William the Silent: William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, 1533-1584In this book, first published in 1944, the distinguished historian C. V. Wedgwood takes as her subject here the figure of William, Count of Nassau and Prince of Orange, who led the revolt of the Netherlands against the Spain of Philip II. The book is not only a masterpiece of biographical writing but a rich portrait of an age—a period of political, religious, and economic ferment that dramatically shaped the history of early modern Europe. ‘A reliable and well-balanced history of great events. Miss Wedgwood tells simply and accurately a series of moving, romantic and most important events, the first effective stand made in Europe against Spain and the Inquisition, the foundation of the Dutch Republic on the basis of freedom; and she tells these great historical events in the form of a biography centered round the figure of one man.’—G. M. Trevelyan, [London] Sunday Times ‘A very fine book. There is all the human interest of William’s life with all the historic importance for us of his achievement.’—A. L. Rowse, Observer ‘Miss Wedgwood, an authority on the period, has told William’s life story persuasively, with singular economy and charm....Superior scholarship, penetrating insight, lucid prose.’—Geoffrey Bruun |
Contents
CHAPTER IITHE GATHERING STORM 15591565 26 | |
CHAPTER IIIPROLOGUE TO TRAGEDY 15651567 52 | |
CHAPTER IVTHE LONG NIGHT 15671572 79 | |
CHAPTER VWATERS OF SALVATION 15721574 101 | |
CHAPTER VILEAGUES AND CONFLICTS 15741577 121 | |
CHAPTER VIINO SURE FOUNDATION 15771579 144 | |
CHAPTER VIIIUNITED WE STAND 15791581 166 | |
CHAPTER IXDIVIDED WE FALL 15811584 181 | |
CHAPTER XMURDER AT DELFT 1584 200 | |
REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 205 | |
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William the Silent, William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, 1533-1584 C V (Cicely Veronica) 19 Wedgwood No preview available - 2021 |
Common terms and phrases
Aerschot alliance Alva Alva’s Anjou Anna Anna’s Antwerp Beggars Brabant Breda Brederode brother Brussels burghers Calvinist Catholic Charlotte Charlotte’s Church Confederates Council dangerous delegates Delft Dillenburg Don John Duke Dutch Egmont and Horn Elector Palatine Emperor Estates Europe father feared Flemish force France French friends Germany Golden Fleece Granvelle Gueux Haarlem hand Hembyze Hoogstraten hope Huguenot husband John Casimir John’s Juliana King of Spain King Philip King’s knew later least Leoninus les Gueux Leyden Louis Louis of Nassau Lutheran Margaret marriage Matthias Meanwhile Middelburg Netherlands never night nobility nobles North officers once Pacification of Ghent Palais de Nassau Parma political popular Prince of Orange Princess Protestant provinces refused Regent religion Requesens revolt rumour Sainte Aldegonde soldiers South Spaniards Spanish army Spanish troops Stadholder summer thought town Utrecht Viglius wife William William of Nassau wrote young