This eBook was produced by David Widger
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By John Lothrop Motley
1855
1567 [Part III., ALVA, CHAPTER 1.]
Continued dissensions in the Spanish cabinet—Ruy Gomez and Alva— Conquest of the Netherlands entrusted to the Duke—Birth, previous career and character of Alva—Organization of the invading army— Its march to the provinces—Complaints of Duchess Margaret—Alva receives deputations on the frontier—Interview between the Duke and Egmont—Reception of Alva by the Duchess of Parma—Circular letters to the cities requiring their acceptance of garrisons—Margaret's secret correspondence—Universal apprehension—Keys of the great cities demanded by Alva—Secret plans of the government, arranged before the Duke's departure—Arrest of Orange, Egmont, Horn, and others, determined upon—Stealthy course of the government towards them—Infatuation of Egmont—Warnings addressed to him by De Billy and others—Measures to entrap Count Horn—Banquet of the Grand Prior—The Grand Prior's warning to Egmont—Evil counsels of Noircarmes—Arrests of Egmont, Horn, Bakkerzeel and Straalen— Popular consternation—Petulant conduct of Duchess Margaret— Characteristic comments of Granvelle—His secret machinations and disclaimers—Berghen and Montigny—Last moments of Marquis Berghen— Perfidy of Ruy Gomez—Establishment of the "Blood-Council"—Its leading features—Insidious behavior of Viglius—Secret correspondence, concerning the President, between Philip and Alva— Members of the "Blood-Council"—Portraits of Vargas and Hessels— Mode of proceeding adopted by the council—Wholesale executions— Despair in the provinces—The resignation of Duchess Margaret accepted—Her departure from the Netherlands—Renewed civil war in France—Death of Montmorency—Auxiliary troops sent by Alva to France—Erection of Antwerp citadel—Description of the citadel.
The armed invasion of the Netherlands was the necessary consequence ofall which had gone before. That the inevitable result had been so longdeferred lay rather in the incomprehensible tardiness of Philip'scharacter than in the circumstances of the case. Never did a monarchhold so steadfastly to a deadly purpose, or proceed so languidly and withso much circumvolution to his goal. The mask of benignity, of possibleclemency, was now thrown off, but the delusion of his intended visit tothe provinces was still maintained. He assured the Regent that he shouldbe governed by her advice, and as she had made all needful preparationsto receive him in Zeland, that it would be in Zeland he should arrive.
The same two men among Philip's advisers were prominent as at an earlierday—the Prince of Eboli and the Duke of Alva. They still representedentirely opposite ideas, and in character, temper, and history, each wasthe reverse of the other. The policy of the Prince was pacific andtemporizing; that of the Duke uncompromising and ferocious. Ruy Gomezwas disposed to prevent, if possible, the armed mission of Alva, and henow openly counselled the King to fulfil his long-deferred promise, andto make his appearance in person before his rebellious subjects. Thejealousy and hatred which existed between the Prince and the Duke—between the man of peace and the man of wrat