History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

programme, essentially one of constitutionalism,
that William had sketched in his own mind for his
native land. Whom he should make Governor he
had not yet determined: most certainly it would be
neither himself nor Philip of Spain; and now an
intrigue of the Roman Catholic nobles had placed
Matthias of Austria in the post, for which William
knew not where to find a suitable occupant. But
first the country had to be liberated; every other
work must be postponed for this.
The Netherlands, their former Confederacy
ratified (December 7th, 1577) in the "New Union"
of Brussels -- the last Confederacy that was ever to
be formed by the Provinces -- had thrown down the
gauntlet to Philip, and both sides prepared for war,
The Prince of Orange strengthened himself by an
alliance with England. In this treaty, formed
through the Marquis of Havree, the States
ambassador, Elizabeth engaged to aid the
Netherlanders with the loan of 100,000 pounds
sterling, and a force of 5,000 infantry and 1,000
cavalry, their commander to have a seat in the State
Council. Nor was Don John idle He had collected a
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