taken by the Commander in Chief of the Forces of the Garrison But the Lord of Cimace took him off with Gifts and laying hold on that present Opportunity by giving out to the Common People That both himself and the City were to be betrayed into the Enemies hands He conferreth all Publike Offices and the Honours likewise which he took from others upon those who were with him associated in Council And by the help of these be subjected the City to the Romanists and so in them to the King's Obedience In the like manner the Town of Dammâ— was surrendred and the Free Vniversity which of old being exempt from the Command of Bruges and other more Burthensome Duties of the Country is called by the Name of Frankenland And in all Assemblies of State in Flanders hath an equal Voice with the best Cities Nor would Ipre the Third City of Bulk in Flanders being next of all to Gaâ—â— and Bruges any longer wait upon the Hopes of a Common Pacification and endure the miseries of a hard Siege The Gauntoys themselves came to Treat by their Deputies offering Pledges and desiring a Truce But Imbisius his undissembled Treachery preserved the City for he would have delivered to the Spaniard the Town of Dendremund which Rikovius by the Prince of Aurange's Command stoutly defended and this out of a vain hope of greater favour he acted so openly that it could not be hid And when he was hindred in so base and nefarious a Counsel he would have besieged the Senate House with the Senators therein with a Regiment of Souldiers which he had taken into the Garrison to serve his own Designs These two heinous Faults so utterly alienated the Peoples Minds from him that they considered among themselves to punish him being thus convicted of Treachery with the loss of his Head A notable Example of unfortunate Ambition that he who was grown old had been loaden with the highest Honours and enjoyed so long the prosperous Affections of the Common People whom Civil Contentions had carryed so far beyond Reason that the greatness of their Crimes had devoured their Compassion This Ring-Leader of Faction was destroyed though the Tumults were not quite extinct yet for some time they who insisted upon the deceitfulness of the Pacification grew stronger But the Duke of Parma having almost inclosed the City and besieged it strongly with Warlike Troops was well satisfied not to assail them otherwise than by Hunger and to leave their Fate to the punishment of their own Discords But he had a better hope and therefore took more pains to get Sceldt and Antwerp scituate upon the same River the Noblest City of all the Netherlands which disperses all over Brabant the Merchandizes brought out of Zeland in regard his Troops were fresh and that he in breaking up the Siege at Zutphen had much weakned the strength of the Confederate Provinces By this means the one of these Cities was quickly won by force the other gained by fear Setting over therefore part of his Army he drives away those Netherlandish Ships that lay thereabouts as Guards and on each side of the River plants Artillery and Souldiers But the Antwerpers understanding that the Enemy did not lye upon the Coast over against Flanders built from the Ground for the safeguard of their Shipping two Castles or Forts the one below the City at the Village called Lillow the other upon the Coast of Flanders on the Backside overlooked as it were Hulst a Town of Waes This in regard it was not half finished being assaulted was taken but the other was gallantly defended with a great slaughter of Spaniards by Teling the Son of Lenove a noble Imitator of his Fathers Vertues But all these imminent Dangers were by the Prince of Aurange's Death too much hastned and in a time most inconvenient if we mind the Netherlanders because by his single Counsel and Conduct all their Affairs though at the present so full of Trouble and Vexation would have been brought to a setled Method But he to have been in a good Season as to himself because thereby he was taken from the growing Evils of the Publike to the Defence whereof he had most strictly bound himself For after his Death the Commonwealth partly with Intestine Seditions and partly by continual Victories of the Enemies was brought even to the last Gasp nor could it recover till by the appearance of his Son fresh Vigour was infused thereto and the half-forgotten Father's Memory revived in the Heroick Actions 〈◊〉 his Son He was shot with a Bullet at Delph in Holland by oâ— Balthasar Gerard a Burgundian who moved thereto either with the hopes of the Reward promised in his Proscriptionâ— else by the Zeal of his Party with a wonderful Condâ—â— bore up his Spirit as to the committing the Fact so to â— suffering the Torments inflicted on him for the same 〈◊〉 did there want some who much applauded his Resolution although the Duke of Parma an Italian being desired leave that some publike Demonstrations of Joy might be shewed because their Grand Enemy was gone fearing to blast 〈◊〉 Fame and cast an Odium upon the Justice of the War blâ—shed to suffer it The onely Expression of this dying Patriot sent together with his last Breath to the Almighty was this O Lord be mercifull to this poor People And all those who were more intimately acquainted with him now growing into years were well assured That the many Varieties and Changes of Fortune which from his Youth he had for above fifty years undergone and chiefly the Burthen of the present Cause attended with daily Envy replete with many Difficulties fought against with the Passion and Valour of the Great Ones murmur'd against by those of an inferiour Degree and oftentimes hazarded by the rashness of the Vulgar as it had inabled him to bear the greatest brunt of Humane Affairs so it had setled his Devotion and Religion on a firm Basis And this was the cause that he underwent all Businesses with a Mind so Resolute and a Body so indefatigable that he was observed never to be daâ—ced in Adversity nor elated or puffed up in Prosperity I do not hold it fit to bury in silence as a Token of his Abstinency and even as it may be called Infelicity that there was nothing so much by him neglected excepted the Glory he gained from the Civil War as his own private and particular Affairs which he freely assisted the Commonwealth with but left it much disturbed by the several Issues of a four-fold Marriage His first Wife was the Daughter of Count Egmond by whom he had Philip his Son whom the Spaniards carryed Prisoner into Spain and Mary a Daughter afterwards marryed to Count Hohenlo By another of his Wives which was the Second being Daughter to the Duke of Saxony one of the Electors of Germany he had one Son named Maurice and one Daughter His Third Wife was of the Family or Burbon Daughter to the Duke of
at that time was President of Flanders Lalayne Champigny and divers others who could not digest that the chief management of all Affaires should rest in the Prince of Aurange with whom few were equall in birth none of them like him in Wisdom and Authority Therefore because they see themselves never able to compass the Peoples love as he hath done and that they must come far short of him they begin to fear that if he should come to enjoy that Dignity that he would bring Religion to his own bent and to prevent that they seek to prevent his glory by the splendor of a greater name Rodolphus was chosen Emperour of Germany in the stead of Maximilian his Father who was lately dead His Brother Matthias they by many great promises intreat from the Court not by any open consent of the Emperor for fear of offending the Spaniard The'e men because they had strong Cities and Arms in their power imagined they could easily bring to passe that by their bringing in of this young man who must be beholding to them for that great Honour they should have all things in their power and might in his name execute their own Commands and do what they listâ— all which the Prince of Aurange foreseeing he removed some of these guilty persons from that Council and assured them that they might more confidently hope for a just Government in the lawful Dominion of the States than the particular power of some few And by chance also at this time it fortuned that Arscot the chief Emulator of the House of Nassau swolne big with vain hope offended the Commonalty of Gaunt by some insolent Speeches the people of which City being the most noble of all Flanders but the most averse to Nobility threw him and all his Train into Custody But the Prince of Aurange although Matthias was called in by his Enemies and had come contrary to his desire and that the rest of the Netherlanders had a greater respect towards France yet having regard to the moderation of his Carriage he himself moved the States that they would accept the young man eminent in his Brothers Majesty and of Kindred to the King to protect their Cause wherewith they were thus far pleased that the Government of the Netherlands should be in Matthias but that the Prince of Aurange should be Deputy Governour which at length though unwillingly he accepted by which means their fury who had sought out Matthias onely with hope to have made themselves great by his Dignity was more enflamed The Regency of Matthias is bounded and limited by Laws and Counsellors nor had he power to use any thing suitable to his greatness besides the State and splendor of his life The third Book of the Dutch Annals ALL matters being in this manner setled Warre is proclaimed against Don John at which time the Monethly Revenues arising from Provisions of Victuals amounting to six hundred thousand Florens was brought into the publick Treasury the free disposing whereof as also of Musters and Councels relating to the Warre that they might be the freer from discovery were by the States left wholly to the Senate Then at length the Queen of England began to think the forces of the Netherlanders worthy of her favour though yet she was not without a peculiar fear of troubles in her own State because Don John moved a Marriage with the Queen of Scots by which and the help of his Arms he hoped to get to himself the Kingdom of Britain and this was evident by no small demonstrations wherefore she promised them both men and money for their assistance they giving caution for repayments but yet still they should stick to their pretence that the Netherlanders Provinces would be obedient to Philip. And so she interwove her self into that Common-wealth that no matter of any importance could be done without her knowledge and approbation endeavouring also to strengthen these new Settlements by an universal Concord though some of the Netherlanders laboured earnestly but in vain to provoke the Queen against the Prince of Aurange and perswading now one now another by laying before them the greatness of the danger least they should incline to re-settle the old Possession of the Roman Religion She therefore would give them ayd When She had effected these things She sends Letters to the King desiring him therein to hearken to peace and to moderate his Government by the Rule of the Law but if he would compel his Subjects to take Arms he should not take it ill at her hands the French long since being intent thereto if she prevented the Dutch allyance with that People who were her Enemies and in the interim she did with great pains strive to clear her self from affecting the Soveraignty that belonged to another Henry King of France Sebastian King of Portugall and the Emperour himself were in like manner solicited by the States to move Philip to moderation towards them the last also being sâ—ed to for assistance in their Cause which at that time was in vain In the interim private grudgings and discords increased among the great Ones so that many went thence into Castles and strong Holds scituate in Lutzenburg upon various pretences but the true cause was they interpreted the Honours given to others to be an affront and disparagement to them But Don John being recruited with the coming of the Spanish Forces and a great many Companies of Souldiers brought to him by the Duke of Parma the Son of Margaret late Governess of the Netherlands out of Italy overthrew the Dutch Army which was daily weakened by the going away of their Captains and retreating into Brabant at a place called Gemblim Nor was the Prey gotten by the Victory small especially if we consider it in the success because Lovayne which layd open Brabant on that side Limburg a famous Dutchy and the Metropolis of the Dominion bearing the same name using to make excursions even into Germany and Phillippolis which City the Prince of Aurange when formerly he was Generall of the Kings Army had fortified with new and strong Bulwarks against the French when onely forraign Warres were feaâ—ed as also many other adjacent Towns came in and submitted The King having â—hus conquered them yet thought fit to try them with the hope of Peace the Baron Selles carrying Conditions out of Spain for differing from those made at Gaunt and for which Don John would not alter a tittle which then was enough to make it seem reâ—sonable why they should be denyed for now the Netherlanders began first to know themselves and several Princes did augment their confidence by striving who should first offer them Souldiers and other ayd Here Francis of Valoys Duke of Anjon and Bâ—other to the King of France both before the Peace made at Gaunt and after was often sued to by the Belgick Nobles There Casimire who possessed the Palatinate of Germany both of them by reason of theiâ— yonger Birth being laid side
hath been often girt about with ditches whereinto the Sea floweth especially on the North part and there is also a Redout and the whole by cutting away a part of the Bank is washed by the Estuary of the Maes like an Island It was at this time defended by Matthias Hellye one of the famous Adventurers in the taking of Breda who had as many Souldiers as he thought fit out of the next Islands After the Parmensians had spent some dayes in battering the place to no purpose they prepared Bridges and other Engines and materials for an assault and therewithall a Ship was set into the water and Armed men stood round about in the Station at the top of the Mast that were by the continual casting of Darts to drive away the Defendants The besieged as soon as they saw it approaching sent out in opposition to it Boats set on fire but the Wind averted that danger and drove it the Enemies Ship to the Banck And as it drew near the strong eddy or Whirlepoole of the River turning it round brought it into the Trench some set upon it as it lay upon the Shallowes o herâ— cast flaming fire-brands into it and the Souldiers from the top of the Mast are thrown down lying open to all wounds being obvious to the Enemy on the contrary side was intended and so this stratagem wrought not its effect Mansfeldt observing the great slaughter of his men and the resolute fidelity of the Garrison as also that he was no lesse worsted in the adjacent little Islands began to doubt and despair as well of the Siege of Breda as of its being betrayed And in the mean time while he lingers in vain about the Town the Horse that were therein wearied him out with daily Sallies and Skirmishes But Prince Maurice recollecting his Souldiers and though he had but a small Army about four thousand Foot and very few Horse marched into Gelderland as if he had had a design upon Nimmeghen But the Engine prepared to the sudden assault by the use whereof against the walls they would have fallen down missed of its hoped success this Engine was found among some French materials it was in the form of a Hat wherein were included Gunpowder Bullets and square pieces of Iron thenceforth knowing the weakness of his Forces and finding himself not fit for a Siege because from the adjacent places both Arms and Provision were daily brought into the City he resolved to draw off yet for a time he continued there and wearied them at a distance to try if by that meanes he could possibly withdraw the Enemy froâ— Breda which happened according to his expectation for after both of them had thus vainly spent their time in Sieges Mansfeldt with his encreased forces striving to help the neighbouring parts because the City in regard of the Souldiers known effeminacy scorned his most able defences pitched between the Maes and the Wael But Prince Maurice kept his Army within the Isle of Helland and to prevent the Enemies passing over the River he sent Ships into the Wael and fortified the whole Bank of the River with Forts and Guards from the division of the Rhâ—ne unto the place where the Maes falls into it in which place Count Sobâ— who commanded some Select Companies given to him by Prince Maurice was ordered to intrench himself in the Isle of Voorne as if he had been about to incamp And a large cut was made from the Waâ—l into the Rhine whereby without danger from Nimmeghen any Forces or Provisions might be brought from or carryed into Germany and several great Banks erected to restrain the overflowings of the Rivers chiefly at the charge and by the pains of the Hollanders 〈◊〉 were greatly benefitted thereby as well in point of Security as Trade and Prince Maurice at the same time getting this safe defence over against Nimmeghen built a continuing Station for his Camp The Souldiers gave it the name of Knâ—dsenburg from thence into the City which pleasantly ariseth as it were out of the Bank and from the City against the Workmen there was a vast nay almost an infinite exchange of Bullets But they that wrought in the building of the Castle did either work in the night or were fain to set up blindes to preserve them from the Shot But the greatest mischief afflicting the Townsmen was the falling down of Towers Steeples and other eminent Structures upon their heads and ready with their falls to destroy them So that now there was no safe Habitation in all the Town and the River was quite taken from them by which inconveniencies being a People not used to War and desirous of Commerce and Trade by little and little they were drawn to change their Masters Thus was the Summer spent at Nimmeghen when the Duke of Parma having been again to drink the Spaw waters and the success of his Affairs more luckily suiting his desires began a little to recover his health For Ricardot a constant participater with the Duke of all his Counsels had brought back out of Spain to him very gracious and well-pleasing Letters wherein after his confirmation in his old Government he received Orders concerning the French War for the King was of opinion that that being near he would not refuse it and that the difficulty of the undertaking would make him forget his present cares But the Duke of Parma was of another mind which was to leave the French to the division of their own quarrel untill the Netherlands were wholly reduced or quieted But well knowing that Princes humours must be born by one that is engaged he made a vertue of necessity imagining Honour offered him which by himself must be made glorious by dangerous enterprises Wherefore going into Henalt that by his vicinity he might take care the more easily Messengers followed him thither with the news of Egmonds overthrowes wâ— the slaughter of his Auxiliaries at Eureux and that the Conquerours Army pressed hard upon the Parisians And not lâ— after the Duke of Guise's Brother and Successor coming on him to associate Counsels he did publickly testifie that ill fortune of their parties At last after several debates and private Consultations with the chief Commanders concerning the managery of the War the Duke of Parma towards the end of Summer lead all the choyce and picked Souldiers of the Kings Army into France And new Levies followed out of Germany and those other Spanish Mutineeâ—s from Courtray and Menin but before their departure they compelled the Townsmen to give them part of their pay and the rest they had from the King and then was that president instituted for perpetuity that a Scuâ—e in payment to the Souldier should be currant for ten Royals The whole number of Foot was twelve thousand and of Cavalry there were three thousand The chief care of all Affairs in the Netherlands was left to Peter Ernest Count Mansfeldt as Deputy Regent the rest of the Souldiers left behind
Souldiers out of their winter-quarters goes into Gelderland which the Enemy had quitted In this hasty Progress some of his Ships falling upon the shelves he was constrained to burn shortly after recruited with the Forces of Count William being twelve Ensigns he entred the Wael and united the Island and the main Land together with a Bridge The Camp on both sides was sortified against any Enemy that should come on their backs The upper part of the Town where the Walls were not lined with banks he thought fit to batter and because it seemed a great way to draw the Artillery and incommodious withall they were carried before the Town in the night and by that meanes the Defendants in Nimmeghen for that in the dark they could not discern the quick motion of the Ships spent all their Shot and Darts in vain At the same time beyond the River on the other Bank there were other Military Engines to shoot into the Town At first they resolved couragiously to defend the Town and being not yet quite enclosed round they sent to Verdugo desiring him not to forsake them in that their extreme danger for at this time he was commanded to defend Gelderland 〈◊〉 had no forces so that he might not immeritedly complainâ— have onely forsaken places under his charge After this because they feared their Fortifications might be defective al hand of all Sexes and Ages were imployed to make a 〈◊〉 Work more inwards There is a Castle in this place 〈◊〉 not so much because it is impregnable by the Military â—iscipline of this Age as for its being a Monument of antâ— greatness and prowess The Townsmen attribute the glory of the Work to Julius Caesar warring in these parts against Gaul They tell us also that the Catti built the City who when of old they left their own Country possessed this Island of the Rhine and all the Neighbouring parts of Belgia But it is evident to me in my search of old Authours that here uppeared no kind of City either in the dayes of Caesar or of Trajan in whose Reign Tacitus wrote in the Roman Iâ—rary written by Antoninus this Nimmeghen began first to peep up her Head at the Wael and that Charlemayne built a Palace therein the French Chronicles declare assuring us withall that by the Normans it was utterly consumed with fire but the Germans not long after growing prevalent it became a free City and was a great while the Selected Seat of those Emperours Untill by the Articles of the Pope it was torn from the German Empire in the divisions thereof when William Earl of Holland got his share and want of money still produced new occasions it was pawned to Othâ— â—hâ—n Earl of Gelderland from which time being by reason of its so near vicinity to the Province of Geldres annexed thereto it hath increased in power growing rich by the long enjoyment of peace and having brought forth many ingenious man But to return to the Siege As soon as the Cannon and Graâ—â—eâ— and other private Stratagems by Mines and the like had now made the danger alike in every place being once more summoned they were divided into factions The Gâ—â—nâ—s and men in Power boasted of the Kings Power and that an Army was coming to their relief both out of Frizeland and Flanders there being no Reason why Renegadoes should have their revenge But the common People gathering together with a sudden fury broke into the Court where after a long murmur and humming noyse at length â— burst forth into words to this effect first setting forth their misery in the stopping up of the River their wasted lands their ruined Houses and the approach of Famine Neither saith he is this the first time that we have by a Siege been forced to yield to our fortune It is now a Year and upwards 〈◊〉 we have here lived in a wretched condition among these dangers glad to sock any corner to hide our selves in for safety and the continued Series of our miseries is thus much more increased for that we have unworthily and treacherously violated all Covenant But we unworthy of any help and neglected by our Lords of whom we have merited better things have received a very Signall favour from the Enemy unless perhaps now us if bound to suffer the extremity we still wait for relief from them who refused to help us while they might or which is as vain that we should think with our own strength and three little Bands of Souldiers to overthrow those mountainous Fortifications and raise a Siege which is so strongly setled and maintained We shall be left as Zuâ—phen and Deventer We have against all Reason protracted the time beyond Hulste and what hope have we what Reward shall we receive of our obstinacy Alas wretches nothing but to be conquered Let us now at length shake off the Chains of a based and ingratefull Kingdom while we receive him who now is reputed our Adversary not as a powerfull foe but a mercifull Conquerour There is a sort of People who alwayes wage War that they may not be enslaved by others yet never have any hope of setling a Government among themselves To these all Rivers â— Seas are open they sail to all places for Commerce their 〈◊〉 flourish as in the undisturbed enjoyment of a continuall Peace 〈◊〉 are not impoverished either by their Governours and Magistâ—â— avarice or the rude licentiousness of Souldiers while we pay â— less Tributes for the upholding our slavery than for the 〈◊〉 of our Laws and Customs Let us become free among Frâ— and in enjoying that happy Name of a Common-wealth instead of being conquered we shall be equall Conquerours and have â—qual share both in Command and Government This Speech being ended many of the People did threaningly murmur the same things so that they who at the beginning were averse now went away as consenting either out of fear or for that they believed what was spoken was 〈◊〉 truth And the Souldiery durst not resist being well contented in regard of their inability to have their lives saved The City desired they might be permitted the use of the Roman Catholick Religion but it would not be granted As soâ—n as it was delivered Prince Maurice sent in a Garrison and appointed a new Magistrate and this privilege he took â— himself during the War abrogating the power of incorrupted Fraternities as the onely nurse of Sedition for 〈◊〉 the Neighbouring Towns were ruled by a Senate unless thâ— for the dispatch of more weighty Affaires some were by chance elected from among the People Thus enjoying the greatest part of Gelderland he restored the antient splendor of his Family for that formerly the Princes of the Name and Blood of Nassau had governed that Province The Siege of Steenwic was thought fit to be deferred because the Winter was now come very hurtfull by the Frost and Ice to marches and obnoxious to carriages nor would it have been any thing better
of Authority was equally ridiculous both to his own Souldiers and his Enemies they had changed an old feeble man for a person of great Nobility and therefore they gloried at once of that Honour and their restored Laws that according to the antient Custom one was sent to govern them that was of Royal Blood and by Kinred allyed to the King They remembred that Alva and Requescuse had stirred up the War by their forraign Authority And the Duke of Parma though otherwise we I enough liked was maligned for his Country sake That Don John who had attained Royal Blood by all wayes both of Birth and Vertue wanted rather the moderation than the affection of the Nobles and People But that now there was truly come the off-spring of Emperours with a German uprightness neither infected with hatred or malice and consequently more prone to concord He had governed in behalf of his Brother the Emperour both the Panâ—â—nia's or Hungary beloved by the Subjects for his mildness in the taking care of them and the blandishments of his leisure time not much provoking the Enemy nor himself by them often provoked Not averse from fighting when the Barbarians urged him by disturbing his peace and it may seem that he was the rather chosen as one who might compose the Netherlandish Affairs the Citizens being even tyred with War and the King well knowing that it would be in the Conquerours power to make what Laws he pleased for the settlement of peace This Duke Ernestus was of such gravity in Conversation that the Netherlanders interpreted it to pride But which is proper to his Countrymen being not Superiour in his Affairs he was easily ruled either by Counsel or Command With this mediocrity of disposition he had so pleased Philip that he intended to have married him to his Daughter and strongly argued in the French Counsel by Embassadors 〈◊〉 confer upon him the Kingdom of France fearing perchance that if he should marry her to any Frenchman and at any time after his Issue male should fail that Spain by accessâ—â—â— to the Crown of France would become a Province thereâ—â— But Providence provided otherwise in that affair 〈◊〉 brought Henry of Burbon through divers variety of Fortune and setled him in the Kingdom for he being grieved â— himself that being born to a Kingdom he should onely â— depelled for the oretext of Religion Many of the Princes protesting they resisted him for 〈◊〉 other causes and by that means alone could not submit their Fortunes to him seeing his Forces almost consumed and 〈◊〉 other things that were the main supports of his hope He â—â—gan to grow unsetled in his mind between some of his Friends applauding his noble constancy and others persuading for most advantage At length either that he believed nothing more sacred than the Peace of a Kingdom or that he had embraced his former kind of living more out of Form than Judgement he was Reconciled to the Church of Rome which thing was not of so much disadvantage to the Spaniard but that for many years after be continued his hatted and War against him neither till of late by the strong endeavours of Anmarle were the Cities of Picardy adjoyning to the Borders of the Netherlands reduced unto his obedience Nay at Rome a great while he incensed Pope Clement and the most powerfull in the conclave by threats and force least they should open or propose a way for the Kings Repentance and Reconciliation calling him a Renegado from Religion and a dissembler of novel Piety But at the first being had in suspicion by both Parties as well that he departed from as that he came over to afterwards by a sweet and well-constituted moderation by giving to these the chiefest Power to those Safety in the Exercise of their Religion and some Honour he exceeded both their 〈◊〉 and made a Harmony between them among whom before there was nothing but Discord So that now all were pleased except a few ignorant how great a benefit they had receiv'd whom no Felicity could ever please no Revenge saâ— In short Trade and Commerce beginning in this Cessation of Arms and the People well pleas'd with this Quiet it came to pass that the strongest and most potent Cities with the Metropolis of them all Paris and the chief Heads of the Faction and Revolt submitted to him caused either by private â—â—scords among themselves or the fear of a Forreign Authority The Spaniard hereupon when the Duke de Mayn came to â—â—xels were of opinion to restrain him as one that was averse to their Design but the Regent Ernestus having more regard to his Fame hindred it although it were known he was the chief Instigator of the chief Leader of the Faction to go in to the King and merit thereby his Pardon yet there were some who detain'd by their own Covetousness or the Spaniard's Policy did all they could to hinder Peace delaying by the same the performance of their Expectations Picardy chiefly and the parts thereabouts near Henalt and Artots were molested and perturbed by the Spanish Forces And the first Spring Charles Mansfeldt who made War in those parts had forced Capelle a free City there having assaulted the Rampires when the Trench was dry to surrender before King Henry could send thither any Succours Shortly after the King himself being conducted with some Troops to Laudune staying upon those Confines Towards the end of Summer Mansfeldt being driven away who had indeavour'd to raise the Siege the Town came again into the King's Power The Confederate States about this time had given a Summe of Money to King Henry upon condition That he should turn his Force upon the Netherlands But that Queen Elizabeth would not hear of who fore-saw that together with the War all use of him and respect to him would cease This Defection of the King from the New-Religion was variously reported both in England and Holland so as hardly any thing had bin further examined and discoursed with more variety of Language and freeness of Judgment Others look'd upon it with Hatred and Detestation The Catholikes hereby conceiv'd a hope that in time that other differing Religion Rites though at present receiv'd in publike might at last reunite and that as France had follow'd the Rule of German so the rest would follow the Pattern of France But all Leagues and Alliances with Neighbors were by the King inviolably observ'd And now the States being 〈◊〉 by what private Policies the Enemy gain'd upon them ordered very diligent Care to be taken That no sort of Writing that might prove dangerous to the Publike might be foisted 〈◊〉 the People And that Masters which instructed Youth in Leaning should not instill into their Minds evill Opinions Which done they turned all their Counsel to the carrying on of the war while the Enemy would seem to seek after a peace And because Ernestus having recruited the Army was reported to have enhanced the Fame and Terrour of his
large opening capable of Ships of the greatest Burthen and very safe by the interposition of several Islands among which its passage is somewhat incurvated and this would make it easie for the Spaniard to raise a new War in Frizeland and to set forth a Navy to Sea which hitherto in these parts he could never attain to The Vnited States who foresaw as well the Danger as the Envy if they should be resisted dispatch'd away an Embassie with so much policy as should neither cause the Earl to lay aside all fear of them nor the People too confidently hâ—pe their Alliance They commended Peace to boâ—h and if it seem'd convenient they might according to Law decide the matter for their taking up Arms was but a greater cause of Suspition That now they were Enemies to neither party but if further Contentions did arise they would declare themselves such in particular to them that began the War But when News was hastned by speedy Messengers relating That Enno the Son of Edsard had levyed Souldiers and was fortisying Port-Knocken over against Delphezyle straightway the number of Ships which were wont to guard the Eemes was increased and a Regiment of Frizons commanded to match toward the City for the defence thereof and to drive from the Bank those new Undertakers And the City also overjoy'd as if thereby secure deliver'd both it self and its Fortunes to the protection and warlike defence of the Vnited Provinces Neither at that time did any thing advantage Edsard more than to make them Arbitrators of the Quarrel by whose power all things were managed He offer'd them also a League and Alliance in Arms fearing lest the City might anticipate him of that favour But it will not be amiss to commemorate what manner of peace the Arbiters sent by the States to Dâ—lphzyle made and the chief Heads or Articles thereof That as they judged in the Affairs of Embden so Posterity may judge of them The Heads of the said Agrâ—…ment were these That Religion should not be a Net for any one That within the City the same Religious Rites should be used as were accustomed but without the City the Earl was at liberty to use his own Religion That in all Religious Meetings onely matters of Divinity should be handled some one super-intending the same if the Senate please to nominate him as is usual in the Palatinate and among the Hollanders that under pretence thereof no disturbance might be made That the said Religious Assemblies should nominate and ordain all Ministers for Preaching but the Prince's approbation to be required therein that the Possâ—ssions belonging late to Religious persons should be equally divided between the Earl and the People That four of the Burgomasters and nine of the chief Assistants by Lot should have the chief Authority the other by order every year being changed and altered none continuing in power above two years lest they seek to gain the Soveraignty That the Senate should name two in the places of any departing of which the Earl to choose one although he used before according to his own will to create what Magistrates he pleased That all business either relating to the City or Sea should be ordered by these As the incorporating the City into Guilds and Fraternities for the better distinguishing the pâ—ople the keeping the Kâ—yes of the Gates and giving the Watch word to the Guaâ—ds They had likewise the power of giving Judgment in Civil Affairs as also to punish with Death as they saw cause They that were guilty of more heinous Crimes being Strangers were punished by judges appointed by the Prince That the Senate it self which consisteâ— of fourty men should by its own choice and suffrages supply it self and such as were admitted into honourable places should take an Oath of Allegiance to the Prince and likewise for the good Administration of Justice in the City That such Laws and Tributes should be confirmed onely as were agreeable with the antient and municipal Law so as every City separably might have the ordering of its own Revenues But Falder being a new City added to the old and so more conformable in their Duty to the Earl should for the future enjoy the same Priviledges with Embden to take off all occasion of future Discord And that the Citizens might be the better assured of Pardon the Earl should take away the threatning Terrour of his Castle and deliver it to the City and for the future should not keep them in awe by Forts built upon the Banks of the River such as came thither with Merchandize For all which Concessions of the Prince the City would make to him a Compensation with a great Summe of Money Thus were the People's Desires gratified by Security and the Prince's by Greatness Nor did the Covenants displease either though yet they were found fault with by malitious and upstart People However it was concluded That all future Earls and Magistrates should swear to this Peace Things there being in this manner setled The States advised the Earl that he would mollifie and sweeten all jealousies and offences with clemency lest the Spaniard esteeming a counterfeit friendship before a reall fidelity should at once compel him to treacherous actions and engage him in a War with his Neighbours The Citizens of Embden likewise were commanded to apply their endeavours to the pattern of their Neighbours and not by casting off their obedience to encrease their miseries That a civil War was well redeemed with a little servitude for even they themselves the States have suffered and born the more furious natures of their Princes so long as foreign Tyranny was kept away Hereupon the Souldiers on both sides being disbanded quietness might rather be said restored than concord for the wound of dissention was not so perfectly cured but that as it often festered anew so it was fain to seek fresh Remedies This year and the subsequent time for a while all the Affairs of the United Provinces to War proved unsuccesful as if by a short contempt of their plyant fortune The whole Spring and part of the Summer was spent by them in idleness onely some few of their Souldiers warring in France but their own discords hindred the motions of their Forces in Other places though often called upon by Buzenual for Succour For the Frizon Cities being malitious to the Country-man and by the rustick likewise hated complained that the burthens common to them both were not faithfully distributed for that many things of great profit in the Country were either partially remitted or totally omitted And they of Zeland did very sharply quarrel with the Hollanders concerning the Customs for exported Merchandise and by this means a long time deferred to pay their Tribute money into the Treasury of the Union They also of Geldres and Over-Issell excusing themselves by poverty growing from the Enemies continual incursions at last the Hollanders too who bear at least two third parts of the common charge of the
their Towns and Fields being eased of so great a Burden of Souldiers especially upon the French Borders they had now a small breathing space from their long-continued Miseries The Enemy also being gone far from thence another Way added Confidence to their Security Count Frederick Heremberg by reason of Count Mansfeldts great Age and Weakness was Lieutenant-General of the whole Army under Mendosa but was by Them intitled Camp-Master-General The Horse passing the River by Maestricht some of them went to Venloo others to Ruermunde Thence spreading themselves through Juliers by the Territories of Colen and other parts of Germany they lay among those naked People without fear and so came to the Bank of Rhene Barlotte was sent before who was a Captain frequently made use of in Business requiring either speed or audacity for he drawing together what Boats and Wherries he could possibly meet within the River into one place between Boâ—e and Colen and having with him 800 of his Men and a small Guns call'd Drakes he drove away the Ships of Holland which had been left to keep Guard at Berck Thus many Souldierâ— being taken he enjoy'd the River free from Trouble and all the further Bank of it All this while Mendosa lay heavy upon a quiet People with an oppressive and licentious Army and because he could not remedy the Peoples Complaints he abhorr'd to intermeddle in the moderation of their Oppressions whereof many every where were conscious that knew the Discords and Divulsions of Germany and how much it had lost of its ancient Renown gain'd by Arms But to his Prince he was of a Couragious Spirit and bore great Faith while performing his Commands he was a Contemner of Forein Fame and valued not Hatred that was not attended with Power It will not be out of the way since the matter it self hath led us thither to describe those several Nations which lye about the Rhine next to the Hollanders and the Sites and Extents of the Countries of the Princes and Bishops formerly under the Obedience of the Almain Empire I can with more shew of Learning than Truth compare the Names of Antiquity with those now in use For old Authors noâ— looking much into Germany have hardly mention'd them But when the whole World was disturb'd by the frequent Transmigrations of one Nation to another then Writers following them increased the obscurity every one drawing the Antiquity of Fame to the Honour of his own People This I can almost assert that beyond the Hollanders who possessed the Country next to the French Coast without the Island which part opens between the Rhine and the Maes and a few other places beyond both those Rivers of Old a Soyl full of Woods and Marishes was the Antient Seat of the Menapii from whom came the Eburones and other Allied Nations and this at first made the Germans to be called Tungri which People afterwards attained the well-known River Moselle or the Maes and the Country of Triers The Neruii with their Partakers lay at the back of these by the River Scheld beyond whom the Morini lay hedged in by the Forest of Ardenne which is now the Bounds of the Netherlands but was formerly under the Dukes of Burgundy and divided them from the Kingdom of the Franks or French But after Agrippa Translated the Ubii out of the Region which is against Triers to another part or had taken into his Protection such as had voluntarily transmiâ—rated escially a Colony of the Romans being given him by his Neece and the Gugerni setled next to them the Name of Menapii grew obsolete but that some of the Inhabitants being driven into the inner part of the Country first seem'd to seat Themselves on this side the Maes and Wael afterwards between the Scheld and the Morini Hereupon all this Tract from the Hollanders beyond Triers even as far as Mentz was possessed and planted by Romane Garrisons and took the Name partly of inferiour partly of Higher Germany because the Original of the Inhabitants came from beyond the Rhine as may easily be discerned by the Tone of their Speech to this day On this side upon the Border of the River stands Wagening Grinnes Duren and Arnheym all which were upon the French Bank though formerly many were otherwise erroneously perswaded From thence one might have been seeen Burtuatium Drechshausen and Acken famous sometimes in the Dutch Wars Emmerich also and Culo but now so lost in their own Ruines that the most Learned can but conjecture where they were scituate But Nâ—ys Colen Bonne Andernach and Coblentz keep both their Names and Stations unalter'd to this day In after-times all this Region and the Country that lyes above it was call'd Austrasia because that part bordering on the East-side of France was held by the Franks or French who in most parts where they setled gave new Names to the places But they at length being weakned by their own Discords the Almays Emperours by bestowing larger Power and Liberties on the Prince's and People than they had before drew to Themselves the Superiority of Government and therefore they of Cleves inhabiting on this side the Rhine took that part of Gelderland which is now call'd Low-Holland and contains in it the City of Nimmeghen With these is intermingled the Arch-Bishop of Colen's Territories which extend a great way upon that Bank Another part of Gelderland incompasses the Dutchy of Cleves the Governours whereof were formerly call'd Guardians and herein is the Town of Gilders from whom the People of that whole Province take their Name Behind these the Old Maps and Descriptions would perswade us that the Gugerni inhabited and there is yet a Village in those Parts that seems to speak something of their Name in its own which is Gogen At the backside of Colen is Gulick an antient City they have now the same Governours with Cleves but formerly their Government was the same with Gelderland yet more up into the Country are sited the Liegeoâ—s by the Maes the Lutzenburgers by the Mâ—selle and the People of Triers which two Cities of Liege and Triers are governed by Bishops the rest are accounted among the Netherlands But on the further Bank of the Rhine which was the Antient Seat of the Almains and Great Germany Of Old the Frizons were the first that met us who by reason they possessed the lesser part of the Region were call'd the Lesser Frizons from whence the Caninefates now People of Gorichom coming into the Isle of Holland were on another side compassed with great Lakes and the Estuary of the â—llye and from thence by the Eemes unâ—il you come to the Ocean To these are joyning the Greater Bructeri hard by the same River and now opposite to the Menapii are the Remainders of the Sicambrians after that People either of their own Accord or by the Compulsion of Augustus his Arms had setled Themselves about the Wael At Luppen we have the Lesser Bructeri again which River some of the
his friends and followers The Report of a Fleet built in Spain spread a great terrour abroad part whereof was directed into the Hostile Coast of Africa and beaten back with Tempests the other part carryed a great Relief of six thousand men to the Irish Rebels under the Command of Don John de Aquila who setting forth a proud Edict boasted therein that he came to deliver Ireland out of the Jaws of the Devil he Landed in the Southern part of that Kingdom near the Town of Kingsale and vainly expecting great Forces of the Irish was Besieged there by the Lord Mountjoy who Governed that Province for the English Tyrone the Head of the Rebels attempted to break through leading a great Company of men after him over the frozen Moors but being beaten back with a great slaughter he retired into his fastnesses and lurking places Then Aquila upon Articles surrendering the Town and whatever else the Spaniards held in Ireland was in English Ships transported into Spain with the Remains of his Souldiers Not long after followed an unfortunate Expedition of the Spaniards against Caesaria a City of Barbary now vulgarly but corruptly called by an Arabian Name Algiere wherein they reaped no other fruit than the vast expence of a great sum of money Now also the Hollanders began boldly to undertake long Navigations for they passed the Streights of Magellan so called from the first finder Ferdinand Magellan afterwards sailed through by Drake and Cavendish Englishmen and now by a fourth upon their fame to wit Oliver Vander Nâ—ort of Roterdam this Streight being made narrow with long turnings and windings between the bounds of America and the yet unknown World he with much difficulty went through inâ—o the South Sea and over against it the Coast of Chili of an unknown Magnitude where also he found some enerayes to the Spaniards and thence by a reflex course came to the Isle of Borneo And so coming to the Cape of Good Hope having sailed round about the Earth he brought back no Wealth but onely great Honour to his Country and the names of places not heard of before at home But other Ships endeavouring the same Voyage having neither Men nor Victuals enough part of them being cast upon those strange Coasts were taken by the Spaniards others by the Barbarians And after they were taken were ignominously tormented and murthered which in the Salvages was but ignorance but in the Spaniards perfect Barbarisme At this time while the Hollanders strove to make advantage of all Reports against King Philip they were puffed up with great hope by a rumour that Don Sebastian late King of Portugall was alive there being a man found who had marks upon his Body such as the same King had and being taught many private particulars by some crafty Portugueses deluded the credulity of the rest of that Nation untill being delivered to the Spaniard by the Duke of Etruria he was condemned to the Galleys having first been shewed to the People there to expiate his impudence and subtlety of the worst sort where he continued in slavery until at last he was thence redeemed by the Kingly hand of a more gentle Death The Eleventh BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES AT Ostend the Besiegers hope was yet a great way off but the Arch Duke being inraged at the late action of General Vere he resolved to try if the valour of his men could perform any thing against hope and thereupon shooting with great impetuosity from a battery to that purpose raised against the Town-works upon that part where the old Town and the old Haven stood and understanding that there was a great breach made in the Works the ninth of January in the Evening at the ebbe of the Sea he commanded the Town to be stormed on all parts but especially on that part Two hundred Souldiers under two Captains were ordered point blank to fall upon Sand-Hill as many more upon the left side of the Bulwark and the like number upon the Curtain running before it These were seconded by Durange a Spanish Colonel with four hundred men more whose directions were to put Garrisons of Men into all places as soon as they were taken and to that purpose they were furnished with Victuals and Gunpowder and what other things are necessary either for the new erecting or repairing of Fortifications Against the Porcupine two hundred were appointed to the Storm and near three hundred more to defend and reinforce what was taken under Gambalotti an Italian Commander and under Don Augustino de Mexia four hundred men with a strong Guard for such as should work in the defences when taken Afterwards the whole Army being divided into several Battalia's that they might be ready to give assistance when ever occasion should require And Count Bucqury was sent to the East part of the Town At Sandhill there was a cruel and bloody Fight because General Vere having received Intelligence from a Fugitive of the Enemies intent had brought thither chiefly as well great Guns as all other things fit to do damage to the Enemy and every where kindled fires that all the Assaylants actions might the more clearly be discerned And now the Palisado's being cut down the Scaling-Ladders were brought to the Works where between the prevalency of the Spanish Pikes and the English Swords was a very hot Dispuâ—e during which Gen Vere opening two Sluces and the old Haven over whose shallows the Enemy was to pass he drowned all thereabouts for a great compass by which means not onely the Gun-powder was spoiled which every Souldier carryed for his own use but many by force of the waters were carryed away into the Sea and there drowned besides the Seconds not coming on according to order they who were in the first Assault were compelled to retreat wherein they met with a twofold Death the one from their Enemies Weapons the other from the force of the Waters And Bucquoy putting what he was commanded to do in execution too late performed less for while he delayed the Tyde of Flood increased whereby his way was precluded The defences on the backside of the Town and other slight Works General Vere took no great thought for while the Enemy made this Assault knowing that some threatning offers might be made on purpose onely to divide the Defendants for it would be of small benefit to the Enemy if he had them in regard they could with case be retaken which the event proved true There lay scattered every where about the Rampires Curtens and Trenches the dead Bodies of Officers and Souldiers some nearer some at more distance as every mans Valour or care had put him forward or kept him behind and many were carryed into the Sea as is before related Upon account the Arch-Duke wanted near eight hundred men for the taking up and burial of whose Bodies a Truce was desired for four hours and granted In the Town were near forty killed but more wounded among whom was
People Sighs and Tears together with want and the often renewed Seditions of the Souldiers prevailed that now they chose rather a obtain and peaceable Government than the hope of an inlarged Dominion attended with continual Fear But Spinola was the chief Author of that Counsel who a few years having archiev'd great Honour fear'd lest Fortune should turn Retrograde both his own and the King's Credit being at once shipwrack'd if these vast Charges should continue or any Chance should intercept the Ameriâ—â— Revenues without any hope of recovering what he had â—â—bursed so that being overwhelm'd in Debt in stead of a â—ear and honourable Fortune he could see nothing but â—ame and Poverty But in the Vnited Provinces few durst hope for Peace but rather most fear'd it being so instructed from their Parents that all Treaties with a deceitful Enemy were to be shunâ—ed and that War was most safe under whatsoever Qualification and that the great Number of Men subject to them 〈◊〉 well Souldiers as the rest of the Common People were advantaged by Arms Engines Armies and Fleets Nor was it fear'd by a few least as formerly at the beginning of the War so now at the restoring of Peace Antwerp should be chosen as the most commodious Seat for Merchandise and Traffick And when all fear of the Enemy should be taken away the Dissentions of Cities and other Disturbances of the Common-wealth were dreaded Nor were there some wanting especially among those that were more subject to Danger as lying nearer the Enemy who long since while they saw Cities taken by force and none to contradict it and that under a shew of Prudence their Limits were lessned fearing the like might happen to them when it would be too late to seek a Remedy altogether bent their whole studies for Peace But the more Moderate as they thought fit to avoid Treacheries so they likewise agreed to try Whether Arms might be laid aside upon Honourable Terms with the safety of the Commonwealth and preservation of Religion Nor was this time to be omitted when the Enemies Affairs were decaying the Authority of the States was grown more firm by long Obedience and there were two potent Princes as it were at their sides the one offended at the Spaniard the other for many just Reasons displeased with the Pope and therefore would consequently be more cordial to the Hollanders The state of Affairs both at Home and abroad being in this condition Herman Wittenhorsten by the Arch-Duke's Command came to the Hagne about the end of the year The same also before the Armies should march out in the Spring had passed through Gelderland and Holland but with Command onely to commune in private whereof there would be occasion enough given him in regard he was allyed to several of the Holland Nobility either by the Consanguinity of his Ancestors or other Collateral Affinity of Marriages But now John Genard the Secretary coming to accompany him from Turnholt where both of them lived and that place paying Tribute to both Parties caused them to have the more free admittance He deliver'd to the chief of the States what he had in Command from Albertus and Isabella which was to this effect That nothing was more desired by them than the Peoples Peace and that an end might be put to their long and bloody Troubles That the Rights belonging to the Arch-Dukes were not unknown to the States as also that they sought not anything that belonged to others They on the other side should consider what they conceived fit for confirming their Security whether a Peace or a Truce onely and that it was left to them whether they would chuse a publike or a private Treaty from which all unjust and treacherous Dealings should be banish'd But the matter was deferred because they brought no Letters from the Arch-Dukes to the States We shall hereafter relate with care what gradations and progress it had and with what inclination it was managed because this will 〈◊〉 far more expedient for the knowledg of Citizens than the Arts of Fortifications or Excursions of Horse and Foreign Nations at no time before had spoken of the Hollanders with more Honour and Renown The Sixteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Winter growing more warm yet very turbulent with high Winds as it made the Hollanders secure from their Enemies Incursions yet hindred not the flowing of the Rivers as if the Heavens had been pleased with the overtures of Peace nevertheless it did same harm in another part by spoyling some Ships near the Texell because the Island was unsafe for Winter stations which Ships were thereby forced to delay the time of their going out into several parts of the World But the Vnited States that they might with the more certainty settle domestick Peace and vindicate their fame after Time had cared their late grown Troubles of Groeninge taken off the necessity of imperious Command and reduced their minds 〈◊〉 a conformity of obedience commanded the Castle which they had built to keep the City in awe to be demolished and pulled down which though formerly it was necessary yet now if it should be continued would not at all suit with the Liberty which they pretended towards all The chief cause of this their so great security was That the Magistrates of the City were such whose fidelity both to them and the publike Religion was well known and a great Garrison was kept therein without charge and without regret Yet for all this had the Souldiers no time of leisure for the Spaniard broke into and burned a small Fort in the Isle of Bommell the Sentinell being hired by them to hold his peace The Captain that Commanded the place was slain who was blamed for this because in not changing his Watches he had given hopes to that Treacherous Design Also the Count Bruyke a younger Brother but in pay under the Hollanders as he rid to his Father's house with a small retinue fell into an ambush of the Enemies his Secretary by chance going before was shot which was a sign of what was following to his Master yet he did not offer to fly but valiantly coped with the Enemy not out of hope to escape but because he was ashamed to be taken After he was slain his body was barbarously wounded the fortune and hatred which they bore towards his Father being executed upon the Son for with the like barbarism was his Father killed by Mendosa's Souldiers But Henry of Nassau going out with a strong Party of Horse to the spoyl of Spinola's men that carelessly Wintered in the Country of Limburg when they hearing of the danger retired into the Cities He took by force Erkelen a Town lying in his way after he had beaten down the Gate with a Petard This is a small Town in Gelderland which out of a sense of its own weakness had of old paid Tribute to both parties But then by chance was become an Enemy to the Hollanders by
his Valour but understanding by the Spies which he had sent under the pretence of Merchants and by some French and British Ships that he met that the Ships which had been there were most of them departed to the Indies and those that were to follow them were not ready but that a great Fleet of Spaniards lay in the Bay of Gibraltar which would take the Hollanders Ships passing out of the Mediterranean Sea into the Ocean in that streight thither he steered his course sailing as the Wind would give him leave sometimes near the Coast of Barbary and other whiles nearer the Coast of Spain for two very high Mountains generally known by the names of Hercules Pillars being the Mountains Abila in Barbary and Calpe in Spain do make narrow the Streight of the Atlantike Ocean winding it self between those Lands Fabulous Antiquity reported these to be one Hill and indeed so it is if you admit the strait to continue their union but divided by the labour of Hercules on purpose to let in the Sea whereupon the last of those separated Hills are called as aforesaid Hercules Pillars To the one of which the old name Calpe remained until the Arabian growing Victorious gave his own names to all things and places for at what time the lâ—acens had joyned their Arms to the novelty of Mahomeâ—â— Superstition Moses the chief of the petty Kings possessing Africa who was the Son of Nuzir of the Maravadine Family went over into Spain accompanied with Tarica the 〈◊〉 of Abdalla who setting fire on his Ships that his Souldiers might not be able to desert him when he was come within Calpe he named the place Gebell Taric which in the Arabian Tongue is as much as the Mount of Tarica and â—â—â—ce by the Spaniards is corrupted into Gibraltar Thus did 〈◊〉 Mountain and City Tarifa of old Carteja get their names This City is scituate at the bottom of those Hills where making a Haven in the manner of a Theater for his Ships on the horn thereof which stretches into the Atlantike Ocean he built a strong Castle In this most safe recess of the Sea within the bosome of that most exquisite Rock â—â—d under the protection of the City and Castle the Spanish fleet lay at Anchor It consisted of 9. Galeoones the greatest of which carryed the Commander in Chief Don John Alâ—â—rez de Avila four other Ships of War The great Vessel belonging to Lubeck and four French Bottoms belonging to private Merchants but for a time taken up for publike use besides three Holland Merchants Ships that had lately been taken as Prizes In these was a great number of Marriners and great Guns together with Souldiers for Sea-service whose strength was much increased by the accession of many noble persons who upon news that the Enemies Ships were seen both at Cadiz and St. Lucas de Barramede had flocked thither to shew their Valour and duty to the King In the Admirall were seven hundred Souldiers another a little less had five hundred Admiral Hemskerke now entring the Streight and not far from the Bay of Gibraltar calling together the Captains of his Ships to Counsel He said to them Ye know Fellow Souldiers for what cause ye are come hither The Honour gotten by our Ancestors both at Sea and at home is evident to the whole World They wasted Islands and besieged Ports others by chance assisting them therein We were the first who came even into Spain it self to assault the King of Spains Fleet as intending to let the World know how falsly the Enemy in the length of his arrogant Titles ascribes to himself the Dominion of the Sea A more noted place for Honour could not be wished for God hath appointed the Hollanders Forces to be tryed and approved in the Confines of Europe and Africa so that here we shall see the Enemies themselves certain Witnesses of our Valour and their own destruction On the one Shore he the Turks and Moors to whom being hitherto scarcely heard of we ought not to be made publickly known but by some great and honourable action Take now that Courage which of old Berghen Middleburgh the Zuyderzee beheld The same fortune follows you through the World So that it is a difficult matter for you not to Conquer at Sea And let not the greatness of the Enemies Ships affright you for that very Bulk being unweldy to be moved and turned and lying open to shot will be rather a cause of ruine then safety to them And moreover this is one chief thing that among us our very Seamen fight with them only the Souldiers who appearing to me as persons of effeminacy by the stinks of the Pump and the tossing of the Waves being grown heartless are hardly able to stand up to fight I require nothing of any man but what I shall give an example of my self you Lambert shall together with my self set upon the Admirall Brassen and Alterhasen on the next and so the rest on the remainder two of you still keeping together against one the lighter Vessels shall go up and down compassing the place of fight the better to impede the Enemies flight And as soon as the Battell is begun Remember that ye fight valiantly for your Ships wherein you are all either to be slain or taken unless you get the Victory Let us forward the anxious and doubtful cares of the States in this great Affair for this day will yield a great and happy Omen to us if forced to return to the War or else will make the Spaniard more seriously to desire Peace Then may the Conquering Hollander with freedom deliberate whether it will be more for his advantage to lay aside Arms or still to maintain War We however in the interim shall begin to be esteemed happy in the Honour of this Maritime tryumph or else shall be looked upon among the chief causes that lead to peace and for the benefit of Posterity shall set a noble end to a War of 40 years continuance Having spoken these things he encouraged the Captains as well by his eyes and countenance as his words who promising largely their best endeavours likewise stirred up both themselves and others by old and new examples of Spanish cruelty so passing about an encouraging Cup and renewing their Oath of fidelity for that time they departed Avilas the Governour finding Ships so much less than his steering their course directly against him commanded a Holland Prisoner that he had with him to be brought to him of whom he asked What he thought was their Intentions Who answer'd Either I know not my Countrey men or else they are ready to give you Battel The Spaniards laughed as thinking it a scorn that their whole Fleet should be compared with that onely Galeoon that was his Admiral But when the Holland Fleet drew nearer being compell'd to believe what he saw was true he carryed his said Admiral Galeoon which by chance lay outermost nearer to the City cutting its
