A sweeping account from master history storyteller Mary MacGregor dealing with the tumultuous period of the Eighty Years' War, or "Dutch Revolt," and its main protagonists, the Spanish King Philip II, William I, Prince of Orange, the Duke of Alba, Don John of Austria, and the Duke of Anjou, all set against the dramatic and violent story of the establishment of the first modern republic in Europe. Readers will discover the close relationship between the Dutch independence drive and the ongoing religious conflict of the time-and the brutal methods used by the Catholic Church, through the Spanish royal house, in its efforts to suppress the Protestantism which gripped much of the rebellious Dutch provinces. Murder, betrayal, and calumny of unimaginable extent steadily dragged the rebellious Dutch into war with their Spanish overlords. The conflict was to exact a toll of countless lives-those of innocents and protagonists alike-before the revolt led to the formation of the independent Dutch Republic. Cover image: The Siege of Breda by Pieter Snayers (1592-1666). Contents Chapter 1: The Early Struggles Chapter 2: The Abdication of Charles V Chapter 3: Philip, the Prince Chapter 4: Philip in the Netherlands Chapter 5: Philip Leaves the Netherlands Chapter 6: Granvelle and Orange Chapter 7: Orange Opposes Granvelle Chapter 8: The Inquisition Chapter 9: Granvelle's Downfall Chapter 10: The Inquisition Resisted Chapter 11: Revenge Taken on the Image-Breakers Chapter 12: William of Orange Pacifies Antwerp Chapter 13: Orange Leaves the Netherlands and Alva Arrives Chapter 14: Alva's Reign of Terror Chapter 15: William Defies Alva Chapter 16: Alva Avenges the Victory of Heilger-Lee Chapter 17: Orange Returns to the Netherlands Chapter 18: A General Pardon Proclaimed Chapter 19: Montigny's Doom Chapter 20: The Sea-Beggars Chapter 21: The Capture and Surrender of Mons Chapter 22: The Struggle Between Spain and the Provinces Grows Desperate Chapter 23: The Siege of Haarlem Chapter 24: The Patriots Win by Land and Sea Chapter 25: The Grand Commander Chapter 26: The Siege and Relief of Leyden Chapter 27: The Grand Commander Dies Chapter 28: The Spanish Fury Chapter 29: Don John of Austria Chapter 30: Don John's Treachery Chapter 31: The Prince of Orange is Invited to Brussels Chapter 32: Don John's Struggles and Death Chapter 33: Alexander of Parma Chapter 34: The Ban Chapter 35: The Duke of Anjou's Reception and Subsequent Treachery Chapter 36: The Plot against Orange and Its Success Index