And at his death they showed themselves worthy of him and of the cause.

Around his body the Estates of Holland convened and resolved to bear themselves manfully {275} without abatement of zeal.

Right nobly did they acquit themselves.
[Sidenote: 1586, Leicester] The bad ending of a final attempt to get foreign help taught the Dutch Republic once and for all to rely only on itself.

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth's favorite, was inaugurated as Governor General.

His assumption of independent power enraged his royal mistress, whereas the Dutch were alienated by the suspicion that he sacrificed their interests to those of England, and by his military failures.