Don John, exclaiming that this was the first day of his government, commanded the castellan to surrender.

De Froymont, taken by surprise, and hardly understanding this very melo-dramatic attack upon a citadel by its own lawful governor, made not much difficulty in complying.

He was then turned out of doors, along with his garrison, mostly feeble old men and invalids.

The newly arrived soldiers took their places, at command of the Governor, and the stronghold of Namur was his own.
There was little doubt that the representative of Philip had a perfect right to possess himself of any fortress within his government; there could be as little that the sudden stratagem by which he had thus made himself master of this citadel would prove offensive to the estates, while it could hardly be agreeable to the King; and yet it is not certain that he could have accomplished his purpose in any other way.

Moreover, the achievement was one of a projected series by which he meant to re-vindicate his dwindling authority.