Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/14

 but a puppet in the hands of the King and the ambitious ecclesiastic. The people soon found that one by one their municipal privileges were withdrawn, their ancient charters annulled, religious persecution redoubled, and as a crowning insult, thousands of Spanish soldiers were quartered upon them in a time of peace.

Cardinal Granvelle was personally responsible for many of these evils. His zeal for the crown, combined with his arrogance, provoked the wrath of the nobles. Even the Regent, wearied with discord and strife, prayed for his dismissal. For five years Philip joined issue with the people of the Netherlands in a struggle of life and death. At last the nation, Catholics and Protestants alike, rose as one man and demanded the removal of Granvelle. Philip was compelled to discharge the hated prelate, and the latter left Brussels never to return.

An exultant shout went up from the Netherlands: “Granvelle has gone! The victory is ours!” A victory forsooth! yet one which was to be purchased only with the blood of eighty years of civil strife.

The herald angels sang once more on this Christmas morning their hallelujah chorus: “Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace, good will to men.” Tears must have mingled with hymn of praise, as they saw in the Netherlands “