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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 33
By John Lothrop Motley
1855
Captivity of La Noue—Cruel propositions of Philip—Siege of Groningen—Death of Barthold Enter—His character—Hohenlo commands in the north—His incompetence—He is defeated on Hardenberg Heath— Petty operations—Isolation of Orange—Dissatisfaction and departure of Count John—Remonstrance of Archduke Matthias—Embassy to Anjou— Holland and Zealand offer the sovereignty to Orange—Conquest of Portugal—Granvelle proposes the Ban against the Prince—It is published—The document analyzed—The Apology of Orange analyzed and characterized—Siege of Steenwyk by Renneberg—Forgeries—Siege relieved—Death of Renneberg—Institution of the "land-Council"— Duchess of Parma sent to the Netherlands—Anger of Alexander— Prohibition of Catholic worship in Antwerp, Utrecht, and elsewhere— Declaration of Independence by the United Provinces—Negotiations with Anjou—The sovereignty of Holland and Zealand provisionally accepted by Orange—Tripartition of the Netherlands—Power of the Prince described—Act of Abjuration analyzed—Philosophy of Netherland politics.—Views of the government compact—Acquiescence by the people in the action of the estates—Departure of Archduke Matthias.
The war continued in a languid and desultory manner in different parts ofthe country. At an action near Ingelmunster, the brave and accomplishedDe la Noue was made prisoner. This was a severe loss to the states, acruel blow to Orange, for he was not only one of the most experiencedsoldiers, but one of the most accomplished writers of his age. His penwas as celebrated as his sword. In exchange for the illustriousFrenchman the states in vain offered Count Egmont, who had been madeprisoner a few weeks before, and De Belles, who was captured shortlyafterwards. Parma answered contemptuously, that he would not give a lionfor two sheep. Even Champagny was offered in addition, but withoutsuccess. Parma had written to Philip, immediately upon the capture,that, were it not for Egmont, Seller, and others, then in the power ofOranges he should order the execution of La Noue. Under thecircumstances, however, he had begged to be in formed as to his Majesty'spleasure, and in the meantime had placed the prisoner in the castle ofLimburg, under charge of De Billy.
[Strada, d. 2, iii. 155, 156. Parma is said to have hinted to Philip that De Billy would willingly undertake, the private assassination of La Noue.—Popeliniere, Hist. des Pays Bas; 1556- 1584.]
His Majesty, of course, never signified his pleasure, and the illustrioussoldier remained for five years in a loathsome dungeon more befitting acondemned malefactor than a prisoner of war. It was in the donjon keepof the castle, lighted only by an aperture in the roof, and was thereforeexposed to the rain and all inclemencies of the sky, while rats, toads,and other vermin housed in the miry floor. Here this distinguishedpersonage, Francis with the Iron Arm, whom all Frenchmen, Catholic orHuguenot, admired far his genius, bravery, and purity of character,passed five years of close confinement. The gover