The council of state, mainly composed of Leicester's creatures, whose commissions would soon expire by their own limitation, could offer but a feeble resistance to such determined individuals as Maurice, Buys, and Barneveld.

The party made rapid progress.

On the other hand, the English Leicestrians did their best to foment discord in the Provinces.

Sonoy was sustained in his rebellion in North Holland, not only by the Earl's partizans, but by Elizabeth herself.

Her rebukes to Maurice, when Maurice was pursuing the only course which seemed to him consistent with honour and sound policy, were sharper than a sword.