This eBook was produced by David Widger [NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the file for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making an entire meal of them. D.W.] MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 26 THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, 1576-1577 By John Lothrop Motley 1855 PART V. DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA. 1576-1577 [CHAPTER I.] Birth and parentage of Don John--Barbara Blomberg--Early education and recognition by Philip--Brilliant military career--Campaign against the Moors--Battle of Lepanto--Extravagant ambition--Secret and rapid journey of the new Governor to the Netherlands--Contrast between Don John and William of Orange--Secret instructions of Philip and private purposes of the Governor--Cautious policy and correspondence of the Prince--Preliminary, negotiations with Don John at Luxemburg characterized--Union of Brussels--Resumption of negotiations with the Governor at Huy--The discussions analyzed and characterized--Influence of the new Emperor Rudolph II. and of his envoys--Treaty of Marche en Famine, or the Perpetual Edict, signed-- Remarks upon that transaction--Views and efforts of Orange in opposition to the treaty--His letter, in name of Holland and Zealand, to the States-General--Anxiety of the royal government to gain over the Prince--Secret mission of Leoninus--His instructions from Don John--Fruitless attempts to corrupt the Prince--Secret correspondence between Don John and Orange--Don John at Louvain--His efforts to ingratiate himself with the Netherlanders--His incipient popularity--Departure of the Spanish troops--Duke of Aerschot appointed Governor of Antwerp citadel--His insincere character.