitations. "Sorry am I," said he, +"to see the course that is taken in this weighty cause, for we will +neither help those poor countries ourselves, nor yet suffer others to +do it. I am not ignorant that in time to come the annexing of these +countries to the crown of France may prove prejudicial to England, but +if France refuse to deal with them, and the rather for that we shall +minister some cause of impediment by a kind of dealing underhand, then +shall they be forced to return into the hands of Spain, which is like to +breed such a present peril towards her Majesty's self, as never a wise +man that seeth it, and loveth her, but lamenteth it from the bottom of +his heart." + +Walsingham had made up his mind that it was England, not France, that +should take up the cause of the Provinces, and defend them at every +hazard. He had been overruled, and the Queen's government had decided to +watch the course of the French negotiation, doing what it could, +underhand, to prevent that negotiation from being successful. The +Secretary did not approve of this disingenuous course. At the same time +he had no faith in the good intentions of the French court. + +"I could wish," said he, "that the French King were carried with that +honourable mind into the defence of these countries that her Majesty is, +but France has not been used to do things for God's sake; neither do they +mean to use our advice or assistance in making of the bargain. For they +still hold a jealous conceit that when Spain and they are together by the +ears, we will seek underhand to work our own peace." Walsingham, +therefore, earnestly deprecated the attitude provisionally maintained by +England. + +Meantime, early in January, (Jan. 3, 1585) the deputation from the +Provinces had arrived in France. The progress of their 1585 negotiation +will soon be related, but, before its result was known, a general +dissatisfaction had already manifested itself in the Netherlands. The +factitious enthusiasm which had been created in favour of France, as well +as the prejudice against England, began to die out. It became probable +in the opinion of those most accustomed to read the signs of the times, +that the French court was acting in connivance with Philip, and that the +negotiation was only intended to amuse the Netherlanders, to circumvent +the English, and to gain time both for France and Spain. It was not +believed that the character of Henry or the policy of his mother was +likely to the cause of any substantial aid to the cause of civil liberty +or Protestant principles. + +"They look for no better fruit from the commission to France," wrote +Davison, who surveyed the general state of affairs with much keenness and +breadth of vision, "than a dallying entertainment of the time, neither +leaving them utterly hopeless, nor at full liberty to seek for relief +elsewhere, especially in England, or else some pleasing motion of peace, +wherein the French King will offer his mediation with Spain. Meantime +the people, wearied with the troubles, charges, and hazard of the war, +shall be rocked asleep, the provision for their defence neglected, some +Provinces nearest the danger seduced, the rest by their defection +astonished, and the enemy by their decay and confusions, strengthened. +This is the scope whereto the doings of the French King, not without +intelligence with the Spanish sovereign, doth aim, whatever is +pretended." + +There was a wide conviction that the French King was dealing falsely with +the Provinces. It seemed certain that he must be inspired by intense +jealousy of England, and that he was unlikely, for the sake of those +whose "religion, popular liberty, and rebellion against their sovereign," +he could not but disapprove, to allow Queen Elizabeth to steal a march +upon him, and "make her own market with Spain to his cost and +disadvantage." + +In short, it was suspected--whether justly or not will be presently +shown--that Henry III. "was seeking to blear the eyes of the world, as +his brother Charles did before the Massacre of St. Bartholomew." As the +letters received from the Dutch envoys in France became less and less +encouraging, and as the Queen was informed by her ambassador in Paris of +the tergiversations in Paris, she became the more anxious lest the States +should be driven to despair. She therefore wrote to Davison, instructing +him "to nourish in them underhand some hope--as a thing proceeding from +himself--that though France should reject them, yet she would not abandon +them." + +He was directed to find out, by circuitous means, what towns they would +offer to her as security for any advances she might be induced to make, +and to ascertain the amount of monthly contributions towards the support +of the war that they were still capable of furnishing. She was beginning +to look with dismay at the expatriation of wealthy merchants and +manufacturers going so rapidly forward, now that Ghent had fallen and +Brussels and Antwerp were in such imminent peril. She feared that, while +so much valuable time had been thrown away, the Provinces had become too +much impoverished to do their own part in their own defence; and she was +seriously alarmed at rumours which had become prevalent of a popular +disposition towards treating for a peace at any price with Spain. It +soon became evident that these rumours were utterly without foundation, +but the other reasons for Elizabeth's anxiety were sufficiently valid. + +On the whole, the feeling in favour of England was rapidly gaining +ground. In Holland especially there was general indignation against the +French party. The letters of the deputies occasioned "murmur and +mislike" of most persons, who noted them to contain "more ample report of +ceremonies and compliments than solid argument of comfort." + +Sir Edward Stafford, who looked with great penetration into the heart of +the mysterious proceedings at Paris, assured his government that no +better result was to be looked for, "after long dalliance and +entertainment, than either a flat refusal or such a masked embracing of +their cause, as would rather tend to the increasing of their miseries and +confusion than relief for their declining estate." While "reposing upon +a broken reed," they were, he thought, "neglecting other means more +expedient for their necessities." + +This was already the universal opinion in Holland. Men now remembered, +with bitterness, the treachery of the Duke of Anjou, which they had been +striving so hard to forget, but which less than two years ago had nearly +proved fatal to the cause of liberty in the Provinces. A committee of +the States had an interview with the Queen's envoy at the Hague; implored +her Majesty through him not to abandon their cause; expressed unlimited +regret for the course which had been pursued, and avowed a determination +"to pluck their heads out of the collar," so soon as the opportunity +should offer. + +They stated, moreover, that they had been directed by the assembly to lay +before him the instructions for the envoys to France, and the articles +proposed for the acceptance of the King. The envoy knew his business +better than not to have secretly provided himself with copies of these +documents, which he had already laid before his own government. + +He affected, however, to feel hurt that he had been thus kept in +ignorance of papers which he really knew by heart. "After some pretended +quarrel," said he, "for their not acquainting me therewith sooner, I did +accept them, as if. I had before neither seen nor heard of them." + +This then was the aspect of affairs in the provinces during the absence +of the deputies in France. It is now necessary to shift the scene to +that country. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Reception of the Dutch Envoys at the Louvre--Ignominious Result of + the Embassy--Secret Influences at work--Bargaining between the + French and Spanish Courts--Claims of Catharine de' Medici upon + Portugal--Letters of Henry and Catharine--Secret Proposal by France + to invade England--States' Mission to Henry of Navarre--Subsidies + of Philip to Guise--Treaty of Joinville--Philip's Share in the + League denied by Parma--Philip in reality its Chief--Manifesto of + the League--Attitude of Henry III. and of Navarre--The League + demands a Royal Decree--Designs of France and Spain against England + --Secret Interview of Mendoza and Villeroy--Complaints of English + Persecution--Edict of Nemours--Excommunication of Navarre and his + Reply. + +The King, notwithstanding his apparent reluctance, had, in Sir Edward +Stafford's language, "nibbled at the bait." He had, however, not been +secured at the first attempt, and now a second effort was to be made, +under what were supposed to be most favourable circumstances. In +accordance with his own instructions, his envoy, Des Pruneaux, had been +busily employed in the States, arranging the terms of a treaty which +should be entirely satisfactory. It had been laid down as an +indispensable condition that Holland and Zeeland should unite in the +offer of sovereignty, and, after the expenditure of much eloquence, +diplomacy, and money, Holland and Zeeland had given their consent. The +court had been for some time anxious and impatient for the arrival of the +deputies. Early in December, Des Pruneaux wrote from Paris to Count +Maurice, urging with some asperity, the necessity of immediate action. + +"When I left you," he said, "I thought that performance would follow +promises. I have been a little ashamed, as the time passed by, to hear +nothing of the deputies, nor of any excuse on the subject. It would seem +as though God had bandaged the eyes of those who have so much cause to +know their own adversity." + +To the States his language was still more insolent. "Excuse me, +Gentlemen," he said, "if I tell you that I blush at hearing nothing from +you. I shall have the shame and you the damage. I regret much the +capture of De Teligny, and other losses which are occasioned by your +delays and want of resolution." + +Thus did the French court, which a few months before had imprisoned, and +then almost ignominiously dismissed the envoys who came to offer the +sovereignty of the Provinces, now rebuke the governments which had ever +since been strenuously engaged in removing all obstacles to the entire +fulfillment of the King's demands. The States were just despatching a +solemn embassy to renew that offer, with hardly any limitation as to +terms. + +The envoys arrived on January 3rd, 1585, at Boulogne, after a stormy +voyage from Brielle. Yet it seems incredible to relate, that, after all +the ignominy heaped upon the last, there was nothing but solemn trifling +in reserve for the present legation; although the object of both +embassies was to offer a crown. The deputies were, however, not kept in +prison, upon this occasion, nor treated like thieves or spies. They were +admirably lodged, with plenty of cooks and lacqueys to minister to them; +they fared sumptuously every day, at Henry's expense, and, after they had +been six weeks in the kingdom, they at last succeeded in obtaining their +first audience. + +On the 13th February the King sent five "very splendid, richly-gilded, +court-coach-waggons" to bring the envoys to the palace. At one o'clock +they arrived at the Louvre, and were ushered through four magnificent +antechambers into the royal cabinet. The apartments through which they +passed swarmed with the foremost nobles, court-functionaries, and ladies +of France, in blazing gala costume, who all greeted the envoys with +demonstrations of extreme respect: The halls and corridors were lined +with archers, halbardiers, Swiss guards, and grooms "besmeared with +gold," and it was thought that all this rustle of fine feathers would be +somewhat startling to the barbarous republicans, fresh from the fens of +Holland. + +Henry received them in his cabinet, where he was accompanied only by the +Duke of Joyeuse--his foremost and bravest "minion"--by the Count of +Bouscaige, M. de Valette, and the Count of Chateau Vieux. + +The most Christian King was neatly dressed, in white satin doublet and +hose, and well-starched ruff, with a short cloak on his shoulders, a +little velvet cap on the side of his head, his long locks duly perfumed +and curled, his sword at his side, and a little basket, full of puppies, +suspended from his neck by a broad ribbon. He held himself stiff and +motionless, although his face smiled a good-humoured welcome to the +ambassadors; and he moved neither foot, hand, nor head, as they advanced. + +Chancellor Leoninus, the most experienced, eloquent, and tedious of men, +now made an interminable oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in +facts; and the King made a short and benignant reply, according to the +hallowed formula in such cases provided. And then there was a +presentation to the Queen, and to the Queen-Mother, when Leoninus was +more prolix than before, and Catharine even more affectionate than her +son; and there were consultations with Chiverny and Villeroy, and Brulart +and Pruneaux, and great banquets at the royal expense, and bales of +protocols, and drafts of articles, and conditions and programmes and +apostilles by the hundred weight, and at last articles of annexation were +presented by the envoys, and Pruneaux looked at and pronounced them "too +raw and imperative," and the envoys took them home again, and dressed +them and cooked them till there was no substance left in them; for +whereas the envoys originally offered the crown of their country to +France, on condition that no religion but the reformed religion should be +tolerated there, no appointments made but by the States, and no security +offered for advances to be made by the Christian King, save the hearts +and oaths of his new subjects--so they now ended by proposing the +sovereignty unconditionally, almost abjectly; and, after the expiration +of nearly three months, even these terms were absolutely refused, and the +deputies were graciously permitted to go home as they came. The +annexation and sovereignty were definitely declined. Henry regretted and +sighed, Catharine de' Medici wept--for tears were ever at her command-- +Chancellor Chiverny and Secretary Brulart wept likewise, and Pruneaux was +overcome with emotion at the parting interview of the ambassadors with +the court, in which they were allowed a last opportunity for expressing +what was called their gratitude. + +And then, on the lath March, M. d'Oignon came to them, and presented, on +the part of the King, to each of the envoys a gold chain weighing twenty- +one ounces and two grains. + +Des Pruneaux, too--Des Pruneaux who had spent the previous summer in the +Netherlands, who had travelled from province to province, from city to +city, at the King's command, offering boundless assistance, if they would +unanimously offer their sovereignty; who had vanquished by his +importunity the resistance of the stern Hollanders, the last of all the +Netherlanders to yield to the royal blandishments--Des Pruneaux, who had +"blushed"--Des Pruneaux who had wept--now thought proper to assume an +airy tone, half encouragement, half condolence. + +"Man proposes, gentlemen," said he "but God disposes. We are frequently +called on to observe that things have a great variety of times and terms. +Many a man is refused by a woman twice, who succeeds the third time," and +so on, with which wholesome apothegms Des Pruneaux faded away then and +for ever from the page of Netherland history. + +In a few days afterwards the envoys took shipping at Dieppe, and arrived +early in April at the Hague. + +And thus terminated the negotiation of the States with France. + +It had been a scene of elaborate trifling on the King's part from +beginning to end. Yet the few grains of wheat which have thus been +extracted from the mountains of diplomatic chaff so long mouldering in +national storehouses, contain, however dry and tasteless, still something +for human nourishment. It is something to comprehend the ineffable +meanness of the hands which then could hold the destiny of mighty +empires. Here had been offered a magnificent prize to France; a great +extent of frontier in the quarter where expansion was most desirable, a +protective network of towns and fortresses on the side most vulnerable, +flourishing, cities on the sea-coast where the marine traffic was most +lucrative, the sovereignty of a large population, the most bustling, +enterprising, and hardy in Europe--a nation destined in a few short years +to become the first naval and commercial power in the world--all this was +laid at the feet of Henry Valois and Catharine de' Medici, and rejected. + +The envoys, with their predecessors, had wasted eight months of most +precious time; they had heard and made orations, they had read and +written protocols, they had witnessed banquets, masquerades, and revels +of stupendous frivolity, in honour of the English Garter, brought +solemnly to the Valois by Lord Derby, accompanied by one hundred +gentlemen "marvellously, sumptuously, and richly accoutred," during that +dreadful winter when the inhabitants of Brussels, Antwerp, Mechlin--to +save which splendid cities and to annex them to France, was a main object +of the solemn embassy from the Netherlands--were eating rats, and cats, +and dogs, and the weeds from the pavements, and the grass from the +churchyards; and were finding themselves more closely pressed than ever +by the relentless genius of Farnese; and in exchange for all these losses +and all this humiliation, the ambassadors now returned to their +constituents, bringing an account of Chiverny's magnificent banquets and +long orations, of the smiles of Henry III., the tears of Catharine de' +Medici, the regrets of M. des Pruneaux, besides sixteen gold chains, each +weighing twenty-one ounces and two grains. + +It is worth while to go for a moment behind the scene; We have seen the +actors, with mask and cothurn and tinsel crown, playing their well-conned +parts upon the stage. Let us hear them threaten, and whimper, and +chaffer among themselves. + +So soon as it was intimated that Henry III. was about to grant the +Netherland, envoys an audience, the wrath of ambassador Mendoza was +kindled. That magniloquent Spaniard instantly claimed an interview with +the King, before whom, according to the statement of his colleagues, +doing their best to pry into these secrets, he blustered and bounced, and +was more fantastical in his insolence than even Spanish envoy had ever +been before. + +"He went presently to court," so Walsingham was informed by Stafford, +"and dealt very passionately with the King and Queen-Mother to deny them +audience, who being greatly offended with his presumptuous and malapert +manner of proceeding, the King did in choler and with some sharp +speeches, let him plainly understand that he was an absolute king, bound +to yield account of his doings to no man, and that it was lawful for him +to give access to any man within his own realm. The Queen-Mother +answered him likewise very roundly, whereupon he departed for the time, +very much discontented." + +Brave words, on both sides, if they had ever been spoken, or if there had +been any action corresponding to their spirit. + +But, in truth, from the beginning, Henry and his mother saw in the +Netherland embassy only the means of turning a dishonest penny. Since +the disastrous retreat of Anjou from the Provinces, the city of Cambray +had remained in the hands of the Seigneur de Balagny, placed there by the +duke. The citadel, garrisoned by French troops, it was not the intention +of Catharine de' Medici to restore to Philip, and a truce on the subject +had been arranged provisionally for a year. Philip, taking Parma's +advice to prevent the French court, if possible, from "fomenting the +Netherland rebellion," had authorized the Prince to conclude that truce, +as if done on his own responsibility, and not by royal order. Meantime, +Balagny was gradually swelling into a petty potentate, on his own +account, making himself very troublesome to the Prince of Parma, and +requiring a great deal of watching. Cambray was however apparently +acquired for France. + +But, besides this acquisition, there was another way of earning something +solid, by turning this Netherland matter handsomely to account. Philip +II. had recently conquered Portugal. Among the many pretensions to that +crown, those of Catherine de' Medici had been put forward, but had been +little heeded. The claim went back more than three hundred years, and to +establish its validity would have been to convert the peaceable +possession of a long line of sovereigns into usurpation. To ascend to +Alphonso III. was like fetching, as it was said, a claim from Evander's +grandmother. Nevertheless, ever since Philip had been upon the +Portuguese throne, Catherine had been watching the opportunity, not +of unseating that sovereign, but of converting her claim into money. + +The Netherland embassy seemed to offer the coveted opportunity. There +was, therefore, quite as much warmth at the outset, on the part of +Mendoza, in that first interview after the arrival of the deputies, as +had been represented. There was however less dignity and more cunning on +the part of Henry and Catherine than was at all suspected. Even before +that conference the King had been impatiently expecting overtures from +the Spanish envoy, and had been disappointed. "He told me," said Henry, +"that he would make proposals so soon as Tassis should be gone, but he +has done nothing yet. He said to Gondi that all he meant was to get the +truce of Cambray accomplished. I hope, however, that my brother, the +King of Spain, will do what is right in regard to madam my mother's +pretensions. 'Tis likely that he will be now incited thereto, seeing +that the deputies of all the Netherland provinces are at present in my +kingdom, to offer me carte blanche. I shall hear what they have to say, +and do exactly what the good of my own affairs shall seem to require. +The Queen of England, too, has been very pressing and urgent with me for +several months on this subject. I shall hear, too, what she has to say, +and I presume, if the King of Spain will now disclose himself, and do +promptly what he ought, that we may set Christendom at rest." + +Henry then instructed his ambassador in Spain to keep his eyes wide open, +in order to penetrate the schemes of Philip, and to this end ordered him +an increase of salary by a third, that he might follow that monarch on +his journey to Arragon. + +Meanwhile Mendoza had audience of his Majesty. "He made a very pressing +remonstrance," said the King, "concerning the arrival of these deputies, +urging me to send them back at once; denouncing them as disobedient +rebels and heretics. I replied that my kingdom was free, and that I +should hear from them all that they had to say, because I could not +abandon madam my mother in her pretensions, not only for the filial +obedience which I owe her, but because I am her only heir. Mendoza +replied that he should go and make the same remonstrance to the Queen- +Mother, which he accordingly did, and she will herself write you what +passed between them. If they do not act up to their duty down there I +know how to take my revenge upon them." + +This is the King's own statement--his veriest words--and he was surely +best aware of what occurred between himself and Mendoza, under their four +eyes only. The ambassador is not represented as extremely insolent, but +only pressing; and certainly there is little left of the fine periods on +Henry's part about listening to the cry of the oppressed, or preventing +the rays of his ancestors' diadem from growing pale, with which +contemporary chronicles are filled. + +There was not one word of the advancement and glory of the French nation; +not a hint of the fame to be acquired by a magnificent expansion of +territory, still less of the duty to deal generously or even honestly +with an oppressed people, who in good faith were seeking an asylum in +exchange for offered sovereignty, not a syllable upon liberty of +conscience, of religious or civil rights; nothing but a petty and +exclusive care for the interests of his mother's pocket, and of his own +as his mother's heir. This farthing-candle was alone to guide the steps +of "the high and mighty King," whose reputation was perpetually +represented as so precious to him in all the conferences between his +ministers and the Netherland deputies. Was it possible for those envoys +to imagine the almost invisible meanness of such childish tricks? + +The Queen-Mother was still more explicit and unblushing throughout the +whole affair. + +"The ambassador of Spain," she said, "has made the most beautiful +remonstrances he could think of about these deputies from the +Netherlands. All his talk, however, cannot persuade me to anything else +save to increase my desire to have reparation for the wrong that has been +done me in regard to my claims upon Portugal, which I am determined to +pursue by every means within my power. Nevertheless I have told Don +Bernardino that I should always be ready to embrace any course likely to +bring about a peaceful conclusion. He then entered into a discussion of +my rights, which, he said, were not thought in Spain to be founded in +justice. But when I explained to him the principal points (of which I +possess all the pieces of evidence and justification), he hardly knew +what to say, save that he was astounded that I had remained so long +without speaking of my claims. In reply, I told him ingenuously the +truth." + +The truth which the ingenuous Catharine thus revealed was, in brief, that +all her predecessors had been minors, women, and persons in situations +not to make their rights valid. Finding herself more highly placed, she +had advanced her claims, which had been so fully recognized in Portugal, +that she had been received as Infanta of the kingdom. All pretensions to +the throne being now through women only, hers were the best of any. At +all this Don Bernardino expressed profound astonishment, and promised to +send a full account to his master of "the infinite words" which had +passed between them at this interview! + +"I desire," said Catharine, "that the Lord King of Spain should open his +mind frankly and promptly upon the recompense which he is willing to make +me for Portugal, in order that things may pass rather with gentleness +than otherwise." + +It was expecting a great deal to look for frankness and promptness from +the Lord King of Spain, but the Queen-Mother considered that the +Netherland envoys had put a whip into her hand. She was also determined +to bring Philip up to the point, without showing her own game. "I will +never say," said Catharine--ingenuous no longer--"I will never say how +much I ask, but, on the contrary, I shall wait for him to make the offer. +I expect it to be reasonable, because he has seen fit to seize and occupy +that which I declare to be my property." + +This is the explanation of all the languor and trifling of the French +court in the Netherland negotiation. A deep, constant, unseen current +was running counter to all the movement which appeared upon the surface. +The tergiversations of the Spanish cabinet in the Portugal matter were +the cause of the shufflings of the French ministers on the subject of the +Provinces. + +"I know well," said Henry a few days later, "that the people down there, +and their ambassador here, are leading us on with words, as far as they +can, with regard to the recompense of madam my mother for her claims upon +Portugal. But they had better remember (and I think they will), that out +of the offers which these sixteen deputies of the Netherlands are +bringing me--and I believe it to be carte blanche--I shall be able to pay +myself. 'Twill be better to come promptly to a good bargain and a brief +conclusion, than to spin the matter out longer." + +"Don Bernardino," said the Queen-Mother on the same day, "has been +keeping us up to this hour in hopes of a good offer, but 'tis to be +feared, for the good of Christendom, that 'twill be too late. The +deputies are come, bringing carte blanche. Nevertheless, if the King of +Spain is willing to be reasonable, and that instantly, it will be well, +and it would seem as if God had been pleased to place this means in our +hands." + +After the conferences had been fairly got under way between the French +government and the envoys, the demands upon Philip for a good bargain and +a handsome offer became still more pressing. + +"I have given audience to the deputies from the Provinces," wrote Henry, +"and the Queen-Mother has done the same. Chancellor Chiverny, +Villequier, Bellievre, and Brulart, will now confer with them from day +today. I now tell you that it will be well, before things go any +farther, for the King of Spain to come to reason about the pretensions of +madam mother. This will be a means of establishing the repose of +Christendom. I shall be very willing to concur in such an arrangement, +if I saw any approximation to it on the part of the King or his +ministers. But I fear they will delay too long, and so you had better +tell them. Push them to the point as much as possible, without letting +them suspect that I have been writing about it, for that would make them +rather draw back than come forward." + +At the same time, during this alternate threatening and coaxing between +the French and the Spanish court, and in the midst of all the solemn and +tedious protocolling of the ministry and the Dutch envoys, there was a +most sincere and affectionate intercourse maintained between Henry III. +and the Prince of Parma. The Spanish Governor-General was assured that +nothing but the warmest regard was entertained for him and his master on +the part of the French court. Parma had replied, however, that so many +French troops had in times past crossed the frontier to assist the +rebels, that he hardly knew what to think. He expressed the hope, now +that the Duke of Anjou was dead, that his Christian Majesty would not +countenance the rebellion, but manifest his good-will. + +"How can your Highness doubt it," said Malpierre, Henry's envoy, "for his +Majesty has given proof enough of his good will, having prevented all +enterprises in this regard, and preferred to have his own subjects cut +into pieces rather than that they should carry out their designs. Had +his Majesty been willing merely to connive at these undertakings, 'tis +probable that the affairs of your highness would not have succeeded so +well as they have done." + +With regard to England, also, the conduct of Henry and his mother in +these negotiations was marked by the same unfathomable duplicity. There +was an appearance of cordiality on the surface; but there was deep +plotting, and bargaining, and even deadly hostility lurking below. We +have seen the efforts which Elizabeth's government had been making to +counteract the policy which offered the sovereignty of the provinces to +the French monarch. At the same time there was at least a loyal +disposition upon the Queen's part to assist the Netherlands, in +concurrence with Henry. The demeanour of Burghley and his colleagues was +frankness itself, compared with the secret schemings of the Valois; for +at least peace and good-will between the "triumvirate" of France, England +and the Netherlands, was intended, as the true means of resisting the +predominant influence of Spain. + +Yet very soon after the solemn reception by Henry of the garter brought +by Lord Derby, and in the midst of the negotiations between the French +court and the United Provinces, the French king was not only attempting +to barter the sovereignty offered him by the Netherlanders against a +handsome recompense for the Portugal claim, but he was actually proposing +to the King of Spain to join with him in an invasion of England! Even +Philip himself must have admired and respected such a complication of +villany on the part of his most Christian brother. He was, however, not +disposed to put any confidence in his schemes. + +"With regard to the attempt against England," wrote Philip to Mendoza, +"you must keep your eyes open--you must look at the danger of letting +them, before they have got rid of their rivals and reduced their +heretics, go out of their own house and kingdom, and thus of being made +fools of when they think of coming back again. Let them first +exterminate the heretics of France, and then we will look after those of +England; because 'tis more important to finish those who are near than +those afar off. Perhaps the Queen-Mother proposes this invasion in order +to proceed more feebly with matters in her own kingdom; and thus Mucio +(Duke of Guise) and his friends will not have so safe a game, and must +take heed lest they be deceived." + +Thus it is obvious that Henry and Catharine intended, on the whole, to +deceive the English and the Netherlanders, and to get as good a bargain +and as safe a friendship from Philip as could be manufactured out of the +materials placed in the French King's hands by the United Provinces. +Elizabeth honestly wished well to the States, but allowed Burghley and +those who acted with him to flatter themselves with the chimera that +Henry could be induced to protect the Netherlands without assuming the +sovereignty of that commonwealth. The Provinces were fighting for their +existence, unconscious of their latent strength, and willing to trust to +France or to England, if they could only save themselves from being +swallowed by Spain. As for Spain itself, that country was more practised +in duplicity even than the government of the Medici-Valois, and was of +course more than a match at the game of deception for the franker +politicians of England and Holland. + +The King of Navarre had meanwhile been looking on at a distance. Too +keen an observer, too subtle a reasoner to doubt the secret source of the +movements then agitating France to its centre, he was yet unable to +foresee the turn that all these intrigues were about to take. He could +hardly doubt that Spain was playing a dark and desperate game with the +unfortunate Henry III.; for, as we have seen, he had himself not long +before received a secret and liberal offer from Philip II., if he would +agree to make war upon the King. But the Bearnese was not the man to +play into the hands of Spain, nor could he imagine the possibility of the +Valois or even of his mother taking so suicidal a course. + +After the Netherland deputies had received their final dismissal from the +King, they sent Calvart, who had been secretary to their embassy, on a +secret mission to Henry of Navarre, then resident at Chartres. + +The envoy communicated to the Huguenot chief the meagre result of the +long negotiation with the French court. Henry bade him be of good cheer, +and assured him of his best wishes for their cause. He expressed the +opinion that the King of France would now either attempt to overcome the +Guise faction by gentle means, or at once make war upon them. The Bishop +of Acqs had strongly recommended the French monarch to send the King of +Navarre, with a strong force, to the assistance of the Netherlands, +urging the point with much fervid eloquence and solid argument. Henry +for a moment had seemed impressed, but such a vigorous proceeding was of +course entirely beyond his strength, and he had sunk back into his +effeminate languor so soon as the bold bishop's back was turned. + +The Bearnese had naturally conceived but little hope that such a scheme +would be carried into effect; but he assured Calvart, that nothing could +give him greater delight than to mount and ride in such a cause. + +"Notwithstanding," said the Bearnese, "that the villanous intentions of +the Guises are becoming plainer and plainer, and that they are obviously +supplied with Spanish dollars, I shall send a special envoy to the most +Christian King, and, although 'tis somewhat late, implore him to throw +his weight into the scale, in order to redeem your country from its +misery. Meantime be of good heart, and defend as you have done your +hearths, your liberty, and the honour of God." + +He advised the States unhesitatingly to continue their confidence in the +French King, and to keep him informed of their plans and movements; +expressing the opinion that these very intrigues of the Guise party would +soon justify or even force Henry III. openly to assist the Netherlands. + +So far, at that very moment, was so sharp a politician as the Bearnese +from suspecting the secret schemes of Henry of Valois. Calvart urged the +King of Navarre to assist the States at that moment with some slight +subsidy. Antwerp was in such imminent danger as to fill the hearts of +all true patriots with dismay; and a timely succour, even if a slender +one, might be of inestimable value. + +Henry expressed profound regret that his own means were so limited, and +his own position so dangerous, as to make it difficult for him to +manifest in broad daylight the full affection which he bore the +Provinces. + +"To my sorrow," said he, "your proposition is made in the midst of such +dark and stormy weather, that those who have clearest sight are unable to +see to what issue these troubles of France are tending." + +Nevertheless, with much generosity and manliness, he promised Calvart to +send two thousand soldiers, at his own charges, to the Provinces without +delay; and authorised that envoy to consult with his agent at the court +of the French King, in order to obtain the royal permission for the +troops to cross the frontier. + +The crownless and almost houseless King had thus, at a single interview, +and in exchange for nothing but good wishes, granted what the most +Christian monarch of France had refused, after months of negotiation, and +with sovereignty as the purchase-money. The envoy, well pleased, sped as +swiftly as possible to Paris; but, as may easily be imagined, Henry of +Valois forbade the movement contemplated by Henry of Navarre. + +"His Majesty," said Villeroy, secretary of state, "sees no occasion, in +so weighty a business, thus suddenly to change his mind; the less so, +because he hopes to be able ere long to smooth over these troubles which +have begun in France. Should the King either openly or secretly assist +the Netherlands or allow them to be assisted, 'twould be a reason for all +the Catholics now sustaining his Majesty's party to go over to the Guise +faction. The Provinces must remain firm, and make no pacification with +the enemy. Meantime the Queen of England is the only one to whom God has +given means to afford you succour. One of these days, when the proper +time comes, his Majesty will assist her in affording you relief." + +Calvart, after this conference with the King of Navarre, and subsequently +with the government, entertained a lingering hope that the French King +meant to assist the Provinces. "I know well who is the author of these +troubles," said the unhappy monarch, who never once mentioned the name of +Guise in all those conferences, "but, if God grant me life, I will give +him as good as he sends, and make him rue his conduct." + +They were not aware after how many strange vacillations Henry was one day +to wreak this threatened vengeance. As for Navarre, he remained upon the +watch, good humoured as ever, more merry and hopeful as the tempest grew +blacker; manifesting the most frank and friendly sentiments towards the +Provinces, and writing to Queen Elizabeth in the chivalrous style so dear +to the heart of that sovereign, that he desired nothing better than to be +her "servant and captain-general against the common enemy." + +But, indeed, the French King was not so well informed as he imagined +himself to be of the authorship of these troubles. Mucio, upon whose +head he thus threatened vengeance, was but the instrument. The concealed +hand that was directing all these odious intrigues, and lighting these +flames of civil war which were so long to make France a scene of +desolation, was that of the industrious letter-writer in the Escorial. +That which Henry of Navarre shrewdly suspected, when he talked of the +Spanish dollars in the Balafre's pocket, that which was dimly visible to +the Bishop of Acqs when he told Henry III. that the "Tagus had emptied +itself into the Seine and Loire, and that the gold of Mexico was flowing +into the royal cabinet," was much more certain than they supposed. + +Philip, in truth, was neglecting his own most pressing interests that he +might direct all his energies towards entertaining civil war in France. +That France should remain internally at peace was contrary to all his +plans. He had therefore long kept Guise and his brother, the Cardinal de +Lorraine, in his pay, and he had been spending large sums of money to +bribe many of the most considerable functionaries in the kingdom. + +The most important enterprises in the Netherlands were allowed to +languish, that these subterranean operations of the "prudent" monarch of +Spain should be pushed forward. The most brilliant and original genius +that Philip had the good fortune to have at his disposal, the genius of +Alexander Farnese, was cramped and irritated almost to madness, by the +fetters imposed upon it, by the sluggish yet obstinate nature of him it +was bound to obey. Farnese was at that moment engaged in a most arduous +military undertaking, that famous siege of Antwerp, the details of which +will be related in future chapters, yet he was never furnished with men +or money enough to ensure success to a much more ordinary operation. +His complaints, subdued but intense, fell almost unheeded on his master's +ear. He had not "ten dollars at his command," his cavalry horses were +all dead of hunger or had been eaten by their riders, who were starving +to death themselves, his army had dwindled to a "handful," yet he still +held on to his purpose, in spite of famine, the desperate efforts of +indefatigable enemies, and all the perils and privations of a deadly +winter. He, too, was kept for a long time in profound ignorance of +Philip's designs. + +Meantime, while the Spanish soldiers were starving in Flanders, Philip's +dollars were employed by Mucio and his adherents in enlisting troops in +Switzerland and Germany, in order to carry on the civil war in France. +The French king was held systematically up to ridicule or detestation in +every village-pulpit in his own kingdom, while the sister of Mucio, the +Duchess of Montpensier, carried the scissors at her girdle, with which +she threatened to provide Henry with a third crown, in addition to those +of France and Poland, which he had disgraced--the coronal tonsure of a +monk. The convent should be, it was intimated, the eventual fate of the +modern Childeric, but meantime it was more important than ever to +supersede the ultimate pretensions of Henry of Navarre. To prevent that +heretic of heretics, who was not to be bought with Spanish gold, from +ever reigning, was the first object of Philip and Mucio. + +Accordingly, on the last day of the year 1584, a secret treaty had been +signed at Joinville between Henry of Guise and his brother the Duc de +Mayenne, holding the proxies of their brother the Cardinal and those of +their uncles, Aumale and Elbeuf, on the one part, and John Baptist Tassis +and Commander Moreo, on the other, as representatives of Philip. This +transaction, sufficiently well known now to the most superficial student +of history, was a profound mystery then, so far as regarded the action of +the Spanish king. It was not a secret, however, that the papistical +party did not intend that the Bearnese prince should ever come to the +throne, and the matter of the succession was discussed, precisely as if +the throne had been vacant. + +It was decided that Charles, paternal uncle to Henry of Navarre, commonly +called the Cardinal Bourbon, should be considered successor to the crown, +in place of Henry, whose claim was forfeited by heresy. Moreover, a +great deal of superfluous money and learning was expended in ordering +some elaborate legal arguments to be prepared by venal jurisconsults, +proving not only that the uncle ought to succeed before the nephew, but +that neither the one nor the other had any claim to succeed at all. The +pea having thus been employed to do the work which the sword alone could +accomplish, the poor old Cardinal was now formally established by the +Guise faction as presumptive heir to the crown. + +A man of straw, a superannuated court-dangler, a credulous trifler, but +an earnest Papist as his brother Antony had been, sixty-six years old, +and feeble beyond his years, who, his life long, had never achieved one +manly action, and had now one foot in the grave; this was the puppet +placed in the saddle to run a tilt against the Bearnese, the man with +foot ever in the stirrup, with sword rarely in its sheath. + +The contracting parties at Joinville agreed that the Cardinal should +succeed on the death of the reigning king, and that no heretic should +ever ascend the throne, or hold the meanest office in the kingdom. +They agreed further that all heretics should be "exterminated" without +distinction throughout France and the Netherlands. In order to procure +the necessary reforms among the clergy, the council of Trent was to be +fully carried into effect. Philip pledged himself to furnish at least +fifty thousand crowns monthly, for the advancement of this Holy League, +as it was denominated, and as much more as should prove necessary. The +sums advanced were to be repaid by the Cardinal on his succeeding to the +throne. All the great officers of the crown, lords and gentlemen, +cities, chapters, and universities, all Catholics, in short, in the +kingdom, were deemed to be included in the league. If any foreign +Catholic prince desired to enter the union, he should be admitted with +the consent of both parties. Neither his Catholic majesty nor the +confederated princes should treat with the most Christian King, either +directly or indirectly. The compact was to remain strictly secret--one +copy of it being sent to Philip, while the other was to be retained by +Cardinal Bourbon and his fellow leaguers. + +And now--in accordance with this program--Philip proceeded stealthily and +industriously to further the schemes of Mucio, to the exclusion of more +urgent business. Noiseless and secret himself, and delighting in +clothing so much as to glide, as it were, throughout Europe, wrapped in +the mantle of invisibility, he was perpetually provoked by the noise, the +bombast, and the bustle, which his less prudent confederates permitted +themselves. While Philip for a long time hesitated to confide the secret +of the League to Parma, whom it most imported to understand these schemes +of his master, the confederates were openly boasting of the assistance +which they were to derive from Parma's cooperation. Even when the Prince +had at last been informed as to the state of affairs, he stoutly denied +the facts of which the leaguers made their vaunt; thus giving to Mucio +and his friends a lesson in dissimulation." + +"Things have now arrived at a point," wrote Philip to Tassis, 15th March, +1585, "that this matter of the League cannot and ought not to be +concealed from those who have a right to know it. Therefore you must +speak clearly to the Prince of Parma, informing him of the whole scheme, +and enjoining the utmost secrecy. You must concert with him as to the +best means of rendering aid to this cause, after having apprised him of +the points which regarded him, and also that of the security of Cardinal +de Bourbon, in case of necessity." + +The Prince was anything but pleased, in the midst of his anxiety and +his almost superhuman labour in the Antwerp siege, to be distracted, +impoverished, and weakened, in order to carry out these schemes against +France; but he kept the secret manfully. + +To Malpierre, the French envoy in Brussels--for there was the closest +diplomatic communication between Henry III. and Philip, while each was +tampering with the rebellious subjects of the other--to Malpierre Parma +flatly contradicted all complicity on the part of the Spanish King or +himself with the Holy League, of which he knew Philip to be the +originator and the chief. + +"If I complain to the Prince of Parma," said the envoy, "of the companies +going from Flanders to assist the League, he will make me no other reply +than that which the President has done--that there is nothing at all in +it--until they are fairly arrived in France. The President (Richardot) +said that if the Catholic King belonged to the League, as they insinuate, +his Majesty would declare the fact openly." + +And a few days later, the Prince himself averred, as Malpierre had +anticipated, that "as to any intention on the part of himself or his +Catholic Majesty, to send succour to the League, according to the boast +of these gentlemen, he had never thought of such a thing, nor had +received any order on the subject from his master. If the King intended +to do anything of the kind, he would do it openly. He protested that he +had never seen anything, or known anything of the League." + +Here was a man who knew how to keep a secret, and who had no scruples in +the matter of dissimulation, however enraged he might be at seeing men +and money diverted from his own masterly combinations in order to carry +out these schemes of his master. + +Mucio, on the contrary, was imprudent and inclined to boast. His +contempt for Henry III, made him blind to the dangers to be apprehended +from Henry of Navarre. He did little, but talked a great deal. + +Philip was very anxious that the work should be done both secretly and +thoroughly. "Let the business be finished before Saint John's day," said +he to Tassis, when sending fifty thousand dollars for the use of the +brothers Guise. "Tell Iniquez to warn them not to be sluggish. Let them +not begin in a lukewarm manner, but promise them plenty of assistance +from me, if they conduct themselves properly. Let them beware of +wavering, or of falling into plans of conciliation. If they do their +duty, I will do mine." + +But the Guise faction moved slowly despite of Philip's secret promptings. +The truth is, that the means proposed by the Spanish monarch were +ludicrously inadequate to his plans, and it was idle to suppose that the +world was to be turned upside down for his benefit, at the very low price +which he was prepared to pay. + +Nothing less than to exterminate all the heretics in Christendom, to +place himself on the thrones of France and of England, and to extinguish +the last spark of rebellion in the Netherlands, was his secret thought, +and yet it was very difficult to get fifty thousand dollars from him from +month to month. Procrastinating and indolent himself, he was for ever +rebuking the torpid movements of the Guises. + +"Let Mucio set his game well at the outset," said he; "let him lay the +axe to the root of the tree, for to be wasting time fruitlessly is +sharpening the knife for himself." + +This was almost prophetic. When after so much talking and tampering, +there began to be recrimination among the leaguers, Philip was very angry +with his subordinate. + +"Here is Mucio," said he, "trying to throw the blame of all the +difficulties, which have arisen, upon us. Not hastening, not keeping his +secret, letting the execution of the enterprise grow cold, and lending an +ear to suggestions about peace, without being sure of its conclusion, he +has turned his followers into cowards, discredited his cause, and given +the King of France opportunity to strengthen his force and improve his +party. These are all very palpable things. I am willing to continue +my friendship for them, but not, if, while they accept it, they permit +themselves to complain, instead of manifesting gratitude." + +On the whole, however, the affairs of the League seemed prosperous. +There was doubtless too much display among the confederates, but there +was a growing uneasiness among the royalists. Cardinal Bourbon, +discarding his ecclesiastical robes and scarlet stockings, paraded +himself daily in public, clothed in military costume, with all the airs +of royalty. Many persons thought him mad. On the other hand, Epergnon, +the haughty minion-in-chief, who governed Henry III., and insulted all +the world, was becoming almost polite. + +"The progress of the League," said Busbecq, "is teaching the Duc +d' Epergnon manners. 'Tis a youth of such insolence, that without +uncovering he would talk with men of royal descent, while they were +bareheaded. 'Tis a common jest now that he has found out where his hat +is." + +Thus, for a long time, a network of secret political combinations had +been stretching itself over Christendom. There were great movements of +troops throughout Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, slowly +concentrating themselves upon France; yet, on the whole, the great mass +of the populations, the men and women who were to pay, to fight, to +starve, to be trampled upon, to be outraged, to be plundered, to be +burned out of houses and home, to bleed, and to die, were merely +ignorant, gaping spectators. That there was something very grave in +prospect was obvious, but exactly what was impending they knew no more +than the generation yet unborn. Very noiselessly had the patient manager +who sat in the Escorial been making preparations for that European +tragedy in which most of the actors had such fatal parts assigned them, +and of which few of the spectators of its opening scenes were doomed to +witness the conclusion. A shifting and glancing of lights, a vision of +vanishing feet, a trampling and bustling of unseen crowds, movements of +concealed machinery, a few incoherent words, much noise and confusion +vague and incomprehensible, till at last the tinkling of a small bell, +and a glimpse of the modest manager stealing away as the curtain was +rising--such was the spectacle presented at Midsummer 1585, + +And in truth the opening picture was effective. Sixteen black-robed, +long-bearded Netherland envoys stalking away, discomfited and indignant +upon one side; Catharine de' Medici on the other, regarding them with a +sneer, painfully contorted into a pathetic smile; Henry the King, robed +in a sack of penitence, trembling and hesitating, leaning on the arm of +Epergnon, but quailing even under the protection of that mighty +swordsman; Mucio, careering, truncheon in hand, in full panoply, upon his +war-horse, waving forward a mingled mass of German lanzknechts, Swiss +musketeers, and Lorraine pikemen; the redoubtable Don Bernardino de +Mendoza, in front, frowning and ferocious, with his drawn sword in his +hand; Elizabeth of England, in the back ground, with the white-bearded +Burghley and the monastic Walsingham, all surveying the scene with eyes +of deepest meaning; and, somewhat aside, but in full view, silent, calm, +and imperturbably good-humoured, the bold Bearnese, standing with a +mischievous but prophetic smile glittering through his blue eyes and +curly beard--thus grouped were the personages of the drama in the +introductory scenes. + +The course of public events which succeeded the departure of the +Netherland deputies is sufficiently well known. The secret negotiations +and intrigues, however, by which those external facts were preceded or +accompanied rest mainly in dusty archives, and it was therefore necessary +to dwell somewhat at length upon them in the preceding pages. + +The treaty of Joinville was signed on the last day of the year 1584. + +We have seen the real nature of the interview of Ambassador Mendoza with +Henry III. and his mother, which took place early in January, 1585. +Immediately after that conference, Don Bernardino betook himself to the +Duke of Guise, and lost no time in stimulating his confederate to prompt +but secret action. + +The Netherland envoys had their last audience on the 18th March, and +their departure and disappointment was the signal for the general +exhibition and explosion. The great civil war began, and the man who +refused to annex the Netherlands to the French kingdom soon ceased to be +regarded as a king. + +On the 31st March, the heir presumptive, just manufactured by the Guises, +sent forth his manifesto. Cardinal Bourbon, by this document, declared +that for twenty-four years past no proper measures had been taken to +extirpate the heresy by which France was infested. There was no natural +heir to the King. Those who claimed to succeed at his death had deprived +themselves, by heresy, of their rights. Should they gain their ends, the +ancient religion would be abolished throughout the kingdom, as it had +been in England, and Catholics be subjected to the same frightful +tortures which they were experiencing there. New men, admitted to the +confidence of the crown, clothed with the highest honours, and laden with +enormous emoluments, had excluded the ancient and honoured functionaries +of the state, who had been obliged to sell out their offices to these +upstart successors. These new favourites had seized the finances of the +kingdom, all of which were now collected into the private coffers of the +King, and shared by him with his courtiers. The people were groaning +under new taxes invented every day, yet they knew nothing of the +distribution of the public treasure, while the King himself was so +impoverished as to be unable to discharge his daily debts. Meantime +these new advisers of the crown had renewed to the Protestants of the +kingdom the religious privileges of which they had so justly been +deprived, yet the religious peace which had followed had not brought with +it the promised diminution of the popular burthens. Never had the nation +been so heavily taxed or reduced to such profound misery. For these +reasons, he, Cardinal Bourbon, with other princes of the blood, peers, +gentlemen, cities, and universities, had solemnly bound themselves by +oath to extirpate heresy down to the last root, and to save the people +from the dreadful load under which they were languishing. It was for +this that they had taken up arms, and till that purpose was accomplished +they would never lay them down. + +The paper concluded with the hope that his Majesty would not take these +warlike demonstrations amiss; and a copy of the document was placed in +the royal hands. + +It was very obvious to the most superficial observer, that the manifesto +was directed almost as much against the reigning sovereign as against +Henry of Navarre. The adherents of the Guise faction, and especially +certain theologians in their employ, had taken very bold grounds upon the +relations between king and subjects, and had made the public very +familiar with their doctrines. It was a duty, they said, "to depose a +prince who did not discharge his duty. Authority ill regulated was +robbery, and it was as absurd to call him a king who knew not how to +govern, as it was to take a blind man for a guide, or to believe that a +statue could influence the movements of living men." + +Yet to the faction, inspired by such rebellious sentiments, and which was +thundering in his face such tremendous denunciations, the unhappy Henry +could not find a single royal or manly word of reply. He threw himself +on his knees, when, if ever, he should have assumed an attitude of +command. He answered the insolence of the men, who were parading their +contempt for his authority, by humble excuses, and supplications for +pardon. He threw his crown in the dust before their feet, as if such +humility would induce them to place it again upon his head. He abandoned +the minions who had been his pride, his joy, and his defence, and +deprecated, with an abject whimper, all responsibility for the unmeasured +ambition and the insatiable rapacity of a few private individuals. He +conjured the party-leaders, who had hurled defiance in his face, to lay +down their arms, and promised that they should find in his wisdom and +bounty more than all the advantages which they were seeking to obtain by +war. + +Henry of Navarre answered in a different strain. The gauntlet had at +last been thrown down to him, and he came forward to take it up; not +insolently nor carelessly, but with the cold courtesy of a Christian +knight and valiant gentleman. He denied the charge of heresy. He avowed +detestation of all doctrines contrary to the Word of God, to the decrees +of the Fathers of the Church, or condemned by the Councils. + +The errors and abuses which had from time to time crept into the church, +had long demanded, in the opinion of all pious persons, some measures of +reform. After many bloody wars, no better remedy had been discovered to +arrest the cause of these dire religious troubles, whether in France or +Germany, than to permit all men to obey the dictates of their own +conscience. The Protestants had thus obtained in France many edicts by +which the peace of the kingdom had been secured. He could not himself be +denounced as a heretic, for he had always held himself ready to receive +instruction, and to be set right where he had erred. To call him +"relapsed" was an outrage. Were it true, he were indeed unworthy of the +crown, but the world knew that his change at the Massacre of St. +Bartholomew had been made under duresse, and that he had returned to the +reformed faith when he had recovered his liberty. Religious toleration +had been the object of his life. In what the tyranny of the popes and +the violence of the Spaniards had left him of his kingdom of Navarre, +Catholics and Protestants enjoyed a perfect religious liberty. No man +had the right, therefore, to denounce him as an enemy of the church, or +a disturber of the public repose, for he had ever been willing to accept +all propositions of peace which left the rights of conscience protected. + +He was a Frenchman, a prince of France, a living member of the kingdom; +feeling with its pains, and bleeding with its wounds. They who denounced +him were alien to France, factitious portions of her body, feeling no +suffering, even should she be consuming with living fire. The Leaguers +were the friends and the servants of the Spaniards, while he had been +born the enemy, and with too good reason, of the whole Spanish race. + +"Let the name of Papist and of Huguenot," he said, "be heard no more +among us. Those terms were buried in the edict of peace. Let us speak +only of Frenchmen and of Spaniards. It is the counter-league which we +must all unite to form, the natural union of the head with all its +members." + +Finally, to save the shedding of so much innocent blood, to spare all the +countless miseries of civil war, he implored the royal permission to +terminate this quarrel in person, by single combat with the Duke of +Guise, one to one, two to two, or in as large a number as might be +desired, and upon any spot within or without the kingdom that should be +assigned. "The Duke of Guise," said Henry of Navarre, "cannot but accept +my challenge as an honour, coming as it does from a prince infinitely his +superior in rank; and thus, may God defend the right." + +This paper, drawn up by the illustrious Duplessis-Mornay, who was to have +been the second of the King of Navarre in the proposed duel, was signed +10 June 1585. + +The unfortunate Henry III., not so dull as to doubt that the true object +of the Guise party was to reduce him to insignificance, and to open their +own way to the throne, was too impotent of purpose to follow the dictates +which his wisest counsellors urged and his own reason approved. His +choice had lain between open hostility with his Spanish enemy and a more +terrible combat with that implacable foe wearing the mask of friendship. +He had refused to annex to his crown the rich and powerful Netherlands, +from dread of a foreign war; and he was now about to accept for himself +and kingdom all the horrors of a civil contest, in which his avowed +antagonist was the first captain of the age, and his nominal allies the +stipendiaries of Philip II. + +Villeroy, his prime minister, and Catharine de' Medici, his mother, had +both devoted him to disgrace and ruin. The deputies from the Netherlands +had been dismissed, and now, notwithstanding the festivities and +exuberant demonstrations of friendship with which the Earl of Derby's +splendid embassy had been greeted, it became necessary to bind Henry hand +and foot to the conspirators, who had sworn the destruction of that +Queen, as well as his own, and the extirpation of heresy and heretics in +every realm of Christendom. + +On the 9th June the league demanded a royal decree, forbidding the +practice of all religion but the Roman Catholic, on pain of death. In +vain had the clear-sighted Bishop of Acqs uttered his eloquent warnings. +Despite such timely counsels, which he was capable at once of +appreciating and of neglecting, Henry followed slavishly the advice of +those whom he knew in his heart to be his foes, and authorised the great +conspiracy against Elizabeth, against Protestantism, and against himself. + +On the 5th June Villeroy had expressed a wish for a very secret interview +with Mendoza, on the subject of the invasion of England. + +"It needed not this overture," said that magniloquent Spaniard, "to +engender in a person of my talents, and with the heart of a Mendoza, +venom enough for vengeance. I could not more desire than I did already +to assist in so holy a work; nor could I aspire to greater honour than +would be gained in uniting those crowns (of France and Spain) in strict +friendship, for the purpose of extirpating heresy throughout Europe, and +of chastising the Queen of England--whose abominations I am never likely +to forget, having had them so long before my eyes--and of satisfying my +just resentment for the injuries she has inflicted on myself. It was on +this subject," continued the ambassador, "that Monsieur de Villeroy +wished a secret interview with me, pledging himself--if your Majesty +would deign to unite yourself with this King, and to aid him with your +forces--to a successful result." + +Mendoza accordingly expressed a willingness to meet the ingenuous +Secretary of State--who had so recently been assisting at the banquets +and rejoicings with Lord Derby and his companions, which had so much +enlivened the French capital--and assured him that his most Catholic +Majesty would be only too glad to draw closer the bonds of friendship +with the most Christian King, for the service of God and the glory of +his Church. + +The next day the envoy and the Secretary of State met, very secretly, in +the house of the Signor Gondi. Villeroy commenced his harangue by an +allusion to the current opinion, that Mendoza had arrived in France with +a torch in his hand, to light the fires of civil war in that kingdom, as +he had recently done in England. + +"I do not believe," replied Mendoza, "that discreet and prudent persons +in France attribute my actions to any such motives. As for the ignorant +people of the kingdom, they do not appal me, although they evidently +imagine that I have imbibed, during my residence in England, something of +the spirit of the enchanter Merlin, that, by signs and cabalistic words +alone, I am thought capable of producing such commotions." + +After this preliminary flourish the envoy proceeded to complain bitterly +of the most Christian King and his mother, who, after the propositions +which they had made him, when on his way to Spain, had, since his return, +become so very cold and dry towards him. And on this theme he enlarged +for some time. + +Villeroy replied, by complaining, in his turn, about the dealings of the +most Catholic King, with the leaguers and the rebels of France; and +Mendoza rejoined by an intimation that harping upon past grievances and +suspicions was hardly the way to bring about harmony in present matters. + +Struck with the justice of this remark, the French Secretary of State +entered at once upon business. He made a very long speech upon the +tyranny which "that Englishwoman" was anew inflicting upon the Catholics +in her kingdom, upon the offences which she had committed against the +King of Spain, and against the King of France and his brothers, and upon +the aliment which she had been yielding to the civil war in the +Netherlands and in France for so many years. He then said that if +Mendoza would declare with sincerity, and "without any of the duplicity +of a minister"--that Philip would league himself with Henry for the +purpose of invading England, in order to reduce the three kingdoms to the +Catholic faith, and to place their crowns on the head of the Queen of +Scotland, to whom they of right belonged; then that the King, his master, +was most ready to join in so holy an enterprise. He begged Mendoza to +say with what number of troops the invasion could be made; whether Philip +could send any from Flanders or from Spain; how many it would be well to +send from France, and under what chieftain; in what manner it would be +best to communicate with his most Catholic Majesty; whether it were +desirable to despatch a secret envoy to him, and of what quality such +agent ought to be. He also observed that the most Christian King could +not himself speak to Mendoza on the subject before having communicated +the matter to the Queen-Mother, but expressed a wish that a special +carrier might be forthwith despatched to Spain; for he might be sure +that, on an affair of such weight, he would not have permitted himself to +reveal the secret wishes of his master, except by his commands. + +Mendoza replied, by enlarging with much enthusiasm on the facility with +which England could be conquered by the combined power of France and +Spain. If it were not a very difficult matter before--even with the +jealousy between the two crowns--how much less so, now that they could +join their fleets and armies; now that the arming by the one prince would +not inspire the other with suspicion; now that they would be certain of +finding safe harbour in each other's kingdoms, in case of unfavourable +weather and head-winds, and that they could arrange from what ports to +sail, in what direction, and under what commanders. He disapproved, +however, of sending a special messenger to Spain, on the ground of +wishing to keep the matter entirely secret, but in reality--as he +informed Philip--because he chose to keep the management in his own +hands; because he could always let slip Mucio upon them, in case they +should play him false; because he feared that the leaking out of the +secret might discourage the Leaguers, and because he felt that the bolder +and more lively were the Cardinal of Bourbon and his confederates, the +stronger was the party of the King, his master, and the more intimidated +and dispirited would be the mind and the forces of the most Christian +King. "And this is precisely the point," said the diplomatist, "at which +a minister of your Majesty should aim at this season." + +Thus the civil war in France--an indispensable part of Philip's policy-- +was to be maintained at all hazards; and although the ambassador was of +opinion that the most Christian King was sincere in his proposition to +invade England, it would never do to allow any interval of tranquillity +to the wretched subjects of that Christian King. + +"I cannot doubt," said Mendoza, "that the making of this proposal to me +with so much warmth was the especial persuasion of God, who, hearing the +groans of the Catholics of England, so cruelly afflicted, wished to force +the French King and his minister to feel, in the necessity which +surrounds them, that the offending Him, by impeding the grandeur of your +Majesty, would be their total ruin, and that their only salvation is to +unite in sincerity and truth with your Majesty for the destruction of the +heretics." + +Therefore, although judging from the nature of the French--he might +imagine that they were attempting to put him to sleep, Mendoza, on the +whole, expressed a conviction that the King was in earnest, having +arrived at the conclusion that he could only get rid of the Guise faction +by sending them over to England. "Seeing that he cannot possibly +eradicate the war from his kingdom," said the envoy, "because of the +boldness with which the Leaguers maintain it, with the strong assistance +of your Majesty, he has determined to embrace with much fervour, and +without any deception at all, the enterprise against England, as the only +remedy to quiet his own dominions. The subjugation of those three +kingdoms, in order to restore them to their rightful owner, is a purpose +so holy, just, and worthy of your Majesty, and one which you have had so +constantly in view, that it is superfluous for me to enlarge upon the +subject. Your Majesty knows that its effects will be the tranquillity +and preservation of all your realms. The reasons for making the attempt, +even without the aid of France, become demonstrations now that she is +unanimously in favour of the scheme. The most Christian King is +resolutely bent--so far as I can comprehend the intrigues of Villeroy-- +to carry out this project on the foundation of a treaty with the Guise +party. It will not take much time, therefore, to put down the heretics +here; nor will it consume much more to conquer England with the armies of +two such powerful Princes. The power of that island is of little moment, +there being no disciplined forces to oppose us, even if they were all +unanimous in its defence; how much less then, with so many Catholics to +assist the invaders, seeing them so powerful. If your Majesty, on +account of your Netherlands, is not afraid of putting arms into the hands +of the Guise family in France, there need be less objection to sending +one of that house into England, particularly as you will send forces of +your own into that kingdom, by the reduction of which the affairs of +Flanders will be secured. To effect the pacification of the Netherlands +the sooner, it would be desirable to conquer England as early as +October." + +Having thus sufficiently enlarged upon the sincerity of the French King +and his prime minister, in their dark projects against a friendly power, +and upon the ease with which that friendly power could be subjected, the +ambassador begged for a reply from his royal master without delay. He +would be careful, meantime, to keep the civil war alive in France--thus +verifying the poetical portrait of himself, the truth of which he had +just been so indignantly and rhetorically denying--but it was desirable +that the French should believe that this civil war was not Philip's sole +object. He concluded by drawing his master's attention to the sufferings +of the English Catholics. "I cannot refrain," he said, "from placing +before your eyes the terrible persecutions which the Catholics are +suffering in England; the blood of the martyrs flowing in so many kinds +of torments; the groans of the prisoners, of the widows and orphans; the +general oppression and servitude, which is the greatest ever endured by a +people of God, under any tyrant whatever. Your Majesty, into whose hands +God is now pleased to place the means, so long desired, of extirpating +and totally destroying the heresies of our time, can alone liberate them +from their bondage." + +The picture of these kings, prime ministers, and ambassadors, thus +plotting treason, stratagem, and massacre, is a dark and dreary one. +The description of English sufferings for conscience' sake, under the +Protestant Elizabeth, is even more painful; for it had unfortunately too +much, of truth, although as wilfully darkened and exaggerated as could be +done by religious hatred and Spanish bombast. The Queen was surrounded +by legions of deadly enemies. Spain, the Pope, the League, were united +in one perpetual conspiracy against her; and they relied on the +cooperation of those subjects of hers whom her own cruelty was +converting into traitors. + +We read with a shudder these gloomy secrets of conspiracy and wholesale +murder, which make up the diplomatic history of the sixteenth century, +and we cease to wonder that a woman, feeling herself so continually the +mark at which all the tyrants and assassins of Europe were aiming-- +although not possessing perhaps the evidences of her peril so completely +as they have been revealed to us--should come to consider every English +Papist as a traitor and an assassin. It was unfortunate that she was not +able to rise beyond the vile instincts of the age, and by a magnanimous +and sublime toleration, to convert her secret enemies into loyal +subjects. + +And now Henry of Valois was to choose between league and counter-league, +between Henry of Guise and Henry of Navarre, between France and Spain. +The whole chivalry of Gascony and Guienne, the vast swarm of industrious +and hardy Huguenot artisans, the Netherland rebels, the great English +Queen, stood ready to support the cause of French nationality, and of all +nationalities, against a threatening world-empire, of religious liberty +against sacerdotal absolutism, and the crown of a King, whose only merit +had hitherto been to acquiesce in a religious toleration dictated to him +by others, against those who derided his authority and insulted his +person. The bold knight-errant of Christendom, the champion to the +utterance against Spain, stood there with lance in rest, and the King +scarcely hesitated. + +The League, gliding so long unheeded, now reared its crest in the very +palace of France, and full in the monarch's face. With a single shudder +the victim fell into its coils. + +The choice was made. On the 18th of July (1585) the edict of Nemours was +published, revoking all previous edicts by which religious peace had been +secured. Death and confiscation of property were now proclaimed as the +penalty of practising any religious rites save those of the Roman +Catholic Church. Six months were allowed to the Nonconformists to put +their affairs in order, after which they were to make public profession +of the Catholic religion, with regular attendance upon its ceremonies, +or else go into perpetual exile. To remain in France without abjuring +heresy was thenceforth a mortal crime, to be expiated upon the gallows. +As a matter of course, all Huguenots were instantaneously incapacitated +from public office, the mixed chambers of justice were abolished, and the +cautionary towns were to be restored. On the other hand, the Guise +faction were to receive certain cities into their possession, as pledges +that this sanguinary edict should be fulfilled. + +Thus did Henry III. abjectly kiss the hand which smote him. His mother, +having since the death of Anjou no further interest in affecting to +favour the Huguenots, had arranged the basis of this treaty with the +Spanish party. And now the unfortunate King had gone solemnly down to +the Parliament of Paris, to be present at the registration of the edict. +The counsellors and presidents were all assembled, and as they sat there +in their crimson robes, they seemed, to the excited imagination of those +who loved their country, like embodiments of the impending and most +sanguinary tragedy. As the monarch left the parliament-house a faint cry +of 'God save the King' was heard in the street. Henry hung his head, for +it was long since that cry had met his ears, and he knew that it was a +false and languid demonstration which had been paid for by the Leaguers. + +And thus was the compact signed--an unequal compact. Madam League was on +horseback, armed in proof, said a contemporary; the King was on foot, and +dressed in a shirt of penitence. The alliance was not an auspicious one. +Not peace, but a firebrand--'facem, non pacem'--had the King held +forth to his subjects. + +When the news came to Henry of Navarre that the King had really +promulgated this fatal edict, he remained for a time, with amazement and +sorrow, leaning heavily upon a table, with his face in his right hand. +When he raised his head again--so he afterwards asserted--one side of his +moustachio had turned white. + +Meantime Gregory XIII., who had always refused to sanction the League, +was dead, and Cardinal Peretti, under the name of Sixtus V., now reigned +in his place. Born of an illustrious house, as he said--for it was a +house without a roof--this monk of humble origin was of inordinate +ambition. Feigning a humility which was but the cloak to his pride, he +was in reality as grasping, self-seeking, and revengeful, as he seemed +gentle and devout. It was inevitable that a pontiff of this character +should seize the opportunity offered him to mimic Hildebrand, and to +brandish on high the thunderbolts of the Church. + +With a flaming prelude concerning the omnipotence delegated by Almighty +God to St. Peter and his successors--an authority infinitely superior to +all earthly powers--the decrees of which were irresistible alike by the +highest and the meanest, and which hurled misguided princes from their +thrones into the abyss, like children of Beelzebub, the Pope proceeded to +fulminate his sentence of excommunication against those children of +wrath, Henry of Navarre and Henry of Conde. They were denounced as +heretics, relapsed, and enemies of God (28th Aug.1585). The King was +declared dispossessed of his principality of Bearne, and of what remained +to him of Navarre. He was stripped of all dignities, privileges, and +property, and especially proclaimed incapable of ever ascending the +throne of France. + +The Bearnese replied by a clever political squib. A terse and spirited +paper found its way to Rome, and was soon affixed, to the statutes of +Pasquin and Marforio, and in other public places of that city, and even +to the gates of the papal palace. Without going beyond his own doors, +his Holiness had the opportunity of reading, to his profound amazement, +that Mr. Sixtus, calling himself Pope, had foully and maliciously lied in +calling the King of Navarre a heretic. This Henry offered to prove +before any free council legitimately chosen. If the Pope refused to +submit to such decision, he was himself no better than excommunicate and +Antichrist, and the King of Navarre thereby declared mortal and perpetual +war upon him. The ancient kings of France had known how to chastise the +insolence of former popes, and he hoped, when he ascended the throne, to +take vengeance on Mr. Sixtus for the insult thus offered to all the kings +of Christendom--and so on, in a vein which showed the Bearnese to be a +man rather amused than blasted by these papal fireworks. + +Sixtus V., though imperious, was far from being dull. He knew how to +appreciate a man when he found one, and he rather admired the cheerful +attitude maintained by Navarre, as he tossed back the thunderbolts. He +often spoke afterwards of Henry with genuine admiration, and declared +that in all the world he knew but two persons fit to wear a crown--Henry +of Navarre and Elizabeth of England. "'Twas pity," he said, "that both +should be heretics." + +And thus the fires of civil war had been lighted throughout Christendom, +and the monarch of France had thrown himself head foremost into the +flames. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Hibernian mode of expressing himself +His inordinate arrogance +His insolence intolerable +Humility which was but the cloak to his pride +Longer they delay it, the less easy will they find it +Oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts +Round game of deception, in which nobody was deceived +Wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening the knife for himself +With something of feline and feminine duplicity +'Twas pity, he said, that both should be heretics + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v38 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History of The United Netherlands, 1585 + + +Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + + +CHAPTER V., Part 1. + + Position and Character of Farnese--Preparations for Antwerp Siege-- + Its Characteristics--Foresight of William the Silent--Sainte + Aldegonde, the Burgomaster--Anarchy in Antwerp--Character of Sainte + Aldegonde--Admiral Treslong--Justinus de Nassau--Hohenlo--Opposition + to the Plan of Orange--Liefkenshoek--Head--Quarters of Parma at + Kalloo--Difficulty of supplying the City--Results of not piercing + the Dykes--Preliminaries of the Siege--Successes of the Spaniards-- + Energy of Farnese with Sword and Pen--His Correspondence with the + Antwerpers--Progress of the Bridge--Impoverished Condition of Parma + --Patriots attempt Bois-le-Duc--Their Misconduct--Failure of the + Enterprise--The Scheldt Bridge completed--Description of the + Structure + +The negotiations between France and the Netherlands have been massed, in +order to present a connected and distinct view of the relative attitude +of the different countries of Europe. The conferences and diplomatic +protocolling had resulted in nothing positive; but it is very necessary +for the reader to understand the negative effects of all this +dissimulation and palace-politics upon the destiny of the new +commonwealth, and upon Christendom at large. The League had now achieved +a great triumph; the King of France had virtually abdicated, and it was +now requisite for the King of Navarre, the Netherlands, and Queen +Elizabeth, to draw more closely together than before, if the last hope +of forming a counter-league were not to be abandoned. The next step in +political combination was therefore a solemn embassy of the States- +General to England. Before detailing those negotiations, however, it is +proper to direct attention to the external public events which had been +unrolling themselves in the Provinces, contemporaneously with the secret +history which has been detailed in the preceding chapters. + +By presenting in their natural groupings various distinct occurrences, +rather than by detailing them in strict chronological order, a clearer +view of the whole picture will be furnished than could be done by +intermingling personages, transactions, and scenery, according to the +arbitrary command of Time alone. + +The Netherlands, by the death of Orange, had been left without a head. +On the other hand, the Spanish party had never been so fortunate in their +chief at any period since the destiny of the two nations had been blended +with each other. Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, was a general and a +politician, whose character had been steadily ripening since he came into +the command of the country. He was now thirty-seven years of age--with +the experience of a sexagenarian. No longer the impetuous, arbitrary, +hot-headed youth, whose intelligence and courage hardly atoned for his +insolent manner and stormy career, he had become pensive, modest, almost +gentle. His genius was rapid in conception, patient in combination, +fertile in expedients, adamantine in the endurance or suffering; for +never did a heroic general and a noble army of veterans manifest more +military virtue in the support of an infamous cause than did Parma and +his handful of Italians and Spaniards. That which they considered to be +their duty they performed. The work before them they did with all their +might. + +Alexander had vanquished the rebellion in the Celtic provinces, by the +masterly diplomacy and liberal bribery which have been related in a +former work. Artois, Hainault, Douay, Orchies, with the rich cities of +Lille, Tournay, Valenciennes, Arras, and other important places, were now +the property of Philip. These unhappy and misguided lands, however, were +already reaping the reward of their treason. Beggared, trampled upon, +plundered, despised, they were at once the prey of the Spaniards, and the +cause that their sister-states, which still held out, were placed in more +desperate condition than ever. They were also, even in their abject +plight, made still more forlorn by the forays of Balagny, who continued +in command of Cambray. Catharine de' Medici claimed that city as her +property, by will of the Duke of Anjou. A strange title--founded upon +the treason and cowardice of her favourite son--but one which, for a +time, was made good by the possession maintained by Balagny. That +usurper meantime, with a shrewd eye to his own interests, pronounced the +truce of Cambray, which was soon afterwards arranged, from year to year, +by permission of Philip, as a "most excellent milch-cow;" and he +continued to fill his pails at the expense of the "reconciled" provinces, +till they were thoroughly exhausted. + +This large south-western section of the Netherlands being thus +permanently re-annexed to the Spanish crown, while Holland, Zeeland, and +the other provinces, already constituting the new Dutch republic, were +more obstinate in their hatred of Philip than ever, there remained the +rich and fertile territory of Flanders and Brabant as the great +debateable land. Here were the royal and political capital, Brussels, +the commercial capital, Antwerp, with Mechlin, Dendermonde, Vilvoorde, +and other places of inferior importance, all to be struggled for to the +death. With the subjection of this district the last bulwark between the +new commonwealth and the old empire would be overthrown, and Spain and +Holland would then meet face to face. + +If there had ever been a time when every nerve in Protestant Christendom +should be strained to weld all those provinces together into one great +commonwealth, as a bulwark for European liberty, rather than to allow +them to be broken into stepping-stones, over which absolutism could +stride across France and Holland into England, that moment had arrived. +Every sacrifice should have been cheerfully made by all Netherlanders, +the uttermost possible subsidies and auxiliaries should have been +furnished by all the friends of civil and religious liberty in every land +to save Flanders and Brabant from their impending fate. + +No man felt more keenly the importance of the business in which he was +engaged than Parma. He knew his work exactly, and he meant to execute it +thoroughly. Antwerp was the hinge on which the fate of the whole +country, perhaps of all Christendom, was to turn. "If we get Antwerp," +said the Spanish soldiers--so frequently that the expression passed into +a proverb--"you shall all go to mass with us; if you save Antwerp, we +will all go to conventicle with you." + +Alexander rose with the difficulty and responsibility of his situation. +His vivid, almost poetic intellect formed its schemes with perfect +distinctness. Every episode in his great and, as he himself termed it, +his "heroic enterprise," was traced out beforehand with the tranquil +vision of creative genius; and he was prepared to convert his conceptions +into reality, with the aid of an iron nature that never knew fatigue or +fear. + +But the obstacles were many. Alexander's master sat in his cabinet with +his head full of Mucio, Don Antonio, and Queen Elizabeth; while Alexander +himself was left neglected, almost forgotten. His army was shrinking to +a nullity. The demands upon him were enormous, his finances delusive, +almost exhausted. To drain an ocean dry he had nothing but a sieve. +What was his position? He could bring into the field perhaps eight or +ten thousand men over and above the necessary garrisons. He had before +him Brussels, Antwerp, Mechlin, Ghent, Dendermonde, and other powerful +places, which he was to subjugate. Here was a problem not easy of +solution. Given an army of eight thousand, more or less, to reduce +therewith in the least possible time, half-a-dozen cities; each +containing fifteen or twenty thousand men able to bear arms. To besiege +these places in form was obviously a mere chimera. Assault, battery, and +surprises--these were all out of the question. + +Yet Alexander was never more truly heroic than in this position of vast +entanglement. Untiring, uncomplaining, thoughtful of others, prodigal of +himself, generous, modest, brave; with so much intellect and so much +devotion to what he considered his duty, he deserved to be a patriot and +a champion of the right, rather than an instrument of despotism. + +And thus he paused for a moment--with much work already accomplished, +but his hardest life-task before him; still in the noon of manhood, +a fine martial figure, standing, spear in hand, full in the sunlight, +though all the scene around him was wrapped in gloom--a noble, commanding +shape, entitled to the admiration which the energetic display of great +powers, however unscrupulous, must always command. A dark, meridional +physiognomy, a quick; alert, imposing head; jet black, close-clipped +hair; a bold eagle's face, with full, bright, restless eye; a man rarely +reposing, always ready, never alarmed; living in the saddle, with harness +on his back--such was the Prince of Parma; matured and mellowed, but +still unharmed by time. + +The cities of Flanders and Brabant he determined to reduce by gaining +command of the Scheldt. The five principal ones Ghent, Dendermonde, +Mechlin, Brussels Antwerp, lie narrow circle, at distances from each +other varying from five miles to thirty, and are all strung together by +the great Netherland river or its tributaries. His plan was immensely +furthered by the success of Balthasar Gerard, an ally whom Alexander had +despised and distrusted, even while he employed him. The assassination +of Orange was better to Parma than forty thousand men. A crowd of allies +instantly started up for him, in the shape of treason, faintheartedness, +envy, jealousy, insubordination, within the walls of every beleaguered +city. Alexander knew well how to deal with those auxiliaries. Letters, +artfully concocted, full of conciliation and of promise, were circulated +in every council-room, in almost every house. + +The surrender of Ghent--brought about by the governor's eloquence, aided +by the golden arguments which he knew so well how to advance--had by the +middle of September (19th Sept. 1584), put him in possession of West +Flanders, with the important exception of the coast. Dendermonde +capitulated at a still earlier day; while the fall of Brussels, which +held out till many persons had been starved to death, was deferred till +the 10th March of the following year, and that of Mechlin till midsummer. + +The details of the military or political operations, by which the +reduction of most of these places were effected, possess but little +interest. The siege of Antwerp, however, was one of the most striking +events of the age; and although the change in military tactics and the +progress of science may have rendered this leaguer of less technical +importance than it possessed in the sixteenth century, yet the +illustration that it affords of the splendid abilities of Parma, of the +most cultivated mode of warfare in use at that period, and of the +internal politics by which the country was then regulated, make it +necessary to dwell upon the details of an episode which must ever possess +enduring interest. + +It is agreeable to reflect, too, that the fame of the general is not +polluted with the wholesale butchery, which has stained the reputation of +other Spanish commanders so indelibly. There was no killing for the mere +love of slaughter. With but few exceptions, there was no murder in cold +blood; and the many lives that were laid down upon those watery dykes +were sacrificed at least in bold, open combat; in a contest, the ruling +spirits of which were patriotism, or at least honour. + +It is instructive, too, to observe the diligence and accuracy with which +the best lights of the age were brought to bear upon the great problem +which Parma had undertaken to solve. All the science then at command was +applied both by the Prince and by his burgher antagonists to the +advancement of their ends. Hydrostatics, hydraulics, engineering, +navigation, gunnery, pyrotechnics, mining, geometry, were summoned as +broadly, vigorously, and intelligently to the destruction or preservation +of a trembling city, as they have ever been, in more commercial days, to +advance a financial or manufacturing purpose. Land converted into water, +and water into land, castles built upon the breast of rapid streams, +rivers turned from their beds and taught new courses; the distant ocean +driven across ancient bulwarks, mines dug below the sea, and canals made +to percolate obscene morasses--which the red hand of war, by the very +act, converted into blooming gardens--a mighty stream bridged and +mastered in the very teeth of winter, floating ice-bergs, ocean-tides, +and an alert and desperate foe, ever ready with fleets and armies and +batteries--such were the materials of which the great spectacle was +composed; a spectacle which enchained the attention of Europe for seven +months, and on the result of which, it was thought, depended the fate of +all the Netherlands, and perhaps of all Christendom. + +Antwerp, then the commercial centre of the Netherlands and of Europe, +stands upon the Scheldt. The river, flowing straight, broad, and full +along the verge of the city, subtends the arc into which the place +arranges itself as it falls back from the shore. Two thousand ships of +the largest capacity then known might easily find room in its ample +harbours. The stream, nearly half a mile in width, and sixty feet in +depth, with a tidal rise and fall of eleven feet, moves, for a few miles, +in a broad and steady current between the provinces of Brabant and +Flanders. Then, dividing itself into many ample estuaries, and gathering +up the level isles of Zeeland into its bosom, it seems to sweep out with +them into the northern ocean. Here, at the junction of the river and the +sea, lay the perpetual hope of Antwerp, for in all these creeks and +currents swarmed the fleets of the Zeelanders, that hardy and amphibious +race, with which few soldiers or mariners could successfully contend, on +land or water. + +Even from the beginning of the year 1584 Parma had been from time to time +threatening Antwerp. The victim instinctively felt that its enemy was +poising and hovering over head, although he still delayed to strike. +Early in the summer Sainte Aldegonde, Recorder Martini, and other +official personages, were at Delft, upon the occasion of the christening +ceremonies of Frederic Henry, youngest child of Orange. The Prince, +at that moment, was aware of the plans of Parma, and held a long +conversation with his friends upon the measures which he desired to see +immediately undertaken. Unmindful of his usual hospitality, he insisted +that these gentlemen should immediately leave for Antwerp. Alexander +Farnese, he assured them, had taken the firm determination to possess +himself of that place, without further delay. He had privately signified +his purpose of laying the axe at once to the root of the tree, believing +that with the fall of the commercial capital the infant confederacy of +the United States would fall likewise. In order to accomplish this +object, he would forthwith attempt to make himself master of the banks +of the Scheldt, and would even throw a bridge across the stream, if his +plans were not instantly circumvented. + +William of Orange then briefly indicated his plan; adding that he had no +fears for the result; and assuring his friends, who expressed much +anxiety on the subject, that if Parma really did attempt the siege of +Antwerp it should be his ruin. The plan was perfectly simple. The city +stood upon a river. It was practicable, although extremely hazardous, +for the enemy to bridge that river, and by so doing ultimately to reduce +the place. But the ocean could not be bridged; and it was quite possible +to convert Antwerp, for a season, into an ocean-port. Standing alone +upon an island, with the sea flowing around it, and with full and free +marine communication with Zeeland and Holland, it might safely bid +defiance to the land-forces, even of so great a commander as Parma. To +the furtherance of this great measure of defence, it was necessary to +destroy certain bulwarks, the chief of (10th June, 1584) which was called +the Blaw-garen Dyke; and Sainte Aldegonde was therefore requested to +return to the city, in order to cause this task to be executed without +delay. + +Nothing could be more judicious than this advice. The low lands along +the Scheldt were protected against marine encroachments, and the river +itself was confined to its bed, by a magnificent system of dykes, which +extended along its edge towards the ocean, in parallel lines. Other +barriers of a similar nature ran in oblique directions, through the wide +open pasture lands, which they maintained in green fertility, against the +ever-threatening sea. The Blaw-garen, to which the prince mainly +alluded, was connected with the great dyke upon the right bank of the +Scheldt. Between this and the city, another bulwark called the Kowenstyn +Dyke, crossed the country at right angles to the river, and joined the +other two at a point, not very far from Lillo, where the States had a +strong fortress. + +The country in this neighbourhood was low, spongy, full of creeks, small +meres, and the old bed of the Scheldt. Orange, therefore, made it very +clear, that by piercing the great dyke just described, such a vast body +of water would be made to pour over the land as to submerge the Kowenstyn +also, the only other obstacle in the passage of fleets from Zeeland to +Antwerp. The city would then be connected with the sea and its islands, +by so vast an expanse of navigable water, that any attempt on Parma's +part to cut off supplies and succour would be hopeless. Antwerp would +laugh the idea of famine to scorn; and although this immunity would be +purchased by the sacrifice of a large amount of agricultural territory +the price so paid was but a slender one, when the existence of the +capital, and with it perhaps of the whole confederacy was at stake. + +Sainte Aldegonde and Martini suggested, that, as there would be some +opposition to the measure proposed, it might be as well to make a similar +attempt on the Flemish side, in preference, by breaking through the dykes +in the neighbourhood of Saftingen. Orange replied, by demonstrating that +the land in the region which he had indicated was of a character to +ensure success, while in the other direction there were certain very +unfavourable circumstances which rendered the issue doubtful. The result +was destined to prove the sagacity of the Prince, for it will be shown in +the sequel, that the Saftingen plan, afterwards really carried out, was +rather advantageous than detrimental to the enemy's projects. + +Sainte Aldegonde, accordingly, yielded to the arguments and entreaties of +his friend, and repaired without delay to Antwerp. + +The advice of William the Silent--as will soon be related--was not acted +upon; and, within a few weeks after it had been given, he was in his +grave. Nowhere was his loss more severely felt than in Antwerp. It +seemed, said a contemporary, that with his death had died all authority. +The Prince was the only head which the many-membered body of that very +democratic city ever spontaneously obeyed. Antwerp was a small republic +--in time of peace intelligently and successfully administered--which in +the season of a great foreign war, amid plagues, tumults, famine, and +internal rebellion, required the firm hand and the clear brain of a +single chief. That brain and hand had been possessed by Orange alone. + +Before his death he had desired that Sainte Aldegonde should accept the +office of burgomaster of the city. Nominally, the position was not so +elevated as were many of the posts which that distinguished patriot had +filled. In reality, it was as responsible and arduous a place as could +be offered to any man's acceptance throughout the country. Sainte +Aldegonde consented, not without some reluctance. He felt that there +was odium to be incurred; he knew that much would be expected of him, +and that his means would be limited. His powers would be liable to a +constant and various restraint. His measures were sure to be the subject +of perpetual cavil. If the city were besieged, there were nearly one +hundred thousand mouths to feed, and nearly one hundred thousand tongues +to dispute about furnishing the food. + +For the government of Antwerp had been degenerating from a well-organised +municipal republicanism into anarchy. The clashing of the various bodies +exercising power had become incessant and intolerable. The burgomaster +was charged with the chief executive authority, both for peace and war. +Nevertheless he had but a single vote in the board of magistrates, where +a majority decided. Moreover, he could not always attend the sessions, +because he was also member of the council of Brabant. Important measures +might therefore be decided by the magistracy, not only against his +judgment, but without his knowledge. Then there was a variety of boards +or colleges, all arrogating concurrent--which in truth was conflicting- +authority. There was the board of militia-colonels, which claimed great +powers. Here, too, the burgomaster was nominally the chief, but he might +be voted down by a majority, and of course was often absent. Then there +were sixteen captains who came into the colonels' sessions whenever they +liked, and had their word to say upon all subjects broached. If they +were refused a hearing, they were backed by eighty other captains, who +were ready at any moment to carry every disputed point before the +"broadcouncil." + +There were a college of ward-masters, a college of select men, a college +of deacons, a college of ammunition, of fortification, of ship-building, +all claiming equal authority, and all wrangling among themselves; and +there was a college of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all the +rest together. + +Once a week there was a session of the board or general council. Dire +was the hissing and confusion, as the hydra heads of the multitudinous +government were laid together. Heads of colleges, presidents of +chambers, militia-chieftains; magistrates, ward-masters, deans of +fishmongers, of tailors, gardeners, butchers, all met together pell-mell; +and there was no predominant authority. This was not a convenient +working machinery for a city threatened with a siege by the first captain +of the age. Moreover there was a deficiency of regular troops: The +burgher-militia were well trained and courageous, but not distinguished +for their docility. There was also a regiment of English under Colonel +Morgan, a soldier of great experience, and much respected; but, as +Stephen Le Sieur said, "this force, unless seconded with more, was but a +breakfast for the enemy." Unfortunately, too, the insubordination, which +was so ripe in the city, seemed to affect these auxiliaries. A mutiny +broke out among the English troops. Many deserted to Parma, some escaped +to England, and it was not until Morgan had beheaded Captain Lee and +Captain Powell, that discipline could be restored. + +And into this scene of wild and deafening confusion came Philip de +Marnix, Lord of Sainte Aldegonde. + +There were few more brilliant characters than he in all Christendom. He +was a man, of a most rare and versatile genius. Educated in Geneva at +the very feet of Calvin, he had drunk, like mother's milk, the strong and +bitter waters of the stern reformer's, creed; but he had in after life +attempted, although hardly with success, to lift himself to the height of +a general religious toleration. He had also been trained in the severe +and thorough literary culture which characterised that rigid school. He +was a scholar, ripe and rare; no holiday trifler in the gardens of +learning. He spoke and wrote Latin like his native tongue. He could +compose poignant Greek epigrams. He was so familiar with Hebrew, that he +had rendered the Psalms of David out of the original into flowing Flemish +verse, for the use of the reformed churches. That he possessed the +modern tongues of civilized Europe, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, +was a matter of course. He was a profound jurisconsult, capable of +holding debate against all competitors upon any point of theory or +practice of law, civil, municipal, international. He was a learned +theologian, and had often proved himself a match for the doctors, +bishops, or rabbin of Europe, in highest argument of dogma, creed, or +tradition. He was a practised diplomatist, constantly employed in +delicate and difficult negotiations by William the Silent, who ever +admired his genius, cherished his friendship, and relied upon his +character. He was an eloquent orator, whose memorable harangue, beyond +all his other efforts, at the diet of Worms, had made the German princes +hang their heads with shame, when, taking a broad and philosophical view +of the Netherland matter, he had shown that it was the great question of +Europe; that Nether Germany was all Germany; that Protestantism could not +be unravelled into shreds; that there was but one cause in Christendom-- +that of absolutism against national liberty, Papacy against the reform; +and that the seventeen Provinces were to be assisted in building +themselves