preparing other Remedies which might repress this Evil now getting Age The Cause above all others and which we may with most Reason conjecture was the Pope's Authority by which he had ordered many of these things to be done For having obtained by the general Consent of so many Nations to Distribute of Kingdoms and to be a Moderator and Judge of Law Equity and Right while he by submissive Obedience and large Gifts was made their Friend and Ally they might confidently rest assured in the Success of their Affairs which he had throughly learned by his Fathers and his own Experiments How terrible it was and injurious to his Affairs to have that Power adverse to him from which even they who had Conquered it in War were glad to crave a Pardon These were the state of Affairs and these the Conditions of the People when upon the Departure of King Philip strife began about the Chief Government In the attaining whereof both the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmond had pitched their Hopes and Expectancie but neither of them had it for this Reason least either of them singly being preferr'd should by perpetual private Feudes disturb the Peace of the Common-wealth There was likewise Ambitions of the same sort among Women to wit Christian that had marryed Francis Duke of Lorrain Uncle of the Emperour Charles and Margaret base Daughter of the said Charles first marryed to Alexander Medices afterwards to Octavius Farnese Duke of Parma The Prince of Aurange and the Netherlanders endeavoured by all means to promote Christian but Ferdinande Alvares of Toledo Duke of Alva and Anthony Perenot Granvell Bishop of Artoyes having been jointly Servants and Counsellors to his Father in his greatest Affairs and by Philip received with the like Honour were of a contrary Opinion for Margaret Alva one of the greatest and noblest Spaniards in many places esteemed a great and famous Souldier by the getting some notable Victories for the Emperour had won great Renown Perenottes Father one Nicholas a Burgundian as he was of a mean Stock so he was more readily obsequious and by his extraordinary Watchfulness and Industry so acquired the Humour of the Court that he became a Privy Counsellour and had the keeping of the Emperours Seal in which having performed his Duty by the space of Twenty Years he at last left the same to the enjoyment of his Son But as Alva's proud and cruel Nature so Perenottes subtle Disposition while they onely seek to inlarge the Grandezza of the Prince who likewise desired nothing so much they do both of them find fault with as many Nations as they knew especially the Germans who imputing the Landgrave's Imprisonment to no other than their Counsels did esteem and reckon their too great Power among the principal Causes of the War Again when it came to the Point of giving the Government of the Netherlands to Margaret although there wanted not specious Causes enough for the giving of that Counsel as such a Tye of Bloud and that her Husband would be a Pledge for her Fidelity and her Person be in the Command of the Spaniards both in the City and Castle Yet the departure of the King no less suspected by the Great Ones than bewailed by the meaner sort inflamed the angry Minds of the Nobles And that very Day was the chief in which Philip was sollicited for Liberty and that the Netherlanders shewed themselves contumacious or sawcie towards their Prince For just upon his Departure resolving to leave a Garrison of above Three Thousand Spaniards under pretence of defending the Borders against the French but in truth that he might at his pleasure bridle the Licentiousness in Religion which had been increased by a Company of Forraign Souldiers in the Wars The Prince of Aurange and Count Egmond whom he appointed Commanders of those Forces on purpose to asswage their Envy refused the Charge as being contrary to their Laws and at the very instant of the Kings going away the Assembly of the States whom he had onely called together to give a Farewel to asked him That he wou'd remove away with him those Souldiers when they would not endure adding also a Warning or Monition That he should use the Counsell of none but Netherlanders in the Government of the Netherlands And from hence there sprung an implacable Hatred because they seemed to give out as if they understood the Art of Governing and fore-saw the approaching Tyranny But openly He agreed to their Request and thereupon forbore to adde Gemessa Figueroa â— Spaniard and Earl of Feria unto that Great Councel though lately destined to that Intent But in this Dissimulation he nourished Anger in his Heart and in his Mind studied nothing but Revenge So departing but disdaining to pass the Borders of Strangers he went by Sea where in the Shipwrack of his Fleet through many great and imminent Dangers with much ado he got safe to the Port of Gallicia The Souldiery for a little while after remained there but very unruly and burdensom untill at Gerbis or the Island of Gelues called by the Antients Meninx having received a loss by the Turks they were taken from them as the Netherlanders interpreted it not so in favour of them as to supply the Loss there received In the mean while the Government of the Netherlands Nominally was in Margaret but in Deed and Power in Granuel in whom Industry Vigilance Ambition Luxury Covetousness and in truth all manner both of Good and Evil were eminently to be seen Nor did he advantage himself more by his own Prudence than by the Folly and Sloth of Others who growing weak by Riot had let slip those Opportunities of present Power which of old was not without great difficulty and hazard to be attained He therefore minding cunningly to oblige his Prince by diving into Secrets and by advancing his Followers contracted unto himself the Intriques of all Embassies and all sorts of Characters and what ever else was to be known either by Spies or Pensioners Between this Grandee and Count Horn there were some old Gudges first concerning Lalayn Count Horn's Sisters Husband whom he taxed with the Crime of an ill performed Embassie Another was that Horn had missed the Praefectureship or Lieutenancy of Gelderland which he had much sought after for want onely of one word's speaking of his He had not yet Declared himself to the Prince of Aurange the onely hope of increasing his Dignities resting upon him but as the Custom of Ambition is had hitherto onely looked upon him with an evil Eye least he should grow too great for him For which cause when Magistrates were to be chosen at Antwerp he had endeavoured to procure him to be absent But the Prince of Aurange who above all things the empty Boast or bare Title of Honour and that one Man a stranger and of men Extract should possess what he listed not without the disgrace both of himself and others stirred up with many provocations Count Egmond
caused them to take an Oath to that purpose contrived that they should take all persons without exception for enemies whom the King should so declare This Oath was taken by Count Egmond Charles Arscot of Croya a person quite unconcerned in the former troubles Charles Baylaymont and his Brothers the Counts Peter Mansfield Governour of Lutzenburgh Count Megem Governour of Gelderland Count Aremberg Governour of Frizeland and the Count of Noricum that in Henault held the place of the Marquess of Berghen And quickly did they begin to make the truth of their Oath appear by their actions Egmond infesting those in Flanders the safeguard of whom he had undertaken The Count of Noricum marcheth against Valenciennes where were others of the Rebels and by Siege forcing them to surrender punished them with great severity by which examples terrified the best and greatest Cities the troubles being thus for a time ended received their appointed Garrison the rest destroying and slaughtering all the remains of those mad people that they could find any where together onely the Prince of Aurange and Hochstraten denyed to change their old Oath by which they were obliged to defend the King and Laws for any other Aurange adding further that his Wife was one of that number which by that Oath were destined to destruction While these things were in agitation the Spaniards as they can see when they have an opportunity did not sluggishly manage that happy occasion And first while the danger was yet scarcely removed it was agreed almost on all hands that the Presence and Majesty of the Prince would be very available for the quieting and composing of all parties the most faithfull and loyall among all the Netherlanders telling and assuring that if the King should send another and not come himself it would produce more hate and lesse obedience which the Emperour Charles the Kings Father well knew when upon a small disturbance onely in the City of Gaunt he made no delay to come thither immediately though at that time France even yet breathed out Warre against him But now a great deal of time was wasted in vain and frivolous Discourses which was the safest way for him to passe by for they suspected France would hardly afford him passage either with or without any Army and a Voyage by Sea was not judged fit in regard of the many certain hazards thereof besides his landing in Zeland might be doubted for they could nor tell how far either the Prince of Aurange or the English might attempt upon his person Therefore the Resolution was that he passe over into Liguria and thence into Germany and there to speak with the Emperour and to try his pulse The Emperour then was Maximilian the Son of Ferdinand who upon consideration had of the Dutch Affaires said that unless Philip would in some measure give place to the present necessity of the times it would be a dangerous undertaking for him by reason of the Princes of the Augustaâ— Confession that were bound to the Dutch Lords by many tyes of friendship allyance and benefits but if any way of moderation might be proposed he offered himself as a Peace-maker between them but this was somewhat ill resented as Augustus Elector of Saxony said who was very great in Caesars favour and allied to the Prince of Aurange by his Brothers Daughter Letters now are sent to the Lady Margaret which declared the Kings approach but not without an Army for so it befitted his Majesty to keep up his Dignity among strangers as also either by the terror thereof to appease all tumults or if any durst stand to contest with him that then he was prepared for the future not to receive but to give Lawes And indeed a little time made it manifest that the Spaniards not content that they were quiet began to look back for revenge by making thâ— Kings anger the meanes to compass their private ends and advantages for they offered as a pretence for enslaving the Dutch that they were all to be looked upon as Traytors either because they had began those novel mischiefs in Church and State or else because they had not brought the persons that durst do such things unto condigne punishment There are also that add the Authority of an Oath formerly made by the Pope to Philip when undertaking the Government he bound himself up to the Lawes that the Netherlands should be governed as America and the greatest part of Italy were And the great credit given to the Duke of Alva's Counsels who was no new fomenter of Tyranny made all men believe that unless so horrid an Example of Rebellion were signally corrected with some remarkable punishments that it would cause others of his Subjects to kick off their Allegiance and therefore that not only the present force but fear of like reward should keep them within their bounds Nor was this so fit time of subjecting the Netherlands to be lost or neglected for all the Kingdoms lying round about do faithfully observe the peace they have made with him and if there were any thought of troubles it was domestick and arise at home Thus were they over-ruled who perswaded Peace and moderation Prince Charles the Son of Philip offering his endeavour for the pacifying and ruling the Netherlands but so much in vain that it did prove to his harm by encreasing those suspitions before conceived against him At last it was declared the King having retired as if upon matters of greater concernment or else upon pretence that he might not be in danger that the Duke of Alva should be sent thither with most ample Authority nor is it to be doubted with what Instructions he being a man alwayes used to Warre and Bloodshed to whom being in Italy the Messengers reported the Companies of old Spanish Souldiers from Naples Scicily Sardinia and Millaine to be joyned with the Horse the Prince of Aurange not thinking it fit to stay any longer goes to Nassau being then possessed by his Brother protesting openly at his departure before a great multitude of people that followed him that he would not stir one foot further in this difference unless he were assaulted or damnified In whose absence the Lady Regent commanded Maximilian Earl of Bossu to take charge of his Lieutenancies Brederode when he had fortified what was his and hovered about Vtrecht near the Rhene and Amsterdam two very wealthy Cities the Prince of Aurange favouring his first attempts either by an under-hand assistance or deceit is shortly after forcibly driven out of the Country Egmond and some other meaner Lords whose minds and fortunes could not suffer banishment were led about with the hope of living till they were brought to their ends untimely but most of the Nobles and many of the Commonalty for fear of the Spaniard though part of them fearing punishment returned being not prepared to fly for Religion went some into the next parts of Germany some into England and some into farther distant Countries the
brought by the Souldiers Labour in the Floud of Issel and thence drowning it self in a Lake which bounded the Frisons and incurvating it self toward the Island Flie runs into the Sea by this same first received Name But the Face of Things and Places here are now so chang'd that there can be no River seen but on the contrary the Sea hath broke in upon the Land and though at first it seem from a narrow Entrance but a little to increase yet a little further you may presently see it open like a great Gulph The beginning therefore of this Country of old called Batavia retains in part its old Name and is called Geldres whose Lordship growing into wideness is bounded by the River Maze and Issel Over-Issel joyns in Neighborhood to thi having on its side the Greater Frizeland running out as far as the River Eemes then turns about its back to other Parts of Germany Below Geldres where it is called Welawe is Utrecht with some Neighbouring Towns which are under the Rule of a Bishop as likewise all Over-Issel untill the Emperour Charles first of all added them to his own Government Next we find Holland now most plentifully stored both with Cities and Villages running out with two Corners in the Wale and the before-mentioned Gulph by little and little getting from the Water on both sides It spreads a large Shore to the Ocean whose more Northerly Parts were sometimes part of Frizeland but partly by Arms and partly by Agreement now joyned to Holland who lying over against the Flie on the West have kept the Speech of West-Frizeland All the Country of Holland is full of many Arms of Rivers and Inlets of Lakes and Water-Courses made by Art and Labour and is more fertile in Pastures than Corn there no is Country abounds more in Fishing and Navigation both in Rivers and the Sea than this Zeland divided into several Islands borders on this being environed with the two Rivers Maze and Scalde on the Back also joyned with Brabant by Honta and by the River Scalde divided from Flanders which among Forreigners hath merited to give the Name to all the Netherlands This Tract of Land lies all upon and open to the Sea even unto Calais and is that part of the Netherlands which is now under the Dominion of the French Some have conjectured that the Danes plying up and down these parts as Piraâ— have left some Reliques of their Speech behind them in the names both of Holland and Zeland but I having perused many Monuments of Antiquity finde this a common name to all the Islands but I believe it was a more proper and peculiar name to a small Region not far from Leyden barred and rough by reason of thick Woods for the name signifieâ— so much This is clear that when those Northern Nations raged over all these parts of the World committing Rapes Murthers and daily depopulations it made these people for their own safety advise together concerning the choosing â— accepting of Princes which they did by the name of Eâ— or Counts who at first were bound to observe their dutieâ— with so much strictness to the French and afterwards to the Emperours of Germany that they had no Lawes of their own distinct Very uncertain it is of what House sprung or â— what Antiquity their first Princes were There is an Opinion vulgarly received that they were sent out of Acqâ—tayne but there are better and stronger proofs that theâ— were Natives who of old in the same place now known bâ— the name of Holland had but narrow limits to their Domnion till by little and little they became so much inlarge as they have been while by Claims from the Female it had severally descended unto the Lords of Henalt Bavaria Burgundy and Austria of which last is come King Philip the Second but in the number of Earls is reckoned the one and thirtieth At this time the greatest difficulty and evill that attended the Warre was that Amsterdam in Holland and Middleburgâ— in Zeland two most flourishing Cities were both repugnanâ— to all the undertakings of both these Provinces their bigness making them beyond Command of the yongling Common-wealth especially because all Alva's care was fixeâ— for their preservation not onely placing in them choyce Governours but strong Garisons of Souldiers On the other side the Isle of Bommell belonging to Geldres encompassed by the Rivers Wale and Maze was drawn into the association and fortified for the defence of Holland Certainly there was not any thing could have fallen out more happily to the management of these Affairs then the coming of the Prince of Aurange for he being well skilled in what was necessary for a good Government made a quiet settlement of whatever was out of order and by discretion and his innate moderation kept their strength together which otherwise would have quickly come to nothing which vertues his very enemies applauded in him for Marquius while he managed the Government of Holland in his absence by his cruelty towards Priests and all other kinds of immodesty had brought a great scandall upon their now growing Liberty for being of a cruel nature himself he spurred on the French who being accustomed to blood and licentiousness revenged the evills which they escaped at home in forraign Service for this Cause as also for some Act of disobedience by the Prince of Aurange his Command he is suddenly taker and accusations framed against him but the times would not permit him to have any further punishment But the Prince of Aurange laying aside his Name of Prince and embracing his Power began with a selected Counsel to bestow Commands set forth Lawes and Constitutions to order and direct the Affaires relating to the Warre both by Sea and Land and in brief to settle all things in the Common-wealth and if any matter of greater moment then ordinary fell out it was taken into consideration by the great Assemby of the States among whom he sate President Whose frequent meetings besides the shew of a popular State were very advantageous in this that more of the whole number might be knit together by parts to that end where before onely six Cities of Holland together with the Nobility did consult of most matters which six Cities were Dordrecht Harlem Delfe Leyden Amsterdam and Gaunte now the Prince of Aurange did admit of twelve more less Towns which without doubt would be faithful to him by whose favour they had obtained the Priviledge of a Suffrage Not truly was it without great foresight that these were made Partners in Counsels in regard they would the more willingly help to bear that burthen of whose use and necessity themselves were Judges their Names and Order follow thus In the South part Rotterdam Gorrichâ—m Scydam Schonhouen and in the Isle of Maze Brill In the North Alemaâ— Horne Enchaysen and also in the Marshes there which aâ— called Waterland Edam and Monkedam and not far thence Medemleke and Purmeren In the place
Warre The Spaniards had given this Fleet the name of the Praetorian Inquisition arrogantly thereby hindâ— with scorn at the Cause of the Warre Alva now grown old and solicitous to preserve his famâ— upon his humble Request in that behalf made to Philip is bâ— him recalled perceiving that his violent proceedings diâ— little good and that as long as his memory remained â— would be an obstacle to any other meanes that should be â— sed without any notice taken of his desire that his Son might succeed him who was partaker as well of the hatred contracted against his Father as of his actions 1574. Five years and a little more he governed here being wont to boast that in that time he had caused the execution and slaughter of eighteen thousand men His Acts especially that for the Tenth the King durst neither openly approve and confirm it nor positively repeal it He remained in the Court without any question and with Honour until after some years he was together with his Son who had committed a Rape upon a Noble Virgin thrown into Prison whence he did not get free untill the Portugall Warre required the presence of an expert and knowing Captain Lewis de Requesens was sent to succeed him in the Government of the Netherlands who insnared divers by cunning and more remiss dealings Liberall and milde beyond the Spanish guise but nothing so subtle as Alva He was noâ— quite ignorant in Military Affairs as witnessed that famous Victory obtained at the Echinades in the Honour whereof he had a great share and his bringing under of Granado and breach of promise there with his enemies when they grumbled against the Inquisition the same whereof went before him but the first thing by which he endeavoured to get the favour of the Netherlanders was the pulling down Alva's Statue About this time Middleburg by a long Famine which did almost afflict the Beâ—iegers as besieged and the Spanish Fleet being broken and vanquished in many sharp Conflicts surrendred to the Zâ—landers and regained thereby her wasted Wealth But Lewis of Nassau endeavouring to draw the Enemy off from Holland was slain near Nimmeghen together with the Troops which he brought to his Brother which did happen by the folly of the Souldiers for just as the Enemy was upon them with drawn Swords they began importunately to cry out to their Captain for money This was the end of that Captain who both for Valour and Policy might be ranked among the most prayse-worthy as also of his Brother Henry and Christopher Son of the Prince Palatine The same mischief which had been the ruine of these fell upon the Conquerour's Army for they likewise began to mutiny against their Officers and to command their pay the wages due for their blood This madness fell upon Antwerp a City of Brabant most happy in times of peace in the enjoyment of a great Trade by Merchants and the acquiring of what naturally flowes thence Wealth which is the whole work of Peace while on the contrary where Warre hath once given a liberty to all things the basest poverty cannot sometimes secure her raggs here did they insult by all meanes till by force and threats they extorted from the Citizens there four hundred thousand Florens which it was thought Don Requesens was well enough content with because he Commanded they should not be resisted or denyed And in a very short time after he granted them a generall Pardon rejoycing as it were that money was any way gotten though it was not improbable he might have had it willingly if he had but demanded it for while the States of those parts refused to pay any Taxes toward the Warre unless the Tenth might be taken away by a solemn Edict it happened that either by the Kings obstinacy or the Governours their Designs in both were frustrated Which covetousness of Reward or rather indeed over-pay is greater among the Spaniard than anâ— other Nation almost For this they will mutiny in a moâ—â— notorious manner and yet as it were by a certain Preâ—dence still stick to the King's Interest Thus by an underhand Confederacy of the Commanders they fall to plaâ— Robbery which the Souldier calls his Wages or Hire and the People name it Necessity Neither were these Subâ—ties here first used for in others Wars it had been custom aâ— with the Spaniard to use the same Trade This Violence and Injury had mightily turned the Loâ— of the People to the Prince of Aurange and thâ— at the next following Council among them made his Requests and their Desires to be as it were â— one for they began to mention a Treaty of Peace before Aldegondius who was a Prisoner but a man of great Learning and Ingenuity and withall very intimate and prevalent with the Prince of Aurange whom they would send with Lâ—ters to that purpose associated with Campigny between whom and his Brother Granvel there was a Domestical Quarrel and such an Enmity as in like Cases uses to be between Relations At last the Legates on both sides met at Brâ—da whither the Emperour sent Count Suartzburge a Kinsman of the Prince of Aurange to be a Moderator between both Parties The Prince of Aurange and they who were under his Authority had given these Instructions That they were accounted without desert Rebels and irreligious Persons by their Enemies for that they understood the Nature of their Duty both to God and their Prince That they had never taken up Arms against Philip and that the onely cause that hindred the Peace was that they were governed by Strangers And that if the Spanish Souldiers might be removed away which was very necessary both as to Matters of Religion and all other things that they would Declare themselves satisfied by the Judgment of all the States of the Netherlands Hereto it was answered That they had not well done chissing rather to stand upon their own Defence than to submit themselves That yet they should have free Pardon and Impunity so as the Disturbers of Religion might within a time limited be Banished the Country for they conceived unjust that so great a King should be denyed the Power to settle Religion which to the petty Princes of Germany was never scrupled And as to the rest that the King would willingly agree so as they would first deliver up to him the Cities and Castles as also all things with their Furniture and other Engines and Provisions of War which they now had in their Possession These Conditions were not at all pleasing as being more rigorous than they could inforce by Arms whereupon they desired a Truce that Acts of Hostility might cease and that for some years there might be a Toleration of Religion But neither could this be obtained yet Requesens by a few late Successes being more than ordinarily puffed up prolonged the Treaty that in the mean time he might the more easily get an opportunity to do them a mischief while they yet neglected and thought
and for the pacifying of those that were fallen off But no man was ever so wise whom Fortune at one time or other hath not deceived For the Prince of Aurange had before this by under-hand Policies and insinuating Intelligence gain'd the Hearts of the Brabanders declaring That he desired nothing that might singly tend to his own particular advantage but wholly minded the Publike Good And they again of their own accord consented while Requesens was busie abroad with his Forces or dissembled Lenity with intent to raise his Authority higher than he had ever abated it For the Regent himself very indiscreâ—tly commanded the Countreymen to take Arms to repress the Tumultuous Mutinies of the Souldiers which very thing was the first beginning of their Liberty in thoâ—e Parts For now the Names imposed by Alva being forgotten the Laws and the Rights of the States were cryed up by the Voyces of all Men Flanders also from hence learned Wit a People very unquiet and hardly able of old to endure their Princes when they were onely Princes These confidently denied Tribute to Don Requesens because there was exacted from them more than was necessary But as there were in that Senate some Spaniards so were there also many Netherlanders from whom the Prince of Aurange hoped that he might desire that they would rather bestow those Monies to defend their Country than betray it And this Counsel so full of sound Care did greatly help forward in that Case For this War had so extreamly drained the Spanish Wealth though very great that the King being greatly indebted was fain to take by force his Possessions from the Vsurers under the pretence of a general Discharge by common Authority of all Debts and Bonds before that time without any payment or satisfaction for the same And by chance the Turks whose Power hath ever grown greater by the Christians Discords while Philip turns all his strength against the Netherlands enjoying the Kingdom of Tunis fell violently into all the rest of Africa both by Sea and Land which the Spaniards held By means of which straits it came to pass that the Spanish Souldiers in the Low-Countries had no Pay for many Moneths who thereupon according to Custom by them long received casting off Obedience become Licentious and wish for nothing more than for Pillage Wherefore Bruxels the Metropolis of those Dominions was destined for Plunder and so had been if the common People mindful of former Villanies and almost astonished at the greatness of the imminent Danger had not betaken them to Arms and advertised the Magistrates and those who had the Management of the Laws thereof These presently summoned the Senate to whom we told you before the Administration of the Government was fallen to condemn these impudent Souldiers as Enemies to the Prince and Country which being openly done the Sedition was believed to be privily fomented by the Counsels of a few whose Wealth grew from Forreign Tyranny But when the Confederate Regiments turning out their Commanders had forcibly entred Alost a Town in that part of Flanders which of old stuck to the German Empire and was never as the rest subject to France and thence had wasted the Country round about them there being none to take Vengeance of them some of the Nobles of Brabant not by any publike Advice but struck with the Fear and Memory of the Example of Antwerp sent some who should keep together the Senate that is the Head of the Commonwealth in their Court and Session Anon least the Government should fail for want of a lawful Authority they discriminated the Innocent from such as were Suspicious restraining all whose Treachery or Sluggishness would produce the effect that no Strength should be made ready against the insulting Envy and Malice of the Spaniards And not onely so but the Natives that were Souldiers were as much as might be picked out and sent into several parts and then joyned in League with Flanders and other Cities against them as against a Common Enemy Nor did they onely think of these new Disturbances of the Publike Peace but called also to 〈◊〉 the Oppressions in Alva's time such as the Tenths Inquisition Punishments of the Guiltless Robbing them of that by Force and War which they laboured for in Times of Peace and their frequent Slaughters and Executions by colour of the Edicts And now Matters began to seem not onely to take notice of such as had traduced the Government but of the whole Spanish Nation Whereupon one Rode made himself Captain of certain Companies of Spaniards that now went out of Holland never to return thither again part of the Senate before and which then was gone over to the Souldiers usuâ—ping to themselves all Right of Government But now â—he whole Colledge as it were re-uniting The German Souldiers too joyned themselvs hoping to do what they listed 〈◊〉 thus joyned together they sacked Vtrecht by he Maze â— most noble City and not long after powering themselves out of the Castle into the City of Antwerp where for some days having beaten out the Defendants they glutted their Wrath and Avarice with the Slaughter oâ— the Townsmen the burning of Houses and an exceeding great Booty Among all which Mâ—series the Netherlanders durst not rely upon the strength and valour of their new and unexperienced Souldiers against those Weather-beaten and old ones who had also Fortifications and Castles not knowing well therefore what to do and considering that it would be too tedious to â—ove oâ—her Princes to aid them they resolved at last to accept of the next Forces which belonged to the Prince of Aurange were by him freely offered them being conscious to themselves that they should be looked upon however as guilty of the like Crimes and that they must either purge themselves together by Force or suffer together Wherefore resuming the Treaty of Peace which was broken off at Breda as is before related and as Fellow-Citizens consulting against a Common Enemy they easily agree and it was provided that for the obliterating the Memory of former Differences no one should be questioned concerning Religion nor that any Judgments should be confirmed which were given concerning the same but that all things confiscated should be restored to their Owners or if they were sold certain select Apprizers should set a value both upon Possessions and other things wrongfully detained and to restore to the one the thing it self to wit the Possessions to the other the value or price thereof that every one for the future might use what Religion he pleased and so as to those things which they of Holland and Zealand took detained in the time of the War which belonged to the King and they also agreed That what Money the Prince of Aurange had expended in his two Expeditions or so much thereof as belonged to him the rest of the Provinces should be equally contributary to the re-imbursing after the Commonwealth was freed from Forreigners according to the
Judgment of the General States of the Netherlands In the interim Trading should be incouraged both Parties should use the present Form of Jurisdiction and the Religions they already hold And that it should not be lawful for the Hollanders or their Associates to alter any thing in Religion without their own Bounds onely granting the Prince of Aurange Power of ordering the Cities belonging to his particular Government Upon these Agreements a Peace was concluded at Gaunt between the Nassauian Party and the People of Brabant Flanders Artoys Henault and other Provinces onely Lutzenburge excepted whose Governours were privately obedient and affectionate to the Name of Spaniard and the People ever most firm in their Fidelity to their Princes But the Frisons came in having imprisoned their Governour Caspar Roblese a Portugeze because he resisted them Thus thâ—owing down the Castles every where they threw off their Yoke of Slavery And because Antwerp being possessed by the Spaniards hindred the mutual Commerce of the Provinces they made great Banks of Defence near the Sceld that under their Safeguard ships might pass safely Afterwards this League was entred into again at Bruxels and the Agreement of War against the Spaniards confirmed by the Oath of the Clergy Nobility and Commons and fully assented to by the Senate And this was the onely time from whence any one might with Reason hope well of the Low-Country Affairs if they had laid aside their Feuds as well as their Arms And to speak clearly the Emulation and Ambition of the Lords was the undoubted Fountain of all their Evils and the Fault of the People was not much unlike this for such was their Frantick Zeal in their Religion that they would never stick to any Agreements or Covenants nor be contented with their present Condition and while these Vices keep their Footing there will never be Person nor Instruments wanting to undermine Liberty Therefore King Philip when these Conditions were brought to him being informed that they were approved by the general Consent of all and that they would have Forreign Aid if he should continue to deal harshly with them thought it fit to yield to Necessity and so making a Law in confirmation of the said League and Agreements in the mean while under-hand he determines to wait all Opportunities either to break or at least distract this Alliance and kept the Prince of Aurange's Son who according to the said League ought to have been set at Liberty as an Hostage for his Fathers Actions Now is Don John of Austria base Son of the Emperour Charles sent Governour into the Low-Countries that so being a young man of a sharp Wit famous for a Sea-fight against the Turks and high in the Pope's Favour he might divert his Mind from the thought of higher things And this also he pretended he did to shew his Intent for the future of maintaining the Laws when he sent one so near to him by Bloud to govern them And indeed in publike he would own nothing that might seem to intrench on the Peace though privately he commanded to follow Rode's Counsel who was as we before declared the Leader in the Spanish Sedition But not cunning enough to conceal these Matters long for the Hatred which he had drawn upon himself the impatiency of the Age together wiâ—h some intercepted Letters made publike the most secret of all their Counsels and Designs Which the Prince of Aurange consideâ—ing and earnest that Extreams might not damnitie so increasing Fortune be counselled the Netherlanders that weighing how much they had offenâ—ed Philip in the Peace they had made they should by War keep out that manifest Officer of his Wrath while yet he was without strength and upon their Borders This was gain-said by many of the prime Nobility that did not heartily love the Prince of Aurange either out of an old Grudge or for some new sprung Envy many in this Tempest of Affairs who were by Advice in ermingled in general Parties for Reverence of the Prince continued in their Arms under the pretence of Necessity to defend themselves Thus Peace being made in a Town of Lutzenburge call'd Marsa the Government was granted to Don John of Austria if he would first Disband and send away the Spanish and then all other Forreign Souldiers although the Hollanders and all that of their Party did earnestly labour the contrary All fear was now banished and an incredible joy surprized the hearts of all because the Spanish Army was by Covenant to go out of their Cities although carrying with it many barbarous spoyls and the Rapines of ten years and boasting that within the last six moneths they had killed thirty thousand Netherlanders of the meaner sort questionless when they denyed that within the same time that they had lost above threescore nor were they long gone or far some of them being stayd at Millayne and others nearer till Don John might recall them to a War prepared for them For this Austrian being received into the Government with the highest Honour possible but youthfully impatient of all delay suddenly besets the entrances of the Country and in short time breaks through them taking Namur and some other Towns on that Border and further solicites the German Bands which were not yet gone out of the Netherlands for want of their pay to render up the Cities they were in and their treachery was easie enough to be wrought on But whether they were either frighted with threats or tempted with promises the dulness of their Spirits or flexibleness of their Natures quickly broke off their design By this meanes most of Brabant was preserved the Souldiers not onely delivering the Garrisons into the power of the States but their Commanders also the Embassadors of the Provinces at the General Council used the name of the States to whom after the Power of the Regall Senate was abolished most of the business of the Common-wealth was brought And yet there was no War but the States did accuse Don John to the King and other Princes that he had publickly broken the Peace He again casts the blame upon the Prince of Aurange â—hat he would set up new Customs contrary to the Covenants of the League in the Cities which subjected to his Dominion by Contracts and Agreements Notwithstanding which Calumnies he was by all the Cities of the Netherlands looked upon with an high esteem as the Authour of their liberty and of such a noble disposition as is wont to win all mens affections He strengthned by complacence that power which he would seem to diminish so great was his prudence and moderation and because by diligent inquiries and pains and by intercepted Letters he had demonstrated that the Austrian Snares were laid first for him and his and afterwards for all the rest by breaking the Band of the League he so won the favour of all the people that he was by the Brabanders chosen to be their Governour This was taken very ill by Arscotâ— who
nothing but Penury and Slavery so they are sure to have no other pity than that of Torments Fire and Death Meritedly therefore they desire an equal share of Liberty since nothing can be by them expected from a Kingdom but Tyranny They looked not after rich Benefices and ample Revenues but were content others should enjoy them onely they begged they might not be banished both from the Church and Court as profane Persons That they never were Apostates either in their Piety towards God or their Fidelity towards their Country Some doubt there was a while how to Resolve but at last praising the Examples of Germany and Poland agreeing many old Customs it was concluded by the Counsell of those who had put forward these things That it was very necessary for the maintaining of Unity and Concord that these just Desires should not be rejected for they could not have an Army of any value or strength but it must chiefly consist of them and they found by Experiment that no Persons might be with 〈◊〉 safety trusted with the care and management of Affairs that they In this Vicissitude of Affairs it came to pass that several of the Romane Opinion especially those who took to them selves the Names of Jesuits could not be drawn to takeâ— Oath against Dan John and no small part whose hope maâ— depended upon the King's Success voluntarily defend them But many of the Magistrates though so instructed â— if they had fore-seen the Rising Authority of that Side embraced that Form of Worship which the Nassanians helds And for these Causes Honours were communicative to them and in some places no less than a hundred Families desired they might have by Command places see apart for theâ— Publike Worship on the same Condition That the like should be granted to those who preferred the Doctrine of the Latin Church through Holland and Zealand which yet was never affected The things which followed after this are not to â— passed by without Compassion or a sad Remembrance Such Commotions such Hatreds and such Troubles one still following another For as the Romanists would grant nothing at all to the other so they not satisfied so much now with their Impunity and privacy upon their own private account took by force the Administration of the Law from the more violent and stubborn Magistrates and after they had therein prevailed they began to look at Revenge So that they whâ— but lately wished ill to the Spaniard now of a suddain joâ— both their Purses and Counsels against them Citizens now against Citizens standing armed in the very Cities which being free from their Publike Enemies they endeavoured â— drive away their private Adversaries there was not mâ— need here of the Souldier his help being onely necessary preserve Domestick Peace And as they which labour of a Deadly Disease for the most part despise all Remedies â— here they who were Lovers and Promoters of Peace and and Concord were on all hands hated by these strong Promoters of Sedition And indeed they ought to have studied nothing but Patience to see such persons by whom the common Plague of this Age was scattered into both Parties and the Names of all things inverted So that a blind and perverse Obstinacy in Discord was called a Holy Zeal and Modesty and meekness of Mind Sloth nay sometimes Treason The People of Gaunt now grown to that heighth of Licentiousness that they could not hope for Pardon or Impunity but from the monstrous Greatness of their Villany being still egg'd on further by that Boutefeu Imbis who had crept up into Power by a Thredbare Journey formerly to openly detract the Government They protest they will no longer so much as see those Romane Superstitions that have invented so many Wickednesses and Cruelties not that the Authors or Fomenters of the Sedition esteemed much of any Religion for they would raise Tumults under the pretence of both but onely they preferr'd Novelties before things received from Antiquity and their own Fancies before any Truth that could be taught them and having by chance convicted some Monks of detestable Sensualities first they expelled that Order yet groaning under the Weight of their fresh Malice and furious Hatred and afterwards all Priests Then being conscious to themselves of what they had begun they begin to fortifie their City with strong Bulwarks and Rampires which being of a vast compass equal almost to the greatest Cities was not totally inhabited for having been often besieged and fearing the like again from the vileness of their Action in time to come they inclosed many Fields within their Works or Wâ—ll And the more their Fortification proceeded and came nearer the finishing so much less they did hearken to the Commands either of Matthias or the States or take notice of their vain objecting their Crimes against them seeking backward still for new Pretences out of those very things which they had stirred â— against themselves Neither could the Prince of Aurange's Authority any whit prevail with them though by his Intercession the same People of Gaunt had obtained again their Antient Laws which they had before forfeited by a Rebellion against the Emperour Charles But the Mischief rather increased and spread into other Cities of Flanders On the contrary those of Artoys and Henault were more constant and stedfast to the Romane Religion for most of them were of that Judgment And the Lords being averse to the Prince of Aurange with a kind of civil Objuration refused to hear of the New Law for they said that it was specified in the League that nothing should be altered in Religion while the We continued Some did advise that the City of Gaunt being by this Sedition lyable to Treachery should by War be compelled to Obedience But neither the Prince of Aurange nor several other of the Nobles would consent to that to turn theâ— Arms or Forces against Citizens how ill deserving soever while the Spaniard their Enemy with a powerful Army lay almost in the middle of their Country for that indeed were to make good that which some of the wisest of their Enemies had fore-told of them that their own Discord wâ— destroy them But while it was dangerous to inforce them they slighted all Commands Counsels and Intreaties looking upon them onely as predetermined Malice At this tiâ— Bossis whom we formerly mention'd to have been taken in the Sea of Frizeland when he commanded the scatter'd Remains of Holland under Alva was General of the greâ— Army of the Netherlanders the States having taken that Honour from Lalain because at the unhappy Battel of Geâ— he forsook the Camp without their Leave or Commandment The Viscount of Gaunt was Commander in Chief of the Horse Lanove who had won great Renown in the Civil Wars of France was Camp-Master General Don John assaulted their Camp scituate not far from Mechlin at a Village called Rimenen and was onely Repulsed there being as many both believed and said a great Errour committed
in that they did not follow them in the Rear as they marched off which had they done that onely Day had scatter'd and broken all the Spanish Forces But that Year might have been spent in the Besieging of Towns if the Captains Prudence and Fore-sight had provided Pioneers and such other like People as are fit to attend an Army for such Work Among all these Changes of Affairs there intervened some Discourses of Peace for some Forreign Princes being desired to propose some way to make a Peace did perswade Don John that in regard the Forces of the Netherlanders far exceeded his he might yet go off with an unblemished Reputation and let his hope hereafter wait for more happy opportunity and as to the King that he would do much more discreetly if he minded to win the love of so Valiant and Warlike a People and not rashly to cast away so large a Dominion that he would now accept of them while they were willing to come to reasonable terms that it was necessary for the obtaining thereof to wit of Peace that the League made at Gaunt should be confirmed and in that the Clause particularly that Religion should be left to every Man 's free Will That it was most just that all Prisoners should be set at liberty and among them chiefly the Prince of Aurange's Son That whosoever intended to make a Peace with the States must comprehend therein all these particulars by which means all might be reconciled To these Don John answer'd That unless the Prince of Aurange might be banished into Holland there could be no hopes to make Peace That he would grant nothing as to matter of Religion onely he seemed to incline to a Truce The truth is Peace is generally made according to the pleasure and liking of the strongest and to the Weaker every Delay in point of War is very advantageous but when he was re-inforced with Thirty Thousand Foot and Six Thousand Horse so that he believed himself in a manner as strong as the Netherlanders especially as they had Discords among themselves pitching his Camp in the Mountain Bonga which is near to Namur he broke off the Treaty all thought of Pacification being laid aside in his Commanding Breast Casimire in the mean time by a stay longer than ordinary in Gelderland being unfurnished of Money though very slowly yet at last got together a great Army By his Conjunction the Army of the Netherlanders consisted of Forty Thousand Foot and Twenty Thousand Horse with which strength it was resolved to stay for the Aids of Francis of Valois when but too late they intended to besiege Don John being full of hopes if they could but once begin it to bring it to perfection But the sins of the former Time too much greediness and Ambition after Wealth Honour and their Licentiousness in the abusing both which had before been the cause of the Netherlanders Slavery to the Spaniards was now again the main Obstacle and Diversion of the Liberty which was even in their sight and almost come to their possession For the Differences of those of Henault and Artois with them of Flanders was come to that heighth that without any Care of the Publike Good the particular People of each Province would reserve and keep all Taxes and Tributes unto their proper uses And this Example spreading it self further certain Bands of Souldiers lately grown wanton with Ease being a little defalked or delayed in their Pay left the Service of the Commonwealth by a secret complotting and contrivance of the Captains who thought they had not preferment suiting to or proportionable with their Worth and Merits These Souldiers therefore seizing Mayn a Free Town in Flanders forrage and risle all the adjoyning Country Hitherto it was hoped that this Storm would have been kept within their own Bounds when of a suddain Montigny a Man of great Authority among the Captains undertook the Government and went over to the Artoysian Faction The Gauntoys listed divers Companies to repel the Injuries offered by those But these Souldiers though at Home fierce and untractable yet unexpert in War were not of strength sufficient to hinder the Enemies depopulating the Country For they gave it out in Speech that the Priests which by Force and Sedition were thrust out of Gaunt lived in Banishment among them and that they could not reasonably deny nourishment to so great a Company of poor Supplyants either for the Sanctity of their Order or the meanness of their present Fortune but also since there was no place left for Equity and Justice to demand and regain by Arms those things whereof they were robbed by those Barbarous Spoilers Under this pretence of War for now these private Quarrels were broke out into open Hostility great Spoil was daily made until the Flandrians at the instigation of Casimire received Souldiers from him promising Pay out of his own Store for then the whole Country was even brought to Poverty It was supposed that he hoped for the Government but he was deluded therein by the Peoples Inconstancy as well as other Events of Matters But in all these Vicissitudes the Towns of Henault received Francis of Valois who knowing by whose means it came to pass gratified Lalayn the Governour of that Province for it He had with him something more than Eight Hundred Horse and Six Thousand Foot the Refuse and Remains of the French Troubles and Tumults whom after a very hard Journey and Plunders committed every where as they passed having first taken some Castles and Autumn now coming on apace he brought to the Town of Bingen This came under his Subjection by Storm and Siege but proved a very mean Reward for the Expence of his time He staid for the most part at Monts a City in Henault but but not without great Indignation that the Townsmen refused to deliver up the appointed Towns to his Souldiers to be Garrisoned and when he was desired to come to the Army by the Netherlanders he at first denied it until Casimire did the same with whose progress and success at Gaunt he was greatly offended so much that being before his Friend and afterwards his Competitor now he hated him with so much Malice as could not forbear to vent it self in contumelious Speeches Nor would he be removed from the same although both the Regent Matthias the Prince of Aurange and the Queen of England declared themselves unsatisfied in the Actions both of Casimere and the Flandrians but that he willingly suffers his Souldiers to run over to the Companie and Troops of Montigny Thus these two Captains both promising generally Aid â— the Netherlanders came both into their Dominions rather is damnifie them But not long after the Duke of Anjou departed to France and Casimere went to England both leaving this Commonwealth whereto they had no Right to her own good or evil Fate But the Netherlanders upon the departure of this great French-man though himself and other Princes in his behalf
had accused them of Ingratitude promised That if they could compass any Peace with Philip â— should have Statues Orations and other things in truth but 〈◊〉 Sounds and meer Trisles of Honour but if he would come to other Resolutions that he should before any others have that respect which his Dignity and the well-weighed Advantage of the Common-wealth in that exigent of time could require This was the state of Affairs when the Violence of Death suddainly snâ—tched away Don John of Austria which might be hastned the more early in regard that with Grief â— Mind he repined at his Fortune For when he endeavoured to make our that he gained the Victory by his own Valoâ— and Conduct not the Debates or Failings of the Enemy tâ— see his Glory impeded and darkned by his Foes which iâ— the Spanish Court were many he grew Cholerick beyond either what his Nature or the strength of his Body would beat And surely in some intercepted Letters there appeared contumacious Desperation And a little before Philip had privily commanded Scovedo to be killed that used to take care of his private and most secret Affairs as being dangerously subtle in the managing of the Intents of that Noble and great-spirited Young-man For being known to have aimed at beyond the condition and quality of his Birth formerly the Kingdom of Tunis and afterwards that of England and also to have had intercourse of Counsels with the most powerful Lorrainers in the French Court he was privately feared by Philip least he should not onely continue against his Person but seek to confirm to himself these Provinces of the Netherlands from whence arose a great Suspition of Poyson though but uncertainly pressed who should cause it to be given there being some Priests of the Romane Religion who stuck not to cast upon the Country an Imputation of endeavouring such a thing Others suspected some English who were sent from thence against him and were therefore called Murtherers The Duke of Parma took the Conduct of the Army and the Government of the residue of the Cities and Towns first at the Desire of Don John himself and with the good liking of all the Souldiery and afterwards by the King's Command He was of a more reserved and close Nature bringing out of Italy with him the practice of making large Promises and the Art of Dissimulation He knew the â—â—ue way to catch the Dutch to wit either with great Words to fright or with smooth Words to seem to excuse them Therefore as Spain was not so much beholding to any mans Arms yet he gained more by the Favour of the People By this man's occult and close Provocations he mightily augmented the Differences among the Provinces which began to burst out more and more especially after there had been some punishment inflicted upon divers Citizens who to reduce to Unity a City of Artoys durst make an Intestine Commotion Nor did the Prince of Aurange leave any Stone unturned to find a Remedy for all these Mischiefs He becomes more sharp in punishing those whose Crimes grew great beyond his Envy And now he had perswaded the Gauntors that restoring and receiving their Priests they should return and submit to the Covenants and Articles of the League then he turned his Endeavours to Montignie's Souldiers and the Artoysians for the reconciling of them But it appeared that the chief men had willingly laid hold of the Causes of this Defection and therefore that they were implacable which so instigated anew the Minds of the Flandrians that Imbis took to himself by force the chief Magistracy of Gaunt and after bestowed on whom he pleased the rest of the Names and Titles of Honour In the interim the Duke of Parma gave safe Conduct and Passage for all Casimire's Horse to go out of the Country so that taking himself thereby to be secure from any Enemy he besiegeth Mastricht that had never been weakned with any Garison and makes Approaches to assault it During the Siege of this City the Emperour to whom the Treaty we before mentioned was submitted had sent his Embassadors to Colen Thither came also with the King 's Commands the Spanish Duke of Terranova in America and for the Netherlanders Areschot and others But the Prince of Aurange who ever was of Opinion that all Peace made with the King must be to the hazard of his Head in this Division of the Netherlands he being in the midst of so many Parties and hated by all did not vainly fear least he should be delivered up a Prey both to his Enemies and to Strangers But it would be resented grievously and redound much to his dishonour to hinder the meeting and Treaty or to impugne the German Moderators but that it might be covertly brought to passe he urged the points concerning Religion to be firmly insisted and severall others whereto there was no hope the King would ever condescend Many did believe that at that time Conditions moderate enough might have been obtained but that some for their private advantage had broken the publick Peace And the Duke of Parma though intent upon Warre yet never ceased to admonish all desirers of novelty that they seek to regain the Kings Favour and Pardon by speedy repentance and submission The first of all that reconciled himself to Philip was Lamot which he did by surrendring the Town of Gravelin in Flanders whereof he was Governour to the Kings Power and having accepted Power of Covenanting with the other he allured over many others manifesting himself a mighty applauder and example of the Kings Clemency Afterwards Montigny bringing over all his Forces which were eight thousand added no small strength to that party though his men were very poor and this he did as well for that reason of poverty as for fear of punishment which he knew he had meritedly deserved from the Netherlanders Lamot being ready to fall upon them They of Artoys and Henault for a while were in suspence at length prescribing certain Conditions to the rest of the Netherlanders which they would should be used if they listed they notwithstanding came to an agreement with the Duke of Parma the like did Issel Doway and Orchan Cities in that part of Flanders which the French a long time possessed and afterwards returned to the obedience of their own Princes but yet they retain the French Tongue with whom this was the cause of their private falling off from the rest of the Netherlanders because they could not obtain a proper voyce or suffrage in Councel The Articles of the Peace contained these Heads The Latine or Roman Religion their accustomed duty to their Prince and the approbation of the League made at Gaunt and that iâ— might be perfect the forraign Souldiers to be sent away within a short time receiving their pay out of the Kings Treasury â— which the Provinces subject to the Regency should be contributary and in all things where any defence was required an Army of Natives might be
