THE STORY OF THE SIEGE OF MAESTRICHT (A.D. 1579).

PAGE

Maestricht-Its fortifications-Garrison-Signing of the treaty of Union-Its

contents-Don John of Austria-Endeavours to tamper with William the Silent-

Alexander Farnese-His iron will-Resolves to take Maestricht-Haarlem taken-

Carpen castle taken by Parma-Bridges thrown across the Maas-Maestricht in-

vested-Commander of the garrison-The fortifications strengthened-Mines and

Countermines-The Tongres gate is undermined-The mine is sprung-The

Spaniards are forced to retire-The fight at Bois-le-Duc gate-The second mine at

the Tongres gate is exploded with great injury to the Spaniards-The Spaniards are

repulsed-Parma builds a temporary town round Maestricht-The Spaniards attack

the gate at Brussels, and capture the defences-The Dutch soldiers grow dis-

heartened-The townsmen are driven to the last barricade-The townsmen refuse to

surrender-Receive a letter from William of Orange promising relief-A Spanish

soldier finds a breach in the wall-The Spanish troops enter the town-Massacre of

the inhabitants---Maestricht depopulated—Alexander Farnese's triumphant entry ... 49

THE STORY OF THE FRENCH FURY (A.D. 1583).

The Hollanders enter into an alliance with the Duke of Anjou-Anjou deter-

mines to sack the city-The Antwerpers are warned by a masked man-The Duke

of Anjou repudiates any knowledge of the plan-Anjou leaves the city-Count

Rochefort's treachery-The Frenchmen enter the city-The burghers alarmed fly to

arms-Rally at the Bourse-The baker of Antwerp-The French repulsed-Attempt

to retreat-Scene at the Kipdorp gate-Total defeat of the French-Anjou re-

proached by the leading French nobles-Prince William of Orange persuades the

citizens to cease cannonading the French-Why the French Fury failed............... 66

THE STORY OF THE SIEGE OF ANTWERP (A.D. 1585.)

Philip of Spain determines on the assassination of William of Orange-Balthazar

Gérard, a Jesuit, undertakes to attempt his life-Gérard a fanatic-Parma en-

courages Gérard in his intentions-Gérard introduces himself to Villers, and is by

him recommended to William the Silent-Balthazar obtains money from William-

William the Silent is shot by Gérard-Torture of the murderer-Change in the

political arrangements of the Netherlands-Bruges and Ghent surrender to Parma-

Parma plans the siege of Antwerp-The Hollanders hesitate to destroy the dykes-

Saint Aldegonde made burgomaster of Antwerp-Antwerp and Babel-The butchers

of Antwerp resolutely oppose the piercing of the dykes-Military force within the

city-Condition of Parma's troops-Herenthals taken by the Spaniards-The fort of

Liefkenshoek taken by the Marquis of Richebourg-The attack on fort Lillo fails-

Kalloo is made the head-quarters of the Spanish army-Formation of the Steeken

canal-Blockade runners-Establishment of a food tariff-Bridge-building, Parma's

great object-The Antwerpers ridicule the idea-The sluices on the Flemish side of

Antwerp are opened-This stratagem favourable to Parma-Forts St. Mary and

Philip completed-Skirmishes-Parma makes overtures of peace, which are rejected

-The Antwerpers attack Bois-le-Duc-The city entered-Hohenlo returns for re-

inforcements-The Antwerpers shut in-Parma's bridge of boats is finished-Lief-

kenshoek is recaptured by the Antwerpers - Gianibelli the Mantuan-The "Fortune"

and the "Hope"-The fire-ships approach Parma's bridge-The "Fortune" does

not explode-Explosion of the "Hope" and panic of the Spaniards-Failure of

Jacob Runaway's naval attack-The Patriots make preparations to pierce the

Kowenstyn--Parma's defences on the dyke-The dyke is attacked and pierced-The

Zeland ships cannonade the Spaniards-Count Mansfeld holds a council of war—

The Dutchmen are driven from the dyke-The Antwerpers capitulate-Alexander

Farnese enters the city.

..........

74

THE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF ZUTPHEN (A.D. 1586).

Negociations pending between England and Holland-The French king vacil-

lates between Spain and Holland-The Dutch envoys procure an interview with

Queen Elizabeth-News arrives in England of the fall of Antwerp-Queen Elizabeth

promises substantial help to the Dutch-The Earl of Leicester and Sir Philip Sidney

appointed to the command of the English army-Leicester's progress in the Nether-

lands-Parma's continued successes-Leicester's inactivity produces general dis-

content-Zutphen-Parma arrives at Wesel-Approaches Zutphen, and enters the

town-Sir John Norris in possession of Gibbet Hill-The victualling convoy is

attacked by the English-Sir Philip Sidney is wounded-His magnanimity-His

last interview with Leicester-The Spanish convoy arrives at the town-Edward

Stanley's stratagem to enter one of the sconces outside the town-Result of English

interference in the Netherlands

THE STORY OF THE SPANISH ARMADA (A.D. 1588).