into an eternal barrier against Spain, or that the "burning +mark of shame would be branded upon the forehead of Germany;" that the +war, in short, was to be met by her on the threshold; or else that it +would come to seek her at home--a prophecy which the horrible Thirty +Years' War was in after time most signally to verify. + +He was a poet of vigour and originality, for he had accomplished what has +been achieved by few; he had composed a national hymn, whose strophes, as +soon as heard, struck a chord in every Netherland heart, and for three +centuries long have rung like a clarion wherever the Netherland tongue is +spoken. "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe," regarded simply as a literary +composition, has many of the qualities which an ode demands; an +electrical touch upon the sentiments, a throb of patriotism, sympathetic +tenderness, a dash of indignation, with rhythmical harmony and graceful +expression; and thus it has rung from millions of lips, from generation +to generation. + +He was a soldier, courageous, untiring, prompt in action, useful in +council, and had distinguished himself in many a hard-fought field. +Taken prisoner in the sanguinary skirmish at Maaslandssluys, he had been +confined a year, and, for more than three months, had never laid his +head, as he declared, upon the pillow without commending his soul as for +the last time to his Maker, expecting daily the order for his immediate +execution, and escaping his doom only because William the Silent +proclaimed that the proudest head among the Spanish prisoners should fall +to avenge his death; so that he was ultimately exchanged against the +veteran Mondragon. + +From the incipient stages of the revolt he had been foremost among the +patriots. He was supposed to be the author of the famous "Compromise of +the Nobles," that earliest and most conspicuous of the state-papers of +the republic, and of many other important political documents; and he had +contributed to general literature many works of European celebrity, of +which the 'Roman Bee-Hive' was the most universally known. + +Scholar, theologian, diplomatist, swordsman, orator, poet, pamphleteer, +he had genius for all things, and was eminent in all. He was even famous +for his dancing, and had composed an intelligent and philosophical +treatise upon the value of that amusement, as an agent of civilisation, +and as a counteractor of the grosser pleasures of the table to which +Upper and Nether Germans were too much addicted. + +Of ancient Savoyard extraction, and something of a southern nature, he +had been born in Brussels, and was national to the heart's core. + +A man of interesting, sympathetic presence; of a physiognomy where many +of the attaching and attractive qualities of his nature revealed +themselves; with crisp curling hair, surmounting a tall, expansive +forehead--full of benevolence, idealism, and quick perceptions; broad, +brown, melancholy eyes, overflowing with tenderness; a lean and haggard +cheek, a rugged Flemish nose; a thin flexible mouth; a slender moustache, +and a peaked and meagre beard; so appeared Sainte Aldegonde in the forty- +seventh year of his age, when he came to command in Antwerp. + +Yet after all--many-sided, accomplished, courageous, energetic, as he +was--it may be doubted whether he was the man for the hour or the post. +He was too impressionable; he had too much of the temperament of genius. +Without being fickle, he had, besides his versatility of intellect, a +character which had much facility in turning; not, indeed, in the breeze +of self-interest, but because he seemed placed in so high and clear an +atmosphere of thought that he was often acted upon and swayed by subtle +and invisible influences. At any rate his conduct was sometimes +inexplicable. He had been strangely fascinated by the ignoble Duke of +Anjou, and, in the sequel, it will be found that he was destined to +experience other magnetic or magical impulses, which were once thought +suspicious, and have remained mysterious even to the present day. + +He was imaginative. He was capable of broad and boundless hopes. He was +sometimes prone to deep despair. His nature was exquisitely tempered; +too fine and polished a blade to be wielded among those hydra-heads by +which he was, now surrounded; and for which the stunning sledgehammer of +arbitrary force was sometimes necessary. + +He was perhaps deficient in that gift, which no training and no culture +can bestow, and which comes from above alone by birth-right divine--that +which men willingly call master, authority; the effluence which came so +naturally from the tranquil eyes of William the Silent. + +Nevertheless, Sainte Aldegonde was prepared to do his best, and all his +best was to be tasked to the utmost. His position was rendered still +more difficult by the unruly nature of some of his coordinates. + +"From the first day to the last," said one who lived in Antwerp during +the siege, "the mistakes committed in the city were incredible." It had +long been obvious that a siege was contemplated by Parma. A liberal sum +of money had been voted by the States-General, of which Holland and +Zeeland contributed a very large proportion (two hundred thousand +florins); the city itself voted another large subsidy, and an order was +issued to purchase at once and import into the city at least a year's +supply of every kind of provisions of life and munitions of war. + +William de Blois, Lord of Treslong, Admiral of Holland and Zeeland, was +requested to carry out this order, and superintend the victualling of +Antwerp. But Treslong at once became troublesome. He was one of the old +"beggars of the sea," a leader in the wild band who had taken possession +of the Brill, in the teeth of Alva, and so laid the foundation of the +republic. An impetuous noble, of wealthy family, high connections, and +refractory temper--a daring sailor, ever ready for any rash adventure, +but possessed of a very moderate share of prudence or administrative +ability, he fell into loose and lawless courses on the death of Orange, +whose firm hand was needed to control him. The French negotiation had +excited his profound disgust, and knowing Sainte Aldegonde to be heart +and soul in favour of that alliance, he was in no haste whatever to carry +out his orders with regard to Antwerp. He had also an insignificant +quarrel with President Meetkerk. The Prince of Parma--ever on the watch +for such opportunities--was soon informed of the Admiral's discontent, +and had long been acquainted with his turbulent character. Alexander at +once began to inflame his jealousy and soothe his vanity by letters and +messengers, urging upon him the propriety of reconciling himself with the +King, and promising him large rewards and magnificent employments in the +royal service. Even the splendid insignia of the Golden Fleece were +dangled before his eyes. It is certain that the bold Hollander was not +seduced by these visions, but there is no doubt that he listened to the +voice of the tempter. He unquestionably neglected his duty. Week after +week he remained, at Ostend, sneering at the French and quaffing huge +draughts in honour of Queen Elizabeth. At last, after much time had +elapsed, he agreed to victual Antwerp if he could be furnished with +thirty krom-stevens,--a peculiar kind of vessel, not to be found in +Zeeland. The krom-stevens were sent to him from Holland. Then, hearing +that his negligence had been censured by the States-General, he became +more obstinate than ever, and went up and down proclaiming that if people +made themselves disagreeable to him he would do that which should make +all the women and children in the Netherlands shriek and tremble. What +this nameless horror was to be he never divulged, but meantime he went +down to Middelburg, and swore that not a boat-load of corn should go up +to Antwerp until two members of the magistracy, whom he considered +unpleasant, had been dismissed from their office. Wearied with all this +bluster, and imbued with grave suspicion as to his motives, the States at +last rose upon their High Admiral and threw him into prison. He was +accused of many high crimes and misdemeanours, and, it was thought, would +be tried for his life. He was suspected and even openly accused of +having been tampered with by Spain, but there was at any rate a +deficiency of proof. + +"Treslong is apprehended," wrote Davison to Burghley, "and, is charged to +have been the cause that the fleet passed not up to Antwerp. He is +suspected to have otherwise forgotten himself, but whether justly or not +will appear by his trial. Meantime he is kept in the common prison of +Middelburg, a treatment which it is thought they would not offer him if +they had not somewhat of importance against him." + +He was subsequently released at the intercession of Queen Elizabeth, and +passed some time in England. He was afterwards put upon trial, but no +accuser appearing to sustain the charges against him, he was eventually +released. He never received a command in the navy again, but the very +rich sinecures of Grand Falconer and Chief Forester of Holland were +bestowed upon him, and he appears to have ended his days in peace and +plenty. + +He was succeeded in the post of Admiral of Holland and Zeeland by +Justinus de Nassau, natural son of William the Silent, a young man of +much promise but of little experience. + +General Count Hohenlo, too, lieutenant for young Maurice, and virtual +commander-in-chief of the States' forces, was apt to give much trouble. +A German noble, of ancient descent and princely rank; brave to temerity, +making a jest of danger; and riding into a foray as if to a merry-making; +often furiously intoxicated, and always turbulent and uncertain; a +handsome, dissipated cavalier, with long curls floating over his +shoulders, an imposing aristocratic face, and a graceful, athletic +figure, he needed some cool brain and steady hand to guide him--valuable +as he was to fulfil any daring project but was hardly willing to accept +the authority of a burgomaster. While the young Maurice yet needed +tutelage, while "the sapling was growing into the tree," Hohenlo was a +dangerous chieftain and a most disorderly lieutenant. + +With such municipal machinery and such coadjutors had Sainte Aldegonde to +deal, while, meantime, the delusive French negociation was dragging its +slow length along, and while Parma was noiselessly and patiently +proceeding with his preparations. + +The burgomaster--for Sainte Aldegonde, in whom vulgar ambition was not a +foible, had refused the dignity and title of Margrave of Antwerp, which +had been tendered him--had neglected no effort towards carrying into +effect the advice of Orange, given almost with his latest breath. The +manner in which that advice was received furnished a striking +illustration of the defective machinery which has been pourtrayed. + +Upon his return from Delft, Sainte Aldegonde had summoned a meeting of +the magistracy of Antwerp. He laid before the board the information +communicated by Orange as to Parma's intentions. He also explained the +scheme proposed for their frustration, and urged the measures indicated +with so much earnestness that his fellow-magistrates were convinced. The +order was passed for piercing the Blauw-garen Dyke, and Sainte Aldegonde, +with some engineers, was requested to view the locality, and to take +order for the immediate fulfilment of the plan. + +Unfortunately there were many other boards in session besides that of the +Schepens, many other motives at work besides those of patriotism. The +guild of butchers held a meeting, so soon as the plan suggested was +known, and resolved with all their strength to oppose its execution. + +The butchers were indeed furious. Twelve thousand oxen grazed annually +upon the pastures which were about to be submerged, and it was +represented as unreasonable that all this good flesh and blood should be +sacrificed. At a meeting of the magistrates on the following day, +sixteen butchers, delegates from their guild, made their appearance, +hoarse with indignation. They represented the vast damage which would be +inflicted upon the estates of many private individuals by the proposed +inundation, by this sudden conversion of teeming meadows, fertile farms, +thriving homesteads, prolific orchards, into sandy desolation. Above all +they depicted, in glowing colours and with natural pathos, the vast +destruction of beef which was imminent, and they urged--with some show of +reason--that if Parma were really about to reduce Antwerp by famine, his +scheme certainly would not be obstructed by the premature annihilation of +these wholesome supplies. + +That the Scheldt could be, closed in any manner was, however, they said, +a preposterous conception. That it could be bridged was the dream of a +lunatic. Even if it were possible to construct a bridge, and probable +that the Zeelanders and Antwerpers would look on with folded arms while +the work proceeded, the fabric, when completed, would be at the mercy of +the ice-floods of the winter and the enormous power of the ocean-tides. +The Prince of Orange himself, on a former occasion, when Antwerp was +Spanish, had attempted to close the river with rafts, sunken piles, and +other obstructions, but the whole had been swept away, like a dam of +bulrushes, by the first descent of the ice-blocks of winter. It was +witless to believe that Parma contemplated any such measure, and utterly +monstrous to believe in its success. + +Thus far the butchers. Soon afterwards came sixteen colonels of militia, +as representatives of their branch of the multiform government. These +personages, attended by many officers of inferior degree, sustained the +position of the butchers with many voluble and vehement arguments. Not +the least convincing of their conclusions was the assurance that it would +be idle for the authorities to attempt the destruction of the dyke, +seeing that the municipal soldiery itself would prevent the measure by +main force, at all hazards, and without regard to their own or others' +lives. + +The violence of this opposition, and the fear of a serious internecine +conflict at so critical a juncture, proved fatal to the project. Much +precious time was lost, and when at last the inhabitants of the city +awoke from their delusion, it was to find that repentance, as usual, had +come many hours too late. + +For Parma had been acting while his antagonists had been wrangling. He +was hampered in his means, but he was assisted by what now seems the +incredible supineness of the Netherlanders. Even Sainte Aldegonde did +not believe in the possibility of erecting the bridge; not a man in +Antwerp seemed to believe it. "The preparations," said one who lived in +the city, "went on before our very noses, and every one was ridiculing +the Spanish commander's folly." + +A very great error was, moreover, committed in abandoning Herenthals to +the enemy. The city of Antwerp governed Brabant, and it would have been +far better for the authorities of the commercial capital to succour this +small but important city, and, by so doing, to protract for a long time +their own defence. Mondragon saw and rejoiced over the mistake. "Now +'tis easy to see that the Prince of Orange is dead," said the veteran, as +he took possession, in the Icing's name, of the forsaken Herenthals. + +Early in the summer, Parma's operations had been, of necessity, +desultory. He had sprinkled forts up and down the Scheldt, and had +gradually been gaining control of the navigation upon that river. Thus +Ghent and Dendermonde, Vilvoorde, Brussels, and Antwerp, had each been +isolated, and all prevented from rendering mutual assistance. Below +Antwerp, however, was to be the scene of the great struggle. Here, +within nine miles of the city, were two forts belonging to the States, +on opposite sides of the stream, Lille, and Liefkenshoek. It was +important for the Spanish commander to gain possession of both; before +commencing his contemplated bridge. + +Unfortunately for the States, the fortifications of Liefkenshoek, on the +Flemish side of the river, had not been entirely completed. Eight +hundred men lay within it, under Colonel John Pettin of Arras, an old +patriotic officer of much experience. Parma, after reconnoitring the +place in person, despatched the famous Viscount of Ghent--now called +Marquis of Roubaix and Richebourg--to carry it by assault. The Marquis +sent one hundred men from his Walloon legion, under two officers, in whom +he had confidence, to attempt a surprise, with orders, if not successful, +to return without delay. They were successful. The one hundred gained +entrance into the fort at a point where the defences had not been put +into sufficient repair. + +They were immediately followed by Richebourg, at the head of his +regiment. The day was a fatal one. It was the 10th July, 1584 and +William of Orange was falling at Delft by the hand of Balthazar Gerard. +Liefkenshoek was carried at a blow. Of the eight hundred patriots in the +place, scarcely a man escaped. Four hundred were put to the sword, the +others were hunted into the river, when nearly all were drowned. Of the +royalists a single man was killed, and two or three more were wounded. +"Our Lord was pleased," wrote Parma piously to Philip, that we "should +cut the throats of four hundred of them in a single instant, and that a +great many more should be killed upon the dykes; so that I believe very +few to have escaped with life. We lost one man, besides two or three +wounded." A few were taken prisoners, and among them was the commander +John Pettin. He was at once brought before Richebourg, who was standing +in the presence of the Prince of Parma. The Marquis drew his sword, +walked calmly up to the captured Colonel, and ran him through the body. +Pettin fell dead upon the spot. The Prince was displeased. "Too much +choler, Marquis, too much choler,"--said he reprovingly. "Troppa colera, +Signor Marchese, a questa." But Richebourg knew better. He had, while +still Viscount of Ghent, carried on a year previously a parallel intrigue +with the royalists and the patriots. The Prince of Parma had bid highest +for his services, and had, accordingly, found him a most effectual +instrument in completing the reduction of the Walloon Provinces. The +Prince was not aware, however, that his brave but venal ally had, at the +very same moment, been secretly treating with William of Orange; and as +it so happened that Colonel Pettin had been the agent in the unsuccessful +negotiation, it was possible that his duplicity would now be exposed. +The Marquis had, therefore, been prompt to place his old confederate in +the condition wherein men tell no tales, and if contemporary chronicles +did not bely him, it was not the first time that he had been guilty of +such cold-blooded murder. The choler had not been superfluous. + +The fortress of Lille was garrisoned by the Antwerp volunteers, called +the "Young Bachelors." Teligny, the brave son of the illustrious "Iron- +armed" La None, commanded in chief: and he had, besides the militia, a +company of French under Captain Gascoigne, and four hundred Scotchmen +under Colonel Morgan--perhaps two thousand men in all. + +Mondragon, hero of the famous submarine expeditions of Philipsland and +Zierickzee, was ordered by Parma to take the place at every hazard. With +five thousand men--a large proportion of the Spanish effective force at +that moment--the veteran placed himself before the fort, taking +possession, of the beautiful country-house and farm of Lille, where he +planted his batteries, and commenced a regular cannonade. The place was +stronger than Liefkenshoek, however, and Teligny thoroughly comprehended +the importance of maintaining it for the States. Mondragon dug mines, +and Teligny countermined. The Spanish daily cannonade was cheerfully +responded to by the besieged, and by the time Mondragon had shot away +fifty thousand pounds of powder, he found that he had made no impression +upon the fortress, while the number of his troops had been diminishing +with great rapidity. Mondragon was not so impetuous as he had been on +many former occasions. He never ventured an assault. At last Teligny +made a sortie at the head of a considerable force. A warm action +succeeded, at the conclusion of which, without a decided advantage on +either side, the sluice-gate in the fortress was opened, and the torrent +of the Scheldt, swollen by a high tide, was suddenly poured upon the +Spaniards. Assailed at once by the fire from the Lillo batteries, and by +the waters of the river, they were forced to a rapid retreat. This they +effected with great loss, but with signal courage; struggling breast high +in the waves, and bearing off their field-pieces in their arms in the +very face of the enemy. + +Three weeks long Mondragon had been before Fort Lille, and two thousand +of his soldiers had been slain in the trenches. The attempt was now +abandoned. Parma directed permanent batteries to be established at +Lillo-house, at Oordam, and at other places along the river, and +proceeded quietly with his carefully-matured plan for closing the river. + +His own camp was in the neighbourhood of the villages of Beveren, Kalloo, +and Borght. Of the ten thousand foot and seventeen hundred horse, which +composed at the moment his whole army, about one-half lay with him, while +the remainder were with Count Peter Ernest Mansfield, in the +neighbourhood of Stabroek. Thus the Prince occupied a position on the +left bank of the Scheldt, nearly opposite Antwerp, while Mansfield was +stationed upon the right bank, and ten miles farther down the river. +From a point in the neighbourhood of Kalloo, Alexander intended to throw +a fortified bridge to the opposite shore. When completed, all traffic up +the river from Zeeland would be cut off; and as the country on the land- +side; abut Antwerp, had been now reduced, the city would be effectually +isolated. If the Prince could hold his bridge until famine should break +the resistance of the burghers, Antwerp would fall into his hands. + +His head-quarters were at Kalloo, and this obscure spot soon underwent +a strange transformation. A drowsy placid little village--with a modest +parish spire peeping above a clump of poplars, and with half a dozen +cottages, with storks nests on their roofs, sprinkled here and there +among pastures and orchards--suddenly saw itself changed as it were into +a thriving bustling town; for, saving the white tents which dotted the +green turf in every direction, the aspect of the scene was, for a time, +almost pacific. It was as if, some great manufacturing enterprise had +been set on foot, and the world had suddenly awoke to the hidden +capabilities of the situation. + +A great dockyard and arsenal suddenly revealed themselves--rising like an +exhalation--where ship-builders, armourers, blacksmiths, joiners, +carpenters, caulkers, gravers, were hard at work all day long. The din +and hum of what seemed a peaceful industry were unceasing. From Kalloo, +Parma dug a canal twelve miles long to a place called Steeken, hundreds +of pioneers being kept constantly at work with pick and spade till it +was completed. Through this artificial channel--so soon as Ghent and +Dendermonde had fallen--came floats of timber, fleets of boats laden with +provisions of life and munitions of death, building-materials, and every +other requisite for the great undertaking, all to be disembarked at +Kalloo. The object was a temporary and destructive one, but it remains a +monument of the great general's energy and a useful public improvement. +The amelioration of the fenny and barren soil, called the Waesland, is +dated from that epoch; and the spot in Europe which is the most prolific, +and which nourishes the largest proportion of inhabitants to the square +mile, is precisely the long dreary swamp which the Prince thus drained +for military purposes, and converted into a garden. Drusus and Corbulo, +in the days of the Roman Empire, had done the same good service for their +barbarian foes. + +At Kalloo itself, all the shipwrights, cutlers, masons, brass-founders, +rope-makers, anchor-forgers, sailors, boatmen, of Flanders and Brabant, +with a herd of bakers, brewers, and butchers, were congregated by express +order of Parma. In the little church itself the main workshop was +established, and all day long, week after week, month after month, the +sound of saw and hammer, adze and plane, the rattle of machinery, the cry +of sentinels, the cheers of mariners, resounded, where but lately had +been heard nothing save the drowsy homily and the devout hymn of rustic +worship. + +Nevertheless the summer and autumn wore on, and still the bridge was +hardly commenced. The navigation of the river--although impeded and +rendered dangerous by the forts which Parma held along the banks--was +still open; and, so long as the price of corn in Antwerp remained three +or four times as high as the sum for which it could be purchased in +Holland and Zeeland, there were plenty of daredevil skippers ready to +bring cargoes. Fleets of fly-boats, convoyed by armed vessels, were +perpetually running the gauntlet. Sharp actions on shore between the +forts of the patriots and those of Parma, which were all intermingled +promiscuously along the banks, and amphibious and most bloody encounters +on ship-board, dyke, and in the stream itself, between the wild +Zeelanders and the fierce pikemen of Italy and Spain, were of repeated +occurrence. Many a lagging craft fell into the enemy's hands, when, as a +matter of course, the men, women, and children, on board, were horribly +mutilated by the Spaniards, and were then sent drifting in their boat +with the tide--their arms, legs, and ears lopped off up to the city, in +order that--the dangerous nature of this provision-trade might be fully +illustrated. + +Yet that traffic still went on. It would have continued until Antwerp +had been victualled for more than a year, had not the city authorities, +in the plentitude of their wisdom, thought proper to issue orders for its +regulation. On the 25th October (1584) a census was taken, when the +number of persons inside the walls was found to be ninety thousand. For +this population it was estimated that 300,000 veertell, or about 900,000 +bushels of corn, would be required annually. The grain was coming in +very fast, notwithstanding the perilous nature of the trade; for wheat +could be bought in Holland for fifty florins the last, or about fifteen +pence sterling the bushel, while it was worth five or six florins +the veertel, or about four shillings the bushel, in Antwerp. + +The magistrates now committed a folly more stupendous than it seemed +possible for human creatures, under such circumstances, to compass. They +established a maximum upon corn. The skippers who had run their cargoes +through the gauntlet, all the way from Flushing to Antwerp, found on +their arrival, that, instead of being rewarded, according to the natural +laws of demand and supply, they were required to exchange their wheat, +rye, butter, and beef, against the exact sum which the Board of Schepens +thought proper to consider a reasonable remuneration. Moreover, in order +to prevent the accumulation of provisions in private magazines, it was +enacted, that all consumers of grain should be compelled to make their +purchases directly from the ships. These two measures were almost as +fatal as the preservation of the Blaw-garen Dyke, in the interest of the +butchers. Winter and famine were staring the city in the face, and the +maximum now stood sentinel against the gate, to prevent the admission of +food. The traffic ceased without a struggle. Parma himself could not +have better arranged the blockade. + +Meantime a vast and almost general inundation had taken place. The +aspect of the country for many miles around was strange and desolate. +The sluices had been opened in the neighbourhood of Saftingen, on, the +Flemish side, so that all the way from Hulst the waters were out, and +flowed nearly to the gates of Antwerp. A wide and shallow sea rolled +over the fertile plains, while church-steeples, the tops of lofty trees, +and here and there the turrets of a castle, scarcely lifted themselves +above the black waters; the peasants' houses, the granges, whole rural +villages, having entirely disappeared. The high grounds of Doel, of +Kalloo, and Beveren, where Alexander was established, remained out of +reach of the flood. Far below, on the opposite side of the river, other +sluices had been opened, and the sea had burst over the wide, level +plain. The villages of Wilmerdonk, Orderen, Ekeren, were changed to +islands in the ocean, while all the other hamlets, for miles around, were +utterly submerged. + +Still, however, the Blaw-garen Dyke and its companion the Kowenstyn +remained obstinately above the waters, forming a present and more fatal +obstruction to the communication between Antwerp and Zeeland than would +be furnished even by the threatened and secretly-advancing bridge across +the Scheldt. Had Orange's prudent advice been taken, the city had been +safe. Over the prostrate dykes, whose destruction he had so warmly +urged, the ocean would have rolled quite to the gates of Antwerp, and it +would have been as easy to bridge the North Sea as to control the free +navigation of the patriots over so wide a surface. + +When it was too late, the butchers, and colonels, and captains, became +penitent enough. An order was passed, by acclamation, in November, to do +what Orange had recommended in June. It was decreed that the Blaw-garen +and the Kowenstyn should be pierced. Alas, the hour had long gone by. +Alexander of Parma was not the man to undertake the construction of a +bridge across the river, at a vast expense, and at the same time to +permit the destruction of the already existing barrier. There had been a +time for such a deed. The Seigneur de Kowenstyn, who had a castle and +manor on and near the dyke which bore his name, had repeatedly urged upon +the Antwerp magistracy the propriety of piercing this bulwark, even after +their refusal to destroy the outer barrier. Sainte Aldegonde, who +vehemently urged the measure, protested that his hair had stood on end, +when he found, after repeated entreaty, that the project was rejected. +The Seigneur de Kowenstyn, disgusted and indignant, forswore his +patriotism, and went over to Parma. The dyke fell into the hands of the +enemy. And now from Stabroek, where old Mansfeid lay with his army, all +the way across the flooded country, ran the great bulwark, strengthened +with new palisade-work and block-houses, bristling with Spanish cannon, +pike, and arquebus, even to the bank of the Scheldt, in the immediate +vicinity of Fort Lille. At the angle of its junction with the main dyke +of the river's bank, a strong fortress called Holy Cross (Santa Cruz) had +been constructed. That fortress and the whole line of the Kowenstyn were +held in the iron grip of Mondragon. To wrench it from him would be no +child's play. Five new strong redoubts upon the dyke, and five or six +thousand Spaniards established there, made the enterprise more formidable +than it would have been in June. It had been better to sacrifice the +twelve thousand oxen. Twelve thousand Hollanders might now be +slaughtered, and still the dyke remain above the waves. + +Here was the key to the fate of Antwerp. + +On the other hand, the opening of the Saftingen Sluice had done Parma's +work for him. Even there, too, Orange had been prophetic. Kalloo was +high and dry, but Alexander had experienced some difficulty in bringing a +fleet of thirty vessels, laden with cannon and other valuable materials, +from Ghent along the Scheldt, into his encampment, because it was +necessary for them, before reaching their destination, to pass in front +of Antwerp. The inundation, together with a rupture in the Dyke of +Borght, furnished him with a watery road; over which his fleet completely +avoided the city, and came in triumph to Kalloo. + +Sainte Aldegonde, much provoked by this masterly movement on the part of +Parma, had followed the little squadron closely with some armed vessels +from the city. A sharp action had succeeded, in which the burgomaster, +not being properly sustained by the Zeeland ships on which he relied, had +been defeated. Admiral Jacob Jacobzoon behaved with so little spirit on +the occasion that he acquired with the Antwerp populace the name of "Run- +away Jacob," "Koppen gaet loppen;" and Sainte Aldegonde declared, that, +but for his cowardice, the fleet of Parma would have fallen into their +hands. The burgomaster himself narrowly escaped becoming a prisoner, and +owed his safety only to the swiftness of his barge, which was called the +"Flying Devil." + +The patriots, in order to counteract similar enterprises in future, now +erected a sconce, which they called Fort Teligny; upon the ruptured dyke +of Borght, directly in front of the Borght blockhouse, belonging to the +Spaniards, and just opposite Fort Hoboken. Here, in this narrow passage, +close under the walls of Antwerp, where friends and foes were brought +closely, face to face, was the scene of many a sanguinary skirmish, from +the commencement of the siege until its close. + +Still the bridge was believed to be a mere fable, a chimaera. Parma, men +said, had become a lunatic from pride. It was as easy to make the +Netherlands submit to the yoke of the Inquisition as to put a bridle on +the Scheldt. Its depth; breadth, the ice-floods of a northern winter, +the neighbourhood of the Zeeland fleets, the activity of the Antwerp +authorities, all were pledges that the attempt would be signally +frustrated. + +And they should have been pledges--more than enough. Unfortunately, +however, there was dissension within, and no chieftain in the field, no +sage in the council, of sufficient authority to sustain the whole burthen +of the war, and to direct all the energies of the commonwealth. Orange +was dead. His son, one day to become the most illustrious military +commander in Europe, was a boy of seventeen, nominally captain-general, +but in reality but a youthful apprentice to his art. Hohenlo was wild, +wilful, and obstinate. Young William Lewis Nassau, already a soldier of +marked abilities, was fully occupied in Friesland, where he was +stadholder, and where he had quite enough to do in making head against +the Spanish governor and general, the veteran Verdugo: Military +operations against Zutphen distracted the attention of the States, which +should have been fixed upon Antwerp. + +Admiral Treslong, as we have seen, was refractory, the cause of great +delinquency on the part of the fleets, and of infinite disaster to the +commonwealth. More than all, the French negotiation was betraying the +States into indolence and hesitation; and creating a schism between the +leading politicians of the country. Several thousand French troops, +under Monsieur d'Allaynes, were daily expected, but never arrived; and +thus, while English and French partisans were plotting and counter- +plotting, while a delusive diplomacy was usurping the place of +lansquenettes and gun-boats--the only possible agents at that moment to +preserve Antwerp--the bridge of Parma was slowly advancing. Before the +winter had closed in, the preparatory palisades had been finished. + +Between Kalloo and Ordam, upon the opposite side, a sandbar had been +discovered in the river's bed, which diminished the depth of the stream, +and rendered the pile-driving comparatively easy. The breadth of the +Scheldt at this passage was twenty-four hundred feet; its depth, sixty +feet. Upon the Flemish side, near Kalloo, a strong fort was erected, +called Saint Mary, in honour of the blessed Virgin, to whom the whole +siege of Antwerp had been dedicated from the beginning. On the opposite +bank was a similar fort, flamed Philip, for the King. From each of these +two points, thus fortified, a framework of heavy timber, supported upon +huge piles, had been carried so far into the stream on either side that +the distance between the ends had at last been reduced to thirteen +hundred feet. The breadth of the roadway--formed of strong sleepers +firmly bound together--was twelve feet, along which block-houses of great +thickness were placed to defend the whole against assault. + +Thus far the work had been comparatively easy. To bridge the remaining +open portion of the river, however, where its current was deepest and +strongest, and where the action of tide, tempest, and icebergs, would be +most formidable, seemed a desperate undertaking; for as the enterprise +advanced, this narrow open space became the scene of daily amphibious +encounters between the soldiers and sailors of Parma and the forces of +the States. Unfortunately for the patriots, it was only skirmishing. +Had a strong, concerted attack, in large force, from Holland and Zeeland +below and from the city above, been agreed upon, there was hardly a +period, until very late in the winter, when it might not have had the +best chances of success. With a vigorous commander against him, Parma, +weak in men, and at his wits' end for money, might, in a few hours, have +seen the labour of several months hopelessly annihilated. On the other +hand, the Prince was ably seconded by his lieutenant, Marquis Richebourg, +to whom had been delegated the immediate superintendence of the bridge- +building in its minutest details. He was never idle. Audacious, +indefatigable, ubiquitous, he at least atoned by energy and brilliant +courage for his famous treason of the preceding year, while his striking +and now rapidly approaching doom upon the very scene of his present +labours, made him appear to have been building a magnificent though +fleeting monument to his own memory. + +Sainte Aldegonde, shut up in Antwerp, and hampered by dissension within +and obstinate jealousy without the walls, did all in his power to +frustrate the enemy's enterprise and animate the patriots. Through the +whole of the autumn and early winter, he had urged the States of Holland +and Zeeland to make use of the long winter nights, when moonless and +stormy, to attempt the destruction of Parma's undertaking, but the fatal +influences already indicated were more efficient against Antwerp than +even the genius of Farnese; and nothing came of the burgomaster's +entreaties save desultory skirmishing and unsuccessful enterprises. An +especial misfortune happened in one of these midnight undertakings. +Teligny ventured forth in a row-barge, with scarcely any companions, to +notify the Zeelanders of a contemplated movement, in which their co- +operation was desired. It was proposed that the Antwerp troops should +make a fictitious demonstration upon Fort Ordam, while at the same moment +the States' troops from Fort Lillo should make an assault upon the forts +on Kowenstyn Dyke; and in this important enterprise the Zeeland vessels +were requested to assist. But the brave Teligny nearly forfeited his +life by his rashness, and his services were, for a long time, lost to the +cause of liberty. It had been better to send a less valuable officer +upon such hazardous yet subordinate service. The drip of his oars was +heard in the darkness. He was pursued by a number of armed barges, +attacked, wounded severely in the shoulder, and captured. He threw his +letters overboard, but they were fished out of the water, carried to +Parma, and deciphered, so that the projected attack upon the Kowenstyn +was discovered, and, of necessity, deferred. As for Teligny, he was +taken, as a most valuable prize, into the enemy's camp, and was soon +afterwards thrust into prison at Tournay, where he remained six years-- +one year longer than the period which his illustrious father had been +obliged to consume in the infamous dungeon at Mons. Few disasters could +have been more keenly felt by the States than the loss of this brilliant +and devoted French chieftain, who, young as he was, had already become +very dear to the republic; and Sainte Aldegonde was severely blamed for +sending so eminent a personage on that dangerous expedition, and for +sending him, too, with an insufficient convoy. + +Still Alexander felt uncertain as to the result. He was determined to +secure Antwerp, but he yet thought it possible to secure it by +negotiation. The enigmatical policy maintained by France perplexed him; +for it did not seem possible that so much apparent solemnity and +earnestness were destined to lead to an impotent and infamous conclusion. +He was left, too, for a long time in ignorance of his own master's secret +schemes, he was at liberty to guess, and to guess only, as to the +projects of the league, he was without adequate means to carry out to a +certain triumph his magnificent enterprise, and he was in constant alarm +lest he should be suddenly assailed by an overwhelming French force. Had +a man sat upon the throne of Henry III., at that moment, Parma's bridge- +making and dyke-fortifying skilful as they were--would have been all in +vain. Meantime, in uncertainty as to the great issue, but resolved to +hold firmly to his purpose, he made repeated conciliatory offers to the +States with one hand, while he steadily prosecuted his aggressive schemes +with the other. + +Parma had become really gentle, almost affectionate, towards the +Netherlanders. He had not the disposition of an Alva to smite and to +blast, to exterminate the rebels and heretics with fire and sword, with +the axe, the rack, and the gallows. Provided they would renounce the +great object of the contest, he seemed really desirous that they should +escape further chastisement; but to admit the worship of God according to +the reformed creed, was with him an inconceivable idea. To do so was +both unrighteous and impolitic. He had been brought up to believe that +mankind could be saved from eternal perdition only by believing in the +infallibility of the Bishop of Rome; that the only keys to eternal +paradise were in the hands of St. Peter's representative. Moreover, he +instinctively felt that within this religious liberty which the +Netherlanders claimed was hidden the germ of civil liberty; and though no +bigger than a grain of mustard-seed, it was necessary to destroy it at +once; for of course the idea of civil liberty could not enter the brain +of the brilliant general of Philip II. + +On the 13th of November he addressed a letter to the magistracy and +broad-council of Antwerp. He asserted that the instigators of the +rebellion were not seeking to further the common weal, but their own +private ends. Especially had this been the ruling motive with the prince +of Orange and the Duke of Anjou, both of whom God had removed from the +world, in order to manifest to the States their own weakness, and the +omnipotence of Philip, whose, prosperity the Lord was constantly +increasing. It was now more than time for the authorities of the country +to have regard for themselves, and for the miseries of the poor people. +The affection Which he had always felt for the Provinces from which he +had himself sprung and the favours which he had received from them in his +youth, had often moved him to propose measures, which, before God and his +conscience, he believed adequate to the restoration of peace. But his +letters had been concealed or falsely interpreted by the late Prince of +Orange, who had sought nothing but to spread desolation over the land, +and to shed the blood of the innocent. He now wrote once more, and for +the last time, in all fervour and earnestness, to implore them to take +compassion on their own wives and children and forlorn fatherland, to +turn their eyes backward on the peace and prosperity which they had +formerly enjoyed when obedient to his Majesty, and to cast a glance +around them upon the miseries which were so universal since the +rebellion. He exhorted them to close their ears to the insidious tongues +of those who were leading them into delusion as to the benevolence and +paternal sweetness of their natural lord and master, which were even now +so boundless that he did not hesitate once more to offer them his entire +forgiveness. If they chose to negotiate, they would find everything +granted that with right and reason could be proposed. The Prince +concluded by declaring that he made these advances not from any doubt as +to the successful issue of the military operations in which he was +engaged, but simply out of paternal anxiety for the happiness of the +Provinces. Did they remain obstinate, their ultimate conditions would be +rendered still more severe, and themselves, not he, would be responsible +for the misery and the bloodshed to ensue. + +Ten days afterwards, the magistrates, thus addressed--after communication +with the broad-council--answered Parma's. 23rd Nov., letter manfully, +copiously, and with the customary but superfluous historical sketch. +They begged leave to entertain a doubt as to the paternal sweetness of a +king who had dealt so long in racks and gibbets. With Parma's own +mother, as they told the Prince, the Netherlanders had once made a +treaty, by which the right to worship God according to their consciences +had been secured; yet for maintaining that treaty they had been devoted +to indiscriminate destruction, and their land made desolate with fire and +sword. Men had been massacred by thousands, who had never been heard in +their own defence, and who had never been accused of any crime, "save +that they had assembled together in the name of God, to pray to Him +through their only mediator and advocate Jesus Christ, according to His +command." + +The axis of the revolt was the religious question; and it was impossible +to hope anything from a monarch who was himself a slave of the +Inquisition, and who had less independence of action than that enjoyed by +Jews and Turks, according to the express permission of the Pope. +Therefore they informed Parma that they had done with Philip for ever, +and that in consequence of the extraordinary wisdom, justice, and +moderation, of the French King, they had offered him the sovereignty of +their land, and had implored his protection. + +They paid a tribute to the character of Farnese, who after gaining +infinite glory in arms, had manifested so much gentleness and disposition +to conciliate. They doubted not that he would, if he possessed the +power, have guided the royal councils to better and more generous +results, and protested that they would not have delayed to throw +themselves into his arms, had they been assured that he was authorized to +admit that which alone could form the basis of a successful negotiation-- +religious freedom. They would in such case have been willing to close +with him, without talking about other conditions than such as his +Highness in his discretion and sweetness might think reasonable. + +Moreover, as they observed in conclusion, they were precluded, by their +present relations with France, from entering into any other negotiation; +nor could they listen to any such proposals without deserving to be +stigmatized as the most lewd, blasphemous, and thankless mortals, that +ever cumbered the earth. + +Being under equal obligations both to the Union and to France, they +announced that Parma's overtures would be laid before the French +government and the assembly of the States-General. + +A day was to come, perhaps, when it would hardly seem lewdness and +blasphemy for the Netherlanders to doubt the extraordinary justice and +wisdom of the French King. Meantime, it cannot be denied that they were +at least loyal to their own engagements, and long-suffering where they +had trusted and given their hearts. + +Parma replied by another letter, dated December 3rd. He assured the +citizens that Henry III. was far too discreet, and much too good a friend +to Philip II., to countenance this rebellion. If he were to take up +their quarrel, however, the King of Spain had a thousand means of foiling +all his attempts. As to the religious question--which they affirmed to +be the sole cause of the war--he was not inclined to waste words upon +that subject; nevertheless, so far as he in his simplicity could +understand the true nature of a Christian, he could not believe that it +comported with the doctrines of Jesus, whom they called their only +mediator, nor with the dictates of conscience, to take up arms against +their lawful king, nor to burn, rob, plunder, pierce dykes, overwhelm +their fatherland, and reduce all things to misery and chaos, in the name +of religion. + +Thus moralizing and dogmatizing, the Prince concluded his letter, and so +the correspondence terminated. This last despatch was communicated at +once both to the States-General and to the French government, and +remained unanswered. Soon afterwards the Netherlands and England, France +and Spain, were engaged in that vast game of delusion which has been +described in the preceding chapters. Meantime both Antwerp and Parma +remained among the deluded, and were left to fight out their battle on +their own resources. + +Having found it impossible to subdue Antwerp by his rhetoric, Alexander +proceeded with his bridge. It is impossible not to admire the steadiness +and ingenuity with which the Prince persisted in his plans, the courage +with which he bore up against the parsimony and neglect of his sovereign, +the compassionate tenderness which he manifested for his patient little +army. So much intellectual energy commands enthusiasm, while the +supineness on the other side sometimes excites indignation. There is +even a danger of being entrapped into sympathy with tyranny, when the +cause of tyranny is maintained by genius; and of being surprised into +indifference for human liberty, when the sacred interests of liberty are +endangered by self-interest, perverseness, and folly. + +Even Sainte Aldegonde did not believe that the bridge could be completed. +His fears were that the city would be ruined rather by the cessation of +its commerce than by want of daily food. Already, after the capture of +Liefkenshoek and the death of Orange, the panic among commercial people +had been so intense that seventy or eighty merchants, representing the +most wealthy mercantile firms in Antwerp, made their escape from the +place, as if it had been smitten with pestilence, or were already in the +hands of Parma. All such refugees were ordered to return on peril of +forfeiting their property. Few came back, however, for they had found +means of converting and transferring their funds to other more secure +places, despite the threatened confiscation. It was insinuated that +Holland and Zeeland were indifferent to the fate of Antwerp, because in +the sequel the commercial cities of those Provinces succeeded to the vast +traffic and the boundless wealth which had been forfeited by the +Brabantine capital. The charge was an unjust one. At the very +commencement of the siege the States of Holland voted two hundred +thousand florins for its relief; and, moreover, these wealthy refugees +were positively denied admittance into the territory of tho United +States, and were thus forced to settle in Germany or England. This +cessation of traffic was that which principally excited the anxiety of +Aldegonde. He could not bring himself to believe in the possibility of a +blockade, by an army of eight or ten thousand men, of a great and wealthy +city, where at least twenty thousand citizens were capable of bearing +arms. Had he thoroughly understood the deprivations under which +Alexander was labouring, perhaps he would have been even more confident +as to the result. + +"With regard to the affair of the river Scheldt," wrote Parma to Philip, +"I should like to send your Majesty a drawing of the whole scheme; for +the work is too vast to be explained by letters. The more I examine it, +the more astonished I am that it should have been conducted to this +point; so many forts, dykes, canals, new inventions, machinery, and +engines, have been necessarily required." + +He then proceeded to enlighten the King--as be never failed to do in all +his letters--as to his own impoverished, almost helpless condition. +Money, money, men! This was his constant cry. All would be in vain, he +said, if he were thus neglected. "'Tis necessary," said he, "for your +Majesty fully to comprehend, that henceforth the enterprise is your own. +I have done my work faithfully thus far; it is now for your Majesty to +take it thoroughly to heart; and embrace it with the warmth with which an +affair involving so much of your own interests deserves to be embraced." + +He avowed that without full confidence in his sovereign's sympathy he +would never have conceived the project. "I confess that the enterprise +is great," he said, "and that by many it will be considered rash. +Certainly I should not have undertaken it, had I not felt certain of your +Majesty's full support." + +But he was already in danger of being forced to abandon the whole scheme +--although so nearly carried into effect--for want of funds. "The +million promised," he wrote, "has arrived in bits and morsels, and with +so many ceremonies, that I haven't ten crowns at my disposal. How I am +to maintain even this handful of soldiers--for the army is diminished to +such a mere handful that it would astonish your Majesty--I am unable to +imagine. It would move you to witness their condition. They have +suffered as much as is humanly possible." + +Many of the troops, indeed, were deserting, and making their escape, +beggared and desperate, into France, where, with natural injustice, they +denounced their General, whose whole heart was occupied with their +miseries, for the delinquency of his master, whose mind was full of other +schemes. + +"There past this way many Spanish soldiers," wrote Stafford from Paris, +"so poor and naked as I ever saw any. There have been within this +fortnight two hundred at a time in this town, who report the extremity of +want of victuals in their camp, and that they have been twenty-four +months without pay. They exclaim greatly upon the Prince of Parma. +Mendoza seeks to convey them away, and to get money for them by all means +he can." + +Stafford urged upon his government the propriety of being at least as +negligent as Philip had showed himself to be of the Spaniards. By +prohibiting supplies to the besieging army, England might contribute, +negatively, if not otherwise, to the relief of Antwerp. "There is no +place," he wrote to Walsingham, "whence the Spaniards are so thoroughly +victualled as from us. English boats go by sixteen and seventeen into +Dunkirk, well laden with provisions." + +This was certainly not in accordance with the interests nor the +benevolent professions of the English ministers. + +These supplies were not to be regularly depended upon however. They were +likewise not to be had without paying a heavy price for them, and the +Prince had no money in his coffer. He lived from hand to mouth, and was +obliged to borrow from every private individual who had anything to lend. +Merchants, nobles, official personages, were all obliged to assist in +eking out the scanty pittance allowed by the sovereign. + +"The million is all gone," wrote Parma to his master; "some to Verdugo in +Friesland; some to repay the advances of Marquis Richebourg and other +gentlemen. There is not a farthing for the garrisons. I can't go on a +month longer, and, if not supplied, I shall be obliged to abandon the +work. I have not money enough to pay my sailors, joiners, carpenters, +and other mechanics, from week to week, and they will all leave me in the +lurch, if I leave them unpaid. I have no resource but to rely on your +Majesty. Otherwise the enterprise must wholly fail." + +In case it did fail, the Prince wiped his hands of the responsibility. +He certainly had the right to do so. + +One of the main sources of supply was the city of Hertogenbosch, or Bois- +le-Duc. It was one of the four chief cities of Brabant, and still held +for the King, although many towns in its immediate neighbourhood had +espoused the cause of the republic. The States had long been anxious to +effect a diversion for the relief of Antwerp, by making an attack on +Bois-le-Duc. Could they carry the place, Parma would be almost +inevitably compelled to abandon the siege in which he was at present +engaged, and he could moreover spare no troops for its defence. Bois-le- +Duc was a populous, wealthy, thriving town, situate on the Deeze, two +leagues above its confluence with the Meuse, and about twelve leagues +from Antwerp. It derived its name of `Duke's Wood' from a magnificent +park and forest, once the favourite resort and residence of the old Dukes +of Brabant, of which some beautiful vestiges still remained. It was a +handsome well-built city, with two thousand houses of the better class, +besides more humble tenements. Its citizens were celebrated for their +courage and belligerent skill, both on foot and on horseback. They were +said to retain more of the antique Belgic ferocity which Caesar had +celebrated than that which had descended to most of their kinsmen. The +place was, moreover, the seat of many prosperous manufactures. Its +clothiers sent the products of their looms over all Christendom, and its +linen and cutlery were equally renowned. + +It would be a most fortunate blow in the cause of freedom to secure so, +thriving and conspicuous a town, situated thus in the heart of what +seemed the natural territory of the United States; and, by so doing, to +render nugatory the mighty preparations of Parma against Antwerp. +Moreover, it was known that there was no Spanish or other garrison within +its walls, so that there was no opposition to be feared, except from the +warlike nature of the citizens. + +Count Hohenlo was entrusted, early in January, with this important +enterprise. He accordingly collected a force of four thousand infantry, +together with two hundred mounted lancers; having previously +reconnoitered the ground. He relied very much, for the success of the +undertaking, on Captain Kleerhagen, a Brussels nobleman, whose wife was a +native of Bois-le-Duc, and who was thoroughly familiar with the locality. +One dark winter's night, Kleerhagen, with fifty picked soldiers, advanced +to the Antwerp gate of Bois-le-Duc, while Hohenlo, with his whole force, +lay in ambuscade as near as possible to the city. + +Between the drawbridge and the portcullis were two small guard-houses, +which, very carelessly, had been left empty. Kleerhagen, with his fifty +followers, successfully climbed into these lurking-places, where they +quietly ensconced themselves for the night. At eight o'clock of the +following morning (20th January) the guards of the gate drew up the +portcullis, and reconnoitered. At the same instant, the ambushed fifty +sprang from their concealment, put them to the sword, and made themselves +masters of the gate. None of the night-watch escaped with life, save one +poor old invalided citizen, whose business had been to draw up the +portcullis, and who was severely wounded, and left for dead. The fifty +immediately summoned all of Rohenlo's ambuscade that were within hearing, +and then, without waiting for them, entered the town pell-mell in the +best of spirits, and shouting victory! victory! till they were hoarse. A +single corporal, with two men, was left to guard the entrance. Meantime, +the old wounded gate-opener, bleeding and crippled, crept into a dark +corner, and laid himself down, unnoticed, to die. + +Soon afterwards Hohenlo galloped into the town, clad in complete armour, +his long curls floating in the wind, with about two hundred troopers +clattering behind him, closely followed by five hundred pike-men on foot. + +Very brutally, foolishly, and characteristically, he had promised his +followers the sacking of the city so soon as it should be taken. They +accordingly set about the sacking, before it was taken. Hardly had the +five or six hundred effected their entrance, than throwing off all +control, they dispersed through the principal streets, and began bursting +open the doors of the most opulent households. The cries of "victory!" +"gained city!" "down with the Spaniards!" resounded on all sides. Many +of the citizens, panic-struck, fled from their homes, which they thus +abandoned to pillage, while, meantime, the loud shouts of the assailants +reached the ears of the sergeant and his two companies who had been left +in charge of the gate. Fearing that they should be cheated of their +rightful share in the plunder, they at once abandoned their post, and set +forth after their comrades, as fast as their legs could carry them. + +Now it so chanced--although there was no garrison in the town--that forty +Burgundian and Italian lancers, with about thirty foot-soldiers, had come +in the day before to escort a train of merchandise. The Seigneur de +Haultepenne, governor of Breda, a famous royalist commander--son of old +Count Berlaymont, who first gave the name of "beggars" to the patriots- +had accompanied them in the expedition. The little troop were already +about to mount their horses to depart, when they became aware of the +sudden tumult. Elmont, governor of the city, had also flown to the +rescue, and had endeavoured to rally the burghers. Not unmindful of +their ancient warlike fame, they had obeyed his entreaties. Elmont, with +a strong party of armed citizens, joined himself to Haultepenne's little +band of lancers. They fired a few shots at straggling parties of +plunderers, and pursued others up some narrow streets. They were but an +handful in comparison with the number of the patriots, who had gained +entrance to the city. They were, however, compact, united, and resolute. +The assailants were scattered, disorderly, and bent only upon plunder. +When attacked by an armed and regular band, they were amazed. They had +been told that there was no garrison; and behold a choice phalanx of +Spanish lancers, led on by one of the most famous of Philip's Netherland +chieftains. They thought themselves betrayed by Kleerhagen, entrapped +into a deliberately arranged ambush. There was a panic. The soldiers, +dispersed and doubtful, could not be rallied. Hohenlo, seeing that +nothing was to be done with his five hundred, galloped furiously out of +the gate, to bring in the rest of his troops who had remained outside the +walls. The prize of the wealthy city of Bois-le-Duc was too tempting to +be lightly abandoned; but he had much better have thought of making +himself master of it himself before he should present it as a prey to his +followers. + +During his absence the panic spread. The States' troops, bewildered, +astonished, vigorously assaulted, turned their backs upon their enemies, +and fled helter-skelter towards the gates, through which they had first +gained admittance. But unfortunately for them, so soon as the corporal +had left his position, the wounded old gate-opener, in a dying condition, +had crawled forth on his hands and knees from a dark hole in the tower, +cut, with a pocket-knife, the ropes of the portcullis, and then given up +the ghost. Most effective was that blow struck by a dead man's hand. +Down came the portcullis. The flying plunderers were entrapped. Close +behind them came the excited burghers--their antique Belgic ferocity now +fully aroused--firing away with carbine and matchlock, dealing about them +with bludgeon and cutlass, and led merrily on by Haultepenne and Elmont +armed in proof, at the head of their squadron of lancers. The +unfortunate patriots had risen very early in the morning only to shear +the wolf. Some were cut to pieces in the streets; others climbed the +walls, and threw themselves head foremost into the moat. Many were +drowned, and but a very few effected their escape. Justinus de Nassau. +sprang over the parapet, and succeeded in swimming the ditch. +Kleerhagen, driven into the Holy Cross tower, ascended to its .roof, +leaped, all accoutred as he was, into the river, and with the assistance +of a Scotch soldier, came safe to land. Ferdinand Truchsess, brother of +the ex-elector of Cologne, was killed. Four or five hundred of the +assailants--nearly all who had entered the city--were slain, and about +fifty of the burghers. + +Hohenlo soon came back, with Colonel Ysselstein, and two thousand fresh +troops. But their noses, says a contemporary, grew a hundred feet long +with surprise when they saw the gate shut in their faces. It might have +occurred to the Count, when he rushed out of the town for reinforcements, +that it would be as well to replace the guard, which--as he must have +seen--had abandoned their post. + + +Cursing his folly, he returned, mavellously discomfited, and deservedly +censured, to Gertruydenberg. And thus had a most important enterprise; +which had nearly been splendidly successful, ended in disaster and +disgrace. To the recklessness of the general, to the cupidity which he +had himself awakened in his followers, was the failure alone to be +attributed. Had he taken possession of the city with a firm grasp at the +head of his four thousand men, nothing could have resisted him; +Haultepenne, and his insignificant force, would have been dead, or his +prisoners; the basis of Parma's magnificent operations would have been +withdrawn; Antwerp would have been saved. + +"Infinite gratitude," wrote Parma to Philip, "should be rendered to the +Lord. Great thanks are also due to Haultepenne. Had the rebels +succeeded in their enterprise against Bolduc, I should have been +compelled to abandon the siege of Antwerp. The town; by its strength and +situation, is of infinite importance for the reduction both of that place +and of Brussels, and the rebels in possession of Bolduc would have cut +off my supplies." + +The Prince recommended Haultepenne most warmly to the King as deserving +of a rich "merced." The true hero of the day, however--at least the +chief agent in the victory was the poor, crushed, nameless victim who had +cut the ropes of the portcullis at the Antwerp gate. + +Hohenlo was deeply stung by the disgrace which he had incurred. For a +time he sought oblivion in hard drinking; but--brave and energetic, +though reckless--he soon became desirous of retrieving his reputation by +more successful enterprises. There was no lack of work, and assuredly +his hands were rarely idle. + +"Hollach (Hohenlo) is gone from hence on Friday last," wrote Davison to +Walsingham, "he will do what he may to recover his reputation lost in the +attempt, of Bois-le-Duc; which, for the grief and trouble he hath +conceived thereof, hath for the time greatly altered him." + +Meantime the turbulent Scheldt, lashed by the storms of winter, was +becoming a more formidable enemy to Parma's great enterprise than the +military demonstrations of his enemies, or the famine which was making +such havoc, with his little army. The ocean-tides were rolling huge ice- +blocks up and down, which beat against his palisade with the noise of +thunder, and seemed to threaten its immediate destruction. But the work +stood firm. The piles supporting the piers, which had been thrust out +from each bank into the stream, had been driven fifty feet into the +river's bed, and did their duty well. But in the space between, twelve +hundred and forty feet in width, the current was too deep for pile- +driving and a permanent bridge was to be established upon boats. And +that bridge was to be laid across the icy and tempestuous flood, in the +depth of winter, in the teeth of a watchful enemy, with the probability +of an immediate invasion from France, where the rebel envoys were known +to be negotiating on express invitation of the King--by half-naked, half- +starving soldiers and sailors, unpaid for years, and for the sake of a +master who seemed to have forgotten their existence. + +"Thank God," wrote Alexander, "the palisade stands firm in spite of the +ice. Now with the favour of the Lord, we shall soon get the fruit we +have been hoping, if your Majesty is not wanting in that to which your +grandeur, your great Christianity, your own interests, oblige you. In +truth 'tis a great and heroic work, worthy the great power of your +Majesty." "For my own part," he continued, "I have done what depended +upon me. From your own royal hand must emanate the rest;--men, namely, +sufficient to maintain the posts, and money enough to support them +there." + +He expressed himself in the strongest language concerning the danger to +the royal cause from the weak and gradually sinking condition of the +army. Even without the French intrigues with the rebels, concerning +which, in his ignorance of the exact state of affairs, he expressed much +anxiety, it would be impossible, he said, to save the royal cause without +men and money. + +"I have spared myself," said the Prince, "neither day nor night. Let +not your Majesty impute the blame to me if we fail. Verdugo also is +uttering a perpetual cry out of Friesland for men--men and money." + +Yet, notwithstanding all these obstacles, the bridge was finished at +last. On the 25th February, (1585) the day sacred to Saint Matthew, and +of fortunate augury to the Emperor Charles, father of Philip and +grandfather of Alexander, the Scheldt was closed. + +As already stated, from Fort Saint Mary on the Kalloo side, and from Fort +Philip, not far from Ordain on the Brabant shore of the Scheldt, strong +structures, supported upon piers, had been projected, reaching, +respectively, five hundred feet into the stream. These two opposite ends +were now connected by a permanent bridge of boats. There were thirty-two +of these barges, each of them sixty-two feet in length and twelve in +breadth, the spaces between each couple being twenty-two feet wide, and +all being bound together, stem, stern, and midships, by quadruple hawsers +and chains. Each boat was anchored at stem and stern with loose cables. +Strong timbers, with cross rafters, were placed upon the boats, upon +which heavy frame-work the planked pathway was laid down. A thick +parapet of closely-fitting beams was erected along both the outer edges +of the whole fabric. Thus a continuous and well-fortified bridge, two +thousand four hundred feet in length, was stretched at last from shore to +shore. Each of the thirty-two boats on which the central portion of the +structure reposed, was a small fortress provided with two heavy pieces of +artillery, pointing, the one up, the other down the stream, and manned by +thirty-two soldiers and four sailors, defended by a breastwork formed of +gabions of great thickness. + +The forts of Saint Philip and St. Mary, at either end of the bridge, had +each ten great guns, and both were filled with soldiers. In front of +each fort, moreover, was stationed a fleet of twenty armed vessels, +carrying heavy pieces of artillery; ten anchored at the angle towards +Antwerp, and as many looking down the river. One hundred and seventy +great guns, including the armaments of the boats under the bridge of the +armada and the forts, protected the whole structure, pointing up and down +the stream. + +But, besides these batteries, an additional precaution had been taken. +On each side, above and below the bridge, at a moderate distance--a bow +shot--was anchored a heavy, raft floating upon empty barrels. Each raft +was composed of heavy timbers, bound together in bunches of three, the +spaces between being connected by ships' masts and lighter spar-work, and +with a tooth-like projection along the whole outer edge, formed of strong +rafters, pointed and armed with sharp prongs and hooks of iron. Thus a +serried phalanx, as it were, of spears stood ever on guard to protect the +precious inner structure. Vessels coming from Zeeland or Antwerp, and +the floating ice-masses, which were almost as formidable, were obliged to +make their first attack upon these dangerous outer defences. Each raft; +floating in the middle of the stream, extended twelve hundred, and fifty- +two feet across, thus protecting the whole of the bridge of boats and a +portion of that resting upon piles. + +Such was the famous bridge of Parma. The magnificent undertaking has +been advantageously compared with the celebrated Rhine-bridge of Julius +Caesar. When it is remembered; however; that the Roman work was +performed in summer, across a river only half as broad as the Scheldt, +free from the disturbing, action of the tides; and flowing through an +unresisting country; while the whole character of the structure; intended +only to, serve for the single passage of an army, was far inferior to the +massive solidity of Parma's bridge; it seems not unreasonable to assign +the superiority to the general who had surmounted all the obstacles of a +northern winter, vehement ebb and flow from the sea, and enterprising and +desperate enemies at every point. + +When the citizens, at last, looked upon the completed fabric, converted +from the "dream," which they had pronounced it to be, into a terrible +reality; when they saw the shining array of Spanish and Italian legions +marching and counter-marching upon their new road; and trampling, as it +were; the turbulent river beneath their feet; when they witnessed the +solemn military spectacle with which the Governor-General celebrated his +success, amid peals of cannon and shouts of triumph from his army, they +bitterly bewailed their own folly. Yet even then they could hardly +believe that the work had been accomplished by human agency, but they +loudly protested that invisible demons had been summoned to plan and +perfect this fatal and preter-human work. They were wrong. There had +been but one demon--one clear, lofty intelligence, inspiring a steady +and untiring hand. The demon was the intellect of Alexander Farnese; +but it had been assisted in its labour by the hundred devils of envy, +covetousness, jealousy, selfishness, distrust, and discord, that had +housed, not, in his camp, but in the ranks of those who were contending +for their hearths and altars. + +And thus had the Prince arrived at success in spite of every obstacle. +He took a just pride in the achievement, yet he knew by how many dangers +he was still surrounded, and he felt hurt at his sovereign's neglect. +"The enterprise at Antwerp," he wrote to Philip on the day the bridge was +completed, "is so great and heroic that to celebrate it would require me +to speak more at large than I like, to do, for fear of being tedious to +your Majesty. What I will say, is that the labours and difficulties have +been every day so, great, that if your Majesty knew them, you would +estimate, what we have done more highly than-you do; and not forget us so +utterly, leaving us to die of hunger." + +He considered the fabric in itself almost impregnable, provided he were +furnished with the means to maintain what he had so painfully +constructed. + +"The whole is in such condition," said he, "that in opinion of all +competent military judges it would stand though all Holland and Zeeland +should come to destroy our, palisades. Their attacks must be made at +immense danger, and disadvantage, so severely can we play upon them with +our artillery and musketry. Every boat is, garnished with the most +dainty captains and soldiers, so that if the enemy should attempt to +assail us now, they would come back with broken heads." + +Yet in the midst of his apparent triumph he had, at times, almost despair +in his heart. He felt really at the last gasp. His troops had dwindled +to the mere shadow of an army, and they were forced to live almost upon +air. The cavalry had nearly vanished. The garrisons in the different +cities were starving. The burghers had no food for the soldiers nor for +themselves. "As for the rest of the troops," said Alexander, "they are +stationed where they have nothing to subsist upon, save salt water and +the dykes, and if the Lord does not grant a miracle, succour, even if +sent by your Majesty, will arrive too late." He assured his master, that +he could not go on more than five or six days longer, that he had been +feeding his soldiers for a long time from hand to mouth, and that it +would soon be impossible for him to keep his troops together. If he did +not disband them they would run away. + +His pictures were most dismal, his supplications for money very moving +but he never alluded to himself. All his anxiety, all his tenderness, +were for his soldiers. "They must have food," he said: "'Tis impossible +to sustain them any longer by driblets, as I have done for a long time. +Yet how can I do it without money? And I have none at all, nor do I see +where to get a single florin." + +But these revelations were made only to his master's most secret ear. +His letters, deciphered after three centuries, alone make manifest the +almost desperate condition in which the apparently triumphant general was +placed, and the facility with which his antagonists, had they been well +guided and faithful to themselves, might have driven him into the sea. + +But to those adversaries he maintained an attitude of serene and smiling +triumph. A spy, sent from the city to obtain intelligence for the +anxious burghers, had gained admission into his lines, was captured and +brought before the Prince. He expected, of course, to be immediately +hanged. On the contrary, Alexander gave orders that he should be +conducted over every part of the encampment. The forts, the palisades, +the bridge, were all to be carefully exhibited and explained to him as if +he had been a friendly visitor entitled to every information. He was +requested to count the pieces of artillery in the forts, on the bridge, +in the armada. After thoroughly studying the scene he was then dismissed +with a safe-conduct to the city. + +"Go back to those who sent you," said the Prince. "Convey to them the +information in quest of which you came. Apprize them of every thing +which you have inspected, counted, heard explained. Tell them further, +that the siege will never be abandoned, and that this bridge will be my +sepulcher or my pathway into Antwerp." + +And now the aspect of the scene was indeed portentous. The chimera had +become a very visible bristling reality. There stood the bridge which +the citizens had ridiculed while it was growing before their faces. +There scowled the Kowenstyn--black with cannon, covered all over with +fortresses which the butchers had so sedulously preserved. From Parma's +camp at Beveren and Kalloo a great fortified road led across the river +and along the fatal dyke all the way to the entrenchments at Stabroek, +where Mansfeld's army lay. Grim Mondragon held the "holy cross" and the +whole Kowenstyn in his own iron grasp. A chain of forts, built and +occupied by the contending hosts of the patriots and the Spaniards, were +closely packed together along both banks of the Scheldt, nine miles long +from Antwerp to Lillo, and interchanged perpetual cannonades. The +country all around, once fertile as a garden, had been changed into a +wild and wintry sea where swarms of gun-boats and other armed vessels +manoeuvred and contended with each other over submerged villages and +orchards, and among half-drowned turrets and steeples. Yet there rose +the great bulwark--whose early destruction would have made all this +desolation a blessing--unbroken and obstinate; a perpetual obstacle to +communication between Antwerp and Zeeland. The very spirit of the +murdered Prince of Orange seemed to rise sadly and reproachfully out of +the waste of waters, as if to rebuke the men who had been so deaf to his +solemn warnings. + +Brussels, too, wearied and worn, its heart sick with hope deferred, now +fell into despair as the futile result of the French negotiation became +apparent. The stately and opulent city had long been in a most abject +condition. Many of its inhabitants attempted to escape from the horrors +of starving by flying from its walls. Of the fugitives, the men were +either scourged back by the Spaniards into the city, or hanged up along +the road-side. The women were treated, leniently, even playfully, for it +was thought an excellent jest to cut off the petticoats of the +unfortunate starving creatures up to their knees, and then command them +to go back and starve at home with their friends and fellow-citizens. A +great many persons literally died of hunger. Matrons with large families +poisoned their children and themselves to avoid the more terrible death +by starving. At last, when Vilvoorde was taken, when the baseness of the +French King was thoroughly understood, when Parma's bridge was completed +and the Scheldt bridled, Brussels capitulated on as favourable terms as +could well have been expected. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +College of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all +Military virtue in the support of an infamous cause +Not distinguished for their docility +Repentance, as usual, had come many hours too late + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v39 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History United Netherlands, 1585 + + +Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + + +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 +command, instead of keeping them to their duty, joined in the chase. The +citizens roused themselves, attacked their invaders, killed many of them, +and put the rest to flight. When La Motte returned; he found the panic +general. His whole force, including the fresh soldiers just brought to +the rescue, were beside themselves with fear. He killed several with his +own hand, but the troops were not to be rallied. His quick triumph was +changed into an absolute defeat. + +Parma, furious at the ignominious result of a plan from which so much had +been expected, ordered the Walloon captain, from whose delinquency so +much disaster had resulted, to be forthwith hanged. "Such villainy," +said he, "must never go unpunished." + +It was impossible for the Prince to send a second expedition to attempt +the reduction of Ostend, for the patriots were at last arousing +themselves to the necessity of exertion. It was very obvious--now that +the bridge had been built, and the Kowenstyn fortified--that one or the +other was to be destroyed, or Antwerp abandoned to its fate. + +The patriots had been sleeping, as it were, all the winter, hugging the +delusive dream of French sovereignty and French assistance. No language +can exaggerate the deadly effects from the slow poison of that +negotiation. At any rate, the negotiation was now concluded. The dream +was dispelled. Antwerp must now fall, or a decisive blow must be struck +by the patriots themselves, and a telling blow had been secretly and +maturely meditated. Certain preparatory steps were however necessary. + +The fort of Liefkenshoek, "darling's corner," was a most important post. +The patriots had never ceased to regret that precious possession, lost, +as we have seen, in so tragical a manner on the very day of Orange's +death. Fort Lillo, exactly opposite, on the Brabant shore of the +Scheldt, had always been securely held by them; and was their strongest +position. Were both places in their power, the navigation of the river, +at least as far as the bridge, would be comparatively secure. + +A sudden dash was made upon Liefkenshoek. A number of armed vessels +sailed up from Zeeland, under command of Justinus de Nassau. They were +assisted from Fort Lillo by a detachment headed by Count Hohenlo. These +two officers were desirous of retrieving the reputation which they had +lost at Bois-le-Duc. They were successful, and the "darling" fort was +carried at a blow. After a brief cannonade, the patriots made a breach, +effected a landing, and sprang over the ramparts. The Walloons and +Spaniards fled in dismay; many of them were killed in the fort, and along +the dykes; others were hurled into the Scheldt. The victors followed up +their success by reducing, with equal impetuosity, the fort of Saint +Anthony, situate in the neighbourhood farther down the river. They thus +gained entire command of all the high ground, which remained in that +quarter above the inundation, and was called the Doel. + +The dyke, on which Liefkenshoek stood, led up the river towards Kalloo, +distant less than a league. There were Parma's head-quarters and the +famous bridge. But at Fort Saint Mary; where the Flemish head of that +bridge rested, the dyke was broken. Upon that broken end the commanders +of the expedition against Liefkenshoek were ordered to throw up an +entrenchment, without loss of a moment, so soon as they should have +gained the fortresses which they were ordered first to assault. Sainte +Aldegonde had given urgent written directions to this effect. From a +redoubt situated thus, in the very face of Saint Mary's, that position, +the palisade-work, the whole bridge, might be battered with all the +artillery that could be brought from Zeeland. + +But Parma was beforehand with them. Notwithstanding his rage and +mortification that Spanish soldiers should have ignominiously lost the +important fortress which Richebourg had conquered so brilliantly nine +months before, he was not the man to spend time in unavailing regrets. +His quick eye instantly, detected the flaw which might soon be fatal. +In the very same night of the loss of Liefkenshoek, he sent as strong a +party as could be spared, with plenty of sappers and miners, in flat- +bottomed boats across from Kalloo. As the morning dawned, an improvised +fortress, with the Spanish flag waving above its bulwarks, stood on the +broken end of the dyke. That done, he ordered one of the two captains +who had commanded in Liefkenshoek and Saint Anthony to be beheaded on the +same dyke. The other was dismissed with ignominy. Ostend was, of +course, given up; "but it was not a small matter," said Parma, "to +fortify ourselves that very night upon the ruptured place, and so prevent +the rebels from doing it, which would have been very mal-a-propos." + +Nevertheless, the rebels had achieved a considerable success; and now or +never the telling blow, long meditated, was to be struck. + +There lived in Antwerp a subtle Mantuan, Gianibelli by name, who had +married and been long settled in the city. He had made himself busy with +various schemes for victualling the place. He had especially urged upon +the authorities, at an early period of the siege, the propriety of making +large purchases of corn and storing it in magazines at a time when +famine-price had by no means been reached. But the leading men had then +their heads full of a great ship, or floating castle, which they were +building, and which they had pompously named the 'War's End,' 'Fin de la +Guerre.' We shall hear something of this phenomenon at a later period. +Meanwhile, Gianibelli, who knew something of shipbuilding, as he did of +most other useful matters, ridiculed the design, which was likely to +cost, in itself before completion, as much money as would keep the city +in bread for a third of a year. + +Gianibelli was no patriot. He was purely a man of science and of great +acquirements, who was looked upon by the ignorant populace alternately as +a dreamer and a wizard. He was as indifferent to the cause of freedom as +of despotism, but he had a great love for chemistry. He was also a +profound mechanician, second to no man of his age in theoretic and +practical engineering. + +He had gone from Italy to Spain that he might offer his services to +Philip, and give him the benefit of many original and ingenious +inventions. Forced to dance attendance, day after day, among sneering +courtiers and insolent placemen, and to submit to the criticism of +practical sages and philosophers of routine, while, he was constantly +denied an opportunity of explaining his projects, the quick-tempered +Italian had gone away at last, indignant. He had then vowed revenge upon +the dulness by which his genius had been slighted, and had sworn that the +next time the Spaniards heard the name of the man whom they had dared to +deride, they should hear it with tears. + +He now laid before the senate of Antwerp a plan for some vessels likely +to prove more effective than the gigantic 'War's End,' which he had +prophesied would prove a failure. With these he pledged himself to +destroy the bridge. He demanded three ships which he had selected from +the city fleet; the 'Orange,' the 'Post,' and the 'Golden Lion,' +measuring, respectively, one hundred and fifty, three hundred and fifty, +and five hundred tons. Besides these, he wished sixty flat-bottomed +scows, which he proposed to send down the river, partially submerged, +disposed in the shape of a half moon, with innumerable anchors and +grapnel's thrusting themselves out of the water at every point. This +machine was intended to operate against the raft. + +Ignorance and incredulity did their work, as usual, and Gianbelli's +request was refused. As a quarter-measure, nevertheless, he was allowed +to take two smaller vessels of seventy and eighty tons. The Italian was +disgusted with parsimony upon so momentous an occasion, but he at the +same time determined, even with these slender materials, to give an +exhibition of his power. + +Not all his the glory, however, of the ingenious project. Associated +with him were two skilful artizans of Antwerp; a clockmaker named Bory, +and a mechanician named Timmerman--but Gianibelli was the chief and +superintendent of the whole daring enterprise. + +He gave to his two ships the cheerful names of the 'Fortune' and the +'Hope,' and set himself energetically to justify their titles by their +efficiency. They were to be marine volcanos, which, drifting down the +river with tide, were to deal destruction where the Spaniards themselves +most secure. + +In the hold of each vessel, along the whole length, was laid down a solid +flooring of brick and mortar, one foot thick and five feet wide. Upon +this was built a chamber of marble mason-work, forty feet long, three and +a half feet broad, as many high, and with side-walks [walls? D.W.] five +feet in thickness. + +This was the crater. It was filled with seven thousand of gunpowder, of +a kind superior to anything known, and prepared by Gianibelli himself. +It was covered with a roof, six feet in thickness, formed of blue +tombstones, placed edgewise. Over this crater, rose a hollow cone, or +pyramid, made of heavy marble slabs, and filled with mill-stones, cannon +balls, blocks of marble, chain-shot, iron hooks, plough-coulters, and +every dangerous missile that could be imagined. The spaces between the +mine and the sides of each ship were likewise filled with paving stones, +iron-bound stakes, harpoons, and other projectiles. The whole fabric was +then covered by a smooth light flooring of planks and brick-work, upon +which was a pile of wood: This was to be lighted at the proper time, in +order that the two vessels might present the appearance of simple fire- +ships, intended only to excite a conflagration of the bridge. On the +'Fortune' a slow match, very carefully prepared, communicated with the +submerged mine, which was to explode at a nicely-calculated moment. The +eruption of the other floating volcano was to be regulated by an +ingenious piece of clock-work, by which, at the appointed time, fire, +struck from a flint, was to inflame the hidden mass of gunpowder below. + +In addition to these two infernal machines, or "hell-burners," as they +were called, a fleet of thirty-two smaller vessels was prepared. Covered +with tar, turpentine, rosin, and filled with inflammable and combustible +materials, these barks were to be sent from Antwerp down the river in +detachments of eight every half hour with the ebb tide. The object was +to clear the way, if possible, of the raft, and to occupy the attention +of the Spaniards, until the 'Fortune' and the `Hope' should come down +upon the bridge. + +The 5th April, (1885) being the day following that on which the +successful assault upon Liefkenshoek and Saint Anthony had taken place, +was fixed for the descent of the fire-ships. So soon as it should be +dark, the thirty-two lesser burning-vessels, under the direction of +Admiral Jacob Jacobzoon, were to be sent forth from the neighborhood of +the 'Boor's Sconce'--a fort close to the city walls--in accordance with +the Italian's plan. "Run-a-way Jacob," however, or "Koppen Loppen," had +earned no new laurels which could throw into the shade that opprobrious +appellation. He was not one of Holland's naval heroes, but, on the +whole, a very incompetent officer; exactly the man to damage the best +concerted scheme which the genius of others could invent. Accordingly, +Koppen-Loppen began with a grave mistake. Instead of allowing the +precursory fire-ships to drift down the stream, at the regular intervals +agreed upon, he despatched them all rapidly, and helter skelter, one +after another, as fast as they could be set forth on their career. Not +long afterwards, he sent the two "hellburners," the 'Fortune' and the +'Hope,' directly in their wake. Thus the whole fiery fleet had set +forth, almost at once, upon its fatal voyage. + +It was known to Parma that preparations for an attack were making at +Antwerp, but as to the nature of the danger he was necessarily in the +dark. He was anticipating an invasion by a fleet from the city in +combination with a squadron of Zeelanders coming up from below. So soon +as the first vessels, therefore, with their trains not yet lighted, were +discovered bearing down from the city, he was confirmed in his +conjecture. His drama and trumpets instantly called to arms, and the +whole body of his troops was mustered upon the bridge; the palisades, and +in the nearest forts. Thus the preparations to avoid or to contend with +the danger, were leading the Spaniards into the very jaws of destruction. +Alexander, after crossing and recrossing the river, giving minute +directions for repelling the expected assault, finally stationed himself +in the block-house at the point of junction, on the Flemish aide, between +the palisade and the bridge of boats. He was surrounded by a group of +superior officers, among whom Richebourg, Billy, Gaetano, Cessis, and the +Englishman Sir Rowland Yorke, were conspicuous. + +It was a dark, mild evening of early spring. As the fleet of vessels +dropped slowly down the river, they suddenly became luminous, each ship +flaming out of the darkness, a phantom of living fire. The very waves of +the Scheldt seemed glowing with the conflagration, while its banks were +lighted up with a preternatural glare. It was a wild, pompous, +theatrical spectacle. The array of soldiers on both aides the river, +along the dykes and upon the bridge, with banners waving, and spear and +cuirass glancing in the lurid light; the demon fleet, guided by no human +hand, wrapped in flames, and flitting through the darkness, with +irregular movement; but portentous aspect, at the caprice of wind and +tide; the death-like silence of expectation, which had succeeded the +sound of trumpet and the shouts of the soldiers; and the weird glow which +had supplanted the darkness-all combined with the sense of imminent and +mysterious danger to excite and oppress the imagination. + +Presently, the Spaniards, as they gazed from the bridge, began to take +heart again. One after another, many of the lesser vessels drifted +blindly against the raft, where they entangled themselves among the hooks +and gigantic spearheads, and burned slowly out without causing any +extensive conflagration. Others grounded on the banks of the river, +before reaching their destination. Some sank in the stream. + +Last of all came the two infernal ships, swaying unsteadily with the +current; the pilots of course, as they neared the bridge, having +noiselessly effected their escape in the skiffs. The slight fire upon +the deck scarcely illuminated the dark phantom-like hulls. Both were +carried by the current clear of the raft, which, by a great error of +judgment, as it now appeared, on the part of the builders, had only been +made to protect the floating portion of the bridge. The 'Fortune' came +first, staggering inside the raft, and then lurching clumsily against +the dyke, and grounding near Kalloo, without touching the bridge. There +was a moment's pause of expectation. At last the slow match upon the +deck burned out, and there was a faint and partial explosion, by which +little or no damage was produced. + +Parma instantly called for volunteers to board the mysterious vessel. +The desperate expedition was headed by the bold Roland York, a Londoner, +of whom one day there was more to be heard in Netherland history. The +party sprang into the deserted and now harmless volcano, extinguishing +the slight fires that were smouldering on the deck, and thrusting spears +and long poles into the hidden recesses of the hold. There was, however, +little time to pursue these perilous investigations, and the party soon +made their escape to the bridge. + +The troops of Parma, crowding on the palisade, and looking over the +parapets, now began to greet the exhibition with peals of derisive +laughter. It was but child's play, they thought, to threaten a Spanish +army, and a general like Alexander Farnese, with such paltry fire-works +as these. Nevertheless all eyes were anxiously fixed upon the remaining +fire-ship, or "hell-burner," the 'Hope,' which had now drifted very near +the place of its destination. Tearing her way between the raft and the +shore, she struck heavily against the bridge on the Kalloo side, close to +the block-house at the commencement of the floating portion of the +bridge. A thin wreath of smoke was seen curling over a slight and +smouldering fire upon her deck. + +Marquis Richebourg, standing on the bridge, laughed loudly at the +apparently impotent conclusion of the whole adventure. It was his last +laugh on earth. A number of soldiers, at Parma's summons, instantly +sprang on board this second mysterious vessel, and occupied themselves, +as the party on board the 'Fortune' had done, in extinguishing, the +flames, and in endeavoring to ascertain the nature of the machine. +Richebourg boldly directed from the bridge their hazardous experiments. + +At the same moment a certain ensign De Vega, who stood near the Prince of +Parma, close to the block-house, approached him with vehement entreaties +that he should retire. Alexander refused to stir from the spot, being +anxious to learn the result of these investigations. Vega, moved by some +instinctive and irresistible apprehension, fell upon his knees, and +plucking the General earnestly by the cloak, implored him with such +passionate words and gestures to leave the place, that the Prince +reluctantly yielded. + +It was not a moment too soon. The clockwork had been better adjusted +than the slow match in the 'Fortune.' Scarcely had Alexander reached the +entrance of Saint Mary's Fort, at the end of the bridge, when a horrible +explosion was heard. The 'Hope' disappeared, together with the men who +had boarded her, and the block-house, against which she had struck, with +all its garrison, while a large portion of the bridge, with all the +troops stationed upon it, had vanished into air. It was the work of a +single instant. The Scheldt yawned to its lowest depth, and then cast +its waters across the dykes, deep into the forts, and far over the land. +The earth shook as with the throb of a volcano. A wild glare lighted up +the scene for one moment, and was then succeeded by pitchy darkness. +Houses were toppled down miles away, and not a living thing, even in +remote places, could keep its feet. The air was filled with a rain of +plough-shares, grave-stones, and marble balls, intermixed with the heads, +limbs, and bodies, of what had been human beings. Slabs of granite, +vomited by the flaming ship, were found afterwards at a league's +distance, and buried deep in the earth. A thousand soldiers were +destroyed in a second of time; many of them being torn to shreds, beyond +even the semblance of humanity. + +Richebourg disappeared, and was not found until several days later, when +his body was discovered; doubled around an iron chain, which hung from +one of the bridge-boats in the centre of the river. The veteran Robles, +Seigneur de Billy, a Portuguese officer of eminent service and high +military rank, was also destroyed. Months afterwards, his body was +discovered adhering to the timber-work of the bridge, upon the ultimate +removal of that structure, and was only recognized by a peculiar gold +chain which he habitually wore. Parma himself was thrown to the ground, +stunned by a blow on the shoulder from a flying stake. The page, who was +behind him, carrying his helmet, fell dead without a wound, killed by the +concussion of the air. + +Several strange and less tragical incidents occurred. The Viscomte de +Bruxelles was blown out of a boat on the Flemish side, and descended safe +and, sound into another in the centre of the stream. Captain Tucci, clad +in complete armour, was whirled out of a fort, shot perpendicularly into +the air, and then fell back into the river. Being of a cool temperament, +a good swimmer, and very pious, he skilfully divested himself of cuirass +and helmet, recommended himself to the Blessed Virgin, and swam safely +ashore. Another young officer of Parma's body-guard, Francois de Liege +by name, standing on the Kalloo end of the bridge, rose like a feather +into the clouds, and, flying quite across the river, alighted on the +opposite bank with no further harm than a contused shoulder. He imagined +himself (he said afterwards) to have been changed into a cannon-ball, as +he rushed through the pitchy atmosphere, propelled by a blast of +irresistible fury. + + [The chief authorities used in the foregoing account of this famous + enterprise are those already cited on a previous page, viz.: the MS. + Letters of the Prince of Parma in the Archives of Simancas; Bor, ii. + 596, 597; Strada, H. 334 seq.; Meteren, xii. 223; Hoofd Vervolgh, + 91; Baudartii Polemographia, ii. 24-27; Bentivoglio, etc., I have + not thought it necessary to cite them step by step; for all the + accounts, with some inevitable and unimportant discrepancies, agree + with each other. The most copious details are to be found in Strada + and in Bor.] + +It had been agreed that Admiral Jacobzoon should, immediately after the +explosion of the fire-ships, send an eight-oared barge to ascertain the +amount of damage. If a breach had been effected, and a passage up to the +city opened, he was to fire a rocket. At this signal, the fleet +stationed at Lillo, carrying a heavy armament, laden with provisions +enough to relieve Antwerp from all anxiety, and ready to sail on the +instant, was at once to force its way up the river. + +The deed was done. A breach, two hundred feet in width was made. Had +the most skilful pilot in Zeeland held the helm of the 'Hope,' with a +choice crew obedient to his orders, he could not have guided her more +carefully than she had been directed by wind and tide. Avoiding the raft +which lay in her way, she had, as it were, with the intelligence of a +living creature, fulfilled the wishes of the daring genius that had +created her; and laid herself alongside the bridge, exactly at the most +telling point. She had then destroyed herself, precisely at the right +moment. All the effects, and more than all, that had been predicted by +the Mantuan wizard had come to pass. The famous bridge was cleft through +and through, and a thousand picked men--Parma's very "daintiest"--were +blown out of existence. The Governor-General himself was lying stark and +stiff upon the bridge which he said should be his triumphal monument or +his tomb. His most distinguished officers were dead, and all the +survivors were dumb and blind with astonishment at the unheard of, +convulsion. The passage was open for the fleet, and the fleet, lay below +with sails spread, and oars in the rowlocks, only waiting for the signal +to bear up at once to the scene of action, to smite out of existence all +that remained of the splendid structure, and to carry relief and triumph +into Antwerp. + +Not a soul slept in the city. The explosion had shook its walls, and +thousands of people thronged the streets, their hearts beating high with +expectation. It was a moment of exquisite triumph. The 'Hope,' word of +happy augury, had not been relied upon in vain, and Parma's seven months +of patient labour had been annihilated in a moment. Sainte Aldegonde and +Gianibelli stood in the 'Boors' Sconce' on the edge of the river. They +had felt and heard the explosion, and they were now straining their eyes +through the darkness to mark the flight of the welcome rocket. + +That rocket never rose. And it is enough, even after the lapse of three +centuries, to cause a pang in every heart that beats for human liberty to +think of the bitter disappointment which crushed these great and +legitimate hopes. The cause lay in the incompetency and cowardice of the +man who had been so unfortunately entrusted with a share in a noble +enterprise. + +Admiral Jacobzoon, paralyzed by the explosion, which announced his own +triumph, sent off the barge, but did not wait for its return. The +boatmen, too, appalled by the sights and sounds which they had witnessed, +and by the murky darkness which encompassed them, did not venture near +the scene of action, but, after rowing for a short interval hither and +thither, came back with the lying report that nothing had been +accomplished, and that the bridge remained unbroken. Sainte Aldegonde +and Gianibelli were beside themselves with rage, as they surmised the +imbecility of the Admiral, and devoted him in their hearts to the +gallows, which he certainly deserved. The wrath of the keen Italian may +be conceived, now that his ingenious and entirely successful scheme was +thus rendered fruitless by the blunders of the incompetent Fleming. + +On the other side, there was a man whom no danger could appall. +Alexander had been thought dead, and the dismay among his followers +was universal. He was known to have been standing an instant before the +explosion on the very block-house where the 'Hope' had struck. After the +first terrible moments had passed, his soldiers found their general +lying, as if in a trance, on the threshold of St. Mary's Fort, his drawn +sword in his hand, with Cessis embracing his knees, and Gaetano extended +at his side, stunned with a blow upon the head. + +Recovering from his swoon, Parma was the first to spring to his feet. +Sword in hand, he rushed at once upon the bridge to mark the extent of +the disaster. The admirable structure, the result of so much patient and +intelligent energy, was fearfully shattered; the bridge, the river, and +the shore, strewed with the mangled bodies of his soldiers. He expected, +as a matter of certainty, that the fleet from below would instantly force +its passage, destroy, the remainder of his troops-stunned as they were +with the sudden catastrophe complete the demolition of the bridge, and +then make its way to Antwerp, with ample reinforcements and supplies. +And Alexander saw that the expedition would be successful. Momently +expecting the attack, he maintained his courage and semblance of +cheerfulness, with despair in his heart. + +His winter's work seemed annihilated, and it was probable that he should +be obliged to raise the siege. Nevertheless, he passed in person from +rank to rank, from post to post, seeing that the wounded were provided +for, encouraging those that remained unhurt, and endeavouring to infuse a +portion of his own courage into the survivors of his panic-stricken army. + +Nor was he entirely unsuccessful, as the night wore on and the expected +assault was still delayed. Without further loss of time, he employed his +men to collect the drifting boats, timber, and spar-work, and to make a +hasty and temporary restoration--in semblance at least--of the ruined +portion of his bridge. And thus he employed himself steadily all the +night, although expecting every instant to hear the first broadside of +the Zeeland cannon. When morning broke, and it became obvious that the +patriots were unable or unwilling to follow up their own success, the +Governor-General felt as secure as ever. He at once set about the +thorough repairs of his great work, and--before he could be again +molested--had made good the damage which it had sustained. + +It was not till three days afterwards that the truth was known in +Antwerp. Hohenlo then sent down a messenger, who swam, under the bridge, +ascertained the exact state of affairs, and returned, when it was too +late, with the first intelligence of the triumph which had been won and +lost. The disappointment and mortification were almost intolerable. And +thus had. Run-a-way Jacob, 'Koppen Loppen,' blasted the hopes of so many +wiser and braver spirits than his own. + +The loss to Parma and to the royalist cause in Marquis Richebourg, was +very great. The death of De Billy, who was a faithful, experienced, and +courageous general, was also much lamented. "The misfortune from their +death," said Parma, "is not to be exaggerated. Each was ever ready to do +his duty in your Majesty's service, and to save me much fatigue in all my +various affairs. Nevertheless," continued the Prince, with great piety, +"we give the Lord thanks for all, and take as a favour everything which +comes from His hand." + +Alexander had indeed reason to deplore the loss of Robert de Melun, +Viscount of Ghent, Marquis of Roubaix and Richebourg. He was a most +valuable officer. His wealth was great. It had been recently largely +increased by the confiscation of his elder brother's estates for his +benefit, a measure which at Parma's intercession had been accorded by the +King. That brother was the patriotic Prince of Espinoy, whom we have +recently seen heading the legation of the States to France. And +Richebourg was grateful to Alexander, for besides these fraternal spoils, +he had received two marquisates through his great patron, in addition to +the highest military offices. Insolent, overbearing, truculent to all +the world, to Parma he was ever docile, affectionate, watchful, +obsequious. A man who knew not fatigue, nor fear, nor remorse, nor +natural affection, who could patiently superintend all the details of a +great military work, or manage a vast political intrigue by alternations +of browbeating and bribery, or lead a forlorn hope, or murder a prisoner +in cold blood, or leap into the blazing crater of what seemed a marine +volcano, the Marquis of Richebourg had ever made himself most actively +and unscrupulously useful to his master. Especially had he rendered +invaluable services in the reduction, of the Walloon Provinces, and in +the bridging of the Scheldt, the two crowning triumphs of Alexander's +life. He had now passed from the scene where he had played so energetic +and dazzling a part, and lay doubled round an iron cable beneath the +current of the restless river. + +And in this eventful night, Parma, as always, had been true to himself +and to his sovereign. "We expected," said he, "that the rebels would +instantly attack us on all sides after the explosion. But all remained +so astonished by the unheard-of accident, that very few understood what +was going on. It seemed better that I--notwithstanding the risk of +letting myself be seen--should encourage the people not to run away. +I did so, and remedied matters a little but not so much as that--if the +enemy had then attacked us--we should not have been in the very greatest +risk and peril. I did not fail to do what I am obliged to do, and always +hope to do; but I say no more of what passed, or what was done by myself, +because it does not become me to speak of these things." + +Notwithstanding this discomfiture, the patriots kept up heart, and +were incessantly making demonstrations against Parma's works. Their +proceedings against the bridge, although energetic enough to keep the +Spanish commander in a state of perpetual anxiety, were never so +efficient however as on the memorable occasion when the Mantuan engineer +and the Dutch watchmaker had exhausted all their ingenuity. +Nevertheless, the rebel barks swarmed all over the submerged territory, +now threatening this post, and now that, and effecting their retreat at +pleasure; for nearly the whole of Parma's little armada was stationed at +the two extremities of his bridge. Many fire-ships were sent down from +time to time, but Alexander had organized a systematic patrol of a few +sentry-boats, armed with scythes and hooks, which rowed up and down in +front of the rafts, and protected them against invasion. + +Some little effect was occasionally produced, but there was on the whole +more anxiety excited than damage actually inflicted. The perturbation of +spirit among the Spaniards when any of these 'demon fine-ships,' as they +called them, appeared bearing down upon their bridge, was excessive. It +could not be forgotten, that the `Hope' had sent into space a thousand of +the best soldiers of the little army within one moment of time. + +Such rapid proceedings had naturally left an uneasy impression on the +minds of the survivors. The fatigue of watching was enormous. Hardly an +officer or soldier among the besieging forces knew what it was to sleep. +There was a perpetual exchanging of signals and beacon-fires and rockets +among the patriots--not a day or night, when a concerted attack by the +Antwerpers from above, and the Hollanders from below, with gun-boats and +fire-ships, and floating mines, and other devil's enginry, was not +expected. + +"We are always upon the alert," wrote Parma, "with arms in our hands. +Every one must mount guard, myself as well as the rest, almost every +night, and the better part of every day." + +He was quite aware that something was ever in preparation; and the +nameless, almost sickening apprehension which existed among his stout- +hearted veterans, was a proof that the Mantuan's genius--notwithstanding +the disappointment as to the great result--had not been exercised +entirely in vain. The image of the Antwerp devil-ships imprinted itself +indelibly upon the Spanish mind, as of something preternatural, with +which human valour could only contend at a disadvantage; and a day was +not very far distant--one of the memorable days of the world's history, +big with the fate of England, Spain, Holland, and all Christendom--when +the sight of a half-dozen blazing vessels, and the cry of "the Antwerp +fireships," was to decide the issue of a most momentous enterprise. The +blow struck by the obscure Italian against Antwerp bridge, although +ineffective then, was to be most sensibly felt after a few years had +passed, upon a wider field. + +Meantime the uneasiness and the watchfulness in the biesieging army were +very exhausting. "They are never idle in the city," wrote Parma. "They +are perpetually proving their obstinacy and pertinacity by their +industrious genius and the machines which they devise. Every day we are +expecting some new invention. On our side we endeavour to counteract +their efforts by every human means in our power. Nevertheless, I confess +that our merely human intellect is not competent to penetrate the designs +of their diabolical genius. Certainly, most wonderful and extraordinary +things have been exhibited, such as the oldest soldiers here have never +before witnessed." + +Moreover, Alexander saw himself growing weaker and weaker. His force +had dwindled to a mere phantom of an army. His soldiers, ill-fed, half- +clothed, unpaid, were fearfully overworked. He was obliged to +concentrate all the troops at his disposal around Antwerp. Diversions +against Ostend, operations in Friesland and Gelderland, although most +desirable, had thus been rendered quite impossible. + +"I have recalled my cavalry and infantry from Ostend," he wrote, "and Don +Juan de Manrique has fortunately arrived in Stabroek with a thousand good +German folk. The commissary-general of the cavalry has come in, too, +with a good lot of the troops that had been encamped in the open country. +Nevertheless, we remain wretchedly weak--quite insufficient to attempt +what ought to be done. If the enemy were more in force, or if the French +wished to make trouble, your Majesty would see how important it had been +to provide in time against such contingencies. And although our +neighbours, crestfallen, and rushing upon their own destruction, leave us +in quiet, we are not without plenty of work. It would be of inestimable +advantage to make diversions in Gelderland and Friesland, because, in +that case, the Hollanders, seeing the enemy so near their own borders, +would be obliged to withdraw their assistance from Antwerp. 