Clubs can use for reference The Story of Holland, by James E. T. Rogers; Brave Little Holland, by W. E. Griffis; and Motley's stirring book, Rise of the Dutch Republic.
I—THE LOW COUNTRIES
The history of this part of the north began when Julius Cæsar came to Gaul. At the farthest point lay a huge morass covered with forests called Batavia, and one race living there, the Friesian, was noted for its independent, untamed character. Their law declared that "the race should be free as long as the wind blew out of the clouds," and this ancient saying has always been the rallying cry of Dutch patriotism.
At first under German dominion, the country became later a part of the Holy Roman Empire, and was ruled by a prince bishop. Later the Counts of Holland governed, and after the Crusades, when the feudal system was perfected, the great towns became practically independent. We read of magistrates, mayors, and aldermen. The population changed rapidly, commerce flourished, learning spread, and Holland became famous as the great cloth market of the world.
Close this period by noting two important points: First, that after the land had all been cleared and drained the people built dikes and forced the sea back, so gaining much arable land; second, that the great guilds of the time had much to do with the future history of the country. They existed among artisans and manufacturers, and, in addition, the curious guilds of rhetoric gave theatrical exhibitions and had processions, the latter called Land Jewels, from their magnificence. Motley lays emphasis on the value of the guilds in keeping alive the sentiment of liberty.
II—PHILIP THE GOOD
In the fifteenth century, Philip the Good of Burgundy, by purchase, usurpation, and marriage dower, became the head of the Low Countries. The real rulers of the country were the stadtholders, and the great cities stood individually rather than unitedly. Read the story of the war against England under Philip; note the rise of the fisheries and their immense importance commercially, as well as the beginning of the Dutch navy in the fishing fleet. Read also in Brave Little Holland of the curious political parties called the "Cods" and the "Hooks." Notice the beginnings of the Reformation in other countries under Luther and Calvin, and have a paper on Erasmus of Holland; contrast his teachings with those of the other reformers. Read Henry Kingsley's novel, called Old Margaret, on this time, and also Scott's Quentin Durward, and Mary of Burgundy, by G. P. R. James.
III—TROUBLE WITH SPAIN
Passing rapidly through several intervening reigns, we come to that of Philip the Fair, whose momentous marriage with the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain brought the Netherlands into conflict with the greatest power in the world. Their son Charles, born in 1500, and called Count of Flanders, became King of Spain and then Emperor of Germany. He was hard, narrow-minded, selfish, and a religious bigot.
As soon as he realized the inroads Protestantism was making in Europe, he determined to put it down. He prohibited the reading of the Bible, just printed in Amsterdam, and established the Inquisition, which in Holland alone put to death over fifty thousand people. After fifty years of disastrous rule he abdicated in favor of his son Philip.