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In the vigorous language of Hoogstraaten, this horrible tragedy was enacted directly before the windows of that "cruel animal, Noircarmes," who, in company of his friend, Berlaymont, and the rest of the Blood-Council, looked out upon the shocking spectacle. The heads of the victims were exposed upon stakes, to which also their bodies were fastened.

He often thought, he said, of remedies for restoring the prosperity of the provinces, but in action he only assisted the Duke, to the best of his abilities, in arranging the Blood-Council. He wished well to his country, but he was more anxious for the favor of Alva.

Orange, Count Louis, Hoogstraaten, and others, cited before the Blood-Council Charges against them Letter of Orange in reply Position and sentiments of the Prince Seizure of Count de Buren Details of that transaction Petitions to the Council from Louvain and other places Sentence of death against the whole population of the Netherlands pronounced by the Spanish Inquisition and proclaimed by Philip Cruel inventions against heretics The Wild Beggars Preliminary proceedings of the Council against Egmont and Horn Interrogatories addressed to them in prison Articles of accusation against them Foreclosure of the cases Pleas to the jurisdiction Efforts by the Countesses Egmont and Horn, by many Knights of the Fleece, and by the Emperor, in favor of the prisoners Answers of Alva and of Philip Obsequious behavior of Viglius Difficulties arising from the Golden Fleece statutes set aside Particulars of the charges against Count Horn and of his defence Articles of accusation against Egmont Sketch of his reply Reflections upon the two trials Attitude of Orange His published 'Justification' His secret combinations His commission to Count Louis Large sums of money subscribed by the Nassau family, by Netherland refugees, and others Great personal sacrifices made by the Prince Quadruple scheme for invading the Netherlands Defeat of the patriots under Cocqueville Defeat of Millers Invasion of Friesland by Count Louis Measures of Alva to oppose him Command of the royalists entreated to Aremberg and Meghem The Duke's plan for the campaign Skirmish at Dam Detention of Meghem Count Louis at Heiliger Lee Nature of the ground Advance of Aremberg Disposition of the patriot forces Impatience of the Spanish troops to engage Battle of Heiliger-Lee Defeat and death of Aremberg Death of Adolphus Nassau Effects of the battle Anger and severe measures of Alva Eighteen nobles executed at Brussels Sentence of death pronounced upon Egmont and Horn The Bishop of Ypres sent to Egmont Fruitless intercession by the prelate and the Countess Egmont's last night in prison The "grande place" at Brussels Details concerning the execution of Egmont and Horn Observation upon the characters of the two nobles Destitute condition of Egmont's family.

This order was obeyed within nearly the prescribed period and here, it may be said, their own participation in their trial ceased; while the rest of the proceedings were buried in the deep bosom of the Blood-Council. After their answers had been delivered, and not till then, the prisoners were, by an additional mockery, permitted to employ advocates.

It was called the Council of Troubles, but it soon acquired the terrible name, by which it will be forever known in history, of the 'Blood-Council'. It superseded all other institutions. Every court, from those of the municipal magistracies up to the supreme councils of the provinces, were forbidden to take cognizance in future of any cause growing out of the late troubles.

The Governor, determined to show that the Duke of Alva could not be more prompt nor more terrible than himself, improvised, of his own authority, a tribunal in imitation of the infamous Blood-Council. Fortunately for the character of the country, Sonoy was not a Hollander, nor was the jurisdiction of this newly established court allowed to extend beyond very narrow limits.

In the vigorous language of Hoogstraaten, this horrible tragedy was enacted directly before the windows of that "cruel animal, Noircarmes," who, in company of his friend, Berlaymont, and the rest of the Blood-Council, looked out upon the shocking spectacle. The heads of the victims were exposed upon stakes, to which also their bodies were fastened.

Accordingly, soon after his return, on the 19th of January, 1568, the Prince, his brother Louis of Nassau, his brother-in-law, Count Van den Berg, the Count Hoogstraaten, the Count Culemburg, and the Baron Montigny, were summoned in the name of Alva to appear before the Blood-Council, within thrice fourteen days from the date of the proclamation, under pain of perpetual banishment with confiscation of their estates.

It was called the Council of Troubles, but it soon acquired the terrible name, by which it will be forever known in history, of the 'Blood-Council'. It superseded all other institutions. Every court, from those of the municipal magistracies up to the supreme councils of the provinces, were forbidden to take cognizance in future of any cause growing out of the late troubles.

The council of state, although it was not formally disbanded, fell into complete desuetude, its members being occasionally summoned into Alva's private chambers in an irregular manner, while its principal functions were usurped by the Blood-Council.