Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... Chapter Eight. The Capture of Middelburg. A. The Siege. HARDLY had Treslong arrived at Flushing when he began to devise means to force Middelburg, Zeeland's capital, to take sides with the prince. It was known that the majority of the city's inhabitants were favorable to the cause of their country's freedom. But the magistrates, and most of the prominent families, considering chiefly their own interests, were inclined to Spain. A very strong Spanish garrison, moreover, "guarded Middelburg against attack from without, and prevented any patriotic demonstration from within. The original garrison had been augmented by adding the Spanish soldiers destined for, and stationed at, Flushing, but who, on April 6th and following days, had been repulsed and driven out. But the impetuous Treslong decided to attack, under any conditions, this central Spanish stronghold. Gathering together his Sea Beggars, and as many soldiers and burghers of Flushing as were willing to join him, during the night of April 26th, 1572, he secretly led his allied forces against Middelburg, in the hope of surprising it by burning one of the city gates. He was repulsed with great loss, and succeeded in holding only Arnemuiden, Middelburg's outer harbor. This, also, the Beggars were soon obliged to evacuate. But Middelburg was too important a town to be easily abandoned to the Spanish enemy. As long as the Spaniards held Middelburg not only was the security of the entire Island of Walcheren threatened, but the subjugation of nearly the whole of the province of Zeeland was sure to follow. The leaders at Flushing and at Veer consequently decided to besiege Zeeland's capital city, and thus force it to surrender. But the earliest efforts in this direction met with no better...
