The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1555 | Page 2

thickly-wooded
park on the left, and by the stately mansions of Orange, Egmont,
Aremberg, Culemburg, and other Flemish grandees, on the right.. The

great forest of Soignies, dotted with monasteries and convents,
swarming with every variety of game, whither the citizens made their
summer pilgrimages, and where the nobles chased the wild boar and
the stag, extended to within a quarter of a mile of the city walls. The
population, as thrifty, as intelligent, as prosperous as that of any city in
Europe, was divided into fifty-two guilds of artisans, among which the
most important were the armorers, whose suits of mail would turn a
musket-ball; the gardeners, upon whose gentler creations incredible
sums were annually lavished; and the tapestry- workers, whose
gorgeous fabrics were the wonder of the world. Seven principal
churches, of which the most striking was that of St. Gudule, with its
twin towers, its charming facade, and its magnificently painted
windows, adorned the upper part of the city. The number seven was a
magic number in Brussels, and was supposed at that epoch, during
which astronomy was in its infancy and astrology in its prime, to
denote the seven planets which governed all things terrestrial by their
aspects and influences. Seven noble families, springing from seven
ancient castles, supplied the stock from which the seven senators were
selected who composed the upper council of the city. There were seven
great squares, seven city gates, and upon the occasion of the present
ceremony, it was observed by the lovers of wonderful coincidences,
that seven crowned heads would be congregated under a single roof in
the liberty-loving city.
The palace where the states-general were upon this occasion convened,
had been the residence of the Dukes of Brabant since the days of John
the Second, who had built it about the year 1300. It was a spacious and
convenient building, but not distinguished for the beauty of its
architecture. In front was a large open square, enclosed by an iron
railing; in the rear an extensive and beautiful park, filled with forest
trees, and containing gardens and labyrinths, fish-ponds and game
preserves, fountains and promenades, race-courses and archery grounds.
The main entrance to this edifice opened upon a spacious hall,
connected with a beautiful and symmetrical chapel. The hall was
celebrated for its size, harmonious proportions, and the richness of its
decorations. It was the place where the chapters of the famous order of
the Golden Fleece were held. Its walls were hung with a magnificent
tapestry of Arran, representing the life and achievements of Gideon, the

Midianite, and giving particular prominence to the miracle of the
"fleece of wool," vouchsafed to that renowned champion, the great
patron of the Knights of the Fleece. On the present occasion there were
various additional embellishments of flowers and votive garlands. At
the western end a spacious platform or stage, with six or seven steps,
had been constructed, below which was a range of benches for the
deputies of the seventeen provinces. Upon the stage itself there were
rows of seats, covered with tapestry, upon the right hand and upon the
left. These were respectively to accommodate the knights of the order
and the guests of high distinction. In the rear of these were other
benches, for the members of the three great councils. In the centre of
the stage was a splendid canopy, decorated with the arms of Burgundy,
beneath which were placed three gilded arm-chairs.
All the seats upon the platform were vacant, but the benches below,
assigned to the deputies of the provinces, were already filled.
Numerous representatives from all the states but two--Gelderland and
Overyssel-- had already taken their places. Grave magistrates, in chain
and gown, and executive officers in the splendid civic uniforms for
which the Netherlands were celebrated, already filled every seat within
the apace allotted. The remainder of the hall was crowded with the
more favored portion of the multitude which had been fortunate enough
to procure admission to the exhibition. The archers and hallebardiers of
the body- guard kept watch at all the doors. The theatre was filled--the
audience was eager with expectation--the actors were yet to arrive. As
the clock struck three, the hero of the scene appeared. Caesar, as he was
always designated in the classic language of the day, entered, leaning
on the shoulder of William of Orange. They came from the chapel, and
were immediately followed by Philip the Second and Queen Mary of
Hungary. The Archduke Maximilian the Duke of Savoy, and other
great personages came afterwards, accompanied by a glittering throng
of warriors, councillors, governors, and Knights of the Fleece.
Many individuals of existing or future historic celebrity in the
Netherlands, whose names are so familiar to the student of the epoch,
seemed to have been grouped, as if by