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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.

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.

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.

The King had granted it no letters patent or charter, nor had even the Duke of Alva thought it worth while to grant any commissions either in his own name or as Captain-General, to any of the members composing the board. The Blood-Council was merely an informal club, of which the Duke was perpetual president, while the other members were all appointed by himself.

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.

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.

The King had granted it no letters patent or charter, nor had even the Duke of Alva thought it worth while to grant any commissions either in his own name or as Captain-General, to any of the members composing the board. The Blood-Council was merely an informal club, of which the Duke was perpetual president, while the other members were all appointed by himself.

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.

Continued dissensions in the Spanish cabinet Ruy Gomez and Alva Conquest of the Netherlands entrusted to the Duke Birth, previous career and character of Alva Organization of the invading army Its march to the provinces Complaints of Duchess Margaret Alva receives deputations on the frontier Interview between the Duke and Egmont Reception of Alva by the Duchess of Parma Circular letters to the cities requiring their acceptance of garrisons Margaret's secret correspondence Universal apprehension Keys of the great cities demanded by Alva Secret plans of the government, arranged before the Duke's departure Arrest of Orange, Egmont, Horn, and others, determined upon Stealthy course of the government towards them Infatuation of Egmont Warnings addressed to him by De Billy and others Measures to entrap Count Horn Banquet of the Grand Prior The Grand Prior's warning to Egmont Evil counsels of Noircarmes Arrests of Egmont, Horn, Bakkerzeel and Straalen Popular consternation Petulant conduct of Duchess Margaret Characteristic comments of Granvelle His secret machinations and disclaimers Berghen and Montigny Last moments of Marquis Berghen Perfidy of Ruy Gomez Establishment of the "Blood-Council" Its leading features Insidious behavior of Viglius Secret correspondence, concerning the President, between Philip and Alva Members of the "Blood-Council" Portraits of Vargas and Hessels Mode of proceeding adopted by the council Wholesale executions Despair in the provinces The resignation of Duchess Margaret accepted Her departure from the Netherlands Renewed civil war in France Death of Montmorency Auxiliary troops sent by Alva to France Erection of Antwerp citadel Description of the citadel.

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.