Disaffection amongst the English leaders-Farnese, the master spirit of Spain-

The Spanish king makes overtures of peace to Queen Elizabeth-The papal bull-

Parma accused of the publication of a pamphlet on the subject of the bull-His

indignant denial-Preparations in Spain and Portugal for the invasion of England-

Drake destroys eighty vessels in Cadiz harbour—Queen Elizabeth's parsimony detri-

mental to English interests-Parma's preparations-Inactivity of the English--A

nominal force enrolled-Muster of the troops at Tilbury Fort-The English fleet-

Force of the Armada-The Marquis of Santa Cruz appointed captain-general of the

Armada-Parma opposed to the appointment - Death of Santa Cruz-The Duke of

Medina Sidonia appointed to succeed him-Sickness in Parma's camp - Medina

Sidonia's plan of action-The Armada sets sail from Lisbon-David Gwynn's exploit

-The Armada reassembles at Corunna-Arrival of the Armada in the English Channel

-The English fleet refuse a general engagement-Attack the rear-guard of the fleet

-Admiral Oquendo's flag-ship blown up-Medina sends a message to Parma-The

second battle with the Armada-Admiral Howard knights some of his officers-The

Armada anchors in Calais roads-The Hollanders prevent the coalition of Medina

and Parma-Insecure anchorage of the Armada-The English fire-ships dismay the

Spaniards-The flag-ship of Don Hugo de Moncada, the "Capitana," grounds on

the bar of Calais harbour-The English attack and board her-The French prevent

their capturing her-Riot between the French and English on board the Capitana-

Pursuit of the Armada-The Spaniards retreat-The Armada overtaken by a storm

-The English relinquish the pursuit-Arrive safely in Margate roads-The Armada

scattered and many of the ships driven on the Irish coast-Drake's summing up of

the discomfiture of the Spaniards-Parma attacks the Dutch-Is repulsed--Enthu-

siasm in England on the approach of the Armada-The queen reviews the troops at

Tilbury-False reports in Spain of the success of the Armada - Philip's resignation

on hearing news of the defeat of the Armada-Rejoicings in England

THE STORY OF THE THREE HENRIES (A.D. 1588-1610).

Henry of Navarre-Personal appearance, the opposite of Philip of Spain-Henry

III. of France a puppet in the hands of Catherine de Medici-His vanity and
effeminacy-His vices and his penitence-Elected King of Poland - Forsakes the
Poles-Ascends the throne of France-Temporises with the Protestants-Henry of
Guise, called Henry of the Scar-Madame League-Henry of Navarre as a staunch
Protestant leader of the Huguenot party and determined foe of Rome and Spain-
The disturbed state of France-Henry III., terrified by the popularity of Henry of
Guise, forbids him to approach the capital-Guise advances on Paris and is warmly
received by the people-The great day of the barricades-Henry III. driven from
his palace takes refuge at Chartres-Reconciled to his Huguenot cousin of Navarre-
The States-General convoked at Blois-Description of its aspect at the present time

PAGE

105

125

THE STORY OF THE "CURSE OF CROMWELL" (A.D. 1649–50).

Disturbed state of the whole British dominions-Progress of the royal cause in

Ireland-Cromwell appointed captain-general-Rathmines-The siege of Drogheda

and massacre of the garrison-Cromwell's triumphant progress-His letters to the

Parliament-Reception at Bristol

THE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF DUNBAR (A.D. 1650).

King Charles II. invited to the throne of Scotland-Treaty of Breda-Insurrec-

tion of Montrose-His defeat and execution-Charles swears to the Covenant-

Cromwell advances into Scotland-The position of the two armies-The stratagem

which brings about an engagement-The battle of Dunbar, and advance of the

Scottish army into England

PAGE

THE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF WORCESTER (A.D. 1651).

-

Advance of the royal army-Stragglers arrive at Worcester- Cromwell in

pursuit-The battle-Flight of King Charles-His romantic adventures before

effecting his escape

THE STORY OF THE PURITAN SEA KING (A.D. 1645-54).

Robert Blake-The soldier of the Commonwealth-Defence of Lyme-Takes

command of the fleet-Engagement with the Dutch fleet off the Foreland-War

with Spain-The last fight

.........

OLIVER CROMWELL LORD PROTECTOR (A.D. 1652-58).

389

400

410

418

Dissolution of the Parliament-The "bauble"-England without king or Parlia-

ment-Cromwell chosen as Protector-His work and death

431

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

SEPARATE PLATES, PRINTED

IN

COLOURS.

PAGE

THE ATTACK ON Antwerp, 1576, CALLED "THE SPANISH FURY"...Frontispiece.

THE RELIEF OF LEYDEN

1

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SPANISH ARMADA

144

THE BATTLE OF IVRY, 1590, BETWEEN HENRY IV. AND THE Leaguers
THE DUCHESS OF ROHAN ENCOURAGING THE DEFENDERS OF ROCHELLE
TRIUMPHAL PROGRESS OF MASANIELLO THROUGH NAPLES
IRETON TAKEN PRISONER AT THE BATTLE OF NASEBY, JUNE 14TH, 1645...... 368
ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND DUTCH FLEETS OFF THE NORTH
FORELAND, A.d. 1652

177

225

272

416

SEPARATE PLATES, ON TINTED PAPER.

WILLIAM THE SILENT, PRINCE of Orange.

16

THE SIEGE OF ANTWERP BY ALEXANDER FARNESE, PRINCE OF PARMA.........
QUEEN ELIZABETH AND PHILIP II. OF SPAIN-ENGLISH SHIP AND SPANISH

81

SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF PEACE AT WESTPHALIA, 1648

256

JOHN HAMPDEN FATALLY WOUNDED AT CHALGROVE FIELD
MICHAEL ADRIAN DE RUYTER

353

433