CHAPTER III

REVOLUTION IN THE NETHERLANDS-1555-1574

Ar the first glance it may seem strange that such a people as the Netherlanders submitted to so much religious persecution before rising in rebellion against their sovereign. A little reflection, however, suggests the answer. In the first place, they were pre-eminently a peaceful race, engaged in commerce and manufactures, and for many years unused to war; while their ruler commanded the largest and best-disciplined armies of the world. Next, those who suffered from the Inquisition under Charles V. were all from the poorer classes, and the death of a few thousand scattered peasants or artisans made but little impression on any community three centuries ago. There was no concert of action among the victims or their friends, and they were in a small and weak minority. In addition, the excesses of some of the early reformers excited the fears of the timid, and in the religious excitement of the times many of the supporters of the established church became as zealous in its reformation and defence as were the Protestants in their opposition to it.

Among the people at large, Charles was a great favorite. He was born in the Netherlands, lived much in his native land, spoke the language, was free and jovial in his manners, was a famous soldier, and his countrymen felt proud of him and his achievements. He probably

had designs upon their liberties, and purposed, when he had the opportunity, to make them into one nation. But the time never came; and so, in the main, he respected their ancient rights, even to the point of keeping the Inquisition out of some of the provinces which refused it entrance.

With his son and successor all this was changed. Philip was a stranger, born in Spain. He spoke no language except Spanish; he had no friends except Spaniards; he cared for no country except the one of his nativity. Regardless of their rights, he forced the Inquisition on all the provinces; in violation of his oath, he filled the offices with foreigners; and, unlike his father, he trampled on rich and poor alike. Charles had not ruled in the interest of any particular section of his vast dominions. He had established no capital, but moved about with his court from place to place. The new monarch settled in Madrid. He purposed to build up a gigantic Spanish monarchy, of which his other possessions were to be mere provinces. When these designs finally became apparent, all classes in the Netherlands were aroused, and rebellion was inevitable.

Eleven years elapsed after the abdication of Charles before there was any combined resistance among the people. They were years of misrule, violation of chartered rights, and extension of the Inquisition. At first, Philip had attempted to quarter Spanish troops upon the country, but the abandonment of this scheme had been forced upon him by the indignant protests of the whole community. He himself was in Spain, but he was represented in the Netherlands by Margaret of Parma-a natural daughter of his father-and a council mostly composed of Spaniards. At length, a large number of the wealthy merchants and the lesser nobles were

aroused to demand a cessation of the cruelties practised upon their poorer brethren. They signed a bond of alliance, by which they engaged themselves under oath to resist to the utmost of their power the continuance of the Inquisition, as contrary to all laws human and divine, and to devote their lives and fortunes to the protection of each other. In April, 1566, several hundred of the confederates, plainly clad, appeared before the regent and presented a petition, setting forth that the Inquisition was likely to breed rebellion, and asking her to suspend its operations. Margaret was much disturbed, but made no answer. Seeing her agitation, one of the council cried out: "What, madam! is it possible your highness can fear these beggars?" The words spread like wildfire. The members of the alliance adopted the name hurled at them as a taunt, dressed themselves and their families in plain gray clothes, fastened in their caps a little wooden porringer, and hung about their necks a medal on which a wallet was engraved. Many of them were subsequently to prove recreant to the cause; but the name survived, and the "Beggars" of the sea and land have become historic.

The action of the nobles at once emboldened the common people. Among them, despite the torture and the flames, the Reformation had taken a gigantic stride. At first, they had studied the Bible and held their meetings in private; now, they came out into the plains and public fields around the cities, gathering by thousands, "to show," they said, "how many the Inquisition would have to burn, slay, and banish." Attempts were made by the authorities to disperse these assemblies; and then the reformers went out as if to battle, stationed guards about their encampments, with gun, pike, and sword in hand listened to the fervent elo

quence of their impassioned preachers, sang one of the old war songs of David, and returned home in military order.

Under such a stimulus soon came the inevitable outbreak. In August, 1566, four months after the "Beggars" had presented their petition to the regent, the customary procession of a miraculous image of the Virgin passed through the streets of Antwerp. As the priests swept along they were greeted by the jeers of the populace: "Mayken! Mayken!" (little Mary) "your hour is come." A riot ensued, the crowd hurried to the cathedral, began to tear down the images, overthrow the altars, cut out the pictures, burn the mass-books, and shatter the gorgeous painted windows. For two days this work of iconoclasm went on; then it passed to the other churches, and thence to the neighboring towns and provinces, until, within a fortnight, five or six hundred sacred edifices had been despoiled of their invaluable art treasures. Strangely enough, all this was the work of but a few persons from the lower classes, who committed no violence to man or woman, and kept none of the plunder for themselves.*

The immediate result of this outbreak was favorable to the reformers. Margaret, in terror, first thought of flight, and then published an "Accord" which abolished the Inquisition and permitted the preaching of the new doctrine. With joy the people began to assemble unarmed, and even to erect buildings for their meetings. The reaction, however, was very speedy. The upper classes in the Netherlands were artistic in all their tastes. Their æsthetic as well as their religious feelings were shocked at the destruction of the treasures, which

*Motley's "Dutch Republic," i. 565, etc.

PHILIP AND THE DUKE OF ALVA

177

centuries of devotion had heaped up in their splendid churches. Besides this, all the moderate men feared the effects on business of these popular tumults which would draw down the wrath of Philip. The regent soon discovered the drift of public sentiment and straightway changed her policy. Calling in such troops as she could command, and with the aid of the Catholic nobles, she began a system of repression much more stringent than any ever known before. Uprisings followed in various quarters. A few skirmishes ensued in which the insurgents were easily routed; hundreds were put to death, and some sections almost depopulated by the exile of those who left their homes rather than abandon their religion.

Meanwhile, all eyes were turned to Spain watching for the effect produced on Philip by this last development of Netherland fanaticism. For a time he concealed his purposes, promising to visit the provinces himself, and writing fair words to some of the leading citizens. This was but the lull before the hurricane. Among the chief advisers of the king was a soldier, the Duke of Alva, always prompting him to measures of severity. Some of his other advisers, being civilians, now counselled moderation and concession; Alva urged that these "men of butter" could be ruled only by force. Supply him with troops, he said, and the war should pay for itself, while in addition he would pour a stream of treasure a yard deep into the coffers of the king. Unfortunately for Spain, Philip listened to this advice, and committed to the adviser the command of the expedi tion which was to crush out civil and religious liberty in the provinces of the Netherlands.

Alva was a typical Spaniard of the day. He was the greatest captain of a state which was now the lead