ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the Spanish finally declared war, and after some delay the Dutch Republic was under threat. Taxes were increased, and there were disturbances in several cities, to which Maurits had to send troops, troops that were sorely needed for defence. A conspiracy to assassinate Maurits led by the two sons of Oldenbarneveldt was thwarted. The financial strain on the Dutch Republic was extreme. Maurits was aging and in poor health but, ever alert to exploiting the international situation, selected and sent envoys to France, where an alliance treaty was signed, and France undertook to give substantial subsidies to the Dutch Republic, subsidies that were vital in helping the Dutch continue their struggle. Maurits died in 1625, and it appeared that the Republic was under serious, almost overwhelming threat. However, subsequent events in the international situation, combined with the military ability of Maurits’s successor Frederick Henry, ensured that, for the nascent Dutch Republic, this was the darkest hour before the dawn.