'Tis pity to +see how few Spaniards your Majesty has left, and how diminished is our +army. Now, also, is the time to expect sickness, and this affair of +Antwerp is obviously stretching out into large proportions. Unless soon +reinforced, we must inevitably go to destruction. I implore your Majesty +to ponder the matter well, and not to defer the remedy." + +His Majesty was sure to ponder the matter well, if that had been all. +Philip was good at pondering; but it was equally certain that the remedy +would be deferred. Meantime Alexander and his starving but heroic little +army were left to fight their battles as they could. + +His complaints were incessant, most reasonable, but unavailing. With all +the forces he could muster, by withdrawing from the neighbourhood of +Ghent, Brussels, Vilvoorde, and from all the garrisons, every man that +could be spared, he had not strength enough to guard his own posts. To +attempt to win back the important forts recently captured by the rebels +on the Doel, was quite out of the question. The pictures he painted of +his army were indeed most dismal. + +The Spaniards were so reduced by sickness that it was pitiful to see +them. The Italians were not in much better condition, nor the Germans. +"As for the Walloons," said he, "they are deserting, as they always do. +In truth, one of my principal dangers is that the French civil wars are +now tempting my soldiers across the frontier; the country there is so +much richer, and offers so much more for the plundering." + +During the few weeks which immediately followed them famous descent of +the 'Hope' and the 'Fortune,' there had accordingly been made a variety +of less elaborate, but apparently mischievous, efforts against the +bridge. On the whole, however, the object was rather to deceive and +amuse the royalists, by keeping their attention fixed in that quarter, +while a great attack was, in reality, preparing against the Kowenstyn. +That strong barrier, as repeatedly stated, was even a more formidable +obstacle than the bridge to the communication between the beleagured city +and their allies upon the outside. Its capture and demolition, even at +this late period, would open the navigation to all the fleets of Zeeland. + +In the undertaking of the 5th of April all had been accomplished that +human ingenuity could devise; yet the triumph had been snatched away even +at the very moment when it was complete. A determined and vigorous +effort was soon to be made upon the Kowenstyn, in the very face of Parma; +for it now seemed obvious that the true crisis was to come upon that +fatal dyke. The great bulwark was three miles long. It reached from +Stabroek in Brabant, near which village Mansfeld's troops were encamped, +across the inundated country, up to the line of the Scheldt. Thence, +along the river-dyke, and across the bridge to Kalloo and Beveren, where +Parma's forces lay, was a continuous fortified road some three leagues in +length; so that the two divisions of the besieging army, lying four +leagues apart, were all connected by this important line. + +Could the Kowenstyn be pierced, the water, now divided by that great +bulwark into two vast lakes, would flow together in one continuous sea. +Moreover the Scheldt, it was thought, would, in that case, return to its +own cannel through Brabant, deserting its present bed, and thus leaving +the famous bridge high and dry. A wide sheet of navigable water would +then roll between Antwerp and the Zeeland coasts, and Parma's bridge, the +result of seven months' labour, would become as useless as a child's +broken toy. + +Alexander had thoroughly comprehended the necessity of maintaining the +Kowenstyn. All that it was possible to do with the meagre forces at his +disposal, he had done. He had fringed both its margins, along its whole +length, with a breastwork of closely-driven stakes. He had strengthened +the whole body of the dyke with timber-work and piles. Upon its river- +end, just at the junction with the great Scheldt dyke, a strong fortress, +called the Holy Cross, had been constructed, which was under the special +command of Mondragon. Besides this, three other forts had been built, at +intervals of about a mile, upon the dyke. The one nearest to Mondragon +was placed at the Kowenstyn manor-house, and was called Saint James. +This was entrusted to Camillo Bourbon del Monte, an Italian officer, who +boasted the blood royal of France in his veins, and was disposed on all +occasions to vindicate that proud pedigree by his deeds. The next fort +was Saint George's, sometimes called the Black Sconce. It had been built +by La Motte, but it was now in command of the Spanish officer, Benites. +The third was entitled the Fort of the Palisades, because it had been +necessary to support it by a stockade-work in the water, there being +absolutely not earth enough to hold the structure. It was placed in the +charge of Captain Gamboa. These little castles had been created, as it +were, out of water and upon water, and under a hot fire from the enemy's +forts and fleets, which gave the pioneers no repose. + +"'Twas very hard work," said Parma, "our soldiers are so exposed during +their labour, the rebels playing upon them perpetually from their musket- +proof vessels. They fill the submerged land with their boats, skimming +everywhere as they like, while we have none at all. We have been obliged +to build these three forts with neither material nor space; making land +enough for the foundation by bringing thither bundles of hurdles and of +earth. The fatigue and anxiety are incredible. Not a man can sleep at +night; not an officer nor soldier but is perpetually mounting guard. But +they are animated to their hard work by seeing that I share in it, like +one of themselves. We have now got the dyke into good order, so far as +to be able to give them a warm reception, whenever they choose to come." + +Quite at the farther or land end of the Kowenstyn, was another fort, +called the Stabroek, which commanded and raked the whole dyke, and was in +the neighbourhood of Mansfeld's head-quarters. + +Placed as were these little citadels upon a slender, and--at brief +distance--invisible thread of land, with the dark waters rolling around +them far and near, they presented an insubstantial dream-like aspect, +seeming rather like castles floating between air and ocean than actual +fortifications--a deceptive mirage rather than reality. There was +nothing imaginary, however, in the work which they were to perform. + +A series of attacks, some serious, others fictitious, had been made, from +time to time, upon both bridge and dyke; but Alexander was unable to +inspire his soldiers with his own watchfulness. Upon the 7th of May a +more determined attempt was made upon the Kowenstyn, by the fleet from +Lillo. Hohenlo and Colonel Ysselstein conducted the enterprise. The +sentinels at the point selected--having recently been so often threatened +by an enemy, who most frequently made a rapid retreat, as to have grown +weary and indifferent-were surprised, at dawn of day, and put to the +sword. "If the truth must be told," said Parma, "the sentries were sound +asleep." Five hundred Zeelanders, with a strong party of sappers and +miners, fairly established themselves upon the dyke, between St. +George's and Fort Palisade. The attack, although spirited at its +commencement, was doomed to be unsuccessful. A co-operation, agreed upon +by the fleet from Antwerp, failed through a misunderstanding. Sainte +Aldegonde had stationed certain members of the munition-chamber in the +cathedral tower, with orders to discharge three rockets, when they should +perceive a beacon-fire which he should light in Fort Tholouse. The +watchmen mistook an accidental camp-fire in the neighbourhood for the +preconcerted signal, and sent up the rockets. Hohenlo understanding, +accordingly, that the expedition was on the point of starting from +Antwerp, hastened to perform his portion of the work, and sailed up from +Lillo. He did his duty faithfully and well, and established himself upon +the dyke, but found himself alone and without sufficient force to +maintain his position. The Antwerp fleet never sailed. It was even +whispered that the delinquency was rather intended than accidental; the +Antwerpers being supposed desirous to ascertain the result of Hohenlo's +attempt before coming forth to share his fate. Such was the opinion +expressed by Farnese in his letters to Philip, but it seems probable +that he was mistaken. Whatever the cause, however, the fact of the +Zeelanders' discomfiture was certain. The St. George battery and that of +the Palisade were opened at once upon them, the balls came plunging among +the sappers and miners before they had time to throw up many spade-fulls +of earth, and the whole party were soon dead or driven from the dyke. +The survivors effected their retreat as they best could, leaving four of +their ships behind them and three or four hundred men. + +"Forty rebels lay dead on the dyke," said Parma, "and one hundred and +fifty more, at least, were drowned. The enemy confess a much larger loss +than the number I state, but I am not a friend of giving details larger +than my ascertained facts; nor do I know how many were killed in the +boats." + +This enterprise was but a prelude, however, to the great undertaking +which had now been thoroughly matured. Upon the 26th May, another and +most determined attack was to be made upon the Kowenstyn, by the +Antwerpers and Hollanders acting in concert. This time, it was to be +hoped, there would be no misconception of signals. "It was a +determination," said Parma, "so daring and desperate that there was no +substantial reason why we should believe they would carry it out; but +they were at last solemnly resolved to die or to effect their purpose." + +Two hundred ships in all had been got ready, part of them under Hohenlo +and Justinus de Nassau, to sail up from Zeeland; the others to advance +from Antwerp under Sainte Aldegonde. Their destination was the Kowenstyn +Dyke. Some of the vessels were laden with provisions, others with +gabions, hurdles, branches, sacks of sand and of wool, and with other +materials for the rapid throwing up of fortifications. + +It was two o'clock, half an hour before the chill dawn of a May morning, +Sunday, the 26th of the month. The pale sight of a waning moon was +faintly perceptible in the sky. Suddenly the sentinels upon the +Kowenstyn--this time not asleep--descried, as they looked towards Lillo, +four fiery apparitions gliding towards them across the waves. The alarm +was given, and soon afterwards the Spaniards began to muster, somewhat +reluctantly, upon the dyke, filled as they always were with the +mysterious dread which those demon-vessels never failed to inspire. + +The fire-ships floated slowly nearer, and at last struck heavily against +the stockade-work. There, covered with tar, pitch, rosin, and gunpowder, +they flamed, flared, and exploded, during a brief period, with much +vigour, and then burned harmlessly out. One of the objects for which +they had been sent--to set fire to the palisade--was not accomplished. +The other was gained; for the enemy, expecting another volcanic shower of +tombstones and plough-coulters, and remembering the recent fate of their +comrades on the bridge, had retired shuddering into the forts. Meantime, +in the glare of these vast torches, a great swarm of gunboats and other +vessels, skimming across the leaden-coloured waters, was seen gradually +approaching the dyke. It was the fleet of Hohenlo and Justinus de +Nassau, who had been sailing and rowing since ten o'clock of the +preceding night. The burning ships lighted them on their way, while it +had scared the Spaniards from their posts. + +The boats ran ashore in the mile-long space between forts St. George and +the Palisade, and a party of Zeelanders, Admiral Haultain, governor of +Walcheren, at their head, sprang upon the dyke. Meantime, however, the +royalists, finding that the fire-ships had come to so innocent an end, +had rallied and emerged from their forts. Haultain and his Zeelanders, +by the time they had fairly mounted the dyke, found themselves in the +iron embrace of several hundred Spaniards. After a brief fierce +struggle, face to face, and at push of pike, the patriots reeled backward +down tile bank, and took refuge in their boats. Admiral Haultain slipped +as he left the shore, missed a rope's end which was thrown to him, fell +into the water, and, borne down by the weight of his armour, was drowned. +The enemy, pursuing them, sprang to the waist in the ooze on the edge of +the dyke, and continued the contest. The boats opened a hot fire, and +there was a severe skirmish for many minutes, with no certain result. It +was, however, beginning to go hard with the Zeelanders, when, just at the +critical moment, a cheer from the other side of the dyke was heard, and +the Antwerp fleet was seen coming swiftly to the rescue. The Spaniards, +taken between the two bands of assailants, were at a disadvantage, and it +was impossible to prevent the landing of these fresh antagonists. The +Antwerpers sprang ashore. Among the foremost was Sainte Aldegonde, poet, +orator, hymn-book maker, burgomaster, lawyer, polemical divine--now armed +to the teeth and cheering on his men, in the very thickest of the fight. +The diversion was successful, and Sainte Aldegonde gallantly drove the +Spaniards quite off the field. The whole combined force from Antwerp and +Zeeland now effected their landing. Three thousand men occupied all the +space between Fort George and the Palisade. + +With Sainte Aldegonde came the unlucky Koppen Loppen, and all that could +be spared of the English and Scotch troops in Antwerp, under Balfour and +Morgan. With Hohenlo and Justinus de Nassau came Reinier Kant, who had +just succeeded Paul Buys as Advocate of Holland. Besides these came two +other men, side by side, perhaps in the same boat, of whom the world was +like to hear much, from that time forward, and whose names are to be most +solemnly linked together, so long as Netherland history shall endure; +one, a fair-faced flaxen-haired boy of eighteen, the other a square- +visaged, heavy-browed man of forty--Prince Maurice and John of Olden- +Barneveldt. The statesman had been foremost to urge the claim of William +the Silent's son upon the stadholderate of Holland and Zeeland, and had +been, as it were, the youth's political guardian. He had himself borne +arms more than once before, having shouldered his matchlock under +Batenburg, and marched on that officer's spirited but disastrous +expedition for the relief of Haarlem. But this was the life of those +Dutch rebels. Quill-driving, law-expounding, speech-making, diplomatic +missions, were intermingled with very practical business in besieged +towns or open fields, with Italian musketeers and Spanish pikemen. And +here, too, young Maurice was taking his first solid lesson in the art of +which he was one day to be so distinguished a professor. It was a sharp +beginning. Upon this ribband of earth, scarce six paces in breadth, with +miles of deep water on both sides--a position recently fortified by the +first general of the age, and held by the famous infantry of Spain and +Italy--there was likely to be no prentice-work. + +To assault such a position was in truth, as Alexander had declared it to +be, a most daring and desperate resolution on the part of the States. +"Soldiers, citizens, and all," said Parma, "they are obstinate as dogs to +try their fortune." + +With wool-sacks, sand-bags, hurdles, planks, and other materials brought +with them, the patriots now rapidly entrenched themselves in the position +so brilliantly gained; while, without deferring for an instant the great +purpose which they had come to effect, the sappers and miners fastened +upon the ironbound soil of the dyke, tearing it with pick, mattock, and +shovel, digging, delving, and throwing up the earth around them, busy as +human beavers, instinctively engaged in a most congenial task. + +But the beavers did not toil unmolested. The large and determined force +of Antwerpers and English, Hollanders and Zeelanders, guarded the +fortifications as they were rapidly rising, and the pioneers as they were +so manfully delving; but the enemy was not idle. From Fort Saint James, +next beyond Saint George, Camillo del Monte led a strong party to the +rescue. There was a tremendous action, foot to foot, breast to breast, +with pike and pistol, sword and dagger. Never since the beginning of the +war had there been harder fighting than now upon that narrow isthmus. +"'Twas an affair of most brave obstinacy on both sides," said Parma, +who rarely used strong language. "Soldiers, citizens, and all--they +were like mad bulldogs." Hollanders, Italians, Scotchmen, Spaniards, +Englishmen, fell thick and fast. The contest was about the entrenchments +before they were completed, and especially around the sappers and miners, +in whose picks and shovels lay the whole fate of Antwerp. Many of the +dyke-breakers were digging their own graves, and rolled, one after +another, into the breach which they were so obstinately creating. +Upon that slender thread of land the hopes of many thousands were +hanging. To tear it asunder, to roll the ocean-waves up to Antwerp, +and thus to snatch the great city triumphantly from the grasp of Philip +--to accomplish this, the three thousand had come forth that May morning. +To prevent it, to hold firmly that great treasure entrusted to them, was +the determination of the Spaniards. And so, closely pent and packed, +discharging their carbines into each other's faces, rolling, coiled +together, down the slimy sides of the dyke into the black waters, +struggling to and fro, while the cannon from the rebel fleet and from the +royal forts mingled their roar with the sharp crack of the musketry, +Catholics and patriots contended for an hour, while still, through all +the confusion and uproar, the miners dug and delved. + +At last the patriots were victorious. They made good their +entrenchments, drove the Spaniards, after much slaughter, back to the +fort of Saint George on the one side, and of the Palisade on the other, +and cleared the whole space between the two points. The centre of the +dyke was theirs; the great Kowenstyn, the only key by which the gates of +Antwerp could be unlocked, was in the deliverers' hands. They pursued +their victory, and attacked the Palisade Fort. Gamboa, its commandant, +was severely wounded; many other officers dead or dying; the outworks +were in the hands of the Hollanders; the slender piles on which the +fortress rested in the water were rudely shaken; the victory was almost +complete. + +And now there was a tremendous cheer of triumph. The beavers had done +their work, the barrier was bitten through and through, the salt water +rushed like a river through the ruptured dyke. A few moments later, and +a Zeeland barge, freighted with provisions, floated triumphantly into the +waters beyond, now no longer an inland sea. The deed was done--the +victory achieved. Nothing more was necessary than to secure it, to tear +the fatal barrier to fragments, to bury it, for its whole length, beneath +the waves. Then, after the isthmus had been utterly submerged, when the +Scheldt was rolled back into its ancient bed, when Parma's famous bridge +had become useless, when the maritime communication between Antwerp and +Holland had been thoroughly established, the Spaniards would have nothing +left for it but to drown like rats in their entrenchments or to abandon +the siege in despair. All this was in the hands of the patriots. The +Kowenstyn was theirs. The Spaniards were driven from the field, the +batteries of their forts silenced. For a long period the rebels were +unmolested, and felt themselves secure. + +"We remained thus some three hours," says Captain James, an English +officer who fought in the action, and described it in rough, soldierly +fashion to Walsingham the same day, "thinking all things to be secure." +Yet in the very supreme moment of victory, the leaders, both of the +Hollanders and of the Antwerpers, proved themselves incompetent to their +position. With deep regret it must be admitted, that not only the +reckless Hohenlo, but the all-accomplished Sainte Aldegonde, committed +the gravest error. In the hour of danger, both had comported themselves +with perfect courage and conduct. In the instant of triumph, they gave +way to puerile exultation. With a celerity as censurable as it seems +incredible, both these commanders sprang into the first barge which had +thus floated across the dyke, in order that they might, in person, carry +the news of the victory to Antwerp, and set all the bells ringing and the +bonfires blazing. They took with them Ferrante Spinola, a mortally- +wounded Italian officer of rank, as a trophy of their battle, and a +boatload of beef and flour, as an earnest of the approaching relief. + +While the conquerors were thus gone to enjoy their triumph, the +conquered, though perplexed and silenced, were not yet disposed to accept +their defeat. They were even ignorant that they were conquered. They +had been forced to abandon the field, and the patriots had entrenched +themselves upon the dyke, but neither Fort Saint George nor the Palisade +had been carried, although the latter was in imminent danger. + +Old Count Peter Ernest Mansfeld--a grizzled veteran, who had passed his +childhood, youth, manhood, and old age, under fire--commanded at the +land-end of the dyke, in the fortress of Stabroek, in which neighbourhood +his whole division was stationed. Seeing how the day was going, he +called a council of war. The patriots had gained a large section of the +dyke. So much was certain. Could they succeed in utterly demolishing +that bulwark in the course of the day? If so, how were they to be +dislodged before their work was perfected? It was difficult to assault +their position. Three thousand Hollanders, Antwerpers, Englishmen-- +"mad bulldogs all," as Parma called them--showing their teeth very +mischievously, with one hundred and sixty Zeeland vessels throwing in +their broadsides from both margins of the dyke, were a formidable company +to face. + +"Oh for one half hour of Alexander in the field!" sighed one of the +Spanish officers in council. But Alexander was more than four leagues +away, and it was doubtful whether he even knew of the fatal occurrence. +Yet how to send him a messenger. Who could reach him through that valley +of death? Would it not be better to wait till nightfall? Under the +cover of darkness something might be attempted, which in the daylight +would be hopeless. There was much anxiety, and much difference of +opinion had been expressed, when Camillo Capizucca, colonel of the +Italian Legion, obtained a hearing. A man bold in words as in deeds, he +vehemently denounced the pusillanimity which would wait either for Parma +or for nightfall. "What difference will it make," he asked, "whether we +defer our action until either darkness or the General arrives? In each +case we give the enemy time enough to destroy the dyke, and thoroughly to +relieve the city. That done, what good can be accomplished by our arms? +Then our disheartened soldiers will either shrink from a fruitless combat +or march to certain death." Having thus, very warmly but very +sagaciously, defined the position in which all were placed, he proceeded +to declare that he claimed, neither for himself nor for his legion, any +superiority over the rest of the army. He knew not that the Italians +were more to be relied upon than others in the time of danger, but this +he did know, that no man in the world was so devoted as he was to the +Prince of Parma. To show that devotion by waiting with folded arms +behind a wall until the Prince should arrive to extricate his followers, +was not in his constitution. He claimed the right to lead his Italians +against the enemy at once--in the front rank, if others chose to follow; +alone, if the rest preferred to wait till a better leader should arrive. + +The words of the Italian colonel sent a thrill through all who heard him. +Next in command under Capizucca was his camp-marshal, an officer who bore +the illustrious name of Piccolomini--father of the Duke Ottavio, of whom +so much was to be heard at a later day throughout the fell scenes of that +portion of the eighty years' tragedy now enacting, which was to be called +the Thirty Years' War of Germany. The camp-marshal warmly seconded the +proposition of his colonel. Mansfeld, pleased with such enthusiasm among +his officers, yielded to their wishes, which were, in truth, his own. +Six companies of the Italian Legion were in his encampment while the +remainder were stationed, far away, upon the bridge, under command of his +son, Count Charles. Early in the morning, before the passage across the +dyke had been closed the veteran condottiere, pricking his ears as he +snuffed the battle from afar, had contrived to send a message to his son. + +"Charles, my boy," were his words, "to-day we must either beat them or +burst." + +Old Peter Ernest felt that the long-expected, long-deferred assault was +to be made that morning in full force, and that it was necessary for the +royalists, on both bridge and dyke, to hold their own. Piccolomini now +drew up three hundred of his Italians, picked veterans all, and led them +in marching order to Mansfeld. That general at the same moment, received +another small but unexpected reinforcement. A portion of the Spanish +Legion, which had long been that of Pedro Pacchi, lay at the extreme +verge of the Stabroek encampment, several miles away. Aroused by the +distant cannonading, and suspecting what had occurred, Don Juan d'Aquila, +the colonel in command, marched without a moment's delay to Mansfeld's +head-quarters, at the head of all the force he could muster--about two +hundred strong. With him came Cardona, Gonzales de Castro, Toralva, and +other distinguished officers. As they arrived, Capizucca was just +setting forth for the field. There arose a dispute for precedence +between the Italians and the Spaniards. Capizucca had first demanded the +privilege of leading what seemed a forlorn hope, and was unwilling to +yield his claim to the new comer. On the other hand, the Spaniards were +not disposed to follow where they felt entitled to lead. The quarrel was +growing warm, when Aquila, seizing his Italian rival by the hand, +protested that it was not a moment for friends to wrangle for precedence. + +"Shoulder to shoulder," said he, "let us go into this business, and let +our blows rather fall on our enemies' heads than upon each other's." +This terminated the altercation. The Italians and Spaniards--in battle +array as they were--all dropped on their knees, offered a brief prayer to +the Holy Virgin, and then, in the best possible spirits, set forth along +the dyke. Next to fort Stabroek--whence they issued--was the Palisade +Fort, nearly a mile removed, which the patriots had nearly carried, and +between which and St. George, another mile farther on, their whole force +was established. + +The troops under Capizucca and Aquila soon reached the Palisade, and +attacked the besiegers, while the garrison, cheered by the unexpected +relief, made a vigorous sortie. There was a brief sharp contest, in +which many were killed on both sides; but at last the patriots fell back +upon their own entrenchments, and the fort was saved. Its name was +instantly changed to Fort Victory, and the royalists then prepared to +charge the fortified camp of the rebels, in the centre of which the dyke- +cutting operations were still in progress. At the same moment, from the +opposite end of the bulwark, a cry was heard along the whole line of the +dyke. From Fort Holy Cross, at the Scheldt end, the welcome intelligence +was suddenly communicated--as if by a magnetic impulse--that Alexander +was in the field! + +It was true. Having been up half the night, as usual, keeping watch +along his bridge, where he was ever expecting a fatal attack, he had +retired for a few hours' rest in his camp at Beveren. Aroused at day- +break by the roar of the cannon, he had hastily thrown on his armour, +mounted his horse, and, at the head of two hundred pikemen, set forth for +the scene of action. Detained on the bridge by a detachment of the +Antwerp fleet, which had been ordered to make a diversion in that +quarter, he had, after beating off their vessels with his boat-artillery, +and charging Count Charles Mansfeld to heed well the brief injunction of +old Peter Ernest, made all the haste he could to the Kowenstyn. Arriving +at Fort Holy Cross, he learned from Mondragon how the day was going. +Three thousand rebels, he learned, were established on the dyke, Fort +Palisade was tottering, a fleet from both sides was cannonading the +Spanish entrenchments, the salt water was flowing across the breach +already made. His seven months' work, it seemed, had come to nought. +The navigation was already open from the sea to Antwerp, the Lowenstyn +was in the rebels' hands. But Alexander was not prone to premature +despair. "I arrived," said he to Philip in a letter written on the same +evening, "at the very nick of time." A less hopeful person might have +thought that he had arrived several hours too late. Having brought with +him every man that could be spared from Beveren and from the bridge, +he now ordered Camillo del Monte to transport some additional pieces of +artillery from Holy Cross and from Saint James to Fort Saint Georg. At +the same time a sharp cannonade was to be maintained upon the rebel fleet +from all the forts. + +Mondragon, with a hundred musketeers and pikemen, was sent forward +likewise as expeditiously as possible to Saint George. No one could be +more alert. The battered veteran, hero of some of the most remarkable +military adventures that history has ever recorded,' fought his way on +foot, in the midst of the fray, like a young ensign who had his first +laurels to win. And, in truth, the day was not one for cunning +manoeuvres, directed, at a distance, by a skillful tactician. It was +a brisk close contest, hand to hand and eye to eye--a Homeric encounter, +in which the chieftains were to prove a right to command by their +personal prowess. Alexander, descending suddenly--dramatically, as it +were--when the battle seemed lost--like a deity from the clouds-was to +justify, by the strength of his arm, the enthusiasm which his name always +awakened. Having, at a glance, taken in the whole situation, he made his +brief arrangements, going from rank to rank, and disposing his troops in +the most effective manner. He said but few words, but his voice had +always a telling effect. + +"The man who refuses, this day, to follow me," he said, "has never had +regard to his own honour, nor has God's cause or the King's ever been +dear to his heart." + +His disheartened Spaniards and Italians--roused as by a magic trumpet-- +eagerly demanded to be led against the rebels. And now from each end of +the dyke, the royalists were advancing toward the central position +occupied by the patriots. While Capizucca and Aquila were occupied at +Fort Victory, Parma was steadily cutting his way from Holy Cross to Saint +George. On foot, armed with sword and shield, and in coat of mail, and +marching at the head of his men along the dyke, surrounded by Bevilacqua, +Bentivoglio, Manriquez, Sforza, and other officers of historic name and +distinguished courage, now upon the summit of the causeway, now on its +shelving banks, now breast-high in the waters, through which lay the +perilous path, contending at every inch with the scattered bands of the +patriots, who slowly retired to their entrenched camp, and with the +Antwerp and Zeeland vessels, whose balls tore through the royalist ranks, +the General at last reached Saint George. On the preservation of that +post depended the whole fortune of the day, for Parma had already +received the welcome intelligence that the Palisade--now Fort Victory-- +had been regained. He instantly ordered an outer breast-work of wool- +sacks and sand-bags to be thrown up in front of Saint George, and planted +a battery to play point-blank at the enemy's entrenchments. Here the +final issue was to be made. + +The patriots and Spaniards were thus all enclosed in the mile-long space +between St. George and the Palisade. Upon that narrow strip of earth, +scarce six paces in width, more than five thousand men met in mortal +combat--a narrow arena for so many gladiators, hemmed in on both sides by +the sea. The patriots had, with solemn ceremony, before starting upon +their enterprise, vowed to destroy the dyke and relieve Antwerp, or to +perish in the attempt. They were true to their vow. Not the ancient +Batavians or Nervii had ever manifested more tenacity against the Roman +legions than did their descendants against the far-famed Spanish infantry +upon this fatal day. The fight on the Kowenstyn was to be long +remembered in the military annals of Spain and Holland. Never, since the +curtain first rose upon the great Netherland tragedy, had there been a +fiercer encounter. Flinching was impossible. There was scant room for +the play of pike and dagger, and, close packed as were the combatants, +the dead could hardly fall to the ground. It was a mile-long series of +separate mortal duels, and the oozy dyke was soon slippery with blood. + +From both sides, under Capizucca and Aquila on the one band, and under +Alexander on the other, the entrenchments of the patriots were at last +assaulted, and as the royalists fell thick and fast beneath the breast- +work which they were storming, their comrades clambered upon their +bodies, and attempted, from such vantage-ground, to effect an entrance. +Three times the invaders were beaten back with heavy loss, and after each +repulse the attack was renewed with fresh vigour, while within the +entrenchments the pioneers still plied the pick and shovel, undismayed by +the uproar around them. + +A fourth assault, vigorously made, was cheerfully repelled by the +Antwerpers and Hollanders, clustering behind their breast-works, and +looking steadily into their enemies' eyes. Captain Heraugiere--of whom +more was to be heard one day--had led two hundred men into action, and +now found himself at the head of only thirteen. The loss had been as +severe among many other patriot companies, as well as in the Spanish +ranks, and again the pikemen of Spain and Italy faltered before the iron +visages and cordial blows of the Hollanders. + +This work had lasted a good hour and a half, when at last, on the fifth +assault, a wild and mysterious apparition renewed the enthusiasm of the +Spaniards. The figure of the dead commander of the old Spanish Legion, +Don Pedro Pacchi, who had fallen a few months before at the siege of +Dendermonde was seen charging in front of his regiment, clad in his well- +known armour, and using the gestures which had been habitual with him in +life. No satisfactory explanation was ever made of this singular +delusion, but it was general throughout the ranks, and in that +superstitious age was as effective as truth. The wavering Spaniards +rallied once more under the guidance of their phantom leader, and again +charged the breast-work of the patriots. Toralva, mounting upon the back +of one of his soldiers, was first to vault into the entrenchments. At +the next instant he lay desperately wounded on the ground, but was close +followed by Capizucca, sustained by a determined band. The entrenchment +was carried, but the furious conflict still continued. At nearly the +same moment, however, several of the patriot vessels were observed to +cast off their moorings, and to be drifting away from the dyke. A large +number of the rest had been disabled by the hot fire, which by +Alexander's judicious orders had been directed upon the fleet. The +ebbing tide left no choice to the commander of the others but to retreat +or to remain and fall into the enemy's hands, should he gain the day. +Had they risked the dangerous alternative, it might have ensured the +triumph of the whole enterprise, while their actual decision proved most +disastrous in the end. + +"We have conquered," cried Alexander, stretching his arm towards the +receding waters. "The sea deserts the impious heretics. Strike from +them now their last hope, and cut off their retreat to the departing +ships." The Spaniards were not slow to perceive their advantage, while +the courage of the patriots at last began to ebb with the tide. The day +was lost. In the hour of transitory triumph the leaders of the +expedition had turned their backs on their followers, and now, after so +much heroism had been exhibited, fortune too had averted her face. The +grim resistance changed to desperate panic, and a mad chase began along +the blood-stained dyke. Some were slain with spear and bullet, others +were hunted into the sea, many were smothered in the ooze along the edge +of the embankment. The fugitives, making their way to the retreating +vessels, were pursued by the Spaniards, who swam after them, with their +swords in their teeth, and engaged them in mortal combat in the midst of +the waves. + +"And so we cut all their throats," said Parma, "the rebels on every side +remaining at our mercy, and I having no doubt that my soldiers would +avenge the loss of their friends." + +The English and the Scotch, under Balfour and Morgan, were the very last +to abandon the position which they had held so manfully seven hours long. +Honest Captain James, who fought to the last, and described the action +the same night in the fewest possible words, was of opinion that the +fleet had moved away only to obtain a better position. "They put off to +have more room to play on the enemy," said he; "but the Hollanders and +Zeelanders, seeing the enemy come on so hotly, and thinking our galleys +would leave them, abandoned their string. The Scots, seeing them to +retire, left their string. The enemy pursued very hotly; the Englishmen +stood to repulse, and are put most to the sword. In this shameful +retreat there were slain or drowned to the number of two thousand." +The blunt Englishman was justly indignant that an enterprise, so nearly +successful, had been ruined by the desertion of its chiefs. "We had cut +the dyke in three places," said he; "but left it most shamefully for want +of commandment." + +Poor Koppen Loppen--whose blunders on former occasions had caused so much +disaster--was now fortunate enough to expiate them by a soldier's death. +Admiral Haultain had, as we have seen, been drowned at the commencement +of the action. Justinus de Nassau, at its close, was more successful in +his retreat to the ships. He, too, sprang into the water when the +overthrow was absolute; but, alighting in some shallows, was able to +conceal himself among weeds and waterlilies till he had divested himself +of his armour, when he made his escape by swimming to a boat, which +conveyed him to Lillo. Roelke van Deest, an officer of some note, was so +horribly wounded in the face, that he was obliged to wear a mask for the +remainder of his life. + +Parma, overjoyed at his victory, embraced Capizucca before the whole +army, with warm expressions of admiration for his conduct. Both the +Italian colonel and his Spanish rival Aquila were earnestly recommended +to Philip for reward and promotion. The wounded Toralva was carried to +Alexander's own quarters, and placed in Alexander's own bed, where he +remained till his recovery, and was then presented--a distinction which +he much valued--with the armour which the Prince had worn on the day of +the battle. Parma himself, so soon as the action was concluded, went +with his chief officers straight from the field to the little village- +church of Stabroek, where he fell upon his knees and offered up fervent +thanks for his victory. He next set about repairing the ruptured dyke, +damaged in many places but not hopelessly ruined, and for this purpose +the bodies of the rebels, among other materials, were cast by hundreds +into the ditches which their own hands had dug. + +Thus ended the eight hours' fight on the Kowenstyn. "The feast lasted +from seven to eight hours," said Parma, "with the most brave obstinacy on +both sides that has been seen for many a long day." A thousand royalists +were killed and twice as many patriots, and the issue of the conflict was +most uncertain up to the very last. + +"Our loss is greater than I wish it was," wrote Alexander to Philip: "It +was a very close thing, and I have never been more anxious in my life as +to the result for your Majesty's service. The whole fate of the battle +was hanging all the time by a thread." More than ever were +reinforcements necessary, and it was only by a miracle that the victory +had at last been gained with such slender resources. "'Tis a large, +long, laborious, expensive, and most perilous war," said Parma, when +urging the claims of Capizucca and Aquila, "for we have to fight every +minute; and there are no castles and other rewards, so that if soldiers +are not to have promotion, they will lose their spirit." Thirty-two of +the rebel vessels grounded, and fell into the hands of the Spaniards, who +took from them many excellent pieces of artillery. The result was most +conclusive and most disheartening for the patriots. + +Meantime--as we have seen--Hohenlo and Sainte Aldegonde had reached +Antwerp in breathless haste to announce their triumph. They had been met +on the quay by groups of excited citizens, who eagerly questioned the two +generals arriving thus covered with laurels from the field of battle, and +drank with delight all the details of the victory. The poor dying +Spinola was exhibited in triumph, the boat-load of breadstuffs received +with satisfaction, and vast preparations were made to receive, on wharves +and in storehouses, the plentiful supplies about to arrive. Beacons and +bonfires were lighted, the bells from all the steeples rang their +merriest peals, cannon thundered in triumph not only in Antwerp itself, +but subsequently at Amsterdam and other more distant cities. In due time +a magnificent banquet was spread in the town-house to greet the +conquering Hohenlo. Immense gratification was expressed by those of the +reformed religion; dire threats were uttered against the Catholics. Some +were for hanging them all out of hand, others for throwing them into the +Scheldt; the most moderate proposed packing them all out of town so soon +as the siege should be raised--an event which could not now be delayed +many days longer. + +Hohenlo, placed on high at the head of the banquet-table, assumed the +very god of war. Beside and near him sat the loveliest dames of Antwerp, +rewarding his bravery with their brightest smiles. The Count drained +huge goblets to their health, to the success of the patriots, and to the +confusion of the royalists, while, as he still drank and feasted, the +trumpet, kettle-drum, and cymbal, and merry peal of bell without, did +honour to his triumph. So gay and gallant was the victor, that he +announced another banquet on the following day, still further to +celebrate the happy release of Antwerp, and invited the fair ladies +around him again to grace the board. It is recorded that the gentlewoman +next him responded with a sigh, that, if her presentiments were just, the +morrow would scarcely be so joyful as the present day had been, and that +she doubted whether the triumph were not premature. + +Hardly had she spoken when sinister sounds were heard in the streets. +The first few stragglers, survivors of the deadly fight, had arrived with +the fatal news that all was lost, the dyke regained, the Spaniards +victorious, the whole band of patriots cut to pieces. A few frightfully- +wounded and dying sufferers were brought into the banqueting-hall. +Hohenlo sprang from the feast--interrupted in so ghastly a manner-- +pursued by shouts and hisses. Howls of execration, saluted him in the +streets, and he was obliged to conceal himself for a time, to escape the +fury of the populace. + +On the other hand, Parma was, not unnaturally, overjoyed at the +successful issue to the combat, and expressed himself on the subject in +language of (for him) unusual exultation. "To-day, Sunday, 26th of +June," said he, in a letter to Philip, despatched by special courier on +the very same night, "the Lord has been pleased to grant to your Majesty +a great and most signal victory. In this conjuncture of so great +importance it may be easily conceived that the best results that can be +desired will be obtained if your Majesty is now ready to do what is +needful. I congratulate your Majesty very many times on this occasion, +and I desire to render infinite thanks to Divine Providence." + +He afterwards proceeded, in a rapid and hurried manner, to give his +Majesty the outlines of the battle, mentioning, with great encomium, +Capizucca and Aquila, Mondragon and Vasto, with many other officers, and +recommending them for reward and promotion; praising, in short, heartily +and earnestly, all who had contributed to the victory, except himself, to +whose personal exertions it was chiefly due. "As for good odd Mansfeld," +said he, "he bore himself like the man he is, and he deserves that your +Majesty should send him a particular mark of your royal approbation, +writing to him yourself pleasantly in Spanish, which is that which will +be most highly esteemed by him." Alexander hinted also that Philip would +do well to bestow upon Mansfeld the countship of Biart, as a reward for +his long years of faithful service! + +This action on the Kowenstyn terminated the effective resistance of +Antwerp. A few days before, the monster-vessel, in the construction of +which so much time and money had been consumed, had at last been set +afloat. She had been called the War's End, and, so far as Antwerp was +concerned, the fates that presided over her birth seemed to have been +paltering in a double sense when the ominous name was conferred. She was +larger than anything previously known in naval architecture; she had four +masts and three helms. Her bulwarks were ten feet thick; her tops were +musket-proof. She had twenty guns of largest size, besides many other +pieces of artillery of lesser calibre, the lower tier of which was almost +at the water's level. She was to carry one thousand men, and she was so +supported on corks and barrels as to be sure to float under any +circumstances. Thus she was a great swimming fortress which could not be +sunk, and was impervious to shot. Unluckily, however, in spite of her +four masts and three helms, she would neither sail nor steer, and she +proved but a great, unmanageable and very ridiculous tub, fully +justifying all the sarcasms that had been launched upon her during the +period of her construction, which had been almost as long as the siege +itself. + +The Spaniards called her the Bugaboo--a monster to scare children withal. +The patriots christened her the Elephant, the Antwerp Folly, the Lost +Penny, with many similar appellations. A small army might have been +maintained for a month, they said, on the money she had cost, or the +whole city kept in bread for three months. At last, late in May, a few +days before the battle of the Kowenstyn, she set forth from Antwerp, +across the submerged land, upon her expedition to sweep all the Spanish +forts out of existence, and to bring the war to its end. She came to her +own end very briefly, for, after drifting helplessly about for an hour, +she stuck fast in the sand in the neighbourhood of Ordam, while the crew +and soldiers made their escape, and came back to the city to share in the +ridicule which, from first to last, had attached itself to the monster- +ship. + +Two days after the Kowenstyn affair, Alexander sent an expedition under +Count Charles Mansfeld to take possession of the great Bugaboo. The +boat, in which were Count Charles, Count Aremberg, his brother de +Barbancon, and other noble volunteers, met with an accident: a keg of gun +powder accidentally exploding, blowing Aremberg into the water, whence he +escaped unharmed by swimming, and frightfully damaging Mansfeld in the +face. This indirect mischief--the only injury ever inflicted by the +War's End upon the enemy--did not prevent the rest of the party in the +boats from taking possession of the ship, and bringing her in triumph to +the Prince of Parma. After being thoroughly examined and heartily +laughed at by the Spaniards, she was broken up--her cannon, munitions, +and other valuable materials, being taken from her--and then there was an +end of the War's End. + +This useless expenditure-against the judgment and entreaties of many +leading personages--was but a type of the difficulties with which Sainte +Aldegonde had been obliged to contend from the first day of the siege to +the last. Every one in the city had felt himself called on to express an +opinion as to the proper measures for defence. Diversity of humours, +popular license, anarchy, did not constitute the best government for a +city beleagured by Alexander Farnese. We have seen the deadly injury +inflicted upon the cause at the outset by the brutality of the butchers, +and the manful struggle which Sainte Aldegonde had maintained against +their cupidity and that of their friends. He had dealt with the thousand +difficulties which rose up around him from day to day, but his best +intentions were perpetually misconstrued, his most strenuous exertions +steadily foiled. It was a city where there was much love of money, and +where commerce--always timid by nature, particularly when controlled by +alien residents--was often the cause of almost abject cowardice. + +From time to time there had been threatening demonstrations made against +the burgomaster, who, by protracting the resistance of Antwerp, was +bringing about the absolute destruction of a worldwide trade, and the +downfall of the most opulent capital in Christendom. There were also +many popular riots--very easily inflamed by the Catholic portion of the +inhabitants--for bread. "Bread, bread, or peace!" was hoarsely shouted +by ill-looking mischievous crowds, that dogged the steps and besieged the +doors of Sainte Aldegonde; but the burgomaster had done his best by +eloquence of tongue and personal courage, both against mobs and against +the enemy, to inspire the mass of his fellow-citizens with his own +generous spirit. He had relied for a long time on the negotiation with +France, and it would be difficult to exaggerate the disastrous effects +produced by the treachery of the Valois court. The historian Le Petit, +a resident of Antwerp at the time of the siege, had been despatched on +secret mission to Paris, and had communicated to the States' deputies +Sainte Aldegonde's earnest adjurations that they should obtain, if +possible, before it should be too late, an auxiliary force and a +pecuniary subsidy. An immediate assistance, even if slight, might be +sufficient to prevent Antwerp and its sister cities from falling into the +hands of the enemy. On that messenger's return, the burgomaster, much +encouraged by his report, had made many eloquent speeches in the senate, +and for a long time sustained the sinking spirits of the citizens. + +The irritating termination to the triumph actually achieved against the +bridge, and the tragical result to the great enterprise against the +Kowenstyn, had now thoroughly broken the heart of Antwerp. For the last +catastrophe Sainte Aldegonde himself was highly censurable, although the +chief portion of the blame rested on the head of Hohenlo. Nevertheless +the States of Holland were yet true to the cause of the Union and of +liberty. Notwithstanding their heavy expenditures, and their own loss of +men, they urged warmly and earnestly the continuance of the resistance, +and promised, within at latest three months' time, to raise an army of +twelve thousand foot and seven thousand horse, with which they pledged +themselves to relieve the city, or to perish in the endeavour. At the +same time, the legation, which had been sent to England to offer the +sovereignty to Queen Elizabeth, sent encouraging despatches to Antwerp, +assuring the authorities that arrangements for an auxiliary force had +been effected; while Elizabeth herself wrote earnestly upon the subject +with her own hand. + +"I am informed," said that Princess, "that through the closing of the +Scheldt you are likely to enter into a treaty with the Prince of Parma, +the issue of which is very much to be doubted, so far as the maintenance +of your privileges is concerned. Remembering the warm friendship which +has ever existed between this crown and the house of Burgundy, in the +realms of which you are an important member, and considering that my +subjects engaged in commerce have always met with more privilege and +comity in the Netherlands than in any other country, I have resolved to +send you at once, assistance, comfort, and aid. The details of the plan +will be stated by your envoys; but be assured that by me you will never +be forsaken or neglected." + +The negotiations with Queen Elizabeth--most important for the +Netherlands, for England, and for the destinies of Europe--which +succeeded the futile diplomatic transactions with France, will be laid +before the reader in a subsequent chapter. It is proper that they should +be massed by themselves, so that the eye can comprehend at a single +glance their whole progress and aspect, as revealed both by public and +official, and by secret and hitherto unpublished records. Meantime, so +far as regards Antwerp, those negotiations had been too deliberately +conducted for the hasty and impatient temper of the citizens. + +The spirit of the commercial metropolis, long flagging, seemed at last +broken. Despair was taking possession of all hearts. The common people +did nothing but complain, the magistrates did nothing but wrangle. In +the broad council the debates and dissensions were discouraging and +endless. Six of the eight militia-colonels were for holding out at all +hazards, while a majority of the eighty captains were for capitulation. +The populace was tumultuous and threatening, demanding peace and bread at +any price. Holland sent promises in abundance, and Holland was sincere; +but there had been much disappointment, and there was now infinite +bitterness. It seemed obvious that a crisis was fast approaching, and-- +unless immediate aid should come from Holland or from England--that a +surrender was inevitable. La None, after five years' imprisonment, had +at last been exchanged against Count Philip Egmont. That noble, chief of +an ancient house, cousin of the Queen of France, was mortified at being +ransomed against a simple Huguenot gentleman--even though that gentleman +was the illustrious "iron-armed" La Noue--but he preferred to sacrifice +his dignity for the sake of his liberty. He was still more annoyed that +one hundred thousand crowns as security were exacted from La Noue--for +which the King of Navarre became bondsman--that he would never again bear +arms in the Netherlands except in obedience to the French monarch, while +no such pledges were required of himself. La None visited the Prince of +Parma at Antwerp, to take leave, and was received with the courtesy due +to his high character and great distinction. Alexander took pleasure in +showing him all his fortifications, and explaining to him the whole +system of the siege, and La Noue was filled with honest amazement. He +declared afterwards that the works were superb and impregnable; and that +if he had been on the outside at the head of twelve thousand troops, he +should have felt obliged to renounce the idea of relieving the city. +"Antwerp cannot escape you," confessed the veteran Huguenot, "but must +soon fall into your hands. And when you enter, I would counsel you to +hang up your sword at its gate, and let its capture be the crowning +trophy in your list of victories." + +"You are right," answered Parma, "and many of my friends have given me +the same advice; but how am I to retire, engaged as I am for life in the +service of my King?" + +Such was the opinion of La None, a man whose love for the reformed +religion and for civil liberty can be as little doubted as his competency +to form an opinion upon great military subjects. As little could he be +suspected just coming as he did from an infamous prison, whence he had +been at one time invited by Philip II. to emerge, on condition of +allowing his eyes to be put out--of any partiality for that monarch or +his representative. + +Moreover, although the States of Holland and the English government were +earnestly desirous of relieving the city, and were encouraging the +patriots with well-founded promises, the Zeeland authorities were +lukewarm. The officers of the Zeeland navy, from which so much was +expected, were at last discouraged. They drew up, signed, and delivered +to Admiral Justinus de Nassau, a formal opinion to the effect that the +Scheldt had now so many dry and dangerous places, and that the tranquil +summer-nights--so different from those long, stormy ones of winter--were +so short as to allow of no attempt by water likely to be successful to +relieve the city. + +Here certainly was much to discourage, and Sainte Aldegonde was at length +discouraged. He felt that the last hope of saving Antwerp was gone, and +with it all possibility of maintaining the existence of a United +Netherland commonwealth. The Walloon Provinces were lost already; Ghent, +Brussels, Mechlin, had also capitulated, and, with the fall of Antwerp, +Flanders and Brabant must fall. There would be no barrier left even to +save Holland itself. Despair entered the heart of the burgomaster, and +he listened too soon to its treacherous voice. Yet while he thought a +free national state no longer a possibility, he imagined it practicable +to secure religious liberty by negotiation with Philip II. He abandoned +with a sigh one of the two great objects for which he had struggled side +by side with Orange for twenty years, but he thought it possible to +secure the other. His purpose was now to obtain a favourable +capitulation for Antwerp, and at the same time to bring about the +submission of Holland, Zeeland, and the other United Provinces, to the +King of Spain. Here certainly was a great change of face on the part of +one so conspicuous, and hitherto so consistent, in the ranks of +Netherland patriots, and it is therefore necessary, in order thoroughly +to estimate both the man and the crisis, to follow carefully his steps +through the secret path of negotiation into which he now entered, and in +which the Antwerp drama was to find its conclusion. In these +transactions, the chief actors are, on the one side, the Prince of Parma, +as representative of absolutism and the Papacy; on the other, Sainte +Aldegonde, who had passed his life as the champion of the Reformation. + +No doubt the pressure upon the burgomaster was very great. Tumults were +of daily occurrence. Crowds of rioters beset his door with cries of +denunciations and demands for bread. A large and turbulent mob upon one +occasion took possession of the horse-market, and treated him with +personal indignity and violence, when be undertook to disperse them. +On the other hand, Parma had been holding out hopes of pardon with more +reasonable conditions than could well be expected, and had, with a good +deal of art, taken advantage of several trivial circumstances to inspire +the burghers with confidence in his good-will. Thus, an infirm old lady +in the city happened to imagine herself so dependent upon asses milk as +to have sent her purveyor out of the city, at the peril of his life, to +procure a supply from the neighbourhood. The young man was captured, +brought to Alexander, from whose hands he very naturally expected the +punishment of a spy. The prince, however, presented him, not only with +his liberty, but with a she-ass; and loaded the animal with partridges +and capons, as a present for the invalid. The magistrates, hearing of +the incident, and not choosing to be outdone in courtesy, sent back a +waggon-load of old wine and remarkable confectionary as an offering to +Alexander, and with this interchange of dainties led the way to the +amenities of diplomacy. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart +Demanding peace and bread at any price +Not a friend of giving details larger than my ascertained facts + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v40 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History United Netherlands, v41, 1584 + + +Alexander Farnese, The Duke of Parma + + +CHAPTER V., Part 3. + + + Sainte Aldegonde discouraged--His Critical Position--His + Negotiations with the Enemy--Correspondence with Richardot-- + Commotion in the City--Interview of Marnix with Parma--Suspicious + Conduct of Marnix--Deputation to the Prince--Oration of Marnix-- + Private Views of Parma--Capitulation of Antwerp--Mistakes of Marnix + --Philip on the Religious Question--Triumphal Entrance of Alexander-- + Rebuilding of the Citadel--Gratification of Philip--Note on Sainte + Aldegonde + +Sainte Aldegonde's position had become a painful one. The net had been +drawn closely about the city. The bridge seemed impregnable, the great +Kowenstyn was irrecoverably in the hands of the enemy, and now all the +lesser forts in the immediate vicinity of Antwerp-Borght, Hoboken, +Cantecroix, Stralen, Berghen, and the rest--had likewise fallen into his +grasp. An account of grain, taken on the 1st of June, gave an average of +a pound a-head for a month long, or half a pound for two months. This +was not the famine-point, according to the standard which had once been +established in Leyden; but the courage of the burghers had been rapidly +oozing away, under the pressure of their recent disappointments. It +seemed obvious to the burgomaster, that the time for yielding had +arrived. + +"I had maintained the city," he said, "for a long period, without any +excessive tumult or great effusion of blood--a city where there was such +a multitude of inhabitants, mostly merchants or artisans deprived of all +their traffic, stripped of their manufactures, destitute of all +commodities and means of living. I had done this in the midst of a great +diversity of humours and opinions, a vast popular license, a confused +anarchy, among a great number of commanders, most of them inexperienced +in war; with very little authority of my own, with slender forces of +ships, soldiers, and sailors; with alight appearance of support from king +or prince without, or of military garrison within; and under all these +circumstances I exerted myself to do my uttermost duty in preserving the +city, both in regard to its internal government, and by force of arms by +land and sea, without sparing myself in any labour or peril. + +"I know very well that there are many persons, who, finding themselves +quite at their ease, and far away from the hard blows that are passing, +are pleased to exhibit their wisdom by sitting in judgment upon others, +founding their decision only upon the results. But I demand to be judged +by equity and reason, when passion has been set aside. I claim that my +honour shall be protected against my calumniators; for all should +remember that I am not the first man, nor shall I be the last, that has +been blamed unjustly. All persons employed in public affairs are subject +to such hazards, but I submit myself to Him who knows all hearts, and who +governs all. I take Him to witness that in the affair of Antwerp, as in +all my other actions since my earliest youth, I have most sincerely +sought His glory and the, welfare of His poor people, without regard to +my own private interests." + +For it is not alone the fate of Antwerp that is here to be recorded. The +fame of Sainte Aldegonde was now seriously compromised. The character of +a great man must always be closely scanned and scrutinised; protected, if +needful, against calumny, but always unflinchingly held up to the light. +Names illustrious by genius and virtue are History's most precious +treasures, faithfully to be guarded by her, jealously to be watched; but +it is always a misfortune when her eyes are deceived by a glitter which +is not genuine. + +Sainte Aldegonde was a man of unquestionable genius. His character had +ever been beyond the reproach of self-seeking or ignoble ambition. He +had multiplied himself into a thousand forms to serve the cause of the +United Netherland States, and the services so rendered had been brilliant +and frequent. A great change in his conduct and policy was now +approaching, and it is therefore the more necessary to examine closely at +this epoch his attitude and his character. + +Early in June, Richardot, president of the council of Artois, addressed a +letter to Sainte Aldegonde, by command of Alexander of Parma, suggesting +a secret interview between the burgomaster and the Prince. + +On the 8th of June, Sainte Aldegonde replied, in favourable terms, +as to the interview; but observed, that, as he was an official personage, +it was necessary for him to communicate the project to the magistracy of +the city. He expressed likewise the hope that Parma would embrace the +present opportunity for making a general treaty with all the Provinces. +A special accord with Antwerp, leaving out Holland and Zeeland, would, +he said, lead to the utter desolation of that city, and to the +destruction of its commerce and manufactures, while the occasion now +presented itself to the Prince of "winning praise and immortal glory by +bringing back all the country to a voluntary and prompt obedience to his +Majesty." He proposed, that, instead of his coming alone, there should +be a number of deputies sent from Antwerp to confer with Alexander. + +On the 11th June, Richardot replied by expressing, his own regrets and +those of the Prince, that the interview could not have been with the +burgomaster alone, but acknowledging the weight of his reasons, and +acquiescing in the proposition to send a larger deputation. Three days +afterwards, Sainte Aldegonde, on private consultation with some +confidential personages, changed his ground; announced his preference +for a private interview, under four eyes, with Parma; and requested that +a passport might be sent. The passport was accordingly forwarded the +same day, with an expression of Alexander's gratification, and with the +offer, on the part of Richardot, to come himself to Antwerp as hostage +during the absence of the burgomaster in Parma's camp at Beveren. + +Sainte Aldegonde was accordingly about to start on the following day +(16th of June), but meantime the affair had got wind. A secret +interview, thus projected, was regarded by the citizens as extremely +suspicious. There was much bitter insinuation against the burgomaster-- +many violent demonstrations. "Aldegonde, they say, is going to see +Parma," said one of the burghers, "which gives much dissatisfaction, +because, 'tis feared that he will make a treaty according to the appetite +and pleasure of his Highness, having been gained over to the royal cause +by money. He says that it would be a misfortune to send a large number +of burghers. Last Sunday (16th June) there was a meeting of the broad +council. The preachers came into the assembly and so animated the +citizens by demonstrations of their religion, that all rushed from the +council-house, crying with loud voices that they did not desire peace but +war." + +This desire was a healthy and a reasonable one; but, unfortunately, +the Antwerpers had not always been so vigorous or so united in their +resistance to Parma. At present, however, they were very furious, so +soon as the secret purpose of Sainte Aldegonde became generally known. +The proposed capitulation, which great mobs had been for weeks long +savagely demanding at the hands of the burgomaster, was now ascribed to +the burgomaster's unblushing corruption. He had obviously, they thought, +been purchased by Spanish ducats to do what he had hitherto been so +steadily refusing. A certain Van Werne had gone from Antwerp into +Holland a few days before upon his own private affairs, with a safe- +conduct from Parma. Sainte Aldegonde had not communicated to him the +project then on foot, but he had permitted him to seek a secret interview +with Count Mansfeld. If that were granted, Van Werne was to hint that in +case the Provinces could promise themselves a religious peace it would be +possible, in the opinion of Sainte Aldegonde, to induce Holland and +Zealand and all the rest of the United Provinces, to return to their +obedience. Van Werne, on his return to Antwerp, divulged these secret +negotiations, and so put a stop to Sainte Aldegonde's scheme of going +alone to Parma. "This has given a bad suspicion to the people," wrote +the burgomaster to Richardot, "so much so that I fear to have trouble. +The broad council has been in session, but I don't know what has taken +place there, and I do not dare to ask." + +Sainte Aldegonde's motive, as avowed by himself, for seeking a private +interview, was because he had received no answer to the main point in his +first letter, as to the proposition for a general accord. In order +therefore to make the deliberations more rapid, he had been disposed to +discuss that preliminary question in secret. "But now," said he to +Richardot, "as the affair had been too much divulged, as well by diverse +reports and writings sown about, very inopportunely, as by the arrival +of M. Van Werne, I have not found it practicable to set out upon my road, +without communication with the members of the government. This has been +done, however, not in the way of consultation, but as the announcement of +a thing already resolved upon." + +He proceeded to state, that great difficulties had arisen, exactly as he +had foreseen. The magistrates would not hear of a general accord, and it +was therefore necessary that a delay should be interposed before it would +be possible for him to come. He begged Richardot to persuade Alexander, +that he was not trifling with him. "It is not," said he, "from +lightness, or any other passion, that I am retarding this affair. I will +do all in my power to obtain leave to make a journey to the camp of his +Highness, at whatever price it may cost and I hope before long to arrive +at my object. If I fail, it must be ascribed to the humours of the +people; for my anxiety to restore all the Provinces to obedience to his +Majesty is extreme." + +Richardot, in reply, the next day, expressed regret, without +astonishment, on the part of Alexander and himself, at the intelligence +thus received. People had such difference of humour, he said, and all +men were not equally capable of reason. Nevertheless the citizens were +warned not to misconstrue Parma's gentleness, because he was determined +to die, with his whole army, rather than not take Antwerp. "As for the +King," said Richardot, "he will lay down all his crowns sooner than +abandon this enterprise." Van Werne was represented as free from blame, +and sincerely desirous of peace. Richardot had only stated to him, in +general terms, that letters had been received from Sainte Aldegonde, +expressing an opinion in favour of peace. As for the royalists, they +were quite innocent of the reports and writings that had so inopportunely +been circulated in the city. It was desirable, however, that the +negotiation should not too long be deferred, for otherwise Antwerp might +perish, before a general accord with Holland and Zeeland could be made. +He begged Sainte Aldegonde to banish all anxiety as to Parma's sentiments +towards himself or the community. "Put yourself, Sir, quite at your +ease," said he. "His Highness is in no respects dissatisfied with you, +nor prone to conceive any indignation against this poor people." He +assured the burgomaster that he was not suspected of lightness, nor of a +wish to delay matters, but he expressed solicitude with regard to the +threatening demonstrations which had been made against him in Antwerp. +"For," said he, "popular governments are full of a thousand hazards, and +it would be infinitely painful to me, if you should come to harm." + +Thus it would appear that it was Sainte Aldegonde who was chiefly anxious +to effect the reconciliation of Holland and Zeeland with the King. The +initiative of this project to include all the United Provinces in one +scheme with the reduction of Antwerp came originally from him, and was +opposed, at the outset, by the magistrates of that city, by the Prince of +Parma and his councillors, and, by the States of Holland and Zeeland. +The demonstrations on the part of the preachers, the municipal +authorities, and the burghers, against Sainte Aldegonde and his plan for +a secret interview, so soon as it was divulged, made it impossible to +carry that project into effect. + +"Aldegonde, who governs Antwerp," wrote Parma to Philip, +"was endeavouring, eight days ago, to bring about some kind of +negotiation for an accord. He manifested a desire to come hither +for the sake of a personal interview with me, which I permitted. It was +to have taken place last Sunday, 16th of this month, but by reason of a +certain popular tumult, which arose out of these circumstances, it has +been necessary to defer the meeting." + +There was much disappointment felt by the royalist at this unsatisfactory +result. "These bravadoes and impertinent demonstrations on the part of +some of your people," wrote Richardot, ten days later, "will be the +destruction of the whole country, and will convert the Prince's +gentleness into anger. 'Tis these good and zealous patriots, trusting to +a little favourable breeze that blew for a few days past, who have been +the cause of all this disturbance, and who are ruining their miserable +country--miserable, I say, for having produced such abortions as +themselves." + +Notwithstanding what had passed, however, Richardot intimated that +Alexander was still ready to negotiate. "And if you, Sir," he concluded, +in his letter to Aldegonde, "concerning whom many of our friends have at +present a sinister opinion, as if your object was to circumvent us, are +willing to proceed roundly and frankly, as I myself firmly believe that +you will do, we may yet hope for a favourable issue." + +Thus the burgomaster was already the object of suspicion to both parties. +The Antwerpers denounced him as having been purchased by Spanish gold; +the royalists accused him of intending to overreach the King. It was not +probable therefore that all were correct in their conjectures. + +At last it was arranged that deputies should be appointed by the broad +council to commence a negotiation with Parma. Sainte Aldegonde informed +Richardot, that he would (5th July, 1585) accompany them, if his affairs +should permit. He protested his sincerity and frankness throughout the +whole affair. "They try to calumniate me," he said, "as much on one side +as on the other, but I will overcome by my innocence all the malice of my +slanderers. If his Highness should be pleased to grant us some liberty +for our religion, I dare to promise such faithful service as will give +very great satisfaction." + +Four days later, Sainte Aldegonde himself, together with M. de Duffel, +M. de Schoonhoven, and Adrian Hesselt, came to Parma's camp at Beveren, +as deputies on the part of the Antwerp authorities. They were +courteously received by the Prince, and remained three days as his +guests. During the period of this visit, the terms of a capitulation +were thoroughly discussed, between Alexander and his councillors upon one +part, and the four deputies on the other. The envoys endeavoured, with +all the arguments at their command, to obtain the consent of the Prince +to three preliminary points which they laid down as indispensable. +Religious liberty must be granted, the citadel must not be reconstructed, +a foreign garrison must not be admitted; they said. As it was the firm +intention of the King, however, not to make the slightest concession on +any one of these points, the discussion was not a very profitable one. +Besides the public interviews at which all the negotiators were present, +there was a private conference between Parma and Sainte Aldegonde which +lasted more than four hours, in which each did his best to enforce his +opinions upon the other. The burgomaster endeavoured to persuade the +Prince with all the eloquence for which he was so renowned, that the +hearts not of the Antwerpers only, but of the Hollanders and Zeelanders, +were easily to be won at that moment. Give them religious liberty, and +attempt to govern them by gentleness rather than by Spanish garrisons, +and the road was plain to a complete reconciliation of all the Provinces +with his Majesty. + +Alexander, who knew his master to be inexorable upon these three points, +was courteous but peremptory in his statements. He recommended that the +rebels should take into consideration their own declining strength, the +inexhaustible resources of the King, the impossibility of obtaining +succour from France, and the perplexing dilatoriness of England, rather +than waste their time in idle expectations of a change in the Spanish +policy. He also intimated, obliquely but very plainly, to Sainte +Aldegonde, that his own fortune would be made, and that he had everything +to hope from his Majesty's bounty, if he were now willing to make himself +useful in carrying into effect the royal plans. + +The Prince urged these views with so much eloquence, that he seemed, +in his own words, to have been directly inspired by the Lord for this +special occasion! Sainte Aldegonde, too, was signally impressed by +Alexander's language, and thoroughly fascinated-magnetized, as it were +--by his character. He subsequently declared, that he had often +conversed familiarly with many eloquent personages, but that he had never +known a man more powerful or persuasive than the Prince of Parma. He +could honestly say of him--as Hasdrubal had said of Scipio--that Farnese +was even more admirable when seen face to face, than he had seemed when +one only heard of his glorious achievements. + +"The burgomaster and three deputies," wrote Parma to Philip, "were here +until the 12th July. We discussed (30th July, 1585) the points and form +of a capitulation, and they have gone back thoroughly satisfied. Sainte +Aldegonde especially was much pleased with the long interview which he +had with me, alone, and which lasted more than three hours. I told him, +as well as my weakness and suffering from the tertian fever permitted, +all that God inspired me to say on our behalf." + +Nevertheless, if Sainte Aldegonde and his colleagues went away thoroughly +satisfied, they had reason, soon after their return, to become thoroughly +dejected. The magistrates and burghers would not listen to a proposition +to abandon the three points, however strongly urged to do so by arguments +drawn from the necessity of the situation, and by representations of +Parma's benignity. As for the burgomaster, he became the target for +calumny, so soon as his three hours' private interview became known; and +the citizens loudly declared that his head ought to be cut off, and sent +in a bag, as a present, to Philip, in order that the traitor might meet +the sovereign with whom he sought a reconciliation, face to face, as soon +as possible. + +The deputies, immediately after their return, made their report to the +magistrates, as likewise to the colonels and captains, and to the deans +of guilds. Next day, although it was Sunday, there was a session of the +broad council, and Sainte Aldegonde made a long address, in which--as he +stated in a letter to Richardot--he related everything that had passed in +his private conversation with Alexander. An answer was promised to Parma +on the following Tuesday, but the burgomaster spoke very discouragingly +as to the probability of an accord. + +"The joy with which our return was greeted," he said, "was followed by a +general disappointment and sadness, so soon as the result was known. The +want of a religious toleration, as well as the refusal to concede on the +other two points, has not a little altered the hearts of all, even of the +Catholics. A citadel and a garrison are considered ruin and desolation +to a great commercial city. I have done what I can to urge the +acceptance of such conditions as the Prince is willing to give, and have +spoken in general terms of his benign intentions. The citizens still +desire peace. Had his Highness been willing to take both religions under +his protection, he might have won all hearts, and very soon all the other +Provinces would have returned to their obedience, while the clemency and +magnanimity of his Majesty would thus have been rendered admirable +throughout the world." + +The power to form an accurate conception as to the nature of Philip and +of other personages with whom he was dealing, and as to the general signs +of his times, seems to have been wanting in the character of the gifted +Aldegonde. He had been dazzled by the personal presence of Parma, and he +now spoke of Philip II., as if his tyranny over the Netherlands--which +for twenty years had been one horrible and uniform whole--were the +accidental result of circumstances, not the necessary expression of his +individual character, and might be easily changed at will--as if Nero, +at a moment's warning, might transform himself into Trajan. It is true +that the innermost soul of the Spanish king could by no possibility be +displayed to any contemporary, as it reveals itself, after three +centuries, to those who study the record of his most secret thoughts; +but, at any rate, it would seem that his career had been sufficiently +consistent, to manifest the amount of "clemency and magnanimity" which he +might be expected to exercise. + +"Had his Majesty," wrote Sainte Aldegonde, "been willing, since the year +sixty-six, to pursue a course of toleration, the memory of his reign +would have been sacred to all posterity, with an immortal praise of +sapience, benignity, and sovereign felicity." + +This might be true, but nevertheless a tolerating Philip, in the year +1585, ought to have seemed to Sainte Aldegonde an impossible idea. + +"The emperors," continued the burgomaster, "who immediately succeeded +Tiberius were the cause of the wisdom which displayed itself in the good +Trajan--also a Spaniard--and in Antoninus, Verus, and the rest: If you +think that this city, by the banishment of a certain number of persons, +will be content to abandon the profession of the reformed faith, you are +much mistaken. You will see, with time, that the exile of this religion +will be accompanied by a depopulation and a sorrowful ruin and desolation +of this flourishing city. But this will be as it pleases God. Meantime +I shall not fail to make all possible exertions to induce the citizens to +consent to a reconciliation with his Majesty. The broad council will +soon give their answer, and then we shall send a deputation. We shall +invite Holland and Zeeland to join with us, but there is little hope of +their consent." + +Certainly there was little hope of their consent. Sainte Aldegonde was +now occupied in bringing about the capitulation of Antwerp, without any +provision for religious liberty--a concession which Parma had most +distinctly refused--and it was not probable that Holland and Zeeland, +after twenty years of hard fighting, and with an immediate prospect of +assistance from England--could now be induced to resign the great object +of the contest without further struggle. + +It was not until a month had elapsed that the authorities of Antwerp sent +their propositions to the Prince of Parma. On the 12th August, however, +Sainte Aldegonde, accompanied by the same three gentlemen who had been +employed on the first mission, and by seventeen others besides, proceeded +with safe-conduct to the camp at Beveren. Here they were received with +great urbanity, and hospitably entertained by Alexander, who received +their formal draft of articles for a capitulation, and referred it to be +reported upon to Richardot, Pamel, and Vanden Burgh. Meantime there were +many long speeches and several conferences, sometimes between all the +twenty-one envoys and the Prince together; on other occasions, more +secret ones, at which only Aldegonde and one or two of his colleagues +were present. It had been obvious, from the date of the first interview, +in the preceding month, that the negotiation would be of no avail until +the government of Antwerp was prepared to abandon all the conditions +which they had originally announced as indispensable. Alexander had not +much disposition and no authority whatever to make concessions. + +"So far as I can understand," Parma had written on the 30th July, "they +are very far from a conclusion. They have most exorbitant ideas, talking +of some kind of liberty of conscience, besides refusing on any account to +accept of garrisons, and having many reasons to allege on such subjects." + +The discussions, therefore, after the deputies had at last arrived, +though courteously conducted, could scarcely be satisfactory to both +parties. "The articles were thoroughly deliberated upon," wrote +Alexander, "by all the deputies, nor did I fail to have private +conferences with Aldegonde, that most skilful and practised lawyer and +politician, as well as with two or three of the others. I did all in my +power to bring them to a thorough recognition of their errors, and to +produce a confidence in his Majesty's clemency, in order that they might +concede what was needful for the interests of the Catholic religion and +the security of the city. They heard all I had to say without +exasperating themselves, and without interposing any strong objections, +except in the matter of religion, and, still more, in the matter of the +citadel and the garrison. Aldegonde took much pains to persuade me that +it would be ruinous for a great, opulent, commercial city to submit to a +foreign military force. Even if compelled by necessity to submit now, +the inhabitants would soon be compelled by the same necessity to abandon +the place entirely, and to leave in ruins one of the most splendid and +powerful cities in the world, and in this opinion Catholics and heretics +unanimously concurred. The deputies protested, with one accord, that so +pernicious and abominable a thing as a citadel and garrison could not +even be proposed to their constituents. I answered, that, so long as the +rebellion of Holland and Zeeland lasted, it would be necessary for your +Majesty to make sure of Antwerp, by one or the other of those means, but +promised that the city should be relieved of the incumbrance so soon as +those islands should be reduced. + +"Sainte Aldegonde was not discouraged by this statement, but in the hope +of convincing others, or with the wish of showing that he had tried his +best, desired that I would hear him before the council of state. I +granted the request, and Sainte Aldegonde then made another long and very +elegant oration, intended to divert me from my resolution." + +It must be confessed--if the reports, which have come down to us of that +long and elegant oration be correct--that the enthusiasm of the +burgomaster for Alexander was rapidly degenerating into idolatry. + +"We are not here, O invincible Prince," he said, "that we may excuse, by +an anxious legation, the long defence which we have made of our homes. +Who could have feared any danger to the most powerful city in the +Netherlands from so moderate a besieging force? You would yourself have +rather wished for, than approved of, a greater facility on our part, for +the brave cannot love the timid. We knew the number of your troops, we +had discovered the famine in your camp, we were aware of the paucity of +your ships, we had heard of the quarrels in your army, we were expecting +daily to hear of a general mutiny among your soldiers. Were we to +believe that with ten or eleven thousand men you would be able to block +up the city by land and water, to reduce the open country of Brabant, to +cut off all aid as well from the neighbouring towns as from the powerful +provinces of Holland and Zeeland, to oppose, without a navy, the whole +strength of our fleets, directed against the dyke? Truly, if you had +been at the head of fifty thousand soldiers, and every soldier had +possessed one hundred hands, it would have seemed impossible for you to +meet so many emergencies in so many places, and under so many +distractions. What you have done we now believe possible to do, only +because we see that it has been done. You have subjugated the Scheldt, +and forced it to bear its bridge, notwithstanding the strength of its +current, the fury of the ocean-tides, the tremendous power of the +icebergs, the perpetual conflicts with our fleets. We destroyed your +bridge, with great slaughter of your troops. Rendered more courageous +by that slaughter, you restored that mighty work. We assaulted the great +dyke, pierced it through and through, and opened a path for our ships. +You drove us off when victors, repaired the ruined bulwark, and again +closed to us the avenue of relief. What machine was there that we did +not employ? what miracles of fire did we not invent? what fleets and +floating cidadels did we not put in motion? All that genius, audacity, +and art, could teach us we have executed, calling to our assistance +water, earth, heaven, and hell itself. Yet with all these efforts, with +all this enginry, we have not only failed to drive you from our walls, +but we have seen you gaining victories over other cities at the same +time. You have done a thing, O Prince, than which there is nothing +greater either in ancient or modern story. It has often occurred, while +a general was besieging one city that he lost another situate farther +off. But you, while besieging Antwerp, have reduced simultaneously +Dendermonde, Ghent, Nymegen, Brussels, and Mechlin." + +All this, and much more, with florid rhetoric, the burgomaster pronounced +in honour of Farnese, and the eulogy was entirely deserved. It was +hardly becoming, however, for such lips, at such a moment, to sound the +praise of him whose victory had just decided the downfall of religious +liberty, and of the national independence of the Netherlands. His +colleagues certainly must have winced, as they listened to commendations +so lavishly bestowed upon the representative of Philip, and it is not +surprising that Sainte Aldegonde's growing unpopularity should, from that +hour, have rapidly increased. To abandon the whole object of the siege, +when resistance seemed hopeless, was perhaps pardonable, but to offer +such lip-homage to the conqueror was surely transgressing the bounds of +decorum. + +His conclusion, too, might to Alexander seem as insolent as the whole +tenor of his address had been humble; for, after pronouncing this solemn +eulogy upon the conqueror, he calmly proposed that the prize of the +contest should be transferred to the conquered. + +"So long as liberty of religion, and immunity from citadel and garrison +can be relied upon," he said, "so long will Antwerp remain the most +splendid and flourishing city in Christendom; but desolation will ensue +if the contrary policy is to prevail." + +But it was very certain that liberty of religion, as well as immunity +from citadel and garrison, were quite out of the question. Philip and +Parma had long been inexorably resolved upon all the three points. + +"After the burgomaster had finished his oration," wrote Alexander to his +sovereign, "I discussed the matter with him in private, very distinctly +and minutely." + +The religious point was soon given up, Sainte Aldegonde finding it waste +of breath to say anything more about freedom of conscience. A suggestion +was however made on the subject of the garrison, which the prince +accepted, because it contained a condition which it would be easy to +evade. + +"Aldegonde proposed," said Parma, "that a garrison might be admissible +if I made my entrance into the city merely with infantry and cavalry of +nations which were acceptable--Walloons, namely, and Germans--and in no +greater numbers than sufficient for a body-guard. I accepted, because, +in substance, this would amount to a garrison, and because, also, after +the magistrates shall have been changed, I shall have no difficulty in +making myself master of the people, continuing the garrison, and +rebuilding the citadel." + +The Prince proceeded to give his reasons why he was willing to accept the +capitulation on what he considered so favourable terms to the besieged. +Autumn was approaching. Already the fury of the storms had driven +vessels clean over the dykes; the rebels in Holland and Zeeland were +preparing their fleets--augmented by many new ships of war and fire- +machines--for another desperate attack upon the Palisades, in which there +was great possibility of their succeeding; an auxiliary force from +England was soon expected; so that, in view of all these circumstances, +he had resolved to throw himself at his Majesty's feet and implore his +clemency. "If this people of Antwerp, as the head, is gained," said he, +"there will be tranquillity in all the members." + +These reasons were certainly conclusive; nor is it easy to believe, that, +under the circumstances thus succinctly stated by Alexander, it would +have been impossible for the patriots to hold out until the promised +succour from Holland and from England should arrive. In point of fact, +the bridge could not have stood the winter which actually ensued; for it +was the repeatedly expressed opinion of the Spanish officers in Antwerp, +that the icebergs which then filled the Scheldt must inevitably have +shattered twenty bridges to fragments, had there been so many. It +certainly was superfluous for the Prince to make excuses to Philip for +accepting the proposed capitulation. All the prizes of victory had been +thoroughly secured, unless pillage, massacre, and rape, which had been +the regular accompaniments of Alva's victories, were to be reckoned among +the indispensable trophies of a Spanish triumph. + +Nevertheless, the dearth in the city had been well concealed from the +enemy; for, three days after the surrender, not a loaf of bread was to be +had for any money in all Antwerp, and Alexander declared that he would +never have granted such easy conditions had he been aware of the real +condition of affairs. + +The articles of capitulation agreed upon between Parma and the deputies +were brought before the broad council on the 9th August. There was much +opposition to them, as many magistrates and other influential personages +entertained sanguine expectations from the English negotiation, and were +beginning to rely with confidence upon the promises of Queen Elizabeth. +The debate was waxing warm, when some of the councillors, looking out of +window of the great hall, perceived that a violent mob had collected in +the streets. Furious cries for bread were uttered, and some meagre- +looking individuals were thrust forward to indicate the famine which was +prevailing, and the necessity of concluding the treaty without further +delay. Thus the municipal government was perpetually exposed to +democratic violence, excited by diametrically opposite influences. +Sometimes the burgomaster was denounced for having sold himself and his +country to the Spaniards, and was assailed with execrations for being +willing to conclude a sudden and disgraceful peace. At other moments he +was accused of forging letters containing promises of succour from the +Queen of England and from the authorities of Holland, in order to +protract the lingering tortures of the war. Upon this occasion the +peace-mob carried its point. The councillors, looking out of window, +rushed into the hall with direful accounts of the popular ferocity; +the magistrates and colonels who had been warmest in opposition suddenly +changed their tone, and the whole body of the broad council accepted the +articles of capitulation by a unanimous vote. + +The window was instantly thrown open, and the decision publicly +announced. The populace, wild with delight, rushed through the streets, +tearing down the arms of the Duke of Anjou, which had remained above the +public edifices since the period of that personage's temporary residence +in the Netherlands, and substituting, with wonderful celerity, the +escutcheon of Philip the Second. Thus suddenly could an Antwerp mob pass +from democratic insolence to intense loyalty. + +The articles, on the whole, were as liberal as could have been expected. +The only hope for Antwerp and for a great commonwealth of all the +Netherlands was in holding out, even to the last gasp, until England and +Holland, now united, had time to relieve the city. This was, +unquestionably, possible. Had Antwerp possessed the spirit of Leyden, +had William of Orange been alive, that Spanish escutcheon, now raised +with such indecent haste, might have never been seen again on the outside +wall of any Netherland edifice. Belgium would have become at once a +constituent portion of a great independent national realm, instead of +languishing until our own century, the dependency of a distant and a +foreign metropolis. Nevertheless, as the Antwerpers were not disposed to +make themselves martyrs, it was something that they escaped the nameless +horrors which had often alighted upon cities subjected to an enraged +soldiery. It redounds to the eternal honour of Alexander Farnese--when +the fate of Naarden and Haarlem and Maestricht, in the days of Alva, and +of Antwerp itself in the horrible "Spanish fury," is remembered--that +there were no scenes of violence and outrage in the populous and wealthy +city, which was at length at his mercy after having defied him so long. + +Civil and religious liberty were trampled in the dust, commerce and +manufactures were destroyed, the most valuable portion of the citizens +sent into hopeless exile, but the remaining inhabitants were not +butchered in cold blood. + +The treaty was signed on the 17th August. Antwerp was to return to its +obedience. There was to be an entire amnesty and oblivion for the past, +without a single exception. Royalist absentees were to be reinstated in +their possessions. Monasteries, churches, and the King's domains were to +be restored to their former proprietors. The inhabitants of the city +were to practise nothing but the Catholic religion. Those who refused to +conform were allowed to remain two years for the purpose of winding up +their affairs and selling out their property, provided that during that +period they lived "without scandal towards the ancient religion"--a very +vague and unsatisfactory condition. All prisoners were to be released +excepting Teligny. Four hundred thousand florins were to be paid by the +authorities as a fine. The patriot garrison was to leave the city with +arms and baggage and all the honours of war. + +This capitulation gave more satisfaction to the hungry portion of the +Antwerpers than to the patriot party of the Netherlands. Sainte +Aldegonde was vehemently and unsparingly denounced as a venal traitor. +It is certain, whatever his motives, that his attitude had completely +changed. For it was not Antwerp alone that he had reconciled or was +endeavouring to reconcile with the King of Spain, but Holland and Zeeland +as well, and all the other independent Provinces. The ancient champion +of the patriot army, the earliest signer of the 'Compromise,' the bosom +friend of William the Silent, the author of the 'Wilhelmus' national +song, now avowed his conviction, in a published defence of his conduct +against the calumnious attacks upon it, "that it was impossible, with a +clear conscience, for subjects, under any circumstances, to take up arms +against Philip, their king." Certainly if he had always entertained that +opinion he must have suffered many pangs of remorse during his twenty +years of active and illustrious rebellion. He now made himself secretly +active in promoting the schemes of Parma and in counteracting the +negotiation with England. He flattered himself, with an infatuation +which it is difficult to comprehend, that it would be possible to obtain +religious liberty for the revolting Provinces, although he had consented +to its sacrifice in Antwerp. It is true that he had not the privilege of +reading Philip's secret letters to Parma, but what was there in the +character of the King--what intimation had ever been given by the +Governor-General--to induce a belief in even the possibility of such a +concession? + +Whatever Sainte Aldegonde's opinions, it is certain that Philip had no +intention of changing his own policy. He at first suspected the +burgomaster of a wish to protract the negotiations for a perfidious +purpose. + +"Necessity has forced Antwerp," he wrote on the 17th of August--the very +day on which the capitulation was actually signed--"to enter into +negotiation. I understand the artifice of Aldegonde in seeking to +prolong and make difficult the whole affair, under pretext of treating +for the reduction of Holland and Zeeland at the same time. It was +therefore very adroit in you to defeat this joint scheme at once, and +urge the Antwerp matter by itself, at the same time not shutting the door +on the others. With the prudence and dexterity with which this business +has thus far been managed I am thoroughly satisfied." + +The King also expressed his gratification at hearing from Parma that the +demand for religious liberty in the