This etext 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.]
1855
Agitation in the Netherlands—The ancient charters resorted to as barriers against the measures of government—"Joyous entrance" of Brabant—Constitution of Holland—Growing unpopularity of Antony Perrenot, Archbishop of Mechlin—Opposition to the new bishoprics, by Orange, Egmont, and other influential nobles—Fury of the people at the continued presence of the foreign soldiery—Orange resigns the command of the legion—The troops recalled—Philip's personal attention to the details of persecution—Perrenot becomes Cardinal de Granvelle—All the power of government in his hands—His increasing unpopularity—Animosity and violence of Egmont towards the Cardinal—Relations between Orange and Granvelle—Ancient friendship gradually changing to enmity—Renewal of the magistracy at Antwerp—Quarrel between the Prince and Cardinal—Joint letter of Orange and Egmont to the King—Answer of the King—Indignation of Philip against Count Horn—Secret correspondence between the King and Cardinal—Remonstrances against the new bishoprics—Philip's private financial statements—Penury of the exchequer in Spain and in the provinces—Plan for debasing the coin—Marriage of William the Silent with the Princess of Lorraine circumvented—Negotiations for his matrimonial alliance with Princess Anna of Saxony— Correspondence between Granvelle and Philip upon the subject— Opposition of Landgrave Philip and of Philip the Second—Character and conduct of Elector Augustus—Mission of Count Schwartzburg— Communications of Orange to the King and to Duchess Margaret— Characteristic letter of Philip—Artful conduct of Granvelle and of the Regent—Visit of Orange to Dresden—Proposed "note" of Elector Augustus—Refusal of the Prince—Protest of the Landgrave against the marriage—Preparations for the wedding at Leipzig—Notarial instrument drawn up on the marriage day—Wedding ceremonies and festivities—Entrance of Granvelle into Mechlin as Archbishop— Compromise in Brabant between the abbeys and bishops.
The years 1560 and 1561 were mainly occupied with the agitation anddismay produced by the causes set forth in the preceding chapter.
Against the arbitrary policy embodied in the edicts, the new bishopricsand the foreign soldiery, the Netherlanders appealed to their ancientconstitutions. These charters were called "handvests" in the vernacularDutch and Flemish, because the sovereign made them fast with his hand.As already stated, Philip had made them faster than any of the princes ofhis house had ever done, so far as oath and signature could accomplishthat purpose, both as hereditary prince in 1549, and as monarch in 1555.The reasons for the extensive and unconditional manner in which he sworeto support the provincial charters, have been already indicated.
Of these constitutions, that of Brabant, known by the title of the'joyeuse entree, blyde inkomst', or blithe entrance, furnished the mostdecisive barrier against the present wholesale tyranny. First andforemost, the "joyous entry" provided "that the prince of the land shouldnot elevate the clerical stat