Why did Orange's invasion of 1572 prove more successful than his attack in 1568?

Orange 1567-72

• In April 1567 William of orange fled to Germany.
• He had not decided yet to become a rebel but judged it best to await events from a position of safety.
• Orange sent Alva a letter in 1567 to test the ground asking whether he could be of service.
• In response he was condemned in his absence by the COT and had his estates confiscated. His former colleagues were beheaded.
• The punished meted out by COT left him little choice but to become a rebel.
• Orange saw himself as the leader of the opposition to Alva with the other chief confederates and nobels gone or dead.
• In 1568, Orange invaded the Netherlands with the help of a mercenary army from Germany.
• Campaign was a complete failure; troops rapidly defeated, not one town rose in his name.
• Orange tried to resore his fortunes and increase his allies.
• In 1567 converted to Lutheranism---> motivated by political considerations, could call to his aid co-religionists in exile.
• Established close links with Huguenots, fighting alongside them against Catholics winning over Admiral Coligny (dominant voice in Charles' court).
• Presented himself as 'national leader', 'father of his country'.
• His aim was the overthrow of a tyrannical regime; promised to restore the lost liberties of the Dutch.

The invasion plan of 1572

• Second invasion plan; Netherlands invaded from Germany by 2 armies; mixed force of exiles +   Huguenots would attack from France.
• They would later be supported by a French army led by Coligny.
• From the sea, a fleet fitted out by Orange would attack Holland and Zealand, helped by privateers who sailed under Orange's flag- the 'Sea Beggars'.
• Orange did not estimate them highly and they were not vital to his plan but they became decisive military factor in the events of 1572.
• Orange and rebels acquired a permanent foothold in the Netherlands thanks to the Sea Beggars from which it was impossible to dislodge them from.
• Orange was once again in flight by November 1572 taking refuge in the unvanquished provinces of Holland and Zealand.

The Sea Beggars

• A motley crew of pirates, exiled noblemen and Calvinist seafarers drawn to Orange's side to povide maritime support in 1568 invasion.
• They survived mainly by piracy after Orange's defeat.
• They harrassed the coast and attacked both Spanish and neutral shipping, selling captured vessels in England.
• Their activities were so damaging to trade, Elizabeth expelled them in March 1572.
• They sailed to holland and on 1st April seized the unguarded port of Brille, having nowhere else  to…