Netherlands would soon be abandoned. + +"In spite of the vehemence," he said, "which they manifest in the +religious matter, desiring some kind of liberty, they will in the end, +as you say they will, content themselves with what the other cities, +which have returned to obedience, have obtained. This must be done in +all cases without flinching, and without permitting any modification." + +What "had been obtained" by Brussels, Mechlin, Ghent, was well known. +The heretics had obtained the choice of renouncing their religion or of +going into perpetual exile, and this was to be the case "without +flinching" in Holland and Zeeland, if those provinces chose to return to +obedience. Yet Sainte Aldegonde deluded himself with the thought of a +religious peace. + +In another and very important letter of the same date Philip laid down +his policy very distinctly. The Prince of Parma, by no means such a +bigot as his master, had hinted at the possibility of tolerating the +reformed religion in the places recovered from the rebels, sub silentio, +for a period not defined, and long enough for the heretics to awake from +their errors. + +"You have got an expression of opinion, I see," wrote the King to +Alexander, "of some grave men of wisdom and conscience, that the +limitation of time, during which the heretics may live without scandal, +may be left undefined; but I feel very keenly the danger of such a +proposition. With regard to Holland and Zeeland, or any other provinces +or towns, the first step must be for them to receive and maintain alone +the exercise of the Catholic religion, and to subject themselves to the +Roman church, without tolerating the exercise of any other religion, in +city, village, farm-house, or building thereto destined in the fields, or +in any place whatsoever; and in this regulation there is to be no flaw, +no change, no concession by convention or otherwise of a religious peace, +or anything of the sort. They are all to embrace the Roman Catholic +religion, and the exercise of that is alone to be permitted." + +This certainly was distinct enough, and nothing had been ever said in +public to induce a belief in any modification of the principles on which +Philip had uniformly acted. That monarch considered himself born to +suppress heresy, and he had certainly been carrying out this work during +his whole lifetime. + +The King was willing, however, as Alexander had intimated in his +negotiations with Antwerp, and previously in the capitulation of +Brussels, Ghent, and other places, that there should be an absence of +investigation into the private chambers of the heretics, during the +period allotted them for choosing between the Papacy and exile. + +"It may be permitted," said Philip, "to abstain from inquiring as to what +the heretics are doing within their own doors, in a private way, without +scandal, or any public exhibition of their rites during a fixed time. +But this connivance, and the abstaining from executing the heretics, +or from chastising them, even although they may be living very +circumspectly, is to be expressed in very vague terms." + +Being most anxious to provide against a second crop of heretics to +succeed the first, which he was determined to uproot, he took pains to +enjoin with his own hand upon Parma the necessity of putting in Catholic +schoolmasters and mistresses to the exclusion of reformed teachers into +all the seminaries of the recovered Provinces, in order that all the boys +and girls might grow up in thorough orthodoxy. + +Yet this was the man from whom Sainte Aldegonde imagined the possibility +of obtaining a religious peace. + +Ten days after the capitulation, Parma made his triumphal entrance into +Antwerp; but, according to his agreement, he spared the citizens the +presence of the Spanish and Italian soldiers, the military procession +being composed of the Germans and Walloons. Escorted by his body-guard, +and surrounded by a knot of magnates and veterans, among whom the Duke of +Arschot, the Prince of Chimay, the Counts Mansfeld, Egmont, and Aremberg, +were conspicuous, Alexander proceeded towards the captured city. He was +met at the Keyser Gate by a triumphal chariot of gorgeous workmanship, +in which sat the fair nymph Antwerpia, magnificently bedizened, and +accompanied by a group of beautiful maidens. Antwerpia welcomed the +conqueror with a kiss, recited a poem in his honour, and bestowed upon +him the keys of the city, one of which was in gold. This the Prince +immediately fastened to the chain around his neck, from which was +suspended the lamb of the golden fleece, with which order he had just +been, amid great pomp and ceremony, invested. + +On the public square called the Mere, the Genoese merchants had erected +two rostral columns, each surmounted by a colossal image, representing +respectively Alexander of Macedon and Alexander of Parma. Before the +house of Portugal was an enormous phoenix, expanding her wings quite +across the street; while, in other parts of the town, the procession was +met by ships of war, elephants, dromedaries, whales, dragons, and other +triumphal phenomena. In the market-place were seven statues in copper, +personifying the seven planets, together with an eighth representing +Bacchus; and perhaps there were good mythological reasons why the god of +wine, together with so large a portion of our solar system, should be +done in copper by Jacob Jongeling, to honour the triumph of Alexander, +although the key to the enigma has been lost. + +The cathedral had been thoroughly fumigated with frankincense, and +besprinkled with holy water, to purify the sacred precincts from their +recent pollution by the reformed rites; and the Protestant pulpits which +had been placed there, had been soundly beaten with rods, and then burned +to ashes. The procession entered within its walls, where a magnificent +Te Deum was performed, and then, after much cannon-firing, bell-ringing, +torch-light exhibition, and other pyrotechnics, the Prince made his way +at last to the palace provided for him. The glittering display, by which +the royalists celebrated their triumph, lasted three days' long, the city +being thronged from all the country round with eager and frivolous +spectators, who were never wearied with examining the wonders of the +bridge and the forts, and with gazing at the tragic memorials which still +remained of the fight on the Kowenstyn. + +During this interval, the Spanish and Italian soldiery, not willing to be +outdone in demonstrations of respect to their chief, nor defrauded of +their rightful claim to a holiday amused themselves with preparing a +demonstration of a novel character. The bridge, which, as it was well +known, was to be destroyed within a very few days, was adorned with +triumphal arches, and decked with trees and flowering plants; its roadway +was strewed with branches; and the palisades, parapets, and forts, were +garnished with wreaths, emblems, and poetical inscriptions in honour of +the Prince. The soldiers themselves, attired in verdurous garments of +foliage and flower-work, their swart faces adorned with roses and lilies, +paraded the bridge and the dyke in fantastic procession with clash of +cymbal and flourish of trumpet, dancing, singing, and discharging their +carbines, in all the delirium of triumph. Nor was a suitable termination +to the festival wanting, for Alexander, pleased with the genial character +of these demonstrations, repaired himself to the bridge, where he was +received with shouts of rapture by his army, thus whimsically converted +into a horde of fauns and satyrs. Afterwards, a magnificent banquet was +served to the soldiers upon the bridge. The whole extent of its surface, +from the Flemish to the Brabant shore--the scene so lately of deadly +combat, and of the midnight havoc caused by infernal enginery--was +changed, as if by the stroke of a wand, into a picture of sylvan and +Arcadian merry-making, and spread with tables laden with delicate viands. +Here sat that host of war--bronzed figures, banqueting at their ease, +their heads crowned with flowers, while the highest magnates of the army, +humouring them in their masquerade, served them with dainties, and filled +their goblets with wine. + +After these festivities had been concluded, Parma set himself to +practical business. There had been a great opposition, during the +discussion of the articles of capitulation to the reconstruction of the +famous citadel. That fortress had been always considered, not as a +defence of the place against a foreign enemy, but as an instrument to +curb the burghers themselves beneath a hostile power. The city +magistrates, however, as well as the dean and chief officers in all the +guilds and fraternities, were at once changed by Parma--Catholics being +uniformly substituted for heretics. In consequence, it was not difficult +to bring about a change of opinion in the broad council. It is true that +neither Papists nor Calvinists regarded with much satisfaction the +prospect of military violence being substituted for civic rule, but +in the first effusion of loyalty, and in the triumph of the ancient +religion, they forgot the absolute ruin to which their own action was now +condemning their city. Champagny, who had once covered himself with +glory by his heroic though unsuccessful efforts to save Antwerp from the +dreadful "Spanish fury" which had descended from that very citadel, was +now appointed governor of the town, and devoted himself to the +reconstruction of the hated fortress. "Champagny has particularly aided +me," wrote Parma, "with his rhetoric and clever management, and has +brought the broad council itself to propose that the citadel should be +rebuilt. It will therefore be done, as by the burghers themselves, +without your Majesty or myself appearing to desire it." + +This was, in truth, a triumph of "rhetoric and clever management," nor +could a city well abase itself more completely, kneeling thus cheerfully +at its conqueror's feet, and requesting permission to put the yoke upon +its own neck. "The erection of the castle has thus been determined +upon," said Parma, "and I am supposed to know nothing of the resolution." + +A little later he observed that they, were "working away most furiously +at the citadel, and that within a month it would be stronger than it ever +had been before." + +The building went on, indeed, with astonishing celerity, the fortress +rising out of its ruins almost as rapidly, under the hands of the +royalists, as it had been demolished, but a few years before, by the +patriots. The old foundations still remained, and blocks of houses, +which had been constructed out of its ruins, were thrown down that the +materials might be again employed in its restoration. + +The citizens, impoverished and wretched, humbly demanded that the expense +of building the citadel might be in part defrayed by the four hundred +thousand florins in which they had been mulcted by the capitulation. +"I don't marvel at this," said Parma, "for certainly the poor city is +most forlorn and poverty-stricken, the heretics having all left it." +It was not long before it was very satisfactorily established, that the +presence of those same heretics and liberty of conscience for all men, +were indispensable conditions for the prosperity of the great capital. +Its downfall was instantaneous. The merchants and industrious artisans +all wandered away from the place which had been the seat of a world-wide +traffic. Civilisation and commerce departed, and in their stead were the +citadel and the Jesuits. By express command of Philip, that order, +banished so recently, was reinstated in Antwerp, as well as throughout +the obedient provinces; and all the schools and colleges were placed +under its especial care. No children could be thenceforth instructed +except by the lips of those fathers. Here was a curb more efficacious +even than the citadel. That fortress was at first garrisoned with +Walloons and Germans. "I have not yet induced the citizens," said Parma, +"to accept a Spanish garrison, nor am I surprised; so many of them +remembering past events (alluding to the 'Spanish fury,' but not +mentioning it by name), and observing the frequent mutinies at the +present time. Before long, I expect, however, to make the Spaniards as +acceptable and agreeable as the inhabitants of the country themselves." + +It may easily be supposed that Philip was pleased with the triumphs that +had thus been achieved. He was even grateful, or affected to be +grateful, to him who had achieved them. He awarded great praise to +Alexander for his exertions, on the memorable occasions of the attack +upon the bridge, and the battle of the Kowenstyn; but censured him +affectionately for so rashly exposing his life. "I have no words," +he said, "to render the thanks which are merited for all that you have +been doing. I recommend you earnestly however to have a care for the +security of your person, for that is of more consequence than all the +rest." + +After the news of the reduction of the city, he again expressed +gratification, but in rather cold language. "From such obstinate +people," said he, "not more could be extracted than has been extracted; +therefore the capitulation is satisfactory." What more he wished to +extract it would be difficult to say, for certainly the marrow had been +extracted from the bones, and the dead city was thenceforth left to +moulder under the blight of a foreign garrison and an army of Jesuits. +"Perhaps religious affairs will improve before long," said Philip. +They did improve very soon, as he understood the meaning of improvement. +A solitude of religion soon brought with it a solitude in every other +regard, and Antwerp became a desert, as Sainte Aldegonde had foretold +would be the case. + +The King had been by no means so calm, however, when the intelligence +of the capitulation first reached him at Madrid. On the contrary, his +oldest courtiers had never seen him exhibit such marks of hilarity. + +When he first heard of the glorious victory at Lepanto, his countenance +had remained impassive, and he had continued in the chapel at the +devotional exercises which the messenger from Don John had interrupted. +Only when the news of the Massacre of St. Bartholomew first reached him, +had he displayed an amount of cheerfulness equal to that which he +manifested at the fall of Antwerp. "Never," said Granvelle, "had the +King been so radiant with joy as when he held in his hand the despatches +which announced the capitulation." The letters were brought to him after +he had retired to rest, but his delight was so great that he could not +remain in his bed. Rushing from his chamber, so soon as he had read +them, to that of his dearly-beloved daughter, Clara Isabella, he knocked +loudly at the door, and screaming through the keyhole the three words, +"Antwerp is ours," returned precipitately again to his own apartment. + +It was the general opinion in Spain, that the capture of this city had +terminated the resistance of the Netherlands. Holland and Zeeland would, +it was thought, accept with very little hesitation the terms which Parma +had been offering, through the agency of Sainte Aldegonde; and, with the +reduction of those two provinces, the Spanish dominion over the whole +country would of course become absolute. Secretary Idiaquez observed, +on drawing up instructions for Carlo Coloma, a Spanish financier then +departing on special mission for the Provinces, that he would soon come +back to Spain, for the Prince of Parma was just putting an end to the +whole Belgic war. + +Time was to show whether Holland and Zeeland were as malleable as +Antwerp, and whether there would not be a battle or two more to fight +before that Belgic war would come to its end. Meantime Antwerp was +securely fettered, while the spirit of commerce--to which its unexampled +prosperity had been due--now took its flight to the lands where civil and +religious liberty had found a home. + + + ===================================== + + +NOTE on MARNIX DE SAINTE ALDEGONDE. + +As every illustration of the career and character of this eminent +personage excites constant interest in the Netherlands, I have here +thrown together, in the form of an Appendix, many important and entirely +unpublished details, drawn mainly from the Archives of Simancas, and from +the State Paper Office and British Museum in London. + +The ex-burgomaster seemed determined to counteract the policy of those +Netherlanders who wished to offer the sovereignty of the Provinces to the +English Queen. He had been earnestly in favour of annexation to France, +for his sympathies and feelings were eminently French. He had never been +a friend to England, and he was soon aware that a strong feeling of +indignation--whether just or unjust--existed against him both in that +country and in the Netherlands, on account of the surrender of Antwerp. + +"I have had large conference with Villiers," wrote Sir John Norris to +Walsingham, "he condemneth Ste. Aldegonde's doings, but will impute it to +fear and not to malice. Ste. Aldegonde, notwithstanding that he was +forbidden to come to Holland, and laid for at the fleet, yet stole +secretly to Dort, where they say he is staid, but I doubt he will be +heard speak, and then assuredly he will do great hurt." + +It was most certainly Sainte Aldegonde's determination, so soon as the +capitulation of Antwerp had been resolved upon, to do his utmost to +restore all the independent Provinces to their ancient allegiance. +Rather Spanish than English was his settled resolution. Liberty of +religion, if possible--that was his cherished wish--but still more +ardently, perhaps, did he desire to prevent the country from falling +into the hands of Elizabeth. + +"The Prince of Parma hath conceived such an assured hope of the fidelity +of Aldegonde," wrote one of Walsingham's agents, Richard Tomson, "in +reducing the Provinces, yet enemies, into a perfect subjection, that the +Spaniards are so well persuaded of the man as if he had never been +against them. They say, about the middle of this month, he departed for +Zeeland and Holland, to prosecute the effect of his promises, and I am +the more induced to believe that he is become altogether Spanish, for +that the common bruit goeth that he hastened the surrendering of the town +of Antwerp, after he had intelligence of the coming of the English +succours." + +There was naturally much indignation felt in the independent Provinces, +against all who had been thought instrumental in bringing about the +reduction of the great cities of Flanders. Famars, governor of Mechlin, +Van den Tympel, governor of Brussels, Martini, who had been active in +effecting the capitulation of Antwerp, were all arrested in Holland. +"From all that I can hear," said Parma, "it is likely that they will be +very severely handled, which is the reason why Ste. Aldegonde, although +he sent his wife and children to Holland, has not ventured thither +himself: It appears that they threaten him there, but he means now to go, +under pretext of demanding to justify himself from the imputations +against him. Although he tells me freely that, without some +amplification of the concessions hitherto made on the point of religion, +he hopes for no good result, yet I trust that he will do good offices in +the meantime, in spite of the difficulties which obstruct his efforts. +On my part, every exertion will be made, and not without hope of some +fruit, if not before, at least after, these people have become as tired +of the English as they were of the French." + +Of this mutual ill-feeling between the English and the burgomaster, there +can be no doubt whatever. The Queen's government was fully aware of his +efforts to counteract its negotiation with the Netherlands, and to bring +about their reconciliation with Spain. When the Earl of Leicester--as +will soon be related--arrived in the Provinces, he was not long in +comprehending his attitude and his influence. + +"I wrote somewhat of Sir Aldegonde in putting his case," wrote Leicester, +"but this is certain, I have the copy of his very letters sent hither to +practise the peace not two days before I came, and this day one hath told +me that loves him well, that he hates our countrymen unrecoverably. I am +sorry for it." + +On the other hand, the Queen was very indignant with the man whom she +looked upon as the paid agent of Spain. She considered him a renegade, +the more dangerous because his previous services had been so illustrious. +"Her Majesty's mislike towards Ste. Aldegonde continueth," wrote +Walsingham to Leicester, "and she taketh offence that he was not +restrained of his liberty by your Lordship's order." It is unquestionable +that the exburgomaster intended to do his best towards effecting the +reconciliation of all the Provinces with Spain; and it is equally certain +that the King had offered to pay him well, if he proved successful in his +endeavours. There is no proof, however, and no probability that Sainte +Aldegonde ever accepted or ever intended to accept the proffered bribe. +On the contrary, his whole recorded career ought to disprove the +supposition. Yet it is painful, to find him, at this crisis, assiduous +in his attempts to undo the great work of his own life, and still more +distressing to find that great rewards were distinctly offered to him +for such service. Immense promises had been frequently made no doubt to +William the Silent; nor could any public man, in such times, be so pure +that an attempt to tamper with him might not be made: but when the +personage, thus solicited, was evidently acting in the interests of the +tempters, it is not surprising that he should become the object of grave +suspicion. + +"It does not seem to me bad," wrote Philip to Parma, "this negotiation +which you have commenced with Ste. Aldegonde, in order to gain him, and +thus to employ his services in bringing about a reduction of the islands +(Holland and Zeeland). In exchange for this work, any thing which you +think proper to offer to him as a reward, will be capital well invested; +but it must not be given until the job is done." + +But the job was hard to do, and Sainte Aldegonde cared nothing for the +offered bribe. He was, however, most strangely confident of being able +to overcome, on the one hand, the opposition of Holland and Zeeland to +the hated authority of Spain, and, on the other, the intense abhorrence +entertained by Philip to liberty of conscience. + +Soon after the capitulation, he applied for a passport to visit those two +Provinces. Permission to come was refused him. Honest men from Antwerp, +he was informed, would be always welcome, but there was no room for him. +There was, however--or Parma persuaded himself that there was-- +a considerable party in those countries in favour of reconciliation +with Spain. If the ex-burgomaster could gain a hearing, it was thought +probable that his eloquence would prove very effective. + +"We have been making efforts to bring about negotiations with Holland +and Zeeland," wrote Alexander to Philip. "Gelderland and Overyssel +likewise show signs of good disposition, but I have not soldiers enough +to animate the good and terrify the bad. As for Holland and Zeeland, +there is a strong inclination on the part of the people to a +reconciliation, if some concession could be made on the religious +question, but the governors oppose it, because they are perverse, and +are relying on assistance from England. Could this religious concession +be made, an arrangement could, without doubt, be accomplished, and more +quickly than people think. Nevertheless, in such a delicate matter, I am +obliged to await your Majesty's exact instructions and ultimatum." + +He then proceeded to define exactly the position and intentions of the +burgomaster. + +"The government of Holland and Zeeland," he said, "have refused a +passport to Ste. Aldegonde, and express dissatisfaction with him for +having surrendered Antwerp so soon. They know that he has much credit +with the people and with the ministers of the sects, and they are in much +fear of him because he is inclined for peace, which is against their +interests. They are, therefore, endeavouring to counteract my +negotiations with him. These have been, thus far, only in general terms. +I have sought to induce him to perform the offices required, without +giving him reason to expect any concession as to the exercise of +religion. He persuades himself that, in the end, there will be some +satisfaction obtained upon this point, and, under this impression he +considers the peace as good as concluded, there remaining no doubt as to +other matters. He has sent his wife to Zeeland, and is himself going to +Germany, where, as he says, he will do all the good service that he can. +He hopes that very shortly the Provinces will not only invite, but +implore him to come to them; in which case, he promises me to perform +miracles." + +Alexander then proceeded to pay a distinct tribute to Sainte Aldegonde's +motives; and, when it is remembered that the statement thus made is +contained in a secret despatch, in cipher, to the King, it may be assumed +to convey the sincere opinion of the man most qualified to judge +correctly as to this calumniated person's character. + +"Ste. Aldegonde offers me wonders," he said, "and I have promised him +that he shall be recompensed very largely; yet, although he is poor, I do +not find him influenced by mercenary or selfish considerations, but only +very set in opinions regarding his religion." + +The Prince had however no doubt of Sainte Aldegonde's sincerity, for +sincerity was a leading characteristic of the man. His word, once given, +was sacred, and he had given his word to do his best towards effecting a +reconciliation of the Provinces with Spain, and frustrating the efforts +of England. "Through the agency of Ste. Aldegonde and that of others" +wrote Parma, "I shall watch, day and night, to bring about a reduction of +Holland and Zeeland, if humanly possible. I am quite persuaded that they +will soon be sick of the English, who are now arriving, broken down, +without arms or money, and obviously incapable of holding out very long. +Doubtless, however, this English alliance, and the determination of the +Queen to do her utmost against us, complicates matters, and assists the +government of Holland and Zeeland in opposing the inclinations of their +people." + +Nothing ever came of these intended negotiations. The miracles were +never wrought, and even had Sainte Aldegonde been as venal as he was +suspected of being--which we have thus proof positive that he was not-- +he never could have obtained the recompense, which, according to Philip's +thrifty policy, was not to be paid until it had been earned. Sainte +Aldegonde's hands were clean. It is pity that we cannot render the same +tribute to his political consistency of character. It is also certain +that he remained--not without reason--for a long time under a cloud. He +became the object of unbounded and reckless calumny. Antwerp had fallen, +and the necessary consequence of its reduction was the complete and +permanent prostration of its commerce and manufactures. These were +transferred to the new, free, national, independent, and prosperous +commonwealth that had risen in the "islands" which Parma and Sainte +Aldegonde had vainly hoped to restore to their ancient servitude. In a +very few years after the subjugation of Antwerp, it appeared by +statistical documents that nearly all the manufactures of linen, coarse +and fine cloths, serges, fustians, tapestry, gold-embroidery, arms-work, +silks, and velvets, had been transplanted to the towns of Holland and +Zeeland, which were flourishing and thriving, while the Flemish and +Brabantine cities had become mere dens of thieves and beggars. It was in +the mistaken hope of averting this catastrophe--as melancholy as it was +inevitable and in despair of seeing all the Netherlands united, unless +united in slavery, and in deep-rooted distrust of the designs and policy +of England, that this statesman, once so distinguished, had listened to +the insidious tongue of Parma. He had sought to effect a general +reconciliation with Spain, and the only result of his efforts was a +blight upon his own illustrious name. + +He published a defence of his conduct, and a detailed account of the +famous siege. His apology, at the time, was not considered conclusive, +but his narrative remains one of the clearest and most trustworthy +sources for the history of these important transactions. He was never +brought to trial, but he discovered, with bitterness, that he had +committed a fatal error, and that his political influence had passed +away. He addressed numerous private epistles to eminent persons, +indignantly denying the imputations against his character, and demanding +an investigation. Among other letters he observed in one to Count +Hohenlo, that he was astonished and grieved to find that all his faithful +labours and sufferings in the cause of his fatherland had been forgotten +in an hour. In place of praise and gratitude, he had reaped nothing but +censure and calumny; because men ever judged, not by the merits, but by +the issue. That common people should be so unjust, he said, was not to +be wondered at, but of men like Hohenlo be had hoped better things. He +asserted that he had saved Antwerp from another "Spanish fury," and from +impending destruction--a city in which there was not a single regular +soldier, and in which his personal authority was so slight that he was +unable to count the number of his masters. If a man had ever performed a +service to his country, be claimed to have done so in this capitulation. +Nevertheless, he declared that he was the same Philip Marnix, earnestly +devoted to the service of God, the true religion, and the fatherland; +although he avowed himself weary of the war, and of this perpetual +offering of the Netherland sovereignty to foreign potentates. He was now +going, he said, to his estates in Zeeland; there to turn farmer again; +renouncing public affairs, in the administration of which he had +experienced so much ingratitude from his countrymen. Count Maurice and +the States of Holland and Zeeland wrote to him, however, in very plain +language, describing the public indignation as so strong as to make it +unsafe for him to visit the country. + +The Netherlands and England--so soon as they were united in policy--were, +not without reason, indignant with the man who had made such strenuous +efforts to prevent that union. The English were, in truth, deeply +offended. He had systematically opposed their schemes, and to his +prejudice against their country, and distrust of their intentions, they +attributed the fall of Antwerp. Envoy Davison, after his return to +Holland, on the conclusion of the English treaty, at once expressed his +suspicions of the ex-burgomaster, and the great dangers to be apprehended +from his presence in the free States. "Here is some working underhand," +said he to Walsingham, "to draw hither Sainte Aldegonde, under a pretext +of his justification, which--as it has hitherto been denied him--so is +the sequel suspected, if he should obtain it before they were well +settled here, betwixt her Majesty and them, considering the manifold +presumptions that the subject of his journey should be little profitable +or advantageous to the state of these poor countries, as tending, at the +best, to the propounding of some general reconcilement." It was +certainly not without substantial grounds that the English and +Hollanders, after concluding their articles of alliance, felt uneasy at +the possibility of finding their plans reversed by the intrigues of a man +whom they knew to be a mediator between Spain and her revolted Provinces, +and whom they suspected of being a venal agent of the Catholic King. +It was given out that Philip had been induced to promise liberty of +religion, in case of reconciliation. We have seen that Parma was at +heart in favour of such a course, and that he was very desirous of +inducing Marnix to believe in the possibility of obtaining such a boon, +however certain the Prince had been made by the King's secret letters, +that such a belief was a delusion. "Martini hath been examined," wrote +Davison, "who confesseth both for himself and others, to become hither +by direction of the Prince of Parma and intelligence of Sainte Aldegonde, +from whom he was first addressed by Villiers and afterwards to others for +advice and assistance. That the scope of this direction was to induce +them here to hearken to a peace, wherein the Prince of Parma promiseth +them toleration of religion, although he confesseth yet to have no +absolute power in that behalf, but hath written thereof to the King +expressly, and holdeth himself assured thereof by the first post, as I +have likewise been advertised from Rowland York, which if it had been +propounded openly here before things had been concluded with her Majesty, +and order taken for her assurance, your honour can judge what confusion +it must of necessity have brought forth." + +At last, when Marnix had become convinced that the toleration would not +arrive "by the very next mail from Spain," and that, in truth, such a +blessing was not to be expected through the post-office at all, he felt +an inward consciousness of the mistake which he had committed. Too +credulously had he inclined his ear to the voice of Parma; too +obstinately had he steeled his heart against Elizabeth, and he was now +the more anxious to clear himself at least from the charges of corruption +so clamorously made against him by Holland and by England. Conscious of +no fault more censurable than credulity and prejudice, feeling that his +long fidelity to the reformed religion ought to be a defence for him +against his calumniators, he was desirous both to clear his own honour, +and to do at least a tardy justice to England. He felt confident that +loyal natures, like those of Davison and his colleagues at home, would +recognize his own loyalty. He trusted, not without cause, to English +honour, and coming to his manor-house of Zoubourg, near Flushing, he +addressed a letter to the ambassador of Elizabeth, in which the strong +desire to vindicate his aspersed integrity is quite manifest. + +"I am very joyous," said he, "that coming hither in order to justify +myself against the false and malignant imputations with which they charge +me, I have learned your arrival here on the part of her Majesty, as well +as the soon expected coming of the Earl of Leicester. I see, in truth, +that the Lord God is just, and never abandons his own. I have never +spared myself in the service of my country, and I would have sacrificed +my life, a thousand times, had it been possible, in her cause. Now, I am +receiving for all this a guerdon of blame and calumny, which is cast upon +me in order to cover up faults which have been committed by others in +past days. I hope, however, to come soon to give you welcome, and to +speak more particularly to you of all these things. Meantime demanding +my justification before these gentlemen, who ought to have known me +better than to have added faith to such villanous imputations, I will +entreat you that my definite justification, or condemnation, if I have +merited it, may be reserved till the arrival of Lord Leicester." + +This certainly was not the language of a culprit, Nevertheless, his words +did not immediately make a deep impression on the hearts of those who +heard him. He had come secretly to his house at Zoubourg, having +previously published his memorable apology; and in accordance with the +wishes of the English government, he was immediately confined to his own +house. Confidence in the intention of a statesman, who had at least +committed such grave errors of judgment, and who had been so deeply +suspected of darker faults, was not likely very soon to revive. So far +from shrinking from an investigation which would have been dangerous, +even to his life, had the charges against his honour been founded in +fact, he boldly demanded to be confronted with his accusers, in order +that he might explain his conduct before all the world. "Sir, +yesternight, at the shutting of the gates," wrote Davison to Walsingham, +transmitting the little note from Marnix, which has just been cited-- +"I was advertised that Ste. Aldegonde was not an hour before secretly +landed at the head on the other side the Rammekens, and come to his house +at Zoubourg, having prepared his way by an apology, newly published in +his defence, whereof I have as yet recovered one only copy, which +herewith I send your honour. This day, whilst I was at dinner, he sent +his son unto me, with a few lines, whereof I send you the copy, +advertising me of his arrival (which he knew I understood before), +together with the desire he had to see me, and speak with me, if the +States, before whom he was to come to purge himself of the crimes +wherewith he stood, as he with, unjustly charged, would vouchsafe him so +much liberty. The same morning, the council of Zeeland, taking knowledge +of his arrival, sent unto him the pensioner of Middelburgh and this town, +to sound the causes of his coming, and to will him, in their behalf, to +keep his house, and to forbear all meddling by word or writing, with any +whatsoever, till they should further advise and determine in his cause. +In defence thereof, he fell into large and particular discourse with the +deputies, accusing his enemies of malice and untruth, offering himself to +any trial, and to abide what punishment the laws should lay upon him, if +he were found guilty of the crimes imputed to him. Touching the cause of +his coming, he pretended and protested that he had no other end than his +simple justification, preferring any hazard he might incur thereby, to +his honour and good fame." As to the great question at issue, Marnix +had at last become conscious that he had been a victim to Spanish +dissimulation, and that Alexander Fainese was in reality quite powerless +to make that concession of religious liberty, without which a +reconciliation between Holland and Philip was impossible. "Whereas," +said Davison, "it was supposed that Ste. Aldegonde had commission from +the Prince of Parma to make some offer of peace, he assured them of the +contrary as a thing which neither the Prince had any power to yield unto +with the surety of religion, or himself would, in conscience, persuade +without it; with a number of other particularities in his excuse; amongst +the rest, allowing and commending in his speech, the course they had +taken with her Majesty, as the only safe way of deliverance for these +afflicted countries--letting them understand how much the news thereof-- +specially since the entry of our garrison into this place (which before +they would in no sort believe), hath troubled the enemy, who doth what he +may to suppress the bruit thereof, and yet comforteth himself with the +hope that between the factions and partialities nourished by his +industry, and musters among the towns, especially in Holland and Zeeland +(where he is persuaded to find some pliable to a reconcilement) and the +disorders and misgovernment of our people, there will be yet occasion +offered him to make his profit and advantage. I find that the gentleman +hath here many friends indifferently persuaded of his innocency, +notwithstanding the closing up of his apology doth make but little for +him. Howsoever it be, it falleth out the better that the treaty with her +Majesty is finished, and the cautionary towns assured before his coming, +which, if he be ill affected, will I hope either reform his judgment or +restrain his will. I will not forget to do the best I can to sift and +decipher him yet more narrowly and particularly." + +Thus, while the scales had at length fallen from the eyes of Marnix, it +was not strange that the confidence which he now began to entertain in +the policy of England, should not be met, at the outset, with a +corresponding sentiment on the part of the statesman by whom that policy +was regulated. "Howsoever Ste. Aldegonde would seem to purge himself," +said Davison, "it is suspected that his end is dangerous. I have done +what I may to restrain him, so nevertheless as it may not seem to come +from me." And again--"Ste. Aldegonde," he wrote, "contimieth still our +neighbor at his house between this and Middelburg; yet unmolested. He +findeth many favourers, and, I fear, doth no good offices. He desireth +to be reserved till the coming of my Lord of Leicester, before whom he +pretends a desired trial." + +This covert demeanour on the part of the ambassador was in accordance +with, the wishes of his government. It was thought necessary that Sainte +Aldegonde should be kept under arrest until the arrival of the Earl, but +deemed preferable that the restraint should proceed from the action of +the States rather than from the order of the Queen. Davison was +fulfilling orders in attempting, by underhand means, to deprive Marnix, +for a time, of his liberty. "Let him, I pray you, remain in good safety +in any wise," wrote Leicester, who was uneasy at the thought of so +influential, and, as he thought, so ill-affected a person being at large, +but at the same time disposed to look dispassionately upon his past +conduct, and to do justice, according to the results of an investigation. +"It is thought meet," wrote Walsingham to Davison, "that you should do +your best endeavour to procure that Ste. Aldegonde may be restrained, +which in mine opinion were fit to be handled in such sort, as the +restraint might rather proceed from themselves than by your solicitation. +And yet rather than he should remain at liberty to practise underhand, +whereof you seem to stand in great doubt, it is thought meet that you +should make yourself a partizan, to seek by all the means that you may to +have him restrained under the guard of some well affected patriot until +the Earl's coming, at what time his cause may receive examination." + +This was, however, a result somewhat difficult to accomplish; for twenty +years of noble service in the cause of liberty had not been utterly in +vain, and there were many magnanimous spirits to sympathize with a great +man struggling thus in the meshes of calumny. That the man who +challenged rather than shunned investigation, should be thrown into +prison, as if he were a detected felon upon the point of absconding, +seemed a heartless and superfluous precaution. Yet Davison and others +still feared the man whom they felt obliged to regard as a baffled +intriguer. "Touching the restraint of Ste. Aldegonde," wrote Davison to +Lord Burghley, "which I had order from Mr. Secretary to procure +underhand, I find the difficulty will be great in regard of his many +friends and favourers, preoccupied with some opinion of his innocence, +although I have travailled with divers of them underhand, and am promised +that some order shall be taken in that behalf, which I think will be +harder to execute as long as Count Maurice is here. For Ste. +Aldegonde's affection, I find continual matter to suspect it inclined to +a peace, and that as one notably prejudging our scope and proceeding in +this cause, doth lie in wait for an occasion to set it forward, being, as +it seems, fed with a hope of 'telle quelle liberte de conscience,' which +the Prince of Parma and others of his council have, as he confesseth, +earnestly solicited at the King's hands. This appeareth, in truth, the +only apt and easy way for them to prevail both against religion and the +liberty of these poor countries, having thereby once recovered the +authority which must necessarily follow a peace, to renew and alter the +magistrates of the particular towns, which, being at their devotion, may +turn, as we say, all upside down, and so in an instant being under their +servitude, if not wholly, at the least in a great part of the country, +leaving so much the less to do about the rest, a thing confessed and +looked for of all men of any judgment here, if the drift of our peace- +makers may take effect." + +Sainte Aldegonde had been cured of his suspicions of England, and at last +the purity of his own character shone through the mists. + +One winter's morning, two days after Christmas, 1585, Colonel Morgan, an +ingenuous Welshman, whom we have seen doing much hard fighting on +Kowenstyn Dyke, and at other places, and who now commanded the garrison +at Flushing, was taking a walk outside the gates, and inhaling the salt +breezes from the ocean. While thus engaged he met a gentleman coming +along, staff in hand, at a brisk pace towards the town, who soon proved +to be no other than the distinguished and deeply suspected Sainte +Aldegonde. The two got at once into conversation. "He began," said +Morgan, "by cunning insinuations, to wade into matters of state, and at +the last fell to touching the principal points, to wit, her Majesty's +entrance into the cause now in hand, which, quoth he, was an action of +high importance, considering how much it behoved her to go through the +same, as well in regard of the hope that thereby was given to the +distressed people of these parts, as also in consideration of that worthy +personage whom she hath here placed, whose estate and credit may not be +suffered to quail, but must be upholden as becometh the lieutenant of +such a princess as her Majesty." + +"The opportunity thus offered," continued honest Morgan, "and the way +opened by himself, I thought good to discourse with him to the full, +partly to see the end and drift of his induced talk, and consequently to +touch his quick in the suspected cause of Antwerp." And thus, word for +word, taken down faithfully the same day, proceeded the dialogue that +wintry morning, near three centuries ago. From that simple record-- +mouldering unseen and unthought of for ages, beneath piles of official +dust--the forms of the illustrious Fleming and the bold Welsh colonel, +seem to start, for a brief moment, out of the three hundred years of +sleep which have succeeded their energetic existence upon earth. And so, +with the bleak winds of December whistling over the breakers of the North +Sea, the two discoursed together, as they paced along the coast. + +Morgan.--"I charge you with your want of confidence in her Majesty's +promised aid. 'Twas a thing of no small moment had it been embraced when +it was first most graciously offered." + +Sainte Aldegonde.--"I left not her prince-like purpose unknown to the +States, who too coldly and carelessly passed over the benefit thereof, +until it was too late to put the same in practice. For my own part, +I acknowledge that indeed I thought some further advice would either +alter or at least detract from the accomplishment of her determination. +I thought this the rather because she had so long been wedded to peace, +and I supposed it impossible to divorce her from so sweet a spouse. +But, set it down that she were resolute, yet the sickness of Antwerp was +so dangerous, as it was to be doubted the patient would be dead before +the physician could come. I protest that the state of the town was much +worse than was known to any but myself and some few private persons. The +want of victuals was far greater than they durst bewray, fearing lest the +common people, perceiving the plague of famine to be at hand, would +rather grow desperate than patiently expect some happy event. For as +they were many in number, so were they wonderfully divided: some being +Martinists, some Papists, some neither the one nor the other, but +generally given to be factious, so that the horror at home was equal to +the hazard abroad." + +Morgan.--"But you forget the motion made by the martial men for putting +out of the town such as were simple artificers, with women and children, +mouths that consumed meat, but stood in no stead for defence." + +Sainte Aldegonde.--"Alas, alas! would you have had me guilty of the +slaughter of so many innocents, whose lives were committed to my charge, +as well as the best? Or might I have answered my God when those +massacred creatures should have stood up against me, that the hope of +Antwerp's deliverance was purchased with the blood of so many simple +souls? No, no. I should have found my conscience such a hell and +continual worm as the gnawing thereof would have been more painful and +bitter than the possession of the whole world would have been pleasant." + +Morgan continued to press the various points which had created suspicion +as to the character and motives of Marnix, and point by point Marnix +answered his antagonist, impressing him, armed as he had been in +distrust, with an irresistible conviction as to the loftiness of the +nature which had been so much calumniated. + +Sainte Aldegonde (with vehemence).--"I do assure you, in conclusion, that +I have solemnly vowed service and duty to her Majesty, which I am ready +to perform where and when it may best like her to use the same. I will +add moreover that I have oftentimes determined to pass into England to +make my own purgation, yet fearing lest her Highness would mislike so +bold a resolution, I have checked that purpose with a resolution to tarry +the Lord's leisure, until some better opportunity might answer my desire. +For since I know not how I stand in her grace, unwilling I am to attempt +her presence without permission; but might it please her to command my +attendance, I should not only most joyfully accomplish the same, but also +satisfy her of and in all such matters as I stand charged with, and +afterwards spend life, land, and goods, to witness my duty towards her +Highness." + +Morgan.--"I tell you plainly, that if you are in heart the same man that +you seem outwardly to be, I doubt not but her Majesty might easily be +persuaded to conceive a gracious opinion of you. For mine own part, I +will surely advertise Sir Francis Walsingham of as much matter as this +present conference hath ministered. + +"Hereof," said the Colonel--when, according to his promise, faithfully +recording the conversation in all its details for Mr. Secretary's +benefit," he seemed not only content but most glad. Therefore I beseech +your honour to vouchsafe some few lines herein, that I may return him +some part of your mind. I have already written thereof to Sir Philip +Sidney, lord governor of Flushing, with request that his Excellency the +Earl of Leicester may presently be made acquainted with the cause." + +Indeed the brave Welshman was thoroughly converted from his suspicions by +the earnest language and sympathetic presence of the fallen statesman. +This result of the conference was creditable to the ingenuous character +of both personages. + +"Thus did he," wrote Morgan to Sir Francis, "from point to point, answer +all objections from the first to the last, and that in such sound and +substantial manner, with a strong show of truth, as I think his very +enemies, having heard his tale, would be satisfied. And truly, Sir, as +heretofore I have thought hardly of him, being led by a superficial +judgment of things as they stood in outward appearance; so now, having +pierced deep, and weighed causes by a sounder and more deliberate +consideration, I find myself somewhat changed in conceit--not so much +carried away by the sweetness of his speech, as confirmed by the force of +his religious profession, wherein he remaineth constant, without wavering +--an argument of great strength to set him free from treacherous +attempts; but as I am herein least able and most unworthy to yield any +censure, much less to give advice, so I leave the man and the matter to +your honour's opinion. Only (your graver judgment reserved) thus I +think, that it were good either to employ him as a friend, or as an enemy +to remove him farther from us, being a man of such action as the world +knoweth he is. And to conclude," added Morgan, "this was the upshot +between us." + +Nevertheless, he remained in this obscurity for a long period. When, +towards the close of the year 1585, the English government was +established in Holland, he was the object of constant suspicion. + +"Here is Aldegonde," wrote Sir Philip Sidney to Lord Leicester from +Flushing, "a man greatly suspected, but by no man charged. He lives +restrained to his own house, and for aught I can find, deals with +nothing, only desiring to have his cause wholly referred to your +Lordship, and therefore, with the best heed I can to his proceedings, +I will leave him to his clearing or condemning, when your Lordship shall +hear him." + +In another letter, Sir Philip again spoke of Sainte Aldegonde as "one of +whom he kept a good opinion, and yet a suspicious eye." + +Leicester himself was excessively anxious on the subject, deeply fearing +the designs of a man whom he deemed so mischievous, and being earnestly +desirous that he should not elude the chastisement which he seemed to +deserve. + +"Touching Ste. Aldegonde," he wrote to Davison, "I grieve that he is at +his house without good guard. I do earnestly pray you to move such as +have power presently to commit a guard about him, for I know he is a +dangerous and a bold man, and presumes yet to carry all, for he hath made +many promises to the Prince of Parma. I would he were in Fort Rammekyns, +or else that Mr. Russell had charge of him, with a recommendation from me +to Russell to look well to him till I shall arrive. You must have been +so commanded in this from her Majesty, for she thinks he is in close and +safe guard. If he is not, look for a turn of all things, for he hath +friends, I know." + +But very soon after his arrival, the Earl, on examining into the matter, +saw fit to change his opinions and his language. Persuaded, in spite of +his previous convictions, even as the honest Welsh colonel had been, of +the upright character of the man, and feeling sure that a change had come +over the feelings of Marnix himself in regard to the English alliance, +Leicester at once interested himself in removing the prejudices +entertained towards him by the Queen. + +"Now a few words for Ste. Aldegonde," said he in his earliest despatches +from Holland; "I will beseech her Majesty to stay her judgment till I +write next. If the man be as he now seemeth, it were pity to lose him, +for he is indeed marvellously friended. Her Majesty will think, I know, +that I am easily pacified or led in such a matter, but I trust so to deal +as she shall give me thanks. Once if he do offer service it is sure +enough, for he is esteemed that way above all the men in this country for +his word, if he give it. His worst enemies here procure me to win him, +for sure, just matter for his life there is none. He would fain come +into England, so far is he come already, and doth extol her Majesty for +this work of hers to heaven, and confesseth, till now an angel could not +make him believe it." + +Here certainly was a noble tribute paid unconsciously, as it were, to the +character of the maligned statesman. "Above all the men in the country +for his word, if he give it." What wonder that Orange had leaned upon +him, that Alexander had sought to gain him, and how much does it add to +our bitter regret that his prejudices against England should not have +been removed until too late for Antwerp and for his own usefulness. Had +his good angel really been present to make him believe in that "work of +her Majesty," when his ear was open to the seductions of Parma, the +destiny of Belgium and his own subsequent career might have been more +fortunate than they became. + +The Queen was slow to return from her prejudices. She believed--not +without reason--that the opposition of Ste. Aldegonde to her policy had +been disastrous to the cause both of England and the Netherlands; and it +had been her desire that he should be imprisoned, and tried for his life. +Her councillors came gradually to take a more favourable view of the +case, and to be moved by the pathetic attitude of the man who had once +been so conspicuous. + +"I did acquaint Sir Christopher Hatton," wrote Walsingham to Leicester, +"with the letter which Ste. Aldegonde wrote to your Lordship, which, +carrying a true picture of an afflicted mind, cannot but move an honest +heart, weighing the rare parts the gentleman is endowed withal, to pity +his distressed estate, and, to procure him relief and comfort, which Mr. +Vice-Chamberlain (Hatton) bath promised on his part to perform. I +thought good to send Ste. Aldegonde's letter unto the Lord Treasurer +(Burghley), who heretofore has carried a hard conceit of the gentleman, +hoping that the view of his letter will breed some remorse towards him. +I have also prayed his Lordship, if he see cause, to acquaint her Majesty +with the said letter." + +But his high public career was closed. He lived down calumny; and put +his enemies to shame, but the fatal error which he had committed, in +taking the side of Spain rather than of England at so momentous a crisis, +could never be repaired. He regained the good opinion of the most +virtuous and eminent personages in Europe, but in the noon of life he +voluntarily withdrew from public affairs. The circumstances just +detailed had made him impossible as a political leader, and it was +equally impossible for him to play a secondary part. He occasionally +consented to be employed in special diplomatic missions, but the serious +avocations of his life now became theological and literary. He sought-- +in his own words--to penetrate himself still more deeply than ever with +the spirit of the reformation, and to imbue the minds of the young with +that deep love for the reformed religion which had been the guiding +thought of his own career. He often spoke with a sigh of his compulsory +exile from the field where he had been so conspicuous all his lifetime; +he bitterly lamented the vanished dream of the great national union +between Belgium and Holland, which had flattered his youth and his +manhood; and he sometimes alluded with bitterness to the calumny which +had crippled him of his usefulness. He might have played a distinguished +part in that powerful commonwealth which was so steadily and splendidly +arising out of the lagunes of Zeeland and Holland, but destiny and +calumny and his own error had decided otherwise. + +"From the depth of my exile--" he said, "for I am resolved to retire, +I know not where, into Germany, perhaps into Sarmatia, I shall look from +afar upon the calamities of my country. That which to me is most +mournful is no longer to be able to assist my fatherland by my counsels +and my actions." He did not go into exile, but remained chiefly at his +mansion of Zoubourg, occupied with agriculture and with profound study. +Many noble works conspicuous in the literature of the epoch--were the +results of his learned leisure; and the name of Marnix of Sainte +Aldegonde will be always as dear to the lovers of science and letters as +to the believers in civil and religious liberty. At the request of the +States of Holland he undertook, in 1593, a translation of the Scriptures +from the original, and he was at the same time deeply engaged with a +History of Christianity, which he intended for his literary master-piece. +The man whose sword had done knightly service on many a battle-field for +freedom, whose tongue had controlled mobs and senates, courts and +councils, whose subtle spirit had metamorphosed itself into a thousand +shapes to do battle with the genius of tyranny, now quenched the feverish +agitation of his youth and manhood in Hebrew and classical lore. A grand +and noble figure always: most pathetic when thus redeeming by vigorous +but solitary and melancholy hard labor, the political error which had +condemned him to retirement. To work, ever to work, was the primary law +of his nature. Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" was the +device which he assumed in earliest youth, and to which he was faithful +all his days. + +A great and good man whose life had been brim-full of noble deeds, +and who had been led astray from the path, not of virtue, but of sound +policy, by his own prejudices and by the fascination of an intellect even +more brilliant than his own, he at least enjoyed in his retirement +whatever good may come from hearty and genuine labor, and from the high +regard entertained for him by the noblest spirits among his +contemporaries. + +"They tell me," said La Noue, "that the Seigneur de Ste. Aldegonde has +been suspected by the Hollanders and the English. I am deeply grieved, +for 'tis a personage worthy to be employed. I have always known him to +be a zealous friend of his religion and his country, and I will bear him +this testimony, that his hands and his heart are clean. Had it been +otherwise, I must have known it. His example has made me regret the +less the promise I was obliged to make, never to bear arms again in the +Netherlands. For I have thought that since this man, who has so much +credit and authority among your people, after having done his duty well, +has not failed to be calumniated and ejected from service, what would +they have done with me, who am a stranger, had I continued in their +employment? The consul Terentius Varro lost, by his fault, the battle of +Canna; nevertheless, when he returned to Rome, offering the remainder of +his life in the cause of his Republic reduced to extremity, he was not +rejected, but well received, because he hoped well for the country. +It is not to be imputed as blame to Ste. Aldegonde that he lost Antwerp, +for he surrendered when it could not be saved. What I now say is drawn +from me by the compassion I feel when persons of merit suffer without +cause at the hands of their fellow citizens. In these terrible tempests, +as it is a duty rigorously to punish the betrayers of their country, even +so it is an obligation upon us to honor good patriots, and to support +them in venial errors, that we may all encourage each other to do the +right." + +Strange too as it may now seem to us, a reconciliation of the Netherlands +with Philip was not thought an impossibility by other experienced and +sagacious patriots, besides Marnix. Even Olden-Barneveld, on taking +office as Holland's Advocate, at this period, made it a condition that +his service was to last only until the reunion of the Provinces with +Spain. + +There was another illustrious personage in a foreign land who ever +rendered homage to the character of the retired Netherland statesman. +Amid the desolation of France, Duplessis Mornay often solaced himself by +distant communion with that kindred and sympathizing spirit. + +"Plunged in public annoyances," he wrote to Sainte Aldegonde, "I find no +consolation, except in conference with the good, and among the good I +hold you for one of the best. With such men I had rather sigh profoundly +than laugh heartily with others. In particular, Sir, do me the honor to +love me, and believe that I honor you singularly. Impart to me something +from your solitude, for I consider your deserts to be more fruitful and +fertile than our most cultivated habitations. As for me, think of me as +of a man drowning in the anxieties of the time, but desirous, if +possible, of swimming to solitude." + +Thus solitary, yet thus befriended,--remote from public employment, yet +ever employed, doing his daily work with all his soul and strength, +Marnix passed the fifteen years yet remaining to him. Death surprised +him at last, at Leyden, in the year 1598, while steadily laboring upon +his Flemish translation of the Old Testament, and upon the great +political, theological, controversial, and satirical work on the +differences of religion, which remains the most stately, though +unfinished, monument of his literary genius. At the age of sixty +he went at last to the repose which he had denied to himself on earth. +"Repos ailleurs." + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors +Possible to do, only because we see that it has been done +Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" +Soldiers enough to animate the good and terrify the bad +To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature +When persons of merit suffer without cause + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v41 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History United Netherlands, Volume 42, 1585 + + +CHAPTER VI., Part 1. + + Policy of England--Diplomatic Coquetry--Dutch Envoys in England-- + Conference of Ortel and Walsingham--Interview with Leicester-- + Private Audience of the Queen--Letters of the States--General-- + Ill Effects of Gilpin's Despatch--Close Bargaining of the Queen and + States--Guarantees required by England--England's comparative + Weakness--The English characterised--Paul Hentzner--The Envoys in + London--Their Characters--Olden-Barneveldt described--Reception at + Greenwich--Speech of Menin--Reply of the Queen--Memorial of the + Envoys--Discussions with the Ministers--Second Speech of the Queen + --Third Speech of the Queen + +England as we have seen--had carefully watched the negotiations between +France and the Netherlands. Although she had--upon the whole, for that +intriguing age--been loyal in her bearing towards both parties, she was +perhaps not entirely displeased with the result. As her cherished +triumvirate was out of the question, it was quite obvious that, now or +never, she must come forward to prevent the Provinces from falling back +into the hands of Spain. The future was plainly enough foreshadowed, and +it was already probable, in case of a prolonged resistance on the part of +Holland, that Philip would undertake the reduction of his rebellious +subjects by a preliminary conquest of England. It was therefore quite +certain that the expense and danger of assisting the Netherlands must +devolve upon herself, but, at the same time it was a consolation that her +powerful next-door neighbour was not to be made still more powerful by +the annexation to his own dominion of those important territories. + +Accordingly, so soon as the deputies in France had received their +definite and somewhat ignominious repulse from Henry III. and his mother, +the English government lost no time in intimating to the States that they +were not to be left without an ally. Queen Elizabeth was however +resolutely averse from assuming that sovereignty which she was not +unwilling to see offered for her acceptance; and her accredited envoy at +the Hague, besides other more secret agents, were as busily employed in +the spring of 1585--as Des Pruneaux had been the previous winter on the +part of France--to bring about an application, by solemn embassy, for her +assistance. + +There was, however, a difference of view, from the outset, between the +leading politicians of the Netherlands and the English Queen. The +Hollanders were extremely desirous of becoming her subjects; for the +United States, although they had already formed themselves into an +independent republic, were quite ignorant of their latent powers. The +leading personages of the country--those who were soon to become the +foremost statesmen of the new commonwealth--were already shrinking from +the anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form of +government, and were seeking protection for and against the people under +a foreign sceptre. On the other hand, they were indisposed to mortgage +large and important fortified towns, such as Flushing, Brill, and others, +for the repayment of the subsidies which Elizabeth might be induced to +advance. They preferred to pay in sovereignty rather than in money. +The Queen, on the contrary, preferred money to sovereignty, and was not +at all inclined to sacrifice economy to ambition. Intending to drive a +hard bargain with the States, whose cause was her own, and whose demands +for aid she; had secretly prompted, she meant to grant a certain number +of soldiers for as brief a period as possible, serving at her expense, +and to take for such outlay a most ample security in the shape of +cautionary towns. + +Too intelligent a politician not to feel the absolute necessity of at +last coming into the field to help the Netherlanders to fight her own +battle, she was still willing, for a season longer, to wear the mask of +coyness and coquetry, which she thought most adapted to irritate the +Netherlanders into a full compliance with her wishes. Her advisers in +the Provinces were inclined to take the same view. It seemed obvious, +after the failure in France, that those countries must now become either +English or Spanish; yet Elizabeth, knowing the risk of their falling +back, from desperation, into the arms of her rival, allowed them to +remain for a season on the edge of destruction--which would probably have +been her ruin also--in the hope of bringing them to her feet on her own +terms. There was something of feminine art in this policy, and it was +not without the success which often attends such insincere manoeuvres. +At the same time, as the statesmen of the republic knew that it was the +Queen's affair, when so near a neighbour's roof was blazing, they +entertained little doubt of ultimately obtaining her alliance. It was +pity--in so grave an emergency--that a little frankness could not have +been substituted for a good deal of superfluous diplomacy. + +Gilpin, a highly intelligent agent of the English government in Zeeland, +kept Sir Francis Walsingham thoroughly informed of the sentiments +entertained by the people of that province towards England. Mixing +habitually with the most influential politicians, he was able to render +material assistance to the English council in the diplomatic game which +had been commenced, and on which a no less important stake than the crown +of England was to be hazarded. + +"In conference," he said, "with particular persons that bear any rule or +credit, I find a great inclination towards her Majesty, joined +notwithstanding with a kind of coldness. They allege that matters of +such importance are to be maturely and thoroughly pondered, while some of +them harp upon the old string, as if her Majesty, for the security of her +own estate, was to have the more care of theirs here." + +He was also very careful to insinuate the expediency of diplomatic +coquetry into the mind of a Princess who needed no such prompting. +"The less by outward appearance," said he, "this people shall perceive +that her Majesty can be contented to take the protection of them upon +her, the forwarder they will be to seek and send unto her, and the larger +conditions in treaty may be required. For if they see it to come from +herself, then do they persuade themselves that it is for the greater +security of our own country and her Highness to fear the King of Spain's +greatness. But if they become seekers unto her Majesty, and if they may, +by outward show, deem that she accounteth not of the said King's might, +but able and sufficient to defend her own realms, then verily I think +they may be brought to whatsoever points her Majesty may desire." + +Certainly it was an age of intrigue, in which nothing seemed worth +getting at all unless it could be got by underhand means, and in which +it was thought impossible for two parties to a bargain to meet together +except as antagonists, who believed that one could not derive a profit +from the transaction unless the other had been overreached. This was +neither good morality nor sound diplomacy, and the result of such +trifling was much loss of time and great disaster. In accordance with +this crafty system, the agent expressed the opinion that it would "be +good and requisite for the English government somewhat to temporise," +and to dally for a season longer, in order to see what measures the +States would take to defend themselves, and how much ability and +resources they would show for belligerent purposes. If the Queen were +too eager, the Provinces would become jealous, "yielding, as it were, +their power, and yet keeping the rudder in their own hands." + +At the same time Gilpin was favourably impressed with the character both +of the country and the nation, soon to be placed in such important +relations with England. "This people," he said, "is such as by fair +means they will be won to yield and grant any reasonable motion or +demand. What these islands of Zeeland are her Majesty and all my lords +of her council do know. Yet for their government thus much I must write; +that during these troubles it never was better than now. They draw, in a +manner, one line, long and carefully in their resolution; but the same +once taken and promises made, they would perform them to the uttermost." + +Such then was the character of the people, for no man was better enabled +to form an opinion on the subject than was Gilpin. Had it not been as +well, then, for Englishmen--who were themselves in that age, as in every +other, apt to "perform to the uttermost promises once taken and made," +and to respect those endowed with the same wholesome characteristic--to +strike hands at once in a cause which was so vital to both nations? + +So soon as the definite refusal of Henry III, was known in England, +Leicester and Walsingham wrote at once to the Netherlands. The Earl +already saw shining through the distance a brilliant prize for his own +ambition, although he was too haughty, perhaps too magnanimous, but +certainly far too crafty, to suffer such sentiments as yet to pierce to +the surface. + +"Mr. Davison," he wrote, "you shall perceive by Mr. Secretary's letters +how the French have dealt with these people. They are well enough +served; but yet I think, if they will heartily and earnestly seek it, the +Lord hath appointed them a far better defence. But you must so use the +matter as that they must seek their own good, although we shall be +partakers thereof also. They may now, if they will effectually and +liberally deal, bring themselves to a better end than ever France would +have brought them." + +At that moment there were two diplomatic agents from the States resident +in England--Jacques de Gryze; whom Paul Buys had formerly described as +having thrust himself head and shoulders into the matter without proper +authority, and Joachim Ortel, a most experienced and intelligent man, +speaking and writing English like a native, and thoroughly conversant +with English habits and character. So soon as the despatches from France +arrived, Walsingham, 18th March, 1585, sent for Ortel, and the two held a +long conference. + +Walsingham.--"We have just received letters from Lord Derby and Sir +Edward Stafford, dated the 13th March. They inform us that your +deputies--contrary to all expectation and to the great hopes that had +been hold out to them--have received, last Sunday, their definite answer +from the King of France. He tells them, that, considering the present +condition of his kingdom, he is unable to undertake the protection of the +Netherlands; but says that if they like, and if the Queen of England be +willing to second his motion, he is disposed to send a mission of +mediation to Spain for the purpose of begging the King to take the +condition of the provinces to heart, and bringing about some honourable +composition, and so forth, and so forth. + +"Moreover the King of France has sent Monsieur de Bellievre to Lord Derby +and Mr. Stafford, and Bellievre has made those envoys a long oration. +He explained to them all about the original treaty between the States and +Monsieur, the King's brother, and what had taken place from that day to +this, concluding, after many allegations and divers reasons, that the +King could not trouble himself with the provinces at present; but hoped +her Majesty would make the best of it, and not be offended with him. + +"The ambassadors say further, that they have had an interview with your +deputies, who are excessively provoked at this most unexpected answer +from the King, and are making loud complaints, being all determined to +take themselves off as fast as possible. The ambassadors have +recommended that some of the number should come home by the way of +England." + +Ortel.--"It seems necessary to take active measures at once, and to leave +no duty undone in this matter. It will be advisable to confer, so soon +as may be, with some of the principal counsellors of her Majesty, and +recommend to them most earnestly the present condition of the provinces. +They know the affectionate confidence which the States entertain towards +England, and must now, remembering the sentiments of goodwill which they +have expressed towards the Netherlands, be willing to employ their +efforts with her Majesty in this emergency." + +Walsingham (with much show of vexation).--"This conduct on the part of +the French court has been most pernicious. Your envoys have been +delayed, fed with idle hopes, and then disgracefully sent away, so that +the best part of the year has been consumed, and it will be most +difficult now, in a great hurry, to get together a sufficient force of +horse and foot folk, with other necessaries in abundance. On the +contrary, the enemy, who knew from the first what result was to be +expected in France, has been doing his best to be beforehand with you in +the field: add, moreover, that this French negotiation has given other +princes a bad taste in their mouths. This is the case with her Majesty. +The Queen is, not without reason, annoyed that the States have not only +despised her friendly and good-hearted offers, but have all along been +endeavouring to embark her in this war, for the defence of the Provinces, +which would have cost her several millions, without offering to her the +slightest security. On the contrary, others, enemies of the religion, +who are not to be depended upon--who had never deserved well of the +States or assisted them in their need, as she has done--have received +this large offer of sovereignty without any reserve whatever." + +Ortel (not suffering himself to be disconcerted at this unjust and +somewhat insidious attack).--"That which has been transacted with France +was not done except with the express approbation and full foreknowledge +of her Majesty, so far back as the lifetime of his Excellency (William of +Orange), of high and laudable memory. Things had already gone so far, +and the Provinces had agreed so entirely together, as to make it +inexpedient to bring about a separation in policy. It was our duty to +hold together, and, once for all, thoroughly to understand what the King +of France, after such manifold presentations through Monsieur Des +Pruneaulx and others, and in various letters of his own, finally intended +to do. At the same time, notwithstanding these negotiations, we had +always an especial eye upon her Majesty. We felt a hopeful confidence +that she would never desert us, leaving us without aid or counsel, but +would consider that these affairs do not concern the Provinces alone or +even especially, but are just as deeply important to her and to all other +princes of the religion." + +After this dialogue, with much more conversation of a similar character, +the Secretary and the envoy set themselves frankly and manfully to work. +It was agreed between them that every effort should be made with the +leading members of the Council to induce the Queen "in this terrible +conjuncture, not to forsake the Provinces, but to extend good counsel and +prompt assistance to them in their present embarrassments." + +There was, however, so much business in Parliament just then, that it was +impossible to obtain immediately the desired interviews. + +On the 20th, Ortel and De Gryze had another interview with Walsingham at +the Palace of Greenwich. The Secretary expressed the warmest and most +sincere affection for the Provinces, and advised that one of the two +envoys should set forth at once for home in order to declare to the +States, without loss of time, her Majesty's good inclination to assume +the protection of the land, together with the maintenance of the reformed +religion and the ancient privileges. Not that she was seeking her own +profit, or wished to obtain that sovereignty which had just been offered +to another of the contrary religion, but in order to make manifest her +affectionate solicitude to preserve the Protestant faith and to support +her old allies and neighbours. Nevertheless, as she could not assume +this protectorate without embarking in a dangerous war with the King of +Spain, in which she would not only be obliged to spend the blood of her +subjects, but also at least two millions of gold, there was the more +reason that the States should give her certain cities as security. Those +cities would be held by certain of her gentlemen, nominated thereto, of +quality, credit, and religion, at the head of good, true, and well-paid +garrisons, who should make oath never to surrender them to the King of +Spain or to any one else without consent of the States. The Provinces +were also reciprocally to bind themselves by oath to make no treaty with +the King, without the advice and approval of her Majesty. It was +likewise thoroughly to be understood that such cautionary towns should be +restored to the States so soon as payment should be made of all moneys +advanced during the war. + +Next day the envoys had an interview with the Earl of Leicester, whom +they found as amicably disposed towards their cause as Secretary +Walsingham had been. "Her Majesty," said the Earl, "is excessively +indignant with the King of France, that he should so long have abused the +Provinces, and at last have dismissed their deputies so contemptuously. +Nevertheless," he continued, "'tis all your own fault to have placed your +hopes so entirely upon him as to entirely forget other princes, and more +especially her Majesty. Notwithstanding all that has passed, however, I +find her fully determined to maintain the cause of the Provinces. For my +own part, I am ready to stake my life, estates, and reputation, upon this +issue, and to stand side by side with other gentlemen in persuading her +Majesty to do her utmost for the assistance of your country." + +He intimated however, as Walsingham had done, that the matter of +cautionary towns would prove an indispensable condition, and recommended +that one of the two envoys should proceed homeward at once, in order to +procure, as speedily as possible, the appointment of an embassy for that +purpose to her Majesty. "They must bring full powers," said the Earl, +"to give her the necessary guarantees, and make a formal demand for +protection; for it would be unbecoming, and against her reputation, +to be obliged to present herself, unsought by the other party." + +In conclusion, after many strong expressions of good-will, Leicester +promised to meet them next day at court, where he would address the Queen +personally on the subject, and see that they spoke with her as well. +Meantime he sent one of his principal gentlemen to keep company with the +envoys, and make himself useful to them. This personage, being "of good +quality and a member of Parliament," gave them much useful information, +assuring them that there was a strong feeling in England in favour of the +Netherlands, and that the matter had been very vigorously taken up in the +national legislature. That assembly had been strongly encouraging her +Majesty boldly to assume the protectorate, and had manifested a +willingness to assist her with the needful. "And if," said he, "one +subsidy should not be enough, she shall have three, four, five, or six, +or as much as may be necessary." + +The same day, the envoys had an interview with Lord Treasurer Burghley, +who held the same language as Walsingham and Leicester had done. "The +Queen, to his knowledge," he said, "was quite ready to assume the +protectorate; but it was necessary that it should be formally offered, +with the necessary guarantees, and that without further loss of time." + +On the 22nd March, according to agreement, Ortel and De Gryze went to the +court at Greenwich. While waiting there for the Queen, who had ridden +out into the country, they had more conversation with Walsingham, whom +they found even more energetically disposed in their favour than ever, +and who assured them that her Majesty was quite ready to assume the +protectorate so soon as offered. "Within a month," he said, "after the +signing of a treaty, the troops would be on the spot, under command of +such a personage of quality and religion as would be highly +satisfactory." While they were talking, the Queen rode into the court- +yard, accompanied by the Earl of Leicester and other gentlemen. Very +soon afterwards the envoys were summoned to her presence, and allowed to +recommend the affairs of the Provinces to her consideration. She +lamented the situation of their country, and in a few words expressed her +inclination to render assistance, provided the States would manifest full +confidence in her. They replied by offering to take instant measures to +gratify all her demands, so soon as those demands should be made known; +and the Queen finding herself surrounded by so many gentlemen and by a +crowd of people, appointed them accordingly to come to her private +apartments the same afternoon. + +At that interview none were present save Walsingham and Lord Chamberlain +Howard. The Queen showed herself "extraordinarily resolute" to take up +the affairs of the Provinces. "She had always been sure," she said, +"that the French negotiation would have no other issue than the one which +they had just seen. She was fully aware what a powerful enemy she was +about to make--one who could easily create mischief for her in Scotland +and Ireland; but she was nevertheless resolved, if the States chose to +deal with her frankly and generously, to take them under her protection. +She assured the envoys that if a deputation with full powers and +reasonable conditions should be immediately sent to her, she would not +delay and dally with them, as had been the case in France, but would +despatch them back again at the speediest, and would make her good +inclination manifest by deeds as well as words. As she was hazarding +her treasure together with the blood and repose of her subjects, she was +not at liberty to do this except on receipt of proper securities." + +Accordingly De Gryze went to the Provinces, provided with complimentary +and affectionate letters from the Queen, while Ortel remained in England. +So far all was plain and above-board; and Walsingham, who, from the +first, had been warmly in favour of taking up the Netherland cause, was +relieved by being able to write in straightforward language. Stealthy +and subtle, where the object was to get within the guard of an enemy who +menaced a mortal blow, he was, both by nature and policy, disposed to +deal frankly with those he called his friends. + +"Monsieur de Gryze repaireth presently," he wrote to Davison, "to try if +he can induce the States to send their deputies hither, furnished with +more ample instructions than they had to treat with the French King, +considering that her Majesty carryeth another manner of princely +disposition than that sovereign. Meanwhile, for that she doubteth lest +in this hard estate of their affairs, and the distrust they have +conceived to be relieved from hence, they should from despair throw +themselves into the course of Spain, her pleasure therefore is--though by +Burnham I sent you directions to put them in comfort of relief, only as +of yourself--that you shall now, as it were, in her name, if you see +cause sufficient, assure some of the aptest instruments that you shall +make choice of for that purpose, that her Majesty, rather than that they +should perish, will be content to take them under her protection." + +He added that it was indispensable for the States, upon their part, to +offer "such sufficient cautions and assurances as she might in reason +demand." + +Matters were so well managed that by the 22nd April the States-General +addressed a letter to the Queen, in which they notified her, that the +desired deputation was on the point of setting forth. "Recognizing," +they said, "that there is no prince or potentate to whom they are more +obliged than they are to your Majesty, we are about to request you very +humbly to accept the sovereignty of these Provinces, and the people of +the same for your very humble vassals and subjects." They added that, +as the necessity of the case was great, they hoped the Queen would send, +so soon as might be, a force of four or five thousand men for the purpose +of relieving the siege of Antwerp. + +A similar letter was despatched by the same courier to the Earl of +Leicester. + +On the 1st of May, Ortel had audience of the Queen, to deliver the +letters from the States-General. He found that despatches, very +encouraging and agreeable in their tenor, had also just arrived from +Davison. The Queen was in good humour. She took the letter from Ortel, +read it attentively, and paused a good while. Then she assured him that +her good affection towards the Provinces was not in the least changed, +and that she thanked the States for the confidence in her that they were +manifesting. "It is unnecessary," said the Queen, "for me to repeat over +and over again sentiments which I have so plainly declared. You are to +assure the States that they shall never be disappointed in the trust that +they have reposed in my good intentions. Let them deal with me +sincerely, and without holding open any back-door. Not that I am seeking +the sovereignty of the Provinces, for I wish only to maintain their +privileges and ancient liberties, and to defend them in this regard +against all the world. Let them ripely consider, then, with what +fidelity I am espousing their cause, and how, without fear of any one, +I am arousing most powerful enemies." + +Ortel had afterwards an interview with Leicester, in which the Earl +assured him that her Majesty had not in the least changed in her +sentiments towards the Provinces. "For myself," said he, "I am ready, if +her Majesty choose to make use of me, to go over there in person, and to +place life, property, and all the assistance I can gain from my friends, +upon the issue. Yea, with so good a heart, that I pray the Lord may be +good to me, only so far as I serve faithfully in this cause." He added a +warning that the deputies to be appointed should come with absolute +powers, in order that her Majesty's bountiful intentions might not be +retarded by their own fault. + +Ortel then visited Walsingham at his house, Barn-Elms, where he was +confined by illness. Sir Francis assured the envoy that he would use +every effort, by letter to her Majesty and by verbal instructions to his +son-in-law, Sir Philip Sidney, to further the success of the negotiation, +and that he deeply regretted his enforced absence from the court on so +important an occasion. + +Matters were proceeding most favourably, and the all-important point of +sending an auxiliary force of Englishmen to the relief of Antwerp--before +it should be too late, and in advance of the final conclusion of the +treaty between the countries-had been nearly conceded. Just at that +moment, however, "as ill-luck would have it," said Ortel, "came a letter +from Gilpin. I don't think he meant it in malice, but the effect was +most pernicious. He sent the information that a new attack was to +be made by the 10th May upon the Kowenstyn, that it was sure to be +successful, and that the siege of Antwerp was as good as raised. So Lord +Burghley informed me, in presence of Lord Leicester, that her Majesty was +determined to await the issue of this enterprise. It was quite too late +to get troops in readiness; to co-operate with the States' army, so soon +as the 10th May, and as Antwerp was so sure to be relieved, there was no +pressing necessity for haste. I uttered most bitter complaints to these +lords and to other counsellors of the Queen, that she should thus draw +back, on account of a letter from a single individual, without paying +sufficient heed to the despatches from the States-General, who certainly +knew their own affairs and their own necessities better than any one else +could do, but her Majesty sticks firm to her resolution." + +Here were immense mistakes committed on all sides. The premature +shooting up of those three rockets from the cathedral-tower, on the +unlucky 10th May, had thus not only ruined the first assault against the +Kowenstyn, but also the second and the more promising adventure. Had the +four thousand bold Englishmen there enlisted, and who could have reached +the Provinces in time to cooperate in that great enterprise, have stood +side by side with the Hollanders, the Zeelanders, and the Antwerpers, +upon that fatal dyke, it is almost a certainty that Antwerp would have +been relieved, and the whole of Flanders and Brabant permanently annexed +to the independent commonwealth, which would have thus assumed at once +most imposing proportions. + +It was a great blunder of Sainte Aldegonde to station in the cathedral, +on so important an occasion, watchmen in whose judgment he could not +thoroughly rely. It was a blunder in Gilpin, intelligent as he generally +showed himself, to write in such sanguine style before the event. But it +was the greatest blunder of all for Queen Elizabeth to suspend her +cooperation at the very instant when, as the result showed, it was likely +to prove most successful. It was a chapter of blunders from first to +last, but the most fatal of all the errors was the one thus prompted by +the great Queen's most traitorous characteristic, her obstinate +parsimony. + +And now began a series of sharp chafferings on both sides, not very +much to the credit of either party. The kingdom of England, and the +rebellious Provinces of Spain, were drawn to each other by an +irresistible law of political attraction. Their absorption into each +other seemed natural and almost inevitable; and the weight of the strong +Protestant organism, had it been thus completed, might have balanced the +great Catholic League which was clustering about Spain. + +It was unfortunate that the two governments of England and the +Netherlands should now assume the attitude of traders driving a hard +bargain with each other, rather than that of two important commonwealths, +upon whose action, at that momentous epoch, the weal and wo of +Christendom was hanging. It is quite true that the danger to England was +great, but that danger in any event was to be confronted--Philip was to +be defied, and, by assuming the cause of the Provinces to be her own, +which it unquestionably was, Elizabeth was taking the diadem from her +head--as the King of Sweden well observed--and adventuring it upon the +doubtful chance of war. Would it not have been better then--her mind +being once made up--promptly to accept all the benefits, as well as all +the hazards, of the bold game to which she was of necessity a party? +But she could not yet believe in the incredible meanness of Henry III. +"I asked her Majesty" (3rd May, 1585), said Ortel, "whether, in view of +these vast preparations in France, it did not behove her to be most +circumspect and upon her guard. For, in the opinion of many men, +everything showed one great scheme already laid down--a general +conspiracy throughout Christendom against the reformed religion. She +answered me, that thus far she could not perceive this to be the case; +'nor could she believe,' she said, 'that the King of France could be so +faint-hearted as to submit to such injuries from the Guises.'" + +Time was very soon to show the nature of that unhappy monarch with regard +to injuries, and to prove to Elizabeth the error she had committed in +doubting his faint-heartedness. Meanwhile, time was passing, and the +Netherlands were shivering in the storm. They, needed the open sunshine +which her caution kept too long behind the clouds. For it was now +enjoined upon Walsingham to manifest a coldness upon the part of the +English government towards the States. Davison was to be allowed to +return; "but," said Sir Francis, "her Majesty would not have you +accompany the commissioners who are coming from the Low Countries; but to +come over, either before them or after them, lest it be thought they come +over by her Majesty's procurement." + +As if they were not coming over by her Majesty's most especial +procurement, and as if it would matter to Philip--the union once made +between England and Holland--whether the invitation to that union came +first from the one party or the other! + +"I am retired for my health from the court to mine own house," said +Walsingham, "but I find those in whose judgment her Majesty reposeth +greatest trust so coldly affected unto the cause, as I have no great hope +of the matter; and yet, for that the hearts of princes are in the hands +of God, who both can will and dispose them at his pleasure, I would be +loath to hinder the repair of the commissioners." + +Here certainly, had the sun gone most suddenly into a cloud. Sir Francis +would be loath to advise the commissioners to stay at home, but he +obviously thought them coming on as bootless an errand as that which had +taken their colleagues so recently into France. + +The cause of the trouble was Flushing. Hence the tears, and the +coldness, and the scoldings, on the part of the imperious and the +economical Queen. Flushing was the patrimony--a large portion of that +which was left to him--of Count Maurice. It was deeply mortgaged for the +payment of the debts of William the Silent, but his son Maurice, so long +as the elder brother Philip William remained a captive in Spain, wrote +himself Marquis of Flushing and Kampveer, and derived both revenue and +importance from his rights in that important town. The States of +Zeeland, while desirous of a political fusion of the two countries, were +averse from the prospect of converting, by exception, their commercial, +capital into an English city, the remainder of the Provinces remaining +meanwhile upon their ancient footing. The negociations on the subject +caused a most ill-timed delay. The States finding the English government +cooling, affected to grow tepid themselves. This was the true mercantile +system, perhaps, for managing a transaction most thriftily, but frankness +and promptness would have been more statesmanlike at such a juncture. + +"I am sorry to understand," wrote Walsingham, "that the States are not +yet grown to a full resolution for the delivering of the town of Flushing +into her Majesty's hands. The Queen finding the people of that island so +wavering and inconstant, besides that they can hardly, after the so long +enjoying a popular liberty, bear a regal authority, would be loath to +embark herself into so dangerous a war without some sufficient caution +received from them. It is also greatly to be doubted, that if, by +practice and corruption, that town might be recovered by the Spaniards, +it would put all the rest of the country in peril. I find her Majesty, +in case that town may be gotten, fully resolved to receive them into her +protection, so as it may also be made probable unto her that the promised +three hundred thousand guilders the month will be duly paid." + +A day or two after writing this letter, Walsingham sent one afternoon, in +a great hurry, for Ortel, and informed him very secretly, that, according +to information just received, the deputies from the States were coming +without sufficient authority in regard to this very matter. Thus all the +good intentions of the English government were likely to be frustrated, +and the Provinces to be reduced to direful extremity. + +"What can we possibly advise her Majesty to do?" asked Walsingham, +"since you are not willing to put confidence in her intentions. You are +trying to bring her into a public war, in which she is to risk her +treasure and the blood of her subjects against the greatest potentates of +the world, and you hesitate meantime at giving her such security as is +required for the very defence of the Provinces themselves. The deputies +are coming hither to offer the sovereignty to her Majesty, as was +recently done in France, or, if that should not prove acceptable, they +are to ask assistance in men and money upon a mere 'taliter qualiter' +guaranty. That's not the way. And there are plenty of ill-disposed +persons here to take advantage of this position of affairs to ruin the +interest of the Provinces now placed on so good a footing. Moreover, in +this perpetual sending of despatches back and forth, much precious time +is consumed; and this is exactly what our enemies most desire." + +In accordance with Walsingham's urgent suggestions, Ortel wrote at once +to his constituents, imploring them to remedy this matter. Do not +allow," he said, any, more time to be wasted. Let us not painfully, +build a wall only to knock our own heads against it, to the dismay of our +friends and the gratification of our enemies." + +It was at last arranged that an important blank should be left in the +articles to be brought by the deputies, upon which vacant place the names +of certain cautionary towns, afterwards to be agreed upon, were to be +inscribed by common consent. + +Meantime the English ministers were busy in preparing to receive the +commissioners, and to bring the Netherland matter handsomely before the +legislature. + +The integrity, the caution, the thrift, the hesitation, which +characterized Elizabeth's government, were well pourtrayed in the +habitual language of the Lord Treasurer, chief minister of a third-rate +kingdom now called on to play a first-rate part, thoroughly acquainted +with the moral and intellectual power of the nation whose policy he +directed, and prophetically conscious of the great destinies which were +opening upon her horizon. Lord Burghley could hardly be censured--least +of all ridiculed--for the patient and somewhat timid attributes of his +nature: The ineffable ponderings, which might now be ludicrous, on the +part of a minister of the British Empire, with two hundred millions of +subjects and near a hundred millions of revenue, were almost inevitable +in a man guiding a realm of four millions of people with half a million +of income. + +It was, on the whole, a strange negotiation, this between England and +Holland. A commonwealth had arisen, but was unconscious of the strength +which it was to find in the principle of states' union, and of religious +equality. It sought, on the contrary, to exchange its federal +sovereignty for provincial dependence, and to imitate, to a certain +extent, the very intolerance by which it had been driven into revolt. +It was not unnatural that the Netherlanders should hate the Roman +Catholic religion, in the name of which they had endured such infinite +tortures, but it is, nevertheless, painful to observe that they requested +Queen Elizabeth, whom they styled defender, not of "the faith" but of the +"reformed religion," to exclude from the Provinces, in case she accepted +the sovereignty, the exercise of all religious rites except those +belonging to the reformed church. They, however, expressly provided +against inquisition into conscience. Private houses were to be sacred, +the, papists free within their own walls, but the churches were to be +closed to those of the ancient faith. This was not so bad as to hang, +burn, drown, and bury alive nonconformists, as had been done by Philip +and the holy inquisition in the name of the church of Rome; nor is it +very surprising that the horrible past should have caused that church to +be regarded with sentiments of such deep-rooted hostility as to make the +Hollanders shudder at the idea of its re-establishment. Yet, no doubt, +it was idle for either Holland or England, at that day, to talk of a +reconciliation with Rome. A step had separated them, but it was a step +from a precipice. No human power could bridge the chasm. The steep +contrast between the league and the counter-league, between the systems +of Philip and Mucio, and that of Elizabeth and Olden-Barneveld, ran +through the whole world of thought, action, and life. + +But still the negociation between Holland and England was a strange one. +Holland wished to give herself entirely, and England feared to accept. +Elizabeth, in place of sovereignty, wanted mortgages; while Holland was +afraid to give a part, although offering the whole. There was no great +inequality between the two countries. Both were instinctively conscious, +perhaps, of standing on the edge of a vast expansion. Both felt that +they were about to stretch their wings suddenly for a flight over the +whole earth. Yet each was a very inferior power, in comparison with the +great empires of the past or those which then existed. + +It is difficult, without a strong effort of the imagination, to reduce +the English empire to the slender proportions which belonged to her in +the days of Elizabeth. That epoch was full of light and life. The +constellations which have for centuries been shining in the English +firmament were then human creatures walking English earth. The captains, +statesmen, corsairs, merchant-adventurers, poets, dramatists, the great +Queen herself, the Cecils, Raleigh, Walsingham, Drake, Hawkins, Gilbert, +Howard, Willoughby, the Norrises, Essex, Leicester, Sidney, Spenser, +Shakspeare and the lesser but brilliant lights which surrounded him; such +were the men who lifted England upon an elevation to which she was not +yet entitled by her material grandeur. At last she had done with Rome, +and her expansion dated from that moment. + +Holland and England, by the very condition of their existence, were sworn +foes to Philip. Elizabeth stood excommunicated of the Pope. There was +hardly a month in which intelligence was not sent by English agents out +of the Netherlands and France, that assassins, hired by Philip, were +making their way to England to attempt the life of the Queen. The +Netherlanders were rebels to the Spanish monarch, and they stood, one +and all, under death-sentence by Rome. The alliance was inevitable and +wholesome. Elizabeth was, however, consistently opposed to the +acceptance of a new sovereignty. England was a weak power. Ireland was +at her side in a state of chronic rebellion--a stepping-stone for Spain +in its already foreshadowed invasion. Scotland was at her back with a +strong party of Catholics, stipendiaries of Philip, encouraged by the +Guises and periodically inflamed to enthusiasm by the hope of rescuing +Mary Stuart from her imprisonment, bringing her rival's head to the +block, and elevating the long-suffering martyr upon the throne of all the +British Islands. And in the midst of England itself, conspiracies were +weaving every day. The mortal duel between the two queens was slowly +approaching its termination. In the fatal form of Mary was embodied +everything most perilous to England's glory and to England's Queen. +Mary Stuart meant absolutism at home, subjection to Rome and Spain +abroad. The uncle Guises were stipendiaries of Philip, Philip was the +slave of the Pope. Mucio had frightened the unlucky Henry III. into +submission, and there was no health nor hope in France. For England, +Mary Stuart embodied the possible relapse into sloth, dependence, +barbarism. For Elizabeth, Mary Stuart embodied sedition, conspiracy, +rebellion, battle, murder, and sudden death. + +It was not to be wondered at that the Queen thus situated should be +cautious, when about throwing down the gauntlet to the greatest powers of +the earth. Yet the commissioners from the United States were now on +their way to England to propose the throwing of that gauntlet. What now +was that England? + +Its population was, perhaps, not greater than the numbers which dwell +to-day within its capital and immediate suburbs. Its revenue was perhaps +equal to the sixtieth part of the annual interest on the present national +debt. Single, highly-favoured individuals, not only in England but in +other countries cis- and trans-Atlantic, enjoy incomes equal to more than +half the amount of Elizabeth's annual budget. London, then containing +perhaps one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, was hardly so +imposing a town as Antwerp, and was inferior in most material respects to +Paris and Lisbon. Forty-two hundred children were born every year within +its precincts, and the deaths were nearly as many. In plague years, +which were only too frequent, as many as twenty and even thirty thousand +people had been annually swept away. + +At the present epoch there are seventeen hundred births every week, and +about one thousand deaths. + +It is instructive to throw a glance at the character of the English +people as it appeared to intelligent foreigners at that day; for the +various parts of the world were not then so closely blended, nor did +national colours and characteristics flow so liquidly into each other, +as is the case in these days of intimate juxta-position. + +"The English are a very clever, handsome, and well-made people," says a +learned Antwerp historian and merchant, who had resided a long time in +London, "but, like all islanders, by nature weak and tender. They are +generally fair, particularly the women, who all--even