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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
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 hisfavourite dream—the conquest of England. The new year opened with aspirited effort of Prince Maurice to measure himself in the open fieldwith the veteran legions of Spain.
Turnhout, in Brabant, was an open village—the largest in all theNetherlands lying about twenty-five English miles in almost a direct linesouth from Gertruydenburg. It was nearly as far distant in an easterlydirection from Antwerp, and was about five miles nearer Breda than it wasto Gertruydenberg.
At this place the cardinal-archduke had gathered a considerable force,numbering at least four thousand of his best infantry, with severalsquadrons of cavalry, the whole under-command of the general-in-chief ofartillery, Count Varax. People in the neighbourhood were growing uneasy,for it was uncertain in what direction it might be intended to use thisformidable force. It was perhaps the cardinal's intention to make asudden assault upon Breda, the governor of which seemed not inclined tocarry 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 crossthe frozen morasses and estuaries into the land of Ter Tholen, where hemight overmaster some of the important strongholds of Zeeland.
Marcellus Bax, that boldest and most brilliant of Holland's cavalryofficers, had come to Maurice early in January with an urgent suggestionthat no time might be lost in making an attack upon the force ofTurnhout, before they should succeed in doing any mischief. The princepondered the proposition, for a little time, by him