raised The King would consider of a Regent and in the mean while all to obey the Duke of Parma Thus the Walloons made a great addition of power to the Kings party A People taking delight in Warre and whoâ— the Spaniard might safely make use of in all dangers And this was altogether the conclusion of the Netherlanders against forraign Dominion Certainly that Society must needs be firm which hath the same hopes or more Obligations to agree than causes of dissention There is scarce any thing common with the Netherlanders which the Spaniards hate not by which meanes as enforced they made the Peace at Gaunt the Priests being the chief perswaders thereunto notwithstanding all which anon every one endeavours to draw to himself as much power as he can though by contrary and indirect meanes For the Prince of Aurange and all those who with him were conscious to themselves to have deserved the same things that the Counts of Egmond and Horn suffered durst nor to trust the King Hence it was that they sought after all Counsel and Advise which might establish themselves and the Sect of their Religion as also to attain favour with forraign Princes Another party there was whose Crimes had been no causes of the beginning of the Warre who willing to preserve their Loyalty to their Prince and their duty and zeal to the Roman Religion were very much in fear least by others violence they should be hurried from the same It would be an easie matter for Philip thus to break asunder these cash and ill co-hering People If he would remove but this one thing from all such as should be imployed therein to wit the dread of the Spaniards Where he gave satisfaction to the desire of these the rest would follow of course for all those things that for a long time continued among the Netherlanders as bare suspitions were afterwards converted into Hostility nor ever after did the severall Religions increase or ciment again together At last there hapned when once they came to divide into parties a thing not very strange that who would not submit to Citizens should without any regard of Covenants be compelled to serve under a forraign Power But the Prince of Aurange did easily foresee that while the minds of men were inclinable to Peace by the imprudence of some persons the Common-wealth would be destroyed unless timely prevented Wherefore using his wonted diligence he goes to Vtrecht in Holland and there with most wholesome Counsel he bindes all the States being there called together as well of that Province as of Gelderland Holland Zeland and that part of Frizeland which lies near the River Lecke and the other part between the same River and the River of Eemes each to the other in a more strict League and Bond of Allyance the sum whereof was this That they would remain joyned and inseperable have no other Common-wealth than as if they were one People and that they would neither make Peace Truce new Warres pay nor raise Tributes but by the generall Command and Consent of all That in making Leagues and Allyances and other matters of Consultation the greater number of Voyces should be binding and if any dissentions did arise they should be reffered to the judgement and determination of the Councill or Deputies That all places in any danger of the Enemy should be fortified and no man should refuse to give his assistance in his Arms and that they should every one joyntly and severally endeavour that equality be observed in rating of Taxes and all other things relating to the raising of money To the Hollanders and Zelanders the use of their Religion one being common between them was freely granted in publick To the rest of the Provinces Toleration either to use the same or any other or both was allowed according to their pleasure The Governours were set forth in these words The Magistrates Council of every City and the Commonalty for by an antient Law the chief of the Townsmen whose Age made them able to bear Arms were went to be enrolled into certain Companies like Bands of Souldiers and this in time of Warre was for Garison and defence and in time of Peace for a Fortification to maintain it when yet the art of Principality had not arrived to the Coufidence of relying on forraign helps This Custom and Badge of neglected Vertue yet remains and the use is by these late Commotions in some manner restored while their faithful pains hath been imployed oftentimes against the Enemy and for the allaying Seditions In this manner the Provinces which I mentioned before took their Oath for performance of these Covenants agreed on at Utrecht And that they might the better be able to judge of their strength they commanded all the people between the Ages of eighteen and threescore to be numbred as well of men inhabiting in Cities and Towns as in Villages and in all other parts whatsoever of the Country But among those Provinces which were not present at the making this League what and how great troubles and dissentions had they while some part will concern themselves in the care neither of the common Religion or their Country and others are drawn away by the vain hope either of approaching Peace or the desire and love of contention The Romanists held Boisledue deserted by the vain fear of the other party they that remained contracted with the Duke of Parma that he would grant them that proper Covenant of the Peace that they should never be garrisoned without their free consent It hapned quite contrary at Antwerp for the common people of the adverse faction remained their Superior in a threatning posture setting upon all such as had been imployed in the Solemnities of punishments Not could the Prince of Aurange restrain his People or hinder them from throwing out the Priests by force though his Enemies interpreted to have been acted by his consent and will what he could not by any meanes resist or withstand for he was not given to cruelty but was one who would wisely make use of an occasion given and for the gaining mens love to him would lay before them long before the advantages they should thereafter receive But this made many of the people who were deprived of their way of Worship in Religion to wish evill and combine against the Common-wealth because they believed the Servitude they underwent to the King to be more moderate nay some of the Nobles from hence also took occasion to go over to the King Among whom Charles the Son of Count Egmond was one who when he endeavoured to take Bruxells Matthias as was said not ignorant thereof by the unlucky help of those that followed the Roman Religion the rest inclosed him in the Market-place as if he had been there besieged where then his own guilt the Image of his Fathers death and unrevenged Ghost were all become tormentors to him for there were them who objected and not without some admiration of
the chance that in the same place that very day eleven years before the Father dyed by the hand of the Executioner through the cruelty of that people among whom the Son was now come as a Traytor to his Country but at last by the pitty of the Townsmen he got thence away and came safe to Nienove who being received by the Dutch was after by the power of his own People as we shall relate made Prisoner At Bruges there was a sharp and dangerous tumult so that Arms were taken and bloodshed very hardly prevented both the parties having set forth Souldiers that belonged to them the Bands of the United Provinces came first being hastned by the Magistrates and this was the end of the dissention the Tumults of other Cities were prevented by Garrisons Ipre of its own accord came and joyned it self to the League of Union and the like did Gaunt and a little after the Prince of Aurange came into that City by the favour and good will of all the multitude So great inconstancy was there in the resolutions of the vulgar rout and their levity being the same both in good things and bad there removing such from Authority as had by violence intruded themselves he gave the Honour to others Most of the Prisoners which we mentioned to be there detained being carelesly looked to had broke out the rest that remained the Prince set at liberty And another thing which proved as well to augment his Honour as revive envy against him was That the Government of Flanders was put upon him notwithstanding his many refusalls to accept thereof In the Embassey to Colen there was nothing done but what the Spaniard was well pleased with to wit that minds distracted to the hope of Peace should never advise well concerning the publick good The Embassadors of both sides complaining mutually that their Collegues by private agreements were solicited against the peace disturbed by new Confederacies not minding the Repute or Esteem of the Treaty But the Dutch because of the present danger for that the Duke of Parma had gained much upon Maestricht a City partly belonging to Brabant and partly to the Jurisdiction of Leige as being scituate upon the Confines of both and they could not get an opportunity of relieving it either with Souldiers or Provision they desired the time of the pacification might be freed from War and they hoped the Emperour's Embassadors would assist them herein But the Duke of Terranova denied that he had received any such power Thus while a Truce is asked and denyed while Conditions of Peace begin to be offered while the Instructions of the Dutch are found fault with as being not free but bound up to new Orders and Commands the Duke of Parma had crept under the very Walls of Maestricht when after a four moneths Siege he took the City by force though the same were valiantly defended and his own strength not very great But at Winter he sent away almost all the German Spanish and Italian Souldiers retaining onely the Captains and one Wing of Italian Cavalry though later than was agreed by the Covenants made in Artoys but yet this gained to him Mechlin with Valenciennes and the City of Issell In some convenient places he set Garrisons of Walloons Of these as every one was grievously annoyed or else of his own accord had offended his Neighbour so was he esteem'd most safe from danger and for this benefit they confirmed on the Duke of Parma the Lieutenancy not throughly understanding that a General of an Army might when he pleased recall to their Assistance any Forreign Souldiers But the Confederate Dutch though by the conjunction of so many People and Cities had lost all hopes of Peace yet that they might seem not so to hate it as to despair of it they sent the Articles of Composition and Agreement offer'd by Philip unto every Town that they might be consider'd of in publike Council Which being objected against as unjust and fallâ—cious were these The Acts of Matthias were not otherwise confirmed but as they had no Relation to the Supream Authority of the Prince or the Injuries of others That whatever Regent Philip should appoint over the Netherlanders to him constantly should be delivered all Cities Castles Magazines and Instruments of Warre He together with the Senate should take Cognizance of all things there was no mention of the States That all displaced and ejected Priests should be restored as also all others that had born Offices of Honour or Magistracy All which things seemed to tend to this That the Laws being restored in shew by the endeavour of them who would enjoy the Benefit and Trust of the Commonwealth they should shortly be abrogated and the People being disarmed reduced to slavery for there is no fortification for maintainance of Liberty so weak as that of Kingly Jurisdiction As to matter of Religion the Settlement whereof wâ— the matter of greatest Difficulty and Controversie it pleased the King to grant that there should be but one Religion throughout all the Netherlands which should be confirmed by the Authority of the Pope unless in such places where â— this time other Rites were used and this confirmed the League made at Gaunt Without those Bounds a time was limited to men of different Judgments wherein they might settle their Affairs and after their departure out of the Netherlands their Goods should not be medled with so long as they would commit the Administration thereof to the prâ—curation of such as were of the Romane Religion But this was looked upon as very hard by all and in aâ— manner convenient for the Publike Peace because it would turn upside down the present state of so many Cities banish and expel from their Country so many Thousand Men Nor should it be free for any man to believe what his Conscience bore him Witness was the Truth And what Country was able to receive all that should be Exiled and if any could yet what safety could it hope for in such Multitudes Where could they whom their own Country thought fit to expelâ— hope for quiet in a strange Land But the Governours and Chiefs without the deepest Brand of Ignominy and Villany could not consent to betray for fear that Religion they were taught to be true in what manner soever it first brought forth Neither the Hollander nor Zealander think that Proviso sufficient for them for they had some strong Cities which dis-senced from the Common-wealth in the use of that Religion to be revoked to those very times From whence they might well doubt new Tumults and their good will to become suspected that their Cause was separated from the rest They also laboured to work upon the Prince of Aurange apart and by himself when though seemingly aloof off there was offered to his Son not onely Liberty but the Governments belonging to him his Father to himself as many Goods is he had ever before possessed so as he would go out of
the Netherlands and spend his Old Age quieâ—ly in Germany But besides the other cause of Diffidence his Mind that never was greedy after Wealth and in that respect unsullied and upright was greatly satisfied to perceive with what great Expence the Spaniard would gladly free himself from the Dread of him The Treaty at Colen being ended Areschet and some Priests fell off to the King from some of those Parts whence Legates had come for understanding that they must for the future else be Enemies to the King being reconciled by Letters and accepting the same Articles which they of Artoys had But all those Councils either of War or Peace which they had Registred and taken Notice of were scorned by the Spaniards and by that Nation that never likes any Forreign Thing made a meer May-Game of In that Treaty it plainly appeared how great a Difference there is between the Aims and Intentional Designs of the Prince and the People Of old time when first the Nobility here made Insurrections for fear of Forreign Lords and Tyrants the Evil was not incurable But afterwards being more obstinately oppressed they drew the Commons into Parties under pretence of Religion and the Vulgar Rout learning that they were they that kept Kings in awe or made them to be Reverenced and that they could be caught by nothing but Credulity presently imagined that Despair of Pardon was the firâ— Step to Liberty Hence they did not act indifferently or moderately but would onely do such things as were too fool to admit of Repentance and going back and by this means they arrived at that height that afterwards they would debate the Commodities of Peace but never mind the Hazards of Warre They go beyond the wonted Custom with Domestick and Intestine Arms while thence ariseth and springs the unlimitable Thirst of Rule and Revenge This makes a kind of Pleasure even in Danger and there is somewhat of Honour in the Depth of Misery But then surely there was not one general Army but the Warre was scattered here and there by small Parties and every several Nation almost had his own distinct Warriers This Fault of the Commonwealth did quickly shew it self for there not being a Soveraign Power vested in one chief City as there was in the Antient States both of the Greek and Romans and is at this day in most flourishing Dominions but an equal Power residing among many Cities itit comes to pass that what should be properly the care of every one from the Nations Industry exercised in the getting and keeping of Riches under the false Name of the Publike the Common Benefit is perverted and carryed into a wrong Channel Thus Moneys could very hardly be gotten by reason whereof the Netherlands might have been in great danger had not the Enemy been infected with the same Disease for Portugal eat up all the Kings Money as well by War as by seeking to win the Love of the Nobles For Sebastian the King being lost in the great African Battel and his Successour Henry being dead the People had Elected Anthony who was sprung from the Royal Stock to be King because they were infested by the Castilians according to the Evil Custom of Bordering Nations But Philip advancing the Propinquity of his Bloud among and before others sent thither the Duke of Alva with an Army to conquer and bring into subjection by Force those that would not submit willingly and at last by his Endeavours the Kingdom of Portugal was added to the King his Master By whom before he had lost the Netherlands so much more easie was it to win a Kingdom Nor indeed could any thing have fallen out more happily for Philip not onely because all Spain was now reduced under one Government but because the Portugeze who had by long Navigations compassed the greatest part of the World possessed the great Islands of the Mediterranean Sea and by Command or Traffike was Seated and Inhabitant on trie Coasts both of Aethiopia and the Indies By the Event hereof the Netherlanders who might hope for some Ease to themselves while the Wars in Portugal lasted besides the increase of their strength found also another greater discommodity which was That the Spaniards would now hinder all the Trade thence wherein the main Wealth of their Cities did consist for although hitherto the Ports of the Kingdom of Castile had not forbidden or denied them as if there had been no cause of Arms or War out of the Bounds of the Netherlands yet there was from the Clergy great danger and injurious detentions of Ships sometimes used by Kings even toward Strangers dis-incouraged them which the Portugezes had promised they would never do Nay more there was Provision made that they should be bound to appear in Judgment before suspected Judges or forced to any long Suits But after both Kingdoms were joyned in one and yet the Necessity of the one not at all lessened by the enjoyment of the others Trade both having the same King by various Names of Extortion and Force the Sea-men and Masters of Ships were defrauded of the greatest part of their Gain but yet not by a continual Trouble but by such Intervals and Breathings that under hope of amendment and by the unconscionable Avarice of the Merchants to get all ever some new Booty came in afresh In the mean time by reason of the want of Money there hapned many Seditions on both Sides in the Netherlands But the Spaniards had the advantage in the more easie appeasing and suppressing those on their part because in lieu of Pay they gave them Licence to do what they would and Impunity for the same However the Duke of Parma got some small Towns in Henalt which the Confederate Prâ—virces had Garrison'd and not long after surpriz'd Courtray in Flanders Altpen delivers Breda also to him the Castle on a suddain whence he easily set upon and got the rest Lanove on the other hand to whom the chief Care of the War in those Parts was committed regained from the Enemy Nienove and other places in Flanders At this time it fortuned that some eminent and brave men were taken prisoners as Egmond and Selley in Towns that were taken and contrarily Laâ— himself who was taken at an unhappy Fight in a Siege before a certain Castle and was esteemed by the Enemy of so great quality that they would not exchange him for 〈◊〉 others The English who were in Pay with and fought for the Vnited Provinces took Mechlin by Storm whose Avarice was so prophanely expressed in their Victory that they did not spare the very Sepulchres of the Dead the Stones whereof they took away and afterwards openly sold them in England Many other Counsels and Resolutions of suddâ—n Actions the more powerful Enemy diverted very few Tokens of Victory remaining to the Dutch by reason of the penury of them that fought in their Defence At this time the Duke of Parma's Mother came to her Son at Namar being
sent to take the Government wherein she had formerly been skilled being by her Sex more mild and gracious and by the use of her Age a crafty Moderatâ— for Peace But he who had cut off the Follies and Enormities of Youth to follow after Fame and Honour telling her It was no time for talk there rather wanted Men and Arms and that his Industry and Care was sufficient to win and keep the good-will both of the Souldiery and People The Lady therefore went back again and by that means did wipe away the impious Difference that otherwise might have fallen out between her self and Son But in Frizeland and the adjacent Regions the Inconstancy of Renneberg made as it were a particular War burst furiously out This Man having with great Fidelity and an undanted Courage long taken the part of the Nobles together with all the Frisons at Utrecht subscribed the League of Vnion and by a Siege compelled the refusing Groningers whom he had made hated by those that were present to swear to perform the same But after being overborn by the Authority of his Kinred who had all of their Revolted to Spain who the better to kindle the Coals of Dissention suffer'd the Country-people who inhabited round about the Country to repel the Injuries offer'd to them by the Souldiers Upon a Sign given a great Multitude of the Boors met to take their Revenge and thâ—y were the moâ—e cruel in what they did because now they fought in Defence of all the Remains Fortune had left them But Hohenlo sent thither by the Pâ—ince of Aurange after some small Fights dispersed this disordered Multitude not fit for War And the Frisons suspecting their Governours Fidelity set upon the Castles that remained and in little time made them equal with the ground The Prince of Aurange himself being constrained to go with strong Guards to re-settle Oveâ—-Issel that had likewise bin sollicited to Revolt and through Home-Discords stagger'd not Resolved what to do Then he to wit Rennebergh laying aside any further Dissimulation delivered Groninghen which he then had the possession of into the King's Power Thence wasting his Forces over the Rhine they carryed in thither with them frequent and mutual Slaughters and a terrible misery of fifteen years continuance For the regaining of this Town of Groninghen first Bartolus Entes formerly the Companion of Marques whom after the taking of many great Prizes by Sea and Land and while his Thoughts were filled with the hopes of great Matters out of these Troubles Death nipped all in the Bud a this Siege The Duke of Parma sent Schenck to relieve it who had formerly been a Souldier in these Parts to which he was now returned when he could not obtain the desired Rewards of his going away But then he employed his whole Study and Endeavour for his General for by his Verâ—â— and Judgment the Siege was broke up when the greate Commanders were all in despair thereof and all Honâ—'s men scattered and slain whom afterwards as they were reinforcing their Fortune by some of the dispersed Troops Rennebergh again utterly overthrew and having thus of comfited the Enemy be over-ran many of their Fortifications both at Passes and Rivers But when he strove â— turn all the whole Fury of the War for five Moneths upon Steenwic a City of Over-Issel he was Overthrown and Conquered by the Nassauian Commanders when considering with Regret his Misery with how great Loss of his 〈◊〉 and Repute he had reduced himself from great Wealth â— a horrid Incertainty he was seized by a Disease which quickly brought him to his End Verdugo a Spaniard succeeded him and got the better of Norris in a certain Fight be it advantaged him nothing the Fields now growing we with Autumn's Dews and Foggs Now were the poor Souldiers plagued both with Hunger and Sickness Now there lay open to the Duke of Parma a Possession large enough and worthy to be taken care of if he had pleaded to make use of so many Victories in that part but while the Forces were employed elsewhere and long scattered here and there they who then might have been forced to submit had now drawn the ambiguity of their fortune into better times In the Interim some tumults there were and they such as might almost be called a Sedition both in Brabant and also in some Cities of Over-Issel plotted in the Kings behalf by the design of that multitude which followed the Rites of the Roman Church whereupon it came to passe that all Images wheresoever they remained were taken away from publick use nay they were hardly suffered to meet in private for the exercise of their devotion for fear of Conspiracies The Warre therefore being spread abroad on every side the number of Souldiers for defence was by the States increased as much as the Tributes were decreased and fell short and which was most difficult of all the Souldier inclining to richer Pillage than his Pay neither the Country could be freed without money nor money be raised while the Country was thus beset for now the Cities began to dread their Garrisons the Captains could neither shew their Authority nor uphold any Discipline within their Castles but are like an incurable Disease while they esteem luxury and all other licentiousness as Military Gallantry By reason of which great streights this Government of many became hated by the Citizens the Prince of Aurange having ordered many things as well concerning Law as Tributes and the Souldiery which were necessary for the present State of Affairs then in the Councel of the States he moved this That because the necessities of the Warre were sudden and would not be delayed and the ayds of the Assemblies of Deputies came in so very slow they would Elect and chuse a Senate that might among themselves consult of the chief matters of State Affairs being thus setled as he saw all things incline to him by the eye of that Religion which Philip had condemned and that the valiantest of the dissenters were revolted to the other part he began to discourse to them the Reason why hitherto while they had any hopes of peace they made use of the Kings Name but now since he is grown implacable towards them as to Rebels and that it was eviden◠〈◊〉 any man was fierce and bitter against the Netherlanders thâ—â— he was looked upon in Spain with such favour that he greâ— famous and honourable thereby why would they any longer suffer the people to be led blind-fold With the voyd Region of an old Oath whence come all these troubles 〈◊〉 Commotions but from thence that our fidelity hangs ambiguous between our Country and the Prince But it is not a strange thing among wise men who will grant that all Powers are setled for the Peoples good by the peoples consent that though they are greater then each particular yet they are less than a Conjunct Universall who 〈◊〉 perverted and neglected the care of the publick for t 〈…〉
of money and raised the Siege and thereupon is presently saluted Prince of the delivered City Nor did he then intend further because the greatest part of the Army was in the hands of particular Leaders that followed him voluntarily and would not long stay with him Cambray is scituate in the Borders of the Netherlands the proper Seat of a Bishop but was reckoned under the Commands of both Dominions for the Germane Emperours and French Kings had often contended for it by War But in the last War with France the Emperour Charles detained it and built therein a Castle the Souldiers in Garrison whereof imprisoning their Governour joyned themselves and became Parties in the League made at Gaunt But Torney a Town in Flanders having been some while Beleaguerd in the absence of the Governour the Prince of Spina whose Wife besieged therein shewed a singular Example of Feminine Constancy at last fell into the power of the Duke of Parma The Fourth BOOK of the Dutch ANNALS FRANCIS of Valois went over into England where that he might strengthen his Friendship by a future Principality either himself or the hopes from him of a greater Fortune so pleased the Queen that notwithstanding the Difference in Religion there was a Treaty of Marriage upon certain Conditions admitted The Report hereof was very pleasing to the Dutch but it proved vain being founded either on a Dissimulation altogeâ—her fraudulent or else hindred by the Displeasure and Wrongs done by his Brother Or lastly his own unhappy Temerity which had rather win all things by Force Returning into the Netherlands with a Solemn State and Magnificent Attendance he undertakes the Government by the Name of Duke of Brabant and Earl of Flanders Besides the Old Laws there were some new ones added for limiting the Government according to the League made at Burdeaux to wit That once every Year the States General of the United Provinces should be Assembled without whose Consent no League might be made with the Spaniard by any Chief Commander in the War and at whose Request all Forreign Souldiers should be Disbanded In the ordering Matters of Religion and setling Forreign Garrisons every Province should be alike concerned The same should nominate Three Persons out of whom their Governors should be chosen And if any Difference happened among them the Duke should have the Hearing and Determining thereof That two French-men should be admitted into the Senate the rest at the present to be be chosen by the States hereafter by the Duke But of those nominated as is beforesaid And that the Netherlanders should have all chief Offices belonging to the Court Four and Twenty Hundred Thousand Florens a Year were promised every Year to the support of the War out of the Prince's Patrimony and that what wanted more was to be supplyed out of the private Treasure of the Duke or the King his Brother Now there was some hope that the Men of both Religions would continue faithful as well those who were of one Judgment with the Prince of Aurange as they who with Valois followed the Romane Opinion And these had Toleration to use their own Rites at Antwerp but no where further until they should take the common Oath of the Netherlanders concerning the New Government Nothing was expressed in publike but signs of Joy and he with much discretion carryed a sweet mildness in his Countenance and an affable moderation in his Speech Those that remained of the Nobility were inward much vexed when constrained to observe in the Throne â— the Burgundian Princes one of another Nation and that haâ— long been an Enemy to that Family to wit their changeâ— Lord and that they should intermingle among the Netherlanders with whom they never had any safe Peace and between whom the Hatred and Animosity even yet continue unto another Generation and is still attended with dangerous and unlucky Omens And the lawfulness of the former Oath and the Respect and Duty due to their Prince be â—â— what he would was not easily rooted out of the Minds of the Vulgar But on the contrary some there were whâ— would object to them their New Religion and that they should not contaminate so pious a Cause by the help of such as dissented from them The wiser sort feared Danger from this Discord and thence to find the French-mens Rigor But when it appeared that it had been privately agreed The Valois should have nothing but a Nominal and Temporary Right over the Hollander and Zelander though he had taken the Government of the Netherlands then the Prince of Aurange who had been the Original of that Council was found sâ— with as sharing in the Government and that he had from the first beginning of the Troubles always reserved the strongest and best Fortified Provinces to himself Notwithstanding his Name was affixed to all Laws and Publike Acts not haâ— he barely a Lieutenancy or Governourship but an absolute Dominion and Authority And the Name of Earl within those Provinces by most offer'd to him there wanted but a few Suffrages to win him to accept it when his Death hereafter shortly to be related took him off now drawing near to receive the Rewards of his long and unwearied Labour But others rather troubled hereat that they should be separately subjected to the French Power had rather choose to submit to the Prince of Aurange his Authority who because he was unable of himself to Desend all had therefore not unworthily taken to himself a Partner It really appeared in the time of his Infirmity how great the Affection of the Multitude was towards him For when he lay very weak at Antwerp of the Wound which the King of Spain's Assassine had given him the whole City powred forth with sorrow both Prayers and Tears in their Churches for him That God would avert his Fury from them as is usual in Cases where the Publike Parent of the Country is in danger And at that time he did recover his Health yet the Remainder of his life was always attended with Spanish Conspiracies to destroy him there being many times taken persons that lay in wait for the Lives both of Him and of Valois While the Duke's Forces drew together slowly Parma led his Army into Flanders where he took Oudenarde a City so called from the Antient Neraii who formerly Inhabited those Parts that Bordered upon the Schelde by a Three Moneths Siege and a Storm which he effected the more easily because the Townsmen refused the Garrison which would have maintained it Thence after he had encamped in all the Parts adjacent to Bruxels endeavouring to straiten the City by wasting and consuming all the Fruits of the Ground wearied out by the sharpness of Winter at last he withdrew and retired from thence In many things how much doth Expedition prevail for thereby Valois on a suddain among other Towns won Alost from the Enemy and Parma's Souldiery by Treachery of the Garrison won Lyra This place was of great Concernment
seek by all means to save himself Nor did Parma omit as having knowledge of the former Actions and provident to prevent the like in time to come to build a Castle that might bridle and keep under the unruliness of the City And now all Flanders being Reduced under his Command save onely Ostend and Scluys two Sea-Port Towns he forwards the increase of Provisions and to ease the Passage of all Souldiers coming thence or going thither he digged a deep Ditch to that part of the Bank where he had pitched his Tents Among all these things those who had the Care of Government in Antwerp implored the Aid of their Allies set new Taxes and raised Souldiers daily both in England and the Netherlands and certainly the Besieged had not like plenty of any thing for besides Sea-men there were Fourscore full Companies of Foot and Sixteen Troops of Horse that defended Brabant But the Senators Magistrates Captains and other Superiour Military Officers too great a Number to Rule well distracted the unseâ—led Government of the City And this Mischief was so much the more pernicious in that the letting in of the Waters and other things necessary to be done for the publick Advantage were hindred and gain-said for fear forsooth of private Dammage The Neighbours who were not so nearly concerned in the danger of the City looking one upon another let slip the Opportunity of relieving the same while yet the Enemy was unsetled and not warm in his Seat When they were at the utmost pinch of Extremity then too late they pleased to be prodigal both of Wealth and Life when it could not advantage any one Truly the vain Expectation of Forreign Aid did chiefly frustrate the Counsels of the Netherlanders who were now driven to such a strait that they would have subjected themselves to other Kingdoms but could not be accepted The King of Spain's Forces were in a short time mightily increased and if he should recover the Netherlands â— should be eased of the Toil and Charge of War they would become Formidable to all near and about them Neither was there now a Prince of Aurange to support them 〈◊〉 fainting under the Burthers or to erect and stir up their Courages quite tyred out with Slaughters unto a hope â— better Times by his own Prudence and Constancy of Miâ—â— For in truth he was of so mild a Nature and withall â— popular that he never seemed to be grateful enough to and for his Liberty and Honour nor would he hide Vices the were fit to be spoken of Above all things he avoided the Suspition of Covetousness for which most did esteem hâ— Judiciously many customarily a person admirable and worthy the highest Honour and Respect in regard of his Age Stock of Nobility and Experience He being gone â— Obedience vanished so that it could not be restored without the main Pillar of Forreign Aid to support it For the Common People did not onely begin to contemn the Authority of the Lords eminent by no powerful Resulgency and lately decayed by so many unfortunate Actions but the Souldiers also grew Refractory to Command and had lost their wonted Diligence and Duty towards their Leaders Aâ—â—â— all which Mischances a ready Way was opened to the Pameneian Subtilty to cover the Slavery he intended under very specious Names Wherefore now Affairs being as it were utterly desperate both the King of France and the Queen of England sent to them such as should not onely condole with them for the Loss of the Prince of Aurange their Captain but should likewise comfort them concerning the Sorrow and Mishap of their other Businesses And this was a Noble Argument that the Neighbour Princes though they would sometimes leave off to Aid the Hollanders with their Wealth and Constancy yet they would not utterly forfiâ—â— them in time of danger But it was much disputed of their two which they should choose for their Defender for the bated Rule and Dominion of the French was freshly remembred in Italy and the Lordly domineering of the English was not forgotten in France and Ireland tasted thereof to this day Among these the People being called to Counsel they are very sparing in imposing and granting Subsidies for there the Laws are of great force and the Monarchical Power is not unlimited But with the French all their Customs are corrupted for mony and he that desires to serve his Country must buy the Employment at a great price The English love hardship and their Laws are very pinching upon words yet no sooner are evills taken care for either to be prevented or removed but immediately by little and little the same is balked by example But the English Religion was the same with theirs which in France by cruel and persidious dealings was laboured to be torn in pieces or utterly extinguished yet on the contrary there were some hopes from the Family of Burbon that valiantly defended that Religion which they professed out these were suddenly dashed in the consideration of the ambiguity of succession there among the pretenders whereto was the Queen of Scots that was wholly devoted to Rome and Spain Thus were present Affairs scanned and the events of future danger rationally deliberated The French prepared a great Power almost equall to that of the Enemy the English raised but small Forces but they were for Sea-service France is preferred but by the voluntary perswasions of the English who confessing themselves the weaker party offered onely necessary ayd in extremity and received their Pledges Thus the necessity of the times prevailed to the forgetting or at least the laying aside those old animosities which had lately been brought freshly into memory by the Duke of Anjou And hence a great Secret was publickly discovered to the World to wit That the Netherlanders could be subject to a Lord but would not bow to the Spaniards 〈◊〉 the demands and particulars were by many degrees more moderate and reasonable then those whereto Francis of Valâ— was formerly obliged and whatsoever their Legates had of private instructions they quickly declared for fear of offence There were taken away also from those things what made their liberty seem hated to wit That it might be lawful for the States to meet without the Kings Command That the Senate should consist all of the Netherlanders That the Governours and Magistrates should be chosen out of those that unnamed and that in conferring and bestowing of all Hoâ—â—â— great respect should be had to those of that Religion which â—â— then onely received in all those parts But some of the Province would not consent to the obliterating of those things After many tedious Disputes of these things and longer Consultations than the necessity of Affairs would bear at present 〈◊〉 lesse against the Kings will than the Netherlanders it was agreed that though they were not as then joyned against the Spaniard now approaching yet they should by one another help settle and confirm their Affairs and States King Henry seemed
only this one he excepted â— that they who for the last four years had gone astray from the Roman Religion should having convenient time to senâ— their domestick Affairs be commanded to depart the City And soon after the Duke of Parma as a reward of â— Victory was by the Kings Command received into the Order of the Golden Fleece and then put on the Cognizance thereof upon that very Bridge which he had made and was a work worthy of remembrance in after Ages and in a little time following he rebuilds and fortifies the Fort or Castle which over-looks the City and had formerly in the quest of Liberty been demolished This so renouned City added as well much Honour as Strength to the Spaniards in these parts but yet not so much as many thought who imagined she would carry the greatest matters of concernment with her Which was so disproved by the Event that the Hollanders who had taken extraordinary pains and been at great charge for relief of the City yet could not escape free from the slander or at least the suspition of having betrayed the Faith of their confederate Allyance as if they should get advantage by the mischiefs which others should receive and suffer But on the contrary they layd the fault upon the Lord of Aldegund for he was Governour of the City who returned to Zeland whom he had suffered but the first invasion and guards of the Assailers yet afterwards worthily esteemed though never imployed in any part of the Commonwealth for his disposition being more fit for Peace than War he withdrew his old Age within the compass of private Solitudes and the tranquility of retired Studies And the Valour of the Souldiers by so many evills was quite worn out for they when yet there was hope of removing the Enemy from Antwerp having under the Leading of Count Hohenlo happily got Boiâ—ledno yet forthwith through fear and folly they â—led while they fall upon the Pray neither minding the Enemy nor the receiving the Port. But the Romanists assisted by the fortune of their party brought into the Conquerours hand Nicumegen a City of Guelderland with the Town of Dewsburgh and filled all these parts round about with slaughters which happen'd either through the Captains rashness or the Souldiers carelesness In all which things nothing more augmented the publick sorrow than those miserable People of Brabant and Flanders banished for Religion or because they durst not trust to the Articles granted having such malicious Interpreters thereof and in brief for want of Trade or means to get a Living scattered over Holland and the Isles who yet increased the Cities and Forces exhausted by War into a greater number which shortly proved a great Omen of their future good fortune In this interim scarce did the longing Expectation of the League concluded with England keep up their Hearts We have already related to you the Offer of their Government made to Queen Elizabeth But that prudent Lady shifted off the Envy of that Dominion so craftily obtained Nor would she in that ambiguous Estate of Affairs intangle and wrap up both her Fame and Fortunes in a strict Confederacy and Allyance It was conceived more agreeable both to Wisdom and Policy to have some strong Holos in the Netherlands set apart for Her wherein to settle some indifferent strength of Men and also to send again some Ships to the Coasts of America there to infest the Spaniard all weary him till he should be willing to incline to Peace and remove his Armies so long complained of and contested against But She promised them some Aid protesting in Writing in a Publick Declaration She did it meerly out of a Sense â— Right by which she was put in Mind of that Custom of Priâ— to defend the Oppressed and remembred therein the Anâ— Contracts and Leagues of Friendship between the Dutch and English with some short Hints of Spanish Extravagance Religion also was made mention of the Security where commended to her Case She had made good both in the Concerns of France and Scotland without any desire of what did not belong to Her The concluded Articles of the Peace were for the most part the same by which the first Alliance had been setled and that Five Thousand Foot and a Thousand Horse should be sent to fight for the Netherlanders and be paid by the Queen That the Embassador who should be Commander in Chief of those Forces with two other English-men should be received into the Senate and be present in all Councils relating either to the War or other publick Matters of State That the Netherlanders should set on a Fleet of equal Number with tho Queens and to joyn with them And that for the re-imbursing of the Charges at the end of the War the Sea-Port Towns of the Briel and Flushing of whose Government nothing was to be changed together with the Castle of Zeburgh in Walcheren were divided into the Custody of English Garrisons as Pledges not without fear for the future though their present necessity made them cast it aside Of this Auxiliary Army sent to the Dutch Robert Earl of Leicester was made Generall a great Pretender to Virtue and who hid the unhappy and hated Spirit of the Family of the Dudleys whereof he was a Branch with an acceptable and courteous Behaviour The Original of the Greatness of his Fortune began first in a Prison for the Greatness of his Stock had not exempted him from Troubles wherein the Lady Elizabeth was then also confined by the Suspitions of her Sister Queen Mary In this place he gave great Reverence to the young Lady though not in regard of the condition of her Affairs at that time From whence by obsequiousness and partaking of Misfortune a commiseration and loving kind of pity arose wherewith she behaved her self with such a Womanly Indulgence yet so that he might nor forget his more Manlike Care that his Mind was so elevated into a flattered Conceit of himself as he imagined she would chuse him for her Husband being Queen which though he could never obtain by the Emulation of those who loved him not yet was he raised even to the highest Pitch of Honour and though surrounded with Envy yet amongst the most powerful of his Enemies he passed without Affront or Molestation When he first came among the Hollanders he was followed by the Love and Affection of the People and courted with the Flattery of the Great Men for there was a certain pleasant and winning Majesty both in his Countenance and Speech and he was really looked upon as the onely Restorer of their lost and decayed Fortune He used an excellent Freedom and Liberality both in his Letters and Martiall Acts wherewith the Netherlanders were so taken that in all hast to this person though a Forraigner and among his own people not altogether esteemed a Virtuoso before any tryall of his disposition the Government of the whole Netherlands as it was in the times
but onely will note that although he were very stern to others he was easie to Flatterers and Syâ—phants and would give too much credit to pretended Friendships without any Trial. Nor were these the onely men to be found fault with about him there were others very intimate with him and privy to all his Counsels whose Factious Designs were soon discover'd Among whom Ringaltius one eminent in the Guilt of the Conspiracy refused all the Tribunals of Judges until at last as a Renegado and a Traytor he ended his infamous Life among the Enemies in a miserable poor condition Wherefore now innumerable Complaints as it were all at once were made to the Generall returning from the War to wit That Warro and Garrisons being not possible to be Governed without the Injury of the Citizens against this such should be put into Command as the People were pleased with And there was added That the Office and Dignity of Treasurer or Receiver Generall was given to Strangers by whom it was deceitfully managed That the Price and Value of Money was unsetled and the Souldiers and other Charges of the Common-wealth were not compared with the Treasury That the Commands of the Sea was betrayed by the exhausting the Navall Revenues That Trading and all Commerce decayed That Honours were bestowed on those who in no wise merited them That the Authority of all inferiour Lieutenancies was destroyed by him and their Right so many years maintained cevoured and swallowed up in Garrisons Nor was it passed in silence that the Souldiers at that time hired did not come concerning which there was a Suspition that the English had been the cause thereof as willing rather that their own Forces and proper strength should be brought in in regard the Numbers of them were small when the Covetousness of the Commanders or Paymasters had exhausted the Auxiliary Numbers so much that they were necessitated to give way to the Enemy not being able to withstand his Victories These things were thus related by Direction of the States then Confederate who from that time began to Assemble and meet more frequently than formerly that those Things might be Transacted without the Senate which should keep in awe the Guilty Consciences of the English as Hollanders and privately complaining of many Things both in relation to themselves and to Prince Maurice they took into their Cognizance and Care most ordinary Matters This the Earl of Leicester took very ill that Men from Shops and Taverns should come to make a Judicatory who could bring nothing thither with them but sordid and mechanick Arts and Minds prostituted to Lucre and Gain and that he a Man of that Birth and Quality should receive Laws from the Ignorant and despicable Vulgar and fight under the Banner and Command of Strangers Much vexed hereat he thought it would be a Work well worth his pains if he could possible to remove such Clowns from the Stern of Government for there is nothing more hateful to Nobility than the Dominion of Peasants being generally sharp Observers of Oppressors And this he thought might the more easily be brought to pass because Strangers and the multitude of Citizens which is far the greater having no share in the Government as was supposed would gladly hearken to this Equality But I revolving in my Mind the worthy Precepts of wise men and antient Forms of Cities do rather think that as many as would exclude that part of the People from Honours for whose common Utility the advantage of all things chiefly redounds do conceit Matters of that difficulty as are better to be walked after in Discourse than Practice For not to speak of Nations Bordering upon the Sea amongst whom the Commons had the Superiority the Spartans Democracy as being free from Flattery equalled almost the greatest Kingdoms Nor had Rome any peaceable or setled Government untill the Commons were admitted to have a shâ—re therein And at this day in many most flourishing Cities where the Government is Aristocratical the Vnderlings of the Senators in the Name of the Common People exercise all Offices Neither is this Order forbidden in that Commonwealth who is indebted to the Water for all it hath and by the Dignity of Trades and Merchandizing grown much greater than of old so that the whole World hath participated of her Navigations And all the Wealth is almost in their Hands whereof an Account is exacted where Honours are to be bestowed according to the Judgment of Antient and severe Legislators And surely Covetousness and Wealth are no where less to be suspected than where the Dominion is not perpetual and as it were limited within Bounds But the Earl of Leicester prepared to alter both these and other long-continued Practices not so much in a ridiculous Affectation of Novelty but that by separating the Nobility and others for Wisdom eminent from the rest he might draw them into Parties And first he took to him as Chaplains some Interpreters of Scripture for in this Age they alone carry the liars and Affection of the Multitude such as were eminent for their outward Profession of Zeal and differed from others For at first in the Commonwealth Religion being less esteemed than was fit was reported to be the onely cause of the Troubles and things more earnestly longed for because forbidden upon pain of punishment became neglected when they might be used with Impunity Reverence to Things Sacred was to all that shewed it dangerous No Honour was given to Priesthood nay there were who would not allow any Right of Ecclesiasticall Censures but would utterly abrogate it and all this when they remembred with Canker'd Hearts and imbitter'd Minds the Lordlyness of Priests formerly and so in a venomous Malice to Old Things they made all Things New But Liecester on the contrary by his Example shewing to them Authority and other Advantages of England which they should enjoy first won the Applause of his Preachers and by them gained the Affections of the People committing and trusting many Affairs of the Commonwealth not to the Magistrates but to those who were in some way or other conversant with things Divine or else concerned among the Plebeians who though willing yet could never attain to right use and knowledge of things And now many whose Counsels had been sound and faithful to their Country were openly put back from their Honours because they agreed with the Church of Rome either in all Points or at least in some little regarding how this matter would disturb the Peace if once it were published abroad That they had received such a Religion which would admit of no Companions in the Common-wealth except of the same Gang. This had not long continued but among the Frizons and in Utrecht where the Inhabitants had taken away the power from the Magistrates to themselves and in other Cities which had formerly been Tumultuous and ruled by the too great strength of the Multitude the Name of the States began to be murmured at and he
never intended a Peace And Arguments of their Hostile Dâ—signs and Warlike Preparations every day broke out clearer and clearer until at last the so long feared Flâ—et set an end to the one sides hope and the other sides dissimulation But Dissention and Factions with By-names went not out of Holland with the Earl of Leicester but under this pretence the Garrison Souldiers both of Cities and Castles made Disturbances robbing and pilling every where especially they that by ill-ordering of the Treasury were behind in their Pay for fear of Peace hasted by Rapine to repay their Labour in the War At which time some were pleased that the third part of Pay should be offer'd which by the Custom of the Netherlands is always in Bank and never used to be disbursed but upon very good occasions Which because it could not speedily be obtained in regard it was the Remains of many Years and to be demanded of many they forthwith every one took to himself what Liberty or Licentiousness he pleased being defended a while by some English the Queen had sent As if the Name of English would have made these Crimes pass more currant The Souldiery of Geertruydenburg upon the receiving a great Sum of Money seemed cotented but into what an unâ—â—ly Baseness and Tâ—eachery they afterwards backe on I wâ—liâ—m its proper place relate Sonoi in the City of Medem like â—cituate on the Western Shore of the Frizian Gulph by the Rebellion of his Souldiers against him suffer'd the punishment of denying Obedience to Superiours Prince Maurice by Siege reduced these to the Obedience of himself and the States â—â—ssel also Governour of the Garrison in Flushing hoping to command in Chief all the Souldiers in Zeland and drawing to his Party Veren and Armuyden Towns in the sle of Wâ—lcheren with an Ambition of Rule was at length 〈◊〉 Queen's Commands who understood heâ—â—â— things a 〈◊〉 Renunciation of the Earl of Leicester which now 〈…〉 heard of forced to desist In other places the Seditions were appeased with less danger but every where with great Expence of Money These things though not bursting out till the following year I have mention'd in this place because they are coherent with the matter But before I settle my self to proceed in my impartial Relation of the following Troubles I think it will be a digression both satisfactory and pleasant to the Reader if I take a short View chiefly of such Domestick Affairs of our own as is necessary for other Nations to come to the knowledge such as was that War when a few People and they living in a narrow compass of Land and shaken with many grievous Slaughters should yet raise it self to such a Greatness against so mighty a Power as that of Spain Therefore I will compare what Bounds what Form of Commonwealth what Number of Forces and what Natural Dispositions and Inclinations were in this middle Time most usual with both these People After the Liberty confirmed by the League at Gaunt Don John of Austria had Conquer'd Namur Lutzenburg and Limburge The Duke of Parma gained by particular Agreements Artois and Henault by Treachery he obtained Flanders and Brabant and Mechlin he subdued by Famine excepting that in Flanders the Town of Ostend in Brabant Bergeâ—op-Zoom and Williamstedt so called from the Prince of Aurange together with some Castles all lying upon the Sea-Coast or by the sides of Rivers Frizeland and Over-Issell were in the power of the Vnited States onely the Spaniard had Groningen The rest Steanwic and Daventry excepted with as many other Fortresses were divided with the Enemy And they wanted not many Towns in Gelderland besides Arnheim Geldres Niâ—umegen Zutphen principal Cities and some less Carrisons held by the Spaniard Prince Maurice did wholly govern and Zeland after the rest there came under his Command beyond the Frizons the Dominion of the Sea and all other places which continued faithful to the States in the Enemies Country They took away every where the great President of having proper and peculiar Governours in Cities suffering none such but in the very uttermost Borders Nor must I omit to say something of their Neighbors Beyond the River Eomes is the County of East-Frizeland commonly called Embden-Land By the Maes and Rhine the Bishopricks of Colen and Leige the Governour whereof a Bavarian a Kinsman of King Philips who encompassing almost all the Belgike Provinces by divers Names of Ecclesiasticall Dignities possesseth most large Territories and although the Court of the Prince of Cleves and Juilliers had not yet been claimed by War yet either by infused Dread together with the pretence of the Burgundian Alliances it seems to incline towards the Spaniard and then if any of those Cities should fall to the like Religion as the Hollanders they had an Enemy close by them that would be no less implacable than theirs But Cambray which after the Defection of the Neighbour Cities being clogg'd and annoy'd with its own Garrison Valois had by his last Directions commended to the Kingdom of France his Protection Baligny who was appointed Governour thereof by the King's Mother Catharine kept after both their Deaths and he now joyning himself to the Guisian Faction while the Duke of Parma rejoyced at the prolonging of the War thereby to recover satisfaction for the wasting of the Country and King Henry driven out of his own Cities had no peace nor vacant time to mind these beginnings took to himself an Authority though he knew it could be of no long continuance These were their Bounds and Limits Now let us consider their Polity the Vnited States among whom the Prince of Aurange for a long time had the chief Authority in the King's Name and then in his own afterwards both his and the States Power sliding into the Earl of Leicester's Dominion were taught by Experience that the strength of the Empire divided into many Hands though it may suit better with Liberty yet is it more subject to discord if the fear of the publick Enemy be but abated but the Government it self lost nothing for what was substracted by any means from its power was doubly regained in the benevolence and affection of the People for Honours and Licences were wholly granted by it whereas Impositions of Taxes and Subsidies and other burthens were laid upon the People by another hand And besides such is the nature of the common People that they will generally lay the fault of all miscarriages upon those who are most active in the Common-wealth and yet for Victories they will only acknowledge one The Nobles and more potent men were wont by an antient Custom according to the hereditary right of their Possessions to govern the Country and the Inhabitants therein but Towns were left to be ruled by selected and choyce Citizens and the Reason was because the People imploying themselves in multiplicity of Affairs did not desire to be called together and assembled upon every occasion of electing Officers or making Laws
but out of them forty or sometimes fewer were picked who afterwards meeting together did consult and deliberate of all things that concerned the Commonwealth and these were called The wise and sober men And if death or banishment took any one or more of them away others are forthwith chosen into the vacant places who are eminent for their Prudence and Riches and the Laws and Ordinances made by this Assembly or Common-Council are by the Consent of the whole City obliging to all so that it is hardly found in an Age that any People gainsay them but are ready rather to fight in defence of the Authority of their Governours These every year nominate severall out of whom are chosen Praefects this Power formerly belonged to the Prince who are to maintain and defend the publick Peace and are called by the People Masters and these at most were four There are seven others that are called by the name of Eschevins do passe Judgment in all differences of private concernment as likewise in criminall matters These Offices are undertaken and performed as a duty incumbent upon them in behalf of their Country with little or no Reward or Salary And to these mens Power and the Counsel of some that are their Assistants who must be well read in the Civill Law all the business of Towns and Cities is referred and by them dispatched with this additional Power allowed to them of making Laws and raising moderate Sums of mony within the verge of their own Jurisdiction from hence the whole Empire as it were assembling these Chiefs together in one Body they who before singly governed the Parts thus associated and conjunct do praeside and rule the whole Nation For three or four times in the year or oftner as the Emergencies of Affairs require there is a Council summoned out of both degrees of the People which is called the Convention of the States But the Nobility because they cannot easily meet from their several Remote Habitations have conferred their Power and Authority upon some few whose Riches and Honour is greater than the rest and they meet in that Great Council in the behalf of all To these in respect of their Quality is only given the priority of suffrage for every one of the meaner Ranks have a Vote equall to them When therefore the Common-Council of any Town hath deliberated at home concerning matters there proposed the Magistrates and some of the Assistants are sent to the great Convention to give them account of what they have so done and thereupon to obtain their permission all other things that may happen either by accident or conveniency are left to their Prudence and Fidelity Wherefore in this great Assembly as all things are discussed which formerly the Princes used to take care and Cognizance of so they assess what Taxes Assesments or other Customs are necessary every year for the bearing and carrying on the Burthen and Charge of the War which is proportionably rated upon every Province according 〈◊〉 their Forces But because this Great Convention is ag◠quickly dissolved the Nobility and chief Magistrates of great Cities may chuse fit men out of themselves that they sitting at the Helm of Government may put in execution the Ed◠and Decrees of the States and oversee all other quotid◠business and in sudden Cases to provide remedy and ◠any thing happen that requires a greater care they may by a Proclamation in Writing summon the Great Assembly of the States This Honour doth generally continue but for time limited But the Dignity of Advocate of Holland is perpetuall He in the times of the Princes was the only assertor of the Publick Liberty and as then is dangers so now the form of the Commonwealth being changed he is in the Convertion of the States and in the meetings of the Deputies he demands their Advice and Judgment he by perswasive Speeches draws points to a head and composeth any difference like to fall out among them This Office was executed very prayse-worthily from the beginning of the War by Paul Busius and after him John Olden Barnevelt had the same and much honoured the same by his proper vertues whereof he gave a most excellent Testimony against the Earl of Leicesters Threats and Policies manifesting himself both a faithfull Counsellor and a person of an invincible Spirit This is in effect the Form of the Government in Holland from whence the Customs of other of the Provinces are not much different Every place hath its proper Overseers of all penalties and forfeitures belonging to the publick Treasury and Judges who are men well skilled in the Laws to whom Appeals might be made from the inferiour Courts of the Town These are they who obtain all lasting and continuall Dignities out of whose number a Prefect is chosen and these are always nominated by the States only But now the Senate takes Cognizance of all things relating to the confederated Union and provides all-things necessary for the War and all that are admitted into it do swear That without any respect of them from whom they are sent they shall advise what shall be most advantagious to the Publick good Now it is to be observed that hither are sent from every Province some particularly from Holland three from Zeland two from Frizeland the like and from every one of the rest one Hithet when there is any more grave and serious matter to be debated the Governours of Provinces are sent for and admitted But because matters of the greatest concornment were from all Antiquity never dispatched without the consent of every severall Province and that was found by reason of the infinite multitude of business and the hazard of long delays to be inconvenient therefore it was agreed that Deputies should be sent with free Commission who should always attend the chief business of State and if any thing hapned there that required more deliberate Consultation and merited maturer judgement that forthwith every one should consult the States of his own Province Every Province which now according to the League sends out of their chief Cities some hath an equall right of suffrage And by turns they successively come to be Presidents And at that time these were the Provinces Guelderland Holland Zeland Vtreche Frizeland within the Vlye and the Lecke and Over-Issel This Deputation hath by little and little assumed to it self the nature of a perpetual Assembly resembling the Confederate or United States and doth frequently use that name And the Power here included and vested in the Deputies for a prelimited time is not prolonged unless by the pleasure and Authority of their Superiours by whom they were intrusted In like manner others of an inferiour Rank are chosen for Sea-Ports and other Towns lying on the Sea-Coast who are by their Judgments and Counsels to order and settle all Navall matters This in brief is the Method and Form of that Common-wealth nor is it congruous only to mind the meaner sort which means