to the peasant +women--protect their complexions from the sun with fans and veils, as +only the stately gentlewomen do in Germany and the Netherlands. As a +people they are stout-hearted, vehement, eager, cruel in war, zealous in +attack, little fearing: death; not revengeful, but fickle, presumptuous, +rash, boastful, deceitful, very suspicious, especially of strangers, whom +they despise. They are full of courteous and hypocritical gestures and +words, which they consider to imply good manners, civility, and wisdom. +They are well spoken, and very hospitable. They feed well, eating much +meat, which-owing to the rainy climate and the ranker character of the +grass--is not so firm and succulent as the meat of France and the +Netherlands. The people are not so laborious as the French and +Hollanders, preferring to lead an indolent life, like the Spaniards. +The most difficult and ingenious of the handicrafts are in the hands +of foreigners, as is the case with the lazy inhabitants of Spain. +They feed many sheep, with fine wool, from which, two hundred years ago, +they learned to make cloth. They keep many idle servants, and many wild +animals for their pleasure, instead of cultivating the sail. They have +many ships, but they do not even catch fish enough for their own +consumption, but purchase of their neighbours. They dress very +elegantly. Their costume is light and costly, but they are very +changeable and capricious, altering their fashions every year, both the +men and the women. When they go away from home, riding or travelling, +they always wear their best clothes, contrary to the habit of other +nations. The English language is broken Dutch, mixed with French and +British terms and words, but with a lighter pronunciation. They do not +speak from the chest, like the Germans, but prattle only with the +tongue." + +Here are few statistical facts, but certainly it is curious to see how +many national traits thus photographed by a contemporary, have quite +vanished, and have been exchanged for their very opposites. Certainly +the last physiological criticism of all would indicate as great a +national metamorphosis, during the last three centuries, as is offered by +many other of the writer's observations. + +"With regard to the women," continues the same authority, "they are +entirely in the power of the men, except in matters of life and death, +yet they are not kept so closely and strictly as in Spain and elsewhere. +They are not locked up, but have free management of their household, +like the Netherlanders and their other neighbours. They are gay in +their clothing, taking well their ease, leaving house-work to the +servant-maids, and are fond of sitting, finely-dressed, before their +doors to see the passers-by and to be seen of them. In all banquets and +dinner-parties they have the most honour, sitting at the upper end of the +board, and being served first. + +"Their time is spent in riding, lounging, card-playing, and making merry +with their gossips at child-bearings, christenings, churchings, and +buryings; and all this conduct the men wink at, because such are the +customs of the land. They much commend however the industry and careful +habits of the German and Netherland women, who do the work which in +England devolves upon the men. Hence, England is called the paradise of +married women, for the unmarried girls are kept much more strictly than +upon the continent. The women are, handsome, white, dressy, modest; +although they go freely about the streets without bonnet, hood, or veil; +but lately learned to cover their faces with a silken mask or vizard with +a plumage of feathers, for they change their fashions every year, to the +astonishment of many." + +Paul Hentzner, a tourist from Germany at precisely the same epoch, +touches with equal minuteness on English characteristics. It may be +observed, that, with some discrepancies, there is also much similarity, +in the views of the two critics. + +"The English," says the whimsical Paul, are serious, like the Germans, +lovers of show, liking to be followed, wherever they go, by troops of +servants, who wear their master's arms, in silver, fastened to their left +sleeves, and are justly ridiculed for wearing tails hanging down their +backs. They excel in dancing and music, for they are active and lively, +although they are of thicker build than the Germans. They cut their hair +close on the forehead, letting it hang down on either side. They are +good sailors, and better pirates, cunning, treacherous, thievish. Three +hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London. Hawking is the +favourite sport of the nobility. The English are more polite in eating +than the French, devouring less bread, but more meat, which they roast in +perfection. They put a great deal of sugar in their drink. Their beds +are covered with tapestry, even those of farmers. They are powerful in +the field, successful against their enemies, impatient of anything like +slavery, vastly fond of great ear-filling noises, such as cannon-firing, +drum-beating, and bell-ringing; so that it is very common for a number of +them, when they have got a cup too much in their heads, to go up to some +belfry, and ring the bells for an hour together, for the sake of the +amusement. If they see a foreigner very well made or particularly +handsome, they will say "'tis pity he is not an Englishman." + +It is also somewhat amusing, at the present day, to find a German +elaborately explaining to his countrymen the mysteries of tobacco- +smoking, as they appeared to his unsophisticated eyes in England. "At +the theatres and everywhere else," says the traveller, "the English are +constantly smoking tobacco in the following manner. They have pipes, +made on purpose, of clay. At the further end of these is a bowl. Into +the bowl they put the herb, and then setting fire to it, they draw the +smoke into their mouths, which they puff out again through their +nostrils, like funnels," and so on; conscientious explanations which a +German tourist of our own times might think it superfluous to offer to +his compatriots. + +It is also instructive to read that the light-fingered gentry of the +metropolis were nearly as adroit in their calling as they are at present, +after three additional centuries of development for their delicate craft; +for the learned Tobias Salander, the travelling companion of Paul +Hentzner, finding himself at a Lord Mayor's Show, was eased of his purse, +containing nine crowns, as skilfully as the feat could have been done by +the best pickpocket of the nineteenth century, much to that learned +person's discomfiture. + +Into such an England and among such English the Netherland envoys had now +been despatched on their most important errand. + +After twice putting back, through stress of weather, the commissioners, +early in July, arrived at London, and were "lodged and very worshipfully +appointed at charges of her Majesty in the Clothworkers' Hall in Pynchon- +lane, near Tower-street." About the Tower and its faubourgs the +buildings were stated to be as elegant as they were in the city itself, +although this was hardly very extravagant commendation. From this +district a single street led along the river's strand to Westminster, +where were the old and new palaces, the famous hall and abbey, the +Parliament chambers, and the bridge to Southwark, built of stone, with +twenty arches, sixty feet high, and with rows of shops and dwelling- +houses on both its sides. Thence, along the broad and beautiful river, +were dotted here and there many stately mansions and villas, residences +of bishops and nobles, extending farther and farther west as the city +melted rapidly into the country. London itself was a town lying high +upon a hill--the hill of Lud--and consisted of a coil of narrow, +tortuous, unseemly streets, each with a black, noisome rivulet running +through its centre, and with rows of three-storied, leaden-roofed houses, +built of timber-work filled in with lime, with many gables, and with the +upper stories overhanging and darkening the basements. There were one +hundred and twenty-one churches, small and large, the most conspicuous of +which was the Cathedral. Old Saint Paul's was not a very magnificent +edifice--but it was an extremely large one, for it was seven hundred and +twenty feet long, one hundred and thirty broad, and had a massive +quadrangular tower, two hundred and sixty feet high. Upon this tower had +stood a timber-steeple, rising, to a height of five hundred and thirty- +four feet from the ground, but it had been struck by lightning in the +year 1561, and consumed to the stone-work. + +The Queen's favourite residence was Greenwich Palace, the place of her +birth, and to this mansion, on the 9th of July, the Netherland envoys +were conveyed, in royal barges, from the neighbourhood of Pynchon-lane, +for their first audience. + +The deputation was a strong one. There was Falck of Zeeland, a man +of consummate adroitness, perhaps not of as satisfactory integrity; +"a shrewd fellow and a fine," as Lord Leicester soon afterwards +characterised him. There was Menin, pensionary of Dort, an eloquent and +accomplished orator, and employed on this occasion as chief spokesman of +the legation--"a deeper man, and, I think, an honester," said the same +personage, adding, with an eye to business, "and he is but poor, which +you must consider, but with great secrecy." There was Paul Buys, whom we +have met with before; keen, subtle, somewhat loose of life, very +passionate, a most most energetic and valuable friend to England, a +determined foe to France, who had resigned the important post of +Holland's Advocate, when the mission offering sovereignty to Henry III. +had been resolved upon, and who had since that period been most +influential in procuring the present triumph of the English policy. +Through his exertions the Province of Holland had been induced at an +early moment to furnish the most ample instructions to the commissioners +for the satisfaction of Queen Elizabeth in the great matter of the +mortgages. "Judge if this Paul Buys has done his work well," said a +French agent in the Netherlands, who, despite the infamous conduct of his +government towards the Provinces, was doing his best to frustrate the +subsequent negotiation with England, "and whether or no he has Holland +under his thumb." The same individual had conceived hopes from Falck of +Zeeland. That Province, in which lay the great bone of contention +between the Queen and the States--the important town of Flushing--was +much slower than Holland to agree to the English policy. It is to be +feared that Falck was not the most ingenuous and disinterested politician +that could be found even in an age not distinguished for frankness or +purity; for even while setting forth upon the mission to Elizabeth, he +was still clingihg, or affecting to cling, to the wretched delusion of +French assistance. "I regret infinitely," said Falck to the French agent +just mentioned, "that I am employed in this affair, and that it is +necessary in our present straits to have recourse to England. There is-- +so to speak--not a person in our Province that is inclined that way, all +recognizing very well that France is much more salutary for us, besides +that we all bear her a certain affection. Indeed, if I were assured that +the King still felt any goodwill towards us, I would so manage matters +that neither the Queen of England, nor any other prince whatever except +his most Christian-Majesty should take a bite at this country, at least +at this Province, and with that view, while waiting for news from France, +I will keep things in suspense, and spin them out as long as it is +possible to do." + +The news from France happened soon to be very conclusive, and it then +became difficult even for Falek to believe--after intelligence received +of the accord between Henry III. and the Guises--that his Christian +Majesty, would be inclined for a bite at the Netherlands. This duplicity +on the part of so leading a personage furnishes a key to much of the +apparent dilatoriness on the part of the English government: It has been +seen that Elizabeth, up to the last moment, could not fairly comprehend +the ineffable meanness of the French monarch. She told Ortel that she +saw no reason to believe in that great Catholic conspiracy against +herself and against all Protestantism which was so soon to be made public +by the King's edict of July, promulgated at the very instant of the +arrival in England of the Netherland envoys. Then that dread fiat had +gone forth, the most determined favourer of the French alliance could no +longer admit its possibility, and Falck became the more open to that +peculiar line of argument which Leicester had suggested with regard to +one of the other deputies. "I will do my best," wrote Walsingham, "to +procure that Paul Buys and Falck shall receive underhand some reward." + +Besides Menin, Falck, and Buys, were Noel de Caron, an experienced +diplomatist; the poet-soldier, Van der Does; heroic defender of Leyden; +De Gryze, Hersolte, Francis Maalzoon, and three legal Frisians of pith +and substance, Feitsma, Aisma, and Jongema; a dozen Dutchmen together-- +as muscular champions as ever little republic sent forth to wrestle with +all comers in the slippery ring of diplomacy. For it was instinctively +felt that here were conclusions to be tried with a nation of deep, solid +thinkers, who were aware that a great crisis in the world's history had +occurred, and would put forth their most substantial men to deal with it: +Burghley and Walsingham, the great Queen herself, were no feather-weights +like the frivolous Henry III., and his minions. It was pity, however, +that the discussions about to ensue presented from the outset rather the +aspect of a hard hitting encounter of antagonists than that of a frank +and friendly congress between two great parties whose interests were +identical. + +Since the death of William the Silent, there was no one individual in the +Netherlands to impersonate the great struggle of the Provinces with Spain +and Rome, and to concentrate upon his own head a poetical, dramatic, and +yet most legitimate interest. The great purpose of the present history +must be found in its illustration of the creative power of civil and +religious freedom. Here was a little republic, just born into the world, +suddenly bereft of its tutelary saint, left to its own resources, yet +already instinct with healthy vigorous life, and playing its difficult +part among friends and enemies with audacity, self-reliance, and success. +To a certain extent its achievements were anonymous, but a great +principle manifested itself through a series of noble deeds. Statesmen, +soldiers, patriots, came forward on all sides to do the work which was to +be done, and those who were brought into closest contact with the +commonwealth acknowledged in strongest language the signal ability with +which, self-guided, she steered her course. Nevertheless, there was at +this moment one Netherlander, the chief of the present mission to +England, already the foremost statesman of his country, whose name will +not soon be effaced from the record of the sixteenth and seventeenth +centuries. That man was John of Olden-Barneveld. + +He was now in his thirty-eighth year, having been born at Amersfoot on +the 14th of September, 1547. He bore an imposing name, for the Olden- +Barnevelds of Gelderland were a race of unquestionable and antique +nobility. His enemies, however, questioned his right to the descent +which he claimed. They did not dispute that the great grandfather, Class +van Olden-Barneveld, was of distinguished lineage and allied to many +illustrious houses, but they denied that Class was really the great +grandfather of John. John's father, Gerritt, they said, was a nameless +outcast, a felon, a murderer, who had escaped the punishment due to his +crimes, but had dragged out a miserable existence in the downs, burrowing +like a rabbit in the sand. They had also much to say in disparagement of +all John's connections. Not only was his father a murderer, but his +wife, whom he had married for money, was the child of a most horrible +incest, his sisters were prostitutes, his sons and brothers were +debauchees and drunkards, and, in short, never had a distinguished man a +more uncomfortable and discreditable family-circle than that which +surrounded Barneveld, if the report of his enemies was to be believed. +Yet it is agreeable to reflect that, with all the venom which they had +such power of secreting, these malignant tongues had been unable to +destroy the reputation of the man himself. John's character was +honourable and upright, his intellectual power not disputed even by those +who at a later period hated him the most bitterly. He had been a +profound and indefatigable student from his earliest youth. He had read +law at Leyden, in France, at Heidelberg. Here, in the head-quarters of +German Calvinism, his youthful mind had long pondered the dread themes of +foreknowledge, judgment absolute, free will, and predestination: To +believe it worth the while of a rational and intelligent Deity to create +annually several millions of thinking beings, who were to struggle for a +brief period on earth, and to consume in perpetual brimstone afterwards, +while others were predestined to endless enjoyment, seemed to him an +indifferent exchange for a faith in the purgatory and paradise of Rome. +Perplexed in the extreme, the youthful John bethought himself of an +inscription over the gateway of his famous but questionable great +grandfather's house at Amersfort--'nil scire tutissima fides.' He +resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance upon matters beyond +the flaming walls of the world; to do the work before him manfully and +faithfully while he walked the earth, and to trust that a benevolent +Creator would devote neither him nor any other man to eternal hellfire. +For this most offensive doctrine he was howled at by the strictly pious, +while he earned still deeper opprobrium by daring to advocate religious +toleration: In face of the endless horrors inflicted by the Spanish +Inquisition upon his native land, he had the hardihood--although a +determined Protestant himself--to claim for Roman Catholics the right to +exercise their religion in the free States on equal terms with those of +the reformed faith. "Anyone," said his enemies, "could smell what that +meant who had not a wooden nose." In brief, he was a liberal Christian, +both in theory and practice, and he nobly confronted in consequence the +wrath of bigots on both sides. At a later period the most zealous +Calvinists called him Pope John, and the opinions to which he was to owe +such appellations had already been formed in his mind. + +After completing his very thorough legal studies, he had practised as +an advocate in Holland and Zeeland. An early defender of civil and +religious freedom, he had been brought at an early day into contact with +William the Silent, who recognized his ability. He had borne a snap- +hance on his shoulder as a volunteer in the memorable attempt to relieve +Haarlem, and was one of the few survivors of that bloody night. He had +stood outside the walls of Leyden in company of the Prince of Orange when +that magnificent destruction of the dykes had taken place by which the +city had been saved from the fate impending over it. At a still more +recent period we have seen him landing from the gun-boats upon the +Kowenstyn, on the fatal 26th May. These military adventures were, +however, but brief and accidental episodes in his career, which was +that of a statesman and diplomatist. As pensionary of Rotterdam, he was +constantly a member of the General Assembly, and had already begun to +guide the policy of the new commonwealth. His experience was +considerable, and he was now in the high noon of his vigour and his +usefulness. + +He was a man of noble and imposing presence, with thick hair pushed from +a broad forehead rising dome-like above a square and massive face; a +strong deeply-coloured physiognomy, with shaggy brow, a chill blue eye, +not winning but commanding, high cheek bones, a solid, somewhat scornful +nose, a firm mouth and chin, enveloped in a copious brown beard; +the whole head not unfitly framed in the stiff formal ruff of the period; +and the tall stately figure well draped in magisterial robes of velvet +and sable--such was John of Olden-Barneveld. + +The Commissioners thus described arrived at Greenwich Stairs, and were at +once ushered into the palace, a residence which had been much enlarged +and decorated by Henry VIII. + +They were received with stately ceremony. The presence-chamber was hung +with Gobelin tapestry, its floor strewn with rushes. Fifty-gentlemen +pensioners, with gilt battle-ages, and a throng of 'buffetiers', or beef- +eaters, in that quaint old-world garb which has survived so many +centuries, were in attendance, while the counsellors of the Queen, in +their robes of state, waited around the throne. + +There, in close skull-cap and dark flowing gown, was the subtle, +monastic-looking Walsingham, with long, grave, melancholy face and +Spanish eyes. There too, white staff in hand, was Lord High Treasurer +Burghley, then sixty-five years of age, with serene blue eye, large, +smooth, pale, scarce-wrinkled face and forehead; seeming, with his +placid, symmetrical features, and great velvet bonnet, under which such +silver hairs as remained were soberly tucked away, and with his long dark +robes which swept the ground, more like a dignified gentlewoman than a +statesman, but for the wintery beard which lay like a snow-drift on his +ancient breast. + +The Queen was then in the fifty-third year of her age, and considered +herself in the full bloom of her beauty. Her, garments were of satin and +velvet, with fringes of pearl as big as beans. A small gold crown was +upon her head, and her red hair, throughout its multiplicity of curls, +blazed with diamonds and emeralds. Her forehead was tall, her face long, +her complexion fair, her eyes small, dark, and glittering, her nose high +and hooked, her lips thin, her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally +exposed. As she passed through the ante-chamber to the presence-hall, +supplicants presented petitions upon their knees. Wherever she glanced, +all prostrated themselves on the ground. The cry of "Long live Queen +Elizabeth" was spontaneous and perpetual; the reply; "I thank you, my +good people," was constant and cordial. She spoke to various foreigners +in their respective languages, being mistress, besides the Latin and +Greek, of French, Spanish, Italian, and German. As the Commissioners +were presented to her by Lord Buckhurst it was observed that she was +perpetually gloving and ungloving, as if to attract attention to her +hand, which was esteemed a wonder of beauty. She spoke French with +purity and elegance, but with a drawling, somewhat affected accent, +saying "Paar maa foi; paar le Dieeu vivaant," and so forth, in a style +which was ridiculed by Parisians, as she sometimes, to her extreme +annoyance, discovered. + +Joos de Menin, pensionary of Dort, in the name of all the envoys, made an +elaborate address. He expressed the gratitude which the States +entertained for her past kindness, and particularly for the good offices +rendered by Ambassador Davison after the death of the Prince of Orange, +and for the deep regret expressed by her Majesty for their disappointment +in the hopes they had founded upon France. + +"Since the death of the Prince of Orange," he said, "the States have lost +many important cities, and now, for the preservation of their existence, +they have need of a prince and sovereign lord to defend them against the +tyranny and iniquitous oppression of the Spaniards and their adherents, +who are more and more determined utterly to destroy their country, and +reduce the poor people to a perpetual slavery worse than that of Indians, +under the insupportable and detestable yoke of the Spanish Inquisition. +We have felt a confidence that your Majesty will not choose to see us +perish at the hands of the enemy against whom we have been obliged to +sustain this long and cruel war. That war we have undertaken in order to +preserve for the poor people their liberty, laws, and franchises, +together with the exercise of the true Christian religion, of which your +Majesty bears rightfully the title of defender, and against which the +enemy and his allies have made so many leagues and devised so many +ambushes and stratagems, besides organizing every day so many plots +against the life of your Majesty and the safety of your realms--schemes +which thus far the good God has averted for the good of Christianity and +the maintenance of His churches. For these reasons, Madam, the States +have taken a firm resolution to have recourse to your Majesty, seeing +that it is an ordinary thing for all oppressed nations to apply in their +calamity to neighbouring princes, and especially to such as are endowed +with piety, justice, magnanimity, and other kingly virtues. For this +reason we have been deputed to offer to your Majesty the sovereignty over +these Provinces, under certain good and equitable conditions, having +reference chiefly to the maintenance of the reformed religion and of our +ancient liberties and customs. And although, in the course of these long +and continued wars, the enemy has obtained possession of many cities and +strong places within our couniry, nevertheless the Provinces of Holland, +Zeeland, Utrecht, and Friesland, are, thank God, still entire. And in +those lands are many large and stately cities, beautiful and deep rivers, +admirable seaports, from which your Majesty and your successors can +derive much good fruit and commodity, of which it is scarcely, necessary +to make a long recital. This point, however, beyond the rest, merits a +special consideration; namely, that the conjunction of those Provinces of +Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, and Friesland, together with the cities of +Sluys and Ostend, with the kingdoms of your Majesty, carries with it the +absolute empire of the great ocean, and consequently an assurance of +perpetual felicity for your subjects. We therefore humbly entreat you to +agree to our conditions, to accept the sovereign seignory of these +Provinces, and consequently to receive the people of the same as your +very humble and obedient subjects, under the perpetual safeguard of your +crown--a people certainly as faithful and loving towards their princes +and sovereign lords, to speak without boasting, as any in all +Christendom. + +"So doing, Madam, you will preserve many beautiful churches which it has +pleased God to raise up in these lands, now much afflicted and shaken, +and you will deliver this country and people--before the iniquitous +invasion of the Spaniards, so rich and flourishing by the great Commodity +of the sea, their ports and rivers, their commerce and manufactures, for +all which they have such natural advantages--from ruin and perpetual +slavery of body and soul. This will be a truly excellent work, agreeable +to God, profitable to Christianity, worthy of immortal praise, and +comporting with the heroic virtues of your Majesty, and ensuring the +prosperity of your country and people. With this we present to your +Majesty our articles and conditions, and pray that the King of Kings may +preserve you from all your enemies and ever have you in His holy +keeping." + +The Queen listened intently and very courteously to the delivery of this +address, and then made answer in French to this effect:--"Gentlemen,--Had +I a thousand tongues I should not be able to express my obligation to you +for the great and handsome offers which you have just made. I firmly +believe that this proceeds from the true zeal, devotion, and affection, +which you have always borne me, and I am certain that you have ever +preferred me to all the princes and potentates in the world. Even when +you selected the late Duke of Anjou, who was so dear to me, and to whose +soul I hope that God has been merciful, I know that you would sooner have +offered your country to me if I had desired that you should do so. +Certainly I esteem it a great thing that you wish to be governed by me, +and I feel so much obliged to you in consequence that I will never +abandon you, but, on the contrary, assist you till the last sigh of my +life. I know very well that your princes have treated you ill, and that +the Spaniards are endeavouring to ruin you entirely; but I will come to +your aid, and I will consider what I can do, consistently with my honour, +in regard to the articles which you have brought me. They shall be +examined by the members of my council, and I promise that I will not keep +you three or four months, for I know very well that your affairs require +haste, and that they will become ruinous if you are not assisted. It is +not my custom to procrastinate, and upon this occasion I shall not dally, +as others have done, but let you have my answer very soon." + +Certainly, if the Provinces needed a king, which they had most +unequivocally declared to be the case, they might have wandered the +whole earth over, and, had it been possible, searched through the whole +range of history, before finding a monarch with a more kingly spirit +than the great Queen to whom they had at last had recourse. + +Unfortunately, she was resolute in her refusal to accept the offered +sovereignty. The first interview terminated with this exchange of +addresses, and the deputies departed in their barges for their lodgings +in Pynchon-lane. + +The next two days were past in perpetual conferences, generally at Lord +Burghley's house, between the envoys and the lords of the council, in +which the acceptance of the sovereignty was vehemently urged on the part +of the Netherlanders, and steadily declined in the name of her Majesty. + +"Her Highness," said Burghley, "cannot be induced, by any writing or +harangue that you can make, to accept the principality or proprietorship +as sovereign, and it will therefore be labour lost for you to exhibit any +writing for the purpose of changing her intention. It will be better to +content yourselves with her Majesty's consent to assist you, and to take +you under her protection." + +Nevertheless, two days afterwards, a writing was exhibited, drawn up by +Menin, in which another elaborate effort was made to alter the Queen's +determination. This anxiety, on the part of men already the principal +personages in a republic, to merge the independent existence of their +commonwealth in another and a foreign political organism, proved, at any +rate; that they were influenced by patriotic motives alone. It is also +instructive to observe the intense language with which the necessity +of a central paramount sovereignty for all the Provinces, and the +inconveniences of the separate States' right principle were urged by a +deputation, at the head of which stood Olden-Barneveld. "Although it is +not becoming in us," said they, "to enquire into your Majesty's motives +for refusing the sovereignty of our country, nevertheless, we cannot help +observing that your consent would be most profitable, as well to your +Majesty, and your successors, as to the Provinces themselves. By your +acceptance of the sovereignty the two peoples would be, as it were, +united in one body. This would cause a fraternal benevolence between +them, and a single reverence, love, and obedience to your Majesty.--The +two peoples being thus under the government of the same sovereign prince, +the intrigues and practices which the enemy could attempt with persons +under a separate subjection, would of necessity surcease. Moreover, +those Provinces are all distinct duchies, counties, seignories, governed +by their own magistrates, laws, and ordinances; each by itself, without +any authority or command to be exercised by one Province over another. +To this end they have need of a supreme power and of one sovereign prince +or seignor, who may command all equally, having a constant regard to the +public weal--considered as a generality, and not with regard to the +profit of the one or the other individual Province--and, causing promptly +and universally to be executed such ordinances as may be made in the +matter of war or police, according to various emergencies. Each +Province, on the contrary, retaining its sovereignty over its own +inhabitants, obedience will not be so promptly and completely rendered +to the commands of the lieutenant-general of your Majesty, and many, +a good enterprise and opportunity, will be lost. Where there is not a +single authority it is always found that one party endeavours to usurp +power over another, or to escape doing his duty so thoroughly as the +others. And this has notoriously been the case in the matter of +contributions, imposts, and similar matters." + +Thus much, and more of similar argument, logically urged, made it +sufficiently evident that twenty years of revolt and of hard fighting +against one king, had not destroyed in the minds of the leading +Netherlanders their conviction of the necessity of kingship. If the new +commonwealth was likely to remain a republic, it was, at that moment at +any rate, because they could not find a king. Certainly they did their +best to annex themselves to England, and to become loyal subjects of +England's Elizabeth. But the Queen, besides other objections to the +course proposed by the Provinces, thought that she could do a better +thing in the way of mortgages. In this, perhaps, there was something of +the penny-wise policy, which sprang from one great defect in her +character. At any rate much mischief was done by the mercantile spirit +which dictated the hard chaffering on both sides the Channel at this +important juncture; for during this tedious flint-paring, Antwerp, which +might have been saved, was falling into the hands of Philip. It should +never be forgotten, however, that the Queen had no standing army, and but +a small revenue. The men to be sent from England to the Netherland wars +were first to be levied wherever it was possible to find them. In truth, +many were pressed in the various wards of London, furnished with red +coats and matchlocks at the expense of the citizens, and so despatched, +helter-skelter, in small squads as opportunity offered. General Sir John +Norris was already superintending these operations, by command of the +Queen, before the present formal negotiation with the States had begun. + +Subsequently to the 11th July, on which day the second address had been +made to Elizabeth, the envoys had many conferences with Leicester, +Burghley, Walsingham, and other councillors, without making much +progress. There was perpetual wrangling about figures and securities. + +"What terms will you pledge for the repayment of the monies to be +advanced?" asked Burghley and Walsingham. + +"But if her Majesty takes the sovereignty," answered the deputies, "there +will be no question of guarantees. The Queen will possess our whole +land, and there will be no need of any repayment." + +"And we have told you over and over again," said the Lord Treasurer, +"that her Majesty will never think of accepting the sovereignty. She +will assist you in money and men, and must be repaid to the last farthing +when the war is over; and, until that period, must have solid pledges in +the shape of a town in each Province." + +Then came interrogatories as to the amount of troops and funds to be +raised respectively by the Queen and the States for the common cause. +The Provinces wished her Majesty to pay one-third of the whole expense, +while her Majesty was reluctant to pay one-quarter. The States wished +a permanent force to be kept on foot in the Netherlands of thirteen +thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry for the field, and twenty- +three thousand for garrisons. The councillors thought the last item too +much. Then there were queries as to the expense of maintaining a force +in the Provinces. The envoys reckoned one pound sterling, or ten +florins, a month for the pay of each foot soldier, including officers; +and for the cavalry, three times as much. This seemed reasonable, and +the answers to the inquiries touching the expense of the war-vessels and +sailors were equally satisfactory. Nevertheless it was difficult to +bring the Queen up to the line to which the envoys had been limited by +their instructions. Five thousand foot and one thousand horse serving at +the Queen's expense till the war should be concluded, over and above the +garrisons for such cautionary towns as should be agreed upon; this was +considered, by the States, the minimum. The Queen held out for giving +only four thousand foot and four hundred horse, and for deducting the +garrisons even from this slender force. As guarantee for the expense +thus to be incurred, she required that Flushing and Brill should be +placed in her hands. Moreover the position of Antwerp complicated the +negotiation. Elizabeth, fully sensible of the importance of preserving +that great capital, offered four thousand soldiers to serve until that +city should be relieved, requiring repayment within three months after +the object should have been accomplished. As special guarantee for such +repayment she required Sluys and Ostend. This was sharp bargaining, +but, at any rate, the envoys knew that the Queen, though cavilling to +the ninth-part of a hair, was no trifler, and that she meant to perform +whatever she should promise. + +There was another exchange of speeches at the Palace of Nonesuch, on the +5th August; and the position of affairs and the respective attitudes of +the Queen and envoys were plainly characterized by the language then +employed. + +After an exordium about the cruelty of the Spanish tyranny and the +enormous expense entailed by the war upon the Netherlands, Menin, who, +as usual, was the spokesman, alluded to the difficulty which the States +at last felt in maintaining themselves. + +"Five thousand foot and one thousand horse," he said, "over and above the +maintenance of garrisons in the towns to be pledged as security to your +Majesty, seemed the very least amount of succour that would be probably +obtained from your royal bounty. Considering the great demonstrations +of affection and promises of support, made as well by your Majesty's own +letters as by the mouth of your ambassador Davison, and by our envoys De +Gryse and Ortel, who have all declared publicly that your Majesty would +never forsake us, the States sent us their deputies to this country in +full confidence that such reasonable demands as we had been authorized to +make would be satisfied." + +The speaker then proceeded to declare that the offer made by the royal +councillors of four thousand foot and four hundred horse, to serve during +the war, together with a special force of four thousand for the relief of +Antwerp, to be paid for within three months after the siege should be +raised, auninst a concession of the cities of Flushing, Brill, Sluys, and +Ostend, did not come within the limitations of the States-General. They +therefore begged the Queen to enlarge her offer to the number of five +thousand foot and one thousand horse, or at least to allow the envoys to +conclude the treaty provisionally, and subject to approval of their +constituents. + +So soon as Menin had concluded his address, her Majesty instantly +replied, with much earnestness and fluency of language. + +"Gentlemen," she said, "I will answer you upon the first point, because +it touches my honour. You say that I promised you, both by letters and +through my agent Davison, and also by my own lips, to assist you and +never to abandon you, and that this had moved you to come to me at +present. Very well, masters, do you not think I am assisting you when I +am sending you four thousand foot and four hundred horse to serve during +the war? Certainly, I think yes; and I say frankly that I have never +been wanting to my word. No man shall ever say, with truth, that the +Queen of England had at any time and ever so slightly failed in her +promises, whether to the mightiest monarch, to republics, to gentlemen, +or even to private persons of the humblest condition. Am I, then, in +your opinion, forsaking you when I send you English blood, which I love, +and which is my own blood, and which I am bound to defend? It seems to +me, no. For my part I tell you again that I will never forsake you. + +"'Sed de modo?' That is matter for agreement. You are aware, gentlemen, +that I have storms to fear from many quarters--from France, Scotland, +Ireland, and within my own kingdom. What would be said if I looked only +on one side, and if on that side I employed all my resources. No, I will +give my subjects no cause for murmuring. I know that my counsellors +desire to manage matters with prudence; 'sed aetatem habeo', and you are +to believe, that, of my own motion, I have resolved not to extend my +offer of assistance, at present, beyond the amount already stated. But +I don't say that at another time I may not be able to do more for you. +For my intention is never to abandon your cause, always to assist you, +and never more to suffer any foreign nation to have dominion over you. + +"It is true that you present me with two places in each of your +Provinces. I thank you for them infinitely, and certainly it is a great +offer. But it will be said instantly, the Queen of England wishes to +embrace and devour everything; while, on the contrary, I only wish to +render you assistance. I believe, in truth, that if other monarchs +should have this offer, they would not allow such an opportunity to +escape. I do not let it slip because of fears that I entertain for any +prince whatever. For to think that I am not aware--doing what I am +doing--that I am embarking in a war against the King of Spain, is a great +mistake. I know very well that the succour which I am affording you will +offend him as much as if I should do a great deal more. But what care I? +Let him begin, I will answer him. For my part, I say again, that never +did fear enter my heart. We must all die once. I know very well that +many princes are my enemies, and are seeking my ruin; and that where +malice is joined with force, malice often arrives at its ends. But I am +not so feeble a princess that I have not the means and the will to defend +myself against them all. They are seeking to take my life, but it +troubles me not. He who is on high has defended me until this hour, +and will keep me still, for in Him do I trust. + +"As to the other point, you say that your powers are not extensive enough +to allow your acceptance of the offer I make you. Nevertheless, if I am +not mistaken, I have remarked in passing--for princes look very close to +words--that you would be content if I would give you money in place of +men, and that your powers speak only of demanding a certain proportion +of infantry and another of cavalry. I believe this would be, as you say, +an equivalent, 'secundum quod'. But I say this only because you govern +yourselves so precisely by the measure of your instructions. Nevertheless +I don't wish to contest these points with you. For very often 'dum Romae +disputatur Saguntum perit.' Nevertheless, it would be well for you to +decide; and, in any event, I do not think it good that you should all +take your departure, but that, on the contrary, you should leave some of +your number here. Otherwise it would at once be said that all was broken +off, and that I had chosen to nothing for you; and with this the bad +would comfort themselves, and the good would be much discouraged. + +"Touching the last point of your demand--according to which you desire a +personage of quality--I know, gentlemen, that you do not always agree +very well among yourselves, and that it would be good for you to have +some one to effect such agreement. For this reason I have always +intended, so soon as we should have made our treaty, to send a lord of +name and authority to reside with you, to assist you in governing, and to +aid, with his advice, in the better direction of your affairs. + +"Would to God that Antwerp were relieved! Certainly I should be very +glad, and very well content to lose all that I am now expending if that +city could be saved. I hope, nevertheless, if it can hold out six weeks +longer, that we shall see something good. Already the two thousand men +of General Norris have crossed, or are crossing, every day by companies. +I will hasten the rest as much as possible; and I assure you, gentlemen, +that I will spare no diligence. Nevertheless you may, if you choose, +retire with my council, and see if together you can come to some good +conclusion." + +Thus spoke Elizabeth, like the wise, courageous, and very parsimonious +princess that she was. Alas, it was too true, that Saguntum was +perishing while the higgling went on at Rome. Had those two thousand +under Sir John Norris and the rest of the four thousand but gone a few +weeks earlier, how much happier might have been the result! + +Nevertheless, it was thought in England that Antwerp would still hold +out; and, meantime, a treaty for its relief, in combination with another +for permanent assistance to the Provinces, was agreed upon between the +envoys and the lords of council. + +On the 12th August, Menin presented himself at Nonesuch at the head of +his colleagues, and, in a formal speech, announced the arrangement which +had thus been entered into, subject to the approval of the States. Again +Elizabeth, whose "tongue," in the homely phrase of the Netherlanders, +"was wonderfully well hung," replied with energy and ready eloquence. + +"You see, gentlemen," she said, "that I have opened the door; that I am +embarking once for all with you in a war against the King of Spain. Very +well, I am not anxious about the matter. I hope that God will aid us, +and that we shall strike a good blow in your cause. Nevertheless, I pray +you, with all my heart, and by the affection you bear me, to treat my +soldiers well; for they are my own Englishmen, whom I love as I do +myself. Certainly it would be a great cruelty, if you should treat +them ill, since they are about to hazard their lives so freely in your +defence, and I am sure that my request in this regard will be received by +you as it deserves. + +"In the next place, as you know that I am sending, as commander of these +English troops, an honest gentleman, who deserves most highly for his +experience in arms, so I am also informed that you have on your side a +gentleman of great valour. I pray you, therefore, that good care be +taken lest there be misunderstanding between these two, which might +prevent them from agreeing well together, when great exploits of war +are to be taken in hand. For if that should happen--which God forbid-- +my succour would be rendered quite useless to you. I name Count Hohenlo, +because him alone have I heard mentioned. But I pray you to make the +same recommendation to all the colonels and gentlemen in your army; +for I should be infinitely sad, if misadventures should arise from +such a cause, for your interest and my honour are both at stake. + +"In the third place, I beg you, at your return, to make a favourable +report of me, and to thank the States, in my behalf, for their great +offers, which I esteem so highly as to be unable to express my thanks. +Tell them that I shall remember them for ever. I consider it a great +honour, that from the commencement, you have ever been so faithful to me, +and that with such great constancy you have preferred me to all other +princes, and have chosen me for your Queen. And chiefly do I thank the +gentlemen of Holland and Zeeland, who, as I have been informed, were the +first who so singularly loved me. And so on my own part I will have a +special care of them, and will do my best to uphold them by every +possible means, as I will do all the rest who have put their trust in me. +But I name Holland and Zeeland more especially, because they have been so +constant and faithful in their efforts to assist the rest in shaking off +the yoke of the enemy. + +"Finally, gentlemen, I beg you to assure the States that I do not decline +the sovereignty of your country from any dread of the King of Spain. For +I take God to witness that I fear him not; and I hope, with the blessing +of God, to make such demonstrations against him, that men shall say the +Queen of England does not fear the Spaniards." + +Elizabeth then smote herself upon the breast, and cried, with great +energy, "'Illa que virgo viri;' and is it not quite the same to you, +even if I do not assume the sovereignty, since I intend to protect you, +and since therefore the effects will be the same? It is true that the +sovereignty would serve to enhance my grandeur, but I am content to do +without it, if you, upon your own part, will only do your duty. + +"For myself, I promise you, in truth, that so long as I live, and even to +my last sigh, I will never forsake you. Go home and tell this boldly to +the States which sent you hither." + +Menin then replied with fresh expressions of thanks and compliments, and +requested, in conclusion, that her Majesty would be pleased to send, as +soon as possible, a personage of quality to the Netherlands. + +"Gentlemen," replied Elizabeth, "I intend to do this, so soon as our +treaty shall be ratified, for, in contrary case, the King of Spain, +seeing your government continue on its present footing, would do nothing +but laugh at us. Certainly I do not mean this year to provide him with +so fine a banquet." + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form +Dismay of our friends and the gratification of our enemies +Her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally exposed (Eliz.) +Holland was afraid to give a part, although offering the whole +Resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance +Say "'tis pity he is not an Englishman +Seeking protection for and against the people +Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London +We must all die once +Wrath of bigots on both sides + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v42 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History United Netherlands, Volume 43, 1585 + + +CHAPTER VI., Part 2. + + Sir John Norris sent to Holland--Parsimony of Elizabeth--Energy of + Davison--Protracted Negotiations--Friendly Sentiments of Count + Maurice--Letters from him and Louisa de Coligny--Davison vexed by + the Queen's Caprice--Dissatisfaction of Leicester--His vehement + Complaints--The Queen's Avarice--Perplexity of Davison--Manifesto + of Elizabeth--Sir Philip Sidney--His Arrival at Flushing. + + +The envoys were then dismissed, and soon afterwards a portion of the +deputation took their departure from the Netherlands with the proposed +treaty. It was however, as we know, quite too late for Saguntum. Two +days after the signing of the treaty, the remaining envoys were at the +palace of Nonesuch, in conference with the Earl of Leicester, when a +gentleman rushed suddenly into the apartment, exclaiming with great +manifestations of anger: + +"Antwerp has fallen! A treaty has been signed with the Prince of Parma. +Aldegonde is the author of it all. He is the culprit, who has betrayed +us;" with many more expressions of vehement denunciation. + +The Queen was disappointed, but stood firm. She had been slow in taking +her resolution, but she was unflinching when her mind was made up. +Instead of retreating from her, position, now that it became doubly +dangerous, she advanced several steps nearer towards her allies. For +it was obvious, if more precious time should be lost, that Holland and +Zeeland would share the fate of Antwerp. Already the belief, that, with +the loss of that city, all had been lost, was spreading both in the +Provinces and in England, and Elizabeth felt that the time had indeed +come to confront the danger. + +Meantime the intrigues of the enemy in the independent Provinces were +rife. Blunt Roger Williams wrote in very plain language to Walsingham, +a very few days after the capitulation of Antwerp: + +"If her Majesty means to have Holland and Zeeland," said he, "she must +resolve presently. Aldegonde hath promised the enemy to bring them to +compound. Here arrived already his ministers which knew all his dealings +about Antwerp from first to last. Count Maurice is governed altogether +by Villiers, and Villiers was never worse for the English than at this +hour. To be short, the people say in general, they will accept a peace, +unless her Majesty do sovereign them presently. All the men of war will +be at her Highness' devotion, if they be in credit in time. What you do, +it must be done presently, for I do assure your honour there is large +offers presented unto them by the enemies. If her Majesty deals not +roundly and resolutely with them now, it will be too late two months +hence." + +Her Majesty meant to deal roundly and resolutely. Her troops had already +gone in considerable numbers. She wrote encouraging letters with her own +hand to the States, imploring them not to falter now, even though the +great city had fallen. She had long since promised never to desert them, +and she was, if possible, more determined than ever to redeem her pledge. +She especially recommended to their consideration General Norris, +commander of the forces that had been despatched to the relief of +Antwerp. + +A most accomplished officer, sprung of a house renowned for its romantic +valour, Sir John was the second of the six sons of Lord Norris of Rycot, +all soldiers of high reputation, "chickens of Mars," as an old writer +expressed himself. "Such a bunch of brethren for eminent achievement," +said he, "was never seen. So great their states and stomachs that they +often jostled with others." Elizabeth called their mother, "her own +crow;" and the darkness of her hair and visage was thought not +unbecoming to her martial issue, by whom it had been inherited. Daughter +of Lord Williams of Tame, who had been keeper of the Tower in the time of +Elizabeth's imprisonment, she had been affectionate and serviceable to +the Princess in the hour of her distress, and had been rewarded with her +favour in the days of her grandeur. We shall often meet this crow-black +Norris, and his younger brother Sir Edward--the most daring soldiers of +their time, posters of sea and land--wherever the buffeting was closest, +or adventure the wildest on ship-board or shore, for they were men who +combined much of the knight-errantry of a vanishing age with the more +practical and expansive spirit of adventure that characterized the new +epoch. + +Nor was he a stranger in the Netherlands. "The gentleman to whom we have +committed the government of the forces going to the relief of Antwerp," +said Elizabeth, "has already given you such proofs of his affection by +the good services he has rendered you, that without recommendation on our +part, he should stand already recommended. Nevertheless, in respect for +his quality, the house from which he is descended, and the valour which +he has manifested in your own country, we desire to tell you that we hold +him dear, and that he deserves also to be dear to you." + +When the fall of Antwerp was certain, the Queen sent Davison, who had +been for a brief period in England, back again to his post. "We have +learned," she said in the letter which she sent by that envoy; "with very +great regret of the surrender of Antwerp. Fearing lest some apprehension +should take possession of the people's mind in consequence, and that some +dangerous change might ensue, we send you our faithful and well-beloved +Davison to represent to you how much we have your affairs at heart, and +to say that we are determined to forget nothing that may be necessary to +your preservation. Assure yourselves that we shall never fail to +accomplish all that he may promise you in our behalf." + +Yet, notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, the thorough +discussion that had taken place of the whole matter, and the enormous +loss which had resulted from the money-saving insanity upon both sides, +even then the busy devil of petty economy was not quite exorcised. +Several precious weeks were wasted in renewed chafferings. The Queen was +willing that the permanent force should now be raised to five thousand +foot and one thousand horse--the additional sixteen, hundred men being +taken from the Antwerp relieving-force--but she insisted that the +garrisons for the cautionary towns should be squeezed out of this general +contingent. The States, on the contrary, were determined to screw these +garrisons out of her grip, as an additional subsidy. Each party +complained with reason of the other's closeness. No doubt the states +were shrewd bargainers, but it would have been difficult for the sharpest +Hollander that ever sent a cargo of herrings to Cadiz, to force open +Elizabeth's beautiful hand when she chose to shut it close. Walsingham +and Leicester were alternately driven to despair by the covetousness of +the one party or the other. + +It was still uncertain what "personage of quality" was to go to the +Netherlands in the Queen's name, to help govern the country. Leicester +had professed his readiness to risk his life, estates, and reputation, +in the cause, and the States particularly desired his appointment. +"The name of your Excellency is so very agreeable to this people," said +they in a letter to the Earl, "as to give promise of a brief and happy +end to this grievous and almost immortal war." The Queen was, or +affected to be, still undecided as to the appointment. While waiting +week after week for the ratifications of the treaty from Holland, affairs +were looking gloomy at home, and her Majesty was growing very uncertain +in her temper. + +"I see not her Majesty disposed to use the service of the Earl of +Leicester," wrote Walsingham. "I suppose the lot of government will +light on Lord Gray. I would to God the ability of his purse were +answerable to his sufficiency otherwise." This was certainly a most +essential deficiency on the part of Lord Gray, and it will soon be seen +that the personage of quality to be selected as chief in the arduous and +honourable enterprise now on foot, would be obliged to rely quite as much +on that same ability of purse as upon the sufficiency of his brain or +arm. The Queen did not mean to send her favourite forth to purchase +anything but honour in the Netherlands; and it was not the Provinces only +that were likely to struggle against her parsimony. Yet that parsimony +sprang from a nobler motive than the mere love of pelf. Dangers +encompassed her on every side, and while husbanding her own exchequer, +she was saving her subjects' resources. "Here we are but book-worms," +said Walsingham, "yet from sundry quarters we hear of great practices +against this poor crown. The revolt in Scotland is greatly feared, and +that out of hand." + +Scotland, France, Spain, these were dangerous enemies and neighbours to a +maiden Queen, who had a rebellious Ireland to deal with on one side the +channel, and Alexander of Parma on the other. + +Davison experienced great inconvenience and annoyance before the definite +arrangements could be made. There is no doubt that the Spanish party had +made great progress since the fall of Antwerp. Roger Williams was right +in advising the Queen to deal" roundly and resolutely" with the States, +and to "sovereign them presently." + +They had need of being sovereigned, for it must be confessed that the +self-government which prevailed at that moment was very like no +government. The death of Orange, the treachery of Henry III., the +triumphs of Parma, disastrous facts, treading rapidly upon each other, +had produced a not very unnatural effect. The peace-at-any-price party +was struggling hard for the ascendancy, and the Spanish partizans were +doing their best to hold up to suspicion the sharp practice of the +English Queen. She was even accused of underhand dealing with Spain, +to the disadvantage of the Provinces; so much had slander, anarchy, and +despair, been able to effect. The States were reluctant to sign those +articles with Elizabeth which were absolutely necessary to their +salvation. + +"In how doubtful and uncertain terms I found things at my coming hither," +wrote Davison to Burghley, "how thwarted and delayed since for a +resolution, and with what conditions, and for what reasons I have been +finally drawn to conclude with them as I have done, your Lordship may +perceive by that I have written to Mr. Secretary. The chief difficulty +has rested upon the point of entertaining the garrisons within the towns +of assurance, over and besides the five thousand footmen and one thousand +horse." + +This, as Davison proceeded to observe, was considered a 'sine qua non' +by the States, so that, under the perilous circumstances in which both +countries were placed, he had felt it his duty to go forward as far as +possible to meet their demands. Davison always did his work veraciously, +thoroughly, and resolutely; and it was seldom that his advice, in all +matters pertaining to Netherland matters, did not prove the very best +that could be offered. No man knew better than he the interests and the +temper of both countries. + +The imperious Elizabeth was not fond of being thwarted, least of all by +any thing savouring of the democratic principle, and already there was +much friction between the Tudor spirit of absolutism and the rough +"mechanical" nature with which it was to ally itself in the Netherlands. +The economical Elizabeth was not pleased at being overreached in a +bargain; and, at a moment when she thought herself doing a magnanimous +act, she was vexed at the cavilling with which her generosity was +received. "'Tis a manner of proceeding," said Walsingham, "not to be +allowed of, and may very well be termed mechanical, considering that her +Majesty seeketh no interest in that country--as Monsieur and the French +King did--but only their good and benefit, without regard had of the +expenses of her treasure and the hazard of her subjects' lives; besides +throwing herself into a present war for their sakes with the greatest +prince and potentate in Europe. But seeing the government of those +countries resteth in the hands of merchants and advocates--the one +regarding profit, the other standing upon vantage of quirks--there +is no better fruit to be looked to from them." + +Yet it was, after all, no quirk in those merchants and advocates to urge +that the Queen was not going to war with the great potentate for their +sakes alone. To Elizabeth's honour, she did thoroughly comprehend that +the war of the Netherlands was the war of England, of Protestantism, and +of European liberty, and that she could no longer, without courting her +own destruction, defer taking a part in active military operations. It +was no quirk, then, but solid reasoning, for the States to regard the +subject in the same light. Holland and England were embarked in one +boat, and were to sink or swim together. It was waste of time to wrangle +so fiercely over pounds and shillings, but the fault was not to be +exclusively imputed to the one side or the other. There were bitter +recriminations, particularly on the part of Elizabeth, for it was not +safe to touch too closely either the pride or the pocket of that frugal +and despotic heroine. "The two thousand pounds promised by the States to +Norris upon the muster of the two thousand volunteers," said Walsingham, +"were not paid. Her Majesty is not a little offended therewith, seeing +how little care they have to yield her satisfaction, which she imputeth +to proceed rather from contempt, than from necessity. If it should fall +out, however, to be such as by them is pretended, then doth she conceive +her bargain to be very ill made, to join her fortune with so weak and +broken an estate." Already there were indications that the innocent +might be made to suffer for the short-comings of the real culprits; nor +would it be, the first time, or by any means the last, for Davison to +appear in the character of a scape-goat. + +"Surely, sir," continued Mr. Secretary, "it is a thing greatly to be +feared that the contributions they will yield will fall not more true in +paper than in payment; which if it should so happen, it would turn some +to blame, whereof you among others are to bear your part." + +And thus the months of September and of October wore away, and the +ratifications of the treaty had not arrived from the Netherlands. +Elizabeth became furious, and those of the Netherland deputation who had +remained in England were at their wits' end to appease her choler. No +news arrived for many weeks. Those were not the days of steam and +magnetic telegraphs--inventions by which the nature of man and the aspect +of history seem altered--and the Queen had nothing for it but to fret, +and the envoys to concert with her ministers expedients to mitigate her +spleen. Towards the end of the month, the commissioners chartered a +vessel which they despatched for news to Holland. On his way across the +sea the captain was hailed on the 28th October by a boat, in which one +Hans Wyghans was leisurely proceeding to England with Netherland +despatches dated on the 5th of the same month. This was the freshest +intelligence that had yet been received. + +So soon as the envoys were put in possession of the documents, they +obtained an audience of the Queen. This was the last day of October. +Elizabeth read her letters, and listened to the apologies made by the +deputies for the delay with anything but a benignant countenance. +Then, with much vehemence of language, and manifestations of ill-temper, +she expressed her displeasure at the dilatoriness of the States. Having +sent so many troops, and so many gentlemen of quality, she had considered +the whole affair concluded. + +"I have been unhandsomely treated," she said, "and not as comports with a +prince of my quality. My inclination for your support--because you show +yourselves unworthy of so great benefits--will be entirely destroyed, +unless you deal with me and mine more worthily for the future than you +have done in the past. Through my great and especial affection for +your welfare, I had ordered the Earl of Leicester to proceed to the +Netherlands, and conduct your affairs; a man of such quality as all the +world knows, and one whom I love, as if he were my own brother. He was +getting himself ready in all diligence, putting himself in many perils +through the practices of the enemy, and if I should have reason to +believe that he would not be respected there according to his due, +I should be indeed offended. He and many others are not going thither +to advance their own affairs, to make themselves rich, or because they +have not means enough to live magnificently at home. They proceed to the +Netherlands from pure affection for your cause. This is the case, too, +with many other of my subjects, all dear to me, and of much worth. For I +have sent a fine heap of folk thither--in all, with those his Excellency +is taking with him, not under ten thousand soldiers of the English +nation. This is no small succour, and no little unbaring of this realm +of mine, threatened as it is with war from many quarters. Yet I am +seeking no sovereignty, nor anything else prejudicial to the freedom of +your country. I wish only, in your utmost need, to help you out of this +lamentable war, to maintain for you liberty of conscience, and to see +that law and justice are preserved." + +All this, and more, with great eagerness of expression and gesture, was +urged by the Queen, much to the discomfiture of the envoys. In vain they +attempted to modify and to explain. Their faltering excuses were swept +rapidly away upon the current of royal wrath; until at last Elizabeth +stormed herself into exhaustion and comparative tranquillity. She then +dismissed them with an assurance that her goodwill towards the States was +not diminished, as would be found to be the case, did they not continue +to prove themselves unworthy of her favour that a permanent force of five +thousand foot and one thousand horse should serve in the Provinces at the +Queen's expense; and that the cities of Flushing and Brill should be +placed in her Majesty's hands until the entire reimbursement of the debt +thus incurred by the States. Elizabeth also--at last overcoming her +reluctance--agreed that the force necessary to garrison these towns +should form an additional contingent, instead of being deducted from the +general auxiliary force. + +Count Maurice of Nassau had been confirmed by the States of Holland and +Zeeland as permanent stadholder of those provinces. This measure excited +some suspicion on the part of Leicester, who, as it was now understood, +was the "personage of quality" to be sent to the Netherlands as +representative of the Queen's authority. "Touching the election of Count +Maurice," said the Earl, "I hope it will be no impairing of the authority +heretofore allotted to me, for if it will be, I shall tarry but awhile." + +Nothing, however, could be more frank or chivalrously devoted than the +language of Maurice to the Queen. "Madam, if I have ever had occasion," +he wrote, "to thank God for his benefits, I confess that it was when, +receiving in all humility the letters with which it pleased your Majesty +to honour me, I learned that the great disaster of my lord and father's +death had not diminished the debonaire affection and favour which it has +always pleased your Majesty to manifest to my father's house. It has +been likewise grateful to me to learn that your Majesty, surrounded by so +many great and important affairs, had been pleased to approve the command +which the States-General have conferred upon me. I am indeed grieved +that my actions cannot correspond with the ardent desire which I feel to +serve your Majesty and these Provinces, for which I hope that my extreme +youth will be accepted as an excuse. And although I find myself feeble +enough for the charge thus imposed upon me, yet God will assist my +efforts to supply by diligence and sincere intention the defect of the +other qualities requisite for my thorough discharge of my duty to the +contentment of your Majesty. To fulfil these obligations, which are +growing greater day by day, I trust to prove by my actions that I will +never spare either my labour or life." + +When it was found that the important town of Flushing was required as +part of the guaranty to the Queen, Maurice, as hereditary seignor and +proprietor of the place--during the captivity of his elder brother in +Spain--signified his concurrence in the transfer, together with the most +friendly feelings towards the Earl of Leicester, and to Sir Philip +Sidney, appointed English governor of the town. He wrote to Davison, +whom he called "one of the best and most certain friends that the house +of Nassau possessed in England," begging that he would recommend the +interests of the family to the Queen, "whose favour could do more than +anything else in the world towards maintaining what remained of the +dignity of their house." After solemn deliberation with his step-mother, +Louisa de Coligny, and the other members of his family, he made a formal +announcement of adhesion on the part of the House of Nassau to the +arrangements concluded with the English government, and asked the +benediction of God upon the treaty. While renouncing, for the moment, +any compensation for his consent to the pledging of Flushing his +"patrimonial property, and a place of such great importance"--he expressed +a confidence that the long services of his father, as well as those which +he himself hoped to render, would meet in time with "condign +recognition." He requested the Earl of Leicester to consider the +friendship which had existed between himself and the late Prince of +Orange, as an hereditary affection to be continued to the children, and +he entreated the Earl to do him the honour in future to hold him as a +son, and to extend to him counsel and authority; declaring, on his part, +that he should ever deem it an honour to be allowed to call him father. +And in order still more strongly to confirm his friendship, he begged Sir +Philip Sidney to consider him as his brother, and as his companion in +arms, promising upon his own part the most faithful friendship. In the +name of Louisa de Coligny, and of his whole family, he also particularly +recommended to the Queen the interests of the eldest brother of the +house, Philip William, "who had been so long and so iniquitously detained +captive in Spain," and begged that, in case prisoners of war of high rank +should fall into the hands of the English commanders, they might be +employed as a means of effecting the liberation of that much-injured +Prince. He likewise desired the friendly offices of the Queen to protect +the principality of Orange against the possible designs of the French +monarch, and intimated that occasions might arise in which the +confiscated estates of the family in Burgundy might be recovered through +the influence of the Swiss cantons, particularly those of the Grisons and +of Berne. + +And, in conclusion, in case the Queen should please--as both Count +Maurice and the Princess of Orange desired with all their hearts--to +assume the sovereignty of these Provinces, she was especially entreated +graciously to observe those suggestions regarding the interests of the +House of Nassau, which had been made in the articles of the treaty. + +Thus the path had been smoothed, mainly through the indefatigable energy +of Davison. Yet that envoy was not able to give satisfaction to his +imperious and somewhat whimsical mistress, whose zeal seemed to cool in +proportion to the readiness with which the obstacles to her wishes were +removed. Davison was, with reason, discontented. He had done more than +any other man either in England or the Provinces, to bring about a hearty +cooperation in the common cause, and to allay mutual heart-burnings and +suspicions. He had also, owing to the negligence of the English +treasurer for the Netherlands, and the niggardliness of Elizabeth, been +placed in a position, of great financial embarrassment. His situation +was very irksome. + +"I mused at the sentence you sent me," he wrote, "for I know no cause her +Majesty hath to shrink at her charges hitherto. The treasure she hath +yet disbursed here is not above five or six thousand pounds, besides that +which I have been obliged to take up for the saving of her honour, and +necessity of her service, in danger otherwise of some notable disgrace. +I will not, for shame, say how I have been left here to myself." + +The delay in the formal appointment of Leicester, and, more particularly, +of the governors for the cautionary towns, was the cause of great +confusion and anarchy in the transitional condition of the country. +"The burden I am driven to sustain," said Davison, "doth utterly weary +me. If Sir Philip Sidney were here, and if my Lord of Leicester follow +not all the sooner, I would use her Majesty's liberty to return home. +If her Majesty think me worthy the reputation of a poor, honest, and +loyal servant, I have that contents me. For the rest, I wish + + 'Vivere sine invidia, mollesque inglorius annos + Egigere, amicitias et mihi jungere pares.'" + +There was something almost prophetic in the tone which this faithful +public servant--to whom, on more than one occasion, such hard measure was +to be dealt--habitually adopted in his private letters and conversation. +He did his work, but he had not his reward; and he was already weary of +place without power, and industry without recognition. + +"For mine own particular," he said, "I will say with the poet, + + 'Crede mihi, bene qui latuit bene vixit, + Et intra fortunam debet quisque manere suam.'" + +For, notwithstanding the avidity with which Elizabeth had sought the +cautionary towns, and the fierceness with which she had censured the +tardiness of the States, she seemed now half inclined to drop the prize +which she had so much coveted, and to imitate the very languor which she +had so lately rebuked. "She hath what she desired," said Davison, "and +might yet have more, if this content her not. Howsoever you value the +places at home, they are esteemed here, by such as know them best, no +little increase to her Majesty's honour, surety, and greatness, if she be +as careful to keep them as happy in getting them. Of this, our cold +beginning doth already make me jealous." + +Sagacious and resolute Princess as she was, she showed something of +feminine caprice upon this grave occasion. Not Davison alone, but +her most confidential ministers and favourites at home, were perplexed +and provoked by her misplaced political coquetries. But while the +alternation of her hot and cold fits drove her most devoted courtiers out +of patience, there was one symptom that remained invariable throughout +all her paroxysms, the rigidity with which her hand was locked. +Walsingham, stealthy enough when an advantage was to be gained by +subtlety, was manful and determined in his dealings with his friends; and +he had more than once been offended with Elizabeth's want of frankness in +these transactions. + +"I find you grieved, and not without cause," he wrote to Davison, "in +respect to the over thwart proceedings as well there as here. The +disorders in those countries would be easily redressed if we could take +a thoroughly resolute course here--a matter that men may rather pray for +than hope for. It is very doubtful whether the action now in hand will +be accompanied by very hard success, unless they of the country there may +be drawn to bear the greatest part of the burden of the wars." + +And now the great favourite of all had received the appointment which he +coveted. The Earl of Leicester was to be Commander-in-Chief of her +Majesty's forces in the Netherlands, and representative of her authority +in those countries, whatever that office might prove to be. The nature +of his post was anomalous from the beginning. It was environed with +difficulties, not the least irritating of which proceeded from the +captious spirit of the Queen. The Earl was to proceed in great pomp to +Holland, but the pomp was to be prepared mainly at his own expense. +Besides the auxiliary forces that had been shipped during the latter +period of the year, Leicester was raising a force of lancers, from four +to eight hundred in number; but to pay for that levy he was forced to +mortgage his own property, while the Queen not only refused to advance +ready money, but declined endorsing his bills. + +It must be confessed that the Earl's courtship of Elizabeth was anything +at that moment but a gentle dalliance. In those thorny regions of +finance were no beds of asphodel or amaranthine bowers. There was no +talk but of troopers, saltpetre, and sulphur, of books of assurance, and +bills of exchange; and the aspect of Elizabeth, when the budget was under +discussion, must effectually have neutralized for the time any very +tender sentiment. The sharpness with which she clipped Leicester's +authority, when authority was indispensable to his dignity, and the heavy +demands upon his resources that were the result of her avarice, were +obstacles more than enough to the calm fruition of his triumphs. He had +succeeded, in appearance at least, in the great object of his ambition, +this appointment to the Netherlands; but the appointment was no sinecure, +and least of all a promising pecuniary speculation. Elizabeth had told +the envoys, with reason, that she was not sending forth that man--whom +she loved as a brother--in order that he might make himself rich. On +the contrary, the Earl seemed likely to make himself comparatively poor +before he got to the Provinces, while his political power, at the moment, +did not seem of more hopeful growth. + +Leicester had been determined and consistent in this great enterprize +from the beginning. He felt intensely the importance of the crisis. He +saw that the time had come for swift and uncompromising action, and the +impatience with which he bore the fetters imposed upon him may be easily +conceived. + +"The cause is such," he wrote to Walsingham, "that I had as lief be dead +as be in the case I shall be in if this restraint hold for taking the +oath there, or if some more authority be not granted than I see her +Majesty would I should have. I trust you all will hold hard for this, or +else banish me England withal. I have sent you the books to be signed by +her Majesty. I beseech you return them with all haste, for I get no +money till they be under seal." + +But her Majesty would not put them under her seal, much to the +favourite's discomfiture. + +"Your letter yieldeth but cold answer," he wrote, two days afterwards. +"Above all things yet that her Majesty doth stick at, I marvel most at +her refusal to sign my book of assurance; for there passeth nothing in +the earth against her profit by that act, nor any good to me but to +satisfy the creditors, who were more scrupulous than needs. I did +complain to her of those who did refuse to lend me money, and she was +greatly offended with them. But if her Majesty were to stay this, if I +were half seas over, I must of necessity come back again, for I may not +go without money. I beseech, if the matter be refused by her, bestow a +post on me to Harwich. I lie this night at Sir John Peters', and but for +this doubt I had been to-morrow at Harwich. I pray God make you all that +be counsellors plain and direct to the furtherance of all good service +for her Majesty and the realm; and if it be the will of God to plague us +that go, and you that tarry, for our sins, yet let us not be negligent to +seek to please the Lord." + +The Earl was not negligent at any rate in seeking to please the Queen, +but she was singularly hard to please. She had never been so uncertain +in her humours as at this important crisis. She knew, and had publicly +stated as much, that she was "embarking in a war with the greatest +potentate in Europe;" yet now that the voyage had fairly commenced, and +the waves were rolling around her, she seemed anxious to put back to the +shore. For there was even a whisper of peace-negotiations, than which +nothing could have been more ill-timed. "I perceive by your message," +said Leicester to Walsingham, "that your peace with Spain will go fast +on, but this is not the way." Unquestionably it was not the way, and the +whisper was, for the moment at least, suppressed. Meanwhile Leicester +had reached Harwich, but the post "bestowed on him," contained, as usual, +but cold comfort. He was resolved, however, to go manfully forward, and +do the work before him, until the enterprise should prove wholly +impracticable. It is by the light afforded by the secret never-published +correspondence of the period with which we are now occupied, that the +true characteristics of Elizabeth, the Earl of Leicester, and other +prominent personages, must be scanned, and the study is most important, +for it was by those characteristics, in combination with other human +elements embodied in distant parts of Christendom, that the destiny of +the world was determined. In that age, more than in our own perhaps, the +influence of the individual was widely and intensely felt. Historical +chymistry is only rendered possible by a detection of the subtle +emanations, which it was supposed would for ever elude analysis, but +which survive in those secret, frequently ciphered intercommunications. +Philip II., William of Orange, Queen Elizabeth, Alexander Farnese, Robert +Dudley, never dreamed--when disclosing their inmost thoughts to their +trusted friends at momentous epochs--that the day would come on earth +when those secrets would be no longer hid from the patient enquirer after +truth. Well for those whose reputations before the judgment-seat of +history appear even comparatively pure, after impartial comparison of +their motives with their deeds. + +"For mine own part, Mr. Secretary," wrote Leicester, "I am resolved to do +that which shall be fit for a poor man's honour, and honestly to obey her +Majesty's commandment. Let the rest fall out to others, it shall not +concern me. I mean to assemble myself to the camp, where my authority +must wholly lie, and will there do that which in good reason and duty I +shall be bound to do. I am sorry that her Majesty doth deal in this +sort, and if content to overthrow so willingly her own cause. If there +can be means to salve this sore, I will. If not,--I tell you what shall +become of me, as truly as God lives." + +Yet it is remarkable, that, in spite of this dark intimation, the Earl, +after all, did not state what was to become of him if the sore was not +salved. He was, however, explicit enough as to the causes of his grief, +and very vehement in its manifestations. "Another matter which shall +concern me deeply," he said, "and all the subjects there, is now by you +to be carefully considered, which is--money. I find that the money is +already gone, and this now given to the treasurer will do no more than +pay to the end of the month. I beseech you look to it, for by the Lord! +I will bear no more so miserable burdens; for if I have no money to pay +them, let them come home, or what else. I will not starve them, nor stay +them. There was never gentleman nor general so sent out as I am; and if +neither Queen nor council care to help it, but leave men desperate, as I +see men shall be, that inconvenience will follow which I trust in the +Lord I shall be free of." + +He then used language about himself, singularly resembling the +phraseology employed by Elizabeth concerning him, when she was scolding +the Netherland commissioners for the dilatoriness and parsimony of the +States. + +"For mine own part," he said, "I have taken upon me this voyage, not as a +desperate nor forlorn man, but as one as well contented with his place +and calling at home as any subject was ever. My cause was not, nor is, +any other than the Lord's and the Queen's. If the Queen fail, yet must I +trust in the Lord, and on Him, I see, I am wholly to depend. I can say +no more, but pray to God that her Majesty never send General again as I +am sent. And yet I will do what I can for her and my country." + +The Earl had raised a choice body of lancers to accompany him to the +Netherlands, but the expense of the levy had come mainly upon his own +purse. The Queen had advanced five thousand pounds, which was much less +than the requisite amount, while for the balance required, as well as for +other necessary expenses, she obstinately declined to furnish Leicester +with funds, even refusing him, at last, a temporary loan. She violently +accused him of cheating her, reclaimed money which he had wrung from her +on good security, and when he had repaid the sum, objected to give him a +discharge. As for receiving anything by way of salary, that was quite +out of the question. At that moment he would have been only too happy to +be reimbursed for what he was already out of pocket. Whether Elizabeth +loved Leicester as a brother, or better than a brother, may be a +historical question, but it is no question at all that she loved money +better than she did Leicester. Unhappy the man, whether foe or +favourite, who had pecuniary transactions with her Highness. + +"I am sorry," said the Earl, "that her Majesty hath so hard a conceit of +me, that I should go about to cozen her, as though I had got a fee simple +from her, and had it not before, or that I had not had her full release +for payment of the money I borrowed. I pray God, any that did put such +scruple in her, have not deceived her more than I have done. I thank God +I have a clear conscience for deceiving her, and for money matters. I +think I may justly say I have been the only cause of more gain to her +coffers than all her chequer-men have been. But so is the hap of some, +that all they do is nothing, and others that do nothing, do all, and have +all the thanks. But I would this were all the grief I carry with me; but +God is my comfort, and on Him I cast all, for there is no surety in this +world beside. What hope of help can I have, finding her Majesty so +strait with myself as she is? I did trust that--the cause being hers and +this realm's--if I could have gotten no money of her merchants, she would +not have refused to have lent money on so easy prized land as mine, to +have been gainer and no loser by it. Her Majesty, I see, will make trial +of me how I love her, and what will discourage me from her service. But +resolved am I that no worldly respect shall draw me back from my faithful +discharge of my duty towards her, though she shall show to hate me, as it +goeth very near; for I find no love or favour at all. And I pray you to +remember that I have not had one penny of her Majesty towards all these +charges of mine--not one penny-and, by all truth, I have already laid out +above five thousand pounds. Her Majesty appointed eight thousand pounds +for the levy, which was after the rate of four hundred horse, and, upon +my fidelity, there is shipped, of horse of service, eight hundred, so +that there ought eight thousand more to have been paid me. No general +that ever went that was not paid to the uttermost of these things before +he went, but had cash for his provision, which her Majesty would not +allow me--not one groat. Well, let all this go, it is like I shall be +the last shall bear this, and some must suffer for the people. Good Mr. +Secretary, let her Majesty know this, for I deserve God-a-mercy, at the +least." + +Leicester, to do him justice, was thoroughly alive to the importance of +the Crisis. On political principle, at any rate, he was a firm supporter +of Protestantism, and even of Puritanism; a form of religion which +Elizabeth detested, and in which, with keen instinct, she detected a +mutinous element against the divine right of kings. The Earl was quite +convinced of the absolute necessity that England should take up the +Netherland matter most vigorously, on pain of being herself destroyed. +All the most sagacious counsellors of Elizabeth were day by day more and +more confirmed in this opinion, and were inclined heartily to support the +new Lieutenant-General. As for Leicester himself, while fully conscious +of his own merits, and of his firm intent to do his duty, he was also +grateful to those who were willing to befriend him in his arduous +enterprise. + +"I have received a letter from my Lord Willoughby," he said, "to my +seeming, as wise a letter as I have read a great while, and not unfit for +her Majesty's sight. I pray God open her eyes, that they may behold her +present estate indeed, and the wonderful means that God doth offer unto +her. If she lose these opportunities, who can look for other but +dishonour and destruction? My Lord Treasurer hath also written me a most +hearty and comfortable letter touching this voyage, not only in showing +the importance of it, both for her Majesty's own safety and the realm's, +but that the whole state of religion doth depend thereon, and therefore +doth faithfully promise his whole and best assistance for the supply of +all wants. I was not a little glad to receive such a letter from him at +this time." + +And from on board the 'Amity,' ready to set sail, he expressed his thanks +to Burghley, at finding him so "earnestly bent for the good supply and +maintenance of us poor men sent in her Majesty's service and our +country's." + +As for Walsingham, earnestly a defender of the Netherland cause from the +beginning, he was wearied and disgusted with fighting against the Queen's +parsimony and caprice. "He is utterly discouraged," said Leicester to +Burghley, "to deal any more in these causes. I pray God your Lordship +grow not so too; for then all will to the ground; on my poor side +especially." + +And to Sir Francis himself, he wrote, even as his vessel was casting off +her moorings:--"I am sorry, Mr. Secretary," he said, "to find you so +discouraged, and that her Majesty doth deem you so partial. And yet my +suits to her Majesty have not of late been so many nor great, while the +greatest, I am sure, are for her Majesty's own service. For my part, I +will discharge my duty as far as my poor ability and capacity shall +serve, and if I shall not have her gracious and princely support and +supply, the lack will be to us, for the present, but the shame and +dishonour will be hers." + +And with these parting words the Earl committed himself to the December +seas. + +Davison had been meantime doing his best to prepare the way in the +Netherlands for the reception of the English administration. What man +could do, without money and without authority, he had done. The +governors for Flushing and the Brill, Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Thomas +Cecil, eldest son of Lord Burghley, had been appointed, but had not +arrived. Their coming was anxiously looked for, as during the interval +the condition of the garrisons was deplorable. The English treasurer-- +by some unaccountable and unpardonable negligence, for which it is to be +feared the Queen was herself to blame--was not upon the spot, and Davison +was driven out of his wits to devise expedients to save the soldiers from +starving. + +"Your Lordship has seen by my former letters," wrote the Ambassador to +Burghley from Flushing, "what shift I have been driven to for the relief +of this garrison here, left 'a l'abandon;' without which mean they had +all fallen into wild and shameful disorder, to her Majesty's great +disgrace and overthrow of her service. I am compelled, unless I would +see the poor men famish, and her Majesty aishonournd, to try my poor +credit for them." + +General Sir John Norris was in the Betuwe, threatening Nvymegen, a town +which he found "not so flexible as he had hoped;" and, as he had but two +thousand men, while Alexander Farnese was thought to be marching upon him +with ten thousand, his position caused great anxiety. Meantime, his +brother, Sir Edward, a hot-headed and somewhat wilful young man, who +"thought that all was too little for him," was giving the sober Davison a +good deal of trouble. He had got himself into a quarrel, both with that +envoy and with Roger Williams, by claiming the right to control military +matters in Flushing until the arrival of Sidney. "If Sir Thomas and Sir +Philip," said Davison, "do not make choice of more discreet, staid, and +expert commanders than those thrust into these places by Mr. Norris, they +will do themselves a great deal of worry, and her Majesty a great deal of +hurt." + +As might naturally be expected, the lamentable condition of the English +soldiers, unpaid and starving--according to the report of the Queen's +envoy himself--exercised anything but a salutary influence upon the minds +of the Netherlanders and perpetually fed the hopes of the Spanish +partizans that a composition with Philip and Parma would yet take place. +On the other hand, the States had been far more liberal in raising funds +than the Queen had shown herself to be, and were somewhat indignant at +being perpetually taunted with parsimony by her agents. Davison was +offended by the injustice of Norris in this regard. "The complaints +which the General hath made of the States to her Majesty," said he, "are +without cause, and I think, when your Lordship shall examine it well, you +will find it no little sum they have already disbursed unto him for their +part. Wherein, nevertheless, if they had been looked into, they were +somewhat the more excusable, considering how ill our people at her +Majesty's entertainment were satisfied hitherto--a thing that doth much +prejudice her reputation, and hurt her service." + +At last, however, the die had been cast. The Queen, although rejecting +the proposed sovereignty of the Netherlands, had espoused their cause, +by solemn treaty of alliance, and thereby had thrown down the gauntlet +to Spain. She deemed it necessary, therefore, out of respect for the +opinions of mankind, to issue a manifesto of her motives to the world. +The document was published, simultaneously in Dutch, French, English, and +Italian. + +In this solemn state-paper she spoke of the responsibility of princes +to the Almighty, of the ancient friendship between England and the +Netherlands, of the cruelty and tyranny of the Spaniards, of their +violation of the liberties of the Provinces, of their hanging, beheading, +banishing without law and against justice, in the space of a few months, +so many of the highest nobles in the land. Although in the beginning of +the cruel persecution, the pretext had been the maintenance of the +Catholic religion, yet it was affirmed they had not failed to exercise +their barbarity upon Catholics also, and even upon ecclesiastics. Of the +principal persons put to death, no one, it was asserted, had been more +devoted to the ancient church than was the brave Count Egmont, who, for +his famous victories in the service of Spain, could never be forgotten in +veracious history any more than could be the cruelty of his execution. + +The land had been made desolate, continued the Queen, with fire, sword, +famine, and murder. These misfortunes had ever been bitterly deplored by +friendly nations, and none could more truly regret such sufferings than +did the English, the oldest allies, and familiar neighbours of the +Provinces, who had been as close to them in the olden time by community +of connexion and language, as man and wife. She declared that she had +frequently, by amicable embassies, warned her brother of Spain--speaking +to him like a good, dear sister and neighbour--that unless he restrained +the cruelty of his governors and their soldiers, he was sure to force his +Provinces into allegiance to some other power. She expressed the danger +in which she should be placed if the Spaniards succeeded in establishing +their absolute government in the Netherlands, from which position their +attacks upon England would be incessant. She spoke of the enterprise +favoured and set on foot by the Pope and by Spain, against the kingdom of +Ireland. She alluded to the dismissal of the Spanish envoy, Don +Bernardino de Mendoza, who had been treated by her with great regard for +a long time, but who had been afterwards discovered in league with +certain ill-disposed and seditious subjects of hers, and with publicly +condemned traitors. That envoy had arranged a plot according to which, +as appeared by his secret despatches, an invasion of England by a force +of men, coming partly from Spain, and partly from the Netherlands, might +be successfully managed, and he had even noted down the necessary number +of ships and men, with various other details. Some of the conspirators +had fled, she observed, and were now consorting with Mendoza, who, after +his expulsion from England, had been appointed ambassador in Paris; while +some had been arrested, and had confessed the plot. So soon as this +envoy had been discovered to be the chief of a rebellion and projected +invasion, the Queen had requested him, she said, to leave the kingdom +within a reasonable time, as one who was the object of deadly hatred to +the English people. She had then sent an agent to Spain, in order to +explain the whole transaction. That agent had not been allowed even to +deliver despatches to the King. + +When the French had sought, at a previous period, to establish their +authority in Scotland, even as the Spaniards had attempted to do in the +Netherlands, and through the enormous ambition of the House of Guise, to +undertake the invasion of her kingdom, she had frustrated their plots, +even as she meant to suppress these Spanish conspiracies. She spoke of +the Prince of Parma as more disposed by nature to mercy and humanity, +than preceding governors had been, but as unable to restrain the blood- +thirstiness of Spaniards, increased by long indulgence. She avowed, in +assuming the protection of the Netherlands, and in sending her troops to +those countries, but three objects: peace, founded upon the recognition +of religious freedom in the Provinces, restoration of their ancient +political liberties, and security for England. Never could there be +tranquillity, for her own realm until these neighbouring countries were +tranquil. These were her ends and aims, despite all that slanderous +tongues might invent. The world, she observed, was overflowing with +blasphemous libels, calumnies, scandalous pamphlets; for never had the +Devil been so busy in supplying evil tongues with venom against the +professors of the Christian religion. + +She added that in a pamphlet, ascribed to the Archbishop of Milan, just +published, she had been accused of ingratitude to the King of Spain, and +of plots to take the life of Alexander Farnese. In answer to the first +charge, she willingly acknowledged her obligations to the King of Spain +during the reign of her sister. She pronounced it, however, an absolute +falsehood that he had ever saved her life, as if she had ever been +condemned to death. She likewise denied earnestly the charge regarding +the Prince of Parma. She protested herself incapable of such a crime, +besides declaring that he had never given her offence. On the contrary, +he was a man whom she had ever honoured for the rare qualities that she +had noted in him, and for which he had deservedly acquired a high +reputation. + +Such, in brief analysis, was the memorable Declaration of Elizabeth in +favour of the Netherlands--a document which was a hardly disguised +proclamation of war against Philip. In no age of the world could an +unequivocal agreement to assist rebellious subjects, with men and money, +against their sovereign, be considered otherwise than as a hostile +demonstration. The King of Spain so regarded the movement, and forthwith +issued a decree, ordering the seizure of all English as well as all +Netherland vessels within his ports, together with the arrest of persons, +and confiscation of property. + +Subsequently to the publication of the Queen's memorial, and before the +departure of the Earl of Leicester, Sir Philip Sidney, having received +his appointment, together with the rank of general of cavalry, arrived in +the Isle of Walcheren, as governor of Flushing, at the head of a portion +of the English contingent. + +It is impossible not to contemplate with affection so radiant a figure, +shining through the cold mists of that Zeeland winter, and that distant +and disastrous epoch. There is hardly a character in history upon which +the imagination can dwell with more unalloyed delight. Not in romantic +fiction was there ever created a more attractive incarnation of martial +valour, poetic genius, and purity of heart. If the mocking spirit of the +soldier of Lepanto could "smile chivalry away," the name alone of his +English contemporary is potent enough to conjure it back again, so long +as humanity is alive to the nobler impulses. + +"I cannot pass him over in silence," says a dusty chronicler, "that +glorious star, that lively pattern of virtue, and the lovely joy of all +the learned sort. It was God's will that he should be born into the +world, even to show unto our age a sample of ancient virtue." The +descendant of an ancient Norman race, and allied to many of the proudest +nobles in England, Sidney himself was but a commoner, a private +individual, a soldier of fortune. He was now in his thirty second year, +and should have been foremost among the states men of Elizabeth, had it +not been, according to Lord Bacon, a maxim of the Cecils, that "able men +should be by design and of purpose suppressed." Whatever of truth there +may have been in the bitter remark, it is certainly strange that a man so +gifted as Sidney--of whom his father-in-law Walsingham had declared, that +"although he had influence in all countries, and a hand upon all affairs, +his Philip did far overshoot him with his own bow"--should have passed so +much of his life in retirement, or in comparatively insignificant +employments. The Queen, as he himself observed, was most apt to +interpret everything to his disadvantage. Among those who knew him well, +there seems never to have been a dissenting voice. His father, Sir Henry +Sidney, lord-deputy of Ireland, and president of Wales, a states man of +accomplishments and experience, called him "lumen familiae suae," and +said of him, with pardonable pride, "that he had the most virtues which +he had ever found in any man; that he was the very formular that all +well-disposed young gentlemen do form their manners and life by." + +The learned Hubert Languet, companion of Melancthon, tried friend of +William the Silent, was his fervent admirer and correspondent. The great +Prince of Orange held him in high esteem, and sent word to Queen +Elizabeth, that having himself been an actor in the most important +affairs of Europe, and acquainted with her foremost men, he could "pledge +his credit that her Majesty had one of the ripest and greatest +councillors of state in Sir Philip Sidney that lived in Europe." + +The incidents of his brief and brilliant life, up to his arrival upon the +fatal soil of the Netherlands, are too well known to need recalling. +Adorned with the best culture that, in a learned age, could be obtained +in the best seminaries of his native country, where, during childhood and +youth, he had been distinguished for a "lovely and familiar gravity +beyond his years," he rapidly acquired the admiration of his comrades and +the esteem of all his teachers. + +Travelling for three years, he made the acquaintance and gained the +personal regard of such opposite characters as Charles IX. of France, +Henry of Navarre, Don John of Austria, and William of Orange, and +perfected his accomplishments by residence and study, alternately, in +courts, camps, and learned universities. He was in Paris during the +memorable days of August, 1572, and narrowly escaped perishing in the +St. Bartholomew Massacre. On his return, he was, for a brief period, +the idol of the English court, which, it was said, "was maimed without +his company." At the age of twenty-one he was appointed special envoy to +Vienna, ostensibly for the purpose of congratulating the Emperor Rudolph +upon his accession, but in reality that he might take the opportunity of +sounding the secret purposes of the Protestant princes of Germany, in +regard to the great contest of the age. In this mission, young as he +was, he acquitted himself, not only to the satisfaction, but to the +admiration of Walsingham, certainly a master himself in that occult +science, the diplomacy of the sixteenth century. "There hath not been," +said he, "any gentleman, I am sure, that hath gone through so honourable +a charge with as great commendations as he." + +When the memorable marriage-project of Queen Elizabeth with Anjou seemed +about to take effect, he denounced the scheme in a most spirited and +candid letter, addressed to her Majesty; nor is it recorded that the +Queen was offended with his frankness. Indeed we are informed that +"although he found a sweet stream of sovereign humours in that well- +tempered lady to run against him, yet found he safety in herself against +that selfness which appeared to threaten him in her." Whatever this +might mean, translated out of euphuism into English, it is certain that +his conduct was regarded with small favour by the court-grandees, by whom +"worth, duty, and justice, were looked upon with no other eyes than +Lamia's." + +The difficulty of swimming against that sweet stream of sovereign humours +in the well-tempered Elizabeth, was aggravated by his quarrel, at this +period, with the magnificent Oxford. A dispute at a tennis-court, where +many courtiers and foreigners were looking on, proceeded rapidly from one +extremity to another. The Earl commanded Sir Philip to leave the place. +Sir Philip responded, that if he were of a mind that he should go, he +himself was of a mind that he should remain; adding that if he had +entreated, where he had no right to command, he might have done more than +"with the scourge of fury."