This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1896. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV. CHARLES V. KEEPS THE PROMISE GIVEN TO HIS SON DON PHILIP. On Wednesday, Oct. 25, 1555, the streets of the city of Brussels were thronged not only by the inhabitants of the capital of Southern Brabant, but by those of the other Flemish States belonging to Charles V. All this crowd was hastening toward the royal palace, which is not in existence at the present time, but which then stood on the heights of the city toward the summit of Caudenberg. A general assembly had been convoked by the emperor, the object of which was as yet unknown; it had been once postponed, and was to take place on that day. In preparation for this gathering the interior of the great hall had been hung with tapestry on the western end, -- that is to say, on the side toward the barriers, -- and here a staging had been erected to the height of six or seven feet, which was covered with rich carpets, and upon which were arranged three large empty chairs of state, evidently intended, the one in the middle for the emperor, that on the right for the King Don Philip, -- who had arrived the evening before, -- and the other, on the left, for the Queen Dowager of Hungary, Mary of Austria, Charles V.'s sister. Above these chairs was suspended a canopy on which were emblazoned the imperial arms. There were also benches arranged in rows on each end of the stage, which formed with the three chairs a sort of semicircle. Other seats were arranged on the floor, facing the stage as we see them in the theatre. King Philip, Queen Mary, Queen Eleanor, the widow of Francois I., Maximilian, King of Bohemia, and Christine, Duchesse de Lorraine, had taken lodgings in the palace. Charles V. alone had continued to occupy what he called his little house in the park. At four o'clock in the afternoon...