The Rise of the Dutch Republic: A History, Volume 1 |
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afterwards already Alva's Antwerp arms army Bentivoglio Berlaymont Bishop blood Brabant Brederode brother Brussels burghers Cardinal Catholic cause Charles Church command Correspondance de Philippe council Count Louis d'Orange death despatched Duchess Duke of Alva edicts Egmont Emperor enemy envoy estates execution favour Flanders force France Gachard Germany Granvelle Groen Guillaume le Tacit hand heretics Holland honour Hoofd Horn hundred Ibid Inquisition King land letter liberty Louis of Nassau Majesty Margaret Margaret of Parma matter Mendoza ment Meteren monarch Montigny Nassau Nether Netherlands never nobles Noircarmes Papiers d'Etat Parma person Philip Philippe II Pontus Payen Prince of Orange Prinst prisoners provinces received Regent religion religious Requesens royal Saint Saint Aldegonde secret seigniors sent siege soldiers soon sovereign Spain Spaniards Spanish stadholder Strada sword Thou thousand tion troops ubi sup Valenciennes Viglius viii Wagenaer whole William of Orange wrote
Popular passages
Page 55 - ... of the body, from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet, with pure arterial blood.
Page 576 - A party of the more faint-hearted even assailed the heroic Adrian van der Werf with threats and reproaches as he passed through the streets. A crowd had gathered around him, as he reached a triangular place in the centre of the town, into which many of the principal streets emptied themselves, and upon one side of which stood the Church of Saint Pancras, with its high brick tower surmounted by two pointed turrets, and with two ancient lime-trees at its entrance.
Page 255 - It was then that Berlaymont, according to the account which has been sanctioned by nearly every contemporary writer, whether Catholic or Protestant, uttered the gibe which was destined to become immortal and to give a popular name to the confederacy.
Page 576 - Te call us rat-eaters and dog-eaters," they cried, " and it is true. So long, then, as ye hear dog bark or cat mew within the walls, ye may know that the city holds out. And when all has perished but ourselves, be sure that we will each devour our left arms, retaining our right to defend our women, our liberty, and our religion against the foreign tyrant.
Page 577 - A violent equinoctial gale, on the night of the 1st and 2d of October, came storming from the northwest, shifting after a few hours full eight points, and then blowing still more violently from the southwest. The waters of the North Sea...
Page 56 - Africa, and of his eleven voyages by sea. He sketched his various wars, victories, and treaties of peace, assuring his hearers that the welfare of his subjects and the security of the Roman Catholic religion had ever been the leading objects of his life. As long as God had granted him health, he continued, only enemies could have regretted that Charles was living and reigning, but now that his strength was but vanity, and life fast ebbing away, his love for dominion, his affection for his subjects,...
Page 576 - What would ye, my friends? Why do ye murmur that we do not break our vows and surrender the city to the Spaniards? a fate more horrible than the agony which she now endures. I tell you I have made an oath to hold the city, and may God give me strength to keep my oath! I can die but once; whether by your hands, the enemy's, or by the hand of God. My own fate is indifferent to me, not so that of the city entrusted to my care. I know that we shall starve if not soon relieved ; but starvation is preferable...
Page 172 - We fall on our knees, and pray to God that he may enlighten our hearts, and forgive our sins. We pray for our sovereign, that his reign may be prosperous, and his life peaceful. We also pray for the magistrates and others in authority, that God may protect and preserve them all.
Page 574 - A week had elapsed since the great dike had been pierced, and the flotilla now lay motionless in shallow water, having accomplished less than two miles. The wind, too, was easterly, causing the sea rather to sink than to rise. Everything wore a gloomy aspect, when, fortunately, on the 18th, the wind shifted to the northwest, and for three days blew a gale. The waters rose rapidly, and before the second day was closed the armada was afloat again. Some fugitives from Zoetermeer village now arrived,...
Page 576 - I know that we shall starve if not soon relieved; but starvation is preferable to the dishonored death which is the only alternative. Your menaces move me not; my life is at your disposal; here is my sword, plunge it into my breast, and divide my flesh among you. Take my body to appease your hunger, but expect no surrender, so long as I remain alive.