Thus within eleven months of the battle of Saint Quentin, had the Dutch hero gained another victory so decisive as to settle the fate of the war, and to elevate his sovereign to a position from which he might dictate the terms of a triumphant peace.

The opening scenes of Philip's reign were rendered as brilliant as the proudest days of the Emperor's career, while the provinces were enraptured with the prospect of early peace.

To whom, then, was the sacred debt of national and royal gratitude due but to Lamoral of Egmont?
His countrymen gladly recognized the claim.

He became the idol of the army; the familiar hero of ballad and story; the mirror of chivalry, and the god of popular worship.

Throughout the Netherlands he was hailed as the right hand of the fatherland, the saviour of Flanders from devastation and outrage, the protector of the nation, the pillar of the throne.
The victor gained many friends by his victory, and one enemy.