. A history of mediaeval and modern Europe for secondary schools. re despair raised a new revolt and a mighty cham-pion. William, Prince of Orange,2 had been one of Philips chieflieutenants in the rule of the Netherlands, but he had weariedof the Spaniards tyrannous methods, and was sympatheticwith Protestantism. When Alva entered the country, he wiselywithdrew to Germany, then declared himself a Protestant and far the Catholic Church, and how far simply the Spanish Government, wasresponsible for its excesses. It naturally became a tremendous weapon againstthe Protestants. Even the Netherland
. A history of mediaeval and modern Europe for secondary schools. re despair raised a new revolt and a mighty cham-pion. William, Prince of Orange,2 had been one of Philips chieflieutenants in the rule of the Netherlands, but he had weariedof the Spaniards tyrannous methods, and was sympatheticwith Protestantism. When Alva entered the country, he wiselywithdrew to Germany, then declared himself a Protestant and far the Catholic Church, and how far simply the Spanish Government, wasresponsible for its excesses. It naturally became a tremendous weapon againstthe Protestants. Even the Netherland Catholics resisted its coming on accountof its misuse for political ends. 1 Philips great blunder was that — a Spaniard himself — he believed his freeNorthern subjects would submit readily to a despotism to which Spain wasaccustomed. 2 The principality of Orange, which gave William this title, lay in south-eastern France, but he also was of the German House of Nassau, and hadconsiderable estates in Holland. He had practically the rank of a petty sove-reign,. 264 HISTORY OF EUROPE bided his time. Other leaders of the age were far more brilliantfor the hour than he, but none so tenacious, skillful in dealingwith men, or more gifted with a noble courage which did notshrink when every hope seemed quenched. He fought Philipin his games of intrigue and diplomacy, and checkmated him;he had a marvelous gift of keeping the loving loyalty of hisfollowers; he likewise maintained himself confident and se-rene amid every danger. The modern Dutch are justified inclaiming their Father William as one of the heroes of theages. After several unsuccessful attempts at revolt, in 1572, aband of sailors, Williams privateersmen, seized Brill, a smallseaport town in Holland, and defied every effort of the Span-iards to oust them. The blaze of rebellion spread; speedilyWilliam found himself at the head of the two small provincesof Zeeland and Holland, and with these preparing to brave theunited eff
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