History of the United Netherlands, 1597-98 by Motley, John Lothrop, 1814-1877

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Chapter Xxxiii.

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HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609

By John Lothrop Motley

MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 69

History of the United Netherlands, 1597-1598

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Straggle of the Netherlands against Spain--March to Turnhout--
Retreat of the Spanish commander--Pursuit and attack--Demolition of
the Spanish army--Surrender of the garrison of Turnhout--Improved
military science--Moral effect of the battle--The campaign in
France--Attack on Amiens by the Spaniards--Sack and burning of the
city--De Rosny's plan for reorganization of the finances--Jobbery
and speculation--Philip's repudiation of his debts--Effects of the
measure--Renewal of persecution by the Jesuits--Contention between
Turk and Christian--Envoy from the King of Poland to the Hague to
plead for reconciliation with Philip--His subsequent presentation to
Queen Elizabeth--Military events Recovery of Amiens--Feeble
operations of the confederate powers against Spain--Marriage of the
Princess Emilia, sister of Maurice--Reduction of the castle and town
of Alphen--Surrender of Rheinberg--Capitulation of Meurs--Surrender
of Grol--Storming and taking of Brevoort Capitulation of Enschede,
Ootmaxsum, Oldenzaal, and Lingen--Rebellion of the Spanish garrisons
in Antwerp and Ghent--Progress of the peace movement between Henry
and Philip--Relations of the three confederate powers--Henry's
scheme for reconciliation with Spain--His acceptance of Philip's
offer of peace announced to Elizabeth--Endeavours for a general
peace.

The old year had closed with an abortive attempt of Philip to fulfil his favourite dream--the conquest of England. The new year opened with a spirited effort of Prince Maurice to measure himself in the open field with the veteran legions of Spain.

Turnhout, in Brabant, was an open village--the largest in all the Netherlands lying about twenty-five English miles in almost a direct line south from Gertruydenburg. It was nearly as far distant in an easterly direction from Antwerp, and was about five miles nearer Breda than it was to Gertruydenberg.

At this place the cardinal-archduke had gathered a considerable force, numbering at least four thousand of his best infantry, with several squadrons of cavalry, the whole under-command of the general-in-chief of artillery, Count Varax. People in the neighbourhood were growing uneasy, for it was uncertain in what direction it might be intended to use this formidable force. It was perhaps the cardinal's intention to make a sudden assault upon Breda, the governor of which seemed not inclined to carry out his proposition to transfer that important city to the king, or it was thought that he might take advantage of a hard frost and cross the frozen morasses and estuaries into the land of Ter Tholen, where he might overmaster some of the important strongholds of Zeeland.