THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 33

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

By John Lothrop Motley
1855

CHAPTER IV.

Captivity of La Noue--Cruel propositions of Philip--Siege of
Groningen--Death of Barthold Enter--His character--Hohenlo commands
in the north--His incompetence--He is defeated on Hardenberg Heath--
Petty operations--Isolation of Orange--Dissatisfaction and departure
of Count John--Remonstrance of Archduke Matthias--Embassy to Anjou--
Holland and Zealand offer the sovereignty to Orange--Conquest of
Portugal--Granvelle proposes the Ban against the Prince--It is
published--The document analyzed--The Apology of Orange analyzed and
characterized--Siege of Steenwyk by Renneberg--Forgeries--Siege
relieved--Death of Renneberg--Institution of the "land-Council"--
Duchess of Parma sent to the Netherlands--Anger of Alexander--
Prohibition of Catholic worship in Antwerp, Utrecht, and elsewhere--
Declaration of Independence by the United Provinces--Negotiations
with Anjou--The sovereignty of Holland and Zealand provisionally
accepted by Orange--Tripartition of the Netherlands--Power of the
Prince described--Act of Abjuration analyzed--Philosophy of
Netherland politics.--Views of the government compact--Acquiescence
by the people in the action of the estates--Departure of Archduke
Matthias.

The war continued in a languid and desultory manner in different parts of
the country. At an action near Ingelmunster, the brave and accomplished
De la Noue was made prisoner. This was a severe loss to the states, a
cruel blow to Orange, for he was not only one of the most experienced
soldiers, but one of the most accomplished writers of his age. His pen
was as celebrated as his sword. In exchange for the illustrious Frenchman
the states in vain offered Count Egmont, who had been made prisoner a few
weeks before, and De Belles, who was captured shortly afterwards. Parma
answered contemptuously, that he would not give a lion for two sheep.
Even Champagny was offered in addition, but without success. Parma had
written to Philip, immediately upon the capture, that, were it not for
Egmont, Seller, and others, then in the power of Oranges he should order
the execution of La Noue. Under the circumstances, however, he had begged
to be in formed as to his Majesty's pleasure, and in the meantime had
placed the prisoner in the castle of Limburg, under charge of