DREAM OF INDEPENDENCE204

Albert and Isabella—Catholic reaction—Siege of Ostend—Policy of the Spanish kings—The Walloon League—The States-General.

[CHAPTER XVIII]

THE TWELVE YEARS' TRUCE213

Period of reconstruction—Ruin of Antwerp—Revival of industry and agriculture—Social conditions under Albert and Isabella—Influence of the Church.

[CHAPTER XIX]

RUBENS221

Contrast between Flemish Art in the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries—Italian influence—Intellectual action of the Jesuits—Neglect of Flemish—Popular Art: Breughel, Jordaens.

[CHAPTER XX]

POLITICAL DECADENCE UNDER SPAIN230