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sixteen； succeeded to his titles and lordship as Countess and
Lady Supreme of Hainault； of Holland； and of Zealand。
For years； however； there had been throughout the Low Countries a
strong objection to the rule of a woman。 The death of Count
William showed the Cods a way toward greater liberty。 Rebellion
followed rebellion； and the rule of the Countess Jacqueline was
by no means a restful one。
And chief among the rebellious spirits； as leader and counsellor
among the Cods； appeared the brave lad who had once been the
companion of the princess in danger； the young Lord of Arkell。
It was he who lifted the standard of revolt against her regency。
Placing the welfare of Holland above personal friendship； and
sinking； in his desire for glory； even the chivalry of that day；
which should have prompted him to aid rather than annoy this
beautiful girl； he raised a considerable army among the knights
of the Cods； or liberal party； and the warlike merchants of the
cities； took possession of many strong positions in Holland； and
occupied； among other places； the important town of Gorkum on the
Maas。 The stout citadel of the town； was； however； garrisoned
with loyal troops。 This the Lord of Arkell beseiged； and；
demanding its surrender； sent also a haughty challenge to the
young countess； who was hastening to the relief of her
beleaguered town。
Jacqueline's answer was swift and unmistakable。 With three
hundred ships and six thousand knights and men…at…arms； she
sailed from the old harbor of Rotterdam； and the lion…flag of her
house soon floated above the loyal citadel of Gorkum。
Her doughty Dutch general； von Brederode； counselled immediate
attack； but the girl countess； though full of enthusiasm and
determination； hesitated。
From her station in the citadel she looked over the scene before
her。 Here； along the low bank of the river Maas； stretched the
camp of her own followers； and the little gayly colored boats
that had brought her army up the river from the red roofs of
Rotterdam。 There； stretching out into the flat country beyond the
straggling streets of Gorkum； lay the tents of the rebels。 And
yet they were all her countrymenrebels and retainers alike。
Hollanders all； they were ever ready to combine for the defence
of their homeland when threatened by foreign foes or by the
destroying ocean floods。
Jacqueline's eye caught the flutter of the broad banner of the
house of Arkell that waved over the rebel camp。
Again she saw the brave lad who alone of all her father's court；
save she； had dared to face Count William's lions； again the
remembrance of how his daring had made him one of her heroes；
filled her heart； and a dream of what might be possessed her。 Her
boy husband； the French Dauphin； was dead； and she was pledged by
her dying father's command to marry her cousin； whom she
detested； Duke John of Brabant。 But how much better； so she
reasoned； that the name and might of her house as rulers of
Holland should be upheld by a brave and fearless knight。 On the
impulse of this thought she summoned a loyal and trusted vassal
to her aid。
〃Von Leyenburg；〃 she said； 〃go you in haste and in secret to the
Lord of Arkell； and bear from me this message for his ear alone。
Thus says the Lady of Holland： 'Were it not better； Otto of
Arkell； that we join hands in marriage before the altar； than
that we spill the blood of faithful followers and vassals in a
cruel fight？'〃
It was a singular； and perhaps； to our modern ears； a most
unladylike proposal； but it shows how； even in the heart of a
sovereign countess and a girl general； warlike desires may give
place to gentler thoughts。
To the Lord Arkell； however； this unexpected proposition came as
an indication of weakness。
〃My lady countess fears to face my determined followers；〃 he
thought。 〃Let me but force this fight and the victory is mine。 In
that is greater glory and more of power than being husband to the
Lady of Holland。〃
And so he returned a most ungracious answer：
〃Tell the Countess Jacqueline；〃 he said to the knight of
Leyenburg； 〃that the honor of her hand I cannot accept。 I am her
foe； and would rather die than marry her。〃
All the hot blood of her ancestors flamed in wrath as young
Jacqueline heard this reply of the rebel lord。
〃Crush we these rebel curs； von Brederode；〃 she cried； pointing
to the banner of Arkell； 〃for by my father's memory； they shall
have neither mercy nor life from me。〃
Fast upon the curt refusal of the Lord of Arkell came his message
of defiance。
〃Hear ye； Countess of Holland；〃 rang out the challenge of the
herald of Arkell； as his trumpet…blast sounded before the gate of
the citadel； 〃the free Lord of Arkell here giveth you word and
warning that he will fight against you on the morrow！〃
And from the citadel came back this ringing reply； as the knight
of Leyenburg made answer for his sovereign lady：
〃Hear ye； sir Herald； and answer thus to the rebel Lord of
Arkell： 'For the purpose of fighting him came we here； and fight
him we will； until he and his rebels are beaten and dead。' Long
live our Sovereign Lady of Holland！〃
On the morrow； a murky December day； in the year 1417； the battle
was joined； as announced。 On the low plain beyond the city；
knights and men…at…arms； archers and spearmen； closed in the
shock of battle； and a stubborn and bloody fight it was。
Seven times did the knights of Jacqueline； glittering in their
steel armor； clash into the rebel ranks； seven times were they
driven back； until； at last； the Lord of Arkell； with a fiery
charge； forced them against the very gates of the citadel。 The
brave von Brederode fell pierced with wounds； and the day seemed
lost； indeed； to the Lady of Holland。
Then Jacqueline the Countess； seeing her cause in dangerlike
another Joan of Arc； though she was indeed a younger and much
more beautiful girl general；seized the lion…banner of her
house； and； at the head of her reserve troops； charged through
the open gate straight into the ranks of her victorious foes。
There was neither mercy nor gentleness in her heart then。 As when
she had cowed with a look Ajax； the lion； so now； with defiance
and wrath in her face； she dashed straight at the foe。
Her disheartened knights rallied around her； and； following the
impetuous girl； they wielded axe and lance for the final
struggle。 The result came quickly。 The ponderous battle…axe of
the knight of Leyenburg crashed through the helmet of the Lord of
Arkell； and as the brave young leader fell to the ground； his
panic…stricken followers turned and fled。 The troops of
Jacqueline pursued them through the streets of Gorkum and out
into the open country； and the vengeance of the countess was
sharp and merciless。
But in the flush of victory wrath gave way to pity again； and the
young conqueror is reported to have said； sadly and in tears：
〃Ah！