MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, PG EDITION, VOLUME 6. THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, D.C.L., LL.D. 1855 [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
CHAPTER II. 1560-1561
Agitation in the Netherlands—The ancient charters resorted to as
barriers against the measures of government—"Joyous entrance" of
Brabant—Constitution of Holland—Growing unpopularity of Antony
Perrenot, Archbishop of Mechlin—Opposition to the new bishoprics,
by Orange, Egmont, and other influential nobles—Fury of the people
at the continued presence of the foreign soldiery—Orange resigns
the command of the legion—The troops recalled—Philip's personal
attention to the details of persecution—Perrenot becomes Cardinal
de Granvelle—All the power of government in his hands—His
increasing unpopularity—Animosity and violence of Egmont towards
the Cardinal—Relations between Orange and Granvelle—Ancient
friendship gradually changing to enmity—Renewal of the magistracy
at Antwerp—Quarrel between the Prince and Cardinal—Joint letter of
Orange and Egmont to the King—Answer of the King—Indignation of
Philip against Count Horn—Secret correspondence between the King
and Cardinal—Remonstrances against the new bishoprics—Philip's
private financial statements—Penury of the exchequer in Spain and
in the provinces—Plan for debasing the coin—Marriage of William
the Silent with the Princess of Lorraine circumvented—Negotiations
for his matrimonial alliance with Princess Anna of Saxony—
Correspondence between Granvelle and Philip upon the subject—
Opposition of Landgrave Philip and of Philip the Second—Character
and conduct of Elector Augustus—Mission of Count Schwartzburg—
Communications of Orange to the King and to Duchess Margaret—
Characteristic letter of Philip—Artful conduct of Granvelle and of
the Regent—Visit of Orange to Dresden—Proposed "note" of Elector
Augustus—Refusal of the Prince—Protest of the Landgrave against
the marriage—Preparations for the wedding at Leipzig—Notarial
instrument drawn up on the marriage day—Wedding ceremonies and
festivities—Entrance of Granvelle into Mechlin as Archbishop—
Compromise in Brabant between the abbeys and bishops.
The years 1560 and 1561 were mainly occupied with the agitation and dismay produced by the causes set forth in the preceding chapter.
Against the arbitrary policy embodied in the edicts, the new bishoprics and the foreign soldiery, the Netherlanders appealed to their ancient constitutions. These charters were called "handvests" in the vernacular Dutch and Flemish, because the sovereign made them fast with his hand. As already stated, Philip had made them faster than any of the princes of his house had ever done, so far as oath and signature could accomplish that purpose, both as hereditary prince in 1549, and as monarch in 1555. The reasons for the extensive and unconditional manner in which he swore to support the provincial charters, have been already indicated.
Of these constitutions, that of Brabant, known by the title of the 'joyeuse entree, blyde inkomst', or blithe entrance, furnished the most decisive barrier against the present wholesale tyranny. First and foremost, the "joyous entry" provided "that the prince of the land should not elevate the clerical state higher than of old has been customary and by former princes settled; unless by consent of the other two estates, the nobility and the cities."
Again; "the prince can prosecute no one of his subjects nor any foreign resident, civilly or criminally, except in the ordinary and open courts of justice in the province, where the accused may answer and defend himself with the help of advocates."
Further; "the prince shall appoint no foreigners to office in Brabant."