History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

arms, by putting to death certain priests and monks
under circumstances of great barbarity. Germany
was at that time a magazine of mercenary soldiers,
from which both the Prince of Orange and Alva
drew supplies, and troops of this class were but
little amenable to discipline when their pay fell into
arrears, as was now the case. But William felt that
such excesses must be checked at all hazards,
otherwise his cause would be disgraced and
ultimately ruined; and accordingly he issued an
order forbidding all such barbarities in future under
pain of death.[1]
For some time his march was a triumphal one.
The standards of William shed a gleam through the
darkness that shrouded Brabant, and the spirits of
its terror-stricken inhabitants for a moment revived.
On the first occasion when the Deliverer
approached their cities, the Flemings abode within
their gates, but now they seemed as if they would
rise at his call, and redeem themselves from the
yoke of Spain. The important city of Mechlin
declared in his favor. Louvain refused to admit a
garrison of his soldiers, but sent him a contribution
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