Schenk, Kloet; and other partisans, kept that portion of the archi-episcopate and of Westphalia in a state of perpetual commotion.

Early in the preceding year, Count de Meurs had, by a fortunate stratagem, captured the town of Neusz for the deposed elector, and Herman Kloet, a young and most determined Geldrian soldier, now commanded in the place.
The Elector Ernest had made a visit in disguise to the camp of Parma, and had represented the necessity of recovering the city.

It had become the stronghold of heretics, rebels, and banditti.

The Rhine was in their hands, and with it the perpetual power of disturbing the loyal Netherlands.

It was as much the interest of his Catholic Majesty as that of the Archbishop that Neusz should be restored to its lawful owner.
Parma had felt the force of this reasoning, and had early in the year sent Haultepenne to invest the city.