September 2, 2025 • 33 mins
Set in the tumultuous 1570s, By Pike and Dyke plunges listeners into the harrowing world of the Netherlands, where the shadow of Spanish tyranny looms large. Amidst the chaos, Edward Ned‚ Martin‚a young man caught between two worlds as the son of an English captain and a Dutch lady‚takes a stand to help his mothers people and seek vengeance for his slain relatives. Joining the ranks of the revolutionary leader William the Silent, Prince of Orange, Ned embarks on perilous secret missions across occupied territories. Through narrow escapes, fierce naval battles, and heart-stopping sieges, he witnesses the stirring yet tragic birth of the Dutch republic. (Summary by D. Leeson)
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter twenty of by Pike and Dike, a Tale of
the Rise of the Dutch Republic. This LibriVox recording is
in the public domain by Pike and Dike by G. A. Henty,
Chapter twenty, the Spanish Fury. In a very short time,
the countess and her daughter returned to the room where
Ned was awaiting.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Them.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Each carried a hand bag. We are ready now, the
countess said, I have my jewels and purse. As for
the things we leave behind, they are scarce worth the
taking by the Spaniards. Locking the door of the house
behind them, the three women accompanied Ned down to the
river side. He took the first boat that came to
hand and rowed them down to the fleet, which was
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moored a quarter of a mile below the town. He
passed the first ship or two, and then rode to
one with whose captain he was acquainted. Captain Ankin, He said,
I have brought on board two ladies who have long
been in hiding, waiting an opportunity of being taken to Holland,
the Countess von Harp and her daughter. I fear greatly
that Antwerpo will falls to day, and wish therefore to
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place them in safety before the fight begins before sunset.
Unless I am mistaken, you will have a crowd of
fugitives on board. I am very pleased, madam, the captain said,
bowing to the Countess to receive you, and beg to
hand over my cabin for your use. The name you
bear is known to all Dutchmen, and even were it
not so, any one introduced to me by my good
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friend Captain Martin would be heartily welcome. Are you going
to return on shore, he asked Ned. Yes, I must
do so, Ned replied, I promised the Governor to stand
by him to the last, and as he has scarce
a soul on whom he can rely, it is clearly
my duty to do so. It is not for me
to shirk doing my duty as long as I can,
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because I fear that the day will go against us.
You will have difficulty in getting off again. If the
Spaniards once enter the city, the captain said, there will
be such a rush to the boats that they will
be swamped before they leave shore. I have a boat
hidden away in which I hope to bring off the
Governor with me, Ned replied. As to myself, I can
swim like a fish mind and get rid of your
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armor before you try it. All the swimming in the
world could not save you if you jumped in with
all that steel mail on you. I will bear it
in mind, Ned said, good bye, Countess, good bye, Fraeulein Gertrude.
I trust to see you at nightfall, if not before.
That is a very gallant young officer, Captain Enkin said,
as the two ladies sat watching Ned, as he rode
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to the shore, you addressed him as Captain Martin. The
Countess said, yes. He has been a captain in the
Prince's service fully three years, the sailor said, and fought
nobly at Alkmar, at the naval battle on de zido Zee,
and in the sea fight when we drove Romero's fleet
back in Bergen. He stands very high in the confidence
of the Prince. But I do not think he is
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in our service now. He is often with the Prince,
but I believe he comes and goes between England and Holland,
and is men say the messenger by whom private communication
between the Queen of England and the Prince are chiefly carried.
He is young to have such confidence reposed in him.
The Countess said, yes, he is young, captain, Ankin replied, not,
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I suppose beyond seven or eight and twenty. He was
a captain and high in the Prince's confidence when I
first knew him three years ago. So he must surely
have been four or five and twenty then. And yet indeed,
now you speak of it, methinks he is greatly bigger
now than he was then. I do not think he
was much taller than I am, and now he tops
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me by nigh head. But I must surely be mistaken
as to that, for the Prince would scarcely place his
confidence in a mere lad. The Countess made no reply,
though she exchanged a quiet smile with her daughter. They
knew that Ned could not be much more than twenty.
He was, he had said, about three years older than Gertrude,
and she had passed seventeen, but by a few months. Ned,
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on returning to shore, tied up the boat and then
proceeded to the palace of the governor. A servant was
holding a horse at the door. The governor ordered this
horse to be ready unsaddled for you, sir, when you arrived,
and begged you to join him at once in the
market place, where he is telling off the troops to
their various stations. Leaping on the horse, Ned rode to
the market place and at once placed himself under orders
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of the governor. There is nothing much for you to
do at present, Champagnie said. The troops are all in
their places, and we are ready when they deliver the assault.
It was not until eleven o'clock that the Spaniards advanced
to the attack, three thousand of them under their aletto
by the street of Saint Michael, the remainder, with the
Germans commanded by Romero by that of Saint George. No
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sooner did the compact masses approach the barricades than the Walloons,
who had been so loud in their boasts of valor
and had insisted upon having the post of danger broke
and fled their commander have at their head, and the Spaniards,
springing over the ramparts, poured into the streets fetch up
the Germans from the exchange. Champagnie shouted to Ned, and,
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leaping his horse over a garden wall, he himself rode
to another station and brought up the troops there, and
led them in person to bar the road to the enemy,
trying in Vain to rally the flying Walloons he met
on the way. For a few minutes, the two parties
of Germans made a brave stand, but they were unable
to resist the weight and number of the Spaniards, who
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bore them down by sheer force. Champagne had fought gallantly
in the melee, and ned, keeping closely beside him, had
well seconded his efforts. But when the Germans were borne down,
they rode off, dashing through the streets and shouting to
the Burghers everywhere to rise in defense of their homes.
They answered to the appeal. The bodies, already collected at
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the exchange and cattle market, moved forward, and from every
house the men poured out. The Spanish columns had already
divided and were pouring down the streets with savage cries.
The German cavalry of Haave under van ud At, once
deserted and joining the Spanish cavalry, fell upon the townsmen
in Vain. The burgher and such of the German infantry
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as remained faithful, strove to resist their assailants. Although they
had been beaten off in their assaults upon breeches. The
Spaniards had ever proved themselves invincible on level ground, and
now inspired alike by the fury for slaughter and the
lust for gold, there was nowithstanding them round the exchange.
Some of the bravest defenders made a rally, and Burghers
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and Germans, mingled together, fought stoutly until they were all slain.
There was another long struggle round the town hall, one
of the most magnificent buildings in Europe, and for a
time the resistance was effective until the Spanish cavalry and
the Germans under the Trader van Ud charged down upon
the defenders. Then they took refuge in the buildings, and
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every house became a fortress, and from window and balcony
a hot fire was poured into the square. But now
a large number of camp followers who had accompanied the
Spaniards came up with torches which had been specially prepared
for firing the town and in a short time the
city hall and other edifices in the square were in flames.
The fire spread rapidly from house to house and from
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street to street, until nearly a thousand buildings in the
most splendid and wealthy portion of the city were in
a blaze. In the street behind the town hall. A
last stand was made here the margrave of the city.
The burgomasters, senators, soldiers and citizens fought to the last
until not one remained to wield a sword. When resistance
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had ceased, the massacre began. Women, children, and old men
were killed in vast numbers, or driven into the river
to drown there. Then the soldiers scattered on the work
of plunder. The flames had already snatched treasures estimated at
six millions, from their grasp, but there was still abundance
for all. The most horrible tortures were inflicted upon men,
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women and children to force them to reveal the hiding
places where they were supposed to have concealed their wealth,
and for three days a pandemonium reigned in the city.
