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History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

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Chapter 12<br />

Reaction--Submission <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands<br />

THE first effect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tumults was favorable to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Reformers. The <strong>in</strong>surrection had thoroughly<br />

alarmed <strong>the</strong> Duchess <strong>of</strong> Parma, and <strong>the</strong> Protestants<br />

obta<strong>in</strong>ed from her fear concessions which <strong>the</strong>y<br />

would <strong>in</strong> va<strong>in</strong> have solicited from her sense <strong>of</strong><br />

justice. At a conference between <strong>the</strong> lead<strong>in</strong>g nobles<br />

and <strong>the</strong> governor at Brussels on <strong>the</strong> 25th <strong>of</strong> August,<br />

<strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g treaty was agreed to and signed: --<br />

The duchess promised on her part "that <strong>the</strong><br />

Inquisition should be abolished from this time<br />

forward for ever," and that <strong>the</strong> Protestants should<br />

have liberty <strong>of</strong> worship <strong>in</strong> all those places where<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir worship had been previously established.<br />

These stipulations were accompanied with a<br />

promise that all past <strong>of</strong>fenses <strong>of</strong> image-break<strong>in</strong>g<br />

and Beggar manifestoes should be condoned. The<br />

nobles undertook on <strong>the</strong>ir part to dissolve <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

Confederacy, to return to <strong>the</strong> service <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> State, to<br />

214

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