The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 03: 1555

"The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 03: 1555" by John Lothrop Motley is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The book focuses on a crucial period in the history of the Netherlands during the 16th century, specifically detailing the events surrounding the abdication of Emperor Charles V and the subsequent rise of his son, Philip II. Motley's work provides a deep exploration of the political and social landscape of the Dutch Republic as it navigated its path toward independence from Spanish rule. In this volume, Motley meticulously details the dramatic abdication ceremony of Charles V in Brussels on October 25, 1555, highlighting the emotional responses from various prominent individuals and the implications of the transfer of power to Philip II. Through vivid descriptions, he paints a picture of the imperial court and the tension that permeated the atmosphere, as Charles, despite his oppressive rule, bids farewell to a populace caught between loyalty and resentment. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals the political complexities and the brewing discontent among the Dutch, setting the stage for the eventual revolt against Spanish Habsburg oppression, thus capturing a significant turning point in the emergence of the Dutch Republic. (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.