Two thousand, five five hundred had been slain, double that
number burned and drowned. These are the lowest estimates, many
placing the killed at much higher figures. Champagnie had fought
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very valiantly, joining any party of soldiers or citizens he
saw making a defense. At last, when the town hall
was in flames and all hope over, he said to ned,
who had kept throughout the day at his side, it
is no use throwing away our lives. Let us cut
our way out of the city. I have a boat
lying in readiness at the bridge, Ned said, If we
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can once reach the stairs, we can make our way
off to the fleet. As they approached the river, they
saw a Spanish column crossing the street ahead of them.
Putting spurs to their horses, they galloped on at full speed,
and bursting into it, hewed their way through and continued
their course, followed, however, by a number of Spanish infantry.
These are the steps, Ned exclaimed, leaping from his horse.
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Champagnie followed his example. The Spaniards were but twenty yards behind.
If you pull on that rope attached to the ring,
a boat linedying under the bridge will come to you,
Ned said. I will keep them back till you are ready.
Ned turned and faced the Spaniards, and for two or
three minutes kept them at bay. His armor was good,
and though many blows struck him, he was uninjured. While
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several of the Spaniards fell under his sweeping blows, they
fell back for a moment, surprised at his strength, and
at this instant the governor called out that all was ready.
Ned turned and rushed down the steps. The governor was
already in the boat. Ned leaped on board, and with
a stroke of his sword, severed the head rope. Before
the leading Spaniards reached the bottom of the steps, the
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boat was a length away. Ned seated himself, and seizing
the oars, rowed down the river. Several shots were fired
at them from the bridge and wharves as they went,
but they passed on uninjured. Ned rowed to the Admiral's
ship and left the governor there, and then rowed to
that of Captain Enkin. Welcome back, the captain said heartily.
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I had begun to fear that ill had befallen you.
A few fugitives came off at noon with the news
that the Spaniards had entered the city and all was lost.
Since then, the roar of musketry, mingled with shouts and yells,
has been unceasing, and that tremendous fire in the heart
of the city told its own tale. For the last
three hours, the river has been full of floating corpses,
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and the countess and her daughter, who until then remained
on deck, retired to prey in their cabin. The number
of fugitives who have reached. The ships is very small.
Doubtless they crowded into such boats as there were and
sank them at any rate. But few have made their
way out, and those chiefly at the beginning of the fight.
Now we had best let the ladies know you are here,
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for they have been in the greatest anxiety about you.
Ned went to the cabin door and knocked. I have returned, Countess.
In a moment the door opened. Welcome back, indeed, Captain Martin,
she said. We had begun to fear that we should
never see you again. Thankful, indeed, am I that you
have escaped through this terrible day. Are you unhurt, she asked,
looking at his bruised and dented armor and at his clothes,
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which were splashed with blood. I have a few trifling cuts,
he replied, but nothing worth speaking of. I am truly thankful, Countess,
that you and your daughter put off with me this morning. Yes, indeed,
the Countess said, I shudder when I think what would
have happened had we been there in the city. What
a terrible sight it is it is, indeed, Ned replied.
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The shades of night had now fallen, and over a
vast space the flames were mounting high, and a pall
of red smoke, interspersed with myriads of sparks and flakes
of fire, hung over the captured city. Occasional discharges of
guns were still heard, and the shrieks of women and
the shouts of men rose in confused den It was
an immense relief to all on board when an hour
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later the Admiral, fearing that the Spaniards might bring artillery
to bear upon the fleet, ordered the anchors to be
weighed and the fleet to drop a few miles below
the town. After taking off his armor, washing the blood
from his wounds, and having them bound up and tied,
hiring himself in a suit lent him by the Captain
until he should get to Delf, where he had left
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his valise, ned partook of a good meal, for he
had taken nothing but a manchet of bread and a
cup of wine since the previous night. He then went
into the cabin and spent the evening in conversation with
the Countess and her daughter, the latter of whom had
changed since they had last met, to the full as
much as he had himself done. She had been a
girl of fourteen, slim and somewhat tall for her age,
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and looking pale and delicate. From the life of confinement
and anxiety they had led at Brussels and their still
greater anxiety at Maastricht, she was now budding into womanhood.
Her figure was lissome and graceful, Her face was thoughtful
and intelligent, and gave promise of rare beauty. In another
year or two he learned that they had remained for
a time in the village to which they had first gone,
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and had then moved to another a few miles away,
and had there lived quietly in a small house placed
at their disposal by one of their friends. Here they
had remained unmolested until two months before, when the excesses
committed throughout the country by the mutinous soldiery rendered it
unsafe for any one to live outside the walls of
the town. They then removed to Antwerp, where there was
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far more religious toleration than at Brussels, and the countess
had resumed her own name, though still living in complete
retirement in the house in which Ned had so fortunately
found her. The times have altered me for the better,
the countess said. The Spaniards have retired from that part
of Friesland, where some of my estates are situated, and
those to whom Alva granted them have had to fly.
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I have a faithful steward there, and since they have left,
he has collected the rents and has remitted to me
such portions as I required, sending over the rest to
England to the charge of a banker there. As it
may be that the Spaniards will again sweep over Friesland,
where they still hold some of the principal towns, I
thought it best, instead of having my money placed in Holland,
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where no one can foresee the future, to send it
to England, where at least one can find a refuge
and a right to exercise our religion. I would that
you would go there at once, Countess, for surely at
present Holland is no place for two unprotected ladies. Nothing
would give my mother greater pleasure than to receive you
until you can find a suitable home for yourselves. My
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sisters are but little older than your daughter, and would
do all in their power to make her at home.
They too speak your language, and there are thousands of
your compatriots in London. What do you say, Gertrude the
Countess asked, but I know that your mind has been
so long made up that it is needless to question you. Yes, indeed, mother,
I would gladly go away anywhere from here, where for
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the last six years there has been nothing but war
and bloodshed. If we could go back and live in
Friesland among our own people, in safety and peace, I
should be delighted to do so. But this country is
as strange to us as England would be. Our friends
stand aloof from us, and we are ever in veear,
either of persecution or murder by the Spanish soldiers. I
should be so glad to be away from it all.
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And as Captain Martin says, there are so many any
of our own people in London that it would scarce
feel a strange land to us. You have said over
and over again that you would gladly go if you
could get away, and now that we can do so,
surely it will be better and happier for us than
to go on as we have done. Of course, it
would be better in Holland than it has been here
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for the last four years, because we should be amongst Protestants,
but we shall be still exposed to the dangers of
invasion and the horrors of sieges. It is, as my
daughter says Captain Martin, our thoughts have long been turning
to England as a refuge. In the early days of
the troubles, I had thought of France, where so many
of our people went. But since Saint Bartholmew it has
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been but too evident that there is neither peace nor
safety for those of the religion there, and that in
England alone can we hope to be permitted to worship unmolested. Therefore,
now that the chance is open to us, we will
not refuse it. I do not say that we will
cross at once. We have many friends at Rotterdam and Delft,
and the Prince held my husband in high esteem in
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the happy days before the troubles. Therefore I shall tarry
there for a while. But it will be for a
time only. It will not be long before the Spanish
again resumed their war of conquest. Besides, we are sick
of the tales of horror that come to us daily,
and long for calm and tranquility, which we cannot hope
to obtain in Holland. Had I a husband or brothers,
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I would share their fate whatever it was, but being
alone and unable to aid the cause in any way,
it would be folly to continue here and endure trials
and risks. You say that you come backwards and forwards often, well,
then in two months we shall be ready to put
ourselves under your protection and to sail with you for England.
