History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce, 1604-05

"History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce—1609" by John Lothrop Motley is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The work focuses on the complexity of the Dutch struggle for independence from Spanish rule, particularly examining the military and political maneuvers during the era. It offers a detailed narrative that highlights key figures, such as Prince Maurice of Nassau, as well as the intricacies and repercussions of various campaigns and conquests within the United Netherlands. The opening of the book delves into the military operations led by Prince Maurice as he aims to secure the beleaguered town of Ostend and mount an offensive into Flanders. The discussion includes insights into regional politics, requests from foreign monarchs for aid, and the prevailing strategies employed by both the Dutch forces and their adversaries. The complexities of military leadership and tactics are evident, detailing Maurice’s cautious approach as well as the challenges posed by the Spanish forces under the archdukes. The narrative emphasizes not only the immediate military engagements but also the broader political landscape that both fueled and complicated the ongoing conflict for Dutch independence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Lothrop Motley was an American author and diplomat. As a popular historian, he is best known for his works on the Netherlands, the three volume work The Rise of the Dutch Republic and four volume History of the United Netherlands. As United States Minister to Austria in the service of the Abraham Lincoln administration, Motley helped to prevent European intervention on the side of the Confederates in the American Civil War. He later served as Minister to the United Kingdom during the Ulysses S. Grant administration.