The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1563-64

The Rise of the Dutch Republic,
1563-64

The Project Gutenberg EBook Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1563-64, by
Motley #8 in our series by John Lothrop Motley
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Title: The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1563-64
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4808] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on March 12,
2002]

Edition: 10
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1563-64 ***

This etext was produced by David Widger

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MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION,
VOLUME 8.
THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC
JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, D.C.L., LL.D.
1855

1563-1564 [

CHAPTER IV
.]
Joint letter to Philip, from Orange, Egmont, and Horn--Egmont's
quarrel with Aerschot and with Aremberg--Philip's answer to the three
nobles--His instructions to the Duchess--Egmont declines the King's
invitation to visit Spain--Second letter of the three seigniors--Mission
of Armenteros--Letter of Alva--Secret letters of Granvelle to
Philip--The Cardinal's insinuations and instructions-- His complaints as
to the lukewarmness of Berghen and Montigny in the cause of the
inquisition--Anecdotes to their discredit privately chronicled by
Granvelle--Supposed necessity for the King's presence in the
provinces--Correspondence of Lazarus Schwendi--Approaching
crisis--Anxiety of Granvelle to retire--Banquet of Caspar Schetz--
Invention of the foolscap livery--Correspondence of the Duchess and of

the Cardinal with Philip upon the subject--Entire withdrawal of the
three seigniors from the state council--the King advises with Alva
concerning the recall of Granvelle--Elaborate duplicity of Philip's
arrangements--His secret note to the Cardinal--His dissembling letters
to others--Departure of Granvelle from the Netherlands--Various
opinions as to its cause--Ludicrous conduct of Brederode and
Hoogstraaten--Fabulous statements in Granvelle's correspondence
concerning his recall--Universal mystification--The Cardinal deceived
by the King--Granvelle in retirement--His epicureanism--Fears in the
provinces as to his return--Universal joy at his
departure--Representations to his discredit made by the Duchess to
Philip--Her hypocritical letters to the Cardinal-- Masquerade at Count
Mansfeld's--Chantonnay's advice to his brother-- Review of Granvelle's
administration and estimate of his character.
On the 11th March, 1563, Orange, Horn, and Egmont united in a
remarkable letter to the King. They said that as their longer
"taciturnity" might cause the ruin of his Majesty's affairs, they were at
last compelled to break silence. They hoped that the King would
receive with benignity a communication which was pure, frank, and
free from all passion. The leading personages of the province, they
continued, having thoroughly examined the nature and extent of
Cardinal Granvelle's authority, had arrived at the conclusion that every
thing was in his hands. This persuasion, they said, was rooted in the
hearts of all his Majesty's subjects, and particularly in their own, so
deeply, that it could not be eradicated as long as the Cardinal remained.
The King was therefore implored to consider the necessity of
remedying the evil. The royal affairs, it was affirmed, would never be
successfully conducted so long as they were entrusted to Granvelle,
because he was so odious to so many people. If the danger were not
imminent, they should not feel obliged to write to his Majesty with so
much vehemence. It was, however, an affair which allowed neither
delay nor dissimulation. They therefore prayed the King, if they had
ever deserved credence in things of weight, to believe them now. By so
doing, his Majesty would avoid great mischief. Many grand seigniors,
governors, and others, had thought it necessary to give this notice, in
order that the King might prevent the ruin of the country. If, however,
his Majesty were willing, as they hoped, to avoid discontenting all for

the sake of satisfying one, it was possible that affairs might yet prosper.
That they might not be thought influenced by ambition or by hope of