--"This answer," says Fulke Greville, in a +style worthy of Don Adriano de Armado, "did, like a bellows, blowing up +the sparks of excess already kindled, make my lord scornfully call Sir +Philip by the name of puppy. In which progress of heat, as the tempest +grew more and more vehement within, so did their hearts breathe out their +perturbations in a more loud and shrill accent;" and so on; but the +impending duel was the next day forbidden by express command of her +Majesty. Sidney, not feeling the full force of the royal homily upon the +necessity of great deference from gentlemen to their superiors in rank, +in order to protect all orders from the insults of plebeians, soon +afterwards retired from the court. To his sylvan seclusion the world +owes the pastoral and chivalrous romance of the 'Arcadia' and to the +pompous Earl, in consequence, an emotion of gratitude. Nevertheless, +it was in him to do, rather than to write, and humanity seems defrauded, +when forced to accept the 'Arcadia,' the `Defence of Poesy,' and the +'Astrophel and Stella,' in discharge of its claims upon so great and pure +a soul. + +Notwithstanding this disagreeable affair, and despite the memorable +letter against Anjou, Sir Philip suddenly flashes upon us again, as one +of the four challengers in a tournament to honour the Duke's presence in +England. A vision of him in blue gilded armour--with horses caparisoned +in cloth of gold, pearl-embroidered, attended by pages in cloth of +silver, Venetian hose, laced hats, and by gentlemen, yeomen, and +trumpeters, in yellow velvet cassocks, buskins, and feathers--as one of +"the four fostered children of virtuous desire" (to wit, Anjou) storming +"the castle of perfect Beauty" (to wit, Queen Elizabeth, aetatis 47) +rises out of the cloud-dusts of ancient chronicle for a moment, and then +vanishes into air again. + + "Having that day his hand, his horse, his lance, + Guided so well that they attained the prize + Both in the judgment of our English eyes, + But of some sent by that sweet enemy, France," + +as he chivalrously sings, he soon afterwards felt inclined for wider +fields of honourable adventure. It was impossible that knight-errant so +true should not feel keenest sympathy with an oppressed people struggling +against such odds, as the Netherlanders were doing in their contest with +Spain. So soon as the treaty with England was arranged, it was his +ambition to take part in the dark and dangerous enterprise, and, being +son-in-law to Walsingham and nephew to Leicester, he had a right to +believe that his talents and character would, on this occasion, be +recognised. But, like his "very friend," Lord Willoughby, he was "not of +the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch," and he failed, +as usual, to win his way to the Queen's favour. The governorship of +Flushing was denied him, and, stung to the heart by such neglect, he +determined to seek his fortune beyond the seas. + +"Sir Philip hath taken a very hard resolution," wrote Walsingham to +Davison, "to accompany Sir Francis Drake in this voyage, moved thereto +for that he saw her Majesty disposed to commit the charge of Flushing +unto some other; which he reputed would fall out greatly to his disgrace, +to see another preferred before him, both for birth and judgment inferior +unto him. The despair thereof and the disgrace that he doubted he should +receive have carried him into a different course." + +The Queen, however, relenting at last, interfered to frustrate his +design. Having thus balked his ambition in the Indian seas, she felt +pledged to offer him the employment which he had originally solicited, +and she accordingly conferred upon him the governorship of Flushing, with +the rank of general of horse, under the Earl of Leicester. In the latter +part of November, he cast anchor, in the midst of a violent storm, at +Rammekins, and thence came to the city of his government. Young, and +looking even younger than his years--"not only of an excellent wit, but +extremely beautiful of face"--with delicately chiselled Anglo-Norman +features, smooth fair cheek, a faint moustache, blue eyes, and a mass of +amber-coloured hair; such was the author of 'Arcadia' and the governor of +Flushing. + +And thus an Anglo-Norman representative of ancient race had come back to +the home of his ancestors. Scholar, poet, knight-errant, finished +gentleman, he aptly typified the result of seven centuries of +civilization upon the wild Danish pirate. For among those very +quicksands of storm-beaten Walachria that wondrous Normandy first came +into existence whose wings were to sweep over all the high places of +Christendom. Out of these creeks, lagunes, and almost inaccessible +sandbanks, those bold freebooters sailed forth on their forays against +England, France, and other adjacent countries, and here they brought and +buried the booty of many a wild adventure. Here, at a later day, Rollo +the Dane had that memorable dream of leprosy, the cure of which was the +conversion of North Gaul into Normandy, of Pagans into Christians, and +the subsequent conquest of every throne in Christendom from Ultima Thule +to Byzantium. And now the descendant of those early freebooters had come +back to the spot, at a moment when a wider and even more imperial swoop +was to be made by their modern representatives. For the sea-kings of the +sixteenth century--the Drakes, Hawkinses, Frobishers, Raleighs, +Cavendishes--the De Moors, Heemskerks, Barendts--all sprung of the old +pirate-lineage, whether called Englanders or Hollanders, and instinct +with the same hereditary love of adventure, were about to wrestle with +ancient tyrannies, to explore the most inaccessible regions, and to +establish new commonwealths in worlds undreamed of by their ancestors-- +to accomplish, in short, more wondrous feats than had been attempted by +the Knuts, and Rollos, Rurics, Ropers, and Tancreds, of an earlier age. + +The place which Sidney was appointed to govern was one of great military +and commercial importance. Flushing was the key to the navigation of the +North Seas, ever since the disastrous storm of a century before, in which +a great trading city on the outermost verge of the island had been +swallowed bodily by the ocean. The Emperor had so thoroughly recognized +its value, as to make special mention of the necessity for its +preservation, in his private instructions to Philip, and now the Queen of +England had confided it to one who was competent to appreciate and to +defend the prize. "How great a jewel this place (Flushing) is to the +crown of England," wrote Sidney to his Uncle Leicester, "and to the +Queen's safety, I need not now write it to your lordship, who knows it +so well. Yet I must needs say, the better I know it, the more I find +the preciousness of it." + +He did not enter into his government, however, with much pomp and +circumstance, but came afoot into Flushing in the midst of winter and +foul weather. "Driven to land at Rammekins," said he, "because the wind +began to rise in such sort as from thence our mariners durst not enter +the town, I came with as dirty a walk as ever poor governor entered his +charge withal." But he was cordially welcomed, nor did he arrive by any +means too soon. + +"I find the people very glad of our coming," he said, "and promise myself +as much surety in keeping this town, as popular good-will, gotten by +light hopes, and by as slight conceits, may breed; for indeed the +garrison is far too weak to command by authority, which is pity . . . . +I think, truly, that if my coming had been longer delayed, some +alteration would have followed; for the truth is, this people is weary +of war, and if they do not see such a course taken as may be likely to +defend them, they will in a sudden give over the cause. . . . All will +be lost if government be not presently used." + +He expressed much anxiety for the arrival of his uncle, with which +sentiments he assured the Earl that the Netherlanders fully sympathized. +"Your Lordship's coming," he said, "is as much longed for as Messias is +of the Jews. It is indeed most necessary that your Lordship make great +speed to reform both the Dutch and English abuses." + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Able men should be by design and of purpose suppressed +He did his work, but he had not his reward +Matter that men may rather pray for than hope for +Not of the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch +Others that do nothing, do all, and have all the thanks +Peace-at-any-price party +The busy devil of petty economy +Thought that all was too little for him +Weary of place without power + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v43 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History United Netherlands, Volume 44, 1585-1586 + + +CHAPTER VII., Part 1. + + + The Earl of Leicester--His Triumphal Entrance into Holland--English + Spies about him--Importance of Holland to England--Spanish Schemes + for invading England--Letter of the Grand Commander--Perilous + Position of England--True Nature of the Contest--wealth and Strength + of the Provinces--Power of the Dutch and English People--Affection + of the Hollanders for the Queen--Secret Purposes of Leicester-- + Wretched condition of English Troops--The Nassaus and Hohenlo--The + Earl's Opinion of them--Clerk and Killigrew--Interview with the + States Government General offered to the Earl--Discussions on the + Subject--The Earl accepts the Office--His Ambition and Mistakes--His + Installation at the Hague--Intimations of the Queen's Displeasure-- + Deprecatory Letters of Leicester--Davison's Mission to England-- + Queen's Anger and Jealousy--Her angry Letters to the Earl and the + States--Arrival of Davison--Stormy Interview with the Queen--The + second one is calmer--Queen's Wrath somewhat mitigated--Mission of + Heneago to the States--Shirley sent to England by the Earl--His + Interview with Elizabeth + + +At last the Earl of Leicester came. Embarking at Harwich, with a fleet +of fifty ships, and attended "by the flower and chief gallants of +England"--the Lords Sheffield, Willoughby, North, Burroughs, Sir Gervase +Clifton, Sir William Russell, Sir Robert Sidney, and others among the +number--the new lieutenant-general of the English forces in the +Netherlands arrived on the 19th December, 1585, at Flushing. + +His nephew, Sir Philip Sidney, and Count Maurice of Nassau, with a body +of troops and a great procession of civil functionaries; were in +readiness to receive him, and to escort him to the lodgings prepared for +him. + +Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was then fifty-four years of age. +There are few personages in English history whose adventures, real or +fictitious, have been made more familiar to the world than his have been, +or whose individuality has been presented in more picturesque fashion, by +chronicle, tragedy, or romance. Born in the same day of the month and +hour of the day with the Queen, but two years before her birth, the +supposed synastry of their destinies might partly account, in that age of +astrological superstition, for the influence which he perpetually +exerted. They had, moreover, been fellow-prisoners together, in the +commencement of the reign of Mary, and it is possible that he may have +been the medium through which the indulgent expressions of Philip II. +were conveyed to the Princess Elizabeth. + +His grandfather, John Dudley, that "caterpillar of the commonwealth," who +lost his head in the first year of Henry VIII. as a reward for the +grist which he brought to the mill of Henry VII.; his father, the mighty +Duke of Northumberland, who rose out of the wreck of an obscure and +ruined family to almost regal power, only to perish, like his +predecessor, upon the scaffold, had bequeathed him nothing save rapacity, +ambition, and the genius to succeed. But Elizabeth seemed to ascend the +throne only to bestow gifts upon her favourite. Baronies and earldoms, +stars and garters, manors and monopolies, castles and forests, church +livings and college chancellorships, advowsons and sinecures, emoluments +and dignities, the most copious and the most exalted, were conferred upon +him in breathless succession. Wine, oil, currants, velvets, +ecclesiastical benefices, university headships, licences to preach, to +teach, to ride, to sail, to pick and to steal, all brought "grist to his +mill." His grandfather, "the horse leach and shearer," never filled his +coffers more rapidly than did Lord Robert, the fortunate courtier. Of +his early wedlock with the ill-starred Amy Robsart, of his nuptial +projects with the Queen, of his subsequent marriages and mock-marriages +with Douglas Sheffield and Lettice of Essex, of his plottings, +poisonings, imaginary or otherwise, of his countless intrigues, amatory +and political--of that luxuriant, creeping, flaunting, all-pervading +existence which struck its fibres into the mould, and coiled itself +through the whole fabric, of Elizabeth's life and reign--of all this the +world has long known too much to render a repetition needful here. The +inmost nature and the secret deeds of a man placed so high by wealth and +station, can be seen but darkly through the glass of contemporary record. +There was no tribunal to sit upon his guilt. A grandee could be judged +only when no longer a favourite, and the infatuation of Elizabeth for +Leicester terminated only with his life. He stood now upon the soil of +the Netherlands in the character of a "Messiah," yet he has been charged +with crimes sufficient to send twenty humbler malefactors to the gibbet. +"I think," said a most malignant arraigner of the man, in a published +pamphlet, "that the Earl of Leicester hath more blood lying upon his head +at this day, crying for vengeance, than ever had private man before, were +he never so wicked." + +Certainly the mass of misdemeanours and infamies hurled at the head of +the favourite by that "green-coated Jesuit," father Parsons, under the +title of 'Leycester's Commonwealth,' were never accepted as literal +verities; yet the value of the precept, to calumniate boldly, with the +certainty that much of the calumny would last for ever, was never better +illustrated than in the case of Robert Dudley. Besides the lesser +delinquencies of filling his purse by the sale of honours and dignities, +by violent ejectments from land, fraudulent titles, rapacious enclosures +of commons, by taking bribes for matters of justice, grace, and +supplication to the royal authority, he was accused of forging various +letters to the Queen, often to ruin his political adversaries, and of +plottings to entrap them into conspiracies, playing first the comrade and +then the informer. The list of his murders and attempts to murder was +almost endless. "His lordship hath a special fortune," saith the Jesuit, +"that when he desireth any woman's favour, whatsoever person standeth in +his way hath the luck to die quickly." He was said to have poisoned +Alice Drayton, Lady Lennox, Lord Sussex, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, Lord +Sheffield, whose widow he married and then poisoned, Lord Essex, whose +widow he also married, and intended to poison, but who was said to have +subsequently poisoned him--besides murders or schemes for murder of +various other individuals, both French and English. "He was a rare +artist in poison," said Sir Robert Naunton, and certainly not Caesar +Borgia, nor his father or sister, was more accomplished in that difficult +profession than was Dudley, if half the charges against him could be +believed. Fortunately for his fame, many of them were proved to be +false. Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, at the time of the +death of Lord Essex, having caused a diligent inquiry to be made into +that dark affair, wrote to the council that it was usual for the Earl to +fall into a bloody flux when disturbed in his mind, and that his body +when opened showed no signs of poison. It is true that Sir Henry, +although an honourable man, was Leicester's brother-in-law, and that +perhaps an autopsy was not conducted at that day in Ireland on very +scientific principles. + +His participation in the strange death of his first wife was a matter of +current belief among his contemporaries. "He is infamed by the death of +his wife," said Burghley, and the tale has since become so interwoven +with classic and legendary fiction, as well as with more authentic +history, that the phantom of the murdered Amy Robsart is sure to arise at +every mention of the Earl's name. Yet a coroner's inquest--as appears +from his own secret correspondence with his relative and agent at Cumnor +--was immediately and persistently demanded by Dudley. A jury was +impannelled--every man of them a stranger to him, and some of them +enemies. Antony Forster, Appleyard, and Arthur Robsart, brother-in-law +and brother of the lady, were present, according to Dudley's special +request; "and if more of her friends could have been sent," said he, "I +would have sent them;" but with all their minuteness of inquiry, "they +could find," wrote Blount, "no presumptions of evil," although he +expressed a suspicion that "some of the jurymen were sorry that they +could not." That the unfortunate lady was killed by a fall down stairs +was all that could be made of it by a coroner's inquest, rather hostile +than otherwise, and urged to rigorous investigation by the supposed +culprit himself. Nevertheless, the calumny has endured for three +centuries, and is likely to survive as many more. + +Whatever crimes Dudley may have committed in the course of his career, +there is no doubt whatever that he was the most abused man in Europe. He +had been deeply wounded by the Jesuit's artful publication, in which all +the misdeeds with which he was falsely or justly charged were drawn up in +awful array, in a form half colloquial, half judicial. "You had better +give some contentment to my Lord Leicester," wrote the French envoy from +London to his government, "on account of the bitter feelings excited in +him by these villainous books lately written against him." + +The Earl himself ascribed these calumnies to the Jesuits, to the Guise +faction, and particularly to--the Queen of Scots. He was said, in +consequence, to have vowed an eternal hatred to that most unfortunate and +most intriguing Princess. "Leicester has lately told a friend," wrote +Charles Paget, "that he will persecute you to the uttermost, for that he +supposeth your Majesty to be privy to the setting forth of the book +against him." Nevertheless, calumniated or innocent he was at least +triumphant over calumny. Nothing could shake his hold upon Elizabeth's +affections. The Queen scorned but resented the malignant attacks upon +the reputation of her favourite. She declared "before God and in her +conscience, that she knew the libels against him to be most scandalous, +and such as none but an incarnate devil himself could dream to be true." +His power, founded not upon genius nor virtue, but upon woman's caprice, +shone serenely above the gulf where there had been so many shipwrecks. +"I am now passing into another world," said Sussex, upon his death-bed, +to his friends, "and I must leave you to your fortunes; but beware of the +gipsy, or he will be too hard for you. You know not the beast so well as +I do." + +The "gipsy," as he had been called from his dark complexion, had been +renowned in youth for the beauty of his person, being "tall and +singularly well-featured, of a sweet aspect, but high foreheaded, which +was of no discommendation," according to Naunton. The Queen, who had the +passion of her father for tall and proper men, was easier won by +externals, from her youth even to the days of her dotage, than befitted +so very sagacious a personage. Chamberlains, squires of the body, +carvers, cup-bearers, gentlemen-ushers, porters, could obtain neither +place nor favour at court, unless distinguished for stature, strength, or +extraordinary activity. To lose a tooth had been known to cause the loss +of a place, and the excellent constitution of leg which helped Sir +Christopher Hatton into the chancellorship, was not more remarkable +perhaps than the success of similar endowments in other contemporaries. +Leicester, although stately and imposing, had passed his summer solstice. +A big bulky man, with a long red face, a bald head, a defiant somewhat +sinister eye, a high nose, and a little torrent of foam-white curly +beard, he was still magnificent in costume. Rustling in satin and +feathers, with jewels in his ears, and his velvet toque stuck as airily +as ever upon the side of his head, he amazed the honest Hollanders, who +had been used to less gorgeous chieftains. + +"Every body is wondering at the great magnificence and splendour of his +clothes," said the plain chronicler of Utrecht. For, not much more than +a year before, Fulke Greville had met at Delft a man whose external +adornments were simpler; a somewhat slip-shod personage, whom he thus +pourtrayed: "His uppermost garment was a gown," said the euphuistic +Fulke, "yet such as, I confidently affirm, a mean-born student of our +Inns of Court would not have been well disposed to walk the streets in. +Unbuttoned his doublet was, and of like precious matter and form to the +other. His waistcoat, which showed itself under it, not unlike the best +sort of those woollen knit ones which our ordinary barge-watermen row us +in. His company about him, the burgesses of that beerbrewing town. No +external sign of degree could have discovered the inequality of his worth +or estate from that multitude. Nevertheless, upon conversing with him, +there was an outward passage of inward greatness." + +Of a certainty there must have been an outward passage of inward +greatness about him; for the individual in unbuttoned doublet and +bargeman's waistcoat, was no other than William the Silent. A different +kind of leader had now descended among those rebels, yet it would be a +great mistake to deny the capacity or vigorous intentions of the +magnificent Earl, who certainly was like to find himself in a more +difficult and responsible situation than any he had yet occupied. + +And now began a triumphal progress through the land, with a series of +mighty banquets and festivities, in which no man could play a better part +than Leicester. From Flushing he came to Middelburg, where, upon +Christmas eve (according to the new reckoning), there was an +entertainment, every dish of which has been duly chronicled. Pigs served +on their feet, pheasants in their feathers, and baked swans with their +necks thrust through gigantic pie-crust; crystal castles of confectionery +with silver streams flowing at their base, and fair virgins leaning from +the battlements, looking for their new English champion, "wine in +abundance, variety of all sorts, and wonderful welcomes "--such was the +bill of fare. The next day the Lieutenant-General returned the +compliment to the magistrates of Middelburg with a tremendous feast. +Then came an interlude of unexpected famine; for as the Earl sailed with +his suite in a fleet of two hundred vessels for Dort--a voyage of not +many hours' usual duration--there descended a mighty frozen fog upon the +waters, and they lay five whole days and nights in their ships, almost +starved with hunger and cold--offering in vain a "pound of silver for a +pound of bread." Emerging at last from this dismal predicament, he +landed at Dort, and so went to Rotterdam and Delft, everywhere making his +way through lines of musketeers and civic functionaries, amid roaring +cannon, pealing bells, burning cressets, blazing tar-barrels, fiery +winged dragons, wreaths of flowers, and Latin orations. + +The farther he went the braver seemed the country, and the better beloved +his. Lordship. Nothing was left undone, in the language of ancient +chronicle, to fill the bellies and the heads of the whole company. At +the close of the year he came to the Hague, where the festivities were +unusually magnificent. A fleet of barges was sent to escort him. Peter, +James, and John, met him upon the shore, while the Saviour appeared +walking upon the waves, and ordered his disciples to cast their nets, and +to present the fish to his Excellency. Farther on, he was confronted by +Mars and Bellona, who recited Latin odes in his honour. Seven beautiful +damsels upon a stage, representing the United States, offered him golden +keys; seven others equally beautiful, embodying the seven sciences, +presented him with garlands, while an enthusiastic barber adorned his +shop with seven score of copper basins, with a wag-light in each, +together with a rose, and a Latin posy in praise of Queen Elizabeth. +Then there were tiltings in the water between champions mounted upon +whales, and other monsters of the deep-representatives of siege, famine, +pestilence, and murder--the whole interspersed with fireworks, poetry, +charades, and Matthias, nor Anjou, nor King Philip, nor the Emperor +Charles, in their triumphal progresses, had been received with more +spontaneous or more magnificent demonstrations. Never had the living +pictures been more startling, the allegories more incomprehensible, the +banquets more elaborate, the orations more tedious. Beside himself with +rapture, Leicester almost assumed the God. In Delft, a city which he +described as "another London almost for beauty and fairness," he is said +so far to have forgotten himself as to declare that his family had--in +the person of Lady Jane Grey, his father, and brother--been unjustly +deprived of the crown of England; an indiscretion which caused a shudder +in all who heard him. It was also very dangerous for the Lieutenant- +General to exceed the bounds of becoming modesty at that momentous epoch. +His power, as we shall soon have occasion to observe, was anomalous, and +he was surrounded by enemies. He was not only to grapple with a rapidly +developing opposition in the States, but he was surrounded with masked +enemies, whom he had brought with him from England. Every act and word +of his were liable to closest scrutiny, and likely to be turned against +him. For it was most characteristic of that intriguing age, that even +the astute Walsingham, who had an eye and an ear at every key-hole in +Europe, was himself under closest domestic inspection. There was one +Poley, a trusted servant of Lady Sidney, then living in the house of her +father Walsingham, during Sir Philip's absence, who was in close +communication with Lord Montjoy's brother, Blount, then high in favour of +Queen Elizabeth--"whose grandmother she might be for his age and hers" +--and with another brother Christopher Blount, at that moment in +confidential attendance upon Lord Leicester in Holland. Now Poley, +and both the Blounts, were, in reality, Papists, and in intimate +correspondence with the agents of the Queen of Scots, both at home and +abroad, although "forced to fawn upon Leicester, to see if they might +thereby live quiet." They had a secret "alphabet," or cipher, among +them, and protested warmly, that they "honoured the ground whereon Queen +Mary trod better than Leicester with all his generation; and that they +felt bound to serve her who was the only saint living on the earth." + +It may be well understood then that the Earl's position was a slippery +one, and that great assumption might be unsafe. "He taketh the matter +upon him," wrote Morgan to the Queen of Scots, "as though he were an +absolute king; but he hath many personages about him of good place out of +England, the best number whereof desire nothing more than his confusion. +Some of them be gone with him to avoid the persecution for religion in +England. My poor advice and labour shall not be wanting to give +Leicester all dishonour, which will fall upon him in the end with shame +enough; though for the present he be very strong." Many of these +personages of good place, and enjoying "charge and credit" with the Earl +had very serious plans in their heads. Some of them meant "for the +service of God, and the advantage of the King of Spain, to further the +delivery of some notable towns in Holland and Zeeland to the said King +and his ministers," and we are like to hear of these individuals again. + +Meantime, the Earl of Leicester was at the Hague. Why was he there? +What was his work? Why had Elizabeth done such violence to her affection +as to part with her favourite-in-chief; and so far overcome her thrift, +as to furnish forth, rather meagrely to be sure, that little army of +Englishmen? Why had the flower of England's chivalry set foot upon that +dark and bloody ground where there seemed so much disaster to encounter, +and so little glory to reap? Why had England thrown herself so +heroically into the breach, just as the last bulwarks were falling +which protected Holland from the overwhelming onslaught of Spain? +It was because Holland was the threshold of England; because the two +countries were one by danger and by destiny; because the naval expedition +from Spain against England was already secretly preparing; because the +deposed tyrant of Spain intended the Provinces, when again subjugated, +as a steppingstone to the conquest of England; because the naval and +military forces of Holland--her numerous ships, her hardy mariners, her +vast wealth, her commodious sea-ports, close to the English coast--if +made Spanish property would render Philip invincible by sea and land; and +because the downfall of Holland and of Protestantism would be death to +Elizabeth, and annihilation to England. + +There was little doubt on the subject in the minds of those engaged in +this expedition. All felt most keenly the importance of the game, in +which the Queen was staking her crown, and England its national +existence. + +"I pray God," said Wilford, an officer much in Walsingham's confidence, +"that I live not to see this enterprise quail, and with it the utter +subversion of religion throughout all Christendom. It may be I may be +judged to be afraid of my own shadow. God grant it be so. But if her +Majesty had not taken the helm in hand, and my Lord of Leicester sent +over, this country had been gone ere this. . . . This war doth defend +England. Who is he that will refuse to spend his life and living in it? +If her Majesty consume twenty thousand men in the cause, the experimented +men that will remain will double that strength to the realm." + +This same Wilford commanded a company in Ostend, and was employed by +Leicester in examining the defences of that important place. He often +sent information to the Secretary, "troubling him with the rude stile of +a poor soldier, being driven to scribble in haste." He reiterated, in +more than one letter, the opinion, that twenty thousand men consumed in +the war would be a saving in the end, and his own determination--although +he had intended retiring from the military profession--to spend not only +his life in the cause, but also the poor living that God had given him. +"Her Highness hath now entered into it," he said; "the fire is kindled; +whosoever suffers it to go out, it will grow dangerous to that side. The +whole state of religion is in question, and the realm of England also, if +this action quail. God grant we never live to see that doleful day. Her +Majesty hath such footing now in these parts, as I judge it impossible +for the King to weary her out, if every man will put to the work his +helping hand, whereby it may be lustily followed, and the war not +suffered to cool. The freehold of England will be worth but little, if +this action quail, and therefore I wish no subject to spare his purse +towards it." + +Spain moved slowly. Philip the Prudent was not sudden or rash, but his +whole life had proved, and was to prove, him inflexible in his purposes, +and patient in his attempts to carry them into effect, even when the +purposes had become chimerical, and the execution impossible. Before the +fall of Antwerp he had matured his scheme for the invasion of England, in +most of its details--a necessary part of which was of course the +reduction of Holland and Zeeland. "Surely no danger nor fear of any +attempt can grow to England," wrote Wilford, "so long as we can hold this +country good." But never was honest soldier more mistaken than he, when +he added:--"The Papists will make her Highness afraid of a great fleet +now preparing in Spain. We hear it also, but it is only a scare-crow to +cool the enterprise here." + +It was no scare-crow. On the very day on which Wilford was thus writing +to Walsingham, Philip the Second was writing to Alexander Farnese. "The +English," he said, "with their troops having gained a footing in the +islands (Holland and Zeeland) give me much anxiety. The English +Catholics are imploring me with much importunity to relieve them from +the persecution they are suffering. When you sent me a plan, with the +coasts, soundings, quicksands, and ports of England, you said that the +enterprise of invading that country should be deferred till we had +reduced the isles; that, having them, we could much more conveniently +attack England; or that at least we should wait till we had got Antwerp. +As the city is now taken, I want your advice now about the invasion of +England. To cut the root of the evils constantly growing up there, both +for God's service and mine, is desirable. So many evils will thus be +remedied, which would not be by only warring with the islands. It would +be an uncertain and expensive war to go to sea for the purpose of +chastising the insolent English corsairs, however much they deserve +chastisement. I charge you to be secret, to give the matter your deepest +attention, and to let me have your opinions at once." Philip then added +a postscript, in his own hand, concerning the importance of acquiring a +sea-port in Holland, as a basis of operations against England. "Without +a port," he said, "we can do nothing whatever." + +A few weeks later, the Grand Commander of Castile, by Philip's orders, +and upon subsequent information received from the Prince of Parma, drew +up an elaborate scheme for the invasion of England, and for the +government of that country afterwards; a program according to which the +King was to shape his course for a long time to come. The plot was an +excellent plot. Nothing could be more artistic, more satisfactory to the +prudent monarch; but time was to show whether there might not be some +difficulty in the way of its satisfactory development. + +"The enterprise," said the Commander, "ought certainly to be undertaken +as serving the cause of the Lord. From the Pope we must endeavour to +extract a promise of the largest aid we can get for the time when the +enterprise can be undertaken. We must not declare that time however, in +order to keep the thing a secret, and because perhaps thus more will be +promised, under the impression that it will never take effect. He added +that the work could not well be attempted before August or September of +the following year; the only fear of such delay being that the French +could hardly be kept during all that time in a state of revolt." For +this was a uniform portion of the great scheme. France was to be kept, +at Philip's expense, in a state of perpetual civil war; its every city +and village to be the scene of unceasing conflict and bloodshed--subjects +in arms against king, and family against family; and the Netherlands were +to be ravaged with fire and sword; all this in order that the path might +be prepared for Spanish soldiers into the homes of England. So much of +misery to the whole human race was it in the power of one painstaking +elderly valetudinarian to inflict, by never for an instant neglecting the +business of his life. + +Troops and vessels for the English invasion ought, in the Commander's +opinion, to be collected in Flanders, under colour of an enterprise +against Holland and Zeeland, while the armada to be assembled in Spain, +of galleons, galeazas, and galleys, should be ostensibly for an +expedition to the Indies. + +Then, after the conquest, came arrangements for the government of +England. Should Philip administer his new kingdom by a viceroy, or +should he appoint a king out of his own family? On the whole the chances +for the Prince of Parma seemed the best of any. "We must liberate the +Queen of Scotland," said the Grand Commander, "and marry her to some one +or another, both in order to put her out of love with her son, and to +conciliate her devoted adherents. Of course the husband should be one of +your Majesty's nephews, and none could be so appropriate as the Prince of +Parma, that great captain, whom his talents, and the part he has to bear +in the business, especially indicate for that honour." + +Then there was a difficulty about the possible issue of such a marriage. +The Farneses claimed Portugal; so that children sprung from the +bloodroyal of England blended with that of Parma, might choose to make +those pretensions valid. But the objection was promptly solved by the +Commander:--"The Queen of Scotland is sure to have no children," he said. + +That matter being adjusted, Parma's probable attitude as King of England +was examined. It was true his ambition might cause occasional +uneasiness, but then he might make himself still more unpleasant in the +Netherlands. "If your Majesty suspects him," said the Commander, "which, +after all, is unfair, seeing the way, in which he has been conducting +himself--it is to be remembered that in Flanders are similar +circumstances and opportunities, and that he is well armed, much beloved +in the country, and that the natives are of various humours. The English +plan will furnish an honourable departure for him out of the Provinces; +and the principle of loyal obligation will have much influence over so +chivalrous a knight as he, when he is once placed on the English throne. +Moreover, as he will be new there, he will have need of your Majesty's +favour to maintain himself, and there will accordingly be good +correspondence with Holland and the Islands. Thus your Majesty can put +the Infanta and her husband into full possession of all the Netherlands; +having provided them with so excellent a neighbour in England, and one so +closely bound and allied to them. Then, as he is to have no English +children" (we have seen that the Commander had settled that point) "he +will be a very good mediator to arrange adoptions, especially if you make +good provision for his son Rainuccio in Italy. The reasons in favour of +this plan being so much stronger than those against it, it would be well +that your Majesty should write clearly to the Prince of Parma, directing +him to conduct the enterprise" (the English invasion), "and to give him +the first offer for this marriage (with Queen Mary) if he likes the +scheme. If not, he had better mention which of the Archdukes should be +substituted in his place." + +There happened to be no lack of archdukes at that period for anything +comfortable that might offer--such as a throne in England, Holland, or +France--and the Austrian House was not remarkable for refusing convenient +marriages; but the immediate future only could show whether Alexander I. +of the House of Farnese was to reign in England, or whether the next king +of that country was to be called Matthias, Maximilian, or Ernest of +Hapsburg. + +Meantime the Grand Commander was of opinion that the invasion-project was +to be pushed forward as rapidly and as secretly as possible; because, +before any one of Philip's nephews could place himself upon the English +throne, it was first necessary to remove Elizabeth from that position. +Before disposing of the kingdom, the preliminary step of conquering it +was necessary. Afterwards it would be desirable, without wasting more +time than was requisite, to return with a large portion of the invading +force out of England, in order to complete the conquest of Holland. For +after all, England was to be subjugated only as a portion of one general +scheme; the main features of which were the reannexation of Holland and +"the islands," and the acquisition of unlimited control upon the seas. + +Thus the invasion of England was no "scarecrow," as Wilford imagined, +but a scheme already thoroughly matured. If Holland and Zeeland should +meantime fall into the hands of Philip, it was no exaggeration on that +soldier's part to observe that the "freehold of England would be worth +but little." + +To oppose this formidable array against the liberties of Europe stood +Elizabeth Tudor and the Dutch Republic. For the Queen, however arbitrary +her nature, fitly embodied much of the nobler elements in the expanding +English national character. She felt instinctively that her reliance in +the impending death-grapple was upon the popular principle, the national +sentiment, both in her own country and in Holland. That principle and +that sentiment were symbolized in the Netherland revolt; and England, +although under a somewhat despotic rule, was already fully pervaded with +the instinct of self-government. The people held the purse and the +sword. + +No tyranny could be permanently established so long as the sovereign was +obliged to come every year before Parliament to ask for subsidies; so +long as all the citizens and yeomen of England had weapons in their +possession, and were carefully trained to use them; so long, in short, +as the militia was the only army, and private adventurers or trading +companies created and controlled the only navy. War, colonization, +conquest, traffic, formed a joint business and a private speculation. +If there were danger that England, yielding to purely mercantile habits +of thought and action, might degenerate from the more martial standard to +which she had been accustomed, there might be virtue in that Netherland +enterprise, which was now to call forth all her energies. The Provinces +would be a seminary for English soldiers. + +"There can be no doubt of our driving the enemy out of the country +through famine and excessive charges," said the plain-spoken English +soldier already quoted, who came out with Leicester, "if every one of us +will put our minds to go forward without making a miserable gain by the +wars. A man may see, by this little progress journey, what this long +peace hath wrought in us. We are weary of the war before we come where +it groweth, such a danger hath this long peace brought us into. This is, +and will be, in my opinion, a most fit school and nursery to nourish +soldiers to be able to keep and defend our country hereafter, if men will +follow it." + +Wilford was vehement in denouncing the mercantile tendencies of his +countrymen, and returned frequently to that point in his communications +with Walsingham and other statesmen. "God hath stirred up this action," +he repeated again, "to be a school to breed up soldiers to defend the +freedom of England, which through these long times of peace and quietness +is brought into a most dangerous estate, if it should be attempted. Our +delicacy is such that we are already weary, yet this journey is naught in +respect to the misery and hardship that soldiers must and do endure." + +He was right in his estimate of the effect likely to be produced by the +war upon the military habits of Englishmen; for there can be no doubt +that the organization and discipline of English troops was in anything +but a satisfactory state at that period. There was certainly vast room +for improvement. Nevertheless he was wrong in his views of the leading +tendencies of his age. Holland and England, self-helping, self-moving, +were already inaugurating a new era in the history of the world. The +spirit of commercial maritime enterprise--then expanding rapidly into +large proportions--was to be matched against the religious and knightly +enthusiasm which had accomplished such wonders in an age that was passing +away. Spain still personified, and had ever personified, chivalry, +loyalty, piety; but its chivalry, loyalty, and piety, were now in a +corrupted condition. The form was hollow, and the sacred spark had fled. +In Holland and England intelligent enterprise had not yet degenerated +into mere greed for material prosperity. The love of danger, the thirst +for adventure, the thrilling sense of personal responsibility and human +dignity--not the base love for land and lucre--were the governing +sentiments which led those bold Dutch and English rovers to +circumnavigate the world in cockle-shells, and to beard the most potent +monarch on the earth, both at home and abroad, with a handful of +volunteers. + +This then was the contest, and this the machinery by which it was to be +maintained. A struggle for national independence, liberty of conscience, +freedom of the seas, against sacerdotal and world-absorbing tyranny; +a mortal combat of the splendid infantry of Spain and Italy, the +professional reiters of Germany, the floating castles of a world-empire, +with the militiamen and mercantile-marine of England and Holland united. +Holland had been engaged twenty years long in the conflict. England had +thus far escaped it; but there was no doubt, and could be none, that her +time had come. She must fight the battle of Protestantism on sea and +shore, shoulder to shoulder, with the Netherlanders, or await the +conqueror's foot on her own soil. + +What now was the disposition and what the means of the Provinces to do +their part in the contest? If the twain as Holland wished, had become of +one flesh, would England have been the loser? Was it quite sure that +Elizabeth--had she even accepted the less compromising title which she +refused--would not have been quite as much the protected as the +"protectress?" + +It is very certain that the English, on their arrival in the Provinces, +were singularly impressed by the opulent and stately appearance of the +country and its inhabitants. Notwithstanding the tremendous war which +the Hollanders had been waging against Spain for twenty years, their +commerce had continued to thrive, and their resources to increase. +Leicester was in a state of constant rapture at the magnificence +which surrounded him, from his first entrance into the country. +Notwithstanding the admiration expressed by the Hollanders for the +individual sumptuousness of the Lieutenant-General; his followers, on +their part, were startled by the general luxury of their new allies. +"The realm is rich and full of men," said Wilford, "the sums men exceed +in apparel would bear the brunt of this war;" and again, "if the excess +used in sumptuous apparel were only abated, and that we could convert the +same to these wars, it would stop a great gap." + +The favourable view taken by the English as to the resources and +inclination of the Netherland commonwealth was universal. "The general +wish and desire of these countrymen," wrote Sir Thomas Shirley, "is that +the amity begun between England and this nation may be everlasting, and +there is not any of our company of judgment but wish the same. For all +they that see the goodliness and stateliness of these towns, strengthened +both with fortification and natural situation, all able to defend +themselves with their own abilities, must needs think it too fair a prey +to be let pass, and a thing most worthy to be embraced." + +Leicester, whose enthusiasm continued to increase as rapidly as the +Queen's zeal seemed to be cooling, was most anxious lest the short- +comings of his own Government should work irreparable evil. "I pray you, +my lord," he wrote to Burghley, "forget not us poor exiles; if you do, +God must and will forget you. And great pity it were that so noble +provinces and goodly havens, with such infinite ships and mariners, +should not be always as they may now easily be, at the assured devotion +of England. In my opinion he can neither love Queen nor country that +would not wish and further it should be so. And seeing her Majesty is +thus far entered into the cause, and that these people comfort themselves +in full hope of her favour, it were a sin and a shame it should not be +handled accordingly, both for honour and surety." + +Sir John Conway, who accompanied the Earl through the whole of his +"progress journey," was quite as much struck as he by the flourishing +aspect and English proclivities of the Provinces. "The countries which +we have passed," he said, "are fertile in their nature; the towns, +cities, buildings, of snore state and beauty, to such as have travelled +other countries, than any they have ever seen. The people the most +industrious by all means to live that be in the world, and, no doubt, +passing rich. They outwardly show themselves of good heart, zeal, +and loyalty, towards the Queen our mistress. There is no doubt that +the general number of them had rather come under her Majesty's regiment, +than to continue under the States and burgomasters of their country. +The impositions which they lay in defence of their State is wonderful. +If her Highness proceed in this beginning, she may retain these parts +hers, with their good love, and her great glory and gain. I would she +might as perfectly see the whole country, towns, profits, and pleasures +thereof, in a glass, as she may her own face; I do then assure myself she +would with careful consideration receive them, and not allow of any man's +reason to the contrary . . . . The country is worthy any prince in +the world, the people do reverence the Queen, and in love of her do so +believe that the Grace of Leicester is by God and her sent among them for +her good. And they believe in him for the redemption of their bodies, +as they do in God for their souls. I dare pawn my soul, that if her +Majesty will allow him the just and rightful mean to manage this cause, +that he will so handle the manner and matter as shall highly both please +and profit her Majesty, and increase her country, and his own honour." + +Lord North, who held a high command in the auxiliary force, spoke also +with great enthusiasm. "Had your Lordship seen," he wrote to Burghley, +"with what thankful hearts these countries receive all her Majesty's +subjects, what multitudes of people they be, what stately cities and +buildings they have, how notably fortified by art, how strong by nature, +flow fertile the whole country, and how wealthy it is, you would, I know, +praise the Lord that opened your lips to undertake this enterprise, the +continuance and good success whereof will eternise her Majesty, beautify +her crown, with the most shipping, with the most populous and wealthy +countries, that ever prince added to his kingdom, or that is or can be +found in Europe. I lack wit, good my Lord, to dilate this matter." + +Leicester, better informed than some of those in his employment, +entertained strong suspicions concerning Philip's intentions with regard +to England; but he felt sure that the only way to laugh at a Spanish +invasion was to make Holland and England as nearly one as it was possible +to do. + +"No doubt that the King of Spain's preparations by sea be great," he, +said; "but I know that all that he and his friends can make are not able +to match with her Majesty's forces, if it please her to use the means +that God hath given her. But besides her own, if she need; I will +undertake to furnish her from hence, upon two months' warning, a navy for +strong and tall ships, with their furniture and mariners, that the King +of Spain, and all that he can make, shall not be able to encounter with +them. I think the bruit of his preparations is made the greater to +terrify her Majesty and this country people. But, thanked be God, her +Majesty hath little cause to fear him. And in this country they esteem +no more of his power by sea than I do of six fisher-boats off Rye." + +Thus suggestive is it to peep occasionally behind the curtain. In the +calm cabinet of the Escorial, Philip and his comendador mayor are laying +their heads together, preparing the invasion of England; making +arrangements for King Alexander's coronation in that island, and--like +sensible, farsighted persons as they are--even settling the succession +to the throne after Alexander's death, instead of carelessly leaving such +distant details to chance, or subsequent consideration. On the other +hand, plain Dutch sea-captains, grim beggars of the sea, and the like, +denizens of a free commonwealth and of the boundless ocean-men who are +at home on blue water, and who have burned gunpowder against those +prodigious slave-rowed galleys of Spain--together with their new allies, +the dauntless mariners of England--who at this very moment are "singeing +the King of Spain's beard," as it had never been singed before--are not +so much awestruck with the famous preparations for invasion as was +perhaps to be expected. There may be a delay, after all, before Parma +can be got safely established in London, and Elizabeth in Orcus, and +before the blood-tribunal of the Inquisition can substitute its sway for +that of the "most noble, wise, and learned United States." Certainly, +Philip the Prudent would have been startled, difficult as he was to +astonish, could he have known that those rebel Hollanders of his made +no more account of his slowly-preparing invincible armada than of six +fisher-boats off Rye. Time alone could show where confidence had been +best placed. Meantime it was certain, that it well behoved Holland and +England to hold hard together, nor let "that enterprise quail." + +The famous expedition of Sir Francis Drake was the commencement of a +revelation. "That is the string," said Leicester, "that touches the King +indeed." It was soon to be made known to the world that the ocean was +not a Spanish Lake, nor both the Indies the private property of Philip. +"While the riches of the Indies continue," said Leicester, "he thinketh +he will be able to weary out all other princes; and I know, by good +means, that he more feareth this action of Sir Francis than he ever did +anything that has been attempted against him." With these continued +assaults upon the golden treasure-houses of Spain, and by a determined +effort to maintain the still more important stronghold which had been +wrested from her in the Netherlands, England might still be safe. "This +country is so full of ships and mariners," said Leicester, "so abundant +in wealth, and in the means to make money, that, had it but stood +neutral, what an aid had her Majesty been deprived of. But if it had +been the enemy's also, I leave it to your consideration what had been +likely to ensue. These people do now honour and love her Majesty in +marvellous sort." + +There was but one feeling on this most important subject among the +English who went to the Netherlands. All held the same language. The +question was plainly presented to England whether she would secure to +herself the great bulwark of her defence, or place it in the hands of her +mortal foe? How could there be doubt or supineness on such a momentous +subject? "Surely, my Lord," wrote Richard Cavendish to Burghley, "if you +saw the wealth, the strength, the shipping, and abundance of mariners, +whereof these countries stand furnished, your heart would quake to think +that so hateful an enemy as Spain should again be furnished with such +instruments; and the Spaniards themselves do nothing doubt upon the hope +of the consequence hereof, to assure themselves of the certain ruin of +her Majesty and the whole estate." + +And yet at the very outset of Leicester's administration, there was a +whisper of peace-overtures to Spain, secretly made by Elizabeth in her +own behalf, and in that of the Provinces. We shall have soon occasion to +examine into the truth of these rumours, which, whether originating in +truth or falsehood, were most pernicious in their effects. The +Hollanders were determined never to return to slavery again, so long as +they could fire a shot in their own defence. They earnestly wished +English cooperation, but it was the cooperation of English matchlocks and +English cutlasses, not English protecols and apostilles. It was +military, not diplomatic machinery that they required. If they could +make up their minds to submit to Philip and the Inquisition again, Philip +and the Holy office were but too ready to receive the erring penitents to +their embrace without a go-between. + +It was war, not peace, therefore, that Holland meant by the English +alliance. It was war, not peace, that Philip intended. It was war, not +peace, that Elizabeth's most trusty counsellors knew to be inevitable. +There was also, as we have shown, no doubt whatever as to the good +disposition, and the great power of the republic to bear its share in the +common cause. The enthusiasm of the Hollanders was excessive. "There +was such a noise, both in Delft, Rotterdam, and Dort," said Leicester, +"in crying 'God save the Queen!' as if she had been in Cheapside." Her +own subjects could not be more loyal than were the citizens and yeomen of +Holland. "The members of the States dare not but be Queen Elizabeth's," +continued the Earl, "for by the living God! if there should fall but the +least unkindness through their default, the people would kill them. All +sorts of people, from highest to lowest, assure themselves, now that they +have her Majesty's good countenance, to beat all the Spaniards out of +their country. Never was there people in such jollity as these be. I +could be content to lose a limb, could her Majesty see these countries +and towns as I have done." He was in truth excessively elated, and had +already, in imagination, vanquished Alexander Farnese, and eclipsed the +fame of William the Silent. "They will serve under me," he observed, +"with a better will than ever they served under the Prince of Orange. +Yet they loved him well, but they never hoped of the liberty of this +country till now." + +Thus the English government had every reason to be satisfied with the +aspect of its affairs in the Netherlands. But the nature of the Earl's +authority was indefinite. The Queen had refused the sovereignty and the +protectorate. She had also distinctly and peremptorily forbidden +Leicester to assume any office or title that might seem at variance with +such a refusal on her part. Yet it is certain that, from the very first, +he had contemplated some slight disobedience to these prohibitions. +"What government is requisite"--wrote he in a secret memorandum of +"things most necessary to understand"--"to be appointed to him that shall +be their governor? First, that he have as much authority as the Prince +of Orange, or any other governor or captain-general, hath had +heretofore." Now the Prince of Orange hath been stadholder of each of +the United Provinces, governor-general, commander-in-chief, count of +Holland in prospect, and sovereign, if he had so willed it. It would +doubtless have been most desirable for the country, in its confused +condition, had there been a person competent to wield, and willing to +accept, the authority once exercised by William I. But it was also +certain that this was exactly the authority which Elizabeth had forbidden +Leicester to assume. Yet it is diffcult to understand what position the +Queen intended that her favourite should maintain, nor how he was to +carry out her instructions, while submitting to her prohibitions. +He was directed to cause the confused government of the Provinces to +be redressed, and a better form of polity to be established. He was +ordered, in particular, to procure a radical change in the constitution, +by causing the deputies to the General Assembly to be empowered to decide +upon important matters, without, as had always been the custom, making +direct reference to the assemblies of the separate Provinces. He was +instructed to bring about, in some indefinite way, a complete reform in +financial matters, by compelling the States-General to raise money by +liberal taxation, according to the "advice of her Majesty, delivered unto +them by her lieutenant." + +And how was this radical change in the institutions of the Provinces to +be made by an English earl, whose only authority was that of commander- +in-chief over five thousand half-starved, unpaid, utterly-forlorn English +troops? + +The Netherland envoys in England, in their parting advice, most +distinctly urged him "to hale authority with the first, to declare +himself chief head and governor-general" of the whole country,--for it +was a political head that was wanted in order to restore unity of action +--not an additional general, where there were already generals in plenty. +Sir John Norris, valiant, courageous, experienced--even if not, as +Walsingham observed, a "religious soldier," nor learned in anything "but +a kind of licentious and corrupt government"--was not likely to require +the assistance of the new lieutenant-general in field operations nor +could the army be brought into a state of thorough discipline and +efficiency by the magic of Leicester's name. The rank and file of the +English army--not the commanders-needed strengthening. The soldiers +required shoes and stockings, bread and meat, and for these articles +there were not the necessary funds, nor would the title of Lieutenant- +General supply the deficiency. The little auxiliary force was, in truth, +in a condition most pitiable to behold: it was difficult to say whether +the soldiers who had been already for a considerable period in the +Netherlands, or those who had been recently levied in the purlieus of +London, were in the most unpromising plight. The beggarly state in which +Elizabeth had been willing that her troops should go forth to the wars +was a sin and a disgrace. Well might her Lieutenant-General say that her +"poor subjects were no better than abjects." There were few effective +companies remaining of the old force. "There is but a small number of +the first bands left," said Sir John Conway, "and those so pitiful and +unable ever to serve again, as I leave to speak further of theirs, to +avoid grief to your heart. A monstrous fault there hath been somewhere." + +Leicester took a manful and sagacious course at starting. Those who had +no stomach for the fight were ordered to depart. The chaplain gave them +sermons; the Lieutenant-General, on St. Stephen's day, made them a "pithy +and honourable" oration, and those who had the wish or the means to buy +themselves out of the adventure, were allowed to do so: for the Earl was +much disgusted with the raw material out of which he was expected to +manufacture serviceable troops. Swaggering ruffians from the +disreputable haunts of London, cockney apprentices, brokendown tapsters, +discarded serving men; the Bardolphs and Pistols, Mouldys, Warts, and the +like--more at home in tavern-brawls or in dark lanes than on the battle- +field--were not the men to be entrusted with the honour of England at a +momentous crisis. He spoke with grief and shame of the worthless +character and condition of the English youths sent over to the +Netherlands. "Believe me," said he, "you will all repent the cockney +kind of bringing up at this day of young men. They be gone hence with +shame enough, and too many, that I will warrant, will make as many frays +with bludgeons and bucklers as any in London shall do; but such shall +never have credit with me again. Our simplest men in show have been our +best men, and your gallant blood and ruffian men the worst of all +others." + +Much winnowed, as it was, the small force might in time become more +effective; and the Earl spent freely of his own substance to supply the +wants of his followers, and to atone for the avarice of his sovereign. +The picture painted however by muster-master Digger of the plumed troops +that had thus come forth to maintain the honour of England and the cause +of liberty, was anything but imposing. None knew better than Digges +their squalid and slovenly condition, or was more anxious to effect a +reformation therein. "A very wise, stout fellow he is," said the Earl, +"and very careful to serve thoroughly her Majesty." Leicester relied +much upon his efforts. "There is good hope," said the muster-master, +"that his excellency will shortly establish such good order for the +government and training of our nation, that these weak, bad-furnished, +ill-armed, and worse-trained bands, thus rawly left unto him, shall +within a few months prove as well armed, trained, complete, gallant +companies as shall be found elsewhere in Europe." The damage they were +likely to inflict upon the enemy seemed very problematical, until they +should have been improved by some wholesome ball-practice. "They are so +unskilful," said Digger, "that if they should be carried to the field no +better trained than yet they are, they would prove much more dangerous to +their own leaders and companies than any ways serviceable on their +enemies. The hard and miserable estate of the soldiers generally, +excepting officers, hath been such, as by the confessions of the captains +themselves, they have been offered by many of their soldiers thirty and +forty pounds a piece to be dismissed and sent away; whereby I doubt not +the flower of the pressed English bands are gone, and the remnant +supplied with such paddy persons as commonly, in voluntary procurements, +men are glad to accept." + +Even after the expiration of four months the condition of the paddy +persons continued most destitute. The English soldiers became mere +barefoot starving beggars in the streets, as had never been the case in +the worst of times, when the States were their paymasters. The little +money brought from the treasury by the Earl, and the large sums which he +had contributed out of his own pocket, had been spent in settling, and +not fully settling, old scores. "Let me entreat you," wrote Leicester to +Walsingham, "to be a mean to her Majesty, that the poor soldiers be not +beaten for my sake. There came no penny of treasure over since my coming +hither. That which then came was most part due before it came. There is +much still due. They cannot get a penny, their credit is spent, they +perish for want of victuals and clothing in great numbers. The whole are +ready to mutiny. They cannot be gotten out to service, because they +cannot discharge the debts they owe in the places where they are. I have +let of my own more than I may spare."--"There was no soldier yet able to +buy himself a pair of hose," said the Earl again, "and it is too, too +great shame to see how they go, and it kills their hearts to show +themselves among men." + +There was no one to dispute the Earl's claims. The Nassau family was +desperately poor, and its chief, young Maurice, although he had been +elected stadholder of Holland and Zeeland, had every disposition--as Sir +Philip upon his arrival in Flushing immediately informed his uncle--to +submit to the authority of the new governor. Louisa de Coligny, widow of +William the Silent, was most anxious for the English alliance, through +which alone she believed that the fallen fortunes of the family could be +raised. It was thus only, she thought, that the vengeance for which she +thirsted upon the murderers of her father and her husband could be +obtained. "We see now," she wrote to Walsingham, in a fiercer strain +than would seem to comport with so gentle a nature--deeply wronged as the +daughter of Coligny and the wife of Orange had been by Papists--"we see +now the effects of our God's promises. He knows when it pleases Him to +avenge the blood of His own; and I confess that I feel most keenly the +joy which is shared in by the whole Church of God. There is none that +has received more wrong from these murderers than I have done, and I +esteem myself happy in the midst of my miseries that God has permitted me +to see some vengeance. These beginings make me hope that I shall see yet +more, which will be not less useful to the good, both in your country and +in these isles." + +There was no disguise as to the impoverished condition to which the +Nassau family had been reduced by the self-devotion of its chief. They +were obliged to ask alms of England, until the "sapling should become a +tree."--"Since it is the will of God," wrote the Princess to Davison, "I +am not ashamed to declare the necessity of our house, for it is in His +cause that it has fallen. I pray you, Sir, therefore to do me and these +children the favour to employ your thoughts in this regard." If there +had been any strong French proclivities on their part--as had been so +warmly asserted--they were likely to disappear. Villiers, who had been a +confidential friend of William the Silent, and a strong favourer of +France, in vain endeavoured to keep alive the ancient sentiments towards +that country, although he was thought to be really endeavouring to bring +about a submission of the Nassaus to Spain. "This Villiers," said +Leicester, "is a most vile traitorous knave, and doth abuse a young +nobleman here extremely, the Count Maurice. For all his religion, he is +a more earnest persuader secretly to have him yield to a reconciliation +than Sainte Aldegonde was. He shall not tarry ten days neither in +Holland nor Zeeland. He is greatly hated here of all sorts, and it shall +go hard but I will win the young Count." + +As for Hohenlo, whatever his opinions might once have been regarding the +comparative merits of Frenchmen and Englishmen, he was now warmly in +favour of England, and expressed an intention of putting an end to the +Villiers' influence by simply drowning Villiers. The announcement of +this summary process towards the counsellor was not untinged with +rudeness towards the pupil. "The young Count," said Leicester, "by +Villiers' means, was not willing to have Flushing rendered, which the +Count Hollock perceiving, told the Count Maurice, in a great rage, that +if he took any course than that of the Queen of England, and swore by no +beggars, he would drown his priest in the haven before his face, and turn +himself and his mother-in-law out of their house there, and thereupon +went with Mr. Davison to the delivery of it." Certainly, if Hohenlo +permitted himself such startling demonstrations towards the son and widow +of William the Silent, it must have been after his habitual potations had +been of the deepest. Nevertheless it was satisfactory for the new +chieftain to know that the influence of so vehement a partisan was +secured for England. The Count's zeal deserved gratitude upon +Leicester's part, and Leicester was grateful. "This man must be +cherished," said the Earl; "he is sound and faithful, and hath indeed all +the chief holds in his hands, and at his commandment. Ye shall do well +to procure him a letter of thanks, taking knowledge in general of his +good-will to her Majesty. He is a right Almayn in manner and fashion, +free of his purse and of his drink, yet do I wish him her Majesty's +pensioner before any prince in Germany, for he loves her and is able to +serve her, and doth desire to be known her servant. He hath been +laboured by his nearest kinsfolk and friends in Germany to have left the +States and to have the King of Spain's pension and very great reward; but +he would not. I trust her Majesty will accept of his offer to be her +servant during his life, being indeed a very noble soldier." The Earl +was indeed inclined to take so cheerful view of matters as to believe +that he should even effect a reform in the noble soldier's most +unpleasant characteristic. "Hollock is a wise gallant gentleman," he +said, "and very well esteemed. He hath only one fault, which is +drinking; but good hope that he will amend it. Some make me believe that +I shall be able to do much with him, and I mean to do my best, for I see +no man that knows all these countries, and the people of all sorts, like +him, and this fault overthrows all." + +Accordingly, so long as Maurice continued under the tutelage of this +uproarious cavalier--who, at a later day, was to become his brother-in- +law-he was not likely to interfere with Leicester's authority. The +character of the young Count was developing slowly. More than his father +had ever done, he deserved the character of the taciturn. A quiet keen +observer of men and things, not demonstrative nor talkative, nor much +given to writing--a modest, calm, deeply-reflecting student of military +and mathematical science--he was not at that moment deeply inspired by +political ambition. He was perhaps more desirous of raising the fallen +fortunes of his house than of securing the independence of his country. +Even at that early age, however, his mind was not easy to read, and his +character was somewhat of a puzzle to those who studied it. "I see him +much discontented with the States," said Leicester; "he hath a sullen +deep wit. The young gentleman is yet to be won only to her Majesty, I +perceive, of his own inclination. The house is marvellous poor and +little regarded by the States, and if they get anything it is like to be +by her Majesty, which should be altogether, and she may easily, do for +him to win him sure. I will undertake it." Yet the Earl was ever +anxious about some of the influences which surrounded Maurice, for he +thought him more easily guided than he wished him to be by any others but +himself. "He stands upon making and marring," he said, "as he meets with +good counsel." And at another time he observed, "The young gentleman +hath a solemn sly wit; but, in troth, if any be to be doubted toward the +King of Spain, it is he and his counsellors, for they have been +altogether, so far, French, and so far in mislike with England as they +cannot almost hide it." + +And there was still another member of the house of Nassau who was already +an honour to his illustrious race. Count William Lewis, hardly more than +a boy in years, had already served many campaigns, and had been +desperately wounded in the cause for which so much of the heroic blood of +his race had been shed. Of the five Nassau brethren, his father Count +John was the sole survivor, and as devoted as ever to the cause of +Netherland liberty. The other four had already laid down their lives in +its defence. And William Lewis, was worthy to be the nephew of William +and Lewis, Henry and Adolphus, and the son of John. Not at all a +beautiful or romantic hero in appearance, but an odd-looking little man, +with a round bullet-head, close-clipped hair, a small, twinkling, +sagacious eye, rugged, somewhat puffy features screwed whimsically awry, +with several prominent warts dotting, without ornamenting, all that was +visible of a face which was buried up to the ears in a furzy thicket of +yellow-brown beard, the tough young stadholder of Friesland, in his iron +corslet, and halting upon his maimed leg, had come forth with other +notable personages to the Hague. + +He wished to do honour heartily and freely to Queen Elizabeth and her +representative. And Leicester was favourably impressed with his new +acquaintance. "Here is another little fellow," he said, "as little as +may be, but one of the gravest and wisest young men that ever I spake +withal; it is the Count Guilliam of Nassau. He governs Friesland; I +would every Province had such another." + +Thus, upon the great question which presented itself upon the very +threshold--the nature and extent of the authority to be exercised by +Leicester--the most influential Netherlanders were in favour of a large +and liberal interpretation of his powers. The envoys in England, the +Nassau family Hohenlo, the prominent members of the States, such as the +shrewd, plausible Menin, the "honest and painful" Falk, and the +chancellor of Gelderland--"that very great, wise, old man Leoninus," +as Leicester called him,--were all desirous that he should assume an +absolute governor-generalship over the whole country. This was a grave +and a delicate matter, and needed to be severely scanned, without delay. +But besides the natives, there were two Englishmen--together with +ambassador Davison--who were his official advisers. Bartholomew Clerk, +LL.D., and Sir Henry Killigrew had been appointed by the Queen to be +members of the council of the United States, according to the provisions +of the August treaty. The learned Bartholomew hardly seemed equal to his +responsible position among those long-headed Dutch politicians. Philip +Sidney--the only blemish in whose character was an intolerable tendency +to puns--observed that "Doctor Clerk was of those clerks that are not +always the wisest, and so my lord too late was finding him." The Earl +himself, who never undervalued the intellect of the Netherlanders whom +he came to govern, anticipated but small assistance from the English +civilian. "I find no great stuff in my little colleague," he said, +"nothing that I looked for. It is a pity you have no more of his +profession, able men to serve. This man hath good will, and a pretty +scholar's wit; but he is too little for these big fellows, as heavy as +her Majesty thinks them to be. I would she had but one or two, such as +the worst of half a score be here." The other English statecounsellor +seemed more promising. "I have one here," said the Earl, "in whom I take +no small comfort; that is little Hal Killigrew. I assure you, my lord, +he is a notable servant, and more in him than ever I heretofore thought +of him, though I always knew him to be an honest man and an able." + +But of all the men that stood by Leicester's side, the most faithful, +devoted, sagacious, experienced, and sincere of his counsellors, English +or Flemish, was envoy Davison. It is important to note exactly the +opinion that had been formed of him by those most competent to judge, +before events in which he was called on to play a prominent and +responsible though secondary part, had placed him in a somewhat +false position. + +"Mr. Davison," wrote Sidney, "is here very careful in her Majesty's +causes, and in your Lordship's. He takes great pains and goes to great +charges for it." The Earl himself was always vehement in his praise. +"Mr. Davison," said he at another time, "has dealt most painfully and +chargeably in her Majesty's service here, and you shall find him as +sufficiently able to deliver the whole state of this country as any man +that ever was in it, acquainted with all sorts here that are men of +dealing. Surely, my Lord, you shall do a good deed that he may be +remembered with her Majesty's gracious consideration, for his being here +has been very chargeable, having kept a very good countenance, and a very +good table, all his abode here, and of such credit with all the chief +sort, as I know no stranger in any place hath the like. As I am a suitor +to you to be his good friend to her Majesty, so I must heartily pray you, +good my Lord, to procure his coming hither shortly to me again, for I +know not almost how to do without him. I confess it is a wrong to the +gentleman, and I protest before God, if it were for mine own particular +respect, I would not require it for L5000. But your Lordship doth little +think how greatly I have to do, as also how needful for her Majesty's +service his being here will, be. Wherefore, good my Lord, if it may not +offend her Majesty, be a mean for this my request, for her own service' +sake wholly." + +Such were the personages who surrounded the Earl on his arrival in the +Netherlands, and such their sentiments respecting the position that it +was desirable for him to assume. But there was one very important fact. +He had studiously concealed from Davison that the Queen had peremptorily +and distinctly forbidden his accepting the office of governor-general. +It seemed reasonable, if he came thither at all, that he should come in +that elevated capacity. The Staten wished it. The Earl ardently longed +for it. The ambassador, who knew more of Netherland politics and +Netherland humours than any man did, approved of it. The interests of +both England and Holland seemed to require it. No one but Leicester knew +that her Majesty had forbidden it. + +Accordingly, no sooner had the bell-ringing, cannon-explosions, bonfires, +and charades, come to an end, and the Earl got fairly housed in the +Hague, than the States took the affair of government seriously in hand. + +On the 9th January, Chancellor Leoninus and Paul Buys waited upon +Davison, and requested a copy of the commission granted by the Queen to +the Earl. The copy was refused, but the commission was read; by which it +appeared that he had received absolute command over her Majesty's forces +in the Netherlands by land and sea, together with authority to send for +all gentlemen and other personages out of England that he might think +useful to him. On the 10th the States passed a resolution to offer him +the governor-generalship over all the Provinces. On the same day another +committee waited upon his "Excellency"--as the States chose to denominate +the Earl, much to the subsequent wrath of the Queen--and made an +appointment for the whole body to wait upon him the following morning. + +Upon that day accordingly--New Year's Day, by the English reckoning, 11th +January by the New Style--the deputies of all the States at an early hour +came to his lodgings, with much pomp, preceded by a herald and +trumpeters. Leicester, not expecting them quite so soon, was in his +dressing-room, getting ready for the solemn audience, when, somewhat to +his dismay, a flourish of trumpets announced the arrival of the whole +body in his principal hall of audience. Hastening his preparations as +much as possible, he descended to that apartment, and was instantly +saluted by a flourish of rhetoric still more formidable; for that "very +great, and wise old Leoninus," forthwith began an oration, which promised +to be of portentous length and serious meaning. The Earl was slightly +flustered, when, fortunately; some one whispered in his ear that they had +come to offer him the much-coveted prize of the stadholderate-general. +Thereupon he made bold to interrupt the flow of the chancellor's +eloquence in its first outpourings. "As this is a very private matter," +said he, "it will be better to treat of it in a more private place I pray +you therefore to come into my chamber, where these things may be more +conveniently discussed." + +"You hear what my Lord says," cried Leoninus, turning to his companions; +"we are to withdraw into his chamber." + +Accordingly they withdrew, accompanied by the Earl, and by five or six +select counsellors, among whom were Davison and Dr. Clerk. Then the +chancellor once more commenced his harangue, and went handsomely through +the usual forms of compliment, first to the Queen, and then to her +representative, concluding with an earnest request that the Earl-- +although her Majesty had declined the sovereignty "would take the name +and place of absolute governor and general of all their forces and +soldiers, with the disposition of their whole revenues and taxes." + +So soon as the oration was concluded, Leicester; who did not speak +French, directed Davison to reply in that language. + +The envoy accordingly, in name of the Earl, expressed the deepest +gratitude for this mark of the affection and confidence of the States- +General towards the Queen. He assured them that the step thus taken by +them would be the cause of still more favour and affection on the part of +her Majesty, who would unquestionably, from day to day, augment the +succour that she was extending to the Provinces in order to relieve men +from their misery. For himself, the Earl protested that he could never +sufficiently recompense the States for the honour which had thus been +conferred upon him, even if he should live one hundred lives. Although +he felt himself quite unable to sustain the weight of so great an office, +yet he declared that they might repose with full confidence on his +integrity and good intentions. Nevertheless, as the authority thus +offered to him was very arduous, and as the subject required deep +deliberation, he requested that the proposition should be reduced to +writing, and delivered into his hands. He might then come to a +conclusion thereupon, most conducive to the glory of God and the welfare +of the land. + +Three days afterwards, 14th January, the offer, drawn up formally in +writing, was presented to envoy Davison, according to the request of +Leicester. Three days latter, 17th January, his Excellency having +deliberated upon the proposition, requested a committee of conference. +The conference took place the same day, and there was some discussion +upon matters of detail, principally relating to the matter of +contributions. The Earl, according to the report of the committee, +manifested no repugnance to the acceptance of the office, provided these +points could be satisfactorily adjusted. He seemed, on the contrary, +impatient, rather than reluctant; for, on the day following the +conference, he sent his secretary Gilpin with a somewhat importunate +message. "His Excellency was surprised," said the secretary, "that the +States were so long in coming to a resolution on the matters suggested by +him in relation to the offer of the government-general; nor could his +Excellency imagine the cause of the delay." + +For, in truth, the delay was caused by an excessive, rather than a +deficient, appetite for power on the part of his Excellency. The States, +while conferring what they called the "absolute" government, by which it +afterwards appeared that they meant absolute, in regard to time, not to +function--were very properly desirous of retaining a wholesome control +over that government by means of the state-council. They wished not only +to establish such a council, as a check upon the authority of the new +governor, but to share with him at least in the appointment of the +members who were to compose the board. But the aristocratic Earl was +already restive under the thought of any restraint--most of all the +restraint of individuals belonging to what he considered the humbler +classes. + +"Cousin, my lord ambassador," said he to Davison, "among your sober +companions be it always remembered, I beseech you, that your cousin have +no other alliance but with gentle blood. By no means consent that he be +linked in faster bonds than their absolute grant may yield him a free and +honourable government, to be able to do such service as shall be meet for +an honest man to perform in such a calling, which of itself is very +noble. But yet it is not more to be embraced, if I were to be led in +alliance by such keepers as will sooner draw my nose from the right scent +of the chace, than to lead my feet in the true pace to pursue the game I +desire to reach. Consider, I pray you, therefore, what is to be done, +and how unfit it will be in respect of my poor self, and how unacceptable +to her Majesty, and how advantageous to enemies that will seek holes in +my coat, if I should take so great a name upon me, and so little power. +They challenge acceptation already, and I challenge their absolute grant +and offer to me, before they spoke of any instructions; for so it was +when Leoninus first spoke to me with them all on New Years Day, as you +heard--offering in his speech all manner of absolute authority. If it +please them to confirm this, without restraining instructions, I will +willingly serve the States, or else, with such advising instructions as +the Dowager of Hungary had." + +This was explicit enough, and Davison, who always acted for Leicester in +the negotiations with the States, could certainly have no doubt as to the +desires of the Earl, on the subject of "absolute" authority. He did +accordingly what he could to bring the States to his Excellency's way of +thinking; nor was he unsuccessful. + +On the 22nd January, a committee of conference was sent by the States to +Leyden, in which city Leicester was making a brief visit. They were +instructed to procure his consent, if possible, to the appointment, by +the States themselves, of a council consisting of members from each +Province. If they could not obtain this concession, they were directed +to insist as earnestly as possible upon their right to present a double. +list of candidates, from which he was to make nominations. And if the +one and the other proposition should be refused, the States were then to +agree that his Excellency should freely choose and appoint a council of +state, consisting of native residents from every Province, for the period +of one year. The committee was further authorised to arrange the +commission for the governor, in accordance with these points; and to draw +up a set of instructions for. the state-council, to the satisfaction of +his Excellency. The committee was also empowered to conclude the matter +at once, without further reference to the States. + +Certainly a committee thus instructed was likely to be sufficiently +pliant. It had need to be, in order to bend to the humour of his +Excellency, which was already becoming imperious. The adulation which he +had received; the triumphal marches, the Latin orations, the flowers +strewn in his path, had produced their effect, and the Earl was almost +inclined to assume the airs of royalty. The committee waited upon him at +Leyden. He affected a reluctance to accept the "absolute" government, +but his coyness could not deceive such experienced statesmen as the "wise +old Leoliinus," or Menin, Maalzoon, Florin Thin, or Aitzma, who composed +the deputation. It was obvious enough to them that it was not a King Log +that had descended among them, but it was not a moment for complaining. +The governor elect insisted, of course, that the two Englishmen, +according to the treaty with her Majesty, should be members of, the +council. He also, at once, nominated Leoninus, Meetkerk, Brederode, +Falck, and Paul Buys, to the same office; thinking, no doubt, that these +were five keepers--if keepers he must have--who would not draw his nose +off the scent, nor prevent his reaching the game he hunted, whatever that +game might be. It was reserved for the future, however, to show, +whether, the five were like to hunt in company with him as harmoniously +as he hoped. As to the other counsellors, he expressed a willingness +that candidates should be proposed for him, as to whose qualifications he +would make up his mind at leisure. + +This matter being satisfactorily adjusted-and certainly unless the game +pursued by the Earl was a crown royal, he ought to have been satisfied +with his success--the States received a letter from their committee at +Leyden, informing them that his Excellency, after some previous +protestations, had accepted the government (24th January, 1586). + +It was agreed that he should be inaugurated Governor-General of the +United Provinces of Gelderland and Zutphen, Flanders, Holland, Zeeland, +Utrecht, Friesland, and all others in confederacy with them. He was to +have supreme military command by land and sea. He was to exercise +supreme authority in matters civil and political, according to the +customs prevalent in the reign of the Emperor Charles V. All officers, +political, civil, legal, were to be appointed by him out of a double or +triple nomination made by the States of the Provinces in which vacancies +might occur. The States-General were to assemble whenever and wherever +he should summon them. They were also--as were the States of each +separate Province--competent to meet together by their own appointment. +The Governor-General was to receive an oath of fidelity from the States, +and himself to swear the maintenance of the ancient laws, customs, and +privileges of the country. + +The deed was done. In vain had an emissary of the French court been +exerting his utmost to prevent the consummation of this close alliance. +For the wretched government of Henry III., while abasing itself before +Philip II., and offering the fair cities and fertile plains of France as +a sacrifice to that insatiable ambition which wore the mask of religious +bigotry, was most anxious that Holland and England should not escape the +meshes by which it was itself enveloped. The agent at the Hague came +nominally upon some mercantile affairs, but in reality, according to +Leicester, "to impeach the States from binding themselves to her +Majesty." But he was informed that there was then no leisure for his +affairs; "for the States would attend to the service of the Queen of +England, before all princes in the world." The agent did not feel +complimented by the coolness of this reception; yet it was reasonable +enough, certainly, that the Hollanders should remember with bitterness +the contumely, which they had experienced the previous year in France. +The emissary was; however, much disgusted. "The fellow," said Leicester, +"took it in such snuff, that he came proudly to the States and offered +his letters, saying; 'Now I trust you have done all your sacrifices to +the Queen of England, and may yield me some leisure to read my masters +letters.'"--"But they so shook him, up," continued the Earl, "for naming +her Majesty in scorn--as they took it--that they hurled him his letters; +and bid him content himself;" and so on, much to the agent's +discomfiture, who retired in greater "snuff" than ever. + +So much for the French influence. And now Leicester had done exactly +what the most imperious woman in the world, whose favour was the breath +of his life, had expressly forbidden him to do. The step having been +taken, the prize so tempting to his ambition having been snatched, and +the policy which had governed the united action of the States and himself +seeming so sound, what ought he to have done in order to avert the +tempest which he must have foreseen? Surely a man who knew so much of +woman's nature and of Elizabeth's nature as he did, ought to have +attempted to conciliate her affections, after having so deeply wounded +her pride. He knew his power. Besides the graces of his person and +manner--which few women, once impressed by them, could ever forget--he +possessed the most insidious and flattering eloquence, and, in absence, +his pen was as wily as his tongue. For the Earl was imbued with the very +genius of courtship. None was better skilled than he in the phrases of +rapturous devotion, which were music to the ear both of the woman and the +Queen; and he knew his royal mistress too well not to be aware that the +language of passionate idolatry, however extravagant, had rarely fallen +unheeded upon her soul. It was strange therefore, that in this +emergency, he should not at once throw himself upon her compassion +without any mediator. Yet, on the contrary, he committed the monstrous +error of entrusting his defence to envoy Davison, whom he determined to +despatch at once with instructions to the Queen, and towards whom he +committed the grave offence of concealing from him her previous +prohibitions. But how could the Earl fail to perceive that it was the +woman, not the Queen, whom be should have implored for pardon; that it +was Robert Dudley, not William Davison, who ought to have sued upon his +knees. This whole matter of the Netherland sovereignty and the Leicester +stadholderate, forms a strange psychological study, which deserves and +requires some minuteness of attention; for it was by the characteristics +of these eminent personages that tho current history was deeply stamped. + +Certainly, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the first letter +conveying intelligence so likely to pique the pride of Elizabeth, should +have been a letter from Leicester. On the contrary, it proved to be a +dull formal epistle from the States. + +And here again the assistance of the indispensable Davison was considered +necessary. On the 3rd February the ambassador--having announced his +intention of going to England, by command of his Excellency, so soon as +the Earl should have been inaugurated, for the purpose of explaining all +these important transactions to her Majesty--waited upon the States with +the request that they should prepare as speedily as might be their letter +to the Queen, with other necessary documents, to be entrusted to his +care. He also suggested that the draft or minute of their proposed +epistle should be submitted to him for advice--"because the humours of +her Majesty were best known to him." + +Now the humours of her Majesty were best known to Leicester of all men +in the whole world, and it is inconceivable that he should have allowed +so many days and weeks to pass without taking these humours properly into +account. But the Earl's head was slightly turned by his sudden and +unexpected success. The game that he had been pursuing had fallen into +his grasp, almost at the very start, and it is not astonishing that he +should have been somewhat absorbed in the enjoyment of his victory. + +Three days later (6th February) the minute of a letter to Elizabeth, +drawn up by Menin, was submitted to the ambassador; eight days after that +(14th February) Mr. Davison took leave of the States, and set forth for +the Brill on his way to England; and three or four days later yet, he was +still in that sea-port, waiting for a favourable wind. Thus from the +11th January, N.S., upon which day the first offer of the absolute +government had been made to Leicester, nearly forty days had elapsed, +during which long period the disobedient Earl had not sent one line, +private or official, to her Majesty on this most important subject. And +when at last the Queen was to receive information of her favourite's +delinquency, it was not to be in his well-known handwriting and +accompanied by his penitent tears and written caresses, but to be laid +before her with all the formality of parchment and sealingwax, in the +stilted diplomatic jargon of those "highly-mighty, very learned, wise, +and very foreseeing gentlemen, my lords the States-General." Nothing +could have been managed with less adroitness. + +Meantime, not heeding the storm gathering beyond the narrow seas, the new +governor was enjoying the full sunshine of power. On the 4th February +the ceremony of his inauguration took place, with great pomp and ceremony +at the Hague. + +The beautiful, placid, village-capital of Holland wore much the same +aspect at that day as now. Clean, quiet, spacious streets, shaded with +rows of whispering poplars and umbrageous limes, broad sleepy canals-- +those liquid highways alone; which glided in phantom silence the bustle, +and traffic, and countless cares of a stirring population--quaint +toppling houses, with tower and gable; ancient brick churches, with +slender spire and musical chimes; thatched cottages on the outskirts, +with stork-nests on the roofs--the whole without fortification save the +watery defences which enclosed it with long-drawn lines on every side; +such was the Count's park, or 's Graven Haage, in English called the +Hague. + +It was embowered and almost buried out of sight by vast groves of oaks +and beeches. Ancient Badahuennan forests of sanguinary Druids, the "wild +wood without mercy" of Saxon savages, where, at a later period, sovereign +Dirks and Florences, in long succession of centuries, had ridden abroad +with lance in rest, or hawk on fist; or under whose boughs, in still +nearer days, the gentle Jacqueline had pondered and wept over her +sorrows, stretched out in every direction between the city and the +neighbouring sea. In the heart of the place stood the ancient palace of +the counts, built in the thirteenth century by William II. of Holland, +King of the Romans, with massive brick walls, cylindrical turrets, +pointed gable and rose-shaped windows, and with spacious coup-yard, +enclosed by feudal moat, drawbridge, and portcullis. + +In the great banqueting-hall of the ancient palace, whose cedarn-roof of +magnificent timber-work, brought by crusading counts from the Holy Land, +had rung with the echoes of many a gigantic revel in the days of +chivalry--an apartment one hundred and fifty feet long and forty feet +high--there had been arranged an elevated platform, with a splendid chair +of state for the "absolute" governor, and with a great profusion of +gilding and velvet tapestry, hangings, gilt emblems, complimentary +devices, lions, unicorns, and other imposing appurtenances. Prince +Maurice, and all the members of his house, the States-General in full +costume, and all the great functionaries, civil and military, were +assembled. There was an elaborate harangue by orator Menin, in which it +was proved; by copious citations from Holy Writ and from ancient +chronicle, that the Lord never forsakes His own; so that now, when the +Provinces were at their last gasp by the death of Orange and the loss of +Antwerp, the Queen of England and the Earl of Leicester had suddenly +descended, as if from Heaven; to their rescue. Then the oaths of mutual +fidelity were exchanged between the governor and the States, and, in +conclusion, Dr. Bartholomew Clerk ventured to measure himself with the +"big fellows," by pronouncing an oration which seemed to command +universal approbation. And thus the Earl was duly installed Governor- +General of the United States of the Netherlands. + +But already the first mutterings of the storm were audible. A bird in +the air had whispered to the Queen that her favourite was inclined to +disobedience. "Some flying tale hath been told me here," wrote Leicester +to Walsingham, "that her Majesty should mislike my name of Excellency. +But if I had delighted, or would have received titles, I refused a title +higher than Excellency, as Mr. Davison, if you ask him, will tell you; +and that I, my own self, refused most earnestly that, and, if I might +have done it, this also." Certainly, if the Queen objected to this +common form of address, which had always been bestowed upon Leicester, as +he himself observed, ever since she had made him an earl, it might be +supposed that her wrath would mount high when she should hear of him as +absolute governor-general. It is also difficult to say what higher title +he had refused, for certainly the records show that he had refused +nothing, in the way of power and dignity, that it was possible for him to +obtain. + +But very soon afterwards arrived authentic intelligence that the Queen +had been informed of the proposition made on New Year's-Day (0.S.), and +that, although she could not imagine the possibility of his accepting, +she was indignant that he had not peremptorily rejected the offer. + +"As to the proposal made to you," wrote Burghley, "by the mouth of +Leoninus, her Majesty hath been informed that you had thanked them in her +name, and alledged that there was no such thing in the contract, and that +therefore you could not accept nor knew how to answer the same." + +Now this information was obviously far from correct, although it had been +furnished by the Earl himself to Burghley. We have seen that Leicester +had by no means rejected, but very gratefully entertained, the +proposition as soon as made. Nevertheless the Queen was dissatisfied, +even without suspecting that she had been directly disobeyed. "Her +Majesty," continued the Lord-Treasurer; "is much offended with this +proceeding. She allows not that you should give them thanks, but findeth +it very strange that you did not plainly declare to them that they did +well know how often her Majesty had refused to have any one for her take +any such government there, and that she had always so answered +peremptorily. Therefore there might be some suspicion conceived that by +offering on their part, and refusal on hers, some further mischief might +be secretly hidden by some odd person's device to the hurt of the cause. +But in that your Lordship did not flatly say to them that yourself did +know her Majesty's mind therein, that she never meant, in this sort, to +take the absolute government, she is offended considering, as she saith, +that none knew her determination therein better than yourself. For at +your going hence, she did peremptorily charge you not to accept any such +title and office; and therefore her straight commandment now is that you +shall not accept the same, for she will never assent thereto, nor avow +you with any such title." + +If Elizabeth was so wrathful, even while supposing that the offer had +been gratefully declined, what were likely to be her emotions when she +should be informed that it had been gratefully accepted. The Earl +already began to tremble at the probable consequences of his mal- +adroitness. Grave was the error he had committed in getting himself made +governor-general against orders; graver still, perhaps fatal, the blunder +of not being swift to confess his fault, and cry for pardon, before other +tongues should have time to aggravate his offence. Yet even now he +shrank from addressing the Queen in person, but hoped to conjure the +rising storm by means of the magic wand of the Lord-Treasurer. He +implored his friend's interposition to shield him in the emergency, and +begged that at least her Majesty and the lords of council would suspend +their judgment until Mr. Davison should deliver those messages and +explanations with which, fully freighted, he was about to set sail from +the Brill. + +"If my reasons seem to your wisdoms," said he, "other than such as might +well move a true and a faithful careful man to her Majesty to do as I +have done, I do desire, for my mistaking offence, to bear the burden of +it; to be disavowed with all displeasure and disgrace; a matter of as +great reproach and grief as ever can happen to any man." He begged that +another person might be sent as soon as possible in his place-protesting, +however, by his faith in Christ, that he had done only what he was bound +to do by his regard for her Majesty's service--and that when he set foot +in the country he had no more expected to be made Governor of the +Netherlands than to be made King of Spain. Certainly he had been paying +dear for the honour, if honour it was, and he had not intended on setting +forth for the Provinces to ruin himself, for the sake of an empty title. +His motives--and he was honest, when he so avowed them--were motives of +state at least as much as of self-advancement. "I have no cause," he +said, "to have played the fool thus far for myself; first, to have her +Majesty's displeasure, which no kingdom in the world could make me +willingly deserve; next, to undo myself in my later days; to consume all +that should have kept me all my life in one half year. But I must thank +God for all, and am most heartily grieved at her Majesty's heavy +displeasure. I neither desire to live, nor to see my country with it." + +And at this bitter thought, he began to sigh like furnace, and to shed +the big tears of penitence. + +"For if I have not done her Majesty good service at this time," he said, +"I shall never hope to do her any, but will withdraw me into some out- +corner of the world, where I will languish out the rest of my few-too +many-days, praying ever for her Majesty's long and prosperous life, and +with this only comfort to live an exile, that this disgrace hath happened +for no other cause but for my mere regard for her Majesty's estate." + +Having painted this dismal picture of the probable termination to his +career--not in the hope of melting Burghley but of touching the heart of +Elizabeth--he proceeded to argue the point in question with much logic +and sagacity. He had satisfied himself on his arrival in the Provinces, +that, if he did not take the governor-generalship some other person +would; and that it certainly was for the interest of her Majesty that her +devoted servant, rather than an indifferent person, should be placed in +that important position. He maintained that the Queen had intimated, +to him, in private, her willingness that he should accept the office in +question provided the proposition should come from the States and not +from her; he reasoned that the double nature of his functions--being +general and counsellor for her, as well as general and counsellor for the +Provinces--made his acceptance of the authority conferred on him almost +indispensable; that for him to be merely commander over five thousand +English troops, when an abler soldier than himself, Sir John Norris, was +at their head, was hardly worthy her Majesty's service or himself, and +that in reality the Queen had lost nothing, by his appointment, but had +gained much benefit and honour by thus having the whole command of the +Provinces, of their forces by land and sea, of their towns and treasures, +with knowledge of all their secrets of state. + +Then, relapsing into a vein of tender but reproachful melancholy, he +observed, that, if it had been any man but himself that had done as he +had done, he would have been thanked, not censured. "But such is now my +wretched case," he said, "as for my faithful, true, and loving heart to +her Majesty and my country, I have utterly undone myself. For favour, I +have disgrace; for reward, utter spoil and ruin. But if this taking upon +me the name of governor is so evil taken as it hath deserved dishonour, +discredit, disfavour, with all griefs that may be laid upon a man, I must +receive it as deserved of God and not of my Queen, whom I have reverenced +with all humility, and whom I have loved with all fidelity." + +This was the true way, no doubt, to reach the heart of Elizabeth, and +Leicester had always plenty of such shafts in his quiver. Unfortunately +he had delayed too long, and even now he dared not take a direct aim. He +feared to write to the Queen herself, thinking that his so doing, "while +she had such conceipts of him, would only trouble her," and he therefore +continued to employ the Lord-Treasurer and Mr. Secretary as his +mediators. Thus he committed error upon error. + +Meantime, as if there had not been procrastination enough, Davison was +loitering at the Brill, detained by wind and weather. Two days after the +letter, just cited, had been despatched to Walsingham, Leicester sent an +impatient message to the envoy. "I am heartily sorry, with all my +heart," he said, "to hear of your long stay at Brill, the wind serving so +fair as it hath done these two days. I would have laid any wager that +you had been in England