The Spaniards were securely established.

The various citadels which had been built by Charles and Philip to curb the country now effectually did their work.

With the castles of Antwerp, Valenciennes, Ghent, Utrecht, Culemburg, Viane, Alost, in the hands of six thousand veteran Spaniards, the country seemed chained in every limb.
The foreigner's foot was on its neck.

Brussels was almost the only considerable town out of Holland and Zealand which was even temporarily safe.

The important city of Maestricht was held by a Spanish garrison, while other capital towns and stations were in the power of the Walloon and German mutineers.