as the Government grows famous being â— bounded among a few Families so neither is altogether popular as to be made up out of the multitude The Authority of the Nobles being left to themselves and all our power residing in the chief Citizens of the more Noble Cities Hence as it were by certain steps were they elected who were to govern the Provinces and to look after all other publike business not as in a meer Democratical form by promiscuous and accidentall choyce but by having a regaâ— to their descent and Progenitors the acquisition of their Wealth and their other laudable dispositions and vertuous qualities Nor was the Provision for securing liberty herein any whit mistaken while things of greatest difficulty and concernment were ordered by the judgment of many and the chiefest Authority passeth from hand to hand which â—s the cause that many without the hope of continuing their greatness have made it their study to learn and put in practice the true manner of well governing I have found it an experimented truth even when Wars were maintained against the Romans that the People both of France Germany and Britain were wont to examine and discuss their more weighty matters by the Peers of the Land and such choyces made by the Cities and that some remainders thereof appear even where Kingdoms have been since long setled But if we may dive into Records of greater Antiquity in Greece we shall find the like settlement among them under the name of Amphyctiones by whose unanimity the almost incredible power of the Median Monarch was both resisted and conquered And so in Achaja whose strength at first though inconsiderable yet by an harmonious Agreement waxed formidable But to proceed though every Province hath a Metropolitical City of its own yet now the chief and common Seat of Empire is among the Hollanders who as they far out vye the rest of their Confederates in Wealth so they do not a little go beyond them in Authority The Hague is a Village and the Seat of Prince Maurice exceedingly and choycely pleasant with delightful Woods and Groves and its neighbouring Bank The State of the Commonwealth in the Provinces under the Kings Command differeth not much from the other but that the great Assembly of the States for those parts are seldom called together except it be for setling of Taxes and raising Mony some few are selected to manage the private Affairs of every Province but the Senate with the Regent and the rest assistant thereunto as the Judges of Law and Treasury have the whole Government of all things and whoever is admitted into any Office he continues therein without alteration or change The Revenues of the United Provinces what they were is before declared afterward when they had shaken off all fear of Tyranny they began to settle Tributes for their own Commonwealth and when their Trading and Merchandizing encreased by the decay of Brabant their Spirits were augmented as their Riches and their undertakings were attended with success their confidence boldly venturing upon the greatest attempts enlarged their charges and expences their Fields Houses Victuals Cloaths nay their very Heads were not free but made lyable for payments of Mony They had the Sea open to bring them most certain Customs which not lyable to the hazard of War as other things though it was the endeavour of those in Power not to hinder Trassique if possible least Commodities of great value might by incertainty and hazards be carryed elsewhere But the Wealth of the Spanish Provinces though consisted much of Taxes very hardly and with an ill will gotten â— by the accession of great Sums of Mony from the King of exceed very far the other but that the multitude of â— who were interested in the receiving and payment of the same and the easiness of fraudulent dealing therein intercepted and devoured the greatest part thereof before it caâ—â— to the uses for which it was designed while some of theâ— would keep it as their own and others as profusely and prodigally wast it The Souldiery of the Hollanders consisting of Citizens Allyes and strangers besides the Auxiliary English Forces did not at this time exceed eighteen thousand Foot with a indifferent Cavallery the greatest part of whom lay in Gaâ—risons and were far short of their Enemies in multitude before France had made him divide his strength But the Earl of Leicester's neglect and their other many Seditions had taught them that it was better and more safe for them to defend themselves with small Armies than by exceeding their Treasure under the name of Souldiers to raise themselves enemies And now every day they brought their Discipline to be more strict that those Citizens and neighbouring Provinces and others that redeemed their Lands lying partly in the Enemies Country from spoil and pillage by paying mony for Composition might not be injuriously veâ—ed and when the Souldiers were drawn into Winter Quarters they were not to take any mony under-hand while they were there but the Commonwealth did defray all charges during their stay by this equality a wonderfull thing was brought to passe that every house was glad and willing to entertain them All the Infantry was divided into Regiments for so we will call them every Regiment containing ten Ensigns and seldom more Under every Ensign were to march an hundred men 't is true some Companies were at first greater but if you will look upon them generally what with Death and running away and what with the Captains false Musters they hardly arose to that Number Every Troop likewise was to contain so many Horsemen and three of these Troops as it were a Wing had but one common Commander And that all these might with the more ease be paid every Province took to themselves certain Companies of Foot and Troops of Horse to whom out of their proper Treasure they constantly gave their Pay And as every Province thus answer'd his proportion so they began a new Custom which was That they would in Vacancies name the Captains and other inferiour Officers under their Pay The Captains themselves managed the meaner Services but they who governed the Commonwealth either for their Vertue or out of Favour would appear in such as were more eminent The Forces of the Enemy were much more numerous than the other whereby they kept in awe what or whosoever they suspected and guarded their Borders though of a very great Extent The Common Souldiers Pay was alike on both sides but they had greater and more extraordinary Advantages with the Spaniard with whom also there were a great number of persons who had double Pay yet were they not less burthensome either to Towns or Countries whether in the Camp or in Garrison so that they were more than doubly destructive to the Treasury And their Military Discipline was much neglected by their private Emulations On the contrary Prince Maurice upon whom chiefly the whole Care and Weight of the War lay pretermitted none of
otheâ—wise That they should seize and take her alive if possible but if that could not be then to kill her And as a Reward to encourage the perpetrating so nefarious an Act Impunity was granted for the same on Earth and Pardon from God and other such like Enormous Fooleries which now are onely imposed upon the Ignorant as a Shadow of Power and indeed are no otherwise looked upon by them However this may surely be believed that there were many principal men in England who were much troubled at the present state of Affairs there whose Affection to the Spaniard Bernardinus Mendosa who under the Name of an Embassadour had lain there for many years as a Spy in the Court by his vain Boastings had discovered But whatever his Thoughts were it appeared true afterward that however the English Catholicks might differ in Religion yet there was none of them so imprudent as to trust their Lives and Fortunes to the undistinguishing Sword of a Forreign Conquerour In all the Parts and Coasts of Spain and in Italy where the Spaniard had Command there were raised and armed Twenty Thousand Men and One Hundred and Fourty Ships part of them of an almost incredible Bulk and Burthen which afterwards proved the main cause of their Destruction Among these there were many Galeons and Galeasses which built high with many Turrets and Cabines like Cities or Castles rather than Ships were Rowed with Three Hundred Oars cover'd over Head against the Shot and casting of Darts or other like things and their Belly and Sides made very strong the better to be able to bear the Violence of the Waves Marriners were hired almost from all Nations to put into them and they were Victualled with full Provisions for Six Moneths besides a very great Mass of Coin provided for a War at Land was in them and Cannon and other great Guns for the Land-Service to the Number of Five and Twenty Hundred And all this Preparation the Work of so many Years was publish'd in Print to their own Glory and the Terrour of others that it might evidently appear a sufficient Demonstration of the Spaniard's Wealth and Greatness Now though there were some that would have had Warre proclaimed with a Herald yet others thought the Right of Claim from the Pope's Sentence would make out but a lame Title But so great was their Confidence that the wholesome Counsel both of the Duke of Parma and the Marquess of Santa Cruz was disapproved which was That the first Care should be to get some Part belonging to the Hollanders because all Flanders could not yield one safe Harbour for a Fleet against the Hazards both of Warre and the Sea But most advised That the surest Victory would be gotten by Delay unless the Army were presently landed at the Thames to assault the City of London The Charge and Command of this whole Fleet was committed to Don Alphonso Perez Gusman Duke of Medina Sidonia a Person meriting that Honour as well by the Nobility of his Bloud as any other thing whatsoever and under him many Gentlemen of the noblest Families in Spain and infinite others of inferior Gentry had entred themselves as Souldiers but at their own charges induced as was supposed not so much by the covetousness as the assurance of getting very great booties It was constantly reported that they divided among themselves as the reward of their pains in the War beforehand as well Honours as Lands and Houses There were taken among the spoyls of their Ships many Ropes Halters and other Instruments of death and slavery which they as not doubting the Event had prepared for such as they should conquer The Spring growing now very forward they met at Lisbone whence driven into a Haven in Gallicia they wanted three Ships which by a cruel Tempest together with Slaves that rowed them getting their liberty were thrown upon the Coast of France In the mean while the Duke of Parma upon whom depended the principal part of the Expedition with above thirty thousand Horse and Foot lay in Flanders having cut great Ditches for the easier carriage of all his Forces to the Sea-Towns He had brought thither eight and twenty Vessels serving to ayd other Ships of Burthen and to hold his men besides near four hundred Flat-bottomed Boats that might without hindrance come close to the Shore part of them being bought and the rest built by incessant Labour and working night and day He had ready also Bridges for the better and more safe transporting Horses and Men on a sudden as soon as the Spanish Fleet had entred the Sea But neither the English or Hollander made any provision to prevent the danger of so great a War approaching thinking they had been driven back by the Wind or else vainly imagining that Ships of such Bulk and Burthen would never venter or run the hazard of their narrow Seas Finally some did not stick to affirm that this was only a Convoy for the Indian Fleets return although the King of France upon very good Intelligence publickly declared both the strength and intent of the Fleet. Thus did they flatter themselves with Reports and Conjectures not sensible of the greatness of the danger they were in till it was afterwards avoyded The Hollanders notwithstanding mustred all their Ships and Seamen as well private as publick and fitted them for War and when they had so done they in a manner besieged all the Ports of Flanders that they might stop the Duke of Parma from coming forth of the rest they had no great doubt At last and almost too late the Queen who had hitherto been lulled into security by a Treaty of Peace now claps all that were suspected to wish innovation in Religion either into Islands or Marsh-lands and fills the Thames Banks on both sides whereever it was thought the Enemy might land with Horse and Foot on a sudden gotten together She comes also and views yea by words encourages the multitude that made indeed a goodly appearance but had been much inferiour in the use of their Arms to the Duke of Parma's Souldiers if he could have come However to animate all there were some who compared all the Queens actions with those of the most famous Women however fabulous nâ—y they did not stick to equall her to Tomyris her self or the Queens of the Amazons or that notable piece of Feminine Valour in the same Island of old Queen Boadicia Her Fleet whereinto also she had taken all private Ships fit for Service She thus disposed The Lord Seymor had the Command and Conduct of the lesser Vessels in the Downs and at the Thames mouth the greater being in number one hundred Ships and which for the most part traded up and down in the Spanish Seas were in Harbour at Plymouth from whence when occasion should be they could with ease come out to meet and fight the Enemy over whom the chief Command as Admirall was given to the Lord Charles Howard Earl of _____
successful Sarlies disturbing their enterpâ—sed beginnings At this time Prince Maurice had left Groening and was going against Steenewie when heating of the Siege of Kâ—senburg he left Count William to defend the Frizons and himself with a flying Army coming to Arnheynie an Iâ—e of Holland by Signs encouraged the Besieged and likewise from thence sent Messengers that got through the adverse Army unespy'd by Night in a Boat But the Nassaniaâ— Commanders differ'd in Opinion whether they should 〈◊〉 the Enemy in the Field and fight him or passing the River Wael should fortifie themselves and hinder their Adversaries of Provision and make them leave the Works and Guns they had setled upon the side of the Hill by Niâ—â—ghen There was difficulty and danger in both these Attempts for without all doubt the Enemy was stronger in Horse whose Force and Valour they had often tryed both in Fight and Forraging At length Fortune determin'd their Doubt which many times is as profitable as Prudence for the Prince with Count Solms and Sir Francis Vere being brought near the Enemies Camp hid part of the forwardest Regiments with some Troops among the Thickets adjoyning to the way Other part of the Horse were commanded to march a good way forward to draw on the Enemy upon whose approach they were to seem to fly as if they were overpower'd for most of the Italians in Ten Troops among whom was the Duke of Parma's own Lifeguard were come out to pursue them and they were not to face about till they had drawn the Pursuers beyond the River and a narrow Bridge that went over it which being brought to pass according to expectation suddainly they that fled turned again and the others that lay in Ambush coming in they were inclosed and every valiant man among them dyed in the place he stood the rest were scatteringly slain as they were met with onely some few while the Conquerours took the Ensigns and some prisoners alive and the Horses escaped and fled to the Camp With the grief whereof and the loss of so many noble and valiant men not thinking it safe any longer to stay in the Enemies quarters he gave over his vain Siege but pretending that he was commanded to march once more into France and that the great Affairs of theâ— Kingdom were not to be neglected in striving to win a few Forts or Castles in Holland Wherefore sending the Carriages before he Transported his Army having onely built some slight Works upon the River to keep the Nassauians in play least they should fall upon his Rear and as soon as his Army was all over the Water he commanded them to make a stand that they might secure the ships coming after them But the City was highly displeased at his departure some few spoke of him favourably most smother'd their Anger in a threatning silence but the baser sort of people cover'd nothing of their Madness but shew'd their Fury in their Speeches as if they could by them draw back an Old General that fled at the sight of a stripling Enemy Undoubtedly Parma's Mind having always been accustomed to win Honour was grievously afflicted with this Disgrace so that his former Disease now again increasing be together with his Son Ranutio who lately came out of Italy augmented his Fathers Vexation that he should be a Witness of his Misfortune went to the Spaw there among the variety of his present Discontent and former Fortune to drink of the Waters From thence he sent to the Mutinous Spaniards at Diest for pacifying whom he gave a very prejudicial Example to wit That Emanuel Vega a Captain who was more severe than the Villany of the Souldiers would bear should be displaced and another put into his room The Citizens of Nimmeghen did many of them begin to look after Liberty especially after Desperation had multiplied those Evils which before they had scarcely undergone with the Promises and Expectation of better Things For six years before following the Duke of Parma's good Fortune 〈◊〉 by a general Consent but the Faction of a small Party when the Government of the United States after a long time and by much care came to be setled without whose Consent whatever Duty or Obedience they shewed was without any Affection yet they chose Safety and Profit And from that time there began a mutual Commerce between them and the Hollanders who suffer'd the Ships of Nimmeghen to go through the Wael because then the Channel of the Râ— wanted Depth of Water to bear them But in the Garrison were Three Companies one of Forreigners two of men â—ised within the Town for they positively refused to admit of more and as any one offended more heinously the parties of the great Ones they would by vertue of their received Power threatningly restrain or punish the Offenders There wanted now onely a close Siege least the Enemies Forces should lye at lurch about the Maes and that was onely delayed by the excessive increase of Water in the Wael so that there could not be had any use of a Bridge However the Souldier rested not long quiet in his Winter-quarters though they were purposely at a great distance the more to increase the Conquering Enemies Security For Prince Maurice prosecuting his good Fortune draws out of his Garrisons part of the Regiments and with them marches over the Scheldt into the Land of Wase and at the same time the Horse made an Intoad into Brabant And the fifth day after having taken all the Forts thereabouts Hulst a Town in that Province was deliver'd to him The suddainness of the Action amazed the Garrison Souldiers for the Governor by chance was gone out of Town before the Siege upon private occasions of his own and also because the Prince had digged through the Bank to make the River overflow all the adjacent places and by that means stopped the Enemy from assisting them The whole Land of Wase was given to the Souldiers to spoil and pillage until they promised Tribute and sent Hostages to the States for payment of the same But the Neighbours of the Hollanders seeing all the best of their Fruits and other Provisions possessed by the Enemy Prince Maurice's Army being gone as fearing to have bin met with unawares in the Enemies Country by the Duke of Parma cause Mondragâ—io the Governour of the Castle at Antwerp to take Arms who accordingly with the next Souldiers he could get and such as lived about the Maes goes over the Scheldt but not daring to look upon any Town for Count Solms defended them and Repaired the Works he recovered the Forts and Sconces in the Country and Erected some nâ—w ones for the straitning or cutting off Excursions Hereupon the Inhabitants of the Country denyed their promised Tribute supposing and not without Reason that the Clemency of the Enemy would not break its wonted bounds and revenge the injury upon the innocent pledges All things succeeding thus even beyond his wishes the Prince once again drawing his
Against all which there â—as onely hope in celerity while the flower of the Enemies Army was yet detained upon the Borders of France The â—se out of Brabant were commanded to environ the Town and that their store might be diminished to stop all provisions going to them for succour And forthwith the Prince having prepared all things for for War carried thither in Ships all his Foot-forces which in truth could not be called many for the Frizons had their own men and Prince Maurice in vain desired Count William to come thither to him with ayd A great Lake lies before the Town and washes indeed the greater part of it spreading it self backward from the mouth of the Maes since the year one thousand four hundred twenty and one at which time the Sea in a most impetuous manner broke through all its boundaries and drowned seventy and two Villages This they call it Merow by one common name with the Channel of the Wael and it is probable that it first received that name from some of the antient Kings of France is washed on the right side by the River Dungen springing out of the fields thereabout adjacent The Land on the other side of the Bank is in the Jurisdiction of Holland although for that it is doubtful the Brabander lay a claim to it It is part of the possessions of Nassau by right of pledge The Prince of Aurange after the Peace made at Gaunt fortified it as an entry or inlet into Brabant There were famous Pools that abounded with Fish but now the Fish is almost all gone being driven thence either by Fords and shallow Sands continually encreasing or else by the voyce and thunder of War about them and the daily mischiefs done them by men In the Bank which contains the water for the rest onely hiding the water with a thin film of Earth cannot be wrought to any thing are many turnings and coverts which lead to the Works of the Town lying beyond the Trench But the Northerly blasts of the Spring by tempest upon the Lake had broken down that part of the Bank it being weakened before by digging And again the same way for there remained no other the Darts and Shot out of the Castle which the Enemy yet held on the neighbouring Bank of Dungen infested all that attempted it This was difficult in the access but a kind of hurdles being made and covered with Loam were put there that they might cover and be as a Trench for such as should assault the place And out of the Isle of Dungen which is hard by were made many Shot and at the same time Count Hohenlo least fresh men should be sent out of the Town to supply the Castle invades the narrow and strait passage a happy adventure whereupon it was surrendred In these labours and fortifying the Camp almost a month was spent before Mansfeldt approached He sent part of his Troops before to Turnehout but Prince Maurice his Horse voluntarily made an incursion upon them while yet they were but coming together into a Body for they being of no use among the Marshes the Prince had quartered them in Town so as they could well infest the Enemies marche And Count Mansfeldts Son Charles being safe returned from the Enemy was in danger among his own men for being called out of France by hasty Messengers where he had first taken Noyon as is before mentioned and afterwards Vallery as he required a Centurion of a Spanish Band being then in the Borders of Artoys who had been found guilty of a Rape to be brought forth to punishment he scarcely escaped the fury and madness of the rest himself being struck at with the Souldiers Weapons under his Command they also casting off their Knapsacks as if they had been going to fight These tumultuary licentiousnesses were customary in forreign places with them in regard there was wages due to them for a â—s eâ— moneths Mansfeldt being a German and having a regard to his own Honour and his Fathers greatness which be perceived envyed was much vexed wherefore leaving them in the Town of St. Paul which they had set upon and gotten himself with some trusty Regiments slipping away castle to the Army and augmented its number which the Commandeâ—s marched withâ—ll but very slowly it s own multitude hindering its speed For having 12000 Foot and about 3000 Horse their Confidence was suâ—h that they believed immediately to over-run their Enemy who was not all so strong as they for Prince Maurice had not much above 5000. Wherefore from this action Honour was to be gained to the new Governour and they hoped from hence is to purchase glory to the one so to strike terrour into the other Neither did any suspect the immense largeness of the Fields in regard there were such incertain bogs and so many Moores scattered up and down among them and they were so inclosed that as the place yielded not room for the Armies to fight so the Fords and shallowes afforded no place for stratagems or Ambuscadoes Wherefore observing I suppose the face of the Siege and in what manner the War was managed he thought fit only to venture with a few because the other part of the Camp did not merit the like fame either in the danger or event and truly this first example of his was given with a very true consideration in praising the policy of the Antients who ever made use of all things to the purpose rather than for ostentation The Prince had pitched his two Camps in several Fields that had easie ascents that he himself might defend the left side of the River and other places near to the City towards the West the other part towards the East Hohenlo had the charge of the whole Leaguer every Regiment having his proper Station and Tents between which were the Ways and Markets was like a City and was on every side fortified with a strong incurvated Rampire wheâ—eon were planted many Cannon This could not be much weakned at a distance and the Enemy could not come near to fight without great hazard and damage Near the Trench that ran before it wherein there was a double Rowe of Palizadoes headed with Iron least the falling off of the Water should leave them bare or on the other side by a too great increase should overflow the Works There were Seluces and Engines fitted on purpose to let out the Water Dungen being also fitted with two Bridges by which means there was a very near way to the Camp and a Cross-way being made over the Marishy places with Cawseys where they were cover'd before with the Hurdles and Baskets stuffed and cover'd with Mud and Loam all that passed that way were secured on one side And then whatsoever part of the Fields had been more wet than was convenient it soon became firm by the throwing in of Faggots Bavins and other like Stuff and if any where they were hindred by Estuaries and the force of the Waters were
have detain'd he yet sent them to them For now Mansfeldt having taken counsel to draw away admonish'd the Besieged That they should not therefore abate or diminish their Courage giving them though falsly an assurance that he would by some other means divert the Enemy But the Besieged staying no longer Article for their Lives onely They deliver'd to Prince Maurice fifteen Ensigns there were six hundred that went out sound men free either from Wounds or Diseases who left behind them great store both of Provision and Ammunition But they that had had any hand in the former betraying of the Town were excepted out of the Articles both the Prince and Army being all new exâ—sperated by the memory of the Treachery from the sight of the Town and their former and present Labour and Toil in the regaining it And so the same day the Prince took Gertruydenberg from the Buyers he made the Sellers expiate their Crime with their Lives Count Mansfeldt understanding how matters went knowing that his old Age would be blamed and much worse Counsels prevail after the Event and that the Reports of these things would be tossed to and from in the Ears of the People was much afflicted suspecting moreover the Fidelity of the Town of Bâ—isleden least that the People thereof being of a busie and crabbed Disposition and having no Garrison to awe it should fly from them in a tottering and decaying condition to their Enemies crown'd with the growing Successes of smiling Fortune For Prince Maurice's Souldiers who then held the Castle of Creviceur by making a Dam overthwart the River Dies which at that City runs into the Maes had made it overflow all the adjacent places from thence Corn-Fruit and Pasture for Cattel being lost by the damage of private persons they molested the publike Peace Wherefore it was thought fit to appease them with Benefits and Kindness whom they were not able to restrain by Fear or Force And the Prince finding that Mansfeldt made hast to besiege that Castle prevented him by sending before some Horse which should hinder and stop the Enemy at the Passage over the Maes and keep them out of the Isle of Bommel and presently after himself with his whole Army coming by Water places himself in the middle between the Castle and Mansfeldt and having fetched a convenient number of Cannons and Engines from the next Towns there being no Rampire or Bulwark yet about the Castle for which cause be suspected the suddain surrender thereof he compelled them leaving their Tents behind to take little less than a shameful flight into the Fields about â—uyck-Anons placing a Bridge upon the Maes as if he would fall upâ—n Boisledue by that false fear he put a stop to any nâ—w Endeavours of the Enemy At last the Commanders departing with part of the Forces towards Frizeland began to make that the Seat of War Since the taking of Steâ—nwic and Coevorden scituate more inwards upon the Issel and the other Frizon Cities and Castles had cut off from Groning both the benefit of the Sea and of Rivers there remained onely one Passage out into Germany and that was the Bourtang The cross-way whereof is not very broad and begins at the Bay of Dullart not far from thence running through great Marishes environing the whole Country of Drent with a long Circumference The violent coldness of the Winter troubled also with cross Winds at the beginning of the Year had hindred Count William of Nassau who was contriving by what means he might frustrate the Enemies last hope but now the Spring being towards he put to Sea where as he sailed he spyed Verdugo stirred up thereto by Messengers to have possessed all the streights of the passages and being forbidden to fight by Command and considering that it was an unadvised Act to proceed further than they were sure of Provisions he landed in the next place from whence by opening the Schises he might drown the Fields with Water or shutting them â— might at his pleasure hinder them when overflow'd to be drain'd and thus to retard the Enemies March But when Verdugo had sent part of his Souldiers to wast the Country of Frizeland Count William not willing to suffer or pass by that Damage least he should give matter of Complaint to that Faction of the Frizons who did not love him for there were some private Feuds broken out he himself went thitherward and where he could fortified the Border against the like Incursions for the future Here the Enemy being deceived with vain Rumors of other Attempts the Count supplies Coevorden with all manner of Necessaries which before was in great want of many Things Thus the Summer being spent and the Enemy turning his Forces towards Gertruydenberg after they were gone Count William removes the Forces he had receiv'd marching by Land and taking into his power all the Castles between Coevorden and the Bourtang Upon the very Bourtang it self where there is a narrow passage between the Country of Weden and the Lands belonging to Munster the Marishes that are next being disjoyned for the Summer and Labour together had made this place more passable by a kind of Sandy Cliff he commanded five Companies of Souldiers to erect some Huts against the Weather and to raise a strong Fort Himself with the other part of the Forces because he had Intelligence of Recruits coming to the Enemy went behind Greening being induced thereto by an early conceived hope that the City would Revolt to him as soon as Verdugo was gone who as yet lying in the Suburbs waited for more help In this mean time Frederick Count Heremberg was sent by Count Mansfeldt with a strong party of Souldiers because either the Enemies Garrisons or the Nature of the place had precluded all other ways to the Town of Otmarsen and the Castles which we told you before were deliver'd to Count William and these he took with great Force but not without the loss of some Bloud From thence puffed up with that success he went with Verdugo to destroy the Fortifications raised upon the Bourtang But the greatness of the work in so short a time the inaccessibility of the Marishes frighted them from their Design and Count William being daily informed by his Scouts that they were coming against him augmented and strengthned the Fortifications of his Camp wherein remaining safe he slighted their Power abiding in the Fields Nor did he march with any Colouâ—s wisely considering there was no necessity thereof for him and that every thing would infest the Enemy With this kind of delay and some light Skirmishes the Enemy even wearied out make towards Coevorden through moist and troublesom ways but finding there was firm Ground underneath they dry'd up the upper moisture with great heaps of Bavins And when the place made them know that Stratagems and suddain Heats would be to little purpose with them who were ready to receive them Verdugo goes away to the Castles hoping the Souldiers inclosed therein
new Regency be sent out some with Commissions both into England and into Germany to raise Four Thousand Foot and some few Horse These Souldiers supposed to be met by the Enemy at the Rhine though in vain marched safely and unknown to the Enemy But on the contray Ernestus his Musters were impeded by want of Money and other Casualties for the Regiment of Francis Saxon Lawrenburg assembling by little and little within the Territory of Munster part of them being slain by the Hollanders the rest melted away to nothing and Count Oldenburg denied passage to those that remain'd together of them through the Land The Lord of Cimace also gather'd Souldiers consisting of Flandrians and Waloons being partly promis'd that he should be put into Garrison But they that were Listed by Verdugo a great part of them ran away the rest were consumed either by Poverty or Diseases Another Regiment belonging to 〈…〉 tzenburg were kill'd partly by the Enemy and partly by the Boors about Carpen and Aquisgrave Others went aâ—â—y into Hungary to those Wars So that the new raised men being either dispersed or voluntarily departed and the old Souldiers disobedient and refractory all their hopes were 〈◊〉 frustrated and their boasting That they would divide 〈◊〉 Army of Thirty Thousand Men into two parts and thereâ—â—th at once make War on both sides the Rhine came to nothing Whereby Ernestus himself by how much he had raised mens Expectations of him by so much he fell into present Contempt especially when Leasure and Pleasure Idleness and Lust began to be seen as publike stains upon him So that he was lashed at by eminent and most bitter Invectives Besides he overcharged his Fame among the Netherlanders in that he would have imposed Spanish Garrisons upon several of their Cities And was with great Contumacy refused both by them of Namur and Lisle At the first beginning of the Spring marching into the Field Ambushes were laid but in vain for the surprize of two Ciâ—ies which would have been of great advantage Boisledue was the one which very seldom gave opportunity to such undertakings and now preserved by fortune for the Guards had no other notice of the Enemies approach than the falling down of a Stone Maestricht was the other and there also was a miscarriage by the fear of the Captains which the Prince had sent before in a Ship and because there were some Souldiers who unskilled in such Expeditions knew better to pillage than fight unless by chance sometimes we have no more power to command our Courage than Success when a fatall Cowardise and a suddain fear shall weaken and infatuate the Counsel and Courage of those who at another time are Sons of Valour and start back at no danger From hence Prince Maurice went beyond the Rhine resolving to set an end to all those great Enterprises formerly begun in Frizeland to which purpose not only Count William's strength but several new Companies were drawn into a Body leaving behind only Count Hohenlo with two Regiments to guard the Borders of Holland Not long before this Verdugoe's Souldiers while yet the Waters were all covered with Ice assaulted Delphzile a Castle scituate 〈◊〉 the River Ecnus they came on at first in a deep silence 〈◊〉 on a suddain made hideous out-cryes on purpose to reâ—â—â— the Defendants and they rushed on so unadvisedly that 〈◊〉 the Maritime Bank which by the unskilfulness of the Builders being carried beyond the Trench reached the Bulwark there was a sudden tumult and long dubious Fight untill a Neighbouring Ship coming in with Darts and Guns and the valour of the Defendants beat off the assaylants with great slaughter Then the Groeningers sent to Ernestus Gifts with humble Supplications that he would not defer forthwith to send the General and all the Strength of the Army so often promised to avert and prevent the common ruine and destruction of the City But the Prince knowing that he was feared in Brabant and therefore that part of the Enemies Forces stayd there and that another part was engaged in the French War sending before him Pioneers and Engineers as well to secure him in his march as in a Battel if need should be steers his course towards Coevorden He had ten thousand Foot divided into seven Bodies every of whose Flanks and Rere were guarded with Horse It was a new divised Policy that the Souldiers armed with Lances and Pikes and a few Engines or Guns in the Front should break the Enemies Troops for Verdugo put the greatest confidence in that part of his Forces and then the Cavallery being wearied would easily be routed Upon the left side were placed the Carriages and Wagons that brought Provisions to the Besieged with some of the best and stoutest Regiments At the right side they were â—nclosed with Artillery and the River Vidre Verdugo also had drawn up his men in Battel-Array before the Works as if he had desired to see the Strength and Courage of the Enemy knowing he could easily retire into the Coverts of his defences upon occasion Here the Prince took Counsel whether he should break through the Fortified Marshes to the Besieged or seek a more secure way to get to the Castle But 〈◊〉 Spaniard under the silence and covert of the night draws of his Regiments cruelly shattred with long penury and â—â—y to mutiny at the eminent danger together with the Duke of Parma's old Souldiers marching with them towards Oldenzeel there he pitched his Tents and suffered the Souldiers to glut themselves with prey instead of pay wasting the Fields of Germany robbing and stealing with so much more greediness for that they believed they should not stay long there for fear of the Enemy Some of these Souldiers were sent beyond the Eems to Lugen a Town under the King's Command Others were dispatched away to Groening that the common people who are naturally unstable might be kept in awe by them and any danger arising from sudden fear be prevented After the appearance of day had discovered the nocturnal slight and that the Castle was open and the deliverers and Besieged had with joy among themselves and extraordinary thinks to the Prince saluted one another the next thing in design was what had hitherto been aimed at to set upon Groening by force which in the former years they had so sorely teâ—tified Although it was very strongly fortified both with Walls and Bulwarks neither wanted any thing either as to Victuals or other Warlike preparations for defence And not a few of the chief Frizons had rather the City should have continued in the Enemies power than come into their own as believing it would draw the Trade from all parts thither However the Horse being sent away that they might stop all passages against the Enemy as well at Steenwic as at Coevorden and the Bourtange leaving only the Zuâ—phen Regiment to trouble and restrain the Enemy if need should be the great Guns were carryed by Sea The Prince at his
first setting out came into those Fields that formerly had been unfortunate in the great slaughter of many of his party for he was descended originally by the Mothers side from the Saxons who dyed in the Siege of this place or else his lâ—bour long in vain compelled him to omit that unhappy possession nor had it been of mean advantage to his Uncles that the Civil War had invited them thither The ancientest Inhabitants thereabout and such as had survived the many years of the troubles shewed the very place wherein Adolphus of Nassau dying stained with his Noble Blood the spoâ—lâ— taken from Count Aremberg by him slain and the first success in this quarrel They could point out also the Castles by whose Sieges the Count Lewis of Nassau in vain hoped the defection of the Cities and the peoples reciprocal endeavours for liberty Then not far from thence Lemmingere and the Coast hard by fatall for the slaughter of seven thousand men But the Prince and Count William for they both commanded alike without either discord or emulation as if having survived the glory of their Ancestors they would remove the unlucky Omen from those places they take up their Quarters round about the Town the Prince himself lying on that side where Groening turning away as it were from the Frizons looks full upon Germany but not any thing stronger in that part with Towers Forts or Rampires annexed to the Bulwarks or with any out-lying Fortifications But before I declare the Siege of this famous City it will be worth our time to shew the scituation of the place and the several sorts of Nations that frequently meet there on several occasions and the rather for that we have nothing any where else to this purpose The Nations beyond the Rhine included within the River Eems wiâ—hout all peradventure are of famous Antiquity the greatness of whose Age as is common with other people was made fabulously incertain before the Roman Empire propagated the fresh memory of things by their Armies then was the Valour and Fidelity of the Frizons highly renowned The name of the Frankes was of a later Edition part of whom lived as is believed by the River Salium which the Antients named Sala and we by adding a syllable to the word call it Isala or Issell And from this River Sala were the Salike Laws denominated I cannot set forth the Founders and Original of them more then of all Germany the Antients maintaining with a constant Opinion that they who lived there were Aborigines that is at what time the Generations of mankind increased or ambition forced them to hazard the Sea in quest of new Habitations they were such as first possessed this utmost shore or boundary of the Ocean But in the mean time I may not deny that part of the Normans and Saxons and what other Nations frequent those Maritine Coasts with their Fleets being left in those places grew up together into one Government and used the same Customs And afterwards they by the same example poured out the superabundance of their increased Generations at further distance into the next and also into remoter places But chiefly it is to be observed in two Kingdoms to wit of the French in Gaul and of the Angles or English in Britain whose beginnings must be drawn from these and other bordering Nations But I cannot asserâ— their manner of living of what manner of Government they had in those ruder Ages with any certainty unless I should suppose they had alwayes bad Kings but then that was not a name of arbitrary and unlimited power but as it still is in Germany where the chief managery of all great affairs is as well residing in the people as the Princes But afterwards the Empires of Germany and France being united though quickly disjoyned the middle people ran one way after liberty the Princes drew another way to subject them by which means all things became unsetled and nothing stable And then Christian Religion not being alike received by all Nations as it disjoynted the Government so it disaffected mens minds one towards another while others assuming the vizor of Sanctity made themselves Imperious Priests The wiser sort rather chuse themselves a Captain and seek forreign Wars against Barbarians incroaching upon them by Sea and Land from hence they fell to War among themselves and though they agreed in Religion yet there wanted not quarrels which under the pretence of Piety were at last disputed with fire and Sword Thus the Bishops and Counts dividing the Hollanders among themselves seized likewise at once all the bordering Nations they could gripe within their reach for in the first place Zutphen beyond Issell was added to Gelderland Hence all that Region which is properly called Over-Issell and under that name the people of Twente Zallandâ— and Drente were all subjected to the Bishops of Vtrecht But that part of Frizaland which lies within the Ulye after a long contest and Rebellion submitted to the Jurisdiction and Customs of Holland That part which lies beyond the Lake and divided by it from the rest was cruelly afflicted with War and mortall Battels being oftner beaten than subdued because the Princes of Holland scorned to rule at the pleasure of others And the Frizons esteemed their liberties both descending to them from thâ—ir Ancestors and also confirmed by several Decrees of Emperours Wherefore taking Counsel among themselves concerning a moderation out of their own number they chose one to be a Moderator in their chief Affairs giving him the name of a Podestate But Groeningen a most strong City from all Antiquity and the chief of Frizeland was much advantaged by the conveniency of the River Eemes and the Neighbour-hood of Germany From thence of old besides the fierceness of their nâ—ture this City had nourished a certain hope that as it was the Metropolis of that Region so in time it should command over all the Country of Over-Issell Which being denyed by the Fortune of War remaining yet great in its contracted Jurisdiction extended its bounds to the Rivers Leck and Eemes and forbidding any Merchandizes to be exported into other places unless they were first brought and offered to be sold in the City A Fortress of this Potency after it had once gained Renown by Covenants and the use of right sometimes chose forreign Princes and as oft changed and cast them off to whom they payd Tribute in Honour as their defenders but ever with a Salvo for preservation of their Laws and this was well enough at present while they endeavour to get favour but when these Tributes were afterwards consumed in envy and prodigality the mischief of the example appeared it being natural to Princes by any meanes to keep what they have gotten and to increase by force their beginning Wealth if they be not absolutely obeyed wherefore the City growing stubborn and not contented with the liberty it enjoyed at present but impatient of servitude though at the same time shaken with
many intestine discords yet from the hatred of the present Lords it still chose other being ignorant of that good for which Arms are taken away from the people Thus first experimenting the Bishop of Utrecht it fled from them for fear of the Saxons to the protection of some living beyond the Ems then to Gelders and lately devolved to the House of Austria yet the Groeningers kept to themselves a power of chusing all Magistrates one onely excepted who was the Prince's Legate or Deputy who sate as Chief in the Supream Assembly of the Judges that had Cognizance of the Rights of possession in Lands In this Warre wherein all things have been unrivetted being vexed with most horrible Seditions at last it consented to the Spanish Dominion under the pretence of Liberty This was not as other Cities tormented with Disterences in Religion for when the Laws aged most furiously against all the Professors of the New Religion those that fled from all other places found here a Refuge and shelter But because there arose great Discords between them and the Citizens the Confederate Lords either out of a Love to Turth or in favour of the Nobility gave Sentence against the Citizens But the Spaniard being more crafty favoured the City and there upon it submitted to his Government being perswaded by this one thing they rejected Religion and all Leagues to follow Renneberg so prevalent in all men is Thirst of Hatred and Revenge It is to be remembred as we before declared that the Groeningers had refused a Garrison for so they had agreed with the King who also to gratifie them indulged them with the freedom from many Burdens But of the common for of Spaniards they hired Three Thousand The Forreign Souldiers to the number of Nine Hundred kept the Suburbs There was hardly any where to be found so great a quantity of Provisions Guns Gunpowder and other Military Engines as was here The Camp was placed a great distance from the City that the great Artillery might do the less harm to the Houses but was most strongly fortified both against Invaders from within and without A firm and wholesom Plain extended it self between the Rivers Horn and Scuyâ—diep which Rivers beginning in the Marishes of Drente 〈◊〉 through the Trenches of Groeningen and intermingle with the Sea at a place called Reidiep And because all the Army was not sufficient to incompass the City therefore on this side they thought fit to make their Assaults and Approaches being here also able to receive the Enemy if he came that so they might by opening the Rivers overflow all the circumjacent parts And it was found by Experiment that the adjoyning Waters were no less advantageous to the Tows for keeping away the Enemy than it was prejudicial to the inclosed Succours And the Prince also carryed the Rivers so that he might easily bring his great Guns over the Fields against the scattering Forts some whereof being deserted were easily won But the best and noblest of them all named Adoardysel when the Governour had defended it with more Resolution than the present necessity requir'd the Bridges and Ladders being taken it was assaulted by the Souldiers with so great fury mad to revenge the slaughter of their Companions made in the same place the Year before that neither the too late delivery was accepted nor the word of Command how and when to give the Onset was staid for Thus they made a great slaughter which was also increased by an accidental fire then hapning This Fort being taken provisions were more easily brought out of Frizeland into the Camp the people of Embden sending in no small quantity until Verdugo terrified them with Threats bidding them take heed they betrayed not their Affection Some successful Sallies were made both out of the Town and Suburbs the Keepers of the New Works being tyred out with continual showâ—s for those Works out of a Military Ambition were more hastily than warily promoted The next and greatest Care was by little and little to undermine on both sides the Port the one whereof was defended by the Bulwark adjoyning to the Trench the other by an outlying Foâ—t The great Guns on both sides plaid very furiously and however the Rampires â—nd other Works made of Earth resisted the Force of the Attempt yet the Bridges Gates Towers and other Buildings were utterly overthrown And some Letters being taken that were sent to Verdugo it appear'd by them that their store of Gunpowder what between a prodigal Expence thereof and other Accidents was well near consumed They were advised therefore least being left by their Associates some of whom were in France and other continued mutinous and full of Sedition that they would not being thus shut up by the Army rashly and without reason seek their own ruine To this it was answer'd but not as if it came from the Besieged but such as were proud with the Memory of their older and more novel Affairs That they should not be provoked by the greatest of their Commanders without danger although they were not all of one mind but had many causes of difference among them The Assemblies of the Commons whose Authority was greater in the publike Affairs than was necessary had deliver'd all their power to the Magistrates and a little before the Siege they had sent Messengers to get them some Succours But the Netherlandish Cities took no Thought of their so great danger all their Labours and Endeavours being busied about the New Regent they knew so profusely to wast their Money as if they had not known that by the want thereof many times the greatest Affairs are hazarded and Opportunities lost Therefore there were some who proposed that the City should be deliver'd to the Duke of Brunswick Hohenlo was a main stickler in that Advice because if it succeeded he promis'd to himself that he should be his Deputy-Governour But the Siege utterly blew away all those Imaginitions which being once begun there follow'd frequent Treaties between the Besiegers and Besieged sometimes that they might bury their Dead other times that they might exchange Prisoners and upon many the like occasions Sometimes also they made short Truces which at lâ—st the Townsmen desire one to be continued until they could send to Bruxels for a more certain Reply but it was meritedly refused Jorgius who was the principal person among all the Magistrates before that the Coâ—sul and now a Collonel withstanding Peace and confirm'd therein by the incouragement of the Jesuits had drawn unto himself the Rout of the poorer sort of People who had neither any hope or fear in the continuance or change of the Weal-publike These threatned death to all Messengers that should come from the Enemy and likewise to every one else who but spoke well of Peace not abstaining in the interim from committing Murthers and Rapines But now the Ravelins and other nearer places began to preach Ruine among which Evils it was far the most miserible Spectacle
when the Darkness of the Night was turned into Light by the burning of Houses fir'd by the Enemy throwing and shooting Fire-Works into the Town And as the People gather'd together in Heaps and Multitudes to save their Houses and Estates either were themselves burned in the Houses or else maimed and mangled with the Besiegers Bullets At last what should they now being between Hope and Despair avoid or what should they defend since all places were equally fill'd with Horrour and Lamentations But for all this the Priests and such as the Spaniard had obliged to him by Pension attribute to this obstinate stubbornness of their peculiar Faction the name of Constansy Nay more at this time some out of the Garrison that lay in the Suburbs passing the Trench in little Boats took the confidence to enter the City These on the one side calling them in those on the other forbidding them from whence there arose a most violent Sedition wherein at the beginning there was some bloud spilled but soon after it abated for fear of the Enemy abroad The Prince that by the prosecution of the War vigorously he might at some time force to thoughts of Peace began to undermine the greatest of all their Forts within the Trench wherein there remain'd some marks of the Fort or Castle raised there by the Duke of Alva and that he might the better conceal the Policy by some other more apparent Design he seems to threaten the taking by storm of the Bulwarks already batter'd and shaken But when the Assailants saw the vast concourse of the Townsmen to the place as if afraid to come on they retired at which instant the Gunpowder that was hid in the Mine being set on fire the torn up Ground threw the dispersed Multitude into the adjacent Ditches and Trenches and cast some at a greater distance into the very Camp or Leaguer Others of them were swallow'd alive into the gaping Chasma of the disbowel'd Earth Then might have been seen some Souldiers Scots by Nation whose Hast and Valour carryed them towards the City together with such as fled but hindred from entring it because the Planks that made the Bridge passable were broken however they maintain'd the place opposing great Bags fill'd with Sand against all Shot and Darts thrown at them And now all the whole Army burned with a desire of doing somewhat more earnestly requiring the Slaughter and Ruine of the City which they said must be won by force That this was the City by whose wickedness all places beyond the Rhine for 14 Years together had either been exhausted by War or at least spoil'd Wherefoâ—e now they ought to require in the punishment thereof satisfaction for the Ruine of so many Castles the laying wast of so many Fields and the Bloud shed in so many cruel Battels That this might be an Example unto the rest that they should resist until they were subdued and malapertly with insulting Answers scorn Messages and Offers of Peace For what could be more glorious for a General than to take the benefit of his Victory upon a Rebellious City Triumphing in the Sâ—aughter and Spoils of all that relate to him But if he should prefer the publike good before the Injuries offer'd to his Bloud or the Revenge of his Ancestors yet this City was not to be preserv'd having always been injurious to the Neighbours untractable against the Laws and perfidious to Liberty against which having for some time opposed it had almost brought Ruine and at last if it should be subjected would yet be infamous These Things were publikely urged as every one had before-hand in his Imagination divided the Spoil of this most opulent City But the Prince and the Senators who were present with him thought it more convenient for carrying on the Remainder of the War that the Souldier should be restrained from his licentiousness and cruelty against the Citizens Thus Embassies and Prayers prevailed within the Agreement were included several Degrees of Things nay the very Priests who had departed out of the City and all that belonged to them consented to the League and that they together with their Companions would by an equal Right be admitted within those Articles Thus they accepted a Garrison while they were accustomed to this New Government and Count William of Nassau was made their Governour being before the Governour of Frizeland Both the Forreign Souldiers and those that belonged to the City marched out safe the Seventh of the Calends of August that is July the 26. The Prince entring the City restored the Protestant Religion casting out all Images and as he had concluded appointed MAgistrates especially chusing them out of those who bad before been banish'd for their Religion the Laws for the future being in force Concerning the Discords of the Natives which formerly being disputed by Arms and Fighting were not yet appeased there was a Settlement made by the States of the Confederate Vnion And in the interim Otho Hartius and Hierome Comannus came from Bruxels to the Hague as if they had been sent upon private Business to the Lord of Cimace's Wife who flying from the Severity of her Husband lived here as it were in Banishment among the Hollanders They did not Treat of Peace as a Business of so high a Nature did deserve but onely cursorily seemed to bring Letters from Ernestus wherein were discover'd the Charges and Burdens of War and the great Commodities of Antient Commerce and Obedience That there were never any Discords had continued perpetually but some few had been decided by War but the greater part thereof setled by Peace Wherefore If they had hitherto been terrified by any Treacherous Dealings yet he hoped they would not blame the well-known Reputation of the House of Austria or have him in suspition 〈◊〉 desiring to be the Author of Peace Nay that he left his own Country and his Brother's House with to other hope than that he might restore a true and sincere Harmony and Concord among Christian Nations That it would be seem the States interchangeably on their part not to hazard the prosperous estate thereof their Affairs and the ambignous condition of their Adversaries upon the Danger and Fortune of an uncertain Warre but rather take advantage from the present Times wherein they may rather prescribe than receive the Terms of a Peace Hereunto the States being now more firmly setled answer'd as to their Cause magnificently That it was for Religion and the Laws which in the time of the Emperour Maximilian the Arch-Duke Matthias the Brother of Ernestus had by the Sword protected That since that by the implacable Malice of the Spaniards having been forced to Arms they have not been ignorant of the various Chances of Warre but God had appeared for them even gasping under the Burden of Oppression And now being raised by qreat Alliances and their own Valour they had rather chuse that to wit War to be a Judge of the Event than an Enemy so often found