The next morning the admiral dispatched a ship to Rotterdam
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with the news of the fate of Antwerp, and ned
obtained a passage in her for himself, the ladies and servant,
and on arriving at Rotterdam, saw them bestowed in comfortable lodgings.
He then, after an interview with the Prince, went on
board a ship just leaving for England, and upon his
arrival reported to the Minister, and afterwards to the Queen herself,
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the terrible massacre of which he had been a witness
in Antwerp. The Spanish fury, as the sack of Antwerp
was termed, vastly enriched the soldiers, but did small benefit
to the cause of Spain. The attack was wanton and unprovoked.
Antwerp had not risen in rebellion against Philip, but had
been attacked solely for the sake of plunder, and all
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Europe was shocked at the atrocities that had taken place,
and at the slaughter, which was even greater than the
massacre in Paris. On the eve of Saint Bartholomew, the
Queen remonstrated in indignant terms. The feeling among the Protestants
in Germany was equally strong, and even in France public
feeling condemned the act. In the Netherlands, the feeling of
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horror and indignation was universal. The fate that had befallen
Antwerp might be that of any other sister city. Everywhere,
petitions were signed in favor of the unity of all
the Netherlands under the Prince of Orange. His new governor,
Don John, had reached the Netherlands on the very day
of the sack of Antwerp and endeavored to allay the
storm of indignation it had excited by various concessions. But
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the feeling of unity, and with it of strength, had
grown so rapidly that the demands of the commissioners advanced
in due proportion, and they insisted upon nothing less than
the restoration of their ancient constitution, the right to manage
their internal affairs and the departure of all the Spanish
troops from the country. Don John parleyed and parried the demands,
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and months were spent in unprofitable discussions, while all the
time he was working secretly among the nobles of Brabant
and Flanders, who were little disposed to see with complacency
the triumph of the democracy of the towns and the
establishment of religious toleration. Upon all other points, Don John
and his master were ready to yield. The Spanish troops
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were sent away to Italy, the Germans only being retained.
The constitutional rights would have all been conceded, but on
the question of religious tolerance, Philip stood firm at last,
seeing that no agreement would ever be arrived at both
parties again prepared for war. The Queen of England had
leant one hundred thousand pounds on the security of the cities,
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and the pause in hostilities during the negotiations had not
been altogether wasted. In Holland, there had been a municipal
insurrection in Amsterdam. The magistrates devoted to Philip had been
driven out, and to the great delight of Holland, Amsterdam,
its capital that had long been a stronghold of the enemy,
A gate through which he could at will pour his
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forces was restored to it. In Antwerp and several others
of the cities of Brabant and Flanders, the citizens raised
the citadels by which they had been overawed, men, women
and children, uniting in the work, tearing down and carrying
away the stones of the fortress that had worked them
such evil. Antwerp had, at the departure of the Spanish troops,
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been again garrisoned by Germans, who had remained inactive during
this exit ambition of the popular will. The Prince of
Orange himself had paid a visit to the city and had,
at the invitation of Brussels, proceeded there, and had received
an enthusiastic reception, and for a time it seemed that
the plans for which so many years he had struggled
were at last to be crowned with success. But his
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hopes were frustrated by the treachery of the nobles and
the cowardice of the army the patriots had engaged in
their service. Many of the Spanish troops had been secretly
brought back again, and Don John was preparing for a
renewal of war. Unknown to the Prince of Orange, numbers
of the nobles had invited the Archduke Mattias, brother of
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the Emperor Rudolph of Germany, to assume the government. Mattias,
without consultation with his brother, accepted the invitation and journeyed
privately to the Netherlands. Had the Prince of Orange declared
against him, he must at once have returned to Vienna,
but this would have aroused the anger of the Emperor
and the whole of Germany. Had the Prince, upon the
other hand, abandoned the fire yield and retired into Holland,
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he would have played into the hands of his adversaries. Accordingly,
he received Mattias at Antwerp with great state, and the
Archduke was well satisfied to place himself in the hands
of the most powerful man in the country. The Prince's
position was greatly strengthened by the Queen instructing her ministers
to inform the Envoy of the Netherlands that she would
feel compelled to withdraw all succor of the states if
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the Prince of Orange was deprived of his leadership, as
it was upon him alone that she relied for success.
The Prince was thereupon appointed Rouvard of Brabant, a position
almost analogous to that of Dictator Ghent, which was second
only in importance to Antwerp. Rose almost immediately turned out
the Catholic authorities and declared in favor of the Prince.
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A new Act of Union was signed at Brussels, and
the Estates General passed a resolution declaring Don John to
be no longer governor or stadholder of the Netherlands. The
Prince of Orange was appointed Lieutenant General for Mattias, and
the actual power of the latter was reduced to a nullity,
but he was installed at Brussels with the greatest pomp
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and ceremony. Don John, who had by this time collected
an army of twenty thousand veterans at Namur and had
been joined by the Prince of Parma, a general of
great vigor and ability, now marched against the army of
the Estates of which the command had been given to
the nobles of the country in the hope of binding
them firmly to the national cause. The Patriot army fell
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back before that of the Spaniards, but were soon engaged
by a small body of cavalry Alexander of Parma came
up with some twelve hundred horse, dashed boldly across a
dangerous swamp, and fell upon their flank. The Estate's cavalry
at once turned and fled, and Parma then fell upon
the infantry, and in the course of an hour not
only defeated but almost exterminated them, from seven thousand to
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eight thousand being killed and six hundred taken prisoners, the
latter being executed without mercy by Don John. The loss
of the Spaniards was only about ten men. This extraordinary
disproportion of numbers, and the fact that twelve hundred men
so easily defeated a force ten times more numerous, completely
dashed to the ground the hopes of the Netherlands and
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showed how utterly incapable were its soldiers of contending in
the field with the veterans of Spain. The battle was
followed by the rapid reduction of a large number of towns,
most of which surrendered without resistance as soon as the
Spanish troops approached. In the meantime, the Estates had assembled
another army, which was joined by one composed of twelve
thousand Germans under Duke Casimir both armies were rendered inactive
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by want of funds, and the situation was complicated by
the entry of the Duke of Alencon, the brother of
the King of France, into the Netherlands. Don John, the
hero of the Battle of Lepanto, who had shown himself
on many battlefields to be at once a great commander
and a valiant soldier, was prostrate by disease brought on
by vexation, partly at the difficulties he had met with
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since his arrival in the Netherlands, partly at the neglect
of Spain to furnish him with money with which he
could set his army, now numbering thirty thousand, in motion
and sweep aside all resistance. At this critical moment, his
malady increased, and after a week's illness, he expired just
two years after his arrival in the Netherlands. He was succeeded,
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at first temporarily and afterwards permanently by Alexander of Parma,
also a great commander and possessing far greater resolution than
his unfortunate predecessor. The two years had been spent by
Edward Martin in almost incessant journeyings between London and the Netherlands.
