Holland: The History of the Netherlands

The regeneration of Holland was rapid and complete. Within four months, an army of twenty-five thousand men was raised; and in the midst of financial, judicial, and commercial a...

It has been shown that the Netherlands were never in a more flourishing state than at the accession of Philip II. The external relations of the country presented an aspect of pr...

Thus the house of Burgundy, which soon after became so formidable and celebrated, obtained this vast accession to its power. The various changes which had taken place in the nei...

The states-general now resolved to confine their military operations to a war merely defensive. Spinola had, by his conduct during the late campaign, completely revived the spir...

All the services just related in the common cause of the country and the king produced no effect on the vindictive spirit of the latter. Neither the lapse of time, the proofs of...

The completion of the peace of Munster opens a new scene in the history of the republic. Its political system experienced considerable changes. Its ancient enemies became its mo...

Frederick Henry succeeded to almost all his brother's titles and employments, and found his new dignities clogged with an accumulation of difficulties sufficient to appall the m...

The death of William of Nassau not only closes the scene of his individual career, but throws a deep gloom over the history of a revolution that was sealed by so great a sacrifi...

While the fate of Belgium was decided on the plains of Fleurus, Pichegru prepared to carry the triumphant arms of France into the heart of Holland. He crossed the Meuse at the h...

The district in which Dordrecht is situated, and the grounds in its environs which are at present submerged, formed in those times an island just raised above the waters, and wh...

The stadtholderess and her ministers now began to tremble. Philip's favorite counsellors advised him to yield to the popular despair; but nothing could change his determination...

Previous to his departure for Spain, the archduke Albert had placed the government of the provinces which acknowledged his domination in the hands of his uncle, the cardinal And...

During a period of thirty years following the treaty of Utrecht, the republic enjoyed the unaccustomed blessing of profound peace. While the discontents of the Austrian Netherla...

A few years passed over after this period, without the occurrence of any transaction sufficiently important to require a mention here. Each of the powers so lately at war follow...

Philip might be well excused the utmost violence of resentment on this occasion, had it been bounded by fair and honorable efforts for the maintenance of his authority. But ever...

Philip being dead, and his wife, Joanna of Spain, having become mad from grief at his loss, after nearly losing her senses from jealousy during his life, the regency of the Neth...

On the very day of the sack of Antwerp, Don John of Austria arrived at Luxemburg. This ominous commencement of his viceregal reign was not belied by the events which followed; a...

The duke of Parma had chosen the count of Mansfield for his successor, and the nomination was approved by the king. He entered on his government under most disheartening circums...

Even at this advanced epoch of foreign domination, there remained as great a difference as ever between the people of the high grounds and the inhabitants of the plain. The latt...

The character of Requesens was not more opposed to that of his predecessor, than were the instructions given to him for his government. He was an honest, well-meaning, and moder...

The princess-dowager of Orange, and Du Maurier, the French ambassador, had vainly implored mercy for the innocent victim at the hands of the inexorable stadtholder. Maurice refu...

The Netherlands form a kingdom of moderate extent, situated on the borders of the ocean, opposite to the southeast coast of England, and stretching from the frontiers of France...

From this epoch we must trace the progress of a totally new and distinct population in the Netherlands. The Batavians being annihilated, almost without resistance, the low count...

Spinola proposes to invade the United Provinces--Successfully opposed by Prince Maurice--The Dutch defeated at Sea--Desperate Conduct of Admiral Klagoon--Great naval Victory of...

Philip's Vindictiveness and Hypocrisy--Progress of Protestantism--Gradual Dissolution of the Conspiracy--Artifices of Philip and the Court to disunite the Protestants--Firmness...

Don John of Austria, Governor-General, arrives in the Netherlands--His Character and Conduct--The States send an Envoy to Elizabeth of England--She advances them a Loan of Money...

Quadruple Alliance--General Peace of Europe--Wise Conduct of the Republic--Great Danger from the bad State of the Dikes--Death of the Emperor Charles VI.--Maria Theresa Empress-...

Philip succeeds to the Inheritance of Brabant--Makes War on England as a French Prince, Flanders remaining neuter--Power of the Houses of Burgundy and Bavaria, and Decline of Pu...

State of the Republic after the Peace of Munster--State of England--William II. Stadtholder--His ambitious Designs and Violent Conduct--Attempts to seize on Amsterdam--His Death...

Proscription of the Prince of Orange--His celebrated Apology--Philip proposes sending back the Duchess of Parma as Stadtholderess--Her son refuses to act jointly with her, and i...

Rapid Organization of Holland--The Constitution formed--Accepted by the People--Objections made to it by some Individuals--Inauguration of the Prince-Sovereign--Belgium is occup...

Effects of William's Death on the History of his Country--Firm Conduct of the United Provinces--They reject the Overtures of the Prince of Parma--He reduces the whole of Flander...

Cardinal Andrew of Austria Governor--Francisco Mendoza, Admiral of Aragon, invades the neutral States of Germany--His atrocious Conduct--Prince Maurice takes the Field--His mast...

Frederick Henry succeeds his Brother--Charles I. King of England--War between France and England--Victories of Admiral Hein--Brilliant Success of Frederick Henry--Fruitless Ente...

Origin of Holland--Its first Count--Aggrandizement of Flanders--Its growing Commerce--Fisheries--Manufactures--Formation of the County of Guelders, and of Brabant--State of Frie...

Count Mansfield named Governor-General--State of Flanders and Brabant--The Archduke Ernest named Governor-General--Attempts against the Life of Prince Maurice--He takes Groninge...

Pichegru invades Holland--Winter Campaign--The Duke of York vainly resists the French Army--Abdication of the Stadtholder--Batavian Republic--War with England--Unfortunate Situa...

Accession of Philip II.--His Character and Government--His Wars with France, and with the Pope--Peace with the Pope--Battle of St. Quentin--Battle of Gravelines--Peace of Câteau...

Commencement of the Revolution--Defence of the Prince of Orange--Confederacy of the Nobles--Louis of Nassau--De Brederode--Philip de St. Aldegonde--Assembly of the Council of St...

State of Europe subsequently to the Peace of Nimeguen--Arrogant Conduct of Louis XIV.--Truce for Twenty Years--Death of Charles II. of England--League of Augsburg--The Conduct o...

Character of Requesens--His conciliating Conduct--Renews the War against the States--Siege of Middleburg--Generosity of the Prince of Orange--Naval Victory--State of Flanders--C...

Extent of the Kingdom--Description of the People--Ancient State of the Low Countries--Of the High Grounds--Contrasted with the present Aspect of the Country--Expedition of Juliu...

Commencement of the Feudal System in the Highlands--Flourishing State of the Low Countries--Counts of the Empire--Formation of the Gilden or Trades--Establishment of popular Pri...

Margaret of Austria invested with the Sovereignty--Her Character and Government--Charles, Son of Philip the Fair, created Duke of Brabant and Count of Flanders and Holland--The...

The Parties Of Arminianism quite subdued--Emigrations--Grotius resolves to attempt an Escape from Prison--Succeeds in his Attempt--He repairs to Paris, and publishes his "Apolog...

Character of the Franks--The Saxon Tribes--Destruction of the Salians by a Saxon Tribe--Julian the Apostate--Victories of Clovis in Gaul--Contrast between the Low Countries and...