This eBook was produced by David Widger
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By John Lothrop Motley
1855
Preparations of the Duke against Count Louis—Precarious situation of Louis in Friesland—Timidity of the inhabitants—Alva in Friesland—Skirmishing near Groningen—Retreat of the patriots— Error committed by Louis—His position at Jemmingen—Mutinous demonstrations of his troops—Louis partially restores order— Attempt to destroy the dykes interrupted by the arrival of Alva's forces—Artful strategy of the Duke—Defeat of Count Louis and utter destruction of his army—Outrages committed by the Spaniards—Alva at Utrecht—Execution of Vrow van Diemen—Episode of Don Carlos— Fables concerning him and Queen Isabella—Mystery, concerning his death—Secret letters of Philip to the Pope—The one containing the truth of the transaction still concealed in the Vatican—Case against Philip as related by Mathieu, De Thou, and others—Testimony in the King's favor by the nuncio, the Venetian envoy, and others— Doubtful state of the question—Anecdotes concerning Don Carlos—His character.
Those measures were taken with the precision and promptness which markedthe Duke's character, when precision and promptness were desirable.There had been a terrible energy in his every step, since the successfulforay of Louis Nassau. Having determined to take the field in personwith nearly all the Spanish veterans, he had at once acted upon thenecessity of making the capital secure, after his back should be turned.It was impossible to leave three thousand choice troops to guard CountEgmont. A less number seemed insufficient to prevent a rescue. He had,therefore, no longer delayed the chastisement which had already beendetermined, but which the events in the north had precipitated. Thus theonly positive result of Louis Nassau's victory was the execution of hisimprisoned friends.
The expedition under Aremberg had failed from two causes. The Spanishforce had been inadequate, and they had attacked the enemy at adisadvantage. The imprudent attack was the result of the contemptwith which they had regarded their antagonist. These errors were not tobe repeated. Alva ordered Count Meghem, now commanding in the provinceof Groningen, on no account to hazard hostilities until the game wassure. He also immediately ordered large reinforcements to move forwardto the seat of war. The commanders intrusted with this duty were DukeEric of Brunswick, Chiappin Vitelli, Noircarmes, and Count de Roeulx.The rendezvous for the whole force was Deventer, and here they allarrived on the 10th July. On the same day the Duke of Alva himselfentered Deventer, to take command in person. On the evening of the 14thJuly he reached Rolden, a village three leagues distant from Groningen,at the head of three terzios of Spanish infantry, three companies oflight horse, and a troop of dragoons. His whole force in and aboutGroningen amounted to fifteen thousand choice troops besides a large butuncertain number of less disciplined soldiery.
Meantime, Louis of Nassau, since his victory, had accomplished nothing.For this inactivity there was one sufficient excuse, the total want offunds. His only revenue was the amount of black mail which he was