He now held, however, a position much superior to that
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which he had formerly occupied. The Queen, after hearing from
him his account of the sack of Antwerp and his
share in the struggle, had said to the Secretary.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
I think that it is only just that we should
bestow upon Captain Martin some signal mark of our approbation
at the manner in which he has for two years
devoted himself to our service, and that without pay or reward,
but solely from his loyalty to our person and from
his good will towards the state niil Captain Martin.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
The Queen took the sword that Wassingham handed to her
and said, rise, Sir Edward Martin, you will draw out,
mister Secretary, our new knight's appointment as our special envoy
to the Prince of Orange, and see that he has
proper appointments for such a post. His duties will, as
before be particular to myself and the Prince, and will
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not clash in any way with those of our envoy
at the Hague. The delight of Ned's mother and sisters
when he returned home and informed them of the honor
that the Queen had been pleased to bestow upon him
was great. Indeed, his father said, well, Ned, I must
congratulate you with the others. Though I had hoped to
make a sailor of you, However circumstances have been too
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much for me. I own that you have been thrust
into this work rather by fortune than design, And as
it is so, I am heartily glad that you have succeeded.
It seems strange to me that my boy should have
become Sir Edward Martin, an officer in the service of
her Majesty. And I say frankly that just at present
I would rather that it had been otherwise. But I
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suppose I shall get accustomed to it in time, and
assuredly none but myself will doubt for a moment that
you have gained greatly by all this honor and dignity.
Queen Elizabeth, although in some respects parsimonious in the extreme,
was liberal to her favorites, and the new made Knight
stood high in her liking. She loved to have good
looking men about her, and without being actually handsome, Ned Martin,
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with his height and breadth of shoulder, his easy and
upright carriage, his frank, open face, and sunny smile was
pleasant to look upon. He had served her excellently for
two years, had asked for no rewards or favors, but
had borne himself modestly and been content to wait. Therefore,
the Queen was pleased to order her Treasurer to issue
a commission to Sir Edward Martin as Her Majesty's Special
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Envoy to the Prince of Orange, with such appointments as
would enable him handsomely to support his new dignity and
his position as her representative. Even Captain Martin was now
bound to confess that Ned had gained profit as well
as honor. He did indeed warn his son not to
place too much confidence in princes, But Ned replied, I
do not think the Queen is fickle in her likes
(27:23):
and dislikes, father, But I rely not upon this but
on doing my duty to the state for further employment.
I have had extraordinary good fortune too, and have without
any merit save that of always doing my best, mounted
step by step from the deck of the good venture
to knighthood and employment by the state. The war appears
to me to be as far from coming to an
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end as it did six years ago, And if I
continue to acquit myself to the satisfaction of the Lord
Treasurer and Counsel. I hope that at its conclusion I
may be employed upon such further work as I am fitted.
For you speak rightly, Ned, and I am wrong to
feel anxiety your future when you have already done so well,
and now, Ned, you had best go into the city
(28:05):
and order from some tailor who supplies the court such
suits as are fitting to your new rank. The Queen
loves brave dresses and bright colors, and you must cut
as good a figure as the rest. You have been
somewhat of an expense to me these last two years,
but that is over now, and I can well afford
the additional outlay to start you worthily. What was good
(28:25):
enough for Captain Martin is not good enough for Sir
Edward Martin. Therefore stent not expense in any way. I
should not like that you should not hold your own
with the young fops of the court. It was well
that Ned had provided himself with a new outfit, for
he was not sent abroad again for more than a month,
and during that time he was almost daily at court,
(28:46):
receiving from the Royal Chamberlain a notification that the Queen
expected to see him at all entertainments. At the first
of these, Lord Walsingham introduced him to many of the
young nobles of the court, speaking very highly of the
services he had rendered, and as the Queen was pleased
to speak often to him and to show him marked favor,
he was exceedingly well received and soon found himself at ease.
(29:09):
He was nevertheless glad when the order came for him
to proceed again to Holland with messages to the Prince
of Orange. Upon his arrival there, he was warmly congratulated
by the Prince. You have well earned your rank, the
Prince said, I take some pride to myself in having
so soon discovered that you had good stuff in you.
There are some friends of yours here who will be
(29:31):
glad to hear of the honor that has befallen you.
The Countess van Harp and her daughter have been here
for the last six weeks. I have seen them several times,
and upon each occasion they spoke to me of their
gratitude for the services you have rendered them. One of
my pages will show you where they are lodging. They
are about to proceed to England, and I think their
decision is a wise one, for this country is at
(29:53):
present no place for unprotected women. The Countess and her
daughter were alike surprised and pleased when Ned was announced
as Sir Edward Martin, and when a fortnight later Ned
sailed for England, they took passage in the same ship.
Ned had sent word to his mother by a vessel
that sailed a week previously that they would arrive with him,
and the best room in the house had been got
(30:15):
in readiness for them, and they received a hearty welcome
from Ned's parents and sisters. They stayed a fortnight there
and then established themselves in a pretty little house in
the village of Dulich. One of Ned's sisters accompanied them
to stay for a time as Gertrude's friend and companion
whenever Ned returned home. He was a frequent visitor at Dulich,
(30:35):
and at the end of two years, his sisters were
delighted but not surprised when he returned one day and
told them that Gertrude von Harp had accepted him. The
marriage was not to take place for a time, for
Ned was still young, and the Countess thought it had
best be delayed. She was now receiving a regular income
from her estates, for it had been a time of
(30:55):
comparative peace in Holland, and that country was increasing fast
in wealth and prosperity. Alexander of Parma had, by means
of his agents corrupted the greater part of the nobility
of Flanders and Brabant, had laid siege to Maastricht, and
after a defense even more gallant and desperate than that
of Haarlem and several terrible repulses of his soldiers, had
(31:17):
captured the city and put the greater part of its inhabitants,
men and women to the sword. After vain entreaties to
Elizabeth to assume the sovereignty of the Netherlands, this had
been offered to the Duke of Anjou, brother of the
King of France. The choice appeared to be a politic one,
for Anjou was at the time the all but accepted
(31:37):
suitor of Queen Elizabeth, and it was thought that the
choice would unite both powers in the defense of Holland.
The Duke, however, speedily proved his incapacity, Irritated at the
smallness of the authority granted him, and the independent attitude
of the great towns, he attempted to capture them by force.
He was successful in several places, but at Antwerp, where
(31:59):
the French thought to repeat the Spanish success and to
sack the city, the Burghers gathered so strongly and fiercely
that the French troops employed were for the most part killed,
those who survived being ignominiously taken prisoners. Anjou retired with
his army, losing a large number of men on his
retreat by the bursting of a dike and the flooding
(32:20):
of the country. By this time, the Prince of Orange
had accepted the sovereignty of Holland and Zealand, which was
now completely separated from the rest of the Netherlands. After
the flight of Anjou, he received many invitations from the
other provinces to accept their sovereignty, but he steadily refused,
having no personal ambition and knowing well that no reliance
(32:41):
whatever could be placed upon the nobles of Brabant and Flanders.