so horrid a Fact and from thenceforth banish'd the Jesuits For to these chiefly both the English Hollanders and French did impute the fostring of such Doctrines on purpose breeding Youth whom under the Notions of Piety and Magnanimity they inflame and incouraging them with Old and Neâ— Examples how often Tyrants who are Enemies to the Publike have been destroy'd by the Fortunate Darings of private Hands Concerning this Order because Opportunity presents it self and others have spoken little concerning them I intend succinctly to Discourse The first Founder of that Order was Ignatius Loyala who being much weakned by a Wound received in the Ward Navarre at Pumpeiopolis withdrew his Mind being yet Warlike and full of Courage unto Businesses of a more peaceable Concern Among the rest he grew ambitious of Erecting a New Order To which in hope of its future Greatness he would not according to Custom give it the Name from some more famous Man or Woman but even from JESUS himself Being Assembled by Authority of them who can License such Novelties they reverenced with incredible study two Things chiefly to wit the Pope's Power and the Spaniard's Wealth And at their beginning they were main and eminent Props to the decaying Cause inducing in defence thereof what had hitherto been neglected Manners unblameable and sound Learning they exercised themselves in frequent Disputes against divers Religions which in those times had insulted over the Romane Name They augmented their Glory both in America and the Indus where among Barbarous Nations by the Teaching of Christianity they adde mightily to Philip's Empire yea and many famous Miracles have been done by them as is believed with great facility from confident Asseverations for that the Longinquity of places excludes further Tryals however they are in abundance whether in real Truth or but pretended They are the persons in whom thou may'st require fidelity and modesty Their Authority with the Vulgar is very great by reason of their Sanctity of Life and because they instruct Youth in Learning and the Precepts of Wisdom without taking any Reward for their pains They have their Provincials in every City and Nation and there is one Superiour over all the rest throughout the World who is for the most part a Spaniard They command with great Wisdom and obey with equal Fidelity They follow not the common Custom of other Orders to live all together It seemed too poor to include within Walls their growing Society They Baptize and solemnize Matrimony and the first thing they are taught is To lay aside all Humane Affections and to cast away the fear of Death They chiefly take into their Society none but such as are very eminent either for Ingenuity Bloud or Riches and they reap a great benefit from all those things For first they distinguish Ingenuity no less prudently than they chuse it pitching always upon such whom they hope will grow famous either for Eloquence or digesting pious Meditations into Writing By their Nobility they are admitted into the greatest Councils being of an incomparable Sagacity in making Searches and Experiments and because there is no Engine so strong as Religion for the laying open of Secrets And their Wealth fits them for Embassies and all other publike Employments By which Policies though they are the youngest of all other Orders yet they have far surpassed all the rest in a short time both in Reputation and Wealth and therefore are hated by them and their manner of Life upbraided as contrary to Rule But they being above the Envy of their Emulators even rule Prince's Houses by a laudable moderation for they observe a mean between sordid submission and severe arrogant neither totally eschewing nor following other mens Vices These are the main Wheel whereon the Spanish Greatness and Empire moves by which they maintain Peace at Home and sow Trouble and Sedition abroad For those Catholikes have receiv'd a portion of these mens Spirit which through France and England yea and Holland it self do in the former maintain the Rights of a Kingdom and in the last dispute against it And although they are banish'd all those places upon pain of Death yet is that Danger no Obstacle to them nor doth impede either their Confidence or Policy But the Emperour did not forbear again to motion the making of Peace although before refused and stain'd with such monstrous Actions as we before related upon the common pretence of Germany viz. the Care of his Brother's Honour Not did he seem onely to admonish them to it but calling a Diet at Ratisbone of the Princes and Cities of the Empire he had caused it to be concluded That they should be compelled therâ— by Arms for that they dampnified both themselves and theâ— Neighbours by the perpetual miseries of War But these things as they made onely a Noise never proceeding further than Words and Threats so they were accordingly taken notice of for the Turk then chiefly being ready to fall upon the Cities of Hungary as well the Care as the Forces of Germany was taken up and could not have leisure to mind the Affairs of such as belonged not to them This year also the States of the United Provinces received a very great and most honourable Signal of Affection from James King of Scotland as well as the Kings of France England and Denmark who were invited to the Baptizing of his Eldest Son born by his Wife who was the King of Denmark's Daughter And their Liberality was correspondent to the Honour done to them as witnessed their most rich Presents given to the Princely Infant who was named Henry Frederick They renewed their antient Amity with the Scots and restored all the Rights of Trade and Commerce and all other matters formerly concluded with the Princes of the Netherlands and particularly with the last Charles But a Partnership in Arms was in vain wished for by the Scot and the Dane and that the Princes of Germany should be ingaged to the same Affinity for their Peace was safe and unmolested and there was no reason why they should go to thrust themselves into other Folks Troubles 'T is thought there was some hope gather'd from Scotland not without cause offended with the Spaniard who had for many years disturbed the Peace of that Kingdom by Factions From hence proceeded many of those sharp and severe Laws against Catholikes and hence by increasing hatred came those who would transfer the most just Hope and Title of James to the Kingdom of England upon the Spaniard's Dâ—ughter but surely by most absurd and incongruous Arguments but nevertheless such as discover'd a mind ready to do him any injury But as well the Scot as the rest of the Princes cast off from one to another the beginning to thwart a Power so formidable to all The Embassadors that had been sent into Scotland returning by England the chief whereof Waldgrave Brâ—derode whose Noble Birth advanced the Honour and Worth of the Common-wealth together with James Count
of his hopes in answering the Event and that the Wall wherein they put their greatest trust for defence was not as it was supposed solid but made up of two Walls which gaped 〈◊〉 in the middle and that the innermost parts of the Castle were by the Enemies Battery laid quite open The Souldiers that marched out that they might not be abused by the Bishop's men were protected by the Spanish Commanders with so much honour that some of them drew their Swords for their Enemies against their Companions in Arms For Heraugier had Covenanted with them not immeritedly fearing lost the Laws of Arms should not be observed by the Leigâ—ois The Bishop was not content to have punish'd those whom he thought guilty of the Stratagem but he took from the City its Auâ— Liberty as suspecting it to be unfaithful to him Nor did he leave off to seek Revenge against Heraugier himself objecting to him Cowardliness and sending a Transcript of soâ—e Letters to the States wherein he had irreverently spoken against them Prince Maurice and such as with him were conscious of the taking of Hoye defended him chiefly among the rest being thus brought in question The possession of this Forreign City was not kept long it being regained the 41 day after it was taken and the benefit of the Fact was lost though the Envy thereof remained And by chance it had hapned that the same day wherein afterwards a Messenger arrived with the News of the Rendition of the place contrary to all men's Expectation the States believing the strength and security of the place had given a rough Answer to the Bishop's Legate to wit That they would deliver Hoye when the Enemy surrendred Berck But the Spaniards added to the possession of Berck that also of Hoye and when they once had it kept it until their Wages were pâ—id and the Enemy removed from those parts and then they thought they might with safety enough deliver it Herein Philip sought the Fame of Piety protesting That he would rather bestow out of his own upon the Church of Leige the most antient in the Low-Countries then that he would under any pretence whatsoever take ought away that was its proper right Four hundred of them that marched out of Hoye with Heraugier were slain by fourscore Horse of the Enemies while being loaden with prey and too covetous to preserve the same they hindred themselves In like manner were they justly punished who going out of the Garrisons in Over-Issell to plunder the Territory of Munster were in the night by the Enemy surprized Among all these Affairs King Henry that he might compell the Enemy lying about Picardy to look to his own business at home commanded his Generall the Count de Bulloine with as great an Army as he could make to enter into that Burgundy which obeyeth the Spaniard by the name of a County taking opportunity from the conveniency thereof because there was the greatest passage for Traffique both â—t of Italy and Germany The first Onsets were very violent with great terrour taking the Towns and killing every where all such as came to resist which at the best made but a tumultuary croud of the People of that Country who had not through the whole course of their lives known what War was so that it might rather be termed a Butchery or Massacre than a War or Fight Yet did not all this make the Spaniard remove his Forces out of France towards the Netherlands but upon knowledge of the danger Velasco Constable of Castele which is an hereditary nâ—me of dignity who then governed Millayne for the Spaniard with a Select number of Horse and Foot drawn out of the Transalpine Garrisons marched over those Mountains of Alpes in the deep of Winter while their tops were covered with Snow and in the passage took some Cities resting at the River Sâ—one where staying for a great Recruit of Horse and other choyce Souldiers of Germany and Spoleto in Italy and hereby giving no opportunity of sight the French Forces began to moulder away Among these hazards and flying Messengers Ernestus his sickness grown more violent by the Winter weather begin to get the upper hand and besides he knew he had incurred the Spaniards hatred yet had not given any satisfaction to the Netherlanders and that his Enemies accused him to the King as a guilt stuck upon him as well his endeavours of War as Peace with the thoughts whereof his grief so encreased that soon after worn away with a lingring Fever and Flux of blood he dyed His death was suspected as it is generally of all Princes but was without any troubles or commotions attending it the hope of peace subjecting the idle and the tedious labour of a multiplyed War employing the rest The Physitians looking with great circumspection into the true cause of his death upon the dissection of his Body delivered their Opinions That there was a Worm in his Reigns then living which gnawed all the parts lying near it The Vacant Government was by Philips Orders supplyed by the Senate among whom the chief management of War and Peace and all other business Foreign and Domestick rested in Fontayne by the name of President for Ernestus a little before his death had by writing committed that charge to him pro tempore by the advice of the other Spaniards and shortly after the King confirmed it Nor was he unfit for so great a place of Honour although otherwise vitious enough as the Affairs of the Netherlands managed by his care witnessed as well as those of other places But the Low-Country Noblemen that could hardly bear him while his power was fat less and but derivative from that of another now received and carryed with envy and disdain the Ensigns of Honour which they took from his hand crying out that certainly their Fore-fathers were Prophets when speaking of this their own Country they foretold that they should in time become a Province to the Spaniard That after Alva and Requesens or which is later Reda for a short time and as it were for a shew they had their own Laws but the same arrogance of the Spaniard quickly returned That now the whole power of peace was in strangers who being equally vicious with their former Lords yet came not near to them in Honour and Dignity Thus every one murmured to himself and some of the more couragious stuck not to speak out to others viz. That it was very grievous and ignominious to all people to be subject to strangers nor is the hatred of Kings so â—itâ— that when the Governments of many several people is to be bestowed they will give to others the Command of them who are willing to be in servitude Therefore Charles Mansfeldt out of a sense of Military Honour finding himself to have been taken notice of with an eye of Enmity as one who had contested first with the Duke of Parma then with Ibarra and now with Fontayne and that he was laid
or lust That it was not possible for the Vnited States to enter into Articles with that Enemy whom they were forced to abandon and renounce for their King and indeed such Covenants would not be called a peace but a yielding The malice of that Tyrannizing people is implacable and there is no question to be made how he would use his power is peace who stretcheth it so in time of War That time and the â—icissitude of Affairs would bring many things to passe which were but vain to hope for at present But how should they ever give credit to him who thought it lawful to set to sale the Heads of his most merited Enemies That they would not rip up old sores or 〈◊〉 into President former transactions since all men remembred his Father the Prince of Aurange and himself When Liesveldt acknowledging himself to owe the Prince of Aurange all Honour and respect began further to say that is performance of Netherlandish Lords to him neither they 〈◊〉 the Spaniards were consenting to those Counsels The Prince forewarned of his intent putting his hand into Liesveldts bosom he pulled out the Writings whereby Fontayne gave him license to come thus by an evident demonstration confuting specious words Thus the Embassey was dismissed because they had not power of treating unless in the Kings Name This form of new answer was variously descanted upon not onely by the Tongues of the vulgar but of the more prudent sort part of whom got both Honour and Wealth by the War and the other part wished for peace onely because they earnestly desired it The Spaniards and such as followed them thought it was a sufficient offence against the Majesty of the King if he to whom the care was committed since these disastors sitting at the Helm were called to treat upon their own accounts should pardon them What was the Event say they of such Embassies to the Union but onely to make them more intollerably proud for having but from mean success gotten courage they take the confidence not onely themselves to shake off all Reverence and Obedience but they instruct other Provinces to do the like to enter into Treaties and do any thing without the King yes they should go again and hear the rebellious Hollanders proposing Laws whereby they would make themselves Conquerours of King Philip And if it were hitherto doubted yet now certainly it was manifest that they despised nay hated Peace And according to the Example of Switzerland waiting if any others would throw off their Allegiance to their Princeâ— Government that they might grasp within their own fifts There is but one kind of peace to be had with them and that they must be compelled and beaten into by Arms and certainly that would not be long about if the Netherlanders have no less courage for duty and obedience then is in the Union to maintain the contrary But others and they of the moderator sort would by no means that peace so far promâ—â—ed should now be lost for what marvel is it say they if the Hollanders had rather yield to the rest of their Brethren of the Netherlands than the King whom they conscious to themselves of their guilt towards him dreads as a terrible revenger That nothing was demanded contrary to Religion or Soveraignty and the very particular concerning forreign Souldiers was consonant to the desires of all and is well advantagious to the War as necessary for the Peace That the Embassadors might be appointed and instructed by the Kings Order whose name soever was used in the sending them and that the Netherlanders Fidelity was not so untryed as to suppose they would annihilate that Power by Articles for which they had so long maintained a War That the Prince might far better connive at and bear many things then absolutely grant them And if at last expectation was not answered it was lawful for the King to recede a little from the extremity of right for publick advantage That be ought to cast an Eye of pitty upon their misery and how many people lay even at the last gasp ready to expire That the fortune of the War had been various which had been waged on this side by doing on the other by suffering damage Out Enemies have Pastures Manufactures and the Fishing-Trade to maintain their vast number And besides whit is infinitely more then that not onely Rivers and great floods besides their efflux and return thither as to their Head but the boundless Ocean is traversed for advantage Hence is that multitude of strangers and that whole Nations are included with their narrow bounds They who rightly know them say 't is necessary for them to have War But on the other side of the Hispaniolized Netherlands are robbed of the Stock of their Fields have a dry shore and dangerous to Shipping yet are their burdens and the scarcity of all things hardly to be remedied or made amends for by any gain Moreover all places are made wast and exhausted and whatever remains is never free from discords and trouble It might be disputed indeed whether Peace can be made the same needs not be questioned as to War At last after all this there was another fear added lest the People of the United Provinces vexed with the endless toyl of their miseries should choose a new Prince wherein 't was uncertain whether they would admit a forreign Power or content themselves with the Vertues and Valour of some Domestick there was yet some hope that a vacancy in the Common-wealth should not be admitted but if they once pitched upon a Prince the War would either be inexplicable or peace if ever gotten attained with loss and infamy In these varieties of Judgment and Discourses some there were that applauded a Truce averring That the Hollander's Affairs stood hither too upright by their Vnanimity and Concord and that their Concord was supported by Fear These being once removed the Vices of Equality would quickly succeed and Emulation of Cities which they could hardly restrain even among all the dangers of War In the interim with people covetous of Wealth there must be a Traffick of Minds and the great ones being corrupted the Commons according to their Nature beginning once to love would quickly cease to hate Neither would they be willingly brought under the Burthen and Hazards of Warre again if they were but once mollified by the immunity of some smal time of peace In brief the Word would quickly pass for Kings The Hollanders being thus brought under among whom is the chief strength Councel and obstinacy It will be easte for Philip to determine in what manner to order his Forces against the laceâ—ated and torn Body of France and the Womanlike Kingdom of Britaine when that should onely support the War with consumed Wealth and this fight only for fear This Counsel was confirmed by Lipsius with many examples out of antient History However Taxis believeâ— the greatest damage would accrue to the Netherlands under the
League took example either to imitate or revenge the humour For if men follow after their profit nor more out of necessity than Wisdom or Policy while the Enemies Affairs were very unprosperous and themselves had most advantagious Trading and the French War raging that time certainly called for their more vigorous endeavours and not to cast off all to a season when the people being more impoverished must through the mercies of unprosperous events yet run the hazards and bear the burthen and heat of the day Neither did the successes in Lutzenburg answer expectation for though several Forts and Castles were assaulted rashly and taken yet neither was the Enemy much damnified or the Victors any thing advantaged thereby But after King Henry by making a great Progress in Burgundy had drawn thither the Forces of his Kingdom the Earl of Bulloyns Forces being exhausted who by an ostentous defiance had brought the Spanish Army against him he was not onely not able to perform his threats but also unable to defend himself he saw the French Borders pillaged himself being only able to assist them with a helpless and sorrowful look By the irksomness whereof and because the Souldiers began to grow insolent through hunger and thirst having nothing but water to drink Philip of Nassau much against the Earl of Bulloyns will made hast to return but by a contrary way to that he went out for that the Enemy had blocked up But the Foot being commanded to go back by the way where France is encompassed by the Sea that so they might sail into Holland himself with the Horse came into Gelderland through Germany And Fontayne by how much he held a spited Government by so much be the more earnestly studied that his Adversaries might have no cause to accuse him for any thing besides his greatness His chief care was for the Souldiers to strengthen the old and to recruit them with a new Militia and well knowing the Revolt of the Italians and whatever miseries followed thereupon was accounted his fault for the mitigating the envy he had contracted he supposed to reduce them to obedience would be his readiest way wherefore hastning the conclusion of the Agreements begun by Ernestus but interrupted and broke off by his death in regard monies did not yet arrive he gave them pay from day to day and pledges for performance of what was agreed Notwithstanding which being Commanded to take possession of Tilemonte they refused to follow their Colours yet they made an advantage of it averting the use of those Souldiers which they themselves wanted even against the Enemy and shortly after divided them some under new Officers others into Garrisons The King of Spain's Forces were hardly at any time greater or more numerous than now yet being far dispersed in several parts were never able to compass any great matter In Burgundy under Velasius was a strong Army In the Confines of Artois and Picardy after the departure of Charles Mansfield Varembonius was quartered to bridle Cambray and by making excursions into France to revenge Rapine by Rapine Mondragonio attended Prince Maurice to observe his motions and in time to meet or prevent him In this lying about Hulst there were four thousand Armed men Verdugo with six thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse being Commanded drew near to Ferte to drive the Earl of Bulloin who had less Forces out of Lutzenburg and to recover the Towns by him taken The Walls of this Town of Fert by continual Batteries and breaches lay open yet a great power of the French being sent to help the Town by a fierce and violent Assault did repress and beat off the Besiegers But this Town thus freed from the Siege being soon after by accident for the greatest part burned and spoyled by Gunpowder by the Earl of Bulloyne himself was dismantled and ungarrisoned In the interim Verdugo turning his strength against weaker places after a few Assaults by a growing Disease and the accomplishment of his Fate dyeth report also being both doubtful and suspicious about his death for he merited a name of Honour although in the unsuccesful Government of Frizeland as rather wanting opportunity and strength then Valour and Industry He was faithful to the heighth of Religion and eloquent beyond the mode of a Souldier His nature was full of urbanity and thereby easily distinguished from other Spaniards who generally do not use so prayse-worthy a quality and because he was raised from nothing to great Honours being born of a House not ignoble though impoverished he remembred his former Fortune as much as was necessary The Cities of the Netherlands made it their general Request to Fontayne at last that he would stick close to the Siege of Cambray offering him a great sum of money and also Souldiers because while neither the City was closely besieged nor the Spanish Army reduced thereto from their lying scattered up and down they were spoiled by both But he of his own accord that the time of his Government might not passe away without something memorable and that be might supply the empty Treasury he sends to Varembonius his Camp and increaseth his Forces to make them up twelve thousand Foot and two thousand Horse With this Army he secured all the adjacent parts from the French and that done he took Castellat being first much weakened by Battery and afterwards forced them to surrender who had retreated into the Castle This is a Town in Vermandois near the Head of the Scheldt which another Henry King of France had appointed for a defence to Cambray and if any invasion should happen out of the Netherlands for a frontire Guard to the Kingdom About the same time Hanen a Town in the same Borders was taken by force with such variety of chances as have made the Relation wonderful and brought it almost within the compass of fabulous The Governour thereof was one Gomero one Of those Frenchmen who under pretence of the Roman Religion had sought to win foreign favour to his advantage This man at what time the greatest Affairs in those parts were turned against the King of France his Fortune Covenanting with the Spaniards for a great sum of money delivered up the Town only retaining the Castle while the Articles were performed But by the Policy of Fontayne drawn out he was overcome together with his two Brothers his Mother and his Kinsman Orvillier still remained to the Garrison with the danger of which dearest Pledges they were threatned unless they forthwith departed The Woman between fear and affection consented but Orvillier being nearer to the incensed French by secret Messengers sent to the Earl of Bulloyne and the rest of the Kings Commanders who then resided in Picardy who coming and being admitted into the Castle all the whole day after there was a sharp conflict with the Towns wherein there were twelve hundred Souldiers Spaniards Walloons Germans and Italians nor was the Dispute ended without the loss of some Noble Blood
Quality 〈◊〉 Command bore the greatest share in the misfortune 〈◊〉 Philip of Nassau himself while he most strenuously mâ—tained the Fight being first wounded then taken Prisonâ— soon after among the signall respects of his Neighbours 〈◊〉 Counts of Heremberg he yielded up the Ghost The â—â—fulness of his Spirit was not to be daunted having formâ— been very succesful in War wherein 't is probable he had 〈◊〉 miscarryed if the fervency of his mind had by age been 〈◊〉 within bounds In this Fight also was slain Ernestus one of the Count 〈◊〉 Solmes But Ernestus of Nassau Philips Brother ransâ— himself and after all the dead Bodies were buried â—â—ther did any thing else happen while the Armies lay 〈◊〉 and each attended the others motion and Counsels so spâ—â—ing the Autumn and more secure times of the year 〈◊〉 that Prince Maurice his men attempting Mursa by a Noâ—â—nall Stratagem and being come to the Trench while 〈◊〉 cut down the Palizadoes that stopped them there the day â—pearing they were forced to retreat At length Mâ—gonio first drew off to Winter Quarters not able any loâ— to bear the incommodious season for War he was a Commander of ninety years of Age who coming to commandâ— Army then publickly ready to fall into Sedition foâ— means to prevent that growing evill by sending part of 〈◊〉 beyond the Maes and keeping the rest on this side the â—â—ver he not only repressed their madness but separated 〈◊〉 Counsels Nor did the Prince prolong the time much 〈◊〉 him Immediately after this Mondragonius by his deâ— helped to encrease the Funeral Solemnities of that year being a very old Souldier and continually in the War 〈◊〉 the first beginning thereof in Alva's time to his end 〈◊〉 knew how to order and rule the Souldiery as well by Policy â—thority and there are scarcely so many and so famous â— of any of those great Commanders who were his Prediâ—ors to be remembred as there are of him no to forget 〈◊〉 felicity that being never timorous of danger but alwayes desirous of Honour he had yet arrived to very old 〈◊〉 having never received any wounds The Duke of â—trana dyed also known only by the Nobility of his Expect and nothing else This Year also Don Antonio deceased who formerly driâ—â— out of the Kingdom of Portugall by the Spanish Arâ— under the Duke of Alva's Conduct when he might have raised Factions not quite drooping both in Africa Italy 〈◊〉 other places possessed by the Spaniard yet fled for Reâ— to France and England and in vain placed his hopes upon the mercy and Charity of Christian Princes yet refusing the Ayd divers times offered to him by the Turks and 〈◊〉 Moors which he would have the World believe he did 〈◊〉 of Piety his Friends reported that he was poysoned because he would not be wrought upon to confer his right of â—ym in that Kingdom to Philip notwithstanding all the great promises of Moneys and Honours made by Philip to 〈◊〉 In these varieties of Fortune Fontayne was not long at rest but set forth against Cambray nor did the reason of his hope to attain the same appear in publick however many of the Netherlandish Nobility attending and several French Commanders who disdained the pardon of their own Prince and also the Souldiers after the spoyl of Dorleus being greedy of a greater booty and moved with the intreaties of the Neighbouring Cities offering them money in a manner compelled them to shut up all the Avenues into or out of the Town and under the shew of a Siege to wait for an opportunity of enterprising somewhat And King Philip himself had written to him that it was a dishonourable act that a strong Hold erected as a boundary by his Father should be left in the Enemies hands Incited therefore by all these Reasons they were necessitated to hope well of that which they could no way avoid Barlat drove the Besieged from their outer Works from thence they began Mines Batteries breaches and other both Clandestine and open Stratagems were used but the great and notable strength of the French ready to receive their Assault yet terrified them for Gonzaga the Count of Nevers his Son had by the Command of his Father brought thither a hundred and soon after other five hundred conducted by the Horse through unguarded places in the dawning of the morning came in to their assistance Then also was it found by a noble example how dangerous it is to be feared of many and that there is no Guard strong enough to uphold a Dominion which is contrary to the peoples liking where the greater danger arising from fear quickly moves to anger For Balagny that he might strengthen by force his unjust power imposed Tributes and grievous Guards and all other things usual in a Tyranny which drew upon him the hatred of the multitude and at last turned him out of all Nor was Fontayne wanting privily to inslame their minds already disturbed sometimes by Religion otherwhile by fear and anon by money by which means before the Enemy got to the Trench all the common people being gathered together from all parts with whom joyned the Switzer Souldiers by reason of divers private injuries and also because Balagny commanded Brass money to be given them in pay instead of Gold and Silver but at if he would have redeemed the same which kind of fact hath in some places been allowed for liberty sake but never was admitted to be given to the Souldiers for pay all which things were now urged to Fontayne treating with them Neither did the Articles of Surrender contain many Heads for the Spaniard's were easily admitted for fear of the French although they now must suffer more from them than from the French whom they turn'd out And they that retired into the Castle staid not to expect a Battery or any other Assault And now appeared many Examples of the Spaciard's cruelty though the Surrender of the Town was concluded unless the King of France within six days sent them new Relief whereof he failing the Town was accordingly delivered and the Souldiers sent safe away Balagny himself departing from his usurped Command but as a private man even prosecuted by the French he very ill deserved that Fortune which had been to him favourable enough because a long time deceiving both parties and being faithful to neither he had sometimes received Money and Provisions from the French sometimes from the Spaniard yea and from the Vnited States themselves and a little before the Siege he sold all the Victuals necessary for the City giving out that the Souldiers necessity required it although the Customs he received must needs be great for that he kept in his own hands all Offices both Civil and Sacred His Wife was a Woman of a Masculine Spirit for while any hope remained she herself would look to the Watches and Guards help to carry Turf to Traverse the Cannon to oversee the Corporals and in short to perform all the
inferiour Captains and little Parties But when King Philip fearing the danger had sent Velasco as we before mention'd from Millayn which he then govern'd to Burgundy with Ten Thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse that strength of the Enemy first brought thither Biron and after that the King himself In many light and accidental Skirmishes of Horse the French went off Victor And Velasco avoided a Pitch'd-Battel desiring to preserve the Towns In the Dutchy of Burgundy King Henry subjected to his Power the City of Dijon which in the last Civil War of France follow'd the Guisian Faction then headed by the Duke de Mayn to whom there was nothing left Fortified in that Dukedom but Chalons sur la Saone But when he began to prosecute his Victory into the Bounds of the County or Earldom the Switzers interceded him to respite his Fury because being bound at that time by Leagues to the House of Austria they were obliged to resist all Force that should be offer'd either to the Government of Millain of the County of Burgundy Whereupon King Henry took occasion by means of a Truce to withdraw his Army without any dishonour he himself being even tyred out with the Controversie and the thing it self contended for not being worth so many lives And also being sollicited by Cambray he marched that way when a sorrowful Messenger met him with the News of the loss of the City Therefore he accused his Allies That he himself being employ'd in Wars at so great a distance they had betrayed to the Enemy the Confines both of France and the Netherlands That they gave him other hopes that his Borders should not be left destitute of Aid else why should he so often have refused Conditions of Peace when offered to him And if they repented them of their League that he was yet ready to agree with the Spaniard The Hollanders excused themselves to these Taunts with the necessities of that year and furnished the King with Corn and Money and two Regiments of men the one of Scots the other of Zelanders under the Leading of Justine of Nassau wherewith being well Recruited he fell into Vermandois and careful that where he had now begun the Enemy might not break further into the Bowels of the Country the people of Soissons being subdued he shut up Fayer with a difficult and Winter-Siege But by how much the States more earnestly endeavour'd to please the King by so much more grievously they offended Queen Elizabeth for King Henry's prosperity in stead of pity had renewed in the English Nation their old Envy and the Queen was incensed with the difference of his Religion especiall for that she knew what Laws and how dangerous to the Protestants the Pope had prescribed to King Henry for the obtaining his Peace And this was the Reason that lately before upon his desiring of her four Regiments of men for whose Pay the City of Paris should ingage their Credit The Queen answer'd That it was an inconsiderate Desire proceeding from his Youth to request her to denude her Kingdom which was â—â—â—ed at by so many Treasons yet if he would deliver to her Diope Bulloin and Calais she would furnish him with some Souldiers This gave suspition to the French and besides there was added that lately in Bretaign a Province of France the English were unworthily Treated nor could be admitted to such places as they desired the Actions of their Predecessors being objected against them But Queen Elizabeth sent Letters to the Hollanders and one Thomas Budleigh objecting to them with much Regret the Aid they sent to France saying They could not want her help who could so freely gratifie others Whereto the States made this Answer That they did it not out of any ambitious counsel but meer necessity that the Enemy being drawn into many places at once they might weary him out of breath and themselves get a breathing space for they were as it were forced in regard the Queen sent Pay onely for six hundred Foot and two hundred Horse which were in the Camp where as six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse of the League required the 〈◊〉 She on the other side replyed That although this was continued within the League that at the end of the War whatever was disbursed should be repaid yet she desired very earnestly payment of what she had laid out at leastwise that they would pay for some part thereof at the present and she would take the rest by Annual Portions Adding withall Threats That if she were not obeyed herein that she should take such course as her Lenity 〈◊〉 not use to be acquainted with To these the States after the return of many Thanks Desired the Queen to cast an Eye upon the present times to observe that the War was very burthensom to them and not wholly so successful as was hoped And that of late the enlargment of their Bounds had little increased their Tributes but much augmented their trouble and charge in the defence That their Merchandizing and Fishing Trade upon which two onely they lived that was spoiled by the detention of their Ships in Spain and this oftentimes the Injuries of the English and the Dunkirkers Pyraous much impaired and the Sea also had done them very great damages by Innundations Over all which if they should now be forced to repay to England the Money due and also the Queen should openly fly from the Covenants of the League the French already beginning to stagger It was with great reason to be feared that the insinuating Designs of the Enemy and the Allurements of a dangerous Peace would prevail with the people But it was not to be avoided however but that the States must pay with their own Money the English Souldiers that lay not in the Towns put to Pledg to the Queen While these things were arguing between them some new Endeavours of the Enemy brought the Queen to be more mild towards these her Allies For the Spaniards out of French Bretaign had fallen into Cornwal wasting the Country and carrying away great Booty together with some honourable persons and also they began in the open Face of the World to assist the Rebellion in Ireland which Country was from all Antiquity possessed by many Petty Princes Natives thereof Of whom Dermack the Son of Munhard the most Potent was despoiled of his Dominion for many Acts of Tyranny by him committed Whereupon he got to him for his Son-in-law and Assistant Richard Earl of Pembrook who making War there in Ireland very successfully was recalled by an Edict of Henry the Second King of England and compell'd to transfer all his Right and hope of Principality to the King who himself in defence of hir new Acquisition went into Ireland with a great Army and made some of the Lords by Force others by Treaties and Promises to acknowledge his Authority as Supream But such was the blindness and simplicity of that Age that it was believed a great support
the Besiegers 〈◊〉 if they should stay it was nearer to attaque Calais a Town of greater value and the ill repaired Fortifications of that City perswaded the Avarice of the Praefects hereto The Duke of Parma formerly destin'd the same thing so did Fontayne afterwards by the advice and perswasions of Laâ—â—â— But the honour of beginning thereof was reserved for a new Governour This most eminent Reward and remain of their Transmarine Expeditions the English kept for two hundred years as the main Port of their Sea which being regained by the Valour of Francis Duke of Guise one Gordon had the Government thereof which he soon after transmitted to a near Kinsman of his own But neither of them had to much care as to amend what was decay'd and become ruinous either by Age or War And the Works were far short of an Age in standing a Stone Wall encompassing the City It hath a little Castle slightly running out with four Platforms there was not a Souldier in it that thought of an Enemy but made it their business to strengthen their Authority while they onely study to inrich themselves by Sea and Land and which is frequent where there is a distraction in Affairs out of a Captainship erect a Kingdom Wherefore neither the King of France though he was fore-warned of the danger by some intercepted Letters could help it he ruling yet as it were but at pleasure and by his Subjects good-will Moreover the Governour hearing it strongly reported that Calais was aim'd at conscious to himself of the defects of the Town admitted two Companies of Holland Souldiers into the Town but no more he himself having six more whereof when Albertus was told the more to spread abroad the Terrour of his Design he commanded several Bands to go out of the Town of Valenciennes under their Captains and in the nearest parts of France to make a great Uprore The Camp-Master-General Christian Roneè the famousest Man among all the French Exiles sent with part of the Army to begirt the Town cut off all the Passages by which onely Relief might come For taking the Bridge whereby the Land-Entrance is straitned he raised against the Wall a Tower which is called a Rice-Bank just at the sides of the Port this same way the Duke of Guise before found into the Town where the Fortifications were long since half fallen down which the danger being not yet fully known every one helped to fasten again being shaken with Cannon plac'd upon the Shore and not defended so long as it ought to have been the Conquerour ascended and won After this the Hollanders Ships which lay upon the Coast of Flanders were driven off that they might not so commodiously assist the Besieged Notwithstanding which among all the Shot the Haven being very large a Ship was convey'd into the Town which deliver'd to the Governour such Workmen as he requested for the mending his Works together with a quantity of Gun-powder and then returned Shortly after the Count St. Paul who had brought 1500 French-men to the Sea-Shore for Relief of the Town was promised by a Sea-man to be put into it but he durst not undergo the danger At last all the Arch-Duke's Forces being met together and fought with upon the Sand-Hills from whence the Besieged being forced forthwith the Suburbs were gain'd Within a while after the Town it self after a three days Siege when the Gate began to be batter'd between the People's Fear and the Hatred of their old Lord because the Governour himself was wanting both in Authority and Counsel was surrendred to the Spaniard The Souldiery retired into the Castle which was held six days during a Truce in hope of Relief And now Prince Maurice with 50 Sail of Ships and a great number of Souldiers was come thither to see what was the Resolution as well of the English as the French But the Count St. Paul marched away and the Earl of Essex was ready with a Fleet to fight the Spaniards if by chance they should offer an Invasion But the Emulation of the People never well agreeing hindred it For the Earl of Essex tryed Mounsieur de Vique the Governour of the next French Garrisons if he would suffer the English to have the Custody of Calais if it were recover'd But the French believed that the English now under a shew of Friendship did clandestinely seek to regain what they had long since gain'd by War However King Henry not minding to leave his Siege but leaving his Army at Payer and doing so either because he despair'd of passage to Calais the Way being cut off by Dutches that let to the Sea he came with 4000 men by the River Samaâ— to Boloyn the next Harbour And there he advised but too late about relieving the Castle of Calais Prince Maurice being desired by the King to come on Land he excused It affirming He was to advise concerning their own Borders 〈◊〉 Home which were left unprovided But while they were arguing almost 300 Souldiers under the Conduct of Campsaâ—â— making use of the Night and the Ebbe of the Sea with great silence marching by Land broke through the Trenches into the Castle giving rather an Example of Courage than any other help to the Besieged for many of them the Forts lying open to the Assailants were killed together with the Dutch Souldiers at their very entrance while the rest of the French being altogether unaccustom'd and unfit so War by an inconsiderate Sally caused the Ruine both of themselves and thers at which time the Governour himself was slain About 60 Hollanders valiantly defending themselves from the Topt of Houses obtained a Grant to be sent away safe The presence of the Arch-Duke caused the Victory to be moderately used who having gained Calais without the loss of many of 〈◊〉 men and being a Town in the uttermost Borders of France augmenting and strengthning with good Works he subjected it to the Government of Flanders the Speech of which Province was agreeable to the same By the Fame of this Victory Arde a Town lying not far off within the Land and formerly a stop to the English invading that Country soon yielded it self to the power of Albertus by which meanâ— there was a passage this way open'd into France with the same Felicity to him as it was much to the blame of the Enemies that they had oppressed them e're they were aware Two Thousand Souldiers marched out of this Town which was indifferently well Fortified having honourable Terms though dishonourably obtained for they did not hold out so long as to endure one Assault being frighted with the dennutiation of Death if they forthwith did not surrender While these Things were doing at last Fayer being subdued by Famine King Henry distributed his Army into all places about and near to Calais lest any of the weaker Cities ' who were surprized with great fear should make a defection to the Conquerour whom the Flandrians intreated being now compelled
in the Kings Name As That Besancos claiming liberty to it self under the Reverence due to the German Empire might be restored to that Burgundy which is subject is the Spaniards That the Citizens of Aquisgrave might be compelled to submit to the Decree which commanded the Magistrates to receive the Catholick Religion and from thenceforth to forbid all Novel Rites of Religion That as to the Ansiatike Cities He would not suffer the English unpunished to infest the Sea by Pyracy And that the Spaniard for the listing and raising of Souldiers in Germany might be assisted by publick Authority which hitherto had been allowed but by permission But the chief hopes of the Spaniard were removed a great distance into the Dutchy of Cleves and Juliers where the Wife of the mad Duke being struck suddenly dead had with new jealousies and suspitions inflamed the old discords The Counsellors retained the Government against the wills of most of the Native Noblemen enjoying the benefit of their false report that the Duke was recovered These because they ordained for the Duke another Wife of the Family of Lorraign were believed to have wished and plotted the death of the former and now while the Spanish Affairs prospered arrived to that pitch of pride that they commanded the Procurators of the Marquess of Brandenburg and the Palatine of Newburg to depart out of their Territories and besides they sent to the United States with great demanding if they expected ought from them The States knowing their own imbecility and their Enemies strength modestly answered that they were Friends both to the Marquess of Brandenburg and the Palatine of Newburg yet nevertheless they would observe peace with them so long as they remained within the rights of Peace yet wished them to be advised lest they fetched forreign Forces out of Germany to their great damage Soon after they accused and prepared to degrade from his Honour Count Brugny and several others of the Protestants as guilty of a Plot against them And at the same time sent to excuse themselves to Albertus that they were compelled to dissemble many things and to defer them until more seasonable and happy opportunities And Mendoza had brought it to passe that these mens Authority was confirmed by the Emperours Decree And when they requested more in answer whereto the Emperour declared that He himself feared to give offence to the Protestants whose Ayd and Assistance would be very necessary for him in his War against the Turks Mendoza replyed that remote Wars ought so to be minded that in the mean while neerer injuries should not be tolerated And now the Spaniard admits a discourse of Peace being very acceptable to Germany though without any Reason or hope from himself And Albertus wrote to King Philip to that purpose Whereupon the Emperour sent to the States a Nobleman to require safe Conduct for some Embassadors that were to come thither which when they excused the Spaniards were from their own words charged with the Envy of the refused Peace yet did Albertus keep the people obedient to him 〈◊〉 whit the less by the hope of Settlement While all these Accidents happen in and about the Netherlands in the interim a Fleet of English and Hollander which I spoke of before passed up and down the Spanish Seas victorious The cause of sending it was because it appear'd to the Queen that the Spaniards had gather'd together a great Navy wherewith he intended to take some Pole in France or near thereabout Nor were the Threats vented â— years before quite forgotten and that the Earl of Tyrone then Rebelling in Ireland was greatly assisted and incourag'd with the hope of Spanish Supplyes And thereupon it was thought very necessary because both the charge and occasion offer'd it self to divert those Forces raised and prepared for Defence of her Borders against he procraâ—inating Enemy In this Fleet there were drawn together 16 of the Queens great Ships and 40 lesser Ships all fit for War whereto were added 50 more for carrying Souldiers and transporting Provisions Rebâ—â— Earl of Essex was made General of all the Land-Forces a person in great favour with the Queen for the Honour of his Age. The Charge of the Fleet was committed to the Lord Charls Howard the Admiral thereof both of them had equal power and authority which Thing hath ever been observed prejudicial to Enterprises of that Nature and to have damnified them and hindred their Success They were both of very unsuitable Dispositions Essex in a Youthful Heat of Bloud seeking to get to himself both the Honour and Name of Chief Captain was wont to force the Queen into Arms under the Notion of Danger though she her self as a Woman endeavour'd to avoid Expences And that the Fleet might the more honourably proceed he expended therein no smal matter of his own Estate himself shewing the way to his Relations and Familiars that they might follow his Example Howard being a person more wary of managing Affairs by reason of his Age tended to the contrary and endeavour'd by all means he could to delay the going out of the Fleet And when it was ready he had perswaded the Queen that she would admonish Essex by her Letters that he would desist from that dangerous Vndertaking and that she would re-imburse him what he had laid out But he because he was not plainly forbidden answer'd That he would proceed in his Voyage and doubted not his good Fortune Nor did he refuse his Emulator to be equal with him in Command knowing that his own Authority was greater with the Sea-men and that he upon any Miscarriage should be less blamed where all Things were done with a Companion And besides under pretence of Honour he had won as many Noble-men as he could to go with him who he knew had no kindness for him lest in his absence they should do him greater damage at home There were added to both of them as Counsellors several great Souldiers and no Order should be effectual but what was approved by the consent of the greater part of them The Queen 's principal Care was That they should fall upon the Spanish Fleet that was set out against England or Ireland and destroy whatever they met to that intent Moreover And if they could intercept the Ships coming from the Indies or elsewhere the Prey therein taken should be the Reward of their well-deservings The Ships set out by the Hollanders and the rest of the League were in number 24. the greatest part of which were well fitted and prepar'd for War the Admiral whereof was John Duvenvord Warmondt to whom next to the Prince the chief Command in Sea-Affairs through Holland was committed Also there were some selected men out of the English Regiments then in Pay in the Low-Countries sent aboard which indeed were the strength of the Fleet and a Pattern to the Fresh-water Souldiers And the States willingly consented to it that they might by such a Friendly Office please the incensed
Captain of one Troop being commanded to lead up his taking the Command in evill part had intermingled them all in the Fight being indeed of themselves more ready for pillage then obedience yet flocking at last to their Commander in Chief they especially who were moved either with the sense or reverence of Duty or Reputation they escaped the danger and the Enemies once more put to flight were equally afflicted with their own slaughters and the narrowness of the wayes having all this while scarce sullyed the Victory with the loss of ten of the Conquerours The Foot came in onely to part of the Soyl. After this Fight here were buried above two thousand of the Enemies there were five hundred taken Prisoners and a great number of Ensigns some dyed of their wounds Next day the Castle of Turnhoult well encompassed with Trenches was surrendred The Foot being returned into Garrisons and the Horse Commanded forthwith to depart least the Enemy should rally any of his Forces and in the night set upon them wearied with the pursuit Thence the Prince Maurice tryumphing among the joyful gratulations of the People he hanged up in the Counsel-House at the Hagne eight and thirty Foot-Colours taken from the Enemy and one Cornet of Horse which had been Drakes Nor was the Reputation of the Victory any thing lessened by this that Count Warras himself being at the very first struck down to the ground his breathless Corps was sent together with Letters to Albertus who returned great thanks for the same and when of late a Horseman or Trooper belonging to the Prince being hanged by the Enemy had been vindicated by the like punishment of a Spaniard the Arch-Duke for the future promised faithfully to observe the Laws of Arms himself being naturally a great stranger to all cruelty This was the first Experiment Prince Maurice who had now for ten years been General received of him by Letters Nor did there grow a Confidence in the Souldier onely against the Enemy from the Event but likewise it made him more cautious of what might happen in regard he had seen that the Discipline of the Army was not sufficiently supported against sudden accidents and the War proved dubious upon any slight turning of mens minds and that there was so much danger even in the obtaining of Victory But Albertus being at once oppressed with the want of Money and so great a slaughter of his men fell to Consultation night and day but yet was hardly able to procure a remedy to either of these mischiefs He was exhausted also before not by payment of debts but giving of Gratuities so that at the one Siege of Hulst he gave away more in Rewards then the Duke of Parma spent in three years by which means from that time there had been a failer of payment of the Souldiers Wages Thus he who before by extraordinary Gifts had allured many to come over from their own party to him was now very much weakened by the desertions of his own men The Germans being a People very greedy for money of whoâ— he had Commanded to be levyed both Horse and Foâ—â— either denyed him their help or else as soon as they 〈◊〉 away again Divers Cities and fiâ—st of â—ll Ipre for fear of Sedition refused Garrisons And hâ— as much â—s he coulâ— endeavouring to meet and stop ouâ— wâ—n had put to pâ—â—ge and pawned most of his own Houshold-stuff and desired the Cities that they would lend him some Montes which they of Bruxells took the boldness to deny And he would also have Covenanted with them of Fuckâ—e but the uncertainty of their credit and the example of the late Spanish Edict terrified them the remaining 〈◊〉 of Winter and the beginning of the Spring were passed over between Sâ—atagems and sudden actions while there was no Army abroad while small parties undertake great attempts Ferdinando Tellius Portocarrera Goveâ—ned Dorlens for the Spaniard from which Town Amiens was not far distanâ— the Metropolis of Picardy and reckoned among the greatest Cities of France very rich and well Scituate as well for War as Provisions and Trade and watered by the old River Samar This City was subject to Henry King of France but turning out their Garrison and committing the Custody of the City to the Magistrates under the pretence of Priviledges they usurped more carelâ—sly the righâ— of liberty haâ—eâ— by their Princes and dangerous as to the Enemy Whereof Ferdinando receiving Intelligence by the Advice of some Exiles but especially of a certain Monk after he had by Spyes and Scouts learned the Scituation of places received Souldiers from Albertus for perfecting the Design First of all eighteen nimble and ingenious men as soon as ever the entrance into the City was open were in the twiâ—light sent in and after them others in the habits of Boors carrying Apples and part of them drove a Cart loaden with Hay by which the Percullises the stayes that held them up being cut as is usual in time of danger might be supported against a fall The Keepers of the Passage were easily killed either with the Weapons that were hid before or those that were gotten by the first slaughter and by the speedy running in of those who lay hid in certain places near the City a way was made for the following Companies By chance in that very Punctillio of time for it was Lent a certain man in a Sermon to the People laying before them their sins and altogether ignorant of the design said they were worthy to fall into the power of the Spaniards and so they did For although the City was both strong and populous inhabited by no less then fourteen thousand men yet did it not long resist whether from the ambiguity of their Allegiance to the King or being grown voyd of Valour from their former security or wanting of Government is uncertain but this is sure that the Count St. Paul the Governour of the Place hearing the Tumult fled out of the Town another way Things thus secured the Garrison was augmented all things that adjoyned to the City burned the Citizens disarmed and spoiled yielded a great booty as well to the Souldiery as the Commanders especially the Arch-Duke because the King a little before had sent in thither a great number of Artillery and all other Furniture for War Albertus sent a Messenger to King Philip with the news of this good success affirming that it was one and that the chiefest of the Cities Scituate on the River Samar and formerly possessed by the Dukes of Burgundy untill the French extorted them from their Heyr a fatherless Virgin and therefore now what was gotten by War he should endeavour still to retain if at any time thereafter a Peace should happen to be concluded This produced a great damage to the French but not without some benefit For the Citizens of Amiens being used hardly by the Spaniard made even those in France that were of the Catholick Religion more obedient
to the King and not to refuse Garisons as before they did The King himself the thoughts of Peace being shaken off spent all his time with his Allyes so that now he seemed ready to accept the same Conditions which the English had offered before concerning Calais In the mean time the Fortune of one day made the French a long work to recover what was lost whereupon the Horse being Quartered all about the Country from thence Biron encreased his Forces by all means to besiege Amiens untill the King himself came before it and being allured to try his turn he unfortunately attempted Artois by blowing up the Walls with Gun-powder and Scaling-Ladders Nor had the French any better success either at Cambray or Dorlens And the Spaniards likewise lost their design upon Gravewaert an Island within the division of the Rhine and also upon Steenwie against which there were a thousand Foot out of the Garrisons twenty and four hundred Horse gathered together by several marches These in the dead of the night having cut down the Palisadoes that stood in the way endeavoured to come up to the Rampire And as they had much forwarded their first attempts by silence so that the terrour might by reason of the darkness be greater they assaulted divers parts of the Walls with a hideous Outcry and Singing but the Sentinels not troubled with bare noyses exposed themselves to the danger and that advertised others that stood not far off for most of them were in small covered Huts near the Rampire part of whom without their Cloaths as they leaped out of their Beds threw down Stones upon the Assaylants heads as they climbed up the Walls Others half Armed killed the Enemies retiring from the Rampire or else by their shot driving away such as came on afresh and pursuing them when they fled Thus the Assaylants though divers times gathering fresh Courage yet at length were beaten off striving to hide the greatness of their slaughter by carrying away the dead Bodies privately About the same time as it Fortune intended to bear her self equally towards all Prince Maurice conducting some Foot and a few Troops of Horse to Niâ—ghen without any halt upon their march with a well-layd design upon solid Counsel to take Venloo was met by ill success though he had before sent some Souldiers up the River aboard two Ships out of the first the Souldiers coming ashore had now taken the Gate and killed such as guarded the same helped also by the foreknowledge of some in the City But the other Ship laden with an hundred Souldiers was hindred by the slacking of the wind and a Ford or Shallow in the River in which time the day-light fully appearing the Townsmen assembled and with great labour stopped at first the inner Gate then their number encreasing they drove away those that kept the Skirts of the Town being not above fifty men And as they sled they were wounded by the Seamen from Leige In this third Experiment of his Valour was slain Matthias Holly yet no less worthy of Honour there then at Breda and Nordam With him also fell Schalque the Captain of the Ship Others were taken and punished that the right of War might as it were by consent prevail in averting such kinds of dangers One who had delivered or rather betrayed the Gate by a Politick confidence running about the City affrighted as it were with the common terrour and not being known escaped away on the contrary side of the Town Moreover some Souldiers being sent with a Fleet to the Coast of Flanders returned having effected nothing In this mean while the Count of Bulloyn with a small party wasting and plundering Henault and the Country about the Maes never rested long in one place and Prince Maurice's Horse being by their late Victory grown more confident going out of their Garrisons in Brabant and Gelderland were both of them though in several places surprised by the Enemy and slain Then was the Summer spent among the Hollanders in trivial actions and attempts and by the Archduke in taking care to retain and keep Amiens and because the Vnited Provinces while they had leisure neglected all occasions of the War having enough to do to send ayd to their Allyes and not themselves also to be wearied out At this time some discords begun to grow among them although not sufficient to make a breach of the League yet the more suspected because they fell out at that time The City of Groeninge and they that inhabited the open Country between the Rivers Emes and Lecke breathing out inveterate and cankered hate one against the other were not easily united or reconciled while the City obstinately urgeth those things which the Duke of Parma had granted to it when it followed the Kings Party not by a setled and perpetual Law but in the manner of an Interloquatory Edict On the contrary the Boors brake the antient League with it and refuse all Society as if the City had endeavoured a diminution of their liberty whereas they would manage their own business separately It was true that as formerly all the People of Germany so likewise the Frizons had distinct Dominions that no Consultations should be held but by their Consent But the Country beyond Lecke and such as were distinguished into Dorpes had agreed by Article to joyn their Forces with those of the City which was their Neighbour as well against foreign as domestick evills to whom likewise flourishing in Merchandise and Reverenced for Sanctimony of Judgment they had given great Authority in the ordering both and all the Neighbouring People willingly offered them thereby the Reward of their Allyance being accustomed there to proclaim all their Solemn Conventions But that which at the beginning was free by long use and many Covenants had now passed into the force of Law and Right yet this was not the time that all Bonds however strictly tyed should be loosed 'T is true the Spaniard looked upon it as a main part of his Potency to nourish the divisions of his Subjects by giving no definitive Sentence between them But the Strength of the United States was augmented by Concord and therefore they appointed Judges for the deciding these Controversies At first three and when the Country-People were offended at their Judgment nine others were added whose Decree was allowed and confirmed in the Counsel of the General States To this purpose the Deputies as well for the City as the Country are Commanded to make one Body Politick out of both to Govern as one Common-wealth and all matters of the greatest Concernment were to be debated in that Assembly but things of meaner quality to be discussed by the Deputies To their care was committed all the common Tributes and Taxes and whatsoever had belonged either to the Prince or Priesthood that in all equal suffâ—ages although the City should have Priority yet it should not have any Superiority yet it was provided that they who governed the
