The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1572 | Page 2

Spanish Admiral, and hung out the banner
of Orange on its ramparts. The revolution effected here was purely the
work of the people--of the mariners and burghers of the city. Moreover,
the magistracy was set aside and the government of Alva repudiated
without shedding one drop of blood, without a single wrong to person
or property. By the same spontaneous movement, nearly all the
important cities of Holland and Zealand raised the standard of him in
whom they recognized their deliverer. The revolution was
accomplished under nearly similar circumstances everywhere. With
one fierce bound of enthusiasm the nation shook off its chain.
Oudewater, Dort, Harlem, Leyden, Gorcum, Loewenstein, Gouda,
Medenblik, Horn, Alkmaar, Edam, Monnikendam, Purmerende, as well
as Flushing, Veer, and Enkbuizen, all ranged themselves under the
government of Orange, as lawful stadholder for the King.
Nor was it in Holland and Zealand alone that the beacon fires of
freedom were lighted. City after city in Gelderland, Overyssel, and the
See of Utrecht; all the important towns of Friesland, some sooner, some
later, some without a struggle, some after a short siege, some with
resistance by the functionaries of government, some by amicable
compromise, accepted the garrisons of the Prince, and formally
recognized his authority. Out of the chaos which a long and
preternatural tyranny had produced, the first struggling elements of a
new and a better world began to appear. It were superfluous to narrate
the details which marked the sudden restoration of liberty in these
various groups of cities. Traits of generosity marked the change of
government in some, circumstances of ferocity, disfigured the
revolution in others. The island of Walcheren, equally divided as it was
between the two parties, was the scene of much truculent and diabolical
warfare. It is difficult to say whether the mutual hatred of race or the
animosity of religious difference proved the deadlier venom. The
combats were perpetual and sanguinary, the prisoners on both sides
instantly executed. On more than one occasion; men were seen

assisting to hang with their own hands and in cold blood their own
brothers, who had been taken prisoners in the enemy's ranks. When the
captives were too many to be hanged, they were tied back to back, two
and two, and thus hurled into the sea. The islanders found a fierce
pleasure in these acts of cruelty. A Spaniard had ceased to be human in
their eyes. On one occasion, a surgeon at Veer cut the heart from a
Spanish prisoner, nailed it on a vessel's prow; and invited the townsmen
to come and fasten their teeth in it, which many did with savage
satisfaction.
In other parts of the country the revolution was, on the whole,
accomplished with comparative calmness. Even traits of generosity
were not uncommon. The burgomaster of Gonda, long the supple slave
of Alva and the Blood Council, fled for his life as the revolt broke forth
in that city. He took refuge in the house of a certain widow, and begged
for a place of concealment. The widow led him to a secret closet which
served as a pantry. "Shall I be secure there?" asked the fugitive
functionary. "O yes, sir Burgomaster," replied the widow, "'t was in
that very place that my husband lay concealed when you, accompanied
by the officers of justice, were searching the house, that you might
bring him to the scaffold for his religion. Enter the pantry, your
worship; I will be responsible for your safety." Thus faithfully did the
humble widow of a hunted and murdered Calvinist protect the life of
the magistrate who had brought desolation to her hearth.
Not all the conquests thus rapidly achieved in the cause of liberty were
destined to endure, nor were any to be, retained without a struggle. The
little northern cluster of republics which had now restored its honor to
the ancient Batavian name was destined, however, for a long and
vigorous life. From that bleak isthmus the light of freedom was to
stream through many years upon struggling humanity in Europe; a
guiding pharos across a stormy sea; and Harlem, Leyden,
Alkmaar--names hallowed by deeds of heroism such as have not often
illustrated human annals, still breathe as trumpet-tongued and perpetual
a defiance to despotism as Marathon, Thermopylae, or Salamis.
A new board of magistrates had been chosen in all the redeemed cities,
by popular election. They were required to take an oath of fidelity to
the King of Spain, and to the Prince of Orange as his stadholder; to
promise resistance to the Duke of Alva, the tenth penny, and the

inquisition; to support every man's freedom and the welfare of the
country; to protect widows, orphans, and miserable persons, and to
maintain justice and truth.
Diedrich Sonoy arrived on the 2nd June at Enkbuizen. He was