End of Chapter twenty
Chapter twenty of by Pike and Dike, a Tale of
the Rise of the Dutch Republic. This LibriVox recording is
in the public domain by Pike and Dike by G. A. Henty,
Chapter twenty, the Spanish Fury. In a very short time,
the countess and her daughter returned to the room where
Ned was awaiting.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Them.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Each carried a hand bag. We are ready now, the
countess said, I have my jewels and purse. As for
the things we leave behind, they are scarce worth the
taking by the Spaniards. Locking the door of the house
behind them, the three women accompanied Ned down to the
river side. He took the first boat that came to
hand and rowed them down to the fleet, which was
(00:40):
moored a quarter of a mile below the town. He
passed the first ship or two, and then rode to
one with whose captain he was acquainted. Captain Ankin, He said,
I have brought on board two ladies who have long
been in hiding, waiting an opportunity of being taken to Holland,
the Countess von Harp and her daughter. I fear greatly
that Antwerpo will falls to day, and wish therefore to
(01:01):
place them in safety before the fight begins before sunset.
Unless I am mistaken, you will have a crowd of
fugitives on board. I am very pleased, madam, the captain said,
bowing to the Countess to receive you, and beg to
hand over my cabin for your use. The name you
bear is known to all Dutchmen, and even were it
not so, any one introduced to me by my good
(01:23):
friend Captain Martin would be heartily welcome. Are you going
to return on shore, he asked Ned. Yes, I must
do so, Ned replied, I promised the Governor to stand
by him to the last, and as he has scarce
a soul on whom he can rely, it is clearly
my duty to do so. It is not for me
to shirk doing my duty as long as I can,
(01:43):
because I fear that the day will go against us.
You will have difficulty in getting off again. If the
Spaniards once enter the city, the captain said, there will
be such a rush to the boats that they will
be swamped before they leave shore. I have a boat
hidden away in which I hope to bring off the
Governor with me, Ned replied. As to myself, I can
swim like a fish mind and get rid of your
(02:05):
armor before you try it. All the swimming in the
world could not save you if you jumped in with
all that steel mail on you. I will bear it
in mind, Ned said, good bye, Countess, good bye, Fraeulein Gertrude.
I trust to see you at nightfall, if not before.
That is a very gallant young officer, Captain Enkin said,
as the two ladies sat watching Ned, as he rode
(02:26):
to the shore, you addressed him as Captain Martin. The
Countess said, yes. He has been a captain in the
Prince's service fully three years, the sailor said, and fought
nobly at Alkmar, at the naval battle on de zido Zee,
and in the sea fight when we drove Romero's fleet
back in Bergen. He stands very high in the confidence
of the Prince. But I do not think he is
(02:47):
in our service now. He is often with the Prince,
but I believe he comes and goes between England and Holland,
and is men say the messenger by whom private communication
between the Queen of England and the Prince are chiefly carried.
He is young to have such confidence reposed in him.
The Countess said, yes, he is young, captain, Ankin replied, not,
(03:08):
I suppose beyond seven or eight and twenty. He was
a captain and high in the Prince's confidence when I
first knew him three years ago. So he must surely
have been four or five and twenty then. And yet indeed,
now you speak of it, methinks he is greatly bigger
now than he was then. I do not think he
was much taller than I am, and now he tops
(03:28):
me by nigh head. But I must surely be mistaken
as to that, for the Prince would scarcely place his
confidence in a mere lad. The Countess made no reply,
though she exchanged a quiet smile with her daughter. They
knew that Ned could not be much more than twenty.
He was, he had said, about three years older than Gertrude,
and she had passed seventeen, but by a few months. Ned,
(03:51):
on returning to shore, tied up the boat and then
proceeded to the palace of the governor. A servant was
holding a horse at the door. The governor ordered this
horse to be ready unsaddled for you, sir, when you arrived,
and begged you to join him at once in the
market place, where he is telling off the troops to
their various stations. Leaping on the horse, Ned rode to
the market place and at once placed himself under orders
(04:14):
of the governor. There is nothing much for you to
do at present, Champagnie said. The troops are all in
their places, and we are ready when they deliver the assault.
It was not until eleven o'clock that the Spaniards advanced
to the attack, three thousand of them under their aletto
by the street of Saint Michael, the remainder, with the
Germans commanded by Romero by that of Saint George. No
(04:37):
sooner did the compact masses approach the barricades than the Walloons,
who had been so loud in their boasts of valor
and had insisted upon having the post of danger broke
and fled their commander have at their head, and the Spaniards,
springing over the ramparts, poured into the streets fetch up
the Germans from the exchange. Champagnie shouted to Ned, and,
(04:59):
leaping his horse over a garden wall, he himself rode
to another station and brought up the troops there, and
led them in person to bar the road to the enemy,
trying in Vain to rally the flying Walloons he met
on the way. For a few minutes, the two parties
of Germans made a brave stand, but they were unable
to resist the weight and number of the Spaniards, who
(05:19):
bore them down by sheer force. Champagne had fought gallantly
in the melee, and ned, keeping closely beside him, had
well seconded his efforts. But when the Germans were borne down,
they rode off, dashing through the streets and shouting to
the Burghers everywhere to rise in defense of their homes.
They answered to the appeal. The bodies, already collected at
(05:40):
the exchange and cattle market, moved forward, and from every
house the men poured out. The Spanish columns had already
divided and were pouring down the streets with savage cries.
The German cavalry of Haave under van ud At, once
deserted and joining the Spanish cavalry, fell upon the townsmen
in Vain. The burgher and such of the German infantry
(06:01):
as remained faithful, strove to resist their assailants. Although they
had been beaten off in their assaults upon breeches. The
Spaniards had ever proved themselves invincible on level ground, and
now inspired alike by the fury for slaughter and the
lust for gold, there was nowithstanding them round the exchange.
Some of the bravest defenders made a rally, and Burghers
(06:23):
and Germans, mingled together, fought stoutly until they were all slain.
There was another long struggle round the town hall, one
of the most magnificent buildings in Europe, and for a
time the resistance was effective until the Spanish cavalry and
the Germans under the Trader van Ud charged down upon
the defenders. Then they took refuge in the buildings, and
(06:44):
every house became a fortress, and from window and balcony
a hot fire was poured into the square. But now
a large number of camp followers who had accompanied the
Spaniards came up with torches which had been specially prepared
for firing the town and in a short time the
city hall and other edifices in the square were in flames.
The fire spread rapidly from house to house and from
(07:07):
street to street, until nearly a thousand buildings in the
most splendid and wealthy portion of the city were in
a blaze. In the street behind the town hall. A
last stand was made here the margrave of the city.
The burgomasters, senators, soldiers and citizens fought to the last
until not one remained to wield a sword. When resistance
(07:27):
had ceased, the massacre began. Women, children, and old men
were killed in vast numbers, or driven into the river
to drown there. Then the soldiers scattered on the work
of plunder. The flames had already snatched treasures estimated at
six millions, from their grasp, but there was still abundance
for all. The most horrible tortures were inflicted upon men,
(07:49):
women and children to force them to reveal the hiding
places where they were supposed to have concealed their wealth,
and for three days a pandemonium reigned in the city.
