The army of Don John already numbered more than twenty thousand well-seasoned and disciplined veterans.

He was himself the most illustrious chieftain in Europe.

He was surrounded by lieutenants cf the most brilliant reputation.

Alexander of Parma, who had fought with distinction at Lepanto, was already recognised as possessing that signal military genius which was soon to stamp him as the first soldier of his age, while Mansfeld, Mondragon, Mendoza, and other distinguished officers, who had already won so much fame in the Netherlands, had now returned to the scene of their former achievements.
On the other hand, the military affairs of the states were in confusion.
Troops in nearly equal numbers to those of the royal army had been assembled, but the chief offices had been bestowed, by a mistaken policy, upon the great nobles.

Already the jealousy of Orange, entertained by their whole order was painfully apparent.