Affairs of the Country they were called Hovet-men according to Custom should be chosen by the City Senate which the House of Austria had preserved entire in Gelderland the rest of the same Court by the States As to Merchandising it was thus moderated That whatever was of the Growth of the Country or Manufacted there should not be exported till it had been first brought to Groeningen Market neither might they use any other Drink then what was brewed there in Groening this Ale there made is of Water boyled with Barley the common Drink of Germany and the familiar use there made this the more easily accepted by both but for foreign Merchandises free liberty was allowed Many other things there were of like nature composed which although at first moved with high Contests yet coming short of the intent aymed at it irked to perform But now the contention of the Hollanders with those of Zeland was so much the more grievous by how much the Unity of the entire Body was maintained by the Wealth of these The difference was about Customs which were raised by Transportation of Commodities either to Foreign Nations or the Enemy This the several Provinces looked upon not as a peculiar Propriety but the common Stock of the League for bearing the Charge of the Naval-Affairs which if it fell short by any means they were for the publick good to make up out of their private Purses The Zelanders stretched this further compelling all sorts of Commodities that were brought out of Holland and passed by their Islands to other places to pay another part of Custom with them which because it could not be hindred was by a temporary Agreement between the two Provinces confined But the Hollander renounced this Convention relying upon an Edict of the United States which declared that where Carryage was taken in there the freight ought to be payd Besides this the Zelanders were accused that by diminishing the Customs and punishments they had reduced the common Stock into their hands as of right and by that meanes and the like deceits they had converted all forreign Trade and the advantages thereof to themselves against the Faith and Agreement of so necessary an Allyance whereto when they answered that the Hollanders by their Covetousness obtruded the name of the States as otherwhere the name of the Prince and Senate that they intermingled in one many Controversies Nor did they both cease to prefer their own merits in the management of the War before those of the other objecting to each other sloath and neglect and if the League should be dissolved they could among themselves have sufficient strength to maintain and defend their private Affairs Nay to such a height was the Zelanders fury risen that they denyed to pay any Tribute to the League which afterward other meaner and less considerable People taking into example it was scarce agreed at length that some Commodities of Zeland being relinquished for the future their Authority should be preserved in the great Counsel of the General States While these things were in Agitation several Forreign Embassies were heard where were at large discoursed the benefits and prayse of Peace with the miseries and complaints of War the Spaniard in the interim taking care not so much to obtain Peace as to throw the Odium of the War upon the States as denying and being averse to peace Among these Embassies the ingrateful Speech of Paulus Dialius sent to them from Sigismund King of Poland was taken notice of who in a Latine Speech thundring aloud when he talked much of the duties of Subjects towards their Princes he threatned to the Hollanders certain ruine from the Spanish greatness unless they acknowledged their fault and desired Pardon offering the King his Master as a Mediator but on the contrary he highly extolled King Philips goodness and fidelity and that before the Sons and Kinsmen of the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmonde no less were the names of Christianity and that the Turkish Power though at such distance hung over their heads with terrour the hither Poland to redeem its fear thereof with Peace having withdrawn it self from the common War Nor was it unknown to the States how the Polander and Spaniard were linked together both by necessity and Allyance and which was the nearest tye of all the Jesuites residence in the Kings Court. To this it was modestly answered as to cause and danger of Peace and that the Spaniard waged more cruel Wars against the Christians than the Turks cut of an excessive ambition of Soveraignty Whereof Sigismund ought rather to take care before any domestick Conjunction And when He notwithstanding this yet grew more cholerick as if he intended to break off all commerce they who treated with him affirmed that they were in no more need of the Polanders Harvest if the Laws of humanity should be violated then the Polanders were of their money At this time also the Emperour and Princes of Germany and the chief City sent to require Audience of a most magnificent Embassie which the States suspecting the preparation of so great an Authority excused whereupon they sent other Letters by Charles Nutselius questioning with some bitterness whether that were the Reverence they bore to the Germane Allyance and whether they would return this thanks for all the benefits they had received to deny to them their Friends what was granted even to Enemies among all Nations Nor would it be sufficient for the Embassadors onely to treat of Peace which yet that it might be without Fraud and secure if any occasion should be given they should diligently take care but also of many other weighty Affairs which concerned the Hollanders no less than the Germans This Nutselius interpreted to relate to the restauration of the old Leagues protesting not without threats that no man should despise the Majesty of the Empire unpunished To this the States with great Humility replyed that they did this onely out of Honour and Reverence to the German name that they might be premonished lest they should put themselves to the trouble of a vain and fruitless Embassie There being no persons in the World that could better understand their Affairs and what was expedient for them then themselves With a little more seriousness came from the King of Denmark Arnoldus Witfeldius the President of that Kingdom and Christian Barnicavius the same King as was believed by most doing this rather because he could not refuse it than of his own accord for he had been a Fatherly Friend both to the House Nassau and the People of Holland and besides prosessed the sincere and reformed Religion and therefore would require nothing that might seem fraudulent either to that or them But because in Peace God might be more purely worshipped and both publick and private Affairs consisted more safely without the chances of War he hoped they would not look upon him as an unacceptable or uncapable Authour of so great a good To these so
Sir Edward Noris being made Governour there raged scot-free all over the Country being grown more terrible to the Enemy because he had lately taken Alvares Agilarius the Governour of Dunkirk prisoner with some other booty Here I have a mind to draw all Affairs into one Series until the end of the Year that I may not place what was done during that time by the Hollanders or continued by them apart They were quiet the greatest part of the Summer while France detained their Money and England their Souldiers either expecting other business or hoping some Sedition among the Enemies But now Albertus his Forces being all recalled from Amions there was a necessity for some action but not resolved whither to carry the War their Affections wavering towards divers places until at length it was left to the Judgment of the Prince Count William and the Senate who thought it convenient to drive the Enemy out of the Garrisons in Overissel whereof the Spaniard had not many remained but they which were were governed and kept by Frederick Count Heremberg that so the War being removed within the Rhine all that part of the Country that lyes beyond might be exempted from payment of Contribution to the Enemy and that they might compass this with the more safety for they had not equal Forces at Home to cope with the Enemy and it might be doubted least the Spaniard might alter his Counsel and come back they thought fit to put off the Journey to some following time with Commands where the Rhine might be passed The same thing also proved famously advantagious for the safety of the Borders and that there might be a safe Passage into Germany opened which was now shut up by the Enemy to the great damage of Trade while it is prohibited to carry through Rivers what was taken at Sea and to carry back other things in lieu thereof At this time Henry Frederick entring into the 14th Year of his Age having till those years spent his time at Leyden in the study of the Liberal Sciences was first taken to be instructed in the Rudiments of War With which Companion and many others of the same House the Prince and the rest of the Commanders having privately held a Council go towards Gravewaert so that the Enemy might not be aware to what place chiefly they intended He had Seven Thousand Foot and Twelve Hundred Horse who passed the Rhine in little Boats and the Wael by a Bridge of Ships fastned together carrying along with them their Waggons and Baggage But the Ships by force of the Wind were carryed up the Rivers wherein were contained forty great Guns fit for Battery and the rest of the Provisions proportionable The Army marched along the Banks which of old was called the Gallick or rather the Romane Cawsey and in their Journey upon sight of the Army and Artillery Fort Alba a Hold of unreasonable strength was without delay surrendred and the same Evening some Horse were sent out to encompass Berck There are some who would have this Town to be the Tiberiacum of the Antients and that there yet remains some glimmering of the same in the word Berck as it is now contracted It is a small Town but rich in Customs for lying upon that Bank of the Rhine which as we said is beyond Xantem which is also known by the Name of Veteracastra being a place famous in former Ages for the Siege of the Legions and the War of Holland A little upon the one hand appeareth Wesel near the back of Gelderland but both sides of it are inclosed by the Regions of Cleves and Juilliers It is within the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of Colen but the Duke of Parma under pretence of the Truxian War before-mentioned after much contest seized and possessed it for safety whereof besides the sweetness of the place and the Antiquity of the Fortifications there was kept in it a Garrison of no less than a Thousand Men part Netherlanders part Germans In the upper part of the River there is an Island three miles in compass adjoyning to the Town and separated onely by a River Hither the Prince sent a sufficient number of men to guard it and made a Bridge over the Channel that there might be a secure Way for Pastures and other Provisions Afterwards he pitched his Camp chiefly in two places although at that time the Weather was very raging and that no place might be left open a Line with a Trench was commanded to be drawn on both sides the River all along Thus the Town was shut up many ships stopping the passages of the Rhine And all Forts whether in Ways or upon meaner Rivers were strengthned and maintained by the Guard of the Beleaguerers by turns which afterwards being laid aside there was another great Work raised against the Town for the securing Passages from place to place nor had the Besieged either Valour or Confidence enough to disturb their Enemies Work by Sâ—llies they onely vindicating themselves by shot at a distance having the greatest plenty of Ammunition though indeed they wanted nothing else for there were found in the City almost fourscore great Guns with these they had furnished the Fortifications to resist any thing that might oppose the Town The chief Defence against all such Damages was a Tower which raised its height somewhat above the Palace and so infested all the places near the River from hence arose Pity Fear and Wrath to many falling in the Camp for Lewis of Nassau was shot in the Thigh and the Prince himself was not free from danger for by accident his Tent was overthrown yet the Besiegers began to set in order their Canon against the Town whereby the before-mentioned Tower was so weakned that none durst remain or stay therein Hitherto all that was done was by snatches and intervals as it were at a breathing Afterwards the Trench was filled up and although the Weatheâ— were very bad by reason of continual Rains yet the Galleries began to be wrought on forward to the very Rampire to a great breadth The Artillery never ceasing to baâ—â—â— the Gate which lay upon the River from the Island before-mentioned This caused the Besiegers to send Messengers that should Treat about the delivery of the Town it being manifest to them that those Threats were not in vain in regard they beheld and felt the Fore-runners of a Storm yet could not all their Prayers at the present prevail to obtain a Truce the Battery continuing all that day with the expense of Two Thousand shot In this interim also William of Nassau had assaulted and taken an Half-Moon Sconce that lay upon the River the Defendants being beaten out thereof by violence of shooting Now also was the Courage of the Besieged utterly overthrown by a sharp Summons whereby they were advised to prevent Extremity and that if they should yet continue in their Obstinacy they should be exempted from Mercy Thus on the Tenth day was Berck deliver'd
â—ssant Kingdoms and People into one Body by a like Simâ—de and Alliance of Chance it would be no wonder though I should weary my self in the plentiful recital thereof and should undertake the Toil of deciphering all both persons and places where such Things have been seen But my Work is circumscribed and brought into a narrower Compass for here is not to be declared the Conjunctions of Allies fatal Battels eminent Slaughters and great Dangers but onely the Sieges and Assaults of some mean Towns and that too if I discern any thing more for advantage and gain than pleasure or ambition For in many other Parts there have been of old yea even among our own Ancestors more numerous Armies Fifty or Threescore Thousand have been oft muster'd in the Fields sufficient to have drawn after them in common Judgment the success of a War in which Tempestuous Meetings the whole Discipline depended in nothing more than to equalize Valour keep footing and drive away the Enemy But the following Age participated of less Cruelty by the use of more Policy nor as before were the hazards of War run upon at adventure to the decision of a Quarrel at a Fight but by fortifying against intervening Dangers and on the contrary when a visible strength is found either near or far off to lay open all fenced places dry up all Fenny and Moorish Parts to fill up Valleys and level Hills Which if any one would sift out and Value according to the Experience of the Times and the War no Land before our own could shew the like Patterns where a man might find Cities either more strong or more frequent Hither have been brought all the Politike Inventions both of Pristine and Modern Warfare the long continuance of the War having drawn from all Parts Foreign Spectators as to a publike School of War For at this very time the chief Dukes Counts and Great Commanders as well out of Germany France Britain as from other more remote Parts follow'd the Prince in the management of the War in Over-Issel Himself went beyond the River Lippe in Germany but the Ships were conveyed through the Rhine and so into the Issel till they arrived at Doesburg A little further inward lies Grolle within the Jurisdiction of Zutphen which having been besieged formerly about two years ago though in vain did seem to be a Reproach to the Prince unless it were taken The Fortifications of this Town were not ordinary boasting the Care of the Emperour Charles the Fifth for their strength and Limits There were five great Bulwarks standing out from the Rampire with such Flankers as commanded on every side any that should venter to assault it The compass of the City is but small and under the Government of John Count Strumbo with a Garison of eight hundred Foor and three Troops of Horse nor had he omitted when he heard of the Prince's Approach towards him to amend and make thicker his Works But the Prince nothing affrighted therewith but esteeming it very advantageous that the Enemies Horse should be shut up which otherwise might possess and infest the Ways straight with more than ordinary diligence to prevent any suddain Sallies by one continued Trench with interposed Forts in one Night he quite inclosed two parts of the City Eight hundred Souldiers were designed to the Work and were guarded by Two Thousand others in Arms. The next Night he encompassed with like Expedition the two remaining parts in the day time the Works were made more strong and compleat from thence towards the Towns the way was broken by many Turnings and Windings which while they were made and soon after the Water brought thither which before had been contained in the Town Trenches they were quickly fill'd up with Earth The Besieged were very obstinate in their denying to surrender by all means endeavouring to revenge themselves with their Guns and by their frequent Sallies until Prince Maurice his Gunners shot fire into the Town which taking and expatiating it self to the burning of above Threescore Houses made them turn all their Care from the hindring of the Prince's Works to the preservation of themselves and what belonged to them Nor yet did faint although they were afflicted with Fire and Wounds within and with the terrible Fear of unknown Miseries from abroad having in two places begun some inward or second Works for their better Defence in case the old Works before them should be beaten down and become useless But afterwards when the Prince had wrought seven Galleries unto the very Rampire of the Town which he commanded to be undermined and blown up and likewise that Four and Twenty Pieces of Canon should be drawn down for Battery that so the Town might on all sides be laid open by Breaches The Garison recanted their Obstinacy and craved Pardon which was granted to them This was the 17th Day of the Siege some were appointed to conduct the Enemy marching off with his Horses and Colours and Waggons and Ships to carry away such as were sick but upon all was laid this Restriction That within three Months they should not bear Arms about the River Maes About two hours Journey from Grolle is distant Breefoort a small Town of the same Jurisdiction but for the strength of the same reckoned among the chief for one continued Work runs round the Town noâ— is there any passing beyond it but by one narrow Path every place else all about being incompassed with unpassable Marishes and Moors which a man no sooner treads upon but he sticks in the Mud and Dirt so that there was no way to go on to an Assault not any place to pitch a Camp for continuing the Siege Nor were other Things provided with less Care The Wall being of very antient Work was surrounded with a very deep Trench which was the Work of Martino Rossem when he made Wars in those Parts Fourty Years before Three hundred Souldiers were sufficient to maintain the small Circumference of the Works about this small Town But it was reported that both these and the Townsmen were in Contest and had a difference with the Governour whose Name was Gardoto by which means greater strength was added to their fear of our extrinsick Terrour Nevertheless they were not hearkned to that urged a Surrender as repining at the Governours Authority in whom there was too much Courage for the present Condition of Affairs there or else for that their Confidence in the strength of the place with those helps before-mentioned had made them all agree in this But Prince Maurice persisting the Souldiers were much troubled with the appearance of so great Labour and the vastness of the Marishes more offended than their daily Conflicts with the Enemy especially because they were ignorant what Swâ—llows and Quagmires lay hid in the deceitful Nature of the Soil For the Ground which lately was firm and solid by the then wetness of the Season with continual Showers were overflow'd and cover'd with Water
enough of War and gotten therein sufficient Wealth were there returning to their Country to take their ease There were in it also take a Letters wherein were discover'd the Intentions and Gifts of the Cities destined and alloâ—ted to Fontain which Prince Maurice sent back to him The coming of the Spanish Souldiers was every where displeasing to the Common People as well for the Hatred of their Persons aâ— of War But the Arch-Duke glad of them their Poverty having by the sense or fear of Evil overcome all Difficulties by their Aid and the service of Herman Count Heremberg put an end to that long-continued Sedition of the Souldiers at Grave for want of their Pay although some Prisoners and Letters also did certifie that though they were pacified more were offended that among all these Turnings would yet remain faithful to their Parties This was the state of the Law Countries on both sides before the state of Affairs was theâ—e anew changed At this time between the Embassadors of France and the Arch-Duke Albertus the long-continued Treaty produced great hopes of Peace and the Queen of England had sent thither Cecil Son to the Lord Burghly and with him one Wilks who was privy to all his Secrets And therefore now the matter it self required that the Vnited States should send Embassadors to France and Queen Elizabeth desiring that they might be authorized with a full and free power together with her Embassadors to Treat of War and Peace They disapproved the Motion lest afterwards if they denyed to consent they should be over-powred by her Royall Authority Hereupon a double Embassie is appointed with a convenient Retinue one of which was to go into England The Persons were the Lords Warmâ—nde often before-mention'd and beloved by the English in remembrance of his good service in the Cadiz Expedition Min Heer Heffingen a Frizon and John Wercken of Zeland To France they sent Justine Nassau Governour of the Sea for Zeland and John Olden-Barnevâ—lt principal Counsellor and Assistant to the States of Holland a man well skill'd and industrious for the publike good of his Country and by his Authority did and obtain'd is much as by the help of Art Wit and Industry could be done or obtain'd among a free People And here among many other things which I have cause to fear this is one lest any strangers into whose hands these Histories shall come should wonder how the Names of such famous men an honourable Report of whom they have receiv'd in their own Country should come to be so seldom mention'd in my Writings But I hope the great difference between the Government of that State and the Empire of other Countries shall be a sufficient Excuse for me For where the Actions of Cities and Towns are related which are ruled either by the Senate or People if any more eminent matter of Valour oâ— Policy happen there is given a fair occasion meerly in a return of Gâ—atiâ—nce to set out the Authors or Inventors thereof Neither in Kingdoms do the great Ministers of State remain obscure But among the Hollanders all things are transacted in the Name of the Council without any mention of the Authors whom although you know yet you would seem ambitious in seeking to praise them nor would you avoid the haâ—red and displeasure of many by whom anothers Glory is look'd upon as their shame and the praise of their active Honour as a Reproof of their sluggish and dull Nature The Embassadors that went to England endeavour'd by many Arguments to make the Queen averse to a Pacification advising also That she would in some measure gratifie the French King in his desire concerning Aid and then urge him further being incouraged by Embassadors that he would of his own accord rather seek Reparation both for Old and New former and later Injuries by War than to think to appear his Domestick Discords against such a restless Nation And then bowing the Knee according to the Customs of the Court when they had returned large Thanks for so mer Benefits They added in these words All who are called fâ—om their just Arms to talk of Peace ought to consider whâ—ther the Peace that is offer'd be reall and sound or deceitful and infirm and on the other side whether the War be terrible or dubious or be not moâ—e safe than Peace for it is a vain thing to talk of the goodness of Peace where men shall never be suffer'd to enjoy it The Spâ—niard O Queen is reported to sollicite you to a Peace whose perfidy Conâ—unct with Barbarous Cruelty and whose Ambition of reaching at the Rights of others we need not accuse when his Masters openly teach that with men differing from them in point of Religion no Faith or Promise is to be kept neither ought they to partake of the Benefit either of Divine or Humane Laws Others have not fear'd to say that by the Decree of Fate the hâ—ighth of Empire is allotted to the West and that amâ—ng Christians there shall be no other visible Empire on Earth than that of Spain And though it might be to purpose to speak of the impotent Pride of the Austrian Family to other Princes and how by Trisling Leagues it hath claimed to it self that Angle as Hereditary with other the furthest Parts of the Earth that whatever lies within the Bounds of Lutope if it be not his own is accounted and looked upon as an Enemy yet it will be to little purpose to remember these things to you which have suffer'd and undergone many Hazards by him And can it be doubted but that he still hath the same Mind who hath not onely armed the People of your Kingdom to Rebellion and more than once sought to invade it by Fleets though prevented by Almighty God but also so far contemned all Honesty and Justice that he hath precured Murderers and Poysoners to do mischief to your Sacred Person Certainly it is not to be doubted for the old Grudges and the Causes thereof remain and as you continue fixed in your antient Piety so is he nothing alter'd from his wonted Avarice And now this man seems to seek to make an honourable Peace with you with a just and pious intent is it not that he may wage his Wars at his own pleasure while now he is forced to wait upon yours And therefore he presuming from the present Affairs to gain opportunity for greater Matters will lie in wait for all occasions And shall we in so great danger be caught and wrapt up into a stuggish security We know that since he cannot catch us all he endeavours by this League which he surely intends to break to â—oâ—se as many of us as he can Former Kings and People did better for though they were not at all troubled yet they never fear'd to ioyn together against increasing Empires while they had time lest at one time or other though piece-meal they might be all conquer'd For they knew that some Wars were waged onely
Name of King unknown to the Netherlanders being circumscribed by such Limits needs neither to be feared nor opposed The French Greatness indeed if it be necessary to use Examples no otherwise increased than by this that many Collations of Fortune meeting in one no cross Event ever separated or pulled them in sunder whereas on the other part is it not a miserable condition that in Regions involved in and exhausted by Wars in whose Sides lyes a powerful Enemy an envious Neighborhood and Forein Greatness that should be taken away which for a hundred Years had nourish'd it and been as nutriment and the Radical Moysture to a weak and infirm Body We find in History the Emperour Charles when desirous of private Repose by transferring his Worldly Cares on his Son he onely a little anticipated the Gift of the Law himself and his Son both standing in the Great Council of his Nobles that nothing might be wanting of antient Customs But how by a Letter to renounce and by a Letter to assume a Government and by Sight and Speech to seem to set free a People as it were disdained from one Dominion to another and that not virile when it was known from all Antiquity that the Netherlanders accounted it as one of the greatest Mischiefs to be subject to a Woman was an Act of great Rashness Others wished that in good earnest the Netherlanders might in this manner be freed from the Insolence of the Spaniards That if the Council of War were removed the difference of Parties and Factions would easily be reconciled But alas the old Hopes and Arts of Philip were not so easily forgotten as that he would denude both himself and his Posterity of the Netherlands which are the strength of the Spanish Security and serve him as a Castle against Germany France and Brittain But that by laying them a little aside he might diminish his fear he makes use of his Daughters Name to whom is given a precarious Right and a Titulary but naked Profession under a Domestick Trust That by these very Covenants he hath not sufficiently dissembled with these since the Government must relapse onely to his Son proceeding from this Marriage and not to any other Children And although it were not perceived yet it is not to be believed that the Spaniards would have suffer'd this Lady to come from him after a continued Virginity of 32 years unless they had either bâ—lieved or procured her to become barren That it was a shamefull thing that the Netherlanders being a People having Priviledges of their own and by whose Wealth the Austriâ—n Family hath augmented its Greatness in Spain it self and so many other Kingdoms and in a manner laid a Yoke upon the Neck of Mankind should be publikely governed by Forein Laws and deliver'd to the Dominion of such as are subject to the Spanish Power Among all these Discourses other Letters were brought written now from Isabella as Lady Paramount therein Commanding Albertus in her Name to take possession and mutually to take and give an Oath of Obedience and to do all other Things usual in the like Cases for Princes to do This was against the Laws which will That the Entrance into a Government shall be publike Wherefore he not daring according to antient Custom to call a Senate of the Provinces and with them freely to Consult but as if he had had something in private to have said to every one apart on the 15th of August he calls to Bruxels onely the Deputies At the same time there was gather'd about the City a great Multitude of Souldiers to the number of 15000 Foot and 2000 Horse to keep in awe all that would but seem to gainsay thiâ— Design And therefore Richardot in an Oration which he had prepared of purpose for Albertus imputed all the Evils that had befallen to the Netherlanders and the cause thereof to the Prince's Absence Hereupon Masius answer'd for the Brabanters beginning first Rhetorically with such Things as might win the Favour of the New Princes But when he came to the Matter he disputed some Things as if the Antient Commonwealth had yet been in Being desiring such Things to be done as the present Necessity requir'd And it was submitted to by most that Conditions should be prescribed to their Obedience viz. If within three Moneths it appear'd that the Rites of Marriage were performed and that he himself did return into the Netherlands within the Moneth of May in the following Year and that in the mean while nothing was innovated by his Governours or Commanders And that he left as his Deputy-Governour one allied to him by Bloud all should be well And hereupon he Elected as his Deputy the Cardinal Andrew of Austria whose Father was Ferdinand Earl of Tirol the Brother of Maximilian the Fatheâ— of Albertus By the Mothers side he was not so Noble She being Philippa Velsera and descended from a Consular Family in Auspurge a City of Germany Besides all this it was added That all both private and publike Laws and all things use should remain firm by Oath to Philip That the lesser Governments and the Guard and Custody of Castles and Forts and the several degrees of Judges should be new chosen from among the Netherlanders That the King should testifie that in this yielding up of his Right in Fee he had no intent to intrap the Netherlanders That they would take care to pay the German and their own Native Souldiers as far as the Treasury would hear but for the residue and the Forein Souldiers the King should take the Charge thereof upon himself That Albertus should be content with the antient Revenue of the Frinces and should ease the People of their extraordinary Taxes and the constant Service they did in Garrisons and the Charge of quartering Garrison Souldiers And that upon these Terms they should for the time be Obedient But upon the Return of Albertus with his Wife a Solemn Oath should be taken on both sides all the States of the Netherlands being Assembled with whom in the interim Albertus would deal to win them to come to some Conditions with the Hollanders And because this was very earnestly desired and it was thought no absurd Thing to compare like with like in making a Pacification Albertus before his departure who did not think fit out of his Grandezza to send a Princely Embassie writ Letters to the States of Holland and Zeland and their Colleagues wherein he signified unto them his Marriage and the Right of Government translated from the Spaniards to him who was ever studious and willing to make Peace and therefore he hoped there remained nothing on their part which should cause them either to distrust him or the Peace he offer'd them They would therefore do very well and according to their Duty if they would unite themselves to the greater part of the Netherlands having to this purpose left Instructions with the States under his Authority In the same manner did the
Prince of Aurange Areschet and Haurech write to Prince Maurice That he would by his Authority prevail as much as he could with the United States to set an end so much desired to the War That it would be not onely to his Renown at the present but to the everlasting Honour and advancement of the House of Nassau for the future At this time was heard also one Daniel Molain a private Merchant but of great Repute who reported himself incited thereto by his Brothers dissembled sickness and came to Antwerp and from thence was brought to Bruxels to the speech of Richardot Assonville the Abbot of Marol Haurech and at last of Albertus himself The sum of all his Discourse was tending to Peace so also were all their Counsels and there was nothing omitted that might obtain Credit among the Hollanders All the Princes protesting That their Religion should not be medled with that the Government of the Commonwealth should remain in the hands of themselves and their Posterity and that King Philip had such esteem of Prince Maurice his Vertues that he would detract nothing from his Honour but destin'd for him the chief Command of the Hungarian Warre But the States although before they were resolved for War yet grew more indurate and averse to Peace by reason of some Letters of Philip's by them intercepted wherein the manifest contrary to all these former Offers was discover'd And besides these the Treason of Peter Danny of Ipre was found out at the same time He was a man of a slothful Nature but such are generally the most ready Instruments to put in practice the most impious Attempts This man being suspected by his looks and taken related his Condition That the Cruelty of his Creditors to whom he was very much indebted was such that nothing would content them but to throw his Body into the worst Prison they could find of which he endeavour'd with grief of heart to have an end but could not find any means to compass the same in which perplexity he fell among the Jesuits at Doway and served them for Wages The President of whom making a Speech how great and meritorious a Work it would be to the Christian World out ef so many Multitudes of men to kill but one which raged with Cruelty working the destruction of many this presently inflamed his Mind over-whelmed before with Misery to murther Prince Maurice And if he did it himself if he survived or else his Son was to be rewarded But if he failed in the Attempt yet they promised him to go to Heaven He added further That by the Domestick Exhortation of his Wife who being restless by reason of her Cares and not able to indure a little misery was urged to put on a Man-like Resolution to act his Design where with being instigated and confirmed therein by the same President by the Sacred Tye of Religion and the Absolution of his Sins he took his Journey and came into Zeland and from thence to Leyden where his Conscience beginning by little and little to dislike the villainous horrour of the Fact together with the fear of danger that would insue at last he began to repent and alter his wirked Intentions After he had many Times by Intervals repeated these same Things being convict by his own Testimony on the 23 of July he was put to death by Command of the Magistrates of Leyden whose Sentence was confirmed by the Superiour Judges There were some on the adverse Party who ashamed of the wickedness of the Fact would have denyed the whole substance of the matter As this Year was famous for great Alterations so was it a long time very free from Warlike Expeditions only near Nâ—mâ—eghen a few Foot Souldiers were worsted by some of the King's Horse and again beyond the Maes among many Troops of the Hollanders one belonging to Mansfeldt was slain the Conquerours returning not without Prey Besides a few other petty Attempts and vain Endeavours to have done greater The reason of this Quiet might be because the United States spared their Provisions and Charges for Times of Necessity and for that Albertus labouring to add a great Terrour to his offer'd Peace had determined not to proceed before his Army was increased with the Regiments that came from the Cities of France that were to be deliver'd according to the Treaty Which Regiments denying to surrender the Garrisons they held until they had received their Pay and a dreadful President beginning in the Town of Chastellet by Seditious Licentiousness for that Money being raised for them made other places more inward in the Country to rage with unwonted Fury and chiefly because he saw that Count Heremberg was not able to appease the Tumult in Gelders without present Money and immediate sending them away At this time there were some grumbling Complaints and contumacious Behaviours But when the Business of setling a new was put in Agitation at Antwerp as generally the Souldiery love to make Disturbances about the Changes of Governments Seditions broke out in several places at once but chiefly among them that kept the 〈◊〉 aâ— Antwerp being 500 Spanish Foot with some Horse who being bent against the City which they supposed obnoxious to them were provoked to take from thence the Price and Reward of their Crimes Wherefore putting out their Old Commander Augustinâ—â— Mexia they Elected into his place a Sergeant a Fellow of a Malapert and Sawcy Tongue but faithful to his Companions in their greatest Crimes They reckon'd due to them as well for their Belgike as Italian Service in the Wars the Remainders of 22 Months Pay which while they were paid off they compelled in the interim the Towns People to allow a Floren a day to a Horseman and half as much to a Footman Nor did their injurious proceedings rest here for they set a Tax upon all pretious Garments and Houshold-stuff and all other Instruments of Luxury not spating those Sinks of Iniquity common Strumpets and all this was done in contumely of that but late most flourishing City Without doubt there was never any Action shew'd more arrogant Pride than their manner of exacting They would shoot off their Muskets and other Guns until the People came voluntarily and asked them Whether they would please to command any thing Soon after this the Garrison Souldiers of Liere were observed to associate Themselves in Counsels and in the Borders of Lutzenberge Messengers brought word that the Walloon Regiments having thrown off their Obedience did fortifie themselvâ— â—th many others flying out of the City They who staid there either by reason of their Estates or Business part of them compared this Force with the Dissimulation of Requesene's formerly others likened it to the violent Irruption Slaughter and Devastations made with Fire by Rhoda thus weighing their present Fear by their past Sufferings In all this hurli-burly the Deputies of the Magistrates brought no other Comfort from Albertus besides Excuses of the publike Poverty so
to fight in his Defence This Lady had also two other Sisters the one marryed to the King of Poland the other to Sigismund Battor Prince or Vayvod of Transilvania but both very unhappy in their Husbands both their Countries being afflicted with worse than Civil Wars For He of Poland following the Jesuits Counsels by means of his Uncle whose Name was Charles was beaten out of the Kingdom of Sweden the Antient Inheritance of his Fathers And the other perswaded by the same Authors to deny the payment of Tribute to the Turks soon after being unable to defend his Territories was forced to transfer his Principality to the Emperour who gave the Government to his Brother Maximilian That was He who when he possessed the Kingdom of Poland made a Journey against the Swede onely for Forage sake and being afterwards taken Prisoner and quite forsaken by all would yet retain the Name of a King But Batler under the Name of Exchange was sent into Silesia and moreover being Robbed of his Wife as if unable to get Children being soon weary of his wandring Life and mean Fortune he returned to his own Country and at once received both his Old Dominions and his Wife threatning all that durst resist with the Turkish Power which would come in his Aid The Mother of this Margaret was a Bavarian and being the Emperour Ferdinand's Niece had marryed his Son Charles from which Marriage proceeded this Issue So that having 〈…〉 Father and great Uncle by the like Reason she might have a Husband to whom the same great Uncle might be Father Pope Clement being come to Ferrara for he claimed this City the Family of Atesti being extinct and subjected the same rather by Threats and Devotion than Arms when one Caesar by Name but the Off-Spring of an unlawful Bed challenged it and the Proxies of King Philip and his Sister Isabella being ready by Solemn Rites of Marriage he Conjoyned two Leagues by one Nation Going thence to Mantua and Millain they met the Duke of Savoy who also was come to salute his Kindred Thus was one whole Year spent in Italian Complements then they went to visit Sacred Monuments passing frequently by great and rich Cities where the Affections of Friends and Subjects contesting with great Cost and Art the Austrian Greatness was excellently decipher'd in shews and Albertus his own Victories represented to him in Effigie But by reason of the Journey into strange parts yet not absolutely divided from us I will make a short digression and before I repeat the Expedition to the Rhene remember some Things about the Borders which at this time were more than usually troublesome by some occasions of difference among Themselves Edsard Earl of Frizeland beyond the Eemes being offended with the Covenants made at Delfeziel as extorted by Force had appealed to the Emperour The Emperour who could neither approve Forein Decisions in German Affairs not saw the Issue of them which should be adjudged against the Will of a City found yet this Expedient That abrogating the Delfezylian Laws he himself would command in a manner the self-same thing The Earl being thus frustrate of his hope when now he had a great while expected an Augmentation of his Power this Year attempted to sow Intestine Discords in the City already so exhausted by Troubles and Charges that it could not pay the Money owing by Covenant and other necessary Things but by the Assessing of New Taxes Wherefore sending two of his Sons into the City to foment the Tumults they sought out some among the Vulgar that should gather together more who were offended at the Assessments for of 19 Fraternities two refused or else such as differ'd from the Publike Religion with Directions That they should at the Gates resist the Souldiers that were to come in and whom he had sent for to that very purpose though pretending other matters But the Conspiracy being set afoot the Magistrates angry with the Earl's Sons complained of the Father's Treacherous Dealings and putting to death those whom they found guilty of raising the Tumults they banish'd the rest of the popular part of the Faction or else fined them One of the principal Leaders in this Sedition was Gruny a man famous in his Family and of great Alliance being Kinsman among others to Count William He was of Kin by the Father's side to John Funquio who formerly had presided the Belgick Affairs for the Spaniard and not long since under pretence of private Business had come among the Hollanders But being detected to have brought Albertus his Commands to Edsard and asked what they were answer'd Nothing else but to desire Passage for the Spanish Forces through that Country Although it was believed and indeed more congruous to received Judgments that he came to treat of an Exchange concerning the very Right of that County with others in Burgundy or else of Goods in Luizenburg For this cause he being for a while diligently kept at length he was let go upon payment of his Ransom as a Prisoner of War because he had violated the Publike Faith But at this time some of the Funquio's Letters to Edsard were found wherein he was advised That he should not look after Germany or other remote and lingring hopes wherewith he had been so often vainly eluded for nothing but the Spanish Power would ever restore him to his Government but a Reward must be given to the Society that at the time appointed they might have leave to pitch their Camp in the Country and that a Fleet should be brought into the Mouth of the River and the next Bay with which he should sufficiently revenge himself upon his Rebels For which Causes Count William the Governour of Frizeland was desired That he would have in readiness a strong Force to help them in time of need whereof he took Care accordingly And in the interim from the adjoyning Parts commands a Party of well-armed and disciplin'd Souldiers to take an Oath to he faithful to him and then as if they had bin discharged by him he causeth them to go into the City and then to learn what more they could But now the Concord of the Citizens being grown more firm because the Conspiracy was Reported to intend Fire and Slaughter and they were fearful and not skilled in the use of Arms and so wanting the help of a Forein Garrison they Listed and took into Pay 300 men But the Earl as if he had receiv'd not given an Injury of his own accord summons the City to plead their Cause before the Imperial Senate complaining there of many Things as particularly That the Holland Souldiers wasted his Fields that they had inflicted extream punishments upon innocent Persons against whom they ought not to make any Legal Process without him that they had unworthily dealt with his Children and compelled the Youth to make New Promises whereby they should lay aside their Allegiance due to their Prince Thus in words they seem'd onely to mind Legal
Proceedings but in deeds they practised all kinds of Hostility But both the Earls Sons went to the King of Poland from whose Aunt they were descended though to small purpose and there they put the Embden Exiles into a few ships giving Command That they should vindicate their own Right against the Authors of that injurious Oppression And the Polander in honour of his Kinsmen went â—o far as to threaten the City with an Interdiction of Traffike if it continued obstinate to the same purpose writing Letters to the United States stuffed with many proud Words even to admiration That although he were deprived of his antient Kingdom of Sweden yet he could come with hazard and prescribe Laws to them though so far distant The Duke of Holsatia also whose Daughter was marryed to Enno the Son of Edsard commanded a Restraint of Trade with Embden seizing all their Ships that were in his Coasts The like also was endeavour'd with the Dane and Spaniard The Dissentions of Aquisgrave continued longer between the Old Magistrates whom the Duke of Juliers helped as being Patron of the City by Hereditary Right and Them who had obtained the Administration of the Common-Wealth by the Expulsion of others under pretence of giving Judgment against Them Anon after at the publike instance of the Spaniard by Mendosa and Clement Determinations onely wont to be made in great Assemblies were privately hastned and by the Judgment of Spire the Occupiers were condemned And because they would not perform the Judgment within the time limited they were proclaimed Enemies to the Empire Concerning whom it was thus Decreed viz. That it should not be lawful or safe for any to help them That to offend hurt or kill them shall be imputed to none for a fault and that all their Goods may be taken from them as lawful Booty The Custom is within the Year to promulgate anew the same Proscription in harsher Terms The Herald after he had proclaim'd all Things in a solemn manner commanded their next Neighbors of Germany the Duke of Juâ—ers the Arch-Bishop of Colen and Triers with all their Powers to defend the Authority of this Law It seem'd good to these to take Albertus his Forces that were as then ready to assist Them And now Garrisons were put into all the Towns within the Territory of Aquisgrave and their Cattel and whatever else was in the Fields was taken away by the Souldiers of Juliers and Limburg But this did not agree with Them whose City had been the Royal Court of Charlâ—main and long continued the Metropolis of all the Regions within the Alps and to this day in all the Counsels of the Empire a Seat equal to Rome and Millain that They should utterly be excluded from all the Affairs of Germany Thus the Governours being amazed whom the Favour and Promises of the Augustane Profession had made unaware of such a suddain Mischief when on the one side they saw an Army coming under Mendosa and on the other side the choice Souldiers of the Hungarian War and that they could make no Defence for the avoiding of Envy they suffer'd the People to have the Government of the City And hereupon the Arch-Bishop of Colen being chosen Arbitrator and Intercessor for the Restoration of Peace by good just Laws They avoided the Ruine that was coming upon Them but the Customs which had prevail'd among Them for the space of 40 years were alter'd For a Garrison entring the City all Offices both high and low were bestow'd upon Romane Catholikes all such being remov'd as the Lutherant and Calvinists differing among Themselves named as faulty They who had born Offices first were committed into private Custody Afterwards parâ— of Them accompanied with many Netherlanders who being formerly Fugitives thither because of their Evil Discords were even pursued at the heels with these Evils that for fear of more grievous punishments their Adversaries conniving thereat to the Hollanders and other part of them to other places Among these Exiles that now returned was Engelbert who had formerly been a Captain of a Troop on the part of the United States known more by his Military Vices than any Vertue and having at the Council of Spire obtain'd Licence to seize what he could because he said his Wages were unpaid him he fell upon the Netherlandish Merchants going to their Houses with a Portsale Spear and carrying with him persons to buy their Goods Afterwards he was chosen into the City Tribunal and this made him so much the more cruel untill by several Letters from the States written against him he was moderated and kept under For they took it ill averring it a Thing intollerable that publike Causes should be handled by private Persons who were not able to distinguish among the Judges between a true and false Name adding Threats in case they were not obtained And forthwith it was so order'd whereas before the Netherlanders could hardly be secure from such Injuries in any Kingdoms But it is in old and well-known Rule That at the Power and Strength of a Party is so are the Rules they give out obeyed In the Dutchy of Cleves the Councellors of the Duke as yet kept all the Authority they were of the Austrian Faction Nor did the Princes who were concerned in the Inheritance trouble themselves that Berck was taken by the Hollanders The Nobles indeed of Cleves and Juliers pretending the Guarding and Safety of their Diseased Prince consulted as it were with the States of the Provinces for the raising of Forces to the number of 2000 Horse and 6000 Foot which should lye upon their Borders for Defence of the Country whereas it was in truth to secure the Government of the Common-Wealth to Themselves But when they began to think of a General some praising John of Nassau Others the Count Hohenlo But not finding a ready means to raise Pay for them their long deliberation gave their Adversaries Opportunity of increasing their Power These and many other Things were nothing so much fear'd by the Hollanders as were those suspected Preparations made in Germany by Mendosa for he had drawn together 62 Companies of Spaniards 19 of Italians and two of Irish Besides he had of Germans 4 Regiments consisting of 10 Companies as many of Walloons and one of Burgundians So that the whole number of the Infantry was esteemed 20000. Of Horse he had 6 Troops of Epirot Laucters two of Spaniards and two of Netherlanders besides 5 smaller Troops most of them Netherlandish Harquebusiers and eight greater of Spaniards and Italians yet all not much exceeding 2000 For the rest to the number of 12 a Troops were left about Brabant to be a Guard against suddain Incursions of the Enemy Of a long time the King had not greater Forces whose Number and Fame was almost doubled by the vast Company of Slaves and Servants attending and 1700 Carriages following the Army Without doubt the Face of the Netherlands under the Spanish Obedience was never more pleasant for
now Count Bucquoy having transported his Regiment over the Rhine as also two other Spanish Regiments and afterwards almost half the Horse at one and the same time Orseo and Malsem a Village lying over against it were both by Mendosa's Command begun to be fortified though he had promised within five dayes to depart from thence sending forth into the by-wayes Souldiers to fetch Wood wholopping and topping Trees though never so far distant would hardly abstain from taking Wood from the Houses At first it was thought safeguard enough for the Garison to make a firm passage over the River but afterwards they receded from that Counsel While these things were a doing and Frederick viewed all the Skirts of Germany whereever he came whether among Subjects or Enemies the violence and cruelty of the Spanish Army did not onely cast a great terrour among the naked and unarmed People but by various Reports of the vulgar as is usual in War but much perplexed also the Vnited States so that they mistrusted their Borders and were unsatisfied of their more inward Garrisons The Prince who was preparing as well to meet as prevent this terrour at the first news of their motion calling together his Souldiers that were quartered in the inner parts of the Country especially the English and Scotch to whom likewise came part of the Garrison-Souldiers from the Brill and Flushing he marched to Aynheym whither also hastned those Regiments of Foot and the Horse under the Conduct of Count William of Frizeland But the Ships of War that were to come thither being hindred by cross Winds were somewhat late ere they arrived Soon after going to take a view of Gravewaert from thence passed to the Territory of Zutphen and the Towns of Over-Issell and to all of them being either afraid of the Enemy or hoping and desirous to defend themselves against him he imparted an addition of strength out of his own Souldiers But the rest of the places were taken care of by their particular Governours But Doesburg and Doetichem from whence was the next passage out of Germany to the Issell on the right side of the Isle of Holland the Prince himself especially minded going thither with some Horse There was he met by his Aunt the Mother of the Counts Heremberge who with a great and Noble Train of her Daughters after Salutes past and Complements ended intreated him by all the tyes of blood and allyance and by his own fortune by which alone he had seen his nearest Relations divided in the War his Brother being on one part and her Husband on another that he would as much at he could by the Laws and Rule of War spare their Possessions To which purpose the works about Herenberg should be thrown down and the Garison withdrawn This Herenberg is a Town of Zutphen from whence the Family of the Counts Herenberg take their Title and by the same example other Towns and Castles that were likely to fall into the Enemies hands were likewise dismantled and so as was hoped redeemed from the miseries and mischiefs of War They fell to Consultation where they should pitch their Camp for in regard it appeared unsafe to incamp about Bercks least the Enemy interposing himself between them and the adjacent Towns to binder them from Provision should cut off their Army which indeed was much inferiour to the Enemy Wherefore the Prince thought fit to possess himself of a little Island that lay on the right hand of the Hollanders not far distant from the division of the River and the further Bank of the Rhine where the Dutchy of Cleves winding about the Town of Sevenaer sets bounds to the Jurisdiction of Zutphen On both sides they had Bridges made of Boats for the more commodious passage over the River as well of their great Guns as their Horse And as soon as the danger was gathered all together into one part the rest of their fears vanished so that now the Souldiers were called from Ostend Nimmeghen and the furthest parts of Holland and Zeland to supply the want of those Forces whereof the Army had been drained by the Garrisons These were brought to the Prince by Count Hohenlo whose diligence and labour was very remarkable in furnishing all the Cities of Over-Issell while the Enemy lay every where scattered among them with great Guns Engines of War and all other necessary things for the defensive part and beating off an Assaylant near at hand or at a distance Then the Prince supposing it necessary to be provided against all imminent Occurrences by knowing what number of men he had with him upon muster of his Army he found that he had fifteen hundred Horse and scarce six thousand Foot too small a number publikely to meet the Enemy in the Field with yet sufficient to repel them yea and fight with them upon occasion where they might be helped by the Policy of the General and advantage of time and place And therefore understanding by some Prisoners that Mendosa's Provisions were coming to the Town of Geldres he made hast back with some Troops and the chief Officers of the Army to the Maes in hope of intercepting the Enemies Relief and Convey between Venloo and Moers But the River being passed the Spanyards first suspecting afterward learned the design and so escaped the danger Thus being disappointed they every one went to follow their Commands at their own Regiments Now there began some Skirmishes upon the Rivers by the more then ordinary confidence of some few runawayes who being brought in a Carriage-Boat should as if it were by chance strike against a long Boat of the Hollanders lying upon the watch at Rees and so overwhelm it with Darts In this Interim the Spanish Army every day increased more and more by the new coming of fresh forces insomuch that now their multitude became burdensom to themselves while they devoured all the Provision that could be brought to them far and wide besides what came from Colen and the Neighbouring Towns by which means Provision grew very dear which happened not through any want that there was thereof but from the Souldiers want of pay and as evils seldom go alone this dearness of Provision in the Spanish Army was waited on by a plundering of the Fields and Villages about Ments and other parts of Germany that border upon the Rhine but their malice was chiefly vented upon those who were averse or seemed Enemies to the Roman Catholick Religion This was the beginning of Rapine and plundering and if either the Souldiers of the place or the youth of the Country offered to resist their injurious extortions there was no more then a word and a blow which was the cause of many promiscuous slaughters yet could not the Souldiery be kept within their obedience for all this liberty they took to themselves but sometimes falling into extravagant demands of money as if they had been weary of idleness or timorous blood would turn their madness either against