Two thousand, five five hundred had been slain, double that
number burned and drowned. These are the lowest estimates, many
placing the killed at much higher figures. Champagnie had fought
(08:10):
very valiantly, joining any party of soldiers or citizens he
saw making a defense. At last, when the town hall
was in flames and all hope over, he said to ned,
who had kept throughout the day at his side, it
is no use throwing away our lives. Let us cut
our way out of the city. I have a boat
lying in readiness at the bridge, Ned said, If we
(08:30):
can once reach the stairs, we can make our way
off to the fleet. As they approached the river, they
saw a Spanish column crossing the street ahead of them.
Putting spurs to their horses, they galloped on at full speed,
and bursting into it, hewed their way through and continued
their course, followed, however, by a number of Spanish infantry.
These are the steps, Ned exclaimed, leaping from his horse.
(08:52):
Champagnie followed his example. The Spaniards were but twenty yards behind.
If you pull on that rope attached to the ring,
a boat linedying under the bridge will come to you,
Ned said. I will keep them back till you are ready.
Ned turned and faced the Spaniards, and for two or
three minutes kept them at bay. His armor was good,
and though many blows struck him, he was uninjured. While
(09:14):
several of the Spaniards fell under his sweeping blows, they
fell back for a moment, surprised at his strength, and
at this instant the governor called out that all was ready.
Ned turned and rushed down the steps. The governor was
already in the boat. Ned leaped on board, and with
a stroke of his sword, severed the head rope. Before
the leading Spaniards reached the bottom of the steps, the
(09:36):
boat was a length away. Ned seated himself, and seizing
the oars, rowed down the river. Several shots were fired
at them from the bridge and wharves as they went,
but they passed on uninjured. Ned rowed to the Admiral's
ship and left the governor there, and then rowed to
that of Captain Enkin. Welcome back, the captain said heartily.
(09:57):
I had begun to fear that ill had befallen you.
A few fugitives came off at noon with the news
that the Spaniards had entered the city and all was lost.
Since then, the roar of musketry, mingled with shouts and yells,
has been unceasing, and that tremendous fire in the heart
of the city told its own tale. For the last
three hours, the river has been full of floating corpses,
(10:17):
and the countess and her daughter, who until then remained
on deck, retired to prey in their cabin. The number
of fugitives who have reached. The ships is very small.
Doubtless they crowded into such boats as there were and
sank them at any rate. But few have made their
way out, and those chiefly at the beginning of the fight.
Now we had best let the ladies know you are here,
(10:37):
for they have been in the greatest anxiety about you.
Ned went to the cabin door and knocked. I have returned, Countess.
In a moment the door opened. Welcome back, indeed, Captain Martin,
she said. We had begun to fear that we should
never see you again. Thankful, indeed, am I that you
have escaped through this terrible day. Are you unhurt, she asked,
looking at his bruised and dented armor and at his clothes,
(11:01):
which were splashed with blood. I have a few trifling cuts,
he replied, but nothing worth speaking of. I am truly thankful, Countess,
that you and your daughter put off with me this morning. Yes, indeed,
the Countess said, I shudder when I think what would
have happened had we been there in the city. What
a terrible sight it is it is, indeed, Ned replied.
(11:22):
The shades of night had now fallen, and over a
vast space the flames were mounting high, and a pall
of red smoke, interspersed with myriads of sparks and flakes
of fire, hung over the captured city. Occasional discharges of
guns were still heard, and the shrieks of women and
the shouts of men rose in confused den It was
an immense relief to all on board when an hour
(11:44):
later the Admiral, fearing that the Spaniards might bring artillery
to bear upon the fleet, ordered the anchors to be
weighed and the fleet to drop a few miles below
the town. After taking off his armor, washing the blood
from his wounds, and having them bound up and tied,
hiring himself in a suit lent him by the Captain
until he should get to Delf, where he had left
(12:04):
his valise, ned partook of a good meal, for he
had taken nothing but a manchet of bread and a
cup of wine since the previous night. He then went
into the cabin and spent the evening in conversation with
the Countess and her daughter, the latter of whom had
changed since they had last met, to the full as
much as he had himself done. She had been a
girl of fourteen, slim and somewhat tall for her age,
(12:27):
and looking pale and delicate. From the life of confinement
and anxiety they had led at Brussels and their still
greater anxiety at Maastricht, she was now budding into womanhood.
Her figure was lissome and graceful, Her face was thoughtful
and intelligent, and gave promise of rare beauty. In another
year or two he learned that they had remained for
a time in the village to which they had first gone,
(12:49):
and had then moved to another a few miles away,
and had there lived quietly in a small house placed
at their disposal by one of their friends. Here they
had remained unmolested until two months before, when the excesses
committed throughout the country by the mutinous soldiery rendered it
unsafe for any one to live outside the walls of
the town. They then removed to Antwerp, where there was
(13:11):
far more religious toleration than at Brussels, and the countess
had resumed her own name, though still living in complete
retirement in the house in which Ned had so fortunately
found her. The times have altered me for the better,
the countess said. The Spaniards have retired from that part
of Friesland, where some of my estates are situated, and
those to whom Alva granted them have had to fly.
(13:33):
I have a faithful steward there, and since they have left,
he has collected the rents and has remitted to me
such portions as I required, sending over the rest to
England to the charge of a banker there. As it
may be that the Spaniards will again sweep over Friesland,
where they still hold some of the principal towns, I
thought it best, instead of having my money placed in Holland,
(13:54):
where no one can foresee the future, to send it
to England, where at least one can find a refuge
and a right to exercise our religion. I would that
you would go there at once, Countess, for surely at
present Holland is no place for two unprotected ladies. Nothing
would give my mother greater pleasure than to receive you
until you can find a suitable home for yourselves. My
(14:14):
sisters are but little older than your daughter, and would
do all in their power to make her at home.
They too speak your language, and there are thousands of
your compatriots in London. What do you say, Gertrude the
Countess asked, but I know that your mind has been
so long made up that it is needless to question you. Yes, indeed, mother,
I would gladly go away anywhere from here, where for
(14:35):
the last six years there has been nothing but war
and bloodshed. If we could go back and live in
Friesland among our own people, in safety and peace, I
should be delighted to do so. But this country is
as strange to us as England would be. Our friends
stand aloof from us, and we are ever in veear,
either of persecution or murder by the Spanish soldiers. I
should be so glad to be away from it all.
(14:57):
And as Captain Martin says, there are so many any
of our own people in London that it would scarce
feel a strange land to us. You have said over
and over again that you would gladly go if you
could get away, and now that we can do so,
surely it will be better and happier for us than
to go on as we have done. Of course, it
would be better in Holland than it has been here
(15:17):
for the last four years, because we should be amongst Protestants,
but we shall be still exposed to the dangers of
invasion and the horrors of sieges. It is, as my
daughter says Captain Martin, our thoughts have long been turning
to England as a refuge. In the early days of
the troubles, I had thought of France, where so many
of our people went. But since Saint Bartholmew it has
(15:38):
been but too evident that there is neither peace nor
safety for those of the religion there, and that in
England alone can we hope to be permitted to worship unmolested. Therefore,
now that the chance is open to us, we will
not refuse it. I do not say that we will
cross at once. We have many friends at Rotterdam and Delft,
and the Prince held my husband in high esteem in
(16:00):
the happy days before the troubles. Therefore I shall tarry
there for a while. But it will be for a
time only. It will not be long before the Spanish
again resumed their war of conquest. Besides, we are sick
of the tales of horror that come to us daily,
and long for calm and tranquility, which we cannot hope
to obtain in Holland. Had I a husband or brothers,
(16:22):
I would share their fate whatever it was, but being
alone and unable to aid the cause in any way,
it would be folly to continue here and endure trials
and risks. You say that you come backwards and forwards often, well,
then in two months we shall be ready to put
ourselves under your protection and to sail with you for England.
