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This rapid pursuit of the German centre had been made possible by the coup de grâce given to the German armies in the battle of the Sambre. Haig regarded the capture of Valenciennes as an essential preliminary, and on 1-2 November corps of the First and Third armies attacked a six-mile front to the south of the town. The line of the Rhonelle was forced and Valenciennes fell on the 2nd.
Over many a window we saw a good John Bull board with "Spirituous Liquors Sold Here" inscribed thereon in broad British characters, unlike the "Spiritual Lickers" in the miserable letters upon the signboards at Ostend. As to Valenciennes, nothing was French but the houses and Inns.
Tournay had been crushed; Valenciennes, Bois le Duc, and all other important places, accepted their garrisons without a murmur. Even Antwerp had made its last struggle, and as soon as the back of Orange was turned, knelt down in the dust to receive its bridle.
Many eminent merchants, who had at their disposal fortunes of from sixty thousand to one hundred thousand florins, were seen with their hands tied behind their backs, dragged like common vagabonds at the horse's tail to execution, and in Valenciennes fifty-five persons were decapitated at one time.
Egmont and Aerschot before Valenciennes Severity of Egmont Capitulation of the city Escape and capture of the ministers Execution of La Grange and De Bray Horrible cruelty at Valenciennes Effects of the reduction of Valenciennes The Duchess at Antwerp Armed invasion of the provinces decided upon in Spain Appointment of Alva Indignation of Margaret Mission of De Billy Pretended visit of Philip Attempts of the Duchess to gain over Orange Mission of Berty Interview between Orange and Egmont at Willebroek Orange's letters to Philip, to Egmont, and to Horn Orange departs from the Netherlands Philip's letter to Egmont Secret intelligence received by Orange La Torre's mission to Brederode Brederode's departure and death Death of Bergen Despair in the provinces Great emigration Cruelties practised upon those of the new religion Edict of 24th May Wrath of the King.
Granvelle sent Philibert de Bruxelles to Valenciennes to procure their immediate condemnation and execution. He rebuked the judges and inquisitors, he sent express orders to Marquis Berghen to repair at once to the scene of his duties. The prisoners were condemned in the autumn of 1561. The magistrates were, however, afraid to carry the sentence into effect.
The happiest hours of this brief sojourn in Paris were perhaps spent with his old and dear friend Valenciennes, the associate of earlier days in Paris, when the presence of Cuvier and Humboldt gave a crowning interest to scientific work there.
Ghent, Tournay, Valenciennes, Mechlin, and other cities, were next the theatres of similar excesses; and in an incredibly short space of time above four hundred churches were pillaged in Flanders and Brabant. Zealand, Utrecht, and others of the northern provinces, suffered more or less; Friesland, Guelders, and Holland alone escaped, and even the latter but in partial instances.
He also informed me that the two reserve French divisions and the Fifth French Army Corps on my right were retiring. "In view of the possibility of my being driven from the Mons position, I had previously ordered a position in the rear to be reconnoitered. "This position rested on the fortress of Maubeuge on the right and extended west to Jenlain, southeast of Valenciennes on the left.
He took his horn, and blew it twice full loudly. But his huntsmen were now riding into Valenciennes; nor did they think that they had left their master behind them in the wood. With his flint the duke kindled a fire; beneath an aspen tree, and made ready to spend the night near the place where the slain wild boar lay.
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