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332 General History of Europe the Spaniards. What was still worse, he proposed that the In- quisition ( 399, 511) should carry on its work far more actively than hitherto and put an end to the heresy which appeared to him to defile his fair realms. For ten years the people suffered Philip's rule; nevertheless their king, instead of listening to the protests of their leaders, who were quite as earnest Catholics as himself, ap- peared to be bent on the destruction of the land. So in 1566 some five hundred of the nobles ventured to protest against Philip's policy. Thereupon Philip took a step which led finally to the revolt of the Neth- erlands. He decided to put down the rebellion by dispatching to the low countries the remorseless duke of Alva, whose con- duct has made his name synonymous with blind and unmeasured cruelty. Alva's administration from 1567 to 1573 and the atrocities of his rough soldiers produced a veritable reign of terror. 561. William of Orange, called the Silent (1534-1534). The Netherlands found a leader in William, Prince of Orange. He is a national hero whose career bears a striking resemblance to that of Washington. Like the American patriot, he undertook the seemingly hopeless task of freeing his people from the oppres- sive rule of a distant king. To the Spaniards he appeared to be only an impoverished nobleman at the head of a handful of armed peasants and fishermen, contending against the sovereign of the richest realm in the world. PHILIP II. (Bv ANTONIO MORO)