e that William of Orange came forward. He
published a manifesto, clearing himself of all the accusations brought
against him, and declaring that he was about to make war, not against
the King, but against those who had usurped his power and authority in
the country. He immediately set to work to raise funds and troops. He
sold all his jewels, plate, tapestry, and every other possession of
value. Other nobles subscribed large sums. Count John of Nassau
pledged his estates to raise funds for the cause.

The plan of the campaign was drawn out. The provinces were to be
attacked simultaneously in three places. An army of Huguenots was to
enter Artois on the frontier of France. A second, under Hoogstraaten,
was to operate between the Rhine and the Meuse; while Louis of Nassau
was to raise the standard of revolt in Freesland. A fourth force, under
the Seigneur de Cocqueville, consisting of 2,500 men, also entered
Artois. He was immediately attacked, and almost cut to pieces. All the
Netherlanders who were taken prisoners were given up to the Spaniards,
and, of course, hanged. A similar fate befel the force of Count
Hoogstraaten. Louis of Nassau, however, was more successful.

His was the first victory gained by the patriot forces. It was seldom,
that, ill-equipped and ill-disciplined, they were able to compete
successfully with the well-trained troops of Spain. As yet, unhappily,
there seemed but little prospect of the cause of liberty being
triumphant. It was not man's arm which was to win the day. It was said
that Alva's rage was almost uncontrollable when he heard of the defeat
of his troops. In revenge, he immediately put to death eighteen
prisoners of distinction, including the two Barons Batenburg, Maximilian
Kock, Blois de Treslong, and others, who were executed in Brussels.
Soon afterwards, the pretended trial of Egmont and Horn being concluded,
those nobles were also executed in the same place. The events connected
with their death are too well-known to require repetition. Though they
did not die on account of their religion, for they were both staunch
Romanists, yet their execution contributed greatly to forward the cause
of the Protestants, as many other persons who might have remained true
to Philip were induced to side with the patriots, lest they should be
treated in a similar manner.

Nothing could be more deplorable than the condition of the Netherlands
at this time. Every family was mour