siege was
raised. It was the first important military victory for the patriots
and marks the turning-point of the revolt. Henceforth the Netherlands
could not be wholly subdued.

Requesens summoned the States General and offered a pardon to all who
would submit. But the people saw in this only a sign of weakness. A
flood of pamphlets calling to arms replied to the advances of the
government. Among the pamphleteers the ablest was Philip van Marnix,
[Sidenote: Marnix, 1538-98] a Calvinist who turned his powers of satire
against Spain and the Catholic {264} church. William of Orange, now a
Protestant, living at Delft, inspired the whole movement. Requesens,
believing that if he were out of the way the revolt would collapse,
like Alva offered public rewards for his assassination. That there was
really no common ground was proved at a conference between the two
foes, broken off without result. In the campaign of 1575 the Spanish
army again achieved great things, taking Oudewater, Schoonhoven and
other places. But the rebels would not give up.

[Sidenote: March 5, 1576]

The situation was changed by the death of Requesens. Before his
successor could be appointed events moved rapidly. After taking
Zierikzee on June 29, the Spanish army turned to Aalst, quartered the
soldiers on the inhabitants, and forced the loyal city to pay the full
costs of their maintenance. If even the Catholics were alienated by
this, the Protestants went so far as to preach that any Spaniard might
be murdered without sin. In the concerted action against Spain the
Estates of Brabant now took the leading part; meeting at Brussels they
intimidated the Council of State and raised an army of 3000 men. By
this time Holland and Zeeland were to all intents and purposes an
independent state. The Calvinists, strong among the native population,
were recruited by a vast influx of immigrants from other Provinces
until theirs became the dominant religion. Holland and Zeeland pursued
a separate military and financial policy. Alone among the provinces
they were prosperous, for they had command of the rich sea-borne
commerce.

The growth of republican theory kept pace with the progress of the
revolt. Orange was surrounded by men holding the free principles of
Duplessis-Mornay and corresponding with him. Dutchmen now openly
voiced their belief that princes were made for the sake of their
subjects and not subjects for the sake {265} of princes.