ere this. I pray you make haste, lest our cause +take too great a prejudice there ere you come, although I cannot fear it, +because it is so good and honest. I pray you imagine in what care I +dwell till I shall hear from you, albeit some way very resolute." + +Thus it was obvious that he had no secret despair of his cause when it +should be thoroughly laid before the Queen. The wonder was that he had +added the offence of long silence to the sin of disobedience. Davison +had sailed, however, before the receipt of the Earl's letter. He had +been furnished with careful instructions upon the subject of his mission. +He was to show how eager the States had been to have Leicester for their +absolute governor--which was perfectly true--and how anxious the Earl +had been to decline the proffered honour--which was certainly false, +if contemporary record and the minutes of the States-General are to be +believed. He was to sketch the general confusion which had descended +upon the country, the quarrelling of politicians, and the discontent of +officers and soldiers, from out of all which chaos one of two results was +sure to arise: the erection of a single chieftain, or a reconciliation of +the Provinces with Spain. That it would be impossible for the Earl to +exercise the double functions with which he was charged--of general of +her Majesty's forces, and general and chief counsellor of the States-- +if any other man than himself should be appointed governor; was obvious. +It was equally plain that the Provinces could only be kept at her +Majesty's disposition by choosing the course which, at their own +suggestion, had been adopted. The offer of the government by the States, +and its acceptance by the Earl, were the logical consequence of the step +which the Queen had already taken. It was thus only that England could +retain her hold upon the country, and even upon the cautionary towns. As +to a reconciliation of the Provinces with Spain--which would have been +the probable result of Leicester's rejection of the proposition made +by the Stateait was unnecessary to do more than allude to such a +catastrophe. No one but a madman could doubt that, in such an event, +the subjugation of England was almost certain. + +But before the arrival of the ambassador, the Queen had been thoroughly +informed as to the whole extent of the Earl's delinquency. Dire was the +result. The wintry gales which had been lashing the North Sea, and +preventing the unfortunate Davison from setting forth on his disastrous +mission, were nothing to the tempest of royal wrath which had been +shaking the court-world to its centre. The Queen had been swearing most +fearfully ever since she read the news, which Leicester had not dared to +communicate directly, to herself. No one was allowed to speak a word in +extenuation of the favourite's offence. Burghley, who lifted up his +voice somewhat feebly to appease her wrath, was bid, with a curse, to +hold his peace. So he took to his bed-partly from prudence, partly from +gout--and thus sheltered himself for a season from the peltings of the +storm. Walsingham, more manful, stood to his post, but could not gain a +hearing. It was the culprit that should have spoken, and spoken in time. +"Why, why did you not write yourself?" was the plaintive cry of all the +Earl's friends, from highest to humblest. "But write to her now," they +exclaimed, "at any rate; and, above all, send her a present, a love- +gift." "Lay out two or three hundred crowns in some rare thing, for +a token to her Majesty," said Christopher Hatton. + +Strange that his colleagues and his rivals should have been obliged +to advise Leicester upon the proper course to pursue; that they--not +himself--should have been the first to perceive that it was the enraged +woman, even more than the offended sovereign, who was to be propitiated +and soothed. In truth, all the woman had been aroused in Elizabeth's +bosom. She was displeased that her favourite should derive power and +splendour from any source but her own bounty. She was furious that +his wife, whom she hated, was about to share in his honours. For the +mischievous tongues of court-ladies had been collecting or fabricating +many unpleasant rumours. A swarm of idle but piquant stories had been +buzzing about the Queen's ears, and stinging her into a frenzy of +jealousy. The Countess--it was said--was on the point of setting forth +for the Netherlands, to join the Earl, with a train of courtiers and +ladies, coaches and side-saddles, such as were never seen before--where +the two were about to establish themselves in conjugal felicity, as well +as almost royal state. What a prospect for the jealous and imperious +sovereign! "Coaches and side-saddles! She would show the upstarts that +there was one Queen, and that her name was Elizabeth, and that there +was no court but hers." And so she continued to storm and swear, and +threaten unutterable vengeance, till all her courtiers quaked in their +shoes. + +Thomas Dudley, however, warmly contradicted the report, declaring, of his +own knowledge, that the Countess had no wish to go to the Provinces, nor +the Earl any intention of receiving her there. This information was at +once conveyed to the Queen, "and," said Dudley, "it did greatly pacify +her stomach." His friends did what they could to maintain the governor's +cause; but Burghley, Walsingham, Hatton, and the rest of them, were all +"at their wits end," and were nearly distraught at the delay in Davison's +arrival. Meantime the Queen's stomach was not so much pacified but that +she was determined to humiliate the Earl with the least possible delay. +Having waited sufficiently long for his explanations, she now appointed +Sir Thomas Heneage as special commissioner to the States, without waiting +any longer. Her wrath vented itself at once in the preamble to the +instructions for this agent. + +"Whereas," she said, "we have been given to understand that the Earl of +Leicester hath in a very contemptuous sort--contrary to our express +commandment given unto him by ourself, accepted of an offer of a more +absolute government made by the States unto him, than was agreed on +between us and their commissioners--which kind of contemptible manner of +proceeding giveth the world just cause to think that there is not that +reverent respect carried towards us by our subjects as in duty +appertaineth; especially seeing so notorious a contempt committed by one +whom we have raised up and yielded in the eye of the world, even from the +beginning of our reign, as great portion of our favour as ever subject +enjoyed at any prince's hands; we therefore, holding nothing dearer than +our honour, and considering that no one thing could more touch our +reputation than to induce so open and public a faction of a prince, and +work a greater reproach than contempt at a subject's hand, without +reparation of our honour, have found it necessary to send you unto him, +as well to charge him with the said contempt, as also to execute such +other things as we think meet to be done, for the justifying of ourselves +to the world, as the repairing of the indignity cast upon us by his +undutiful manner of proceeding towards us . . . . . And for that we +find ourselves also not well dealt withal by the States, in that they +have pressed the said Earl, without our assent or privity, to accept of +a more absolute government than was agreed on between us and their +commissioners, we have also thought meet that you shall charge them +therewith, according to the directions hereafter ensuing. And to the end +there may be no delay used in the execution of that which we think meet +to be presently done, you shall charge the said States, even as they +tender the continuance of our good-will towards them, to proceed to the +speedy execution of our request." + +After this trumpet-like preamble it may be supposed that the blast which +followed would be piercing and shrill. The instructions, in truth, +consisted in wild, scornful flourishes upon one theme. The word contempt +had occurred five times in the brief preamble. It was repeated in almost +every line of the instructions. + +"You shall let the Earl" (our cousin no longer) "understand," said the +Queen, "how highly and justly we are offended with his acceptation of the +government, which we do repute to be a very great and strange contempt, +least looked for at our hands, being, as he is, a creature of our own." +His omission to acquaint her by letter with the causes moving him "so +contemptuously to break" her commandment, his delay in sending Davison +"to answer the said contempt," had much "aggravated the fault," although +the Queen protested herself unable to imagine any "excuse for so manifest +a contempt." The States were to be informed that she "held it strange" +that "this creature of her own" should have been pressed by them to +"commit so notorious a contempt" against her, both on account of this +very exhibition of contempt on Leicester's part, and because they thereby +"shewed themselves to have a very slender and weak conceit of her +judgment, by pressing a minister of hers to accept that which she had +refused, as: though her long experience in government had not taught her +to discover what was fit to do in matters of state." As the result of +such a proceeding would be to disgrace her in the eyes of mankind, by +inducing an opinion that her published solemn declaration on this great +subject had been intended to abuse the, world, he was directed--in order +to remove the hard conceit justly to be taken by the world, "in +consideration of the said contempt,"--to make a public and open +resignation of the government in the place where he had accepted the +same. + +Thus it had been made obvious to the unlucky "creature of her own," that +the Queen did not easily digest "contempt." Nevertheless these +instructions to Heneage were gentle, compared with the fierce billet +which she addressed directly to the Earl: It was brief, too, as the posy +of a ring; and thus it ran: "To my Lord of Leicester, from the Queen, by +Sir Thomas Heneage. How contemptuously we conceive ourself to have been +used by you, you shall by this bearer understand, whom we have expressly +sent unto you to charge you withal. We could never have imagined, had we +not seen it fall out in experience, that a man raised up by ourself, and +extraordinarily favoured by us above any other subject of this land, +would have, in so contemptible a sort, broken our commandment, in a cause +that so greatly toucheth us in honour; whereof, although you have showed +yourself to make but little account, in most undutiful a sort, you may +not therefore think that we have so little care of the reparation thereof +as we mind to pass so great a wrong in silence unredressed. And +therefore our express pleasure and commandment is, that--all delays and +excuses laid apart--you do presently, upon the duty of your allegiance, +obey and fulfil whatsoever the bearer hereof shall direct you to do in +our name. Whereof fail not, as you will answer the contrary at your +uttermost peril." + +Here was no billing and cooing, certainly, but a terse, biting +phraseology, about which there could be no misconception. + +By the same messenger the Queen also sent a formal letter to the States- +General; the epistle--'mutatis mutandis'--being also addressed to the +state-council. + +In this document her Majesty expressed her great surprise that Leicester +should have accepted their offer of the absolute government, "both for +police and war," when she had so expressly rejected it herself. "To tell +the truth," she observed, "you seem to have treated us with very little +respect, and put a too manifest insult upon us, in presenting anew to one +of, our subjects the same proposition which we had already declined, +without at least waiting for our answer whether we should like it or no; +as if we had not sense enough to be able to decide upon what we ought to +accept or refuse." She proceeded to express her dissatisfaction with the +course pursued, because so repugnant to her published declaration, in +which she had stated to the world her intention of aiding the Provinces, +without meddling in the least with the sovereignty of the country. +"The contrary would now be believed," she said, "at least by those who +take the liberty of censuring, according to their pleasure, the actions +of princes." Thus her honour was at stake. She signified her will, +therefore, that, in order to convince the world of her sincerity, the +authority conferred should be revoked, and that "the Earl," whom she had +decided to recall very soon, should, during his brief residence there, +only exercise the power agreed upon by the original contract. She warmly +reiterated her intention, however, of observing inviolably the promise of +assistance which she had given to the States. "And if," she said, "any +malicious or turbulent spirits should endeavour, perchance, to persuade +the people that this our refusal proceeds from lack of affection or +honest disposition to assist you--instead of being founded only on +respect for our honour, which is dearer to us than life--we beg you, by +every possible means, to shut their mouths, and prevent their pernicious +designs." + +Thus, heavily laden with the royal wrath, Heneage was on the point of +leaving London for the Netherlands, on the very day upon which Davison +arrived, charged with deprecatory missives from that country. After his +long detention he had a short passage, crossing from the Brill to Margate +in a single night. Coming immediately to London, he sent to Walsingham +to inquire which way the wind was blowing at court, but received a +somewhat discouraging reply. "Your long detention by his Lordship," +said the Secretary, "has wounded the whole cause;" adding, that he +thought her Majesty would not speak with him. On the other hand, it +seemed indispensable for him to go to the court, because if the Queen +should hear of his arrival before he had presented himself, she was +likely to be more angry than ever. + +So, the same afternoon, Davison waited upon Walsingham, and found him +in a state of despondency. "She takes his Lordship's acceptance of the, +government most haynously," said Sir Francis, "and has resolved to send +Sir Thomas Heneage at once, with orders for him to resign the office. +She has been threatening you and Sir Philip Sidney, whom she considers +the chief actors and persuaders in the matter, according to information +received from some persons about my Lord of Leicester." + +Davison protested himself amazed at the Secretary's discourse, and at +once took great pains to show the reasons by which all parties had been +influenced in the matter of the government. He declared roundly that if +the Queen should carry out her present intentions, the Earl would be most +unworthily disgraced, the cause utterly overthrown, the Queen's honour +perpetually stained, and that her kingdom would incur great disaster. + +Directly after this brief conversation, Walsingham went up stairs to the +Queen, while Davison proceeded to the apartments of Sir Christopher +Hatton. Thence he was soon summoned to the royal presence, and found +that he had not been misinformed as to the temper of her Majesty. The +Queen was indeed in a passion, and began swearing at Davison so soon as +he got into the chamber; abusing Leicester for having accepted the offer +of the States, against her many times repeated commandment, and the +ambassador for not having opposed his course. The thing had been done, +she said, in contempt of her, as if her consent had been of no +consequence, or as if the matter in no way concerned her. + +So soon as she paused to take breath, the envoy modestly, but firmly, +appealed to her reason, that she would at any rate lend him a patient and +favourable ear, in which case he doubted not that she would form a more +favourable opinion of the case than she had hitherto done: He then +entered into a long discourse upon the state of the Netherlands before +the arrival of Leicester, the inclination in many quarters for a peace, +the "despair that any sound and good fruit would grow of her Majesty's +cold beginning," the general unpopularity of the States' government, the +"corruption, partiality, and confusion," which were visible everywhere, +the perilous condition of the whole cause, and the absolute necessity of +some immediate reform. + +"It was necessary," said Davison, "that some one person of wisdom and +authority should take the helm. Among the Netherlanders none was +qualified for such a charge. Lord Maurice is a child, poor, and of but +little respect among them. Elector Truchsess, Count Hohenlo, Meurs, and +the rest, strangers and incapable of the burden. These considerations +influenced the States to the step which had been taken; without which all +the rest of her benevolence was to little purpose." Although the +contract between the commissioners and the Queen had not literally +provided for such an arrangement, yet it had always been contemplated by +the States, who had left themselves without a head until the arrival of +the Earl. + +"Under one pretext or another," continued the envoy, "my Lord of +Leicester had long delayed to satisfy them,"--(and in so stating he went +somewhat further in defence of his absent friend than the facts would +warrant), "for he neither flatly refused it, nor was willing to accept, +until your Majesty's pleasure should be known." Certainly the records +show no reservation of his acceptance until the Queen had been consulted; +but the defence by Davison of the offending Earl was so much the more +courageous. + +"At length, wearied by their importunity, moved with their reasons, and +compelled by necessity, he thought it better to take the course he did," +proceeded the diplomatist, "for otherwise he must have been an eye- +witness of the dismemberment of the whole country, which could not be +kept together but by a reposed hope in her Majesty's found favour, which +had been utterly despaired of by his refusal. He thought it better by +accepting to increase the honour, profit; and surety, of her Majesty, and +the good of the cause, than, by refusing, to utterly hazard the one, and +overthrow the other." + +To all this and more, well and warmly urged by Davison; the Queen +listened by fits and starts, often interrupting his discourse by violent +abuse of Leicester, accusing him of contempt for her, charging him with +thinking more of his own particular greatness than of her honour and +service, and then "digressing into old griefs," said the envoy, "too long +and tedious to write." She vehemently denounced Davison also for +dereliction of duty in not opposing the measure; but he manfully declared +that he never deemed so meanly of her Majesty or of his Lordship as to +suppose that she would send him, or that he would go to the Provinces, +merely," to take command of the relics of Mr. Norris's worn and decayed +troops." Such a change, protested Davison, was utterly unworthy a person +of the Earl's quality, and utterly unsuited to the necessity of the time +and state. + +But Davison went farther in defence of Leicester. He had been present at +many of the conferences with the Netherland envoys during the preceding +summer in England, and he now told the Queen stoutly to her face that she +herself, or at any rate one of her chief counsellors, in her hearing and +his, had expressed her royal determination not to prevent the acceptance +of whatever authority the states might choose to confer, by any one whom +she might choose to send. She had declined to accept it in person, but +she had been willing that it should be wielded by her deputy; and this +remembrance of his had been confirmed by that of one of the commissioners +since their return. She had never--Davison maintained--sent him one +single line having any bearing on the subject. Under such circumstances, +"I might have been accused of madness,", said he, "to have dissuaded an +action in my poor opinion so necessary and expedient for your Majesty's +honour, surety, and greatness." If it were to do over again, he avowed, +and "were his opinion demanded, he could give no other advice than that +which he had given, having received no contrary, commandment from her +Highness." + +And so ended the first evening's long and vehement debate, and Davison +departed, "leaving her," as he said, "much qualified, though in many +points unsatisfied." She had however, absolutely refused to receive a +letter from Leicester, with which he had been charged, but which, in her +opinion, had better have been written two months before. + +The next day, it seemed, after all, that Heneage was to be despatched, +"in great heat," upon his mission. Davison accordingly requested an +immediate audience. So soon as admitted to the presence he burst into +tears, and implored the Queen to pause before she should inflict the +contemplated disgrace on one whom she had hitherto so highly esteemed, +and, by so doing, dishonour herself and imperil both countries. But the +Queen was more furious than ever that morning, returning at every pause +in the envoy's discourse to harp upon the one string--"How dared he come +to such a decision without at least imparting it to me?"--and so on, as +so many times before. And again Davison, with all the eloquence and with +every soothing art he had at command; essayed to pour oil upon the waves. +Nor was he entirely unsuccessful; for presently the Queen became so calm +again that he ventured once more to present the rejected letter of the +Earl. She broke the seal, and at sight of the well-known handwriting she +became still more gentle; and so soon as she had read the first of her +favourite's honied phrases she thrust the precious document into her +pocket, in order to read it afterwards, as Davison observed, at her +leisure. + +The opening thus successfully made, and the envoy having thus, "by many +insinuations," prepared her to lend him a "more patient and willing ear +than she had vouchsafed before," he again entered into a skilful and +impassioned argument to show the entire wisdom of the course pursued by +the Earl. + +It is unnecessary to repeat the conversation. Since to say that no man +could have more eloquently and faithfully supported an absent friend +under difficulties than Davison now defended the Earl. The line of +argument is already familiar to the reader, and, in truth, the Queen had +nothing to reply, save to insist upon the governor's delinquency in +maintaining so long and inexplicable a silence. And--at this thought, +in spite of the envoy's eloquence, she went off again in a paroxysm of +anger, abusing the Earl, and deeply censuring Davison for his "peremptory +and partial dealing." + +"I had conceived a better opinion of you," she said, "and I had intended +more good to you than I now find you worthy of." + +"I humbly thank your Highness," replied the ambassador, "but I take +yourself to witness that I have never affected or sought any such grace +at your hands. And if your Majesty persists in the dangerous course on +which you are now entering, I only pray your leave, in recompense for all +my travails, to retire myself home, where I may spend the rest of my life +in praying for you, whom Salvation itself is not able to save, if these +purposes are continued. Henceforth, Madam, he is to be deemed happiest +who is least interested in the public service." + +And so ended the second day's debate. The next day the Lord-Treasurer, +who, according to Davison, employed himself diligently--as did also +Walsingham and Hatton--in dissuading the Queen from the violent measures +which she had resolved upon, effected so much of a change as to procure +the insertion of those qualifying clauses in Heneage's instructions which +had been previously disallowed. The open and public disgrace of the +Earl, which was to have been peremptorily demanded, was now to be +deferred, if such a measure seemed detrimental to the public service. +Her Majesty, however, protested herself as deeply offended as ever, +although she had consented to address a brief, somewhat mysterious, but +benignant letter of compliment to the States. + +Soon after this Davison retired for a few days from the court, having +previously written to the Earl that "the heat of her Majesty's offence to +his Lordship was abating every day somewhat, and that she was disposed +both to hear and to speak more temperately of him." + +He implored him accordingly to a "more diligent entertaining of her by +wise letters and messages, wherein his slackness hitherto appeared to +have bred a great part of this unkindness." He observed also that the +"traffic of peace was still going on underhand; but whether to use it as +a second string to our bow, if the first should fail, or of any settled +inclination thereunto, he could not affirm." + +Meantime Sir Thomas Heneage was despatched on his mission to the Staten, +despite all the arguments and expostulations of Walsingham, Burghley, +Hatton, and Davison. All the Queen's counsellors were unequivocally in +favour of sustaining Leicester; and Heneage was not a little embarrassed +as to the proper method of conducting the affair. Everything, in truth, +was in a most confused condition. He hardly understood to what power he +was accredited. "Heneage writes even now unto me," said Walsingham to +Davison, "that he cannot yet receive any information who be the States, +which he thinketh will be a great maimer unto him in his negotiation. I +have told him that it is an assembly much like that of our burgesses that +represent the State, and that my Lord of Leicester may cause some of them +to meet together, unto whom he may deliver his letters and messages." +Thus the new envoy was to request the culprit to summon the very assembly +by which his downfall and disgrace were to be solemnized, as formally as +had been so recently his elevation to the height of power. The prospect +was not an agreeable one, and the less so because of his general want of +familiarity with the constitutional forms of the country he was about to +visit. Davison accordingly, at the request of Sir Francis, furnished +Heneage with much valuable information and advice upon the subject. + +Thus provided with information, forewarned of danger, furnished with a +double set of letters from the Queen to the States--the first expressed +in language of extreme exasperation, the others couched in almost +affectionate terms--and laden with messages brimfull of wrathful +denunciation from her Majesty to one who was notoriously her Majesty's +dearly-beloved, Sir Thomas Heneage set forth on his mission. These were +perilous times for the Davisons and the Heneages, when even Leicesters +and Burghleys were scarcely secure. + +Meantime the fair weather at court could not be depended upon from one +day to another, and the clouds were perpetually returning after the rain. + +"Since my second and third day's audience," said Davison, "the storms I +met with at my arrival have overblown and abated daily. On Saturday +again she fell into some new heat, which lasted not long. This day I was +myself at the court, and found her in reasonable good terms, though she +will not yet seem satisfied to me either with the matter or manner of +your proceeding, notwithstanding all the labour I have taken in that +behalf. Yet I find not her Majesty altogether so sharp as some men look, +though her favour has outwardly cooled in respect both of this action and +of our plain proceeding with her here in defence thereof." + +The poor Countess--whose imaginary exodus, with the long procession of +coaches and side-saddles, had excited so much ire--found herself in a +most distressing position. "I have not seen my Lady these ten or twelve +days," said Davison. "To-morrow I hope to do my duty towards her. +I found her greatly troubled with tempestuous news she received from +court, but somewhat comforted when she understood how I had proceeded +with her Majesty . . . . But these passions overblown, I hope her +Majesty will have a gracious regard both towards myself and the cause." + +But the passions seemed not likely to blow over so soon as was desirable. +Leicester's brother the Earl of Warwick took a most gloomy view of the +whole transaction, and hoarser than the raven's was his boding tone. + +"Well, our mistress's extreme rage doth increase rather than diminish," +he wrote, "and she giveth out great threatening words against you. +Therefore make the best assurance you can for yourself, and trust not her +oath, for that her malice is great and unquenchable in the wisest of +their opinions here, and as for other friendships, as far as I can learn, +it is as doubtful as the other. Wherefore, my good brother, repose your +whole trust in God, and He will defend you in despite of all your +enemies. And let this be a great comfort to you, and so it is likewise +to myself and all your assured friends, and that is, that you were never +so honoured and loved in your life amongst all good people as you are at +this day, only for dealing so nobly and wisely in this action as you +have done; so that, whatsoever cometh of it, you have done your part. +I praise God from my heart for it. Once again, have great care of +yourself, I mean for your safety, and if she will needs revoke you, to +the overthrowing of the cause, if I were as you, if I could not be +assured there, I would go to the farthest part of Christendom rather than +ever come into England again. Take heed whom you trust, for that you +have some false boys about you." + +And the false boys were busy enough, and seemed likely to triumph in +the result of their schemes. For a glance into the secret correspondence +of Mary of Scotland has already revealed the Earl to us constantly +surrounded by men in masks. Many of those nearest his person, and of +highest credit out of England, were his deadly foes, sworn to compass +his dishonour, his confusion, and eventually his death, and in +correspondence with his most powerful adversaries at home and abroad. +Certainly his path was slippery and perilous along those icy summits of +power, and he had need to look well to his footsteps. + +Before Heneage had arrived in the Netherlands, Sir Thomas Shirley, +despatched by Leicester to England with a commission to procure supplies +for the famishing soldiers, and, if possible, to mitigate the Queen's +wrath, had, been admitted more than once to her Majesty's presence. He +had fought the Earl's battle as manfully as Davison had done, and, like +that envoy, had received nothing in exchange for his plausible arguments +but bitter words and big oaths. Eight days after his arrival he was +introduced by Hatton into the privy chamber, and at the moment of his +entrance was received with a volley of execrations. + +"I did expressly and peremptorily forbid his acceptance of the absolute +government, in the hearing of divers of my council," said the Queen. + +Shirley.--"The necessity of the case was imminent, your Highness. +It was his Lordship's intent to do all for your Majesty's service. +Those countries did expect him as a governor at his first landing, +and the States durst do no other than satisfy the people also with that +opinion. The people's mislike of their present government is such and so +great as that the name of States is grown odious amongst them. Therefore +the States, doubting the furious rage of the people, conferred the +authority upon his Lordship with incessant suit to him to receive it. +Notwithstanding this, however, he did deny it until he saw plainly both +confusion and ruin of that country if he should refuse. On the other +hand, when he had seen into their estates, his lordship found great +profit and commodity like to come unto your Majesty by your acceptance of +it. Your Highness may now have garrisons of English in as many towns as +pleaseth you, without any more charge than you are now at. Nor can any +peace be made with Spain at any time hereafter, but through you: and by +you. Your Majesty should remember, likewise, that if a man of another +nation had been chosen governor it might have wrought great danger. +Moreover it would have been an indignity that your lieutenant-general +should of necessity be under him that so should have been elected. +Finally, this is a stop to any other that may affect the place of +government there." + +Queen (who has manifested many signs of impatience during this +discourse).--"Your speech is all in vain. His Lordship's proceeding is +sufficient to make me infamous to all princes, having protested the +contrary, as I have done, in a book which is translated into divers and +sundry languages. His Lordship, being my servant, a creature of my own, +ought not, in duty towards me, have entered into this course without my +knowledge and good allowance." + +Shirley.--"But the world hath conceived a high judgment of your Majesty's +great wisdom and providence; shown by your assailing the King of Spain at +one time both in the Low Countries and also by Sir Francis Drake. I do +assure myself that the same judgment which did first cause you to take +this in hand must continue a certain knowledge in your Majesty that one +of these actions must needs stand much better by the other. If Sir +Frances do prosper, then all is well. And though he should not prosper, +yet this hold that his Lordship hath taken for you on the Low Countries +must always assure an honourable peace at your Highness's pleasure. I +beseech your Majesty to remember that to the King of Spain the government +of his Lordship is no greater matter than if he were but your lieutenant- +general there; but the voyage of Sir Francis is of much greater offence +than all." + +Queen (interrupting).--"I can very well answer for Sir Francis. +Moreover, if need be, the gentleman careth not if I should disavow him." + +Shirley.--"Even so standeth my Lord, if your disavowing of him may also +stand with your Highness's favour towards him. Nevertheless; should this +bruit of your mislike of his Lordship's authority there come unto the +ears of those people; being a nation both sudden and suspicious, and +having been heretofore used to stratagem--I fear it may work some strange +notion in them, considering that, at this time, there is an increase of +taxation raised upon them, the bestowing whereof perchance they know +not of. His Lordship's giving; up of the government may leave them +altogether without government, and in worse case than they were ever +in before. For now the authority of the States is dissolved, and his +Lordship's government is the only thing that holdeth them together. +I do beseech your Highness, then, to consider well of it, and if there +be any private cause for which you take grief against his Lordship, +nevertheless, to have regard unto the public cause, and to have a care +of your own safety, which in many wise men's opinions, standeth much +upon the good maintenance and upholding of this matter." + +Queen.--"I believe nothing of, what you say concerning the dissolving of +the authority of the States. I know well enough that the States do +remain states still. I mean not to do harm to the cause, but only to +reform that which his Lordship hath done beyond his warrant from me." + +And with this the Queen swept suddenly from the apartment. Sir Thomas, +at different stages of the conversation, had in vain besought her to +accept a letter from the Earl which had been entrusted to his care. +She obstinately refused to touch it. Shirley had even had recourse to +stratagem: affecting ignorance on many points concerning which the Queen +desired information, and suggesting that doubtless she would find those +matters fully explained in his Lordship's letter. The artifice was in +vain, and the discussion was, on the whole, unsatisfactory. Yet there is +no doubt that the Queen had had the worst of the argument, and she was +far too sagacious a politician not to feel the weight of that which had +been urged so often in defence of the course pursued. But it was with +her partly a matter of temper and offended pride, perhaps even of wounded +affection. + +On the following morning Shirley saw the Queen walking in the garden of +the palace, and made bold to accost her. Thinking, as he said, "to test +her affection to Lord Leicester by another means," the artful Sir Thomas +stepped up to her, and observed that his Lordship was seriously ill. +"It is feared," he said, "that the Earl is again attacked by the disease +of which Dr. Goodrowse did once cure him. Wherefore his Lordship is now +a humble suitor to your Highness that it would please you to spare +Goodrowse, and give him leave to go thither for some time." + +The Queen was instantly touched. + +"Certainly--with all my heart, with all my heart, he shall have him," she +replied, "and sorry I am that his Lordship hath that need of him." + +"And indeed," returned sly Sir Thomas, "your Highness is a very gracious +prince, who are pleased not to suffer his Lordship to perish in health, +though otherwise you remain deeply offended with him." + +"You know my mind," returned Elizabeth, now all the queen again, and +perhaps suspecting the trick; "I may not endure that any man should alter +my commission and the authority that I gave him, upon his own fancies and +without me." + +With this she instantly summoned one of her gentlemen, in order to break +off the interview, fearing that Shirley was about to enter again upon a +discussion of the whole subject, and again to attempt the delivery of the +Earl's letter. + +In all this there was much of superannuated coquetry, no doubt, and much +of Tudor despotism, but there was also a strong infusion of artifice. +For it will soon be necessary to direct attention to certain secret +transactions of an important nature in which the Queen was engaged, and +which were even hidden from the all-seeing eye of Walsingham--although +shrewdly suspected both by that statesman and by Leicester--but which +were most influential in modifying her policy at that moment towards the +Netherlands. + +There could be no doubt, however, of the stanch and strenuous manner in +which the delinquent Earl was supported by his confidential messengers +and by some of his fellow-councillors. His true friends were urgent that +the great cause in which he was engaged should be forwarded sincerely and +without delay. Shirley had been sent for money; but to draw money from +Elizabeth was like coining her life-blood, drachma by drachma. + +"Your Lordship is like to have but a poor supply of money at this time," +said Sir Thomas. "To be plain with you, I fear she groweth weary of the +charge, and will hardly be brought to deal thoroughly in the action." + +He was also more explicit than he might have been--had he been better +informed as to the disposition of the chief personages of the court, +concerning whose temper the absent Earl was naturally anxious. Hatton +was most in favour at the moment, and it was through Hatton that the +communications upon Netherland matters passed; "for," said Shirley, "she +will hardly endure Mr. Secretary (Walsingham) to speak unto her therein." + +"And truly, my Lord," he continued, "as Mr. Secretary is a noble, good, +and true friend unto you, so doth Mr. Vice-Chamberlain show himself an +honourable, true, and faithful gentleman, and doth carefully and most +like a good friend for your Lordship." + +And thus very succinctly and graphically had the envoy painted the +situation to his principal. "Your Lordship now sees things just as they +stand," he moralized. "Your Lordship is exceeding wise. You know the +Queen and her nature best of any man. You know all men here. Your +Lordship can judge the sequel by this that you see: only this I must tell +your Lordship, I perceive that fears and doubts from thence are like to +work better effects here than comforts and assurance. I think it my part +to send your Lordship this as it is, rather than to be silent." + +And with these rather ominous insinuations the envoy concluded for the +time his narrative. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Intolerable tendency to puns +New Years Day in England, 11th January by the New Style +Peace and quietness is brought into a most dangerous estate + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v44 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +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 +in great jollity that her Majesty doth rather mislike than allow of our +doings here, which; if it be true, let her be sure her own sweet self +shall first smart." + +Moreover; the English troops were, as we have seen, mere shoeless, +shivering, starving vagabonds. The Earl had generously advanced very +large sums of money from his own pocket to relieve their necessity. The +States, on the other hand, had voluntarily increased the monthly +contribution of 200,000 florins, to which their contract with Elizabeth +obliged them, and were more disposed than ever they had been since the +death of Orange to proceed vigorously and harmoniously against the common +enemy of Christendom. Under such circumstances it may well be imagined +that there was cause on Leicester's part for deep mortification at the +tragical turn which the Queen's temper seemed to be taking. + +"I know not," he said, "how her Majesty doth mean to dispose of me. +It hath grieved me more than I can express that for faithful and good +service she should so deeply conceive against me. God knows with what +mind I have served her Highness, and perhaps some others might have +failed. Yet she is neither tied one jot by covenant or promise by me in +any way, nor at one groat the more charges, but myself two or three +thousand pounds sterling more than now is like to be well spent. I will +desire no partial speech in my favour. If my doings be ill for her +Majesty and the realm, let me feel the smart of it. The cause is now +well forward; let not her majesty suffer it to quail. If you will have +it proceed to good effect, send away Sir William Pelham with all the +haste you can. I mean not to complain, but with so weighty a cause as +this is, few men have been so weakly assisted. Her Majesty hath far +better choice for my place, and with any that may succeed me let Sir +William Pelham be first that may come. I speak from my soul for her +Majesty's service. I am for myself upon an hour's warning to obey her +good pleasure." + +Thus far the Earl had maintained his dignity. He had yielded to the +solicitations of the States, and had thereby exceeded his commission, and +gratified his ambition, but he had in no wise forfeited his self-respect. +But--so soon as the first unquestionable intelligence of the passion to +which the Queen had given way at his misdoings reached him--he began to +whimper, The straightforward tone which Davison had adopted in his +interviews with Elizabeth, and the firmness with which he had defended +the cause of his absent friend, at a moment when he had plunged himself +into disgrace, was worthy of applause. He deserved at least a word of +honest thanks. + +Ignoble however was the demeanor of the Earl towards the man--for whom +he had but recently been unable to invent eulogies sufficiently warm-- +so soon as he conceived the possibility of sacrificing his friend as the +scape-goat for his own fault. An honest schoolboy would have scorned to +leave thus in the lurch a comrade who had been fighting his battles so +honestly. + +"How earnest I was," he wrote to the lords of the council, 9th March, +1586, "not only to acquaint her Majesty, but immediately upon the first +motion made by the States, to send Mr. Davison over to her with letters, +I doubt not but he will truly affirm for me; yea, and how far against my +will it was, notwithstanding any reasons delivered me, that he and others +persisted in, to have me accept first of this place . . . . . The +extremity of the case, and my being persuaded that Mr. Davison might have +better satisfied her Majesty, than I perceive he can, caused, me-neither +arrogantly nor contemptuously, but even merely and faithfully--to do her +Majesty the best service." + +He acknowledged, certainly, that Davison had been influenced by honest +motives, although his importunities had been the real cause of the Earl's +neglect of his own obligations. But he protested that he had himself, +only erred through an excessive pliancy to the will of others. "My +yielding was my own fault," he admitted, "whatsoever his persuasions; +but far from a contemptuous heart, or else God pluck out both heart and +bowels with utter shame." + +So soon as Sir Thomas Heneage had presented himself, and revealed the +full extent of the Queen's wrath, the Earl's disposition to cast the +whole crime on the shoulders of Davison became quite undisguised. + +"I thank you for your letters," wrote Leicester to Walsingham, "though +you can send me no comfort. Her Majesty doth deal hardly to believe so +ill of me. It is true I faulted, but she doth not consider what +commodities she hath withal, and herself no way engaged for it, as Mr. +Davison might have better declared it, if it had pleased him. And I +must thank him only for my blame, and so he will confess to you, for, +I protest before God, no necessity here could have made me leave her +Majesty unacquainted with the cause before I would have accepted of it, +but only his so earnest pressing me with his faithfid assured promise to +discharge me, however her Majesty should take it. For you all see there +she had no other cause to be offended but this, and, by the Lord, he was +the only cause; albeit it is no sufficient allegation, being as I am . . +. . . He had, I think, saved all to have told her, as he promised me. +But now it is laid upon me, God send the cause to take no harm, my grief +must be the less. + +"How far Mr. Heneage's commission shall deface me I know not. He is wary +to observe his commission, and I consent withal. I know the time will be +her Majesty will be sorry for it. In the meantime I am too, too weary of +the high dignity. I would that any that could serve her Majesty were +placed in it, and I to sit down with all my losses." + +In more manful strain he then alluded to the sufferings of his army. +"Whatsoever become of me," he said, "give me leave to speak for the poor +soldiers. If they be not better maintained, being in this strange +country, there will be neither good service done, nor be without great +dishonour to her Majesty . . . . . Well, you see the wants, and it +is one cause that will glad me to be rid of this heavy high calling, and +wish me at my poor cottage again, if any I shall find. But let her +Majesty pay them well, and appoint such a man as Sir William Pelham to +govern them, and she never wan more honour than these men here will do, +I am persuaded." + +That the Earl was warmly urged by all most conversant with Netherland +politics to assume the government was a fact admitted by all. That he +manifested rather eagerness than reluctance on the subject, and that his +only hesitation arose from the proposed restraints upon the power, not +from scruples about accepting the power, are facts upon record. There +is nothing save his own assertion to show any backwardness on his part +to snatch the coveted prize; and that assertion was flatly denied by +Davison, and was indeed refuted by every circumstance in the case. It +is certain that he had concealed from Davison the previous prohibitions +of the Queen. He could anticipate much better than could Davison, +therefore, the probable indignation of the Queen. It is strange then +that he should have shut his eyes to it so wilfully, and stranger still +that he should have relied on the envoy's eloquence instead of his own to +mitigate that emotion. Had he placed his defence simply upon its true +basis, the necessity of the case, and the impossibility of carrying out +the Queen's intentions in any other way, it would be difficult to censure +him; but that he should seek to screen himself by laying the whole blame +on a subordinate, was enough to make any honest man who heard him hang +his head. "I meant not to do it, but Davison told me to do it, please +your Majesty, and if there was naughtiness in it, he said he would make +it all right with your Majesty." Such, reduced to its simplest +expression, was the defence of the magnificent Earl of Leicester. + +And as he had gone cringing and whining to his royal mistress, so it was +natural that he should be brutal and blustering to his friend. + +"By your means," said he, "I have fallen into her Majesty's deep +displeasure . . . . . If you had delivered to her the truth of my +dealing, her Highness never could have conceived, as I perceive she doth +. . . . . Nor doth her Majesty know how hardly I was drawn to accept +this place before I had acquainted her--as to which you promised you +would not only give her full satisfaction, but would, procure me great +thanks. . . . . You did chiefly persuade me to take this charge upon me +. . . . You can remember how many treaties you and others had with the +States, before I agreed; for all yours and their persuasion to take it +. . . . . You gave me assurance to satisfy her Majesty, but I see not +that you have done anything . . . . I did not hide from you the doubt +I had of her Majesty's ill taking it . . . . . You chiefly brought me +into it . . . . and it could no way have been heavy to you, though you +had told the uttermost of your own doing, as you faithfully promised you +would . . . . . I did very unwillingly come into the matter, doubting +that to fall out which is come to pass . . . . and it doth so fall out +by your negligent carelessness, whereof I many hundred times told you +that you would both mar the goodness of the matter, and breed me her +Majesty's displeasure . . . . . Thus fare you well, and except your +embassages have better success, I shall have no cause to commend them." + +And so was the unfortunate Davison ground into finest dust between the +upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency. + +Meantime the other special envoy had made his appearance in the +Netherlands; the other go-between between the incensed Queen and the +backsliding favourite. It has already been made sufficiently obvious, +by the sketch given of his instructions, that his mission was a delicate +one. In obedience to those instructions, Heneage accordingly made his +appearance before the council, and, in Leicester's presence, delivered to +them the severe and biting reprimand which Elizabeth had chosen to +inflict upon the States and upon the governor. The envoy performed his +ungracious task as daintily, as he could, and after preliminary +consultation with Leicester; but the proud Earl was deeply mortified." +The fourteenth day of this month of March," said he, "Sir Thomas Heneage +delivered a very sharp letter from her Majesty to the council of estate, +besides his message--myself being, present, for so was her Majesty's +pleasure, as he said, and I do think he did but as he was commanded. How +great a grief it must be to an honest heart and a true, faithful servant, +before his own face, to a company of very wise and grave counsellors, who +had conceived a marvellous opinion before of my credit with her Majesty, +to be charged now with a manifest and wilful contempt! Matter enough to +have broken any man's heart, that looked rather for thanks, as God doth +know I did when I first heard of Mr. Heneage's arrival--I must say to +your Lordship, for discharge of my duty, I can be no fit man to serve +here--my disgrace is too great--protesting to you that since that day I +cannot find it in my heart to come into that place, where, by my own +sufferings torn, I was made to be thought so lewd a person." + +He then comforted himself--as he had a right to do--with the reflection +that this disgrace inflicted was more than he deserved, and that such +would be the opinion of those by whom he was surrounded. + +"Albeit one thing," he said, "did greatly comfort me, that they all best +knew the wrong was great I had, and that her Majesty was very wrongfully +informed of the state of my cause. I doubt not but they can and will +discharge me, howsoever they shall satisfy her Majesty. And as I would +rather wish for death than justly to deserve her displeasure; so, good my +Lord, this disgrace not coming for any ill service to her, pray procure +me a speedy resolution, that I may go hide me and pray for her. My heart +is broken, though thus far I can quiet myself, that I know I have done +her Majesty as faithful and good service in these countries as ever she +had done her since she was Queen of England . . . . . Under +correction, my good Lord, I have had Halifax law--to be condemned first +and inquired upon after. I pray God that no man find this measure that I +have done, and deserved no worse." + +He defended himself--as Davison had already defended him--upon the +necessities of the case. + +"I, a poor gentleman," he said, "who have wholly depended upon herself +alone--and now, being commanded to a service of the greatest importance +that ever her Majesty employed any servant in, and finding the occasion +so serving me, and the necessity of time such as would not permit such +delays, flatly seeing that if that opportunity were lost, the like again +for her service and the good of the realm was never, to be looked for, +presuming upon the favour of my prince, as many servants have done, +exceeding somewhat thereupon, rather than breaking any part of my +commission, taking upon me a place whereby I found these whole countries +could be held at her best devotion, without binding her Majesty to any +such matter as she had forbidden to the States before finding, I say, +both the time and opportunity to serve, and no lack but to trust to her +gracious acceptation, I now feel that how good, how honourable, how +profitable soever it be, it is turned to a worse part than if I had +broken all her commissions and commandments, to the greatest harm, and +dishonour, and danger, that may be imagined against her person, state, +and dignity." + +He protested, not without a show of reason, that he was like to be worse +punished "for well-doing than any man that had committed a most heinous +or traitorous offence," and he maintained that if he had not accepted the +government, as he had done, "the whole State had been gone and wholly +lost." All this--as we have seen--had already been stoutly urged by +Davison, in the very face of the tempest, but with no result, except to +gain the, enmity of both parties to the quarrel. The ungrateful +Leicester now expressed confidence that the second go-between would be +more adroit than the first had proved. "The causes why," said he, "Mr. +Davison could have told--no man better--but Mr. Heneage can now tell, who +hath sought to the uttermost the bottom of all things. I will stand to +his report, whether glory or vain desire of title caused me to step one +foot forward in the matter. My place was great enough and high enough +before, with much less trouble than by this, besides the great +indignation of her Majesty . . . . . If I had overslipt the good +occasion then in danger, I had been worthy to be hanged, and to be taken +for a most lewd servant to her Majesty, and a dishonest wretch to my +country." + +But diligently as Heneage had sought to the bottom of all things, he had +not gained the approbation of Sidney. Sir Philip thought that the new +man had only ill botched a piece of work that had been most awkwardly +contrived from the beginning. "Sir Thomas Heneage," said he, "hath with +as much honesty, in my opinion done as much hurt as any man this twelve- +month hath done with naughtiness. But I hope in God, when her Majesty +finds the truth of things, her graciousness will not utterly, overthrow a +cause so behooveful and costly unto her." + +He briefly warned the government that most disastrous effects were likely +to ensue, if the Earl should be publicly disgraced, and the recent action +of the States reversed. The penny-wise economy, too, of the Queen, was +rapidly proving a most ruinous extravagance. "I only cry for Flushing;" +said Sidney, "but, unless the monies be sent over, there will some +terrible accident follow, particularly to the cautionary towns, if her +Majesty mean to have them cautions." + +The effect produced by the first explosion of the Queen's wrath was +indeed one of universal suspicion and distrust. The greatest care had +been taken, however, that the affair should be delicately handled, for +Heneage, while, doing as much hurt by honesty as, others by naughtiness, +had modified his course as much as he dared in deference to the opinions +of the Earl himself, and that of his English counsellors. The great +culprit himself, assisted by his two lawyers, Clerk and Killigrew--had +himself drawn the bill of his own indictment. The letters of the Queen +to the States, to the council, and to the Earl himself, were, of +necessity, delivered, but the reprimand which Heneage had been instructed +to fulminate was made as harmless as possible. It was arranged that he +should make a speech before the council; but abstain from a protocol. +The oration was duly pronounced, and it was, of necessity, stinging. +Otherwise the disobedience to the Queen, would have been flagrant. But +the pain inflicted was to disappear with the first castigation. The +humiliation was to be public and solemn, but it was not to be placed on +perpetual record. + +"We thought best," said Leicester, Heneage, Clerk, and Killigrew--"In +according to her Majesty's secret instructions--to take that course which +might least endanger the weak estate of the Provinces--that is to say, to +utter so much in words as we hoped might satisfy her excellent Majesty's +expectation, and yet leave them nothing in writing to confirm that which +was secretly spread in many places to the hindrance of the good course of +settling these affairs. Which speech, after Sir Thomas Heneage had +devised, and we both perused and allowed, he, by our consent and advice, +pronounced to the council of state. This we did think needful--especially +because every one of the council that was present at the reading of her +Majesty's first letters, was of the full mind, that if her Majesty should +again show the least mislike of the present government, or should not by +her next letters confirm it, they, were all undone--for that every man +would cast with himself which way to make his peace." + +Thus adroitly had the "poor gentleman, who could not find it in his heart +to come again into the place, where--by his own sufferings torn--he was +made to appear so lewd a person"--provided that there should remain no +trace of that lewdness and of his sovereign's displeasure, upon the +record of the States. It was not long, too, before the Earl was enabled +to surmount his mortification; but the end was not yet. + +The universal suspicion, consequent on these proceedings, grew most +painful. It pointed to one invariable quarter. It was believed by all +that the Queen was privately treating for peace, and that the transaction +was kept a secret not only from the States but from her own most trusted +counsellors also. It would be difficult to exaggerate the pernicious +effects of this suspicion. Whether it was a well-grounded one or not, +will be shown in a subsequent chapter, but there is no doubt that the +vigour of the enterprise was thus sapped at a most critical moment. The +Provinces had never been more heartily banded together since the fatal +10th of July, 1584, than they were in the early spring of 1586. They +were rapidly organizing their own army, and, if the Queen had manifested +more sympathy with her own starving troops, the united Englishmen and +Hollanders would have been invincible even by Alexander Farnese. + +Moreover, they had sent out nine war-vessels to cruise off the Cape Verd +Islands for the homeward-bound Spanish treasure fleet from America, with +orders, if they missed it, to proceed to the West Indies; so that, said +Leicester, "the King of Spain will have enough to do between these men +and Drake." All parties had united in conferring a generous amount of +power upon the Earl, who was, in truth, stadholder-general, under grant +from the States--and both Leicester and the Provinces themselves were +eager and earnest for the war. In war alone lay the salvation of England +and Holland. Peace was an impossibility. It seemed to the most +experienced statesmen of both countries even an absurdity. It may well +be imagined, therefore, that the idea of an underhand negotiation by +Elizabeth would cause a frenzy in the Netherlands. In Leicester's +opinion, nothing short of a general massacre of the English would be the +probable consequence. "No doubt," said he, "the very way it is to put us +all to the sword here. For mine own part it would be happiest for me, +though I wish and trust to lose my life in better sort." + +Champagny, however, was giving out mysterious hints that the King of +Spain could have peace with England when he wished for it. Sir Thomas +Cecil, son of Lord Burghley, on whose countenance the States especially +relied, was returning on sick-leave from his government of the Brill, +and this sudden departure of so eminent a personage, joined with the +public disavowal of the recent transaction between Leicester and the +Provinces, was producing a general and most sickening apprehension as to +the Queen's good faith. The Earl did not fail to urge these matters most +warmly on the consideration of the English council, setting forth that +the States were stanch for the war, but that they would be beforehand +with her if she attempted by underhand means to compass a peace. "If +these men once smell any such matter," wrote Leicester to Burghley, "be +you sure they will soon come before you, to the utter overthrow of her +Majesty and state for ever." + +The Earl was suspecting the "false boys," by whom he was surrounded, +although it was impossible for him to perceive, as we have been enabled +to do, the wide-spread and intricate meshes by which he was enveloped. +"Your Papists in England," said he, "have sent over word to some in this +company, that all that they ever hoped for is come to pass; that my Lord +of Leicester shall be called away in greatest indignation with her +Majesty, and to confirm this of Champagny, I have myself seen a letter +that her Majesty is in hand with a secret peace. God forbid! for if it +be so, her Majesty, her realm, and we, are all undone." + +The feeling in the Provinces was still sincerely loyal towards England. +"These men," said Leicester, "yet honour and most dearly love her +Majesty, and hardly, I know, will be brought to believe ill of her any +way." Nevertheless these rumours, to the discredit of her good faith, +were doing infinite harm; while the Earl, although keeping his eyes and +ears wide open, was anxious not to compromise himself any further with +his sovereign, by appearing himself to suspect her of duplicity. "Good, +my Lord," he besought Burghley, "do not let her Majesty know of this +concerning Champagny as coming from me, for she will think it is done +for my own cause, which, by the Lord God, it is not, but even on the +necessity of the case for her own safety, and the realm, and us all. +Good my Lord, as you will do any good in the matter, let not her Majesty +understand any piece of it to come from me." + +The States-General, on the 25th March, N.S., addressed a respectful +letter to the Queen, in reply to her vehement chidings. They expressed +their deep regret that her Majesty should be so offended with the +election of the Earl of Leicester as absolute governor. + +They confessed that she had just cause of displeasure, but hoped that +when she should be informed of the whole matter she would rest better +satisfied with their proceedings. They stated that the authority was the +same which had been previously bestowed upon governors-general; observing +that by the word "absolute," which had been used in designation of that +authority, nothing more had been intended than to give to the Earl full +power to execute his commission, while the sovereignty of the country was +reserved to the people. This commission, they said, could not be without +danger revoked. And therefore they most humbly besought her Majesty to +approve what had been done, and to remember its conformity with her own +advice to them, that a multitude of heads, whereby confusion in the +government is bred, should be avoided. + +Leicester, upon the same occasion, addressed a letter to Burghley and +Walsingham, expressing himself as became a crushed and contrite man, +never more to raise his drooping head again, but warmly and manfully +urging upon the attention of the English government--for the honour and +interest of the Queen herself--"the miserable state of the poor +soldiers." The necessity of immediate remittances in order to keep them +from starving, was most imperious. For himself, he was smothering his +wretchedness until he should learn her Majesty's final decision, as to +what was to become of him. "Meantime," said he, "I carry my grief +inward, and will proceed till her Majesty's full pleasure come with as +little discouragement to the cause as I can. I pray God her Majesty may +do that may be best for herself. For my own part my, heart is broken, +but not by the enemy." + +There is no doubt that the public disgrace thus inflicted upon the +broken-hearted governor, and the severe censure administered to the +States by the Queen were both ill-timed and undeserved. Whatever his +disingenuousness towards Davison, whatever his disobedience to Elizabeth, +however ambitious his own secret motives may, have been, there is no +doubt at all that thus far he had borne himself well in his great office. + +Richard Cavendish--than whom few had better opportunities of judging-- +spoke in strong language on the subject. "It is a thing almost +incredible," said he, "that the care and diligence of any, one man living +could, in so small time; have so much repaired so disjointed and loose an +estate as my Lord found this country, in. But lest he should swell in +pride of that his good success, your Lordship knoweth that God hath so +tempered the cause with the construction thereof, as may well hold him in +good consideration of human things." He alluded with bitterness--as did +all men in the Netherlands who were not open or disguised Papists--to the +fatal rumours concerning the peace-negotiation in connection with the +recall of Leicester. "There be here advertisements of most fearful +instance," he said, "namely, that Champagny doth not spare most liberally +to bruit abroad that he hath in his hands the conditions of peace offered +by her Majesty unto the King his master, and that it is in his power to +conclude at pleasure--which fearful and mischievous plot, if in time it +be not met withal by some notable encounter, it cannot but prove the root +of great ruin." + +The "false boys" about Leicester were indefatigable in spreading these +rumours, and in taking advantage--with the assistance of the Papists in +the obedient Provinces and in England--of the disgraced condition in +which the Queen had placed the favourite. Most galling to the haughty +Earl--most damaging to the cause of England, Holland, and, liberty--were +the tales to his discredit, which circulated on the Bourse at Antwerp, +Middelburg, Amsterdam, and in all the other commercial centres. The most +influential bankers and merchants, were assured--by a thousand chattering +--but as it were invisible--tongues, that the Queen had for a long time +disliked Leicester; that he was a man of no account among the statesmen +of England; that he was a beggar and a bankrupt; that, if he had waited +two months longer, he would have made his appearance in the Provinces +with one man and one boy for his followers; that the Queen had sent him +thither to be rid of him; that she never intended him to have more +authority than Sir John Norris had; that she could not abide the +bestowing the title of Excellency upon him, and that she had not +disguised her fury at his elevation to the post of governor-general. + +All who attempted a refutation of these statements were asked, with a +sneer, whether her Majesty had ever written a line to him, or in +commendation of him, since his arrival. Minute inquiries were made by +the Dutch merchants of their commercial correspondents, both in their own +country and in England, as to Leicester's real condition and character. +at home. What was his rank, they asked, what his ability, what: his +influence at court? Why, if he were really of so high quality as had +been reported, was he thus neglected, and at last disgraced? Had he any +landed property in England? Had he really ever held any other office but +that of master of the horse? "And then," asked one particular busy body, +who made himself very unpleasant on the Amsterdam Exchange, "why has her +Majesty forbidden all noblemen and gentlemen from coming hither, as was +the case at the beginning? Is it because she is hearkening to a peace? +And if it be so, quoth he, we are well handled; for if her Majesty +hath sent a disgraced man to amuse us, while she is secretly working +a peace for herself, when we--on the contrary--had broken off all our +negotiations, upon confidence of her Majesty's goodness; such conduct +will be remembered to the end of the world, and the Hollanders will +never abide the name of England again." + +On such a bed of nettles there was small chance of repose for the +governor. Some of the rumours were even more stinging. So +incomprehensible did it seem that the proud sovereign of England should +send over her subjects to starve or beg in the streets of Flushing and +Ostend, that it was darkly intimated that Leicester had embezzled the +funds, which, no doubt, had been remitted for the poor soldiers. This +was the most cruel blow of all. The Earl had been put to enormous +charges. His household at the Hague cost him a thousand pounds a month. +He had been paying and furnishing five hundred and fifty men out of his +own purse. He had also a choice regiment of cavalry, numbering seven +hundred and fifty horse; three hundred and fifty of which number were +over and above those allowed for by the Queen, and were entirely at his +expense. He was most liberal in making presents of money to every +gentleman in his employment. He had deeply mortgaged his estates in +order to provide for these heavy demands upon him, and professed his +willingness "to spend more, if he might have got any more money for his +land that was left;" and in the face of such unquestionable facts--much +to the credit certainly of his generosity--he was accused of swindling +a Queen whom neither Jew nor Gentile had ever yet been sharp enough to +swindle; while he was in reality plunging forward in a course of reckless +extravagance in order to obviate the fatal effects of her penuriousness. + +Yet these sinister reports were beginning to have a poisonous effect. +Already an alteration of mien was perceptible in the States-General. +"Some buzzing there is amongst them," said Leicester, "whatsoever it be. +They begin to deal very strangely within these few days." Moreover the +industry of the Poleys, Blunts, and Pagets, had turned these unfavourable +circumstances to such good account that a mutiny had been near breaking +out among the English troops. "And, before the Lord I speak it," said +the Earl, "I am sure some of these good towns had been gone ere this, but +for my money. As for the States, I warrant you, they see day at a little +hole. God doth know what a forward and a joyful country here was within +a month. God send her Majesty to recover it so again, and to take care +of it, on the condition she send me after Sir Francis Drake to the +Indies, my service here being no more acceptable." + +Such was the aspect of affairs in the Provinces after the first explosion +of the Queen's anger had become known. Meanwhile the court-weather was +very changeable in England, being sometimes serene, sometimes cloudy,-- +always treacherous. + +Mr. Vavasour, sent by the Earl with despatches to her Majesty and the +council, had met with a sufficiently benignant reception. She accepted +the letters, which, however, owing to a bad cold with a defluxion in the +eyes, she was unable at once to read; but she talked ambiguously with the +messenger. Yavasour took pains to show the immediate necessity of +sending supplies, so that the armies in the Netherlands might take the +field at the, earliest possible moment. "And what," said she, "if a +peace should come in the mean time?" + +"If your Majesty desireth a convenient peace," replied Vavasour, "to take +the field is the readiest way to obtain it; for as yet the King of Spain +hath had no reason to fear you. He is daily expecting that your own +slackness may give your Majesty an overthrow. Moreover, the Spaniards +are soldiers, and are not to be moved by-shadows." + +But the Queen had no ears for these remonstrances, and no disposition to +open her coffers. A warrant for twenty-four thousand pounds had been +signed by her at the end of the month of March, and was about to be sent, +when Vavasour arrived; but it was not possible for him, although assisted +by the eloquence of Walsingham and Burghley, to obtain an enlargement of +the pittance. "The storms are overblown," said Walsingham, "but I fear +your Lordship shall receive very scarce measure from hence. You will not +believe how the sparing humour doth increase upon us." + +Nor were the storms so thoroughly overblown but that there were not daily +indications of returning foul weather. Accordingly--after a conference +with Vavasour--Burghley, and Walsingham had an interview with the Queen, +in which the Lord Treasurer used bold and strong language. He protested +to her that he was bound, both by his duty to himself and his oath as her +councillor, to declare that the course she was holding to Lord Leicester +was most dangerous to her own honour, interest and safety. If she +intended to continue in this line of conduct, he begged to resign his +office of Lord Treasurer; wishing; before God and man, to wash his bands +of the shame and peril which he saw could not be avoided. The Queen, +astonished at the audacity of Burghley's attitude and language, hardly +knew whether to chide him for his presumption or to listen to his +arguments. She did both. She taxed him with insolence in daring to +address her so roundly, and then finding he was speaking even in +'amaritudine animae' and out of a clear conscience, she became calm +again, and intimated a disposition to qualify her anger against the +absent Earl. + +Next day, to their sorrow, the two councillors found that the Queen had +again changed her mind--"as one that had been by some adverse counsel +seduced." She expressed the opinion that affairs would do well enough in +the Netherlands, even though Leicester were displaced. A conference +followed between Walsingham, Hatton, and Burghley, and then the three +went again to her Majesty. They assured her that if she did not take +immediate steps to satisfy the States and the people of the Provinces, +she would lose those countries and her own honour at the same time; and +that then they would prove a source of danger to her instead of +protection and glory. At this she was greatly troubled, and agreed to do +anything they might advise consistently with her honour. It was then +agreed that Leicester should be continued in the government which he had +accepted until the matter should be further considered, and letters to +that effect were at once written. Then came messenger from Sir Thomas +Heneage, bringing despatchesfrom that envoy, and a second and most secret +one from the Earl himself. Burghley took the precious letter which the +favourite had addressed to his royal mistress, and had occasion to +observe its magical effect. Walsingham and the Lord Treasurer had been +right in so earnestly remonstrating with him on his previous silence. + +"She read your letter," said Burghley, "and, in very truth, I found her +princely heart touched with favourable interpretation of your actions; +affirming them to be only offensive to her, in that she was not made +privy to them; not now misliking that you had the authority." + +Such, at fifty-three, was Elizabeth Tudor. A gentle whisper of idolatry +from the lips of the man she loved, and she was wax in his hands. Where +now were the vehement protestations of horror that her public declaration +of principles and motives had been set at nought? Where now were her +vociferous denunciations of the States, her shrill invectives against +Leicester, her big oaths, and all the 'hysterica passio,' which had sent +poor Lord Burghley to bed with the gout, and inspired the soul of +Walsingham with dismal forebodings? Her anger had dissolved into a +shower of tenderness, and if her parsimony still remained it was because +that could only vanish when she too should cease to be. + +And thus, for a moment, the grave diplomatic difference between the +crown of England and their high mightinesses the United States--upon the +solution of which the fate of Christendom was hanging--seemed to shrink +to the dimensions of a lovers' quarrel. Was it not strange that the +letter had been so long delayed? + +Davison had exhausted argument in defence of the acceptance by the Earl +of the authority conferred by the States and had gained nothing by his +eloquence, save abuse from the Queen, and acrimonious censure from the +Earl. He had deeply offended both by pleading the cause of the erring +favourite, when the favourite should have spoken for himself. "Poor Mr. +Davison," said Walsingham, "doth take it very grievously that your +Lordship should conceive so hardly of him as you do. I find the conceit +of your Lordship's disfavour hath greatly dejected him. But at such time +as he arrived her Majesty was so incensed, as all the arguments and +orators in the world could not have wrought any satisfaction." + +But now a little billet-doux had done what all the orators in the world +could not do. The arguments remained the same, but the Queen no longer +"misliked that Leicester should have the authority." It was natural that +the Lord Treasurer should express his satisfaction at this auspicious +result. + +"I did commend her princely nature," he said, "in allowing your good +intention, and excusing you of any spot of evil meaning; and I thought +good to hasten her resolution, which you must now take to come from a +favourable good mistress. You must strive with your nature to throw over +your shoulder that which is past." + +Sir Walter Raleigh, too, who had been "falsely and pestilently" +represented to the Earl as an enemy, rather than what he really was, +a most ardent favourer of the Netherland cause, wrote at once to +congratulate him on the change in her Majesty's demeanour. "The Queen is +in very good terms with you now," he said, "and, thanks be to God, well +pacified, and you are again her 'sweet Robin.'" + +Sir Walter wished to be himself the bearer of the comforting despatches +to Leicester, on the ground that he had been represented as an "ill +instrument against him," and in order that he might justify himself +against the charge, with his own lips. The Queen, however, while +professing to make use of Shirley as the messenger, bade Walsingham +declare to the Earl, upon her honour, that Raleigh had done good offices +for him, and that, in the time of her anger, he had been as earnest in +his defence as the best friend could be. It would have been--singular, +indeed, had it been otherwise. "Your Lordship," said Sir Walter, "doth +well understand my affection toward Spain, and how I have consumed the +best part of my fortune, hating the tyrannous prosperity of that state. +It were strange and monstrous that I should now become an enemy to my +country and conscience. All that I have desired at your Lordship's +hands is that you will evermore deal directly with me in all matters +--of suspect doubleness, and so ever esteem me as you shall find me +deserving good or bad. In the mean time, let no poetical scribe work +your Lordship by any device to doubt that I am a hollow or cold servant +to the action." + +It was now agreed that letters should be drawn, up authorizing Leicester +to continue in the office which he held, until the state-council should +devise some modification in his commission. As it seemed, however, very +improbable that the board would devise anything of the kind, Burghley +expressed the belief that the country was like to continue in the Earl's +government without any change whatever. The Lord Treasurer was also of +opinion that the Queen's letters to Leicester would convey as much +comfort as he had received discomfort; although he admitted that there +was a great difference: The former letters he knew had deeply wounded his +heart, while the new ones could not suddenly sink so low as the wound. + +The despatch to the States-General was benignant, elaborate, slightly +diffuse. The Queen's letter to 'sweet Robin' was caressing, but +argumentative. + +"It is always thought," said she, "in the opinion of the world, a hard +bargain when both parties are losers, and so doth fall out in the case +between us two. You, as we hear, are greatly grieved in respect of the +great displeasure you find we have conceived against you. We are no less +grieved that a subject of ours of that quality that you are, a creature +of our own, and one that hath always received an extraordinary portion of +our favour above all our subjects, even from the beginning of our reign, +should deal so carelessly, not to say contemptuously, as to give the +world just cause to think that we are had in contempt by him that ought +most to respect and reverence us, which, we do assure you, hath wrought +as great grief in us as anyone thing that ever happened unto us. + +"We are persuaded that you, that have so long known us, cannot think that +ever we could have been drawn to have taken so hard a course therein had +we not been provoked by an extraordinary cause. But for that your +grieved and wounded mind hath more need of comfort than reproof, who, we +are persuaded, though the act of contempt can no ways be excused, had no +other meaning and intent than to advance our service, we think meet to +forbear to dwell upon a matter wherein we ourselves do find so little +comfort, assuring you that whosoever professeth to love you best taketh +not more comfort of your well doing, or discomfort of your evil doing +than ourself." + +After this affectionate preface she proceeded to intimate her desire that +the Earl should take the matter as nearly as possible into his own hands. +It was her wish that he should retain the authority of absolute governor, +but--if it could be so arranged--that he should dispense with the title, +retaining only that of her lieutenant-general. It was not her intention +however, to create any confusion or trouble in the Provinces, and she was +therefore willing that the government should remain upon precisely the +same footing as that on which it then stood, until circumstances should +permit the change of title which she suggested. And the whole matter was +referred to the wisdom of Leicester, who was to advise with Heneage and +such others as he liked to consult, although it was expressly stated that +the present arrangement was to be considered a provisional and not a +final one. + +Until this soothing intelligence could arrive in the Netherlands the +suspicions concerning the underhand negotiations with Spain grew daily +more rife, and the discredit cast upon the Earl more embarrassing. The +private letters which passed between the Earl's enemies in Holland and in +England contained matter more damaging to himself and to the cause which +he had at heart than the more public reports of modern days can +disseminate, which, being patent to all, can be more easily contradicted. +Leicester incessantly warned his colleagues of her Majesty's council +against the malignant manufacturers of intelligence. "I pray you, my +Lords, as you are wise," said he, "beware of them all. You shall find +them here to be shrewd pick-thinks, and hardly worth the hearkening +unto." + +He complained bitterly of the disgrace that was heaped upon him, both +publicly and privately, and of the evil consequences which were sure to +follow from the course pursued. "Never was man so villanously handled by +letters out of England as I have been," said he, "not only advertising +her Majesty's great dislike with me before this my coming over, but that +I was an odious man in England, and so long as I tarried here that no +help was to be looked for, that her Majesty would send no more men or +money, and that I was used here but for a time till a peace were +concluded between her Majesty and the Prince of Parma. What the +continuance of a man's discredit thus will turn out is to be thought of, +for better I were a thousand times displaced than that her Majesty's +great advantage of so notable Provinces should be hindered." + +As to the peace-negotiations--which, however cunningly managed, could not +remain entirely concealed--the Earl declared them to be as idle as they +were disingenuous. "I will boldly pronounce that all the peace you can +make in the world, leaving these countries," said he to Burghley, "will +never prove other than a fair spring for a few days, to be all over +blasted with a hard storm after." Two days later her Majesty's +comforting letters arrived, and the Earl began to raise his drooping +head. Heneage, too, was much relieved, but he was, at the same time, not +a little perplexed. It was not so easy to undo all the mischief created +by the Queen's petulance. The "scorpion's sting"--as her Majesty +expressed herself--might be balsamed, but the poison had spread far +beyond the original wound. + +"The letters just brought in," wrote Heneage to Burghley, "have well +relieved a most noble and sufficient servant, but I fear they will not +restore the much-repaired wrecks of these far-decayed noble countries +into the same state I found them in. A loose, disordered, and unknit +state needs no shaking, but propping. A subtle and fearful kind of +people--should not be made more distrustful, but assured." He then +expressed annoyance at the fault already found with him, and surely if +ever man had cause to complain of reproof administered him, in quick +succession; for not obeying contradictory directions following upon each +other as quickly, that man was Sir Thomas Heneage. He had been, as he +thought, over cautious in administering the rebuke to the Earl's +arrogance, which he had been expressly sent over to administer but +scarcely had he accomplished his task, with as much delicacy as he could +devise, when he found himself censured;--not for dilatoriness, but for +haste. "Fault I perceive," said he to Burghley, "is found in me, not by +your Lordship, but by some other, that I did not stay proceeding if I +found the public cause might take hurt. It is true I had good warrant +for the manner, the, place, and the persons, but, for the matter none, +for done it must be. Her Majesty's offence must be declared. Yet if I +did not all I possibly could to uphold the cause, and to keep the +tottering cause upon the wheels, I deserve no thanks, but reproof." + +Certainly, when the blasts of royal rage are remembered, by which the +envoy had been, as it were, blown out of England into Holland, it is +astonishing to find his actions censured for undue precipitancy. But +it was not the, first, nor was it likely to be the last time, for +comparatively subordinate agents in Elizabeth's government to be, +distressed by, contradictory commands, when the sovereign did not know +or did not chose to make known, her own mind on important occasions. +"Well, my Lord," said plaintive Sir Thomas, "wiser men may serve more +pleasingly and happily, but never shall any serve her Majesty more, +faithfully and heartily. And so I cannot be persuaded her Majesty +thinketh; for from herself I find nothing but most sweet and--gracious, +favour, though by others' censures I may gather otherwise of her +judgment; which I confess, doth cumber me." + +He was destined to be cumbered more than once before these negotiations +should be concluded; but meantime; there was a brief gleam of sunshine. +The English friends of Leicester in the Netherlands were enchanted with +the sudden change in the Queen's humour; and to Lord Burghley, who was +not, in reality, the most stanch of the absent Earl's defenders, they +poured themselves out in profuse and somewhat superfluous gratitude. + +Cavendish, in strains exultant, was sure that Burghley's children, grand- +children, and remotest posterity, would rejoice that their great +ancestor, in such a time of need had been "found and felt to be indeed a +'pater patria,' a good-father to a happy land." And, although unwilling +to "stir up the old Adam" in his Lordship's soul, he yet took the liberty +of comparing the Lord Treasurer, in his old and declining years with Mary +Magdalen; assuring him, that for ever after; when the tale of the +preservation of the Church of God, of her Majesty; and of the Netherland +cause; which were all one, should be told; his name and well-doing would +be held in memory also. + +And truly there was much of honest and generous enthusiasm, even if +couched in language somewhat startling to the ears of a colder and more +material age; in the hearts of these noble volunteers. They were +fighting the cause of England, of the Netherland republic, and of human +liberty; with a valour worthy the best days of English' chivalry, against +manifold obstacles, and they were certainly; not too often cheered by the +beams of royal favour. + +It was a pity that a dark cloud was so soon again to sweep over the +scene: For the temper of Elizabeth at this important juncture seemed as +capricious: as the: April weather in which the scenes were enacting. We +have seen the genial warmth of her letters and messages to Leicester, to +Heneage,--to the States-General; on the first of the month. Nevertheless +it was hardly three weeks after they had been despatched when Walsingham +and Burghley found, her Majesty one morning a towering passion, because, +the Earl had not already laid down the government. The Lord Treasurer +ventured to remonstrate, but was bid to bold his tongue. Ever variable +and mutable as woman, Elizabeth was perplexing and baffling to her +counsellors, at this epoch, beyond all divination. The "sparing humour" +was increasing fearfully, and she thought it would be easier for her to +slip out of the whole expensive enterprise, provided Leicester were +merely her lieutenant-general, and not stadholder for the Provinces. +Moreover the secret negotiations for peace were producing a deleterious +effect upon her mind. Upon this subject, the Queen and Burghley, +notwithstanding his resemblance to Mary Magdalen, were better informed +than the Secretary, whom, however, it had been impossible wholly to +deceive. The man who could read secrets so far removed as the Vatican, +was not to be blinded to intrigues going on before his face. The Queen, +without revealing more than she could help, had been obliged to admit +that informal transactions were pending, but had authorised the Secretary +to assure the United States that no treaty would be made without their +knowledge and full concurrence. "She doth think," wrote Walsingham to +Leicester," that you should, if you shall see no cause to the contrary, +acquaint the council of state there that certain overtures of peace are +daily made unto her, but that she meaneth not to proceed therein without +their good liking and privity, being persuaded that there can no peace be +made profitable or sure for her that shall not also stand with their +safety; and she doth acknowledge hers to be so linked with theirs as +nothing can fall out to their prejudice, but she must be partaker of +their harm." + +This communication was dated on the 21st April, exactly three weeks after +the Queen's letter to Heneage, in which she had spoken of the "malicious +bruits" concerning the pretended peace-negotiations; and the Secretary +was now confirming, by her order, what she had then stated under her own +hand, that she would "do nothing that might concern them without their +own knowledge and good liking." + +And surely nothing could be more reasonable. Even if the strict letter +of the August treaty between the Queen and the States did not provide +against any separate negotiations by the one party without the knowledge +of the other, there could be no doubt at all that its spirit absolutely +forbade the clandestine conclusion of a peace with Spain by England +alone, or by the Netherlands alone, and that such an arrangement would be +disingenuous, if not positively dishonourable. + +Nevertheless it would almost seem that Elizabeth had been taking +advantage of the day when she was writing her letter to Heneage on the +1st of April. Never was painstaking envoy more elaborately trifled with. +On the 26th of the month--and only five days after the communication by +Walsingham just noticed--the Queen was furious that any admission should +have been made to the States of their right to participate with her in +peace-negotiations. + +"We find that Sir Thomas Heneage," said she to Leicester, "hath gone +further--in assuring the States that we would make no peace without their +privity and assent--than he had commission; for that our direction was-- +if our meaning had been well set down, and not mistaken by our Secretary +--that they should have been only let understand that in any treaty that +might pass between us and Spain, they might be well assured we would have +no less care of their safety than of our own." Secretary Walsingham was +not likely to mistake her Majesty's directions in this or any other +important affair of state. Moreover, it so happened that the Queen had, +in her own letter to Heneage, made the same statement which she now +chose to disavow. She had often a convenient way of making herself +misunderstood, when she thought it desirable to shift responsibility from +her own shoulders upon those of others; but upon this occasion she had +been sufficiently explicit. Nevertheless, a scape-goat was necessary, +and unhappy the subordinate who happened to be within her Majesty's reach +when a vicarious sacrifice was to be made. Sir Francis Walsingham was +not a man to be brow-beaten or hood-winked, but Heneage was doomed to +absorb a fearful amount of royal wrath. + +"What phlegmatical reasons soever were made you," wrote the Queen, who +but three weeks before had been so gentle and affectionate to her, +ambassador, "how happeneth it that you will not remember, that when a man +hath faulted and committed by abettors thereto, neither the one nor the +other will willingly make their own retreat. Jesus! what availeth wit, +when it fails the owner at greatest need? Do that you are bidden, and +leave your considerations for your own affairs. For in some things you +had clear commandment, which you did not, and in others none, and did. +We princes be wary enough of our bargains. Think you I will be bound +by your own speech to make no peace for mine own matters without their +consent? It is enough that I injure not their country nor themselves +in making peace for them without their consent. I am assured of your +dutiful thoughts, but I am utterly at squares with this childish +dealing." + +Blasted by this thunderbolt falling upon his head out of serenest sky, +the sad. Sir. Thomas remained, for a time, in a state of political +annihilation. 