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
Affairs in Holland and Zealand—Siege of Tergoes by the patriots— Importance of the place—Difficulty of relieving it—Its position— Audacious plan for sending succor across the "Drowned Land"— Brilliant and successful expedition of Mondragon—The siege raised— Horrible sack of Zutphen—Base conduct of Count Van den Berg— Refusal of Naarden to surrender—Subsequent unsuccessful deputation to make terms with Don Frederic—Don Frederic before Naarden— Treachery of Romero—The Spaniards admitted—General massacre of the garrison and burghers—The city burned to the ground—Warm reception of Orange in Holland—Secret negotiations with the Estates— Desperate character of the struggle between Spain and the provinces —Don Frederic in Amsterdam—Plans for reducing Holland—Skirmish on the ice at Amsterdam—Preparation in Harlem for the expected siege— Description of the city—Early operations—Complete investment— Numbers of besiegers and besieged—Mutual barbarities—Determined repulse of the first assault—Failure of Batenburg's expedition— Cruelties in city and camp—Mining and countermining—Second assault victoriously repelled—Suffering and disease in Harlem—Disposition of Don Frederic to retire—Memorable rebuke by Alva—Efforts of Orange to relieve the place—Sonoy's expedition—Exploit of John Haring—Cruel execution of prisoners on both sides—Quiryn Dirkzoon and his family put to death in the city—Fleets upon the lake— Defeat of the patriot armada—Dreadful suffering and starvation in the city—Parley with the besiegers—Despair of the city—Appeal to Orange—Expedition under Batenburg to relieve the city—His defeat and death—Desperate condition of Harlem—Its surrender at discretion—Sanguinary executions—General massacre—Expense of the victory in blood and money—Joy of Philip at the news.
While thus Brabant and Flanders were scourged back to the chains whichthey had so recently broken, the affairs of the Prince of Orange were notimproving in Zealand. Never was a twelvemonth so marked by contradictoryfortune, never were the promises of a spring followed by such blight anddisappointment in autumn than in the memorable year 1572. On the islandof Walcheren, Middelburg and Arnemuyde still held for the King—Campveerand Flushing for the Prince of Orange. On the island of South Bevelaad,the city of Goes or Tergoes was still stoutly defended by a smallgarrison of Spanish troops. As long as the place held out, the city ofMiddelburg could be maintained. Should that important city fall, theSpaniards would lose all hold upon Walcheren and the province of Zealand.
Jerome de 't Zeraerts, a brave, faithful, but singularly unlucky officer,commanded for the Prince in Walcheren. He had attempted by varioushastily planned expeditions to give employment to his turbulent soldiery,but fortune had refused to smile upon his efforts. He had laid siege toMiddelburg and failed. He had attempted Tergoes and had been compelledingloriously to retreat. The citizens of Flushing, on his return, hadshut the gates of the town in his face, and far several days refused toadmit him or his troops. T