Rise of the Dutch Republic, the � Volume 09: 1564-65 by Motley, John Lothrop, 1814-1877

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Motley's History Of The Netherlands, Pg Edition, Volume 9. The Rise Of The Dutch Republic John Lothrop Motley, D.c.l., Ll.d. 1855 1564-1565 [chapter V.]

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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION, VOLUME 9.

THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, D.C.L., LL.D.

1855

1564-1565 [CHAPTER V.]

Return of the three seigniors to the state council--Policy of
Orange--Corrupt character of the government--Efforts of the Prince
in favor of reform--Influence of Armenteros--Painful situation of
Viglius--His anxiety to retire--Secret charges against him
transmitted by the Duchess to Philip--Ominous signs of the times--
Attention of Philip to the details of persecution--Execution of
Fabricius, and tumult at Antwerp--Horrible cruelty towards the
Protestants--Remonstrance of the Magistracy of Bruges and of the
four Flemish estates against Titelmann--Obduracy of Philip--Council
of Trent--Quarrel for precedence between the French and Spanish
envoys--Order for the publication of the Trent decrees in the
Netherlands--Opposition to the measure--Reluctance of the Duchess--
Egmont accepts a mission to Spain--Violent debate in the council
concerning his instructions--Remarkable speech of Orange--Apoplexy
of Viglius--Temporary appointment of Hopper--Departure of Egmont--
Disgraceful scene at Cambray--Character of the Archbishop--Egmont in
Spain--Flattery and bribery--Council of Doctors--Vehement
declarations of Philip--His instructions to Egmont at his departure
--Proceedings of Orange in regard to his principality--Egmont's
report to the state council concerning his mission--His vainglory--
Renewed orders from Philip to continue the persecution--Indignation
of Egmont--Habitual dissimulation of the King--Reproof of Egmont by
Orange--Assembly of doctors in Brussels--Result of their
deliberations transmitted to Philip--Universal excitement in the
Netherlands--New punishment for heretics--Interview at Bayonne
between Catharine de Medici and her daughter, the Queen of Spain--
Mistaken views upon this subject--Diplomacy of Alva--Artful conduct
of Catharine--Stringent letters from Philip to the Duchess with
regard to the inquisition--Consternation of Margaret and of Viglius
--New proclamation of the Edicts, the Inquisition, and the Council
of Trent--Fury of the people--Resistance of the leading seigniors
and of the Brabant Council--Brabant declared free of the
inquisition--Prince Alexander of Parma betrothed to Donna Maria of
Portugal--Her portrait--Expensive preparations for the nuptials--
Assembly of the Golden Fleece--Oration of Viglius--Wedding of Prince
Alexander.

The remainder of the year, in the spring of which the Cardinal had left the Netherlands, was one of anarchy, confusion, and corruption. At first there had been a sensation of relief.