things were transacting in these places another part of the Spanish Army passing over the Rhine sate down against Urseo and with an unprofitable pride scorning the Redemption the Country offered for their Lands made clandestine incursions more like Thieves than Souldiers into the furthest part of Zutphen and some part of Over-Issel wasting those places where although they committed no great spoyl but among the Germans who lay mingled thereabouts though they got not much plunder yet they lost good store of blood which made them rage without measure or mercy shewing many examples of their blood-thirstiness against the Towns lying up the Luppe and Roer But all these promiscuous slaughters of the vulgar and the infinite number of their horrid villanies were all darkened obscured and seemed as nothing to that one barbarous Murther committed upon a Person of Honour It was Viricus Falcâ—steyne Count of Brucke the name seems to hint to us the name of the Bruckeri who agreed with the Hollanders in point of Religion and in the Counsel of their Nation constantly opposed all such as spoke any thing in the behalf of the Spanish faction He had with him a hundred Souldiers and as many Boors or rather more with whom he undertook the defence of a weak Castle and many times drove away the Spaniards from their spoyling of the Country by the fear of him and sometimes with slaughter Therefore being commanded to yield up his Guard when relying upon the validity of the German Laws be refused and one Lopez being sent to the Siege his Souldiers were so wearied with the length of their march that they were unfit to fight Which he noting prevented Extremity by Articling for the preservation and safety of the Lives and Fortunes of himself and all his who had been Reported to have bin many more in number which it was thought was one Motive causing his death for contrary to the Covenants agreed the Castle was demolish'd his Wife taken from him his Souldiers all kill'd and himself kept prisoner where having bin detain'd some days he was invited to go abroad and take the fresh Air One Peter Agayo had received the Command to kill him but to do it in such manner as his Death might be imputed to accident In his Walk he passed by the Ground yet wet with the Bloud of his Souldiers when they that guarded him following behind as Waiters the Executioners of Death first striking him with a Javelin afterwards kill'd outright with their Swords and they of his Familiars that were with him underwent the same Fate The Order of this Murther being publish'd abroad the Friends and Kindred of the Count were all moved to Revenge nay and so bitter was the Peoples Indignation against it that the Council of Juliers could not or would not pass it by in Silence Whereto Mendosa gave very careless Answers as believing it enough to deny his Knowledge or Command of the Fact though he suffer'd it to go unpunish'd Adding moreover That it had not hapned but by the Divine Providence that he fell by War who ought long before to have suffer'd for his publike Crimes of Sedition and Impiety and much upbraiding his Obstinacy accounting this also among his Faults That he had as it were in Contempt answer'd his Latine Letters in the German Tongue of which he knew his viz. Mendosa 's Ignorance And then if any more grievous Accident had hapned he commended to them Patience without which he averred himself uncapable of Ruling a Multitude inraged with Poverty and Injury But these Flouts in Words were attended with seriousness of Action One of the Noblest Towns in those parts beyond the Rhine is Wesel famous among the Dutch both for Merchandise and Arts which were brought thither by the frequent Resort of Foreiners from other Countries flying for their difference in Religion That City supposing her self more oppressed than the rest by having a Spanish Judge had determin'd by an Honourable Legation and some Gifts to win upon the General 's Mind which he understanding answer'd He was not such a one as could be induced or perswaded to let alone that which was necessary to be done or that knew not to do kindnesses to good People unless moved thereto by the Allurements of Gifts but indeed there was no other way to merit his Favour than by restoring the Publike Worship of God to its true and pristine condition which would in truth be an act so lovely and pleasing to him that he would esteem it beyond many Gifts Which Things were so spoken by him because they of Wesel having been often commanded by the General 's Council to receive the Romane Rites within their Walls had obstinately refused it And therefore the Spaniard soon after passing the Rhine with his whole Army commanded them to receive a great Garrison both of Horse and Foot as their Neighbour Town of Burick had done and withall to beware That nothing were innovated in those Parts by the Enemy But the Difference was easily understood for their Obedience drew along with it an alteration in the State and if they denyed the Licentious Souldier greedy of Prey would scarcely be contained from the Assault and Spoil of the City Wherefore seeking some means to appease the General and avoid the Fury of his Anger they sent him a great quantity of Corn and in Money a Hundred Thousand Dollers which Sum was not raised out of the Tributes but paid out of the Publike Treasury Concerning the value of which there grew a great Contention between the Souldiers and Citizens which had almost renewed their Danger unless the Governours on both sides had moderated their inraged Minds With this Money and what was gather'd otherwise in the Neighbouring Towns and came from Bruxels Mendosa perswaded the Army That though they had refused it hitherto that leaving some Garrisons on the hither Bank of the Rhine they would suffer themselves to be led beyond the Rhine From thence they passed the River Luppe by a firm and strong Bridge which they commanded them of Wesel to make for that which was formerly made the Materials whereof being Bundles of Hay bound up with Clay and by the Artificers bestirring themselves placed upon New Boats as many such seem'd to do well yet would serve for no use so though singly they were passable enough yet by reason of their inequality of Burden many of them together were troublesome and dangerous There it was thought fit by the Opinion of Velasco rather to pass the Issel than to go so far from the Borders now at the beginning of Winter where they were not certain of Provision and to lye about the wet and marshy Soil of Frizeland In this March they exacted from the People of Munster both Money and Instruments of War though the United States admonish'd them otherwise assuring Them That they should not expect any help or Peace from them if the Enemy were augmented either by their Assistance or Sluggishness From thence Rees
and Treacherous was their seizure of several Castles held by the Noble-men which till that time had been Fautors of the Spaniards in all their wicked Actions The beginning of their Rapines was committed upon the People of Munster and the Borders of Brentheym which places not being sufficient for the Support and Maintenance of their Forces Reclinhusen a place belonging to the Bishop of Colen situate between the Rivers Luppe and Roer was added where Velasco took the City of Dorst by a violent Assault thereof in a Warlike manner with his Canon which Contumelious Act the Colonian Bishop taking no Notice of made all his Subjects imagine that it was so done and suffer'd by private Agreement among Them Hence the Evil spread further to the People of Mons and Marchia until it reached both sides of the Dutchy of Cleves and there oppressed many Cities which at their first coming they had not medled with Others were forced to purchase Freedom at a great Rare among which the City of Cleves it self the principall Seat of the infirm Duke In which places they got so great Booty that the very Common Souldiers Treated with Merchants of Colen to return great Sums of Money for them to Antwerp This their Covetousness at first sprung from Pride and was afterwards increased by Cruelty insomuch that contemning the parsimonious living of the Boors they commanded those ignorant People to provide for them dear and far-fetched Dainties and all other Provocatives of Luxury and Riot And if any were backward in performing their unreasonable Commands or seemed either to hide or convey away their Wealth they were beaten and tormented in that barbarous manner that sometimes they were maimed in their Lims otherwhiles Incisions made into their Flesh nay and some were scorched and half burned alive not forbearing these frightful Terrours and Punishments to Women great with Child and young Infants Of which Barbarisms and innumerable Murthers the Germans publish'd divers Examples attested by the Credit of many worthy and known Persons And if the Villany of these Wretches had stopped here there might yet have been some pretence made by them but as if those forementioned Crimes had been too little they spared not the Houses of Noble Persons but violated also the Sacred Societies of Holy Virgins who had wholly dedicated Themselves to the Service of God Raging moreover with such an unrestrained Lust that they spared not immature and tender Virginity and if the Womens Chastity deluded their Hopes their Husbands were produc'd and made a laughing stock to command their own dishonour yea and Mothers compelled to bring forth and prostistitute their Daughters These were the Deeds of a People professing Peace which the most inraged Victor hardly attempted I am sure never defended in the heat of War And it is hardly to be believed how negligently and remissly that Nation which had been the Conquerour of others and so earnest in the Defence of Liberty took these Things But besides a long Peace which usually effeminates the most Manly Minds here was discover'd the imperfection of that Government that is divided into many Hands not onely in the Difficulty of their Meetings in Council but in their Difference of Affections which is most frequent among Them by reason of Emulation And this certainly was that the Spaniards would have wished nor was his Endeavour therein wanting that Matters should not be ended at One but deferred from Council to Council In the interim not one scarcely daring to Repel an Injury done him because the Publike Management of War for the General Vindication was delayed onely Count Oldenburg the Bishops of Breme and Osnaburg and Count John of Nassaw being a little further distant slighted the Threats of the Tumultuary Souldier whereof they had Notice whose Examples were afterwards safely follow'd by all those further Parts But for the Dutchy of Cleves and their Neighbours of Westfalia there was no other help than those of Prayers and Letters Which made Charles Nutselius whom the Emperour had sent to settle and order the Affairs of Cleves to detest the Persidy and dishonourable Dealings of the Austrians because he saw that under the Protection and by the Connivence of King Philip and the Arch-Duke Albertus who pretended Themselves Vindicators of the Romane Religion such abominable and unparallel'd Villanies were committed against the Laws of Nature and Mankind and against all Bonds and Covenants The Duke of Lorain said no less whose Daughter was marryed to the Duke of Cleves and his Son to the King of France his Sister protesting That he would not desert his Relations nor would be deserted by them But from Rodolphus being by Nature given to delay and now either for fear or grief hiding himself that he could not be spoken with other then by Letters although the Westfalians and other Princes living about the Rhine at their Request daily sollicited not onely himself but his Ministers of State intrusted by him yet could they obtain nothing but empty Words and fruitless Embassies Hereupon Albertus then being at Millain and Cardinal Andrew at Bruxels instead of answering attributed the Causes of all these Evil together with the beginnings of the War and the denial of making Peace to that time to the Rebels and whensoever any Exorbitancies were objected against them which they could not deny they called it a short Extremity whereto they were compelled by Necessity But Mendosa was more insolent who the more plausibly to shun Obedience to his Masters Command denyed That he Warred for the King and that he would neither be danted with the Noise of great Names or frighted with cruel Threats or driven out by any other means than force of Arms Adding moreover That if either Caesar or Germany durst have confided in his Men they might have used them when Bonne and Berck were held by the Hollanders He often boasted himself an Enemy to all Lutherans and that he was sent into those Parts from Heaven to revenge the Impieties there so often and so long perpetrated And now had the Germans seen the Spanish Ensigns display'd in their Country little less then four Moneths when at the very end of the Year one Decree was sent by the Emperour to Mendosa another to the States Against him were objected many and grievous Things To Them that they had occupyed some few places at the Division of the Rhine and breaking into the Jurisdiction of Munster had led away certain Priests Captive and therefore they were both commanded to depart out of the Jurisdiction of Germany to make Reparation for the Rapines and other Damages there done to release all Prisoners and for the future to abstain from oppressing others and this under the Penalties therein contained as if they still offended in the like The Eighth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Spaniards Minds were so obdurated with daily Complaints that at the same time that the Emperour's Herald and the Lorrain Embassadors publikely accused them for their former
the Kings Deputies interposed denuntiations how often have the People of Cleves been commanded that they should not give passage to the Enemy contrary to the Articles made at Venlo and yet by their Cities Arms and Traffick the Enemies effrontery hath been increased when at the same time the Duke of Parma must restore Buricke throw down the Fort against Rees and suffer them to be quiet in the midst of War so that the Isle of Gravewaert might be taken from the Hollander And yet that was not performed which cost the King the loss of his possession beyond the Rhine so that he was fain afterwards to take a longer Journey to require his own and if it were with the damage of those by whose fault is happened it was no great matter And certainly the Bishop of Colen would be much to blame if he be too much moved at the complaints of the People of Munster or any others but rather He and every Bishop else that yet enjoy their Ecclesiastical Dignities should give thanks to Philip who when Truxius made an impious War against the Germane Decrees not one Germane resisting him from whence some took occasion to assault the Priesthood neglected all his Affairs at the Bishops Request and restored first Nuys then Bâ—nne onely desiring that his might be reimbursed to him The like he did by Bercke also being taken from the Rebels and while Albertus was busied elâ—ewhere lost again yet lately while there was any hopes of restoring the City to its right Lord without force he gave them a long time to treat thereof in point of honour If they would rightly consider these things they would be better advised than by an improvident commiseration of small inconveniences to stir up greater mischiefs of which perhaps they would too late repent And if the peace should be disturbed they who infringed the same ought to make satisfaction with their heads but the King the Arch-dukes and Mendosa ought to be blameless The like defence was made by those that were sent to the Emperour and particular Princes to molifie them with promise also that the Souldiers should depart before April The Vnited States having so often in vain made tryal of Embassies had hitherto abstained from any in this case as supposing that it was permitted to the Spaniard that he might with freedom do what he list and harrass Germany at his pleasure yet they make some defences for themselves being angry that they who came to rip up matters should compare them in the ballance with Enemies calling to mind all the places they had restored and such as the Spaniard retained that the offences of the borders were sought by those by them tolerated repeating all from the beginning of the Commotions in Cleves to Truxius his War That their Justice was testified by many who admired it when not long since they quitted Embden and of later time Emmeric That it many times happened that one place or other lying fit for the Enemy was to be first taken which they esteemed no oppression for that it is absolutely necessary for the preservation of Subjects against the Spanish Insolencies not otherwise to be avoided which also was done by a modest Souldier whose pay was certain and Discipline strict It might be probable some faults of a few ouâ—-runners might be committed and yet escape both knowledge and punishment But they never lead an Army into the Territories of others by publick Conduct and Authority they never made Seditions on purpose to rob the Country nor did they ever inforce a Form of Religion upon People with whom they had nothing to do That they promised to take care of Gravewaert lest the Geldrians should refuse any arbiters That there were many other things which either made their cause plausible or detect the Spaniard of covetousness under the false name of pretended piety but having been spoken of before needed not to be here repeated In brief That they would no longer suffer such a slavish sort of men to insult over free Nations While these things were arguing pro and con before the Deputies of the five Countries at the meeting of the Rhine and Moselle the Counsels relating to War went but slowly on nor were some wanting that esteemed it convenient at that time to joyn their Forces with the Hollanders being men well experienced in Military Affairs But the greater part thinking it sufficient to receive back their own refusing to engage Germany into a long War many of whom so dreading either the hatred or displeasure of the Emperour and the great mens power that when there was any debate concerning the fore-mentioned injuries received they solicitously avoyded to mention the name of the Spanish King or People But the States laboured most earnestly to gain to themselves Associates from whose dissentions as they reaped disadvantage so from their good successes they might gain the power of making peace at pleasure The principal Authours for bringing this Expedition to maturity were the Count Palatine one of the severe Electors the Landgrave of Hessen and the Duke of Brunswicke who undertaking the Affairs in their own Names and with their own Forces which they had raised to a great number the last Winner but a contention arising between Hessen and Brunswicke concerning the chief Command in the War hindered it the Palatine also desirous of rest and peace received for himself the defence of the inner parts and the charge of all publick Assemblies The Westfalian Romanists making use of this division nothing being more hateful to them then to see the Protestant Princes in Arms by offering a three months Tribute equal to that given to the Turk that their Governour might be made General of the War they obtained their aym averting it to be just and consonant to the Germane Customs that whensoever any injury is suffered in whatever Country a War is to be maintained for obtaining satisfaction the Command was always given to them for their ayd The States passed this Winter in great care and fear in regard the Rivers were twice shut up with Frost but yet without loss or damage for Prince Maurice and Count William dividing their Forces He took care of all on this side Issell from Arnheym and this resided at Meppell for the Guard of the further parts continual Messengers with Intelligence passing between them At this time several plots were detected against Breda Nimmeghen and Devinter Which did but increase the care and cost in the defence thereof Now also were the Mauribian Souldiers more then once Conquerours over their Enemies and by the slaughter and plunder of a certain Garrison recompenced the honour of those Soldiers that were hang'd in the Territory of Juliers or Gulicke though it is confessed to be the worst Custom of all Martial Discipline that for neglect of the publick execution of the Law permits Captains to take their own private revenge The Town of Emmeric which we mentioned to be freed by Prince Maurice was now
how great mutations have happened in later times by frequent inundations when as yet there had not been suâ—h care taken for banks as at present and when the Maes run formerly another way as is set â—â—th in the antiquities of our fathers the name of the old châ—â—nel beyond Hesdin sufficiently testifies but now it runs thus That part of Gelderland which runs forth by Cleves between both the Rivers is by the Inhabitants properly called Maesland and by little and little growing narrower ends at the conflux of the Rivers which by their doubly mixed waters in a short space make the Island of Voorn from whence again dividing and growing distinct Rivers each follows his own course keeping their names till they meet again making a fair Island belonging to the Jurisdiction of Gildres whose chief place is the Village Harwarden and its utmost bounds the Castle of Lovesteine which is the name of a Town hard by the Isle of Bommel encompassed almost round about with the Waell This City in the Duke of Alva's time was one of the first that threw off serviâ—ude and from that instant hath held a firm Alliance with the Hollanders each to be a mutual defence to the other Not far from Harwarden are the bendings of the River and then the Isle is discovered a-again at the Village of Rossem famous for the birth of Martin of Rossem who at the command of the Emperor Charles first came into the Netherlands with a band of spoylers and afterwards changing his quarters entred France from hence these Rivers run separate and divided a great space but the Maes took a greater circuit more largely spotting it self in the fields of Brabant tending Southerly where in a strait course it looks upon Boisledac and so passeth in the middle between the fort of Creveceur and the Castle Hely within the Island afterwards falls into Holland and in a small division of it self surrounding the Isle Hemert and washing the walls of Hoesden finisheth his course in an entire body The Spaniards hopes and resolutions concerning the inâ—sion of these places was heightned by several guids sent to the tops of the Alps who upon their return with one consent did declare That the snows there being less than usual did promise small increase of the waters and Rivers And it was thought fit not to go in a great body but in several parties that by the shew of keeping their Camp at Gravewaert they might as long as possible make the Enemy linger and delay to give timely assistance Therefore they that had hitherto staid at Gennep now removed to Sapen as if they intended it only for securing their provisions soon after were added Barlot and Stanley with their Regiments of Spaniards Walloons and Irish four hundred horse under the conduct of Henry Count Heremberg first descending suddenly to assault Voorne Island if it were slackly guarded But perceiving it to be in vain they stayed hard by untill the boats that were to be brought in Carts from Boisleduc arrived to their help yet with their great Guns for they had brought some thither they shot at a Ship of the Hollanders which lay there to guard the River and passing the Maes not far from Rossem drove the Enemyes horse from off the banks while the Foot durst nor venture to resist and so entred the Isle of Bommel wandring sometimes here sometimes there waiting either for orders or more additional forces and the commanders themselves being equal in power fall at variance among themselves loosing thereby that fair opportunity the Cardinal Andrew fearing reproof and expostulatious more then was requisite in Martial Discipline And as at other times so here the goodness of God was manifest towards the Hollanders when for the most part all humane counsells were deficient for the managing of these great and apparent hopes against them For the City of Bommel a place of great esteem in the war lay almost open to any assailant the old Fortifications thereof being narrow and weak and the new begun three years before not perfect while the State being drawn to mind other affairs spared to lay out any moneyes about this place and the rather because the water on the one side and the â—arshy wetness of the earth on the other seemed to be a defence to it against the Enemy The Prince hearing of these things hasted speedily to march thither yet did not arrive till the second day after the Enemies passage yet before they had attained the bank of the Waell he came into the City and restored courage to the Citizens that were surprised with fear of the danger and preparing to fly For although he confirmed as well the Isle of Hemart as any other places he doubted both by his care and Souldiers yet he was most intent for Bommell where he himself was for the most part present to increase their garrison and to help forward their works And at this time there was manifested excellent wayes of dâ—fending Towns made use of frequently by the Prince afterwards and no less used by the Spaniards and the use thereof is likely to continue to perpetuity as oft as any are in feâ—r to be besieged by meeting the Enemy with far extended fortifications which yield a great space to the Defendants and keep off danger a longer time from the inner parts of a place for to the Forts which were joyned to the Breast-work more and more great Rampires were added which being themselves invironed with water did contain whatever was necessary for defence in their outermost line having many strong defences While these things were speeding forward the Spanish forces and they who marched away from Emmeric with other their associates who then by chance had begun to besiege Creveceur Fort met all together to whom the Fort was easily rendred as also what was opposite to the Fort in Hely Castle There Mendosa made a bridg of boats over the Maes for the transporting of his Souldiers and provisions wherewith he was abundantly supplyed from Boisleduc That City rejoycing that the Enemy was driven from being their neighbours and being very diligent and careful in the rest that they might with the less offence refuse a garrison they would admit Cardinal Andrew but with a certain number of men to come within their walls These strong attempts of the Enemy did not terrify the Hollanders but made them rather be more intent then before with courage to employ both their Wealth and Forces for they were about for the increasing their treasury to set a tax or impost upon all sales contentions and Inheritances which was taken very hardly but the two hundredth penny was more burthensome and therefore continued but a short while although the custome thereof was of old much commended among free people for the equality thereof But the Riches of many were unknown or else by reason of traffiquing uncertain and the suspected Faith of Professors hindred the same And this highly offended the common people
out went their Companions who either partly refused or at best were very slow in following the Example The Zelanders chiefly refused to advance their proper Charge by reason of some new or late Losses and among those beyond the Rhine there were used many Evasive Circumlocutions while part study rather the Peoples Favour than the Publike Good and applaud those Impositions which they hoped would be easie for themselvs though they fell heavy upon their Neighbors Others there were who would not be silent when others being quiet they had all the Care of the Commonwealth although the Hollanders winked at it except it were seriously debated in Common-Council they would leave the Care of the out-lying Parts looking onely to their own nearer Necessities and the possession of the Sea Some Comfort was received from the German Princes who as yet having a Suspition and Jealousie of the Spaniard offer'd them continual Aid and Money The Count Palatine excited the rest of his Allies of the same Religion both by Words and Example Shewing to every one of them what Alva had done of old and what Mendosa now and that the Hollanders could not bâ— overcâ—me without the destruction of their Neighbours but if they flourished they would be a great help to many to this for the Defence of Prussia to these of the Possession of the Dutchy of Cleves and to all against the Bishop of Rome and his Followers by whose cruel Hatred and Faction all are oppressed But all this was little hearkned to for the Duke of Brunswic converted his Arms against a City that had assumed too great a Liberty the rest acknowledging themselves unable to maintain the War But Charls Duke of Sudermannia Uncle of Sigismund King of Poland who taking little Care of his Antient People of Sweden and for his earnest Affection against the Romane Religion suspected of Innovation first opposed him in Arms and afterwards in a Publike Assembly when the Kingdom was taken away from him a long time shunning the Name of a King yet usurping the Authority by other Titles when he voluntarily desired the Alliance of the States because he desired some present help and that his hopes were uncertain his Kingdom poor and Forces far distant he was for a time put off with Delays yet because it was an offer'd Friendship it was accepted because he seem'd as it were to fight for Religion making an Excuse That some Holland Ships without any Publike Command had given Aid to Sigismund The Ninth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE New Year which closed up a Century as it produced immediatly great Events so it did seem to portend great Changes of Affairs for a long time The Affairs of the Netherlanders under the Princes were in a bad Condition and full of Trouble and so wasted as was hardly to be seen in other places But the Goodness of the Princes as New They in Authority being present and the very greatness of the Distemper hastned to apply Remedies The United States to whom but newly redeem'd from Servitude was accrewed an Ample Dominion made all their Dangers to be but stricter Bonds to connect them being deliver'd by successful Arms although they had since that been reduc'd to no small Necessity out of their Old Discipline retrain'd their Courage against their Enemy but not equally their Concord and Modesty On both Sides then were great and strong Endeavours while for above the space of Thirty Years they contended to put an end to their Labour with which hope they have prosusely wasted their Forces even to Extremity as if Victory had stood before their Eyes promising Reward to them that could hold our longest And first of all the Winter being Frosty the Hollanders escaped great danger by reason the Rivers were all passable upon the Ice from the Enemies seditious Mutinies which they turn'd to their Advantage For Lewis of Nassau marching with great privacy out with a select Party of Horse and Foot broke into Wachtendone a Town not far from the Borders of the Dutchy of Cleves formerly taken by Count Mansfeldt after a Two Moneths Siege when the Duke of Parma had drawn the States Forces another way The Horse which had lately been added to that Garrison for the preserving thereof were then by chance absent forraging about the Borders of the Bishoprick of Colen yet there were theâ—ein 800 Souldiers but the Ice of the Trenches was not broke and the Situation of the Town far from an Enemy and among Cities associated in Frienship made them more secure than usual Therefore a few seizing the Rampire with a small slaughter they open'd the Gates to the rest Then Geleno both Lord and Governour of the Town fled with some few into the Castle in hope of Aid which he had sent to intreat and there endur'd the Terrour both of Granadoes and Bullets thundred upon him until Lewis his whole Party approached and brought Scaling Ladders to the Works and yet some resisted and among them a Woman well grown in Years not without the hazard and Wounds of those that opposed them But at last overcome by Multitude they yielded this place which was not of a contemptible Situation among the Marishes and then was full of good Booty because many of the Boors had betook hither Themselves and their Wealth because the War raged all about those parts After a few days the Souldiers brought in sufficient of all Things both as to Victuals and Defence Among the French that fought for the Hollanders was one Breautee a Gentleman of good Birth and Bloud in Normandy who vaunting in his Youth had challeng'd to fight 20 of Grebendoncks Troop the chief of whom were infamous for the Treacherous Delivery of Gertruydenberg and therefore certainly this was an unbeseeming Contest for a Person of Honour Each of them with an equal Number came out into a Field not far from Shertogenbosch the Grobbendonkians being better Armed but Breautee more exact in his place and order At the first Charge Breautee kill'd the Enemies Leader who was named Abraham but was known in the Camp by the Nick-name of Cook and so sharp was the Fight and the Shot directed so rightly opposite that in the first Conflict on both Sides the one half of the Contenders fell but by the flight of the French whose Courage began to fail in the continuance of the Danger Breautee being left alone having oftentimes changed his Horse and afterwards fighting on foot at last overpressed with a multitude of Enemies yielded himself The French affirm he articled for his Life against which the Brab under say That by Agreement the Conquered were to expect nothing but Death But certainly being Prisoner he had prevail'd much when some sent out of the City kill'd him with 30 Wounds while he onely begg'd they would let him dye Armed and like a Man A Wickedness fit onely to be committed by such ignominious Persons and yet a good Lesson for magnanimous Youth That they should not
about Antwerp in a running Band and all that were quartered in that part of Flanders and Brabant where the Schelde divides them Care also was taken for appeasing those seditious Spaniards in Hamount who being translated thence to Diest under hopes of money to be there paid them and having other provision made for them at length by little and little returned to their old obedience And though there was a necessity of associating as many as possible for that otherwise the number of the forces would be too small yet still there remained a fear of their seditious humours but at last being won by prayers and promises which is often soen in War that they would lend their helping band to the repelling this common danger they yet retained their discords yet so as that the Enemy should not rob them of their reward But the Italians who succeeded the Spaniards both in Homant and the cruelty of their redition would not slir thence as suspecting that if they got the Victory yet they should be little advantaged thereby but that by their deaths the Princes would be great gainers The number of all they could gather into a body was but ten thousand Foot and sixteen hundred Horse with these as fast as so great and heavy a Body could be moved the Arch-Duke himself went not relyihg on the Care or Fortunes of others herein In their Journey they made a Halt it Gaunt where the Arch-Dutchess Isabella came to them not affrighted with the Noise of War and beseeched them That they would not leave her in this extremity of danger and frustrate her in the top of her hopes But turning particularly to them of Drest she said many Things both concerning the time and matter in hand and that she might raise in them the greater Confidence laying her Hands upon her Ear-Rings and Jewels she protested She would first part with all those principal Ornaments of her Fortune and Honour than that the well-deserving Souldier should want a Reward much less go without his Pay At once the News of the Enemies approach and the danger growing to them in the next Forts thereby arrived at Prince Maurice's Army so that some strucken with the force and Terrour of this so suddain coming of the Enemy fled from the said Fort For they that were to defend Plasâ—endale and Bredenede being but few in number would not so much as see the Enemy But they that held Oldenburg part of them being gone out to Forage and so the Garrison weakned yielded up their Charge The same did they that were left at Snaskerk surrendring the place upon Articles for Life But the Fury of the Rout thinking it long till they embrued their hands in the Enemies bloud contemning the Laws of Arms and the Religion of their Chieftain who had signed the Articles fell upon them and kill'd them all The blame of this wicked Cruelty he cast off from himself upon the Seditious Souldiers and this was done either to make them hated and odious or else these disobedient men really thought to make amends to their Prince for their dubious Fidelity by their perfidious Treachery upon their Enemies It was Night when the Report of this matter came to the Prince's Ears and the Terrour thereof frighted the rest who had foreseen nothing less Nor do I suppose them dis-ingenuous who believe that the Hollanders Affairs had not for many years been in the like danger 'T is true there were Forces which were without doubt considerable to their Party yet the gallantry of the Captain was more than the greatness of the Forces All the Country round about was Hostile and now the Enemy was at hand it was too late to fortifie the Camp nor indeed would it avail them who were ready daily to be surprised with Hunger for Provisions could not be expected from Ostend when the Enemy would lye between it and them To fly into France would be no less base and cowardly than doubtful and dangerous And if they should stay for the Enemy drawing nearer and nearer to them every minute the Souldiers being dispersed in the Siege so that the very Port might be taken from them it would rather seem to be a Slaughter than a Battail Yet for all this the Prince laid hold on one hope which onely remained by the Opinion of all the Commanders in Chief and other Officers the great and famous Day for Battel being not yet come sent Count Ernest with 10 Companies of Foot 4 Troops of Horse and 2 great Guns that by taking the Bridge at Leffingen which one single Passage was stit open the Enemies passage might be stopped towards them but if that could not be effected they should yet make them for a while delay their progress until he prepared his Army and took Counsel further what to do But Count Ernest though speeding all he could found the Enemy passed those Streights and out of hope onely to wear out some time with the two great Guns he had brought with him commodiously planted to that purpose be assailed the Enemy who at first doubting lest all Prince Maurice his Army were come to give him Battel but finding it otherwise drawing his men into a more compact Order and considering how far his Forces excelled the Enemy in number grew very fierce and ardent to sight Nor was the like Courage and Resolution wanting in them on the other side but by the inequality of Men they seemed rather to have taken Counsel to fight than by fighting to have conceived an hope of Victory For at first with singular Testimonies of Eminent Valour they were compelled to Retreat and soon after to fly so that there were slain 800 Men part of them fighting part after thâ—y had Quarter given them the Victory growing to that heighth of Fury that they would spare none This Slaughter as it often happens was the means that all the rest of the Army were saved For while the Enemy was busie in following the Chace and pillaging the Field Prince Maurice got time first to transpose his Horsemen and afterwards his Carriages into that part of the Sea-Coast which looks towards Ostend During whose passage if the Enemy had come upon them there must needs have follow'd a very great slaughter But he being grown more slow by his Security and measuring the whole Event by the former Fight sent Messengers into the Neighbouring Cities that a great part of Prince Maurice's Army was slain in the Fight and himself with the rest inclosed by Them Which Letters being read many of the same Cities applauding their Fortune with an over-hasty Joy posted to make Solemn Orations in their Praise and to declâ—â— their Exaltations by all expressive Signs of rejoycing Inâ—â—e into 〈◊〉 the Foot and the Remainder of the Horse soâ—â— Bâ—â—â— shewing them a Ford not far from the Sea in two Bodies 〈◊〉 over a Bridge made somewhat nearer the Town where the Haven is more narrow The Prince as he carryed any over still placed
Brabant into Flanders to go to Ostend and there raise the Siege But Prince Maurice unmoved with all this noise resolutely affirmed That it was safer to use wary and cautelous Counsells then to run on in rash and adventurous attempts But the Queen of England and the King of France approved the Opinion of the States perswading them to go on with greater Authority because they assisted them with men and money Also a great strength of Germane Horse was hired and very well furnished with other very great preparations And in the Moneth of June Publick Prayers being first made by command though later then was necessary the Expedition was begun at the same time when the Italian Forces arrived at the Netherlandish borders And Letters were sent into divers places as Artois Brabant Flanders and the Deputies of other parts The United States wrote magnificent things concerning their Affairs and Assistance by Forreign Princes they spoke also of the Souldiers sedition on the adverse party and of the wasting and spoiling of Cities what was too much truth and what reward had they for all these miseries but that which is the last and greatest of all miseries Servitude for it was not unknown what the Spaniards formerly prepared and that a false Pretence or the bare Name of Archduke might no longer deceive any body they should see in whose hand was the Government of the State and the publick Power of Peace and War If they desired the Glory of their Ancestors or the Liberty of their Posterity they should then joyn with them or at leastwise assist their strong endeavors by some moderate Levyes Let the Archdukes go and seek more peaceable Kingdoms That it was easy to drive out the few Spaniards that remained in Garrison in several Castles and then they might put the State both Civil and Ecclesiastical into what form they would and that it would be no great pains and labour to attain to the chiefest felicities of Peace and Liberty This was the effect of their Letters which were quickly followed by Prince Maurice who divided his Army into three parts which he commanded to March three several wayes the whole number whereof was Five Thousand Horse and Eighteen Thousand Foot and almost Two Thousand Carriages the middle Tertia was led by Count William of Nassaw That on the right hand by General Vere and the last by Count Ernest of Nassaw yet at no greater distance then that they could easily meet and joyn upon occasion however thus divided they could proceed with more ease and celerity The whole rabble of Pedees and other inferiour people that attended the Army with Mills Furnaces and other necessaries that were usually sent by Sea now followed the Army by Land with no small difficulty Passing the Maes at Nimmeghen from thence the Army marched through the Countrey of Leige by the place where William Prince of Orange Prince Maurice's Father held his Camp with his Army which was conquered by Famine not the Duke of Alva's Arms which mischief because he would avoid by terrible threats he compelled the neighbouring Towns which of their own accord were more inclinable to the Spaniard to bring in Provisions daily to the Army and to sell it at a reasonable rate and yet was scarcely Victuals enough found to give sufficient to so great Forces The fifteenth day the whole army sate down at Centron a village in Leige not far from Tielmont where Mendosa then lay for the Arch-duke hearing of this preparation of the States had sent him from Ostend with forces having left there Don John de Rivez to guard the Camp and fortify it round about They that lay at Waert laying aside their sedition for a while were persuaded to come to Mendosa and increase the number of his forces so that now he had five thousand foot and four thousand horse Ambrose Count Spinola was sent to joyn with these with eight thousand Spaniards and Italians more which he had new brought into the Country in hope of winning honor and to assist his brother's endeavours at Sea and the Spanish affairs at land with this select band of men For he covenanted with King Philip to be reimbursed his charges and therefore at present he paid his men out of his own revenues and although Mendosa had the chief command as General yet he directed and commanded his own men and as he kept them from the want which the rest suffered so he would not give a licentious liberty but kept them in a strict discipline by which means it came to pass that no souldiers ever behaved themselves with more quietness and civility yet seldome was there any severity used towards them By which example it was evident that the strength of military government consisted in money Prince Maurice lying near them drew his souldiers out of the Camp provoking and chalenging the Enemy to fight But Mendosa kept his men within their trenches either because he was unequal in strength or else broken by his captivity he yet feared his unlucky fortune and having once received a great blow for the future it made him only fight by delay These by all means avoiding fight and objecting to themselves the danger and terror of a battel made the Prince perceive that all these glorious and great beginnings would come to nothing for it was not possible for them to goe into the inner parts of that Country with so great an army through so many narrow passages among all the Enemies towns and where the Enemy himself was ready to attend them upon all occasions wherefore he thought meet the sooner to make his retreat get to the rivers and the rather because Victualls began to grow scarce and the harvest was not yet come yet that the year might not pass away ingloriously after such great designs and ostentations turning his thoughts to things of less moment he presently sate down before Grave a town within the territories of Cuick hard by the Maes reasonably well fortified having therein a strong garrison all other things for the enduring of a siege Hither being come the eighth day after a tedious march through the parching heat of the Sun the Prince pitched his Camp in three several parts where many of the new souldiers unaccustomed to such toil and labour died On the upper part of the river lay General Vere on the lower himself and on that part where the fields grow marshy towards Brabant Count William of Nassau That done two bridges were built upon the river one hundred and fifteen foot long and whatever was within the Camp as also on the other side towards Gelderland was inclosed with one continued breast-work before which were very deep and broad trenches for the clearing whereof several forts and sconces were erected that were well furnished with Cannon The great Bulwark which the Townsmen held beyond the river being deserted as not tenable against so great force as was used about it proved afterwards a great assistance to
Ships to the number of twenty and upwards wherein were eight hundred Portugal Souldiers besides a great number ot above fifteen hundred Indians he resolved to make exemplary according to his Commission all such whether Kings or Subjects that had admitted the Hollanders to trade freely and Bantam a City of Java was the first destin'd to this destruction It fortuned by chance that at the same time being the beginning of the year five Holland Ships under the command of Wolfard Herman were in those parts trading they carried about three hundred men and were upon that account far unable to meet with the Portugal Fleet whose Admiral alone exceeded the whole Dutch Fleet both in largeness of bulk and number of men yet the fear of losing the Trade for the future and the hopes of getting honour and favour among those Eastern people drew them not onely to fight like men hand to hand but to undertake the Combat with their great Guns wherewith the Hollanders being very well accommodated did their Enemies very great mischief because being onely driven by the winde and able to retreat draw off as they listed by their quickness of motion they frustrated all the intended violence of the Portugueses Thus they fought for some daies even without intermission until some of the Enemies Ships being sunk and two of them taken the Spaniard daunted with the novelty of such an unexpected mischief departed steering towards Amboyna where without danger there being none to resist they wasted the Town Iton and whatever place else adhered to the Hollanders with fire and sword and the cutting down of several odoriferous plants But the Conquerors in the City of Bantam which they had rescued from so imminent a danger after a festivous reception there soon after went to Banda whence come the best Nutmegs and undertaking the defence of that Island made a league with the People for they have no setled Government That they should not sell their spices to any other people That they should not be injurious one to another concerning Religion but should leave the judgement thereof wholly to God That every one of them should use their own Laws but neither of them should receive any fugitives from the other According to this form in progress of time they contracted friendship and society with other Kings and People that stood in fear of the Spanish tyranny The chief of all the Cities of Sumatra is Achem the King of which place the Portugueses four years before that were most potent in the Court by bribes gifts and false accusations of the Hollanders had drawn partly that he would kill all such of them in their Ships as under the shew of friendship admitted them into them and partly that he would dispatch all such as should come into the City and according to this design a great many were slaughtered the Ships that lay in the harbour knowing nothing thereof moreover the drink of that Country so consternated their minds that they seemed mad nay so farre did the treachery proceed that the Ships were hardly preserved But the King shortly after repenting the cruelty of the fact the Hollanders which afterwards came thither making certain covenants concerning the sale of spices discovercd again that the Portugueses had been buying the King's faith from them whereupon when they found the Agreements they had made would not be observed the Arabian Ships being gone out of the Harbour in revenge of the injuries received from the Indians they sent ashore some Forces which thing being dissonant to the Laws of those Nations afterwards gave the Enemies matter wherewith to recriminate the Hollanders But the Zelanders afterward returning when the King was somewhat estranged from the Portugueses they cleared themselves from that objected crime and beseeched the King that he would send some of his people with them that they might see they were not a company of Pirats as they were aspersed among such as knew them not but that they were a people famous for wealth and fidelity having no enmity or warre with any besides the Spaniards This advice pleased the King that for the future he might be more certain whether he might with more safety incline to the Spaniard or Hollander In this voyage near the Isle of S. Helena these Zelanders espying a great Portugal Carrack loaded with Pearl and other precious commodities and putting themselves between it and the shore after a hot conflict they forced it to surrender itself being first much battered with the great Guns The men that were in it they set ashore upon the coast of Brasile The chief of the Embassadours from Sumatra whose name was Abdutzamar died in Zeland and was buried with a very decent funeral having a Monument exquisitely raised to his memory The rest that survived went to salute Prince Maurice then encamped at the siege of Grave giving him Presents from their King When they saw the great number of the Horse and Foot and the Works of that bulk as was not onely unknown to the Barbarians but such as exceeded those generally in use among us they were even amazed with admiration The Treaty held with them was by the name of Arabians And the report of these things coming as it were into another World made them not onely shake off all vain suspicions but was prevalent with many rather to entertain the Hollanders friendship then to be kept in subjection to the Spanish tyranny The King of Ternate which is one of the Molucca's publickly owned the Hollanders for at his request Necken invaded the Portugueses in the next Island named Tidoris But when he was about to assault those in the Castle being ready to make defence some darts and shot being spent on both sides being lamed by the loss of his hand and having lost some few of his men he put off the fight In Patau also and the coasts of Cauchin-China and elsewhere their coming was very acceptable but in Ceilon one of the bigger Islands where grows the best Cinnamon they found the King who is called Fimala a great enemy to the Portugueses by whom he had formerly been taken and carried away and Spilberg informing them of the Dutch affairs perceived them very desirous both of friendship and society The King of Jora also this is a Kingdome in the region of Malacca daring to rip up old injuries against the Portugueses incited Jacob Hemskerk then having with him two Holland Ships to set upon a Carrack of an immense magnitude that lay in the Streights between Malacca a Portugal colony and Sumatra which he accordingly did the said King being both the author and witness of the Victory The Hollanders contented with the booty which was very great spared the lives of all the persons in it being near seven hundred of all sexes and ages although there yet appeared many fresh examples of the Portugal cruelty That Ship came from Macao a Town in the Empire of China which the Portugals possess by the courtesie of
Ambrose Spinola besides he raised in Germany foot-souldiers and in Lorrain horse-men and after they arrived Spinola being left at Ostend seven thousand foot and three thousand horse were delivered to Frederick Count Heremberg and his first orders were to drive out those who had violently seated themselves in Hochstraten This Philip had commanded as well for security sake at present as for example sake in the future and lest while he turned his Armes to other parts they should invade the places left destitute of defence for of late they had spoiled the Province of Namur taken the Town of Jedin and the Governor of Carpen Castle and yet returned safe and full of booty At this time they in Hochstraten held a most severe discipline and worthy of imitation by the best souldiers their guards and watches were very diligently looked after neither was any permitted to goe into a bed or put off his clothes while he took his rest no women were suffered to come within the Castle to fight among themselves and to have any secret conferences or letters was a capital offence These laws were established and confirmed by punishments of offenders without pardon These understanding that they were like to be besieged sent to the States and Prince Maurice and beseech and beg their aide promising upon their faith that they would jointly and unanimously fight against the Enemy but protesting that they would have all prisoners they should take at their own dispose because the laws of War were usually denied among Enemies to such as were renegadoes Eight hundred of them were shut up in the Castle the rest being fifteen hundred foot and above a thousand horse expect Prince Maurice who hearing that Count Heremberg was now come and began to doe all acts of hostility against the Castle draws together little less then ten thousand foot and three thousand horse out of their Winter-quarters and speeds with them to Geertruydenberg In which City happened a sad spectacle the French and English by mutual quarrells among themselves falling together by the ears being Nations always emulous of one another insomuch that now there began a perfect battel between the whole Regiments some being killed more wounded and the Colonel of the French Monsieur Bethune himself running in between them to prohibit their fighting was killed which much incensed the minds of his men Scarcely could the sight or speech of the Nassavian Commanders or of the Prince himself prevail to deterre the further increase of this impious and increasing slaughter Here Prince Maurice's forces joyning with those of the seditious they marched together though souldiers of different obligations and principles by a new and strange kind of example Between the fields and the Enemies Camp was a little rivulet the ground all about which is very moory this Count Heremberg either by error or tot suspecting the coming of Prince Maurice had neglected to possess The Prince having by prepared bridges brought over his souldiers and artillery on a sudden faces the Enemy with his Army But Count Heremberg kept himself within the safeguard of the place and the defence of his carriages which he had placed in form of a rampier onely the horse were commanded to advance which produced some light skirmishes Nor did Prince Maurice think meet to set upon the Enemies entire untill he had tried all places that might be advantageous to himself or the Enemy Count Heremberg fearing as other things so to be debarred of provisions through the help of the night withdrew first his Cannon and afterwards his souldiers towards Herentalls in the mean while keeping watches against the Enemy that he might be the better able to deceive them But when the appearance of day-light had discovered their design they which were in the Castle first fell in their rear where among others was slain Rosney the son of a famous Commander both in France and the Low-Countries who at that time commanded the Lorraign souldiers But another small river hindred Prince Maurice from his intended pursuit of the Enemy for that it was fordable onely with great difficulty besides the way was narrow and full of water yet moving on forward with the horse he found the Enemy newly passed the streights and his Army drawn into battalia in the open fields and although the Hochstrateners were very earnest to fight as well in their own revenge as in giving a proof of their affection and valour to their new friends yet it was not thought fit to fight this Army thus drawn up and ordered without the foot and Artillery which followed but slowly after over the difficulties of an uliginous way besides the toilsome grievousness of the weather which was disturbed with continual rain and tempests Thus the siege being raised Prince Maurice boldly threw himself into the midst of the seditious souldiers that by this great confidence of them he might oblige them to him the more strictly And now he again resolved while part of the Enemies forces were with him to besiege 's Hertogenbosch which by the cruelty of the Winter the last year he was forced to break off his confidence resting onely in celerity if the City could be surrounded void of a garrison as it then was But the matter being related to the Councel of the States the Zelanders pressing to make war in Flanders yet at last the Prince was permitted to doe what should seem most convenient to the Commonwealth but in the mean while eight days were spent And although Count Heremberg's forces were prepared and increased purposely to disturb all designs of the Prince yet he continued in his resolution not so much out of any hopes of attaining the City as because he would keep the Enemy busied in trifling and himself not be compelled to the defence of his own elsewhere and to depend wholly upon uncertain events Some were of opinion that the Townsmen wearied with the miseries of war would either alter their fidelity or at leastwise doe that as should make them seem so moderate to both parties that they should neither fear nor be feared Therefore the Summer being now well entred the Prince sate down at the Village named Vuchten and the Huhstrateners at Vlimen in the way to Hoesden there being a great distance of ground between the two Camps The third day after Count Heremberg drew nigh and in the woody places towards that part where the City lay open in the Village of Dalem fortified himself casting up defences against Prince Maurice He on the other side erected some Sconces and Batteries with great Guns where the ground ceasing to be plain swells up into little hills and much time was carelesly spent in light skirmishes and wasting of shot At last Heremberg was advised to erect a Fort without the City near the way that leads from Vuchten to Vlimen to this intent that the passage being stopped from Prince Maurice's Camp to that of the Hochstrateners a more hopefull opportunity might be expected against them being
divided or that by a scarcity of Victualls which were brought from Hoesden to the Camp the siege might be removed or broken up of necessity The charge of this business was committed to the Marquesse of Bella Colonel of the Italians with two thousand souldiers the flour of divers Regiments which being carried round about the City in the night had brought the designed work to some perfection the ground being thrown up and mingled with faggots to the height of a man whereof the Prince receiving intelligence not till it was very late in the night he with the most active and valiant of his men flying thither excited every one to this no less difficult then necessary business The English valiantly made the first assault and were no less courageously repulsed but the French strongly seconding them soon made the place too hot for the Enemy and the gates of the Town being shut they having no place of refuge to fly to nor any relief to assist them were slain together with their Commander or drowned in the adjoyning marishes about one hundred and fifty were taken prisoners It happened by chance about the same time that the Arch-duke at Ostend striving to restrain the going in and out of the souldiers by some sharp and severe punishments getting a Ship which stuck upon the Shallows wherein were onely twelve sick souldiers he hanged them all pretending they were not taken at land but upon the Sea where there are no laws of Arms to be observed the news of which being brought to the Camp Prince Maurice esteeming it an act of great cruelty and wickedness not having any relation to a war at Sea that he might make the Laws of Arms setled among all Enemies to be of esteem by a return of the like cruelty caused twelve chosen at hap-hazard out of the whole number of prisoners to be hanged yet one of them out of pity to his tender age was spared though some did not stick to averre that the known and well-approved law of covenants being infringed so barbarously ought to be expiated not onely with the punishment of the like but rather of a double number Certainly it was a sad sight and not to be forgotten among the many evils of war when young men of good breeding and ingenuity and not deserving any such thing with sorrowfull countenances trembling hands and between prayers and sighs not so much fearing death as the ignominious kind thereof should draw and look upon their fates inclosed in bits of paper either of condemnation for anothers fault or of pardon not for innocencie's sake but the chance of fortune Yet there was one found of so desperate a temerity who by his own good luck set free yet hired by another once more put his life in jeopardy for the safeguard of the other But the Townsmen defended themselves onely by shot yet it fortuned that the Marquesse of Malaspina and one Oliver Tempel passing from the Prince's to the Vlimian Camp had both their legs broken at one shot Malaspina was a person much knowing in all Albertus his counsells of war and being lately taken prisoner by the Hochstrateners survived though in a very weak condition But Oliver died of his wound having fought on the States behalf above twenty years so that now he was Judge-Advocate of the Army and besides at that time was set over the Hochstrateners by his reason to keep in order their violence Afterwards Albertus himself came to the City and trying all things observed that there was a slight Sconce built by the Mauricians in a square forme not far from the place where the Marquesse of Bella was lately slain Of this place the Arch-duke saying it was necessary to be taken and without doubt for the future it would have been of great use to him news thereof was privily conveyed and brought to the Prince by the intelligence of a souldier that fled from them to him Some days being past one night a little before the break of day making as if they intended an assault in divers places their main strength wholly aimed at the destined place Nor did Prince Maurice being forewarned of the danger omit at the same time to draw down thither the most courageous both of his own men and some of the choicest of the Hochstrateners putting out all the fires The appearance of the day discovered a Battery of nine great Guns opposite to the Fort and others directed from the Town-Bulwarks and other Fortresses wherewith the Sconce being violently battered on all hands was so shattered that the souldiers hid themselves in the hollow places of the ground yet the Prince came to them and threatned severely to hang any that should desert the place At the same time he placed a circle of musketiers round the whole circumference of the Trench and commanded three Cannon to be brought out of the Camp wherewith the Enemies strength being repress'd and the assailants forced to become defendants leaving the Boats which they had brought for the more easy passing the interjacent marishes and scarcely saving their great Guns the Mauricians took all the Mattocks Faggots Hurdles and other things prepared for destruction and converted them all to the repairing and augmentation of their own Works The Arch-duke designing several attempts against the Enemy which indeed was the main cause of his coming commanded three thousand Souldiers which he pretended should onely march through the Town to remain there in Garrison which made the Citizens complain grievously of the breach of those Covenants which for twenty years together had been inviolably preserved But necessity and the fear of punishment quickly made them silent also there was a strong Fortress raised close by the City which might serve instead of a Castle though it had not the name of one And at the beginning of Winter the ground being marishy and full of water the Armies departed When the seditious whose labours this year had been great and exemplary desiring another place of safety might be given them for Hochstraten wherein they might have more room and that lay more convenient for forage the matter hanging long in debate before the States Prince Maurice of his own accord admitted them into Grave a Town belonging to himself that they might remain within the Walls and have the command of all the Bulwarks about it but not to doe any injury to the Citizens And the Covenants formerly made were renewed and confirmed concerning the dividing of the spoil and that they should not infest or spoil any of the Countries belonging either to the Germane Empire or the United States as long as they continued at difference with Albertus they should not spare their best pains and labour yet so as they alwaies should remain separate in all marches and be free from all servile works of digging and assaults that when they should be reconciled they should restore Grave and receive Hochstraten for performance whereof they engaged their faith and gave pledges These were the