'Sweet Robin' meanwhile, though stunned, was unscathed-- +thanks to the convenient conductor at his side. For, in Elizabeth's +court, mediocrity was not always golden, nor was it usually the loftiest +mountains that the lightnings smote. The Earl was deceived by his royal +mistress, kept in the dark as to important transactions, left to provide +for his famishing' soldiers as he best might; but the, Queen at that +moment, though angry, was not disposed, to trample upon him. Now that +his heart was known to be broken, and his sole object in life to be +retirement to remote regions--India or elsewhere--there to languish out +the brief remainder of his days in prayers for Elizabeth's happiness, +Elizabeth was not inclined very bitterly to upbraid him. She had too +recently been employing herself in binding up his broken heart, and +pouring balm into the "scorpion's sting," to be willing so soon to +deprive him of those alleviations. + +Her tone--was however no longer benignant, and her directions were +extremely peremptory. On the 1st of April she had congratulated +Leicester, Heneage, the States, and all the world, that her secret +commands had been staid, and that the ruin which would have followed, +had, those decrees been executed according to her first violent wish, was +fortunately averted. Heneage was even censured, not by herself, but by +courtiers in her confidence, and with her concurrence, for being over +hasty in going before the state-council, as he had done, with her +messages and commands. On the 26th of April she expressed astonishment +that Heneage had dared to be so dilatory, and that the title of governor +had not been laid down by Leicester "out of hand." She marvelled +greatly, and found it very strange that "ministers in matters of moment +should presume to do things of their own head without direction." She +accordingly gave orders that there should be no more dallying, but that +the Earl should immediately hold a conference with the state-council in +order to arrange a modification in his commission. It was her pleasure +that he should retain all the authority granted to him by the States, but +as already intimated by her, that he should abandon the title of +"absolute governor," and retain only that of her lieutenant-general. + +Was it strange that Heneage, placed in so responsible a situation, and +with the fate of England, of Holland, and perhaps of all Christendom, +hanging in great measure upon this delicate negotiation, should be amazed +at such contradictory orders, and grieved by such inconsistent censures? + +"To tell you my griefs and my lacks," said he to Walsingham, "would +little please you or help me. Therefore I will say nothing, but think +there was never man in so great a service received so little comfort and +so contrarious directions. But 'Dominus est adjutor in tribulationibus.' +If it be possible, let me receive some certain direction, in following +which I shall not offend her Majesty, what good or hurt soever I do +besides." + +This certainly seemed a loyal and reasonable request, yet it was not one +likely to be granted. Sir Thomas, perplexed, puzzled, blindfolded, and +brow-beaten, always endeavoring to obey orders, when he could comprehend +them, and always hectored and lectured whether he obeyed them or not-- +ruined in purse by the expenses, of a mission on which he had been sent +without adequate salary--appalled at the disaffection waging more +formidable every hour in Provinces which were recently so loyal to her +Majesty, but which were now pervaded by a suspicion that there was +double-dealing upon her part became quite sick of his life. He fell +seriously ill, and was disappointed, when, after a time, the physicians +declared him convalescent. For when when he rose from his sick-bed, it +was only to plunge once more, without a clue, into the labyrinth where he +seemed to be losing his reason. "It is not long," said he to Walsingham, +"since I looked to have written you no more letters, my extremity was so +great. . . But God's will is best, otherwise I could have liked better +to have cumbered the earth no longer, where I find myself contemned, and +which I find no reason to see will be the better in the wearing . . . +It were better for her Majesty's service that the directions which come +were not contrarious one to another, and that those you would have serve +might know what is meant, else they cannot but much deceive you, as well +as displease you." + +Public opinion concerning the political morality of the English court +was not gratifying, nor was it rendered more favourable by these recent +transactions. "I fear," said Heneage, "that the world will judge what +Champagny wrote in one of his letters out of England (which I have lately +seen) to be over true. His words be these, 'Et de vray, c'est le plus +fascheux et le plus incertain negocier de ceste court, que je pense soit +au monde.'" And so "basting," as he said, "with a weak body and a +willing mind; to do, he feared, no good work," he set forth from +Middelburgh to rejoin Leicester at Arnheim, in order to obey, as well as +he could, the Queen's latest directions. + +But before he could set to work there came more "contrarious" orders. +The last instructions, both to Leicester and himself, were that the Earl +should resign the post of governor absolute "out of hand," and the Queen +had been vehement in denouncing any delay on such an occasion. He was +now informed, that, after consulting with Leicester and with the +state-council, he was to return to England with the result of such +deliberations. It could afterwards be decided how the Earl could retain +all the authority of governor absolute, while bearing only the title of +the Queen's lieutenant general. "For her meaning is not," said +Walsingham, "that his Lord ship should presently give it over, for she +foreseeth in her princely judgment that his giving over the government +upon a sudden, and leaving those countries without a head or director, +cannot but breed a most dangerous alteration there." The secretary +therefore stated the royal wish at present to be that the "renunciation +of the title" should be delayed till Heneage could visit England, and +subsequently return to Holland with her Majesty's further directions. +Even the astute Walsingham was himself puzzled, however, while conveying +these ambiguous orders; and he confessed that he was doubtful whether he +had rightly comprehended the Queen's intentions. Burghley, however, was +better at guessing riddles than he was, and so Heneage was advised to +rely chiefly upon Burghley. + +But Heneage had now ceased to be interested in any enigmas that might be +propounded by the English court, nor could he find comfort, as Walsingham +had recommended he should do, in railing. "I wish I could follow your +counsel," he said, "but sure the uttering of my choler doth little ease +my grief or help my case." + +He rebuked, however, the inconsistency and the tergiversations of the +government with a good deal of dignity. "This certainly shall I tell her +Majesty," he said, "if I live to see her, that except a more constant +course be taken with this inconstant people, it is not the blaming of her +ministers will advance her Highness's service, or better the state of +things. And shall I tell you what they now say here of us--I fear not +without some cause--even as Lipsius wrote of the French, 'De Gallis +quidem enigmata veniunt, non veniunt, volunt, holunt, audent, timent, +omnia, ancipiti metu, suspensa et suspecta.' God grant better, and ever +keep you and help me." + +He announced to Burghley that he was about to attend a meeting of the +state-council the next day, for the purpose of a conference on these +matters at Arnheim, and that he would then set forth for England to +report proceedings to her Majesty. He supposed, on the whole, that this +was what was expected of him, but acknowledged it hopeless to fathom. +the royal intentions. Yet if he went wrong, he was always, sure to make +mischief, and though innocent, to be held accountable for others' +mistakes. "Every prick I make," said he, "is made a gash; and to follow +the words of my directions from England is not enough, except I likewise +see into your minds. And surely mine eyesight is not so good. But I +will pray to God for his help herein. With all the wit I have, I will +use all the care I can--first, to satisfy her Majesty, as God knoweth I +have ever most desired; then, not to hurt this cause, but that I despair +of." Leicester, as maybe supposed, had been much discomfited and +perplexed during the course of these contradictory and perverse +directions. There is no doubt whatever that his position bad been made +discreditable and almost ridiculous, while he was really doing his best, +and spending large sums out of his private fortune to advance the true +interests of the Queen. He had become a suspected man in the +Netherlands, having been, in the beginning of the year, almost adored +as a Messiah. He had submitted to the humiliation which had been imposed +upon him, of being himself the medium to convey to the council the severe +expressions of the Queen's displeasure at the joint action of the States- +General and himself. He had been comforted by the affectionate +expressions with which that explosion of feminine and royal wrath had +been succeeded. He was now again distressed by the peremptory command to +do what was a disgrace to him, and an irreparable detriment to the cause, +yet he was humble and submissive, and only begged to be allowed, as a +remedy for all his anguish, to return to the sunlight of Elizabeth's +presence. He felt that her course; if persisted in, would lead to the +destruction of the Netherland commonwealth, and eventually to the +downfall of England; and that the Provinces, believing themselves +deceived by the Queen; were ready to revolt against an authority to +which, but a short time before, they were so devotedly loyal +Nevertheless, he only wished to know what his sovereign's commands +distinctly were, in order to set himself to their fulfilment. He had +come from the camp before Nymegen in order to attend the conference with +the state-council at Arnheim, and he would then be ready and anxious to, +despatch Heneage to England, to learn her Majesty's final determination. + +He protested to the Queen that he had come upon this arduous and perilous +service only, because he, considered her throne in danger, and that this +was the only means of preserving it; that, in accepting the absolute +government, he had been free from all ambitious motives, but deeply +impressed with the idea that only by so doing could he conduct the +enterprise entrusted to him to the desired consummation; and he declared +with great fervour that no advancement to high office could compensate +him for this enforced absence from her. To be sent back even in disgrace +would still be a boon to him, for he should cease to be an exile from her +sight. He knew that his enemies had been busy in defaming him, while he +had been no longer there to defend himself, but his conscience acquitted +him of any thought which was not for her happiness and glory. "Yet +grievous it is to me," said he in, a tone of tender reproach, "that +having left all--yea, all that may be imagined--for you, you have left +me for very little, even to the uttermost of all hard fortune. For what +have I, unhappy man, to do here either with cause or country but for +you?" + +He stated boldly that his services had not been ineffective, that the +enemy had never been in worse plight than now, that he had lost at least +five thousand men in divers overthrows, and that, on the other hand, +the people and towns of the Seven Provinces had been safely preserved. +"Since my arrival," he said, "God hath blessed the action which you have +taken in hand, and committed to the charge of me your poor unhappy +servant. I have good cause to say somewhat for myself, for that I think +I have as few friends to speak for me as any man." + +Nevertheless--as he warmly protested--his only wish was to return; for +the country in which he had lost her favour, which was more precious than +life, had become odious to him. + +The most lowly office in her presence was more to be coveted than the +possession of unlimited power away from her. It was by these tender +and soft insinuations, as the Earl knew full well, that he was sure to +obtain what he really coveted--her sanction for retaining the absolute +government in the Provinces. And most artfully did he strike the key. + +"Most dear and gracious Lady," he cried, "my care and service here do +breed me nothing but grief and unhappiness. I have never had your +Majesty's good favour since I came into this charge--a matter that from +my first beholding your eyes hath been most dear unto me above all +earthly treasures. Never shall I love that place or like that soil which +shall cause the lack of it. Most gracious Lady, consider my long, true, +and faithful heart toward you. Let not this unfortunate place here +bereave me of that which, above all the world, I esteem there, which is +your favodr and your presence. I see my service is not acceptable, but +rather more and more disliketh you. Here I can do your Majesty no +service; there I can do you some, at the least rub your horse's heels-- +a service which shall be much more welcome to me than this, with all that +these men may give me. I do, humbly and from my heart, prostrate at your +feet, beg this grace at your sacred hands, that you will be pleased to +let me return to my home-service, with your favour, let the revocation be +used in what sort shall please and like you. But if ever spark of favour +was in your Majesty toward your old servant, let me obtain this my humble +suit; protesting before the Majesty of all Majesties, that there was no +cause under Heaven but his and yours, even for your own special and +particular cause, I say, could have made me take this absent journey from +you in hand. If your Majesty shall refuse me this, I shall think all +grace clean gone from me, and I know: my days will not be long." + +She must melt at this, thought 'sweet Robin' to himself; and meantime +accompanied by Heneage; he proceeded with the conferences in the state- +council-chamber touching the modification of the title and the +confirmation of his authority. This, so far as Walsingham could divine, +and Burghley fathom, was the present intention of the Queen. He averred +that he had ever sought most painfully to conform his conduct to her +instructions as fast as they were received, and that he should continue +so to do. On the whole it was decided by the conference to let matters +stand as, they were for a little longer, and until: after Heneage should +have time once more to go and come. "The same manner of proceeding that +was is now," said Leicester, "Your pleasure is declared to the council +here as you have willed it. How it will fall out again in your Majesty's +construction, the Lord knoweth." + +Leicester might be forgiven for referring to higher powers, for any +possible interpretation of her Majesty's changing humour; but meantime; +while Sir. Thomas was getting ready, for his expedition to England, the +Earl's heart was somewhat gladdened by more gracious messages from the +Queen. The alternation of emotions would however prove too much for him, +he feared, and he was reluctant to open his heart to so unwonted a tenant +as joy. + +"But that my fear is such, most dear and gracious Lady," he said, "as my +unfortunate destiny will hardly permit; whilst I remain here; any good- +acceptation of so simple a service as, mine, I should, greatly rejoice +and comfort myself with the hope of your Majesty's most prayed-for +favour. But of late, being by your own sacred hand lifted even up into +Heaven with joy of your favour, I was bye and bye without any new desert +or offence at all, cast down and down: again into the depth of all grief. +God doth know, my dear and dread Sovereign, that after I first received +your resolute pleasure by Sir Thomas Heneage, I made neither stop nor +stay nor any excuse to be rid of this place, and to satisfy your command. +. . . . . So much I mislike this place and fortune of mine; as I desire +nothing in the world so much, as to be delivered, with your favours from +all charge here, fearing still some new cross of your displeasure to fall +upon me, trembling continually with the fear thereof, in such sort as +till I may be fully confirmed in my new regeneration of your wonted +favour I cannot receive that true comfort which doth appertain to so +great a hope. Yet I will not only acknowledge with all humbleness and +dutiful thanks the exceeding joy these last blessed lines brought to my +long-wearied heart, but will, with all true loyal affection, attend that +further joy from your sweet self which may utterly, extinguish all +consuming fear away." + +Poor Heneage--who likewise received a kind word or two after having been +so capriciously and petulantly dealt with was less extravagant in his +expressions of gratitude. "The Queen hath sent me a paper-plaister which +must please for a time," he said. "God Almighty bless her Majesty ever, +and best direct her." He was on the point of starting for England, the +bearer of the States' urgent entreaties that Leicester might retain the, +government, and of despatches; announcing the recent success of the +allies before Grave. "God prospereth the action in these countries +beyond all expectation," he said, "which all amongst you will not be over +glad of, for somewhat I know." The intrigues of Grafigni, Champagny, and +Bodman, with Croft, Burghley, and the others were not so profound a +secret as they could wish. + +The tone adopted by Leicester has been made manifest in his letters +to the Queen. He had held the same language of weariness and +dissatisfaction in his communications to his friends. He would not keep +the office, he avowed, if they should give him "all Holland and Zeeland, +with all their appurtenances," and he was ready to resign at any moment. +He was not "ceremonious for reputation," he said, but he gave warning +that the Netherlanders would grow desperate if they found her Majesty +dealing weakly or carelessly with them. As for himself he had already +had enough of government. "I am weary, Mr. Secretary," he plaintively +exclaimed, "indeed I am weary; but neither of pains nor travail. My ill +hap that I can please her Majesty no better hath quite discouraged me." + +He had recently, however--as we have seen--received some comfort, and he +was still further encouraged, upon the eve of Heneage's departure, by +receiving another affectionate epistle from the Queen. Amends seemed at +last to be offered for her long and angry silence, and the Earl was +deeply grateful. + +"If it hath not been, my most dear and gracious Lady," said he in reply, +"no small comfort to your poor old servant to receive but one line of +your blessed hand-writing in many months, for the relief of a most +grieved, wounded heart, how far more exceeding joy must it be, in the +midst of all sorrow, to receive from the same sacred hand so many +comfortable lines as my good friend Mr. George hath at once brought me. +Pardon me, my sweet Lady, if they cause me to forget myself. Only this I +do say, with most humble dutiful thanks, that the scope of all my service +hath ever been to content and please you; and if I may do that, then is +all sacrifice, either of life or whatsoever, well offered for you." + +The matter of the government absolute having been so fully discussed +during the preceding four months, and the last opinions of the state- +council having been so lucidly expounded in the despatches to be carried +by Heneage to England, the matter might be considered as exhausted. +Leicester contented himself, therefore, with once more calling her +Majesty's attention to the fact that if he had not himself accepted the +office thus conferred upon him by the States, it would have been bestowed +upon some other personage. It would hardly have comported with her +dignity, if Count Maurice of Nassau, or Count William, or Count Moeurs, +had been appointed governor absolute, for in that case the Earl, as +general of the auxiliary English force, would have been subject to the +authority of the chieftain thus selected. It was impossible, as the +state-council had very plainly shown, for Leicester to exercise supreme +authority, while merely holding the military office of her Majesty's +lieutenant-general. The authority of governor or stadholder could only +be derived from the supreme power of the country. If her Majesty had +chosen to accept the sovereignty, as the States had ever desired, the +requisite authority could then have been derived from her, as from the +original fountain. As she had resolutely refused that offer however, his +authority was necessarily to be drawn from the States-General, or else +the Queen must content herself with seeing him serve as an English +military officer, only subject to the orders of the supreme power, +wherever that power might reside. In short, Elizabeth's wish that her +general might be clothed with the privileges of her viceroy, while she +declined herself to be the sovereign, was illogical, and could not be +complied with. + +Very soon after inditing these last epistles to the Provinces, the Queen +became more reasonable on the subject; and an elaborate communication was +soon received by the state-council, in which the royal acquiescence was +signified to the latest propositions of the States. The various topics, +suggested in previous despatches from Leicester and from the council, +were reviewed, and the whole subject was suddenly placed in a somewhat +different light from that in which it seemed to have been previously +regarded by her Majesty. She alluded to the excuse, offered by the +state-council, which had been drawn from the necessity of the case, and +from their "great liking for her cousin of Leicester," although in +violation of the original contract. "As you acknowledge, however," she +said, "that therein you were justly to be blamed, and do crave pardon for +the same, we cannot, upon this acknowledgment of your fault, but remove +our former dislike." + +Nevertheless it would now seem that her "mistake" had proceeded, not from +the excess, but from the insufficiency of the powers conferred upon the +Earl, and she complained, accordingly, that they had given him shadow +rather than substance. + +Simultaneously with this royal communication, came a joint letter to +Leicester, from Burghley, Walsingham; and Hatton, depicting the long and +strenuous conflict which they had maintained in his behalf with the +rapidly varying inclinations of the Queen. They expressed a warm +sympathy with the difficulties of his position, and spoke in strong terms +of the necessity that the Netherlands and England should work heartily +together. For otherwise, they said, "the cause will fall, the enemy will +rise, and we must stagger." Notwithstanding the secret negotiations with +the enemy, which Leicester and Walsingham suspected, and which will be +more fully examined in a subsequent chapter, they held a language on that +subject, which in the Secretary's mouth at least was sincere. +"Whatsoever speeches be blown abroad of parleys of peace," they said, +"all will be but smoke, yea fire will follow." + +They excused themselves for their previous and enforced silence by the +fact that they had been unable to communicate any tidings but messages of +distress, but they now congratulated the Earl that her Majesty, as he +would see by her letter to the council, was firmly resolved, not only to +countenance his governorship, but to sustain him in the most thorough +manner. It would be therefore quite out of the question for them to +listen to his earnest propositions to be recalled. + +Moreover, the Lord Treasurer had already apprized Leicester that Heneage +had safely arrived in England, that he, had made his report to the Queen, +and that her Majesty was "very well contented with him and his mission." +It may be easily believed that the Earl would feel a sensation of relief, +if not of triumph, at this termination to the embarrassments under which +he had been labouring ever since, he listened to the oration of the wise +Leoninus upon New Years' Day. At last the Queen had formally acquiesced +in the action of the States, and in his acceptance of their offer. He +now saw himself undisputed "governor absolute," having been six months +long a suspected, discredited, almost disgraced man. It was natural that +he should express himself cheerfully. + +"My great comfort received, oh my most gracious Lady," he said, "by your +most favourable lines written by your own sacred hand, I did most humbly +acknowledge by my former letter; albeit I can no way make testimony of +enough of the great joy I took thereby. And seeing my wounded heart is +by this means almost made whole, I do pray unto God that either I may +never feel the like again from you, or not be suffered to live, rather +than I should fall again into those torments of your displeasure. Most +gracious Queen, I beseech you, therefore, make perfect that which you +have begun. Let not the common danger, nor any ill, incident to the +place I serve you in, be accompanied with greater troubles and fears +indeed than all the horrors of death can bring me. My strong hope doth +now so assure me, as I have almost won the battle against despair, and I +do arm myself with as many of those wonted comfortable conceits as may +confirm my new revived spirits, reposing myself evermore under the shadow +of those blessed beams that must yield the only nourishment to this +disease." + +But however nourishing the shade of those blessed beams might prove to +Leicester's disease, it was not so easy to bring about a very sunny +condition in the Provinces. It was easier for Elizabeth to mend the +broken heart of the governor than to repair the damage which had been +caused to the commonwealth by her caprice and her deceit. The dispute +concerning the government absolute had died away, but the authority of +the Earl had got a "crack in it" which never could be handsomely made +whole. The States, during the long period of Leicester's discredit-- +feeling more and more doubtful as to the secret intentions of Elizabeth +--disappointed in the condition of the auxiliary troops and in the amount +of supplies furnished from England, and, above all, having had time to +regret their delegation of a power which they began to find agreeable to +exercise with their own hands, became indisposed to entrust the Earl with +the administration and full inspection of their resources. To the +enthusiasm which had greeted the first arrival of Elizabeth's +representative had succeeded a jealous, carping, suspicious sentiment. +The two hundred thousand florins monthly were paid, according to the +original agreement, but the four hundred thousand of extra service-money +subsequently voted were withheld, and withheld expressly on account of +Heneage's original mission to disgrace the governor." + +"The late return of Sir Thomas Heneage," said Lord North, "hath put such +busses in their heads, as they march forward with leaden heels and +doubtful hearts." + +In truth, through the discredit cast by the Queen upon the Earl in this +important affair, the supreme authority was forced back into the hands +of the States, at the very moment when they had most freely divested +themselves of power. After the Queen had become more reasonable, it was +too late to induce them to part, a second time, so freely with the +immediate control of their own affairs. Leicester had become, to a +certain extent, disgraced and disliked by the Estates. He thought +himself, by the necessity of the case, forced to appeal to the people +against their legal representatives, and thus the foundation of a +nominally democratic party, in opposition to the municipal one, was +already laid. Nothing could be more unfortunate at that juncture; for we +shall, in future, find the Earl in perpetual opposition to the most +distinguished statesmen in the Provinces; to the very men indeed who had +been most influential in offering the sovereignty to England, and in +placing him in the position which he had so much coveted. No sooner +therefore had he been confirmed by Elizabeth in that high office than his +arrogance broke forth, and the quarrels between himself and the +representative body became incessant. + +"I stand now in somewhat better terms than I did," said he; "I was not in +case till of late to deal roundly with them as I have now done. I have +established a chamber of finances, against some of their wills, whereby I +doubt not to procure great benefit to increase our ability for payments +hereafter. The people I find still best devoted to her Majesty, though +of late many lewd practices have been used to withdraw their good wills. +But it will not be; they still pray God that her Majesty may be their +sovereign. She should then see what a contribution they will all bring +forth. But to the States they will never return, which will breed some +great mischief, there is such mislike of the States universally. I would +your Lordship had seen the case I had lived in among them these four +months, especially after her Majesty's mislike was found. You would then +marvel to see how I have waded, as I have done, through no small +obstacles, without help, counsel, or assistance." + +Thus the part which he felt at last called upon to enact was that of an +aristocratic demagogue, in perpetual conflict with the burgher- +representative body. + +It is now necessary to lift a corner of the curtain, by which some +international--or rather interpalatial--intrigues were concealed, as much +as possible, even from the piercing eyes of Walsingham. The Secretary +was, however, quite aware--despite the pains taken to deceive him--of the +nature of the plots and of the somewhat ignoble character of the actors +concerned in them. + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +A hard bargain when both parties are losers +Condemned first and inquired upon after +Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping +Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency +Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v45 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS +From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609 + +By John Lothrop Motley + + + +History of the United Netherlands, Volume 46, 1586 + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Forlorn Condition of Flanders--Parma's secret Negotiations with the + Queen--Grafigni and Bodman--Their Dealings with English Counsellors + --Duplicity of Farnese--Secret Offers of the English Peace-Party-- + Letters and Intrigues of De Loo--Drake's Victories and their Effect + --Parma's Perplexity and Anxiety--He is relieved by the News from + England--Queen's secret Letters to Parma--His Letters and + Instructions to Bodman--Bodman's secret Transactions at Greenwich-- + Walsingham detects and exposes the Plot--The Intriguers baffled-- + Queen's Letter to Parma and his to the King--Unlucky Results of the + Peace--Intrigues--Unhandsome Treatment of Leicester--Indignation of + the Earl and Walsingham--Secret Letter of Parma to Philip--Invasion + of England recommended--Details of the Project. + +Alexander Farnese and his heroic little army had been left by their +sovereign in as destitute a condition as that in which Lord Leicester and +his unfortunate "paddy persons" had found themselves since their arrival +in the Netherlands. These mortal men were but the weapons to be used and +broken in the hands of the two great sovereigns, already pitted against +each other in mortal combat. That the distant invisible potentate, +the work of whose life was to do his best to destroy all European +nationality, all civil and religious freedom, should be careless of +the instruments by which his purpose was to be effected, was but natural. +It is painful to reflect that the great champion of liberty and of +Protestantism was almost equally indifferent to the welfare of the human +creatures enlisted in her cause. Spaniards and Italians, English and +Irish, went half naked and half starving through the whole inclement +winter, and perished of pestilence in droves, after confronting the +less formidable dangers of battlefield and leaguer. Manfully and +sympathetically did the Earl of Leicester--while whining in absurd +hyperbole over the angry demeanour of his sovereign towards himself- +represent the imperative duty of an English government to succour English +troops. + +Alexander Farnese was equally plain-spoken to a sovereign with whom +plain-speaking was a crime. In bold, almost scornful language, the +Prince represented to Philip the sufferings and destitution of the +little band of heroes, by whom that magnificent military enterprise, +the conquest of Antwerp, had just been effected. "God will be weary of +working miracles for us," he cried, "and nothing but miracles can save +the troops from starving." There was no question of paying them their +wages, there was no pretence at keeping them reasonably provided with +lodging and clothing, but he asserted the undeniable proposition that +they "could not pass their lives without eating," and he implored his +sovereign to send at least money enough to buy the soldiers shoes. +To go foodless and barefoot without complaining, on the frozen swamps of +Flanders, in January, was more than was to be expected from Spaniards and +Italians. The country itself was eaten bare. The obedient Provinces had +reaped absolute ruin as the reward of their obedience. Bruges, Ghent, +and the other cities of Brabant and Flanders, once so opulent and +powerful, had become mere dens of thieves and paupers. Agriculture, +commerce, manufactures--all were dead. The condition of Antwerp was most +tragical. The city, which had been so recently the commercial centre of +the earth, was reduced to absolute beggary. Its world-wide traffic was +abruptly terminated, for the mouth of its great river was controlled by +Flushing, and Flushing was in the firm grasp of Sir Philip Sidney, as +governor for the English Queen. Merchants and bankers, who had lately +been possessed of enormous resources, were stripped of all. Such of the +industrial classes as could leave the place had wandered away to Holland +and England. There was no industry possible, for there was no market for +the products of industry. Antwerp was hemmed in by the enemy on every +side, surrounded by royal troops in a condition of open mutiny, cut off +from the ocean, deprived of daily bread, and yet obliged to contribute +out of its poverty to the maintenance of the Spanish soldiers, who were +there for its destruction. Its burghers, compelled to furnish four +hundred thousand florins, as the price of their capitulation, and at +least six hundred thousand more for the repairs of the dykes, the +destruction of which, too long deferred, had only spread desolation over +the country without saving the city, and over and above all forced to +rebuild, at their own expense, that fatal citadel, by which their liberty +and lives were to be perpetually endangered, might now regret at leisure +that they had not been as stedfast during their siege as had been the +heroic inhabitants of Leyden in their time of trial, twelve years before. +Obedient Antwerp was, in truth, most forlorn. But there was one +consolation for her and for Philip, one bright spot in the else universal +gloom. The ecclesiastics assured Parma, that, notwithstanding the +frightful diminution in the population of the city, they had confessed +and absolved more persons that Easter than they had ever done since the +commencement of the revolt. Great was Philip's joy in consequence. +"You cannot imagine my satisfaction," he wrote, "at the news you give me +concerning last Easter." + +With a ruined country, starving and mutinous troops, a bankrupt +exchequer, and a desperate and pauper population, Alexander Farnese was +not unwilling to gain time by simulated negotiations for peace. It was +strange, however, that so sagacious a monarch as the Queen of England +should suppose it for her interest to grant at that moment the very delay +which was deemed most desirable by her antagonist. + +Yet it was not wounded affection alone, nor insulted pride, nor startled +parsimony, that had carried the fury of the Queen to such a height on the +occasion of Leicester's elevation to absolute government. It was still +more, because the step was thought likely to interfere with the progress +of those negotiations into which the Queen had allowed herself to be +drawn. + +A certain Grafigni--a Genoese merchant residing much in London and in +Antwerp, a meddling, intrusive, and irresponsible kind of individual, +whose occupation was gone with the cessation of Flemish trade--had +recently made his appearance as a volunteer diplomatist. The principal +reason for accepting or rather for winking at his services, seemed to be +the possibility of disavowing him, on both sides, whenever it should be +thought advisable. He had a partner or colleague, too, named Bodman, +who seemed a not much more creditable negotiator than himself. The chief +director of the intrigue was, however, Champagny, brother of Cardinal +Granvelle, restored to the King's favour and disposed to atone by his +exuberant loyalty for his heroic patriotism on a former and most +memorable occasion. Andrea de Loo, another subordinate politician, was +likewise employed at various stages of the negotiation. + +It will soon be perceived that the part enacted by Burghley, Hatton, +Croft, and other counsellors, and even by the Queen herself, was not a +model of ingenuousness towards the absent Leicester and the States- +General. The gentlemen sent at various times to and from the Earl and +her Majesty's government; Davison, Shirley, Vavasor, Heneage, and the +rest--had all expressed themselves in the strongest language concerning +the good faith and the friendliness of the Lord-Treasurer and the Vice- +Chamberlain, but they were not so well informed as they would have been, +had they seen the private letters of Parma to Philip II. + +Walsingham, although kept in the dark as much as it was possible, +discovered from time to time the mysterious practices of his political +antagonists, and warned the Queen of the danger and dishonour she was +bringing upon herself. Elizabeth, when thus boldly charged, equivocated +and stormed alternately. She authorized Walsingham to communicate the +secrets--which he had thus surprised--to the States-General, and then +denied having given any such orders. + +In truth, Walsingham was only entrusted with such portions of the +negotiations as he had been able, by his own astuteness, to divine; and +as he was very much a friend to the Provinces and to Leicester, he never +failed to keep them instructed, to the best of his ability. It must be +confessed, however, that the shuffling and paltering among great men and +little men, at that period, forms a somewhat painful subject of +contemplation at the present day. + +Grafigni having some merchandise to convey from Antwerp to London, went +early in the year to the Prince of Parma, at Brussels, in order to +procure a passport. They entered into some conversation upon the misery +of the country, and particularly concerning the troubles to which the +unfortunate merchants had been exposed. Alexander expressed much +sympathy with the commercial community, and a strong desire that the +ancient friendship between his master and the Queen of England might be +restored. Grafigni assured the Prince--as the result of his own +observation in England--that the Queen participated in those pacific +sentiments: "You are going to England," replied the Prince, "and you may +say to the ministers of her Majesty, that, after my allegiance to my +King, I am most favourably and affectionately inclined towards her. If +it pleases them that I, as Alexander Farnese, should attempt to bring +about an accord, and if our commissioners could be assured of a hearing +in England, I would take care that everything should be conducted with +due regard to the honour and reputation of her Majesty." + +Grafigni then asked for a written letter of credence. "That cannot be," +replied Alexander; "but if you return to me I shall believe your report, +and then a proper person can be sent, with authority from the King to +treat with her Majesty." + +Grafigni proceeded to England, and had an interview with Lord Cobham. +A few days later that nobleman gave the merchant a general assurance +that the Queen had always felt a strong inclination to maintain firm +friendship with the House of Burgundy. Nevertheless, as he proceeded +to state, the bad policy of the King's ministers, and the enterprises +against her Majesty, had compelled her to provide for her own security +and that of her realm by remedies differing in spirit from that good +inclination. Being however a Christian princess, willing to leave +vengeance to the Lord and disposed to avoid bloodshed, she was ready +to lend her ear to a negotiation for peace, if it were likely to be a +sincere and secure one. Especially she was pleased that his Highness +of Parma should act as mediator of such a treaty, as she considered him +a most just and honourable prince in all his promises and actions. Her +Majesty would accordingly hold herself in readiness to receive the +honourable commissioners alluded to, feeling sure that every step taken +by his Highness would comport with her honour and safety. + +At about the same time the other partner in this diplomatic enterprise, +William Bodman, communicated to Alexander, the result of his observations +in England. He stated that Lords Burghley, Buckhurst, and Cobham, Sir +Christopher Hatton, and Comptroller Croft, were secretly desirous of +peace with Spain and that they had seized the recent opportunity of her +pique against the Earl of Leicester to urge forward these underhand +negotiations. Some progress had been made; but as no accredited +commissioner arrived from the Prince of Parma, and as Leicester was +continually writing earnest letters against peace, the efforts of these +counsellors had slackened. Bodman found them all, on his arrival, +anxious as he said, "to get their necks out of the matter;" declaring +everything which had been done to be pure matter of accident, entirely +without the concurrence of the Queen, and each seeking to outrival the +other in the good graces of her Majesty. Grafigni informed Bodman, +however, that Lord Cobham was quite to be depended upon in the affair, +and would deal with him privately, while Lord Burghley would correspond +with Andrea de Loo at Antwerp. Moreover, the servant of Comptroller +Croft would direct Bodman as to his course, and would give him daily +instructions. + +Now it so happened that this servant of Croft, Norris by name, was a +Papist, a man of bad character, and formerly a spy of the Duke of Anjou. +"If your Lordship or myself should use such instruments as this," wrote +Walsingham to Leicester, "I know we should bear no small reproach; but +it is the good hap of hollow and doubtful men to be best thought of." +Bodman thought the lords of the peace-faction and their adherents not +sufficiently strong to oppose the other party with success. He assured +Farnese that almost all the gentlemen and the common people of England +stood ready to risk their fortunes and to go in person to the field to +maintain the cause of the Queen and religious liberty; and that the +chance of peace was desperate unless something should turn the tide, such +as, for example, the defeat of Drake, or an invasion by Philip of Ireland +or Scotland. + +As it so happened that Drake was just then engaged in a magnificent +career of victory, sweeping the Spanish Main and startling the nearest +and the most remote possessions of the King with English prowess, his +defeat was not one of the cards to be relied on by the peace-party in the +somewhat deceptive game which they had commenced. Yet, strange to say, +they used, or attempted to use, those splendid triumphs as if they had +been disasters. + +Meantime there was an active but very secret correspondence between Lord +Cobham, Lord Burghley, Sir James Croft, and various subordinate +personages in England, on the one side, and Champagny, President +Richardot, La Motte, governor of Gravelines, Andrea de Loo, Grafigni, and +other men in the obedient Provinces, more or less in Alexander's +confidence, on the other side. Each party was desirous of forcing or +wheedling the antagonist to show his hand. "You were employed to take +soundings off the English coast in the Duke of Norfolk's time," said +Cobham to La Motte: "you remember the Duke's fate. Nevertheless, her +Majesty hates war, and it only depends on the King to have a firm and +lasting peace." + +"You must tell Lord Cobham," said Richardot to La Motte, "that you +are not at liberty to go into a correspondence, until assured of the +intentions of Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty ought to speak first, +in order to make her good-will manifest," and so on. + +"The 'friend' can confer with you," said Richardot to Champagny; "but his +Highness is not to appear to know anything at all about it. The Queen +must signify her intentions." + +"You answered Champagny correctly," said Burghley to De Loo, "as to what +I said last winter concerning her Majesty's wishes in regard to a +pacification. The Netherlands must be compelled to return to obedience +to the King; but their ancient privileges are to be maintained. You +omitted, however, to say a word about toleration, in the Provinces, of +the reformed religion. But I said then, as I say now, that this is a +condition indispensable to peace." + +This was a somewhat important omission on the part of De Loo, and gives +the measure of his conscientiousness or his capacity as a negotiator. +Certainly for the Lord-Treasurer of England to offer, on the part of her +Majesty, to bring about the reduction of her allies under the yoke which +they had thrown off without her assistance, and this without leave asked +of them, and with no provision for the great principle of religious +liberty, which was the cause of the revolt, was a most flagitious +trifling with the honour of Elizabeth and of England. Certainly the more +this mysterious correspondence is examined, the more conclusive is the +justification of the vague and instinctive jealousy felt by Leicester and +the States-General as to English diplomacy during the winter and spring +of 1586. + +Burghley summoned De Loo, accordingly, to recall to his memory all that +had been privately said to him on the necessity of protecting the +reformed religion in the Provinces. If a peace were to be perpetual, +toleration was indispensable, he observed, and her Majesty was said to +desire this condition most earnestly. + +The Lord-Treasurer also made the not unreasonable suggestion, that, in +case of a pacification, it would be necessary to provide that English +subjects--peaceful traders, mariners, and the like--should no longer be +shut up in the Inquisition prisons of Spain and Portugal, and there +starved to death, as, with great multitudes, had already been the case. + +Meantime Alexander, while encouraging and directing all these underhand +measures, was carefully impressing upon his master that he was not, in +the least degree; bound by any such negotiations. "Queen Elizabeth," he +correctly observed to Philip, "is a woman: she is also by no means fond +of expense. The kingdom, accustomed to repose, is already weary of war +therefore, they are all pacifically inclined." "It has been intimated to +me," he said, "that if I would send a properly qualified person, who +should declare that your Majesty had not absolutely forbidden the coming +of Lord Leicester, such an agent would be well received, and perhaps the +Earl would be recalled." Alexander then proceeded, with the coolness +befitting a trusted governor of Philip II., to comment upon the course +which he was pursuing. He could at any time denounce the negotiations +which he was secretly prompting. Meantime immense advantages could be +obtained by the deception practised upon an enemy whose own object was +to deceive. + +The deliberate treachery of the scheme was cynically enlarged upon, and +its possible results mathematically calculated: + +Philip was to proceed with the invasion while Alexander was going on with +the negotiation. If, meanwhile, they could receive back Holland and +Zeeland from the hands of England, that would be an immense success. The +Prince intimated a doubt, however, as to so fortunate a result, because, +in dealing with heretics and persons of similar quality, nothing but +trickery was to be expected. The chief good to be hoped for was to +"chill the Queen in her plots, leagues, and alliances," and during the +chill, to carry forward their own great design. To slacken not a whit +in their preparations, to "put the Queen to sleep," and, above all, not +to leave the French for a moment unoccupied with internal dissensions and +civil war; such was the game of the King and the governor, as expounded +between themselves. + +President Richardot, at the same time, stated to Cardinal Granvelle that +the English desire for peace was considered certain at Brussels. +Grafigni had informed the Prince of Parma and his counsellors that the +Queen was most amicably disposed, and that there would be no trouble on +the point of religion, her Majesty not wishing to obtain more than she +would herself be willing to grant. "In this," said Richardot, "there is +both hard and soft;" for knowing that the Spanish game was deception, +pure and simple, the excellent President could not bring himself to +suspect a possible grain of good faith in the English intentions. Much +anxiety was perpetually felt in the French quarter, her Majesty's +government being supposed to be secretly preparing an invasion of the +obedient Netherlands across the French frontier, in combination, not with +the Bearnese, but with Henry III. So much in the dark were even the most +astute politicians. "I can't feel satisfied in this French matter," said +the President: "we mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh." +Moreover, there was no self-deception nor self-tickling possible as to +the unmitigated misery of the obedient Netherlands. Famine was a more +formidable foe than Frenchmen, Hollanders, and Englishmen combined; so +that Richardot avowed that the "negotiation would be indeed holy," if it +would restore Holland and Zeeland to the King without fighting. The +prospect seemed on the whole rather dismal to loyal Netherlanders like +the old leaguing, intriguing, Hispamolized president of the privy +council. "I confess," said he plaintively, "that England needs +chastisement; but I don't see how we are to give it to her. Only let us +secure Holland and Zeeland, and then we shall always find a stick +whenever we like to beat the dog." + +Meantime Andrea de Loo had been bustling and buzzing about the ears of +the chief counsellors at the English court during all the early spring. +Most busily he had been endeavouring to efface the prevalent suspicion +that Philip and Alexander were only trifling by these informal +negotiations. We have just seen whether or not there was ground for that +suspicion. De Loo, being importunate, however--"as he usually was," +according to his own statement--obtained in Burghley's hand a +confirmation, by order of the Queen, of De Loo's--letter of the 26th +December. The matter of religion gave the worthy merchant much +difficulty, and he begged Lord Buckhurst, the Lord Treasurer, and many +other counsellors, not to allow this point of toleration to ruin the +whole affair; "for," said he, "his Majesty will never permit any exercise +of the reformed religion." + +At last Buckhurst sent for him, and in presence of Comptroller Croft, +gave him information that he had brought the Queen to this conclusion: +firstly, that she would be satisfied with as great a proportion of +religious toleration for Holland, Zeeland, and the other United +Provinces, as his Majesty could concede with safety to his conscience and +his honour; secondly, that she required an act of amnesty; thirdly, that +she claimed reimbursement by Philip for the money advanced by her to the +States. + +Certainly a more wonderful claim was never made than this--a demand upon +an absolute monarch for indemnity for expenses incurred in fomenting a +rebellion of his own subjects. The measure of toleration proposed for +the Provinces--the conscience, namely, of the greatest bigot ever born +into the world--was likely to prove as satisfactory as the claim for +damages propounded by the most parsimonious sovereign in Christendom. It +was, however, stipulated that the nonconformists of Holland and Zeeland, +who should be forced into exile, were to have their property administered +by papist trustees; and further, that the Spanish inquisition was not to +be established in the Netherlands. Philip could hardly demand better +terms than these last, after a career of victory. That they should be +offered now by Elizabeth was hardly compatible with good faith to the +States. + +On account of Lord Burghley's gout, it was suggested that the negotiators +had better meet in England, as it would be necessary for him to take the +lead in the matters and as he was but an indifferent traveller. Thus, +according to De Loo, the Queen was willing to hand over the United +Provinces to Philip, and to toss religious toleration to the winds, if +she could only get back the seventy thousand pounds--more or less--which +she had invested in an unpromising speculation. A few weeks later, and +at almost the very moment when Elizabeth had so suddenly overturned her +last vial of wrath upon the discomfited Heneage for having communicated +--according to her express command--the fact of the pending negotiations +to the Netherland States; at that very instant Parma was writing +secretly, and in cipher, to Philip. His communication--could Sir Thomas +have read it--might have partly explained her Majesty's rage. + +Parma had heard, he said, through Bodman, from Comptroller Croft, that +the Queen would willingly receive a proper envoy. It was very easy to +see, he observed, that the English counsellors were seeking every means +of entering into communication with Spain, and that they were doing so +with the participation of the Queen! Lord-Treasurer Burghley and +Comptroller Croft had expressed surprise that the Prince had not yet sent +a secret agent to her Majesty, under pretext of demanding explanations +concerning Lord Leicester's presence in the Provinces, but in reality to +treat for peace. Such an agent, it had been intimated, would be well +received. The Lord-Treasurer and the Comptroller would do all in their +power to advance the negotiation, so that, with their aid and with the +pacific inclination of the Queen, the measures proposed in favour of +Leicester would be suspended, and perhaps the Earl himself and all the +English would be recalled. + +The Queen was further represented as taking great pains to excuse both +the expedition of Sir Francis Drake to the Indies, and the mission of +Leicester to the Provinces. She was said to throw the whole blame of +these enterprises upon Walsingham and other ill-intentioned personages, +and to avow that she now understood matters better; so that, if Parma +would at once send an envoy, peace would, without question, soon be made. + +Parma had expressed his gratification at these hopeful dispositions on +the part of Burghley and Croft, and held out hopes of sending an agent to +treat with them, if not directly with her Majesty. For some time past-- +according to the Prince--the English government had not seemed to be +honestly seconding the Earl of Leicester, nor to correspond with his +desires. "This makes me think," he said, "that the counsellors before- +mentioned, being his rivals, are trying to trip him up." + +In such a caballing, prevaricating age, it is difficult to know which of +all the plotters and counterplotters engaged in these intrigues could +accomplish the greatest amount of what--for the sake of diluting in nine +syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in one--was then +called diplomatic dissimulation. It is to be feared, notwithstanding her +frequent and vociferous denials, that the robes of the "imperial +votaress" were not so unsullied as could be wished. We know how loudly +Leicester had complained--we have seen how clearly Walsingham could +convict; but Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute: for an +absolute sovereign, even without resorting to Philip's syllogisms of axe +and faggot, was apt in the sixteenth century to have the best of an +argument with private individuals. + +The secret statements of Parma-made, not for public effect, but for +the purpose of furnishing his master with the most accurate information +he could gather as to English policy--are certainly entitled to +consideration. They were doubtless founded upon the statements +of individuals rejoicing in no very elevated character; but those +individuals had no motive to deceive their patron. If they clashed +with the vehement declarations of very eminent personages, it must be +admitted, on the other hand, that they were singularly in accordance with +the silent eloquence of important and mysterious events. + +As to Alexander Farnese--without deciding the question whether Elizabeth +and Burghley were deceiving Walsingham and Leicester, or only trying to +delude Philip and himself--he had no hesitation, of course, on his part, +in recommending to Philip the employment of unlimited dissimulation. +Nothing could be more ingenuous than the intercourse between the King and +his confidential advisers. It was perfectly understood among them that +they were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion. Only let +them be false, and it was impossible to be wholly wrong; but grave +mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity. It was +no question at all, therefore, that it was Parma's duty to delude +Elizabeth and Burghley. Alexander's course was plain. He informed his +master that he would keep these difficulties alive as much as it was +possible. In order to "put them all to sleep with regard to the great +enterprise of the invasion," he would send back Bodman to Burghley and +Croft, and thus keep this unofficial negotiation upon its legs. The King +was quite uncommitted, and could always disavow what had been done. +Meanwhile he was gaining, and his adversaries losing, much precious time. +"If by this course," said Parma, "we can induce the English to hand over +to us the places which they hold in Holland and Zeeland, that will be a +great triumph." Accordingly he urged the King not to slacken, in the +least, his preparations for invasion, and, above all, to have a care that +the French were kept entangled and embarrassed among themselves, which +was a most substantial point. + +Meantime Europe was ringing with the American successes of the bold +corsair Drake. San Domingo, Porto Rico, Santiago, Cartliagena, Florida, +were sacked and destroyed, and the supplies drawn so steadily from the +oppression of the Western World to maintain Spanish tyranny in Europe, +were for a time extinguished. Parma was appalled at these triumphs of +the Sea-King--"a fearful man to the King of Spain"--as Lord Burghley well +observed. The Spanish troops were starving in Flanders, all Flanders +itself was starving, and Philip, as usual, had sent but insignificant +remittances to save his perishing soldiers. Parma had already exhausted +his credit. Money was most difficult to obtain in such a forlorn +country; and now the few rich merchants and bankers of Antwerp that were +left looked very black at these crushing news from America. "They are +drawing their purse-strings very tight," said Alexander, "and will make +no accommodation. The most contemplative of them ponder much over this +success of Drake, and think that your Majesty will forget our matters +here altogether." For this reason he informed the King that it would be +advisable to drop all further negotiation with England for the time, as +it was hardly probable that, with such advantages gained by the Queen, +she would be inclined to proceed in the path which had been just secretly +opened. Moreover, the Prince was in a state of alarm as to the +intentions of France. Mendoza and Tassis had given him to understand +that a very good feeling prevailed between the court of Henry and of +Elizabeth, and that the French were likely to come to a pacification +among themselves. In this the Spanish envoys were hardly anticipating so +great an effect as we have seen that they had the right to do from their +own indefatigable exertions; for, thanks to their zeal, backed by the +moderate subsidies furnished by their master, the civil war in France +already seemed likely to be as enduring as that of the Netherlands. But +Parma--still quite in the dark as to French politics--was haunted by the +vision of seventy thousand foot and six thousand horses ready to be let +slip upon him at any, moment, out of a pacified and harmonious France; +while he had nothing but a few starving and crippled regiments to +withstand such an invasion. When all these events should have taken +place, and France, in alliance with England, should have formally +declared war against Spain, Alexander protested that he should have +learned nothing new. + +The Prince was somewhat mistaken as to political affairs; but his doubts +concerning his neighbours, blended with the forlorn condition of himself +and army, about which there was no doubt at all, showed the exigencies of +his situation. In the midst of such embarrassments it is impossible not +to admire his heroism as a military chieftain, and his singular +adroitness as a diplomatist. He had painted for his sovereign a most +faithful and horrible portrait of the obedient Provinces. The soil was +untilled; the manufactories had all stopped; trade had ceased to exist. +It was a pity only to look upon the raggedness of his soldiers. No +language could describe the misery of the reconciled Provinces--Artois, +Hainault, Flanders. The condition of Bruges would melt the hardest +heart; other cities were no better; Antwerp was utterly ruined; its +inhabitants were all starving. The famine throughout the obedient +Netherlands was such as had not been known for a century. The whole +country had been picked bare by the troops, and the plough was not put +into the ground. Deputations were constantly with him from Bruges, +Dendermonde, Bois-le-Duc, Brussels, Antwerp, Nymegen, proving to him +by the most palpable evidence that the whole population of those cities +had almost literally nothing to eat. He had nothing, however, but +exhortations to patience to feed them withal. He was left without a +groat even to save his soldiers from starving, and he wildly and +bitterly, day after day, implored his sovereign for aid. These pictures +are not the sketches of a historian striving for effect, but literal +transcripts from the most secret revelations of the Prince himself to his +sovereign. On the other hand, although Leicester's complaints of the +destitution of the English troops in the republic were almost as bitter, +yet the condition of the United Provinces was comparatively healthy. +Trade, external and internal, was increasing daily. Distant commercial +and military expeditions were fitted out, manufactures were prosperous, +and the war of independence was gradually becoming--strange to say--a +source of prosperity to the new commonwealth. + +Philip--being now less alarmed than his nephew concerning French affairs, +and not feeling so keenly the misery of the obedient Provinces, or the +wants of the Spanish army--sent to Alexander six hundred thousand ducats, +by way of Genoa. In the letter submitted by his secretary recording this +remittance, the King made, however, a characteristic marginal note:-- +"See if it will not be as well to tell him something concerning the two +hundred thousand ducats to be deducted for Mucio, for fear of more +mischief, if the Prince should expect the whole six hundred thousand." + +Accordingly Mucio got the two hundred thousand. One-third of the meagre +supply destined for the relief of the King's starving and valiant little +army in the Netherlands was cut off to go into the pockets of the +intriguing Duke of Guise. "We must keep the French," said Philip, "in a +state of confusion at home, and feed their civil war. We must not allow +them to come to a general peace, which would be destruction for the +Catholics. I know you will put a good face on the matter; and, after +all, 'tis in the interest of the Netherlands. Moreover, the money shall +be immediately refunded." + +Alexander was more likely to make a wry face, notwithstanding his views +of the necessity of fomenting the rebellion against the House of Valois. +Certainly if a monarch intended to conquer such countries as France, +England, and Holland, without stirring from his easy chair in the +Escorial, it would have been at least as well--so Alexander thought--to +invest a little more capital in the speculation. No monarch ever dreamed +of arriving at universal empire with less personal fatigue or exposure, +or at a cheaper rate, than did Philip II. His only fatigue was at his +writing-table. But even here his merit was of a subordinate description. +He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting; but he now +wrote few letters himself. A dozen words or so, scrawled in +hieroglyphics at the top, bottom, or along the margin of the interminable +despatches of his secretaries, contained the suggestions, more or less +luminous, which arose in his mind concerning public affairs. But he held +firmly to his purpose: He had devoted his life to the extermination of +Protestantism, to the conquest of France and England, to the subjugation +of Holland. These were vast schemes. A King who should succeed in such +enterprises, by his personal courage and genius, at the head of his +armies, or by consummate diplomacy, or by a masterly system of finance- +husbanding and concentrating the resources of his almost boundless +realms--might be in truth commended for capacity. Hitherto however +Philip's triumph had seemed problematical; and perhaps something more +would be necessary than letters to Parma, and paltry remittances to +Mucio, notwithstanding Alexander's splendid but local victories in +Flanders. + +Parma, although in reality almost at bay, concealed his despair, and +accomplished wonders in the field. The military events during the spring +and summer of 1586 will be sketched in a subsequent chapter. For the +present it is necessary to combine into a complete whole the subterranean +negotiations between Brussels and England. + +Much to his surprise and gratification, Parma found that the peace-party +were not inclined to change their views in consequence of the triumphs of +Drake. He soon informed the King that--according to Champagny and +Bodman--the Lord Treasurer, the Comptroller, Lord Cobham, and Sir +Christopher Hatton, were more pacific than they had ever been. These +four were represented by Grafigni as secretly in league against Leicester +and Walsingham, and very anxious to bring about a reconciliation between +the crowns of England and Spain. The merchant-diplomatist, according to +his own statement, was expressly sent by Queen Elizabeth to the prince of +Parma, although without letter of credence or signed instructions, but +with the full knowledge and approbation of the four counsellors just +mentioned. He assured Alexander that the Queen and the majority of her +council felt a strong desire for peace, and had manifested much +repentance for what had been done. They had explained their proceedings +by the necessity of self-defence. They had avowed--in case they should +be made sure of peace--that they should, not with reluctance and against +their will, but, on the contrary, with the utmost alacrity and at once, +surrender to the King of Spain the territory which they possessed in the +Netherlands, and especially the fortified towns in Holland and Zeeland; +for the English object had never been conquest. Parma had also been +informed of the Queen's strong desire that he should be employed as +negotiator, on account of her great confidence in his sincerity. They +had expressed much satisfaction on hearing that he was about to send an +agent to England, and had protested themselves rejoiced at Drake's +triumphs, only because of their hope that a peace with Spain would thus +be rendered the easier of accomplishment. They were much afraid, +according to Grafigni, of Philip's power, and dreaded a Spanish invasion +of their country, in conjunction with the Pope. They were now extremely +anxious that Parma--as he himself informed the King--should send an agent +of good capacity, in great secrecy, to England. + +The Comptroller had said that he had pledged himself to such a result, +and if it failed, that they would probably cut off his head. The four +counsellors were excessively solicitous for the negotiation, and each of +them was expecting to gain favour by advancing it to the best of his +ability. + +Parma hinted at the possibility that all these professions were false, +and that the English were only intending to keep the King from the +contemplated invasion. At the same time he drew Philip's attention to +the fact that Burghley and his party had most evidently been doing +everything in their power to obstruct Leicester's progress in the +Netherlands and to keep back the reinforcements of troops and money which +he so much required. + +No doubt these communications of Parma to the King were made upon the +faith of an agent not over-scrupulous, and of no elevated or recognised +rank in diplomacy. It must be borne in mind, however, that he had been +made use of by both parties; perhaps because it would be easy to throw +off, and discredit, him whenever such a step should be convenient; and +that, on the other hand, coming fresh from Burghley and the rest into the +presence of the keen-eyed Farnese, he would hardly invent for his +employer a budget of falsehoods. That man must have been a subtle +negotiator who could outwit such a statesman as Burghley--and the other +counsellors of Elizabeth, and a bold one who could dare to trifle on a +momentous occasion with Alexander of Parma. + +Leicester thought Burghley very much his friend, and so thought Davison +and Heneage; and the Lord-Treasurer had, in truth, stood stoutly by the +Earl in the affair of the absolute governorship;--"a matter more severe +and cumbersome to him and others," said Burghley, "than any whatsoever +since he was a counsellor." But there is no doubt that these +negotiations were going forward all the spring and summer, that they were +most detrimental to Leicester's success, and that they were kept--so far +as it was possible--a profound secret from him, from Walsingham, and from +the States-General. Nothing was told them except what their own +astuteness had discovered beforehand; and the game of the counsellors--so +far as their attitude towards Leicester and Walsingham was concerned-- +seems both disingenuous and impolitic. + +Parma, it was to be feared, was more than a match for the English +governor-general in the field; and it was certainly hopeless for poor +old Comptroller Croft, even though backed by the sagacious Burghley, to +accomplish so great an amount of dissimulation in a year as the Spanish +cabinet, without effort, could compass in a week. Nor were they +attempting to do so. It is probable that England was acting towards +Philip in much better faith than he deserved, or than Parma believed; +but it is hardly to be wondered at that Leicester should think himself +injured by being kept perpetually in the dark. + +Elizabeth was very impatient at not receiving direct letters from Parma, +and her anxiety on the subject explains much of her caprice during the +quarrel about the governor-generalahip. Many persons in the Netherlands +thought those violent scenes a farce, and a farce that had been arranged +with Leicester beforehand. In this they were mistaken; for an +examination of the secret correspondence of the period reveals the +motives--which to contemporaries were hidden--of many strange +transactions. The Queen was, no doubt, extremely anxious, and with +cause, at the tempest slowly gathering over her head; but the more the +dangers thickened, the more was her own official language to those in +high places befitting the sovereign of England. + +She expressed her surprise to Farnese that he had not written to her on +the subject of the Grafigni and Bodman affair. The first, she said, was +justified in all which he had narrated, save in his assertion that she +had sent him. The other had not obtained audience, because he had not +come provided with any credentials, direct or indirect. Having now +understood from Andrea de Loo and the Seigneur de Champagny that Parma +had the power to conclude a peace, which he seemed very much to desire, +she observed that it was not necessary for him to be so chary in +explaining the basis of the proposed negotiations. It was better to +enter into a straightforward path, than by ambiguous words to spin out +to great length matters which princes should at once conclude. + +"Do not suppose," said the Queen, "that I am seeking what belongs to +others. God forbid. I seek only that which is mine own. But be +sure that I will take good heed of the sword which threatens me with +destruction, nor think that I am so craven-spirited as to endure a +wrong, or to place myself at the mercy of my enemy. Every week I see +advertisements and letters from Spain that this year shall witness the +downfall of England; for the Spaniards--like the hunter who divided, with +great liberality, among his friends the body and limbs of the wolf, +before it had been killed--have partitioned this kingdom and that of +Ireland before the conquest has been effected. But my royal heart is no +whit appalled by such threats. I trust, with the help of the Divine +hand--which has thus far miraculously preserved me--to smite all these +braggart powers into the dust, and to preserve my honour, and the +kingdoms which He has given me for my heritage. + +"Nevertheless, if you have authority to enter upon and to conclude this +negotiation, you will find my ears open to hear your propositions; and I +tell you further, if a peace is to be made, that I wish you to be the +mediator thereof. Such is the affection I bear you, notwithstanding that +some letters, written by your own hand, might easily have effaced such +sentiments from my mind." + +Soon afterwards, Bodman was again despatched to England, Grafigni being +already there. He was provided with unsigned instructions, according to +which he was to say that the Prince, having heard of the Queen's good +intentions, had despatched him and Grafigni to her court. They were to +listen to any suggestions made by the Queen to her ministers; but they +were to do nothing but listen. If the counsellors should enter into +their grievances against his Majesty, and ask for explanations, the +agents were to say that they had no authority or instructions to speak +for so great and Christian a monarch. Thus they were to cut the thread +of any such discourse, or any other observations not to the purpose. + +Silence, in short, was recommended, first and last, as the one great +business of their mission; and it was unlucky that men whose talent for +taciturnity was thus signally relied upon should be somewhat remarkable +for loquacity. Grafigni was also the bearer of a letter from Alexander +to the Queen--of which Bodman received a copy--but it was strictly +enjoined upon them to keep the letter, their instructions, and the +objects of their journey, a secret from all the world. + +The letter of the Prince consisted mainly of complimentary flourishes. +He had heard, he said, all that Agostino Grafigni had communicated, and +he now begged her Majesty to let him understand the course which it was +proper to take; assuring her of his gratitude for her good opinion +touching his sincerity, and his desire to save the effusion of blood, +and so on; concluding of course with expressions of most profound +consideration and devotion. + +Early in July Bodman arrived in London. He found Grafigni in very low +spirits. He had been with Lord Cobham, and was much disappointed with +his reception, for Cobham--angry that Grafigni had brought no commission +from the King--had refused to receive Parma's letter to the Queen, and +had expressed annoyance that Bodman should be employed on this mission, +having heard that lie was very ill-tempered and passionate. The same +evening, he had been sent for by Lord Burghley--who had accepted the +letter for her Majesty without saying a word--and on the following +morning, he had been taken to task, by several counsellors, on the ground +that the Prince, in that communication, had stated that the Queen had +expressed a desire for peace. + +It has just been shown that there was no such intimation at all in the +letter; but as neither Grafigni nor Bodman had read the epistle itself, +but only the copy furnished them, they could merely say that such an +assertion; if made by the Prince, had been founded on no statement of +theirs. Bodman consoled his colleague, as well as he could, by +assurances that when the letter was fairly produced, their vindication +would be complete, and Grafigni, upon that point, was comforted. He was, +however, very doleful in general, and complained bitterly of Burghley and +the other English counsellors. He said that they had forced him, against +his will, to make this journey to Brussels, that they had offered him +presents, that they would leave him no rest in his own house, but had +made him neglect all his private business, and caused him a great loss of +time and money, in order that he might serve them. They had manifested +the strongest desire that Parma should open this communication, and had +led him to expect a very large recompense for his share in the +transaction. "And now," said Grafigni to his colleague, with great +bitterness, "I find no faith nor honour in them at all. They don't keep +their word, and every one of them is trying to slide out of the very +business, in which each was, but the other day, striving to outrival the +other, in order that it might be brought to a satisfactory conclusion." + +After exploding in this way to Bodman, he went back to Cobham, and +protested, with angry vehemence, that Parma had never written such a word +to the Queen, and that so it would prove, if the letter were produced. + +Next day, Bodman was sent for to Greenwich, where her Majesty was, as +usual, residing. A secret pavilion was indicated to him, where he was to +stay until sunset. When that time arrived, Lord Cobham's secretary came +with great mystery, and begged the emissary to follow him, but at a +considerable distance, towards the apartments of Lord Burghley in the +palace. Arriving there, they found the Lord Treasurer accompanied by +Cobham and Croft. Burghley instantly opened the interview by a defence +of the Queen's policy in sending troops to the Netherlands, and in +espousing their cause, and then the conversation proceeded to the +immediate matter in hand. + +Bodman (after listening respectfully to the Lord-Treasurer's +observations).--"His Highness has, however, been extremely surprised that +my Lord Leicester should take an oath, as governor-general of the King's +Provinces. He is shocked likewise by the great demonstrations of +hostility on the part of her Majesty." + +Burghley.--"The oath was indispensable. The Queen was obliged to +tolerate the step on account of the great urgency of the States to have a +head. But her Majesty has commanded us to meet you on this occasion, in +order to hear what you have to communicate on the part of the Prince of +Parma." + +Bodman (after a profusion of complimentary phrases).--"I have no +commission to say anything. I am only instructed to listen to anything +that may be said to me, and that her Majesty may be pleased to command." + +Burghley.--"'Tis very discreet to begin thus. But time is pressing, and +it is necessary to be brief. We beg you therefore to communicate, +without further preface, that which you have been charged to say." + +Bodman.--"I can only repeat to your Lordship, that I have been charged to +say nothing." + +After this Barmecide feast of diplomacy, to partake of which it seemed +hardly necessary that the guests should have previously attired +themselves in such garments of mystery, the parties separated for the +night. + +In spite of their care, it would seem that the Argus-eyed Walsingham had +been able to see after sunset; for, the next evening--after Bodman had +been introduced with the same precautions to the same company, in the +same place--Burghley, before a word had been spoken, sent for Sir +Francis. + +Bodman was profoundly astonished, for he had been expressly informed that +Walsingham was to know nothing of the transaction. The Secretary of +State could not so easily be outwitted, however, and he was soon seated +at the table, surveying the scene, with his grave melancholy eyes, which +had looked quite through the whole paltry intrigue. + +Burghley.--"Her Majesty has commanded us to assemble together, in order +that, in my presence, it may be made clear that she did not commence this +negotiation. Let Grafigni be summoned." + +Grafigni immediately made his appearance. + +Burghley.--"You will please to explain how you came to enter into this +business." + +Grafigni.--"The first time I went to the States, it was on my private +affairs; I had no order from any one to treat with the Prince of Parma. +His Highness, having accidentally heard, however, that I resided in +England, expressed a wish to see me. I had an interview with the Prince. +I told him, out of my own head, that the Queen had a strong inclination +to hear propositions of peace, and that--as some of her counsellors were +of the same opinion--I believed that if his Highness should send a +negotiator, some good would be effected. The Prince replied that he felt +by no means sure of such a result; but that, if I should come back from +England, sent by the Queen or her council, he would then despatch a +person with a commission to treat of peace. This statement, together +with other matters that had passed between us, was afterwards drawn up in +writing by command of his Highness." + +Burghley.--"Who bade you say, after your second return to Brussels, that +you came on the part of the Queen? For you well know that her Majesty +did not send you." + +Grafigni.--"I never said so. I stated that my Lord Cobham had set down +in writing what I was to say to the Prince of Parma. It will never +appear that I represented the Queen as desiring peace. I said that her +Majesty would lend her ears to peace. Bodman knows this too; and he has +a copy of the letter of his Highness." + +Walsingham to Bodman.--"Have you the copy still?" + +Bodman.--"Yes, Mr. Secretary." + +Walsingham.--"Please to produce it, in order that this matter may be +sifted to the bottom." + +Bodman.--"I supplicate your Lorships to pardon me, but indeed that cannot +be. My instructions forbid my showing the letter." + +Walsingham (rising).--"I will forthwith go to her Majesty, and fetch the +original." A pause. Mr. Secretary returns in a few minutes, having +obtained the document, which the Queen, up to that time, had kept by her, +without showing it to any one. + +Walsingham (after reading the letter attentively, and aloud).--"There is +not such a word, as that her Majesty is desirous of peace, in the whole +paper." + +Burghley (taking the letter, and slowly construing it out of Italian into +English).--"It would seem that his Highness hath written this, assuming +that the Signor Grafigni came from the Queen, although he had received +his instructions from my Lord Cobham. It is plain, however, that the +negotiation was commenced accidentally." + +Comptroller Croft (nervously, and with the air of a man fearful of +getting into trouble).--"You know very well, Mr. Bodman, that my servant +came to Dunkirk only to buy and truck away horses; and that you then, by +chance, entered into talk with him, about the best means of procuring a +peace between the two kingdoms. My servant told you of the good feeling +that prevailed in England. You promised to write on the subject to the +Prince, and I immediately informed the Lord-Treasurer of the whole +transaction." + +Burghley.--"That is quite true." + +Croft.--"My servant subsequently returned to the Provinces in order to +learn what the Prince might have said on the subject." + +Bodman (with immense politeness, but very decidedly).--"Pardon me, Mr. +Comptroller; but, in this matter, I must speak the truth, even if the +honour and life of my father were on the issue. I declare that your +servant Norris came to me, directly commissioned for that purpose by +yourself, and informed me from you, and upon your authority, that if I +would solicit the Prince of Parma to send a secret agent to England, a +peace would be at once negotiated. Your servant entreated me to go to +his Highness at Brussels. I refused, but agreed to consider the +proposition. After the lapse of several days, the servant returned to +make further enquiries. I told him that the Prince had come to no +decision. Norris continued to press the matter. I excused myself. He +then solicited and obtained from me a letter of introduction to De Loo, +the secretary of his Highness. Armed with this, he went to Brussels and +had an interview--as I found, four days later--with the Prince. In +consequence of the representations of Norris, those of Signor Grafigni, +and those by way of Antwerp, his Highness determined to send me to +England." + +Burghley to Croft.--"Did you order your servant to speak with Andrea de +Loo?" + +Croft.--"I cannot deny it." + +Burghley.--"The fellow seems to have travelled a good way out of his +commission. His master sends him to buy horses, and he commences a +peace-negotiation between two kingdoms. It would be well he were +chastised. As regards the Antwerp matter, too, we have had many letters, +and I have, seen one from the Seigneur de Champagny, the same effect as +that of all the rest." + +Walsingham.--"I see not to what end his Highness of Parma has sent Mr. +Bodman hither. The Prince avows that he hath no commission from Spain." + +Bodman.--"His Highness was anxious to know what was her Majesty's +pleasure. So soon as that should be known, the Prince could obtain ample +authority. He would never have proceeded so far without meaning a good +end." + +Walsingham.--"Very like. I dare say that his Highness will obtain the +commission. Meantime, as Prince of Parma, he writes these letters, and +assists his sovereign perhaps more than he doth ourselves." + +Here the interview terminated. A few days later, Bodman had another +conversation with Burghley and Cobham. Reluctantly, at their urgent +request, he set down in writing all that he had said concerning his +mission. + +The Lord Treasurer said that the Queen and her counsellors were "ready to +embrace peace when it was treated of sincerely." Meantime the Queen had +learned that the Prince had been sending letters to the cautionary towns +in Holland and Zeeland, stating that her Majesty was about to surrender +them to the King of Spain. These were tricks to make mischief, and were +very detrimental to the Queen. + +Bodman replied that these were merely the idle stories of quidnuncs; and +that the Prince and all his counsellors were dealing with the utmost +sincerity. + +Burghley answered that he had intercepted the very letters, and had them +in his possession. + +A week afterwards, Bodman saw Walsingham alone, and was informed by +him that the Queen had written an answer to Parma's letter, and that +negotiations for the future were to be carried on in the usual form, +or not at all. Walsingham, having thus got the better of his rivals, +and delved below their mines, dismissed the agent with brief courtesy. +Afterwards the discomfited Mr. Comptroller wished a private interview +with Bodman. Bodman refused to speak with him except in presence of Lord +Cobham. This Croft refused. In the same way Bodman contrived to get +rid, as he said, of Lord Burghley and Lord Cobham, declining to speak +with either of them alone. Soon afterwards he returned to the Provinces! + +The Queen's letter to Parma was somewhat caustic. It was obviously +composed through the inspiration of Walsingham rather than that of +Burghley. The letter, brought by a certain Grafigni and a certain +Bodman, she said, was a very strange one, and written under a delusion. +It was a very grave error, that, in her name, without her knowledge, +contrary to her disposition, and to the prejudice of her honour, such a +person as this Grafigni, or any one like him, should have the audacity to +commence such a business, as if she had, by messages to the Prince, +sought a treaty with his King, who had so often returned evil for her +good. Grafigni, after representing the contrary to his Highness, had now +denied in presence of her counsellors having received any commission from +the Queen. She also briefly gave the result of Bodman's interviews with +Burghley and the others, just narrated. That agent had intimated that +Parma would procure authority to treat for peace, if assured that the +Queen would lend her ear to any propositions. + +She replied by referring to her published declarations, as showing her +powerful motives for interfering in these affairs. It was her purpose to +save her own realm and to rescue her ancient neighbours from misery and +from slavery. To this end she should still direct her actions, +notwithstanding the sinister rumours which had been spread that she was +inclined to peace before providing for the security and liberty of her +allies. She was determined never to separate their cause from her own. +Propositions tending to the security of herself and of her neighbours +would always be favourably received. + +Parma, on his part, informed his master that there could be no doubt that +the Queen and the majority of her council abhorred the war, and that +already much had been gained by the fictitious negotiation. Lord- +Treasurer Burghley had been interposing endless delays and difficulties +in the way of every measure proposed for the relief of Lord Leicester, +and the assistance rendered him had been most lukewarm. Meantime the +Prince had been able, he said, to achieve much success in the field, and +the English had done nothing to prevent it. Since the return of Grafigni +and Bodman, however, it was obvious that the English government had +disowned these non-commissioned diplomatists. The whole negotiation and +all the negotiators were now discredited, but there was no doubt that +there had been a strong desire to treat, and great disappointment at the +result. Grafigni and Andrea de Loo had been publishing everywhere in +Antwerp that England would consider the peace as made, so soon as his +Majesty should be willing to accept any propositions. + +His Majesty, meanwhile, sat in his cabinet, without the slightest +intention of making or accepting any propositions save those that were +impossible. He smiled benignantly at his nephew's dissimulation and at +the good results which it had already produced. He approved of gaining +time, he said, by fictitious negotiations and by the use of a mercantile +agent; for, no doubt, such a course would prevent the proper succours +from being sent to the Earl of Leicester. If the English would hand over +to him the cautionary towns held by them in Holland and Zeeland, promise +no longer to infest the seas, the Indies, and the Isles, with their +corsairs, and guarantee the complete obedience to their King and +submission to the holy Catholic Church of the rebellious Provinces, +perhaps something might be done with them; but, on the whole, he was +inclined to think that they had been influenced by knavish and deceitful +motives from the beginning. He enjoined it upon Parma, therefore, to +proceed with equal knavery--taking care, however, not to injure his +reputation--and to enter into negotiations wherever occasion might serve, +in order to put the English off their guard and to keep back the +reinforcements so imperatively required by Leicester. + +And the reinforcements were indeed kept back. Had Burghley and Croft +been in the pay of Philip II. they could hardly have served him better +than they had been doing by the course pursued. Here then is the +explanation of the shortcomings of the English government towards +Leicester and the States during the memorable spring and summer of 1586. +No money, no soldiers, when most important operations in the field were +required. The first general of the age was to be opposed by a man who +had certainly never gained many laurels as a military chieftain, but who +was brave and confident, and who, had he been faithfully supported by the +government which sent him to the Netherlands, would have had his +antagonist at a great disadvantage. Alexander had scarcely eight +thousand effective men. Famine, pestilence, poverty, mutiny, beset +and almost paralyzed him. Language could not exaggerate the absolute +destitution of the country. Only miracles could save the King's cause, +as Farnese repeatedly observed. A sharp vigorous campaign, heartily +carried on against him by Leicester and Hohenlo, with plenty of troops +and money at command, would have brought the heroic champion of +Catholicism to the ground. He was hemmed in upon all sides; he was cut +off from the sea; he stood as it were in a narrowing circle, surrounded +by increasing dangers. His own veterans, maddened by misery, stung by +their King's ingratitude, naked, starving, ferocious, were turning +against him. Mucio, like his evil genius, was spiriting away his +supplies just as they were reaching his hands; a threatening tempest +seemed rolling up from France; the whole population of the Provinces +which he had "reconciled"--a million of paupers--were crying to him for +bread; great commercial cities, suddenly blasted and converted into dens +of thieves and beggars, were cursing the royal author of their ruin, and +uttering wild threats against his vicegerent; there seemed, in truth, +nothing left for Alexander but to plunge headlong into destruction, when, +lo! Mr. Comptroller Croft, advancing out of the clouds, like a propitious +divinity, disguised in the garb of a foe--and the scene was changed. + +The feeble old man, with his shufing, horse-trucking servant, ex-spy of +Monsieur, had accomplished more work for Philip and Alexander than many +regiments of Spaniards and Walloons could have done. The arm of +Leicester was paralyzed upon the very threshold of success. The picture +of these palace-intrigues has been presented with minute elaboration, +because, however petty and barren in appearance, they were in reality +prolific of grave results. A series of victories by Parma was +substituted for the possible triumphs of Elizabeth and the States. + +The dissimulation of the Spanish court was fathomless. The secret +correspondence of the times reveals to us that its only purpose was to +deceive the Queen and her counsellors, and to gain time to prepare the +grand invasion of England and subjugation of Holland--that double purpose +which Philip could only abandon with life. There was never a thought, +on his part, of honest negotiation. On the other hand, the Queen was +sincere; Burghley and Hatton and Cobham were sincere; Croft was sincere, +so far as Spain was concerned. At least they had been sincere. In the +private and doleful dialogues between Bodman and Grafigni which we have +just been overhearing, these intriguers spoke the truth, for they could +have no wish to deceive each other, and no fear of eaves-droppers not to +be born till centuries afterwards. These conversations have revealed to +us that the Lord Treasurer and three of his colleagues had been secretly +doing their best to cripple Leicester, to stop the supplies for the +Netherlands, and to patch up a hurried and unsatisfactory, if not a +disgraceful peace; and this, with the concurrence of her Majesty. After +their plots had been discovered by the vigilant Secretary of State, there +was a disposition to discredit the humbler instruments in the cabal. +Elizabeth was not desirous of peace. Far from it. She was qualmish at +the very suggestion. Dire was her wrath against Bodman, De Loo, +Graafigni, and the rest, at their misrepresentations on the subject. But +she would "lend her ear." And that royal ear was lent, and almost fatal +was the distilment poured into its porches. The pith and marrow of the +great Netherland enterprise was sapped by the slow poison of the ill- +timed negotiation. The fruit of Drake's splendid triumphs in America +was blighted by it. The stout heart of the vainglorious but courageous +Leicester was sickened by it, while, meantime, the maturing of the +great armada-scheme, by which the destruction of England was to be +accomplished, was furthered, through the unlimited procrastination +so precious to the heart of Philip. + +Fortunately the subtle Walsingham was there upon the watch to administer +the remedy before it was quite too late; and to him England and the +Netherlands were under lasting obligations. While Alexander and Philip +suspected a purpose on the part of the English government to deceive +them, they could not help observing that the Earl of Leicester was both +deserted and deceived. Yet it had been impossible for the peace-party in +the government wholly to conceal their designs, when such prating fellows +as Grafigni and De Loo were employed in what was intended to be a secret +negotiation. In vain did the friends of Leicester in the Netherlands +endeavour to account for the neglect with which he was treated, and for +the destitution of his army. Hopelessly did they attempt to counteract +those "advertisements of most fearful instance," as Richard Cavendish +expressed himself, which were circulating everywhere. + +Thanks to the babbling of the very men, whose chief instructions had been +to hold their tongues, and to listen with all their ears, the secret +negotiations between Parma and the English counsellors became the town- +talk at Antwerp, the Hague, Amsterdam, Brussels, London. It is true that +it was impossible to know what was actually said and done; but that there +was something doing concerning which Leicester was not to be informed was +certain. Grafigni, during one of his visits to the obedient provinces, +brought a brace of greyhounds and a couple of horses from England, as a +present to Alexander, and he perpetually went about, bragging to every +one of important negotiations which he was conducting, and of his +intimacy with great personages in both countries. Leicester, +on the other hand, was kept in the dark. To him Grafigni made no +communications, but he once sent him a dish of plums, "which," said the +Earl, with superfluous energy, "I will boldly say to you, by the living +God, is all that I have ever had since I came into these countries." +When it is remembered that Leicester had spent many thousand pounds in +the Netherland cause, that he had deeply mortgaged his property in order +to provide more funds, that he had never received a penny of salary from +the Queen, that his soldiers were "ragged and torn like rogues-pity to +see them," and were left without the means of supporting life; that he +had been neglected, deceived, humiliated, until he was forced to describe +himself as a "forlorn man set upon a forlorn hope," it must be conceded +that Grafigni's present of a dish of plums could hardly be sufficient to +make him very happy. + +From time to time he was enlightened by Sir Francis, who occasionally +forced his adversaries' hands, and who always faithfully informed the +Earl of everything he could discover. "We are so greedy of a peace, in +respect of the charges of the wars," he wrote in April, "as in the +procuring thereof we weigh neither honour nor safety. Somewhat here is +adealing underhand, wherein there is great care taken that I should not +be made acquainted withal." But with all their great care, the +conspirators, as it has been seen, were sometimes outwitted by the +Secretary, and, when put to the blush, were forced to take him into half- +confidence. "Your Lordship may see," he wrote, after getting possession +of Parma's letter to the Queen, and unravelling Croft's intrigues, "what +effects are wrought by such weak ministers. They that have been the +employers of them are ashamed of the matter." + +Unutterable was the amazement, as we have seen, of Bodman and Grafigni +when they had suddenly found themselves confronted in Burghley's private +apartments in Greenwich Palace, whither they had been conducted so +mysteriously after dark from the secret pavilion--by the grave Secretary +of State, whom they had been so anxious to deceive; and great was the +embarrassment of Croft and Cobham, and even of the imperturbable +Burghley. + +And thus patiently did Walsingham pick his course, plummet in hand, +through the mists and along the quicksands, and faithfully did he hold +out signals to his comrade embarked on the same dangerous voyage. As for +the Earl himself, he was shocked at the short-sighted policy of his +mistress, mortified by the neglect to which he was exposed, disappointed +in his ambitious schemes. Vehemently and judiciously he insisted upon +the necessity of vigorous field operations throughout the spring and +summer thus frittered away in frivolous negotiations. He was for peace, +if a lasting and honourable peace could be procured; but he insisted that +the only road tosuch a result was through a "good sharp war." His troops +were mutinous for want of pay, so that he had been obligedto have a few +of them executed, although he protested that he would rather have "gone a +thousand miles a-foot" than have done so; and he was crippled by his +government at exactly the time when his great adversary's condition was +most forlorn. Was it strange that the proud Earl should be fretting his +heart away when such golden chances were eluding his grasp? He would +"creep upon the ground," he said, as far as his hands and knees would +carry him, to have a good peace for her Majesty, but his care was to have +a peace indeed, and not a show of it. It was the cue of Holland and +England to fight before they could expect to deal upon favourable terms +with their enemy. He was quick enough to see that his false colleagues +at home were playing into the enemy's hands. Victory was what was +wanted; victory the Earl pledged himself, if properly seconded, to +obtain; and, braggart though he was, it is by no means impossible that +he might have redeemed his pledge. "If her Majesty will use her +advantage," he said, "she shall bring the King, and especially this +Prince of Parma, to seek peace in other sort than by way of merchants." +Of courage and confidence the governor had no lack. Whether he was +capable of outgeneralling Alexander Farnese or no, will be better seen, +perhaps, in subsequent chapters; but there is no doubt that he was +reasonable enough in thinking, at that juncture, that a hard campaign +rather than a "merchant's brokerage" was required to obtain an honourable +peace. Lofty, indeed, was the scorn of the aristocratic Leicester that +"merchants and pedlars should be paltering in so weighty a cause," and +daring to send him a dish of plums when he was hoping half a dozen +regiments from the Queen; and a sorry business, in truth, the pedlars +had made of it. + +Never had there been a more delusive diplomacy, and it was natural that +the lieutenant-general abroad and the statesman at home should be sad and +indignant, seeing England drifting to utter shipwreck while pursuing that +phantom of a pacific haven. Had Walsingham and himself tampered with the +enemy, as some counsellors he could name had done, Leicester asserted +that the gallows would be thought too good for them; and yet he hoped he +might be hanged if the whole Spanish faction in England could procure for +the Queen a peace fit for her to accept. + +Certainly it was quite impossible for the Spanish-faction to bring about +a peace. No human power could bring it about. Even if England had been +willing and able to surrender Holland, bound hand and foot, to Philip, +even then she could only have obtained a hollow armistice. Philip had +sworn in his inmost soul the conquest of England and the dethronement of +Elizabeth. His heart was fixed. It was only by the subjugation of +England that he hoped to recover the Netherlands. England was to be +his stepping-stone to Holland. The invasion was slowly but steadily +maturing, and nothing could have diverted the King from his great +purpose. In the very midst of all these plots and counterplots, Bodmans +and Grafignis, English geldings and Irish greyhounds, dishes of plums and +autograph letters of her Majesty and his Highness, the Prince was +deliberately discussing all the details of the invasion, which, as it was +then hoped, would be ready by the autumn of the year 1586. Although he +had sent a special agent to Philip, who was to state by word of mouth +that which it was deemed unsafe to write, yet Alexander, perpetually +urged by his master, went at last more fully into particulars than he +had ever ventured to do before; and this too at the very moment when +Elizabeth was most seriously "lending her ear" to negotiation, and most +vehemently expressing her wrath at Sir Thomas Heneage for dealing +candidly with the States-General. + +The Prince observed that when, two or three years before, he had sent his +master an account of the coasts, anchoring-places, and harbours of +England, he had then expressed the opinion that the conquest of England +was an enterprise worthy of the grandeur and Christianity of his Majesty, +and not so difficult as to be considered altogether impossible. To make +himself absolutely master of the business, however, he had then thought +that the King should have no associates in the scheme, and should make no +account of the inhabitants of England. Since that time the project had +become more difficult of accomplishment, because it was now a stale and +common topic of conversation everywhere--in Italy, Germany, and France-- +so that there could be little doubt that rumours on the subject were +daily reaching the ears of Queen Elizabeth and of every one in her +kingdom. Hence she had made a strict alliance with Sweden, Denmark, the +Protestant princes of Germany, and even with the Turks and the French. +Nevertheless, in spite of these obstacles, the King, placing his royal +hand to the work, might well accomplish the task; for the favour of the +Lord, whose cause it was, would be sure to give him success. + +Being so Christian and Catholic a king, Philip naturally desired to +extend the area of the holy church, and to come to the relief of so many +poor innocent martyrs in England, crying aloud before the Lord for help. +Moreover Elizabeth had fomented rebellion in the King's Provinces for a +long time secretly, and now, since the fall of Antwerp, and just as +Holland and Zeeland were falling into his grasp, openly. + +Thus, in secret and in public, she had done the very worst she could do; +and it was very clear that the Lord, for her sins; had deprived her of +understanding, in order that his Majesty might be the instrument of that +chastisement which she so fully deserved. A monarch of such great +prudence, valour, and talent as Philip, could now give all the world to +understand that those who dared to lose a just and decorous respect for +him, as this good lady had done, would receive such chastisement as royal +power guided by prudent counsel could inflict. Parma assured his +sovereign, that, if the conquest of England were effected, that of the +Netherlands would be finished with much facility and brevity; but that +otherwise, on account of the situation, strength and obstinacy of those +people, it would be a very long, perilous, and at best doubtful business. + +"Three points," he said, "were most vital to the invasion of England-- +secrecy, maintenance of the civil war in France, and judicious +arrangement of matters in the Provinces." + +The French, if unoccupied at home, would be sure to make the enterprise +so dangerous as to become almost impossible; for it might be laid down as +a general maxim that that nation, jealous of Philip's power, had always +done and would always do what it could to counteract his purposes. + +With regard to the Netherlands, it would be desirable to leave a good +number of troops in those countries--at least as many as were then +stationed there--besides the garrisons, and also to hold many German and +Swiss mercenaries in "wartgeld." It would be further desirable that +Alexander should take most of the personages of quality and sufficiency +in the Provinces over with him to England, in order that they should not +make mischief in his absence. + +With regard to the point of secrecy, that was, in Parma's opinion, the +most important of all. All leagues must become more or less public, +particularly those contrived at or with Rome. Such being the case, the +Queen of England would be well aware of the Spanish projects, and, +besides her militia at home, would levy German infantry and cavalry, and +provide plenty of vessels, relying therein upon Holland and Zeeland, +where ships and sailors were in such abundance. Moreover, the English +and the Netherlanders knew the coasts, currents, tides, shallows, +quicksands, ports, better than did the pilots of any fleets that the King +could send thither. Thus, having his back assured, the enemy would meet +them in front at a disadvantage. Although, notwithstanding this +inequality, the enemy would be beaten, yet if the engagement should be +warm, the Spaniards would receive an amount of damage which could not +fail to be inconvenient, particularly as they would be obliged to land +their troops, and to give battle to those who would be watching their +landing. Moreover the English would be provided with cavalry, of which +his Majesty's forces would have very little, on account of the difficulty +of its embarkation. + +The obedient Netherlands would be the proper place in which to organize +the whole expedition. There the regiments could be filled up, provisions +collected, the best way of effecting the passage ascertained, and the +force largely increased without exciting suspicion; but with regard to +the fleet, there were no ports there capacious enough for large vessels. +Antwerp had ceased to be a seaport; but a large number of flat-bottomed +barges, hoys, and other barks, more suitable for transporting soldiers, +could be assembled in Dunkirk, Gravelines, and Newport, which, with some +five-and-twenty larger vessels, would be sufficient to accompany the +fleet. + +The Queen, knowing that there were no large ships, nor ports to hold them +in the obedient Provinces, would be unauspicious, if no greater levies +seemed to be making than the exigencies of the Netherlands might +apparently require. + +The flat-bottomed boats, drawing two or three feet of water, would be +more appropriate than ships of war drawing twenty feet. The passage +across, in favourable weather, might occupy from eight to twelve hours. + +The number of troops for the invading force should be thirty thousand +infantry, besides five hundred light troopers, with saddles, bridles, and +lances, but without horses, because, in Alexander's opinion, it would be +easier to mount them in England. Of these thirty thousand there should +be six thousand Spaniards, six thousand Italians, six thousand Walloons, +nine thousand Germans, and three thousand Burgundians. + +Much money would be required; at least three hundred thousand dollars +the month for the new force, besides the regular one hundred and fifty +thousand for the ordinary provision in the Netherlands; and this ordinary +provision would be more necessary than ever, because a mutiny breaking +forth in the time of the invasion would be destruction to the Spaniards +both in England and in the Provinces. + +The most appropriate part of the coast for a landing would, +in Alexander's opinion, be between Dover and Margate, because the +Spaniards, having no footing in Holland and Zeeland, were obliged to make +their starting-point in Flanders. The country about Dover was described +by Parma as populous, well-wooded, and much divided by hedges; +advantageous for infantry, and not requiring a larger amount of cavalry +than the small force at his disposal, while the people there were +domestic in their habits, rich, and therefore less warlike, less trained +to arms, and more engrossed by their occupations and their comfortable +ways of life. Therefore, although some encounters would take place, yet +after the commanders of the invading troops had given distinct and clear +orders, it would be necessary to leave the rest in the, "hands of God who +governs all things, and from whose bounty and mercy it was to be hoped +that He would favour a cause so eminently holy, just, and His own." + +It would be necessary to make immediately for London, which city, not +being fortified, would be very easily taken. This point gained, the +whole framework of the business might be considered as well put together. +If the Queen should fly--as, being a woman, she probably would do-- +everything would be left in such confusion, as, with the blessing of God, +it might soon be considered that the holy and heroic work had been +accomplished: Her Majesty, it was suggested, would probably make her +escape in a boat before she could be captured; but the conquest would be +nevertheless effected. Although, doubtless, some English troops might be +got together to return and try their fortune, yet it would be quite +useless; for the invaders would have already planted themselves upon the +soil, and then, by means of frequent excursions and forays hither and +thither about the island, all other places of importance would be gained, +and the prosperous and fortunate termination of the adventure assured. + +As, however, everything was to be provided for, so, in case the secret +could not be preserved, it would be necessary for Philip, under pretext +of defending himself against the English and French corsairs, to send a +large armada to sea, as doubtless the Queen would take the same measure. +If the King should prefer, however, notwithstanding Alexander's advice to +the contrary, to have confederates in the enterprise,--then, the matter +being public, it would be necessary to prepare a larger and stronger +fleet than any which Elizabeth, with the assistance of her French and +Netherland allies, could oppose to him. That fleet should be well +provided with vast stores of provisions, sufficient to enable the +invading force, independently of forage, to occupy three or four places +in England at once, as the enemy would be able to come from various towns +and strong places to attack them. + +As for the proper season for the expedition, it would be advisable to +select the month of October of the current year, because the English +barns would then be full of wheat and other forage, and the earth would +have been sown for the next year--points of such extreme importance, that +if the plan could not be executed at that time, it would be as well to +defer it until the following October. + +The Prince recommended that the negotiations with the League should be +kept spinning, without allowing them to come to a definite conclusion; +because there would be no lack of difficulties perpetually offering +themselves, and the more intricate and involved the policy of France, the +better it would be for the interests of Spain. Alexander expressed the +utmost confidence that his Majesty, with his powerful arm, would overcome +all obstacles in the path of his great project, and would show the world +that he "could do a little more than what was possible." He also assured +his master, in adding in this most extravagant language, of his personal +devotion, that it was unnecessary for him to offer his services in this +particular enterprise, because, ever since his birth, he had dedicated +and consecrated himself to execute his royal commands. + +He further advised that old Peter Ernest Mansfeld should be left +commander-in-chief of the forces in the Netherlands during his own +absence in England. "Mansfeld was an honourable cavalier," he said, "and +a faithful servant of the King;" and although somewhat ill-conditioned at +times, yet he had essential good qualities, and was the only general fit +to be trusted alone. + +The reader, having thus been permitted to read the inmost thoughts of +Philip and Alexander, and to study their secret plans for conquering +England in October, while their frivolous yet mischievous negotiations +with the Queen had been going on from April to June, will be better able +than before to judge whether Leicester were right or no in doubting if a +good peace could be obtained by a "merchant's brokerage." + +And now, after examining these pictures of inter-aulic politics and back- +stairs diplomacy, which represent so large and characteristic a phasis of +European history during the year 1586, we must throw a glance at the +external, more stirring, but not more significant public events which +were taking place during the same period. + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: + +Could do a little more than what was possible +Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute +He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting +Mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity +Nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in on +They were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion +We mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext History of United Netherlands, v46 +by John Lothrop Motley + + + + + + +ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS 1584-86 + +A hard bargain when both parties are losers +Able men should be by design and of purpose suppressed +Anarchy which was deemed inseparable from a non-regal form +College of "peace-makers," who wrangled more than all +Condemned first and inquired upon after +Could do a little more than what was possible +Courage and semblance of cheerfulness, with despair in his heart +Demanding peace and bread at any price +Diplomatic adroitness consists mainly in the power to deceive +Dismay of our friends and the gratification of our enemies +Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping +Elizabeth, though convicted, could always confute +Enmity between Lutherans and Calvinists +Find our destruction in our immoderate desire for peace +German-Lutheran sixteenth-century idea of religious freedom +He sat a great while at a time. He had a genius for sitting +He did his work, but he had not his reward +Her teeth black, her bosom white and liberally exposed (Eliz.) +Hibernian mode of expressing himself +His inordinate arrogance +His insolence intolerable +Holland was afraid to give a part, although offering the whole +Honor good patriots, and to support them in venial errors +Humility which was but the cloak to his pride +Intentions of a government which did not know its own intentions +Intolerable tendency to puns +Longer they delay it, the less easy will they find it +Lord was better pleased with adverbs than nouns +Make sheep of yourselves, and the wolf will eat you +Matter that men may rather pray for than hope for +Military virtue in the support of an infamous cause +Mistakes might occur from occasional deviations into sincerity +Necessity of kingship +Neighbour's blazing roof was likely soon to fire their own +New Years Day in England, 11th January by the New Style +Nine syllables that which could be more forcibly expressed in on +Nor is the spirit of the age to be pleaded in defence +Not a friend of giving details larger than my ascertained facts +Not of the genus Reptilia, and could neither creep nor crouch +Not distinguished for their docility +Oration, fertile in rhetoric and barren in facts +Others that do nothing, do all, and have all the thanks +Pauper client who dreamed of justice at the hands of law +Peace and quietness is brought into a most dangerous estate +Peace-at-any-price party +Possible to do, only because we see that it has been done +Repentance, as usual, had come many hours too late +Repose in the other world, "Repos ailleurs" +Resolved thenceforth to adopt a system of ignorance +Round game of deception, in which nobody was deceived +Seeking protection for and against the people +Seem as if born to make the idea of royalty ridiculous +Shutting the stable-door when the steed is stolen +Soldiers enough to animate the good and terrify the bad +String of homely proverbs worthy of Sancho Panza +The very word toleration was to sound like an insult +The busy devil of petty economy +There was apathy where there should have been enthusiasm +They were always to deceive every one, upon every occasion +Thought that all was too little for him +Three hundred and upwards are hanged annually in London +Tis pity he is not an Englishman +To work, ever to work, was the primary law of his nature +Tranquillity rather of paralysis than of health +Twas pity, he said, that both should be heretics +Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency +Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case +Wasting time fruitlessly is sharpening the knife for himself +We must all die once +We mustn't tickle ourselves to make ourselves laugh +Weary of place without power +When persons of merit suffer without cause +With something of feline and feminine duplicity +Wrath of bigots on both sides +Write so illegibly or express himself so awkwardly + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1584-86 *** + +************ This file should be named jm47v10.txt or jm47v10.zip ************ + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, jm47v11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, jm47v10a.txt + +This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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