The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 27: 1577-78

From the opening

Orange invited to visit Brussels--His correspondence upon the subject with the estates--general--Triumphant journey of the Prince to the capital----Stop put by him to the negotiations with Don John --New and stringent demands made upon the Governor--His indignation --Open rupture--Intrigue of Netherland grandees with Archduke Matthias--Policy of Orange--Attitude of Queen Elizabeth--Flight of Matthias from Vienna--Anxiety of Elizabeth--Adroitness of the Prince--The office of Reward--Election of Orange to that dignity-- His complaints against the great nobles--Aerschot Governor of Flanders--A storm brewing in Ghent--Ryhove and Imbize--Blood- Councillor Hessels--Arrogance of the aristocratic party in Flanders --Ryhove's secret interview with Orange--Outbreak at Ghent--Arrest of Aerschot, Hessels, and others of the reactionary party--The Duke liberated at demand of Orange--The Prince's visit to Ghent-- Rhetorical demonstrations--The new Brussels Union characterized-- Treaty with England--Articles by which Matthias is nominally constituted Governor-General--His inauguration at Brussels-- Brilliant and fantastic ceremonies--Letter of Don John to the Emperor--His anger with England--An army collecting--Arrival of Alexander Farnese--Injudicious distribution of offices in the States' army--The States' army fall back upon Gemblours, followed by Don John--Tremendous overthrow of the patriots--Wonderful disparity in the respective losses of the two armies.

While these matters were in progress, an important movement was made by the estates-general. The Prince of Orange was formally and urgently invited to come to Brussels to aid them with his counsel and presence. The condemned traitor had not set foot in the capital for eleven years. We have narrated the circumstance of his departure, while the advancing trumpets of Alva's army were almost heard in the distance. His memorable and warning interview with Egmont has been described. Since that period, although his spirit had always been manifesting itself in the capital like an actual presence; although he had been the magnet towards which the states throughout all their, oscillations had involuntarily vibrated, yet he had been ever invisible. He had been summoned by the Blood Council to stand his trial, and had been condemned to death by default.

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