THE REVOLT OF THE NETHERLANDS The complete failure of the expeditions of Hoogstraeten and of Lewis of Nassau was a great discouragement to the Prince of Orange.

Nevertheless after receiving the news of Jemmingen he wrote to his brother, "With God's help I am determined to go on." By great exertions he succeeded in gathering together a heterogeneous force of German and Walloon mercenaries numbering about 18,000 men, and with these in the beginning of October he crossed the frontier.

But to maintain such a force in the field required far larger financial resources than William had at his disposal.

Alva was aware of this, and, as the prince made his way into Brabant, he followed his steps with a small body of veteran troops, cutting off supplies and stragglers, but declining battle.

The mercenaries, debarred from plunder and in arrears of pay, could not be kept together more than a few weeks.