He could not, however, safely entrust the sacred interests of a commonwealth to such hands as those of Brederode--however deeply that enthusiastic personage might drink the health of "Younker William," as he affectionately denominated the Prince--or to "Golden Fleece," or to Charles Mansfeld, or to that younger wild boar of Ardennes, Robert de la Marck.

In his brother and in Sainte Aldegonde he had confidence, but he did not exercise over them that control which he afterwards acquired.

His conduct towards the confederacy was imitated in the main by the other great nobles.

The covenanters never expected to obtain the signatures of such men as Orange, Egmont, Horn, Meghen, Berghen, or Montigny, nor were those eminent personages ever accused of having signed the Compromise, although some of them were afterwards charged with having protected those who did affix their names to the document.

The confederates were originally found among the lesser nobles.