The next morning the admiral dispatched a ship to Rotterdam
(16:45):
with the news of the fate of Antwerp, and ned
obtained a passage in her for himself, the ladies and servant,
and on arriving at Rotterdam, saw them bestowed in comfortable lodgings.
He then, after an interview with the Prince, went on
board a ship just leaving for England, and upon his
arrival reported to the Minister, and afterwards to the Queen herself,
(17:05):
the terrible massacre of which he had been a witness
in Antwerp. The Spanish fury, as the sack of Antwerp
was termed, vastly enriched the soldiers, but did small benefit
to the cause of Spain. The attack was wanton and unprovoked.
Antwerp had not risen in rebellion against Philip, but had
been attacked solely for the sake of plunder, and all
(17:26):
Europe was shocked at the atrocities that had taken place,
and at the slaughter, which was even greater than the
massacre in Paris. On the eve of Saint Bartholomew, the
Queen remonstrated in indignant terms. The feeling among the Protestants
in Germany was equally strong, and even in France public
feeling condemned the act. In the Netherlands, the feeling of
(17:47):
horror and indignation was universal. The fate that had befallen
Antwerp might be that of any other sister city. Everywhere,
petitions were signed in favor of the unity of all
the Netherlands under the Prince of Orange. His new governor,
Don John, had reached the Netherlands on the very day
of the sack of Antwerp and endeavored to allay the
storm of indignation it had excited by various concessions. But
(18:10):
the feeling of unity, and with it of strength, had
grown so rapidly that the demands of the commissioners advanced
in due proportion, and they insisted upon nothing less than
the restoration of their ancient constitution, the right to manage
their internal affairs and the departure of all the Spanish
troops from the country. Don John parleyed and parried the demands,
(18:31):
and months were spent in unprofitable discussions, while all the
time he was working secretly among the nobles of Brabant
and Flanders, who were little disposed to see with complacency
the triumph of the democracy of the towns and the
establishment of religious toleration. Upon all other points, Don John
and his master were ready to yield. The Spanish troops
(18:52):
were sent away to Italy, the Germans only being retained.
The constitutional rights would have all been conceded, but on
the question of religious tolerance, Philip stood firm at last,
seeing that no agreement would ever be arrived at both
parties again prepared for war. The Queen of England had
leant one hundred thousand pounds on the security of the cities,
(19:13):
and the pause in hostilities during the negotiations had not
been altogether wasted. In Holland, there had been a municipal
insurrection in Amsterdam. The magistrates devoted to Philip had been
driven out, and to the great delight of Holland, Amsterdam,
its capital that had long been a stronghold of the enemy,
A gate through which he could at will pour his
(19:34):
forces was restored to it. In Antwerp and several others
of the cities of Brabant and Flanders, the citizens raised
the citadels by which they had been overawed, men, women
and children, uniting in the work, tearing down and carrying
away the stones of the fortress that had worked them
such evil. Antwerp had, at the departure of the Spanish troops,
(19:55):
been again garrisoned by Germans, who had remained inactive during
this exit ambition of the popular will. The Prince of
Orange himself had paid a visit to the city and had,
at the invitation of Brussels, proceeded there, and had received
an enthusiastic reception, and for a time it seemed that
the plans for which so many years he had struggled
were at last to be crowned with success. But his
(20:18):
hopes were frustrated by the treachery of the nobles and
the cowardice of the army the patriots had engaged in
their service. Many of the Spanish troops had been secretly
brought back again, and Don John was preparing for a
renewal of war. Unknown to the Prince of Orange, numbers
of the nobles had invited the Archduke Mattias, brother of
(20:38):
the Emperor Rudolph of Germany, to assume the government. Mattias,
without consultation with his brother, accepted the invitation and journeyed
privately to the Netherlands. Had the Prince of Orange declared
against him, he must at once have returned to Vienna,
but this would have aroused the anger of the Emperor
and the whole of Germany. Had the Prince, upon the
other hand, abandoned the fire yield and retired into Holland,
(21:01):
he would have played into the hands of his adversaries. Accordingly,
he received Mattias at Antwerp with great state, and the
Archduke was well satisfied to place himself in the hands
of the most powerful man in the country. The Prince's
position was greatly strengthened by the Queen instructing her ministers
to inform the Envoy of the Netherlands that she would
feel compelled to withdraw all succor of the states if
(21:24):
the Prince of Orange was deprived of his leadership, as
it was upon him alone that she relied for success.
The Prince was thereupon appointed Rouvard of Brabant, a position
almost analogous to that of Dictator Ghent, which was second
only in importance to Antwerp. Rose almost immediately turned out
the Catholic authorities and declared in favor of the Prince.
(21:46):
A new Act of Union was signed at Brussels, and
the Estates General passed a resolution declaring Don John to
be no longer governor or stadholder of the Netherlands. The
Prince of Orange was appointed Lieutenant General for Mattias, and
the actual power of the latter was reduced to a nullity,
but he was installed at Brussels with the greatest pomp
(22:06):
and ceremony. Don John, who had by this time collected
an army of twenty thousand veterans at Namur and had
been joined by the Prince of Parma, a general of
great vigor and ability, now marched against the army of
the Estates of which the command had been given to
the nobles of the country in the hope of binding
them firmly to the national cause. The Patriot army fell
(22:29):
back before that of the Spaniards, but were soon engaged
by a small body of cavalry Alexander of Parma came
up with some twelve hundred horse, dashed boldly across a
dangerous swamp, and fell upon their flank. The Estate's cavalry
at once turned and fled, and Parma then fell upon
the infantry, and in the course of an hour not
only defeated but almost exterminated them, from seven thousand to
(22:51):
eight thousand being killed and six hundred taken prisoners, the
latter being executed without mercy by Don John. The loss
of the Spaniards was only about ten men. This extraordinary
disproportion of numbers, and the fact that twelve hundred men
so easily defeated a force ten times more numerous, completely
dashed to the ground the hopes of the Netherlands and
(23:13):
showed how utterly incapable were its soldiers of contending in
the field with the veterans of Spain. The battle was
followed by the rapid reduction of a large number of towns,
most of which surrendered without resistance as soon as the
Spanish troops approached. In the meantime, the Estates had assembled
another army, which was joined by one composed of twelve
thousand Germans under Duke Casimir both armies were rendered inactive
(23:37):
by want of funds, and the situation was complicated by
the entry of the Duke of Alencon, the brother of
the King of France, into the Netherlands. Don John, the
hero of the Battle of Lepanto, who had shown himself
on many battlefields to be at once a great commander
and a valiant soldier, was prostrate by disease brought on
by vexation, partly at the difficulties he had met with
(23:59):
since his arrival in the Netherlands, partly at the neglect
of Spain to furnish him with money with which he
could set his army, now numbering thirty thousand, in motion
and sweep aside all resistance. At this critical moment, his
malady increased, and after a week's illness, he expired just
two years after his arrival in the Netherlands. He was succeeded,
(24:20):
at first temporarily and afterwards permanently by Alexander of Parma,
also a great commander and possessing far greater resolution than
his unfortunate predecessor. The two years had been spent by
Edward Martin in almost incessant journeyings between London and the Netherlands.
He now held, however, a position much superior to that
(24:40):
which he had formerly occupied. The Queen, after hearing from
him his account of the sack of Antwerp and his
share in the struggle, had said to the Secretary.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
I think that it is only just that we should
bestow upon Captain Martin some signal mark of our approbation
at the manner in which he has for two years
devoted himself to our service, and that without pay or reward,
but solely from his loyalty to our person and from
his good will towards the state niil Captain Martin.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
The Queen took the sword that Wassingham handed to her
and said, rise, Sir Edward Martin, you will draw out,
mister Secretary, our new knight's appointment as our special envoy
to the Prince of Orange, and see that he has
proper appointments for such a post. His duties will, as
before be particular to myself and the Prince, and will
(25:32):
not clash in any way with those of our envoy
at the Hague. The delight of Ned's mother and sisters
when he returned home and informed them of the honor
that the Queen had been pleased to bestow upon him
was great. Indeed, his father said, well, Ned, I must
congratulate you with the others. Though I had hoped to
make a sailor of you, However circumstances have been too
(25:53):
much for me. I own that you have been thrust
into this work rather by fortune than design, And as
it is so, I am heartily glad that you have succeeded.
It seems strange to me that my boy should have
become Sir Edward Martin, an officer in the service of
her Majesty. And I say frankly that just at present
I would rather that it had been otherwise. But I
(26:14):
suppose I shall get accustomed to it in time, and
assuredly none but myself will doubt for a moment that
you have gained greatly by all this honor and dignity.
Queen Elizabeth, although in some respects parsimonious in the extreme,
was liberal to her favorites, and the new made Knight
stood high in her liking. She loved to have good
looking men about her, and without being actually handsome, Ned Martin,
(26:38):
with his height and breadth of shoulder, his easy and
upright carriage, his frank, open face, and sunny smile was
pleasant to look upon. He had served her excellently for
two years, had asked for no rewards or favors, but
had borne himself modestly and been content to wait. Therefore,
the Queen was pleased to order her Treasurer to issue
a commission to Sir Edward Martin as Her Majesty's Special
(27:02):
Envoy to the Prince of Orange, with such appointments as
would enable him handsomely to support his new dignity and
his position as her representative. Even Captain Martin was now
bound to confess that Ned had gained profit as well
as honor. He did indeed warn his son not to
place too much confidence in princes, But Ned replied, I
do not think the Queen is fickle in her likes
(27:23):
and dislikes, father, But I rely not upon this but
on doing my duty to the state for further employment.
I have had extraordinary good fortune too, and have without
any merit save that of always doing my best, mounted
step by step from the deck of the good venture
to knighthood and employment by the state. The war appears
to me to be as far from coming to an
(27:44):
end as it did six years ago, And if I
continue to acquit myself to the satisfaction of the Lord
Treasurer and Counsel. I hope that at its conclusion I
may be employed upon such further work as I am fitted.
For you speak rightly, Ned, and I am wrong to
feel anxiety your future when you have already done so well,
and now, Ned, you had best go into the city
(28:05):
and order from some tailor who supplies the court such
suits as are fitting to your new rank. The Queen
loves brave dresses and bright colors, and you must cut
as good a figure as the rest. You have been
somewhat of an expense to me these last two years,
but that is over now, and I can well afford
the additional outlay to start you worthily. What was good
(28:25):
enough for Captain Martin is not good enough for Sir
Edward Martin. Therefore stent not expense in any way. I
should not like that you should not hold your own
with the young fops of the court. It was well
that Ned had provided himself with a new outfit, for
he was not sent abroad again for more than a month,
and during that time he was almost daily at court,
(28:46):
receiving from the Royal Chamberlain a notification that the Queen
expected to see him at all entertainments. At the first
of these, Lord Walsingham introduced him to many of the
young nobles of the court, speaking very highly of the
services he had rendered, and as the Queen was pleased
to speak often to him and to show him marked favor,
he was exceedingly well received and soon found himself at ease.
(29:09):
He was nevertheless glad when the order came for him
to proceed again to Holland with messages to the Prince
of Orange. Upon his arrival there, he was warmly congratulated
by the Prince. You have well earned your rank, the
Prince said, I take some pride to myself in having
so soon discovered that you had good stuff in you.
There are some friends of yours here who will be
(29:31):
glad to hear of the honor that has befallen you.
The Countess van Harp and her daughter have been here
for the last six weeks. I have seen them several times,
and upon each occasion they spoke to me of their
gratitude for the services you have rendered them. One of
my pages will show you where they are lodging. They
are about to proceed to England, and I think their
decision is a wise one, for this country is at
(29:53):
present no place for unprotected women. The Countess and her
daughter were alike surprised and pleased when Ned was announced
as Sir Edward Martin, and when a fortnight later Ned
sailed for England, they took passage in the same ship.
Ned had sent word to his mother by a vessel
that sailed a week previously that they would arrive with him,
and the best room in the house had been got
(30:15):
in readiness for them, and they received a hearty welcome
from Ned's parents and sisters. They stayed a fortnight there
and then established themselves in a pretty little house in
the village of Dulich. One of Ned's sisters accompanied them
to stay for a time as Gertrude's friend and companion
whenever Ned returned home. He was a frequent visitor at Dulich,
(30:35):
and at the end of two years, his sisters were
delighted but not surprised when he returned one day and
told them that Gertrude von Harp had accepted him. The
marriage was not to take place for a time, for
Ned was still young, and the Countess thought it had
best be delayed. She was now receiving a regular income
from her estates, for it had been a time of
(30:55):
comparative peace in Holland, and that country was increasing fast
in wealth and prosperity. Alexander of Parma had, by means
of his agents corrupted the greater part of the nobility
of Flanders and Brabant, had laid siege to Maastricht, and
after a defense even more gallant and desperate than that
of Haarlem and several terrible repulses of his soldiers, had
(31:17):
captured the city and put the greater part of its inhabitants,
men and women to the sword. After vain entreaties to
Elizabeth to assume the sovereignty of the Netherlands, this had
been offered to the Duke of Anjou, brother of the
King of France. The choice appeared to be a politic one,
for Anjou was at the time the all but accepted
(31:37):
suitor of Queen Elizabeth, and it was thought that the
choice would unite both powers in the defense of Holland.
The Duke, however, speedily proved his incapacity, Irritated at the
smallness of the authority granted him, and the independent attitude
of the great towns, he attempted to capture them by force.
He was successful in several places, but at Antwerp, where
(31:59):
the French thought to repeat the Spanish success and to
sack the city, the Burghers gathered so strongly and fiercely
that the French troops employed were for the most part killed,
those who survived being ignominiously taken prisoners. Anjou retired with
his army, losing a large number of men on his
retreat by the bursting of a dike and the flooding
(32:20):
of the country. By this time, the Prince of Orange
had accepted the sovereignty of Holland and Zealand, which was
now completely separated from the rest of the Netherlands. After
the flight of Anjou, he received many invitations from the
other provinces to accept their sovereignty, but he steadily refused,
having no personal ambition and knowing well that no reliance
(32:41):
whatever could be placed upon the nobles of Brabant and Flanders.
End of Chapter twenty
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