he might have taken the Town by force having then a very little or no Garrison and had also come upon them at Ostend while they were full of fear and before they were aware and dispersed farre distant one from another or else he might if he pleased have fought them or at least have stopped all provision from the Enemy In the mean while Souldiers sent from the Camp at Ostend and elsewhere had filled the farther bank of the Haven at Sclays Spinola taking care for it who before had sent forth several Spies and Scouts that were to bring word of the coming of the Fleet. And although the Holland Ships of Warre had compelled the Enemies Gallies to retreat to the Town for fear the mouth of the Haven should be stopped they battered with their Cannon a small â—ort situate on the opposite bank for he could not put over thither any Souldiers having twice In vain attempted it Pompey Justinâ—no making resistence with two thousand men This Gentleman was the chief of all the Colonels in Spinola's counsels and besides the honour of his knowledge in Martial affairs he moâ—ed very well in his accurate writing thereof And how Prince Maurice inquiring what way he might best take to goe into the inner part of Flanders by chance a Countryman flying from thence to escape a small party of the Enemy that was come thither and pursued also shewed him a Ford in that channel which compasseth Cazant behinde where a bank being raised and the adjoyning Fort taken called Coxen a Bridge and Garrison was placed they having time enough free from the Enemy while Trioâ—lci and Justiniano differed in counsel among themselves There were two other Fortresses hard by called by the names of Katharine and Pâ—â— which yielded sooner then could be hoped or imagined for Katharine Sconce being sorely bruised with bullets was deserted by Trivulci even when Prince Maurice despairing of the work had commanded his Artillery to he drawn off nor did Trivulci onely goe oâ— with his Souldiers but the tumultuary band of Country-men that were mixed with them for they hearing a noise which was of the Enemie's marching away which they interpreted to be an increase of their Forces and that they were coming to shut up all the Avenues fled to Fort Philip nor staid they there but pâ—sted to Ysendike leaving in Philips Fort threescore in number who upon sight of the Enemy with all speed delivered the place Thence for the winning of Ysenâ—ke which is a Fort in the utmost coast of Flanders 〈◊〉 the Hont a siege was thought necessary for all the Enemy that were driven from other places had here â—ed themselves to the number of six hundred and the seventh day after the place was surrendred Prince Maurice being busied there the Enemy approched in hope to recover Cazant and in the night endevoured to have passed in Boats to that purpose provided And 〈◊〉 six hundred were come thither unobserved others following them but at last being spied by the Scots who had the charge of the place these Enemies by their â—â—lotons force were quickly put to flight and killed Behinde Scluys lies Ardenburg now shewing onely the remains of a sometimes farre more noble Town this the Prince finding the Souldiers that were left for the defence thereof fled entred and commanded the same to be fortified and passing from Middleburg which is a free City not farre off and in the Castle which is the onely place of defence placing Souldiers he now began to revolve in his minde the siege of Scluys Because the Enemy had preoccupied all the places lying between Ostend he spread himself to the two Rivers which from Damme and Bruges pass to Scluys being divided by a small limit yet so different in tast that from thence they have attained the names of salt and fresh water but where the Lake named Merkerk streightens the way leading thither as indeed almost all that Country is full of water Lewis Velasco by the Arch-duke's command had fortified himself and going out with a strong Party Fortune smiling upon the Enemies in the attempt they made upon those they first met before the Horse that were added to him could come in to his help he with his whole number was overthrown five hundred almost were drowned and three hundred taken and thus they came to the Rivers and although the Enemy had planted himself between on one part dissembling on the other side finding a passage first went over at a Ford and afterwards over Bridges to that purpose builded Hence grew so great a terror that the Forts were deserted which lie to the Eastward from the Haven of Scluys excepting onely one called S. George which yet was quickly delivered more out of fear then necessity upon sight of the Cannon drawn before it The Garrison going abroad they found the deceit of an evil custome a lighted match being placed by the Barrels of Gunpowder to have blown up the same and ruined all near thereabouts Then the Prince pitched three Camps between the Town and the Sea-shore over which himself Count William and Count Ernest had the Command That which was beyond the Rivers lying every where under water he commanded Colonel Notte to keep to that purpose giving him some Boats and from thence a Breast-work to be drawn as farre as Ardenburg whereon frequent Guards to be kept But before they were able perfectly to surround the Town with their Works the Souldiers twice broke into Scluys through the Marishes and in so great number through the Governour 's neglect that it was believed they were sufficient to have defended the Town against him for there was within but little Victuals and the number of those that eat it was increased and that made Justiniano with a strong Guard bring provisions into the parts near the Town which they were to meet him and receive but the design being discovered Prince Maurice hastning with some Horse and Artillery drove away the Enemy and took some Carts loaden with Meal and a few men Fifty of the Slaves belonging to Spinola that with some others had come forth of the City fled over to the Prince by whose intelligence he was more certainly informed that there was Victuals in the Town onely for a short season that they made a great shew of many things the better to deceive and delude their Enemies Hereupon a Fast was proclaimed in the Camp which is customary with them going to attempt any difficult and dangerous matter after which they planted their great Guns and made a Bridge of a wonderful bigness as if therewith they would goe beyond the broad and deep gulf of the Haven even unto the Rampier but indeed some despairing they stayed onely to pinch the Enemy with Famine and to that end they were more diligent in shutting up all the Avenues not would receive any more fugitives in the interim the Horse plundering Flanders Now was the Arch-duke pressed with many great discommodities at once and the
the Netherlandish Nobles Therefore Albertus notwithstanding the waving of his consent permitted the Provinces severally to meet cherishing those that were discontented in minde with the hope of money from the Indies which the wealthy and successful Spanish Fleet had brought or else of an approaching Peace if the Warre were more eagerly followed for a little time The beginning of the year among the Spaniards was spent in idleness and repose among the sweets and blandishments of mirth while Don Ambrosio Spinola having now the whole command of the Warre he was but newly come from Spain where he had consulted with the King concerning the method of managing thereof had likewise bestowed on him the honour of the Golden Fleece and before the King of Great Britain's Embassadour was sworn to the peace with Albertus Now also was the settlement of the Kingdome of Spain upon the Male issue celebrated with pompous Shews and publick Prayers and Thanksgivings At the height of the Spring and not before Prince Maurice having gathered together his Forces by the direction of the States he undertakes a great work for he went to Antwerp of old the most flourishing City of all the Netherlands and now the general Trade being gone to the Hollanders retaining their formerly-gotten wealth and renown A great hope of glory incited him to the gaining thereof for about twenty years before in the Duke of Parma's time while the Affairs of the Union were wholly unsetled by a long and difficult Siege scarcely grown into a full success yet such was the Victor's vainglorious ostentation as made the World believe that in that one City he had gained the possession of the whole Netherlands It was serious and considerate advice to shut up this large and spacious City with small Forces by overflowing all the adjacent plain Fields with the River Scheld and pitching their Camps on the higher ground but there appeared no sufficient reason of seising the opposite bank of the River on the edge of Flanders Some advised to send Souldiers through the Country by night-marches out of Cazant but Prince Maurice himself chose rather to goe by Ship which while it was preparing with great endevour as fortuned the Enemy immediately grew jealous and gave out in speeches that Antwerp should be attempted This News was received with various affections of the Townsmen part of them rejoycing as if their Liberty was drawing nigh others imagining a scarcity would follow presently began to inhance the price of Victuals and many gathering together their wealth and riches thought to betake themselves to flight But Spinola sending thither some Horse encouraged such as were afraid the same Horse behaving themselves modestly and without injury of the Citizens then viewed all the coast of Flanders which situate over against Antwerp is called Waesenland and left there three thousand foot-Souldiers in Guard that were to wait upon the Enemie's motion for he was not ignorant that the Enemy could not possess the River unless by drowning the Fields and placing Guards he made that coast also his own Wherefore chusing a particular day Prince Maurice with a strong Party went to Bergen op Zoom and Count Ernest of Nassau bringing the rest of the Souldiers in the Fleet out of Zeland came into the Scheld and first of all passing with good success all the Hollanders Forts when he came near Antwerp among the Enemie's Sconces although in the night he could not pass unseen but was forced to assail the Flandrian banks through all the Enemie's Shot but they which kept Guard in those parts being stirred up by the noise of the bullets and covered by the interposition of the banks following the fails Count Ernest the wind beating back the Ships into Brabant was hindred to come and joyn his Forces where he was commanded being otherwise engaged to fight at disadvantage with a resolute and well-provided Enemy However to try his fortune in small boats he transports almost four hundred men that were easily routed by the first shock of the Enemy and other part of them were taken Colonel Dorpen by the violent pursuit of the Enemy leaping armed into the River escaped one danger with another Count Ernest being driven back into Brabant Prince Maurice disappointed of his design compells the Castle of Woude situate not farre from Berck within five daies to surrender which was too mean a prize for so great an Army to look after and too small a reward for them that had before them so great hopes yet some satisfaction it yielded for from thence the Enemy infested the Rivers with Piracies But these great threats happened not onely to be in vain but to fall out quite contrary so that the Hollanders had not of a long time a more unfortunate year While Prince Maurice staid at Woude Spinola though at that time the Court there was full of mirth concerning the English Embassadour was not slow to take into his thoughts more serious affairs among those pleasant diversions but made a Bridge over the Scheld that went towards the Enemy which way soever he should turn by which means he was ready to pursue and therefore was the more severe to those that surrendred Woude as guilty of an over-hasty and cowardly fear so that he punished some of them with death Nor did the United States a little waver and grow afraid at the report of these great Forces approaching with Spinola not resolved whether they had best assault or defend but the Prince persuaded to remain about Rhine lest the Enemy that way should invade the undefended parts of their Dominion And his opinion prevailing command was given to goe into Flanders and to call a Councel at Scluys And now they thought fit to besiege the t'Zas not farre from Gaunt where the waters running from thence fall into the Hont and so into the Sea which if they brought to pass with good success they threatned some Cities but if not yet they would retain there Spinola's strength threatning the cruelty of a grievous Warre to other places Not farre from Ysendike Prince Maurice sate down with his Army which he had brought by Ship to Waterfleet whom Spinola sending some part of his Forces before immediately follows and at a place called Bucholt which was between him and the t'Zas settles himself as a fit place either to oversee or repress the Enemie's endevours Thus they remained a great while in view of each other without any thing done by either save a few light skirmishes of the Horse One time Pompeio Justiniano by Spinola's command entred the marishes in hope to have burned the Sutlers Boats which lay hard by Prince Maurice's Camp but being espied by the Sentinels he was soon met and repulsed In that Region over against Walcheren lies the Fort Patientia in the assault whereof Prince Maurice intended to drive away idleness but Spinola took a little Fort that lay in the middle of the way and joyned it to his Camp with a continued Breastwork but
Prince Maurice's Camp lying in a wet and unwholesome soil what with diseases and what with runnings away was almost emptied But Fortune recompenced at Sea this slow and protracted Warre at Land from whence since the first Commotions of the Hollanders until these very times that which was reckoned among the great burthens of the Spaniard to wit that his best and choicest Souldiers must of necessity be brought afarre off out of Italy by long Marches into the Netherlands being in the interim of no use though they were an extraordinary charge and burthen was now eased by Spinola for he brought by Sea out of Spain it self into the Ports of Flanders what Forces he had occasion for Twelve hundred Souldiers trained up in the Irish Warres by Colonel Pedro Sarmienti were at Lisbone put aboard eight Ships and some little Barks the charge of all which was given to Pedro Cumiara whose particular instruction among others was this That if he could not get in at Flanders avoiding the coast of France he should goe to the British shore where by the help of the Spanish Embassadour they might have safe harbour and that he should there receive such of the Britans as he had hired and purchased by gifts But the United States that they might for the future restrain the like bold attempts by terrour did command William Hauteene Admiral of Zeland to meet the Spaniards in the narrow Sea towards Bulloyn and without any pity to drown all the Prisoners they took in the Sea Now it is to be observed that the Spaniards were not brought in Ships of Warre but of burthen such as could with most ease lurk upon either the British or German coasts But Hauteene with part of his Fleet coasting about Flanders and with the residue going along the shores of Britain by this means met with whatever passed in the middle of the Chanel Thus passing along at last he met his Enemies about Dover who when they would not strike sail but voluntarily stood in their own defence by shooting part of them were slain the rest escaped either by swimming or the help of English Boats which came in to their succour and took them up Another Ship coming even into the harbor was so beset with two Ships of Zeland that at last they all struck upon the Flats and Quicksands but the Zelanders as they were less in bulk so more light to avoid and escape a danger not onely assaulted but took and brought off the Enemie's Vessel The Mariners according to command were thrown into the Sea the Souldiers and such as had long been in service much complaining of Fortune not that she deprived them of their lives which they knew was but short at the best and whereof they could not in regard of their age hope the long continuance but that they being a people sworn to fight should not die valiantly as Souldiers with their swords in their hands but should be helplessly swallowed up in the all-devouring waves of the Sea The next day some more Ships were taken and one burned all the Souldiers suffering the like severe fate being tied two together which upon a sign given were all at once thrown over-board One saying he had no need of the Enemie's hands to hasten on his death voluntarily leaped into the Sea who though he was unknown among all that obscure company yet was covetous of honor even to his last This slaughter consumed almost the one half of the men and Ships for four of them by the help of the wind got into the Haven yet were many of the men there wounded and slain even by the Enemie's shot But the Souldiers in Dover while these Enemies fought at Sea a great while looking on at last grew angry to have the War brought into their Jurisdiction and shot from the Castle in aid of their late Enemies against their old Friends The Britans recriminating the Hollanders for these attempts were afterwards answered that they did not seek for any Ships in the Rivers of England which yet the Dunkerkers without any notice taken thereof had done but they looked rather at their Enemy growing hot by the force of Victory then either the confines or boundaries of Sea and Land But they could not so easily purge themselves because under pretence of searching the English who contrary to the King's Proclamation made War at Sea they had not long since drawn to their shore the Spanish Ships which were take as a prey by the Hollanders and vindicating King Philip's Embassadour had under pretence of right eluded the force of War But the Spaniards that lately were driven thither by the desperate storms of the Sea before Winter remained there at great charge which was very grievous to their Masters and in the interim while in a miserable condition they continued on the bare shore in poor little cottages by them erected either lived in great poverty or died languishing for not a few of them died of sickness and wounds among whom was Cumiara himself Now arrived out of Italy six strong Regiments by their usual way of marching by Land besides new levies made by the Archduke in the neighbour Kingdomes nor otherwise came the parties to so great strength for Spinola when he was in Spain with the King replete with the honor and authority of taking Ostend had easily persuaded him that this lingring War advantageous to the Enemy might easily have an end set thereto if the King would contract his long-continued gifts and to this purpose he gave for his word and inscribed on all his Ensigns this Motto Jam aut nunquam Now or never Wherefore calling to mind the frequent mischiefs that had arisen by Sedition he required money and two Armies with the one of which he would defend his own limits and with the other would invade Frieseland and to that purpose provided all things necessary in plenty for the Tributes beyond the Rhine being gotten by them would be a great damage to the Enemy besides many Cities now possessed by the Enemy which at present the Rivers defended would become a new bound and there would be need of a strong Army to scatter the Garrisons And this with the greater hope was to be undertaken in regard from thence the very entrails of the Hollanders would lie open to them both by Sea and Land This was wise counsel as the first successes made it seem but the rest being not followed according to hope I will proceed to remember The Generals yet remaining in Flanders while the Prince at Scluys took care to fortify Ysendike and Spinola attempted him with false alarms Count Bucquoy having with a strong party not far from Colen driven the Hollanders Ships out of the Rhine for he had carried with him great Guns passed the River to the great terror of the German Cities round about from whose remembrance the Villanies of Mendosa's time and the many indignities they had suffered were not yet banished At the mustring of the forces the
a while at Lingen and there as if amazed at so good fortune he admired the strength and rare structure of the Works and yet for their defence he raised other Works beyond the Trench Which late design coming to the knowledge of Prince Maurice he followed thither as if he had intended a present siege But if he had chosen rather to get more then to keep what he had gotten the same force and the fresh report of his approach had brought an equal terror upon all places There were but few Souldiers either at Coevoerden or the Fort in Bourtange through which places the Enemy must come into Frieseland besides Groeningen trembled and Embden though farre off yet ignorant a matters of War was tired with private discords which Count Enno being confident in this Warre of the States affairs increased And now the Enemy lying still awhile Prince Maurice had some vacant time for his Pioneers to strengthen and repair the fortifications of the Garrisons in Frieseland and beyond the Rhine Himself with Count William of Nassau having gathered together nine thousand men be marched to Coevoerden for defence of the interior parts and that he might be the nearer to follow the Enemy in the very track adding to that place several new Bulwarks Among all these publick actions some private and clandestine Stratagems also were used whereof one Terral a French fugitive was the inventor This man having tendred his service to the Hollanders and being refused because he seemed to ask too great honors and rewards went over to the Spaniard he was of a confident spirit and rarely skilled in all Fire-works and other devices made with Gunpowder To this man the Archduke out of the supernumerary Souldiers in other places assigned fifteen hundred foot and three hundred horse under the command of Colonel Torricurte the Governor of Hulst in hopes therewith to have surprised Bergen op Zoom These in the night at the ebbe of the Sea through the marishes got into the Haven and possessed two Forts the one that defended the Haven the other the Gate the Souldiers that kept them flying away And if they had proceeded forward from the Haven the City would have been indangered both the Souldiers and Townsmen being unprovided and so in the greater confusion But they went to the Water-gate and there with their Engines throwing down two Sluces that lay between them and the Town the Petard that they hung at the Gate having in the march caught wet did no execution no more did the Hand-granadoes because they were moistned with the dirt Thus being frustrated of their hopes and the tide of Floud increasing they hastned their return deserting all the places they had gotten and now the multitude of defendants being come together they not onely shot with bullets but from above threw down upon them great stones wherewith thirty were killed and many hurt Yet did not this unfortunate event so terrify them but that a moneth after they attempted the same thing again with greater courage and more force when the contest was more sharp because their coming being foreknown by some Scouts all things within were prepared ready to receive them The Enemy knowing nothing of their intelligence in the Town came on A little after midnight the weather wet and clowdy and by that means exceeding dark the signe being given they assaulted three places at once in two of which they had placed Bridges by reason of the water and although they were not long enough yet many scrambling with their hands and feet got to the Rampier to the top of which they were no sooner gotten but they were immediately beaten down again for the Governor of the Town Colonel Paul Baxen mingling the Townsmen and Souldiers together had manned all the Works round about the Town himself riding from place to place and keeping in the Market-place two Companies to be assisting in any place in case of necessity But on that side the Town towards Steenbergen it seemed rather to be downright force then any nocturnal Policy for the Townsmen setting fire on straw and pitched barrells made so great a light that they could see plainly all that the Enemy did There with Gunpowder they had beaten down two Gates and a Draw-Bridge insomuch that the Enemies beat up their Drums even within the Town-walls in like manner the horse sounded their Trumpets as if at that very instant they had been entring There was one Sluce yet remaining which the Townsmen had stopped up with Carts and other great pieces of Timber this in regard many of Terrall's workmen were killed and spoiled in the former places they endeavored to cut into pieces with their Swords and with Axes But the Townsmen seeing the approching Enemy threw down fire upon them from the walls and with their Muskets and great Guns not onely gave them certain wounds but reproachfull language so that at last the Souldiers refused to be led to the slaughter by their Officers There was no slothfull person in the City at this time both the Magistrates and Ministers putting on Arms and by their presence giving others not onely exhortations but example nay the very Citizens that were of the Roman Religion if any such were knowing that a Victory gained in the darkness of the night and height of fury would make no difference of persons acted with great resolution lest they should seem to disunite themselves from the common cause the very Women did not spare any pains or labour in bringing Calthrops Bullets Pitch and Stones in their childrens cradles having first emptied them of all things else and then in the more retired and soft places upon their bended knees with eyes and hands lifted up to Heaven they beseeched God to assist the Defendants and to turn the evil of those cruel designs upon the authors thereof After day was broken the residue of them returned to Antwerp In the Town there was onely one killed and very few wounded for they were well saved by the height of their defences In like manner also Grobbendonck attempted to assault Grave by night with Bridges and scaling-Ladders but understanding that the Townsmen prepared to receive him he desisted And now Spinola had fortified Lingen unresolved what to doe the remaining part of the year the Autumn being now beginning To refresh his Souldiers in Germany would be infamous and base The Spies that were sent to Berck returned and brought intelligence that the Works were very great and hard to be overcome At length leaving Garrisons both at Lingen and Oldenziel oftentimes removing his Camp he sate down before Roeroort and making there a Bridge he erected a Fort on each side of the Rhine the Germans desiring that at Keysersweert might be pulled down But Roeroort being a Town in the jurisdiction of Moers in the Enemie's Country and better situated upon consultation had about the same it was thought that removal was advantageous At this time a new Regiment came out of Italy into the
Ships under the conduct of Captain Matelifen one of the Governors of the Indian Company In the interim Carden whom we mentioned before to be sent to Brasile returned with a very great booty Among the Neighbors although the name of Peace yet continued yet many fierce commotions were believed to tend towards War for the Citizens of Aquisgrane the City having alwaies been coveted by the Dukes of Brabant had new Governors put upon them Imperial Decrees made against them and which then was buried in silence but afterwards was manifested by the confidence of a private League with Albertus all the Ceremonies of the Reformed Religion were both publickly and privately forbidden they who had before born the Office of Magistrates were not onely accused as guilty of Sedition but as being illegally chosen were contumeliously used and fined their Accusers were of the choicest sort and whoever undertook their defence were joyned with them in punishment The Bishop of Colen's Legates to whom the Emperor had given that in command under pretext of Reconciliation publickly declared that profession faulty upon their bended knees and afterwards laied pecuniary mulcts upon all they denounced guilty in the name of costs and charges and upon most the fine exceeded their ability yet if it were not paid part were thrown into Prison others removed their habitations whose Banishment was followed with care and hatred of the Commons against the Great men and pity towards the poor But by how much at the present they were oppressed by so much the more violently they would in the future break out In France besides the rest of the Spaniard's treacheries it was discovered that Monsieur Merarges sent from Narbon to exhibite the desires of that Province to the King had agreed with Don Balthazar Zunica King Philip's Embassador privately for the delivery of Marseilles concerning which he and one Brunelle a Netherlander Secretary to the Embassador were apprehended and with them were taken palpable demonstrations of their Treason When the Embassador required his servant according to the Law of Nations the King on the other side set forth the unworthiness of the fact and how the right belonging to Embassadors was by himself violated The Embassador replied If any thing had been done contrary to friendship that ought not to be attributed to him for the French King contrary to the Peace made at Verbin had openly given assistance to Rebells and the Enemies of the true Religion nor had he onely tempted to corrupt the Counts Heremberg and others in the Netherlands but had stirred up the Moors to invade Spain With which reproof the King being more enraged answered That the Roman Religion was more indebted to him and his ancestors then the Spaniard that being untruly reported to be the cause of the War in the Netherlands because in truth that contest was about Dominion And if he either would pay what money was due to the Hollanders or the French who are a people impatient of ease would in these parts make War under a famous General as in the farther Hungary and with the Archduke how much would that resemble so many treacherous designes intended against Cities and the tempted fidelity of so many great men Then he repeated particulars protesting those things spoken concerning the Moors to be false and confessions extorted by force And if it were unlawfull for him to allure the Count Heremberg and others who were not Low-country-men but Germans to unworthy actions what did they merit who by large promises had drawn away Terral not onely a Subject but a Member of his House and family But these were small matters But if haply an Embassador dived into the secrets of State-affairs by politick means it ought mutually to be dissembled and pardoned but counsells of cruelty and such as tended to the hazard of lives ought by him to be refelled Zunica praising the King of great Britain that although he differed in Religion yet he observed the Peace with great reverence the French King answered Their friendship with the Spaniards was but of a new date but a short time would make appear what it would come to But at last the Embassador was glad to pacify the King's anger which began to break out into threats saying there should be no need thereof as well the vertues as the wisedome of Henry the Fourth being generally known to most men But at last Merarges being brought to condigne punishment the Secretary was restored to the Embassador his Master it being proved to the King that it would be better to repay subtlety with policy then to seek to revenge it by War About this time a horrible Conspiracy was discovered in Britain contrived by some who valued their own safety and fidelity and all Laws both divine and humane less then their Zeal to the Roman Religion for because they could not by Petition obtain liberty for the exercise of their Rites hiding a great quantity of Gunpowder under the Parliament-house they decreed at the first assembling of the Parliament to blow up the King the Prince and the Peers of the Kingdome And the chief Fathers of the Jesuites being consulted with by the authors of the Plot whether it were lawfull in so great a number of guilty persons to destroy some innocent ones they answered that for the great good of the Church some wel-deserving persons might suffer confirming their opinion by an argument of besieged Cities But one of the more consciencious of them admonishing his friend that he should not come to the Parliament at the appointed day the Letter of advice being mistakenly delivered first gave notice of the designe and afterwards the place being found out both the Treason and the Traitor himself were found out Upon knowledge whereof the Conspirators in the farthest parts of Britain broke out into open Rebellion one Oldcorne a Jesuite incouraging those that were afraid lest they judged of the goodness of the cause by one unprosperous event That God did many times deny success to undertakings well approved by himself that he might make trial by adversity of his servants constancy and perseverance But at the very beginning of the same they were apprehended brought to trial and executed Father Garnet also who had formerly attempted many things against Queen Elizabeth being wont highly to extoll the Pope's authority over Kings and Kingdomes that no faith or obedience was due to Princes by him interdicted averring that subjects if they were commanded ought to oppose them with Armes even to the hazard of their lives From whence all in power and authority may learn who neither stand in awe of the Roman Religion nor Fleets nor Armies that they are by Ecclesiastical authority most violent inciters of the common people to Rebellion They added also another pestilent opinion That one might answer to any questions proposed by the Magistrate evasively ambiguously and with mental reservations to that purpose setting forth Books in print which in defence of a lie they inscribed with
lying Titles And whatsoever was related to them in Confession ought to be kept secret and to disclose the same was a sin although it tended either to the destruction of Prince or people and in pursuance hereof they named all manner of conferences among themselves Confessions It was not doubted but these hopes of Treason were nourished by the Spanish wealth and the rather because long since some Societies of English Jesuites were maintained by them purposely to disturb the Peace of that Kingdome But some that were knowing herein betraied all those forms of private counsells abroad lest they should still continue unknown but they that continued faithfull to Rome and Spain wanted no convenient supplies from thence upon all occasions And it was told to the Constable of Castile when he was Embassador in England that if the new King would not allow or suffer the Roman Religion he would find some ready to exact the same by force And the Archduke fomented jealousies and suspicions denying to deliver to King James requesting the same such English-men living in those parts with whom the Prisoners confessed they had participated counsells the chief of them being sent away into Spain Yet did not King James take that either as an affront or injury publishing by Proclamation that he was satisfied of the innocency of forein Princes in that business Nor did King Philip omit to congratulate his delivery from so great a danger by Don John de Mendosa both in countenance and serious forms of speech to that onely purpose made The Fifteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Defence of Antwerp one of the principal Cities of the Netherlands the taking Towns so strongly fortified and carrying the Warre into the Enemie's Country while with less danger and more hope he might have fought elsewhere added very much to Spinola's honour and renown he being the first that seemed to put new life and courage into and to restore the fortune and discipline of that side which for fifteen years before had been decaying Therefore which way soever he went among the Netherlanders there were great exultations and applauses attended him and when he came into Spain as his custome was every year he was privately envied by the Lords but publickly and with great honour favoured by the King But the many actions of the former year had so drained the Treasury that by the emptiness thereof the present Counsels of the Warre were much retarded and he but slowly obtained pay for both his Armies refusing to undertake the charge of the Warre without it and if he had it boasting he had in a manner already obtained the Victory determining as before he had passed the Rhine so now he would goe over the Wael and the Yssell and so penetrate into the very bowels of the Hollanders Therefore he consented to help the King 's decayed credit with his own and his friends wealth which with what damage to himself it was done will be commemorated towards the end of the year On the other side the Vnited States long foreseeing the approaching evils which Armies are wont to draw along with them increasing their Forces that were at distance and they were infinitely vexed with the vast charges of the Garrisons resolved the following year to give way to that violence which they imagined would not endure long being content to defend their Borders until the fury thereof began to be asswaged Beside the new Levies intended were hindred in France by the Warre of Sedan and in Germany by the troubles of Brunswick Sedan is a City lying hard by the Maes in the confines of the French and Belgick Dominions and was a place of great concernment if at any time the Warre came towards those parts Of old it was possessed by the Family of Le Marque but Henry de Turre Viscount Turein marrying the Daughter and Heir of the Bulionian Family gained the inheritance of the Town and took the name of Bulion and although his Wife was dead retained it by virtue of her Testament but often undermined by the French greatness while the affairs of the House of Bourbon were yet but private He was reckoned among the chief Captains during the unsetled estate of that Kingdome But after the King had changed his Religion and for defence of the Kingdome new Taxes were found our which gave cause of complaint and the great multitude that professed the Reformed Religion had their eies chiefly upon Bulion he being famous in Warre and the frequent author of resolute counsels he was believed to have caused some commotions When he was called to answer his offence at the same time as Marshal Biron was put to death excusing himself against the violent animosities of his Enemies and challenging many of his suspected Judges he departed into Germany And the Prince Elector Palatine being asked that he would remember his Affinity for both of them had married Prince Maurice's Sisters sent some Embassadours to the King to appease his wrath but it little prevailed it being alwaies a thing detested by Kings to have forein Powers interpose themselves for the reconciling their differences Hereupon the matter was undertaken by Prince William's Widow and indeed the Woman's sollicitation proved most effectual but the King required the custody of Sedan as a pledge of his fidelity Bulion offered to deliver both the Town and Castle to the patronage of the Kingdome of France and for performance of that agreement consented that as well the Governour as the Souldiers therein should be bound by Oath and besides this he offered other things while yet he was not removed from the possession and in the interim prepared all things for enduring a War if he should be compelled thereto by necessity This boldness of his together with the potent Enemies which he had lately made himself and besides being a man greedy of honor and impatient to be excelled forced the King that marching out that Spring with a great Army he came with his Camp as far as the Maes Thus did this great King threaten with the fury of a destructive War not the Spaniard nor the Burgundian as heretofore but his old friend the Lord onely of one poor Town But a meanes being found to make Peace Bulion was redeemed from that imminent danger and the King freed from such an inglorious contest The King placed a Governor in Sedan for four years and at the end of that time the custody of the same was to be redelivered to Bulion By that agreement it was forbidden for any to inquire into his former actions and if hereafter he should change his allegiance the Townsmen swore they would chuse them another Prince This Peace being made he was restored to his wonted favor with the King who as he was easily angred so he was ready and free to pardon all men wondring to see him that lately was an Enemy now be at the King's elbow and inseparable from him both in his cares and recesses The
Castle it self within a moneth was restored to him This was the amicable issue of that business which was very pleasing to both parties at War in the Netherlands For it was a grievous thing to the Hollanders that one of the same Religion and related to the house of Nassau should be afflicted and the Archduke was sorely afraid lest those Armes pretended against Bulion should fall upon himself and therefore Lewis de Velasco that was sent to defend the Borders offered help to them of Sedan But the Brunswick Commotions began the former year the Duke having a spleen to the City because having bought their Privileges partly from his ancestors and partly extorted them they defended them with more then ordinary confidence relying upon the Hanseatick League He replete with hope that he could by his own power restore that Authority which the carelessness of his Ancestors had lost gathering together his Forces as if he had dreaded Spinola's coming over the Rhine first by ambushes planting some Souldiers he invaded the more outward of the two Walls that encompassed the City but the assailants being repulsed they fell to open hostility and a Siege which though the King of Denmark whose Sister was married to the Duke came with a notable strength to his assistance the Winter broke off The United States being requested by the Duke to send Count Ernest of Nassau as General with some Forces to his assistance were in a great suspense because it appeared to them an unseemly thing to oppress the liberty of another while they so hotly contested for their own and yet rather for the King of Denmark and the Duke of Brunswick's sake then the Hanseatick Cities who had not assisted the Hollanders either by wealth or any other kindness whatsoever it was thus moderated They would not send him but that he might goe with some new Forces if he pleased to whom some Colonels and Captains joyned and associated themselves requesting that for that time their Oath might be dispensed with being covetous to gain those rewards which are more readily given at the breaking out of a new War But this high contest was ended in a short time for at the entrance of the Spring the Leaguer about the Town being anew begun and the dam broken by which the Duke hoped to bring the restrained River upon the City and by that means to shorten the Siege the Hanseatick Forces being collected prevailed with him to desist from the War To both parties unable to bear the charge the Emperor's authority was interposed which commanded them that they should voluntarily and out of reverence to the Laws proceed judicially since they seemed in honor thereto to lay down their Armes Besides these affairs which were common to the Hollanders and their Enemies there were certain peculiar causes which hindred the Enemies Levies of men both in Britain and Italy For in Britain the King being forewarned how dreadful those Subjects were that acknowledged power superiour to the King conceived a new form of an Oath to oblige all his Subjects whereby they were â— confess him the true and lawful King of Britain and that he could not be deposed by the authority of the Church of Rome or the Pope and if that should be attempted yet that they should bear unto him faith and â—legeance and discover all things that might tend to the King's damage and that in the taking the said Oath they had no other meaning then the common use of the words expressed and that they did not hope to be absolved from the same From hence arose great discord even among the Catholicks themselves while part of them by the allowance of George Blackwel an Archbishop of England for so the Pope had entitled him took the said Oath without fear supposing a distinction between sacred and temporal affairs and as they ought to doe their duty to God in point of Religion so in all things else by the command of God himself they were bound to obey their Princes On the other hand some believed the Jesuites that humane things ought to be subservient to Divine and so that he who was the great Arbiter of Religion if necessity reâ—ited the same might transferre Kingdomes that being a most sacred Order that all things should be subject to one In the interim they that demurred at the taking of the Oath were forbidden to goe out of the Kingdome into any forein service And the Pope's authority in Italy made the like if not greater troubles and delaies For the Venetians fearing the wealth and potency of the Priesthood and imitating the Decrees of other Nations forbad them to build Temples or to give lands to Abbeys or Monasteries unless they were licensed thereto by Decree of the Senate and that the Revenues of Church-lands should at no time return to them besides they commanded some Priests to be put into Prison because they were accused of Sorcery Parricide Incest Falshood and publick Force Pope Paul the fifth by the instigation chiefly of the Cardinals Bellarmine and Baronius interpreting these things to be done in despight of him when they were refused to be taken away interdicted and excommunicated the City Cardinal Baronius in some Letters by him sent to the Venetians advised them among other things to take heed lest God being angry with them as he was once with the Hebrews should take away their Liberty and make a Lord over them Many Books were written wherein a long time it was disputed what was the power of the Laws or of any other Sentences upon those that were wholly devoted to Religion or whether the Pope's unjust commands obliged their Consciences The greatest part of the Priests in the Venetian territories did not abstain from performing all publick services in the Church and the Jesuites when they refused to doe the same were banished While this matter was hoped to break out into Arms the Spaniard who had received it from his Ancestors to augment the Troubles of Italy raised Souldiers there boasting himself the Defender of the Pope's Majesty On the other side the Hollanders partly out of hatred to the Pope and partly out of love to a free City promised the Venetians some assistance by Sea if they should be indangered for which they returned them great thanks by Letters with much candor of language But that prudent Senate as they would stoutly defend the rights of their Dominion so they studiously avoided all things that might hinder Peace or the ceremonies of greater affairs However this was the beginning of friendship between those two most potent people who would never endure the Rule or name of a King While these things were doing in forein parts at the beginning of this year the Hollanders send a Fleet into Spain to increase the dearth and scarcity of all things which was rumored to be there and also for vindicating those losses they had received by the violent assault of their Ships by Lewis Faizard the said Ships lying unprovided
sight certified the Mariners who counterfeiting that they were carried away by force of the River that they might not attain the designed place soon after returned back But Justiniano prepared once more to set his Souldiers over the Wael but the Hollanders overpowring them by multitude of Forces prevented it Then Prince Maurice careful lest the Enemy lying upon him in so many places and with so great Forces he might receive some unexpected damage fortified all from the first division of the Rhine unto the meeting of the same with the Waell hard by Bommell then Raising new Works on â—e other side from Arnheym to Hattem within the Rhine and Issell therewith he enclosed all that great space leaving no greater distance between Work and Work than might be convenient for the giving of Signs to each other either by the eyes or ears He commanded also some Boats continually 〈◊〉 passe to and fro in the Rivers to observe the motions and endeavours of the Enemy and to give intelligence Below Hattem about four hours Journey the River Issell falls into the Zuyderzee And the River Vecht coming by the Borders of Westfalia and mingling with the Waters which passing the bituminous soyl of Trent take the name of the River Aâ—er or Black making his bendings become Neighbour to Issell untill it imbosomes it self into the same The Country that lyes between those Rivers and the Sea is called Masterbruick not vainly conjectured from antiquity that the name thereof was extracted from the Mattiaci which are now Zelanders It was a Peninsula but now a Ditch and other Works between the Rivers had reduced it into the form of an Island in which part is scituate Swoll a Town of Over-Issell After the taking other places Spinola conceived a hope to shut up Swoll And that he might delude their thoughts choosing to go through the parts adjoyning to Zutphen from whence sending some small shot he sent Count Solre to assay and found the Issell But the wetness of the weather hindred the sudden executing of that Design until the report of their arrivall was brought to Swoll and Warmelo being at that time Governour there assisted by two Ships of Warr resisted the Enemy preparing to pass the River Vecht Solre had brought with him two great Guns but by reason the Bullets were too big and the Timber wherewith they should be sustained not fitted by the error of those that were to make them ready they were of no use When this did not succeed and all that hope of passing the River coming to nothing they turned thenceforward all their intentions to the besieging of Towns Spinola himself sitting down before Groll a Town in the Province of Zutphen Bucquoy was commanded to attaque Nimmeghen that they might divert the Enemy from the defence of Issell if they could do nothing else Wherefore Bucquoy first sending to know the Arch-Duke's Pleasure and being resolved thereof he agreed in the same Judgment and pretended to spend the time in finding out other wayes to get over the Waell and in studying other Policies fearing lest he should prejudice his honour by labouring in vain Groll is compassed with a double Rampire on all sides but where it is washed with the River Slingen the Garrison which consisted of Thirteen hundred Souldiers was governed by Colonel Dorte a young man sprung from Noble Ancestors but otherwise unknown At first they made a Sally but afterwards did nothing but shoot from their Works which were not valued by the Enemy to whom the losse of time was more considerable than that of men The outer-parts of the Works were neglected as not expecting a storm whereat the Italians and Spaniards the seventh day after entred being helped by Bridges which they had purposely made but the Germans to whom the third Quarter was designed came on more slowly After this first the Italians filling up the Trench took the Bullwark but the rest were either repulsed or further distant Then the Towns-men fearing undermining and more near fights go to the Governour and beseech him That he would prevent extremity and not provoke the Generall that was as well prodigall of his own mens Lives as his Enemies With which desires he was overcome though he had received Letters that assur'd him of Relief within two dayes for Prince Maurice had drawn the Garrisons out of all the Cities of Over-Issell and near the Wael with an intent to raise the Siege This being told to Spinola he offered honourable conditions to such as would march away but added great Threats to such as should continue obstinate And here give me leave to say that there was not a greater Care taken for any parts than for Groll and the other Towns before taken when they Articled for Surâ—er almost all the Townsmen remain'd there content with any kind of Religion and any Form of Government Thus Groll being taken the Marquess although the scarcity of Victuals together with abundance of Rain had fill'd all the Country with Water Resolved to besiege Berck situate in a more elevated Soil and Provisions near to be brought in the Camp For after the Designs of higher Concernment proved all Abortive he supposed no place more worthy to â—rive for with all his Forces whether he minded the Honour of the Attempt or Commodity of the place For Berck according to the manner of building in former Ages had Stone-Walls roughly laid together and a Trench adjoyning to them In this War the possession of that place had bin often alter'd In which variety of Fortune a slight Bulwark and another Trench had bin made about it partly by the Spaniards and partly by the Hollanders But the Year last past Count Ernest sent thither to that purpose had made a New Line about it with Sconces and Half-Moons and in some places with Forts land hereto was added a Trench a small Redoubt being made before it And then that the Garrison might have the moâ—e Room Lodgings were made for the Souldiers under Ground in the Form of Trenches and every where about the Fields where it was thought fit were little Works made foursquare for the Souldiers to keep Guard in And the Island that lyes before the Town was fortified in like manner From thence a Bridge was made over the Rhine to the Bank on the German side and on the Bank it self was a handsom Fort pretty large and another less and then again Breast works Bucquoy leaving Gelderland came first to the Town through the Bishoprick of Colen taking in his March a Holland Ship that lay in the Rhine and burning others that were deserted by the Sea-men But before the Passages were all shut up Prince Maurice's Brother Henry came from his Camp which had continued at Dorsburg till that time and brought into the Town a great Baâ—d of Horse and 14 Companies of Foot Wherewith the Garrison being great before was so increased that they were near 200 Horse and above 3000 Foot The rest of the Horse Prince
in so great mutations and of what advantage Forreign Affairs were to Ours or Ours to them The whole North which consisted of Kingdoms of old replete with many Priviledges and Liberties was broken out into Arms almost for the same causes that the Hollanders War began for Sigismund following the Dictates of the Jesuites had lost Sweden with great difficulty retaining Poland For in Sweden Charls laying aside he name of Duke and by the Decree of his Nobles taking the name of King and repairing his Forces after the loss he had received at the Siege of Riga approached near the borders of Livonia In Poland Amoseius the Chancellor of that Kingdome while he lived had by his Wisdome and the reverent esteem that was had of him prevailed both with the King and Nobles for the observation of Peace and support of the Law But when he was dead first discontents and hatred arose which afterwards broke out into open Force And some there were that said The Nobles were advised soon after his Funeral that their Liberty had been attempted with many artisices That he had left the Commonwealth in as good a Condition to those that survived as it was when he first received the Charge of it and therefore now They should take care that nothing therein might go amiss either out of Ignorance or Sluggishness And in truth not long after the chief of the Noblemen that are there called Palatines broke out into Arms accusing the King That after the death of his first Wife without the advice of the States of Poland he had marryed the Sister of his deceased Wife thereby at once polluting the Kingdome with Incest and by a private League obliging himself to the House of Austria and that in the disposal of Honours he carried not an equal hand but preferred Romanists before Protestants they desired also that the Jesuits might be expelled out of the Jurisdiction of Craâ—ovia and that the contentions growing among Priests should be decided by Domestique Judges and not at Rome whither they must make long Journies with vast charge And thereupon the Great Council of that Kingdome being summoned they called the King before them to purge himself of his Crimes adding threats That unless he appeared they would transfer those Imperial Ensign of Majesty the Crown and Scepter which by the Custome of the Countrey they had the keeping of to another But the King collecting his Army and winning to him many by gifts although at first he was answered with divers successes yet preferring Peace a League was concluded at Sendomir whereby the Old Laws were strengthened and confirmed by New But for all this it might rather he called a laying down of Arms then a taking awâ—y of Offences for as he contemned the Subjects as Conquered so their impunity made them again grow confident so that the Peace was neither safe nor durable Besides these faults before mentioned this also was objected That without the consent of the Publick he intangled Poland in a war by sending aid to Demetrius This Demetrius after Boris had invaded the Dominion sought to slay the Son of the most noted Basilides by cruelty and after him enjoyed Muscovy professing himself the Brother of Theodore another being put into his place that should be killed while he was carryed into Poland where he long dissembled the Nobility of his bloud but at last prevailed in the over-perswading many by shewing upon his body divers private marks But he managed his Arms unfortunately against Boris who was now grown old and experienced both in the Arts of War and Government When he dyed he left a son named Theodore whom we mentioned before in his tender age to be left to his Mother but a great part of the Russians who equally hate the Government of Women and Children fell to Demetrius and presently the common people let him into Mosco the Principal City slaying in favour of their new Lord both the Widow and Son of Boris But the Fortune of his Kingdome was short for the Priests were offended at the Authority of the Jesuites by whose perswasions it was reported That he had sent to the Pope with intent to change the Greek Ceremonies for the Latine Nor were the Noblemen less enraged because he chose for the Guards to his person Foreiners and made use of none but Polanders both in his Court and Privy Counsels But the common people who hate or love not voluntarily but as they are lead and instructed were provoked by common report That he was not the Demetrius as was supposed but a Fugitive Monk instructed by Magick Art and but a slave sent by the Polanders to disturb the Affairs of Russia At the time of his Marriage which he celebrated with a young Polonian Lady the daughter of the Palatine of Sendomer a great tumult arising Demetrius or whoever else he was for even after his death it remained a doubt in vain striving to avoid his ruine by leaping from on high to the ground being weakned by the fall he was presently killed And his death was attended with a great slaughter of Polonians while one Scutskye that had raised this commotion seized the Empire at first indeed very unstable and tottering while their minds were astonished with the cruelty and being very slowly drawn to consent to a new Prince but afterwards it was soon setled by fear add punishments as is usual among Barbarians Now also had the sedition of the Imperial Souldiers involved Transilvania and the parts adjoyning upon Hungary in great troubles which were also increased by the Rapines of the Governours and debarring the Protestants the liberty of their Religion the envy of the War here also being thrown upon the Jesuits as the daily fomenters of mischief At this time also broke forth divers long concealed complaints That they plainly saw they were slighted for the Prince violated that antient Custome of his Predecessors of being present in their Assemblies and hearing the Requests of his People But Robolfus keeping himself within the Court kept the chief maâ—agety both of Arms and Counsels in the hands of Foreiners which is a thing very grievous even to such as are enslaved and therefore the more intollerable to them whose Laws and Foundations of Government are so confirmed to them by the Oaths of their Kings that it is accounted to them neither disgrace of Crime to resist all that would make an infringement thereupon And thus on a sudden they fell to fighting and besieging of Cities to the great rejoycing of the Turk from whom the Crown and Scepter of Hungary was sent to Steplxn Botscay a chosen Captain of the Malecontents who was besides the Publick inflamed with private injuries yet he persisted to refuse the same contenting himself with Transilvania and the Title of Prince But Peace set an end to this short War of which this was the third year The Turk being weakned by the Persians Victories and a new Rebellion in Asia and Botscay endeavouring nothing further
dealing to turn their Friendship into a kind of Domination Nor could any Peace or Leagues be hoped for in that New World which is divided from its better part not so much by Scituation as Manners and secluded on every side by its own Ocean as if condemned by Nature to the most odious barbarism These were at that time the Discourses concerning America Surely it concerned those who were desirous of finishing the Warr that these hopes should not be settled too deep in the Opinions of the people Nor was it a hard matter to put a stop to the begun Project of the New Company by the emulation of the Cities earnestly drawing to themselves the ordering of the Ships and some interceding that the Liberty of fetching Salt out of America should not be restrained by any Law Therefore this debate being set apart no less difficulties were observed to hinder those that were desirous of making peace for although the Enemies Design might chiefly be discovered yet the Governours of the Confederate Cities from a received Opinion in the Prince of Aurange's time abhorred the very name of Peace And to men of this perswasion much appeared that would be lost if the Enemy should openly profess himself contented with a Peace whereby he could not regain the dominion he lost by Warr for that which of old was accounted a part of Prudence to break off all hope of reconciliation had no other Basis than this That onely such a Peace could be expected as would bring along with it an insulting Lord. On the other side That it pertained both to the Security and Honour of the Commonwealth if the Enemy could be drawn to a confession of their Liberty But the War yet growing hot and new Causes of Indignation daily arising either Victory made them fierce or some slaughter drew them to the desire of revenge so that minds prepossessed or byassed with affection could not considerately ponder the Reasons that induced to peace But if any Remission or Cessation should be granted of Arms there would not be wanting some favourers of peace which being otherwise acceptable in it self would agree principally with the mind of the HOLLANDERS that were earnest of Traffick and also the people that lay next the â—nemy would not easily suffer themselves having once tasted the Sweets of Peace to be carryed back to Arms. It is a very hard thing to find the beginning of so great a â—â—ter in that Commonwealth wherein no Affair of any great Concern is undertaken without the Advice of the Provin◠〈◊〉 and a Relation of what is done or to be done to the several Cities which circuit that business which without doubt was involved in great Dissentions could not bear They that were in the General Assembly of the United States would not take upon them the Envy of so suddain a Mutaâ— unless Prince Maurice who was the General of the War and famous as well by his great Merits as the Nobility of his Extract should become the great Author of Temporary Agreement But He having attained so much Honour by War that scarcely any ever attain'd the like and not despising the most effectual substance of Fame and thinking with himself that all Peace with the Spaniard was mingled with Treachery yet was perswaded by Oldenbarnevelt whose Authority underpropped by his Providence chiefly and 30 years Fidelity supported these Consultations of Peace that as would not refuse to Treat with the Enemy For the King of Brittain would sit by onely as a Spectator of so great a War and the French King by their Alliance aimed at greater Matters of which there were no obscure Demonstrations If â—e Confederate States could find a way to lye open for them 〈◊〉 Peace they that supposed it advantageous to their Affairs that the Spanish Forces should be wasted in the War of Holland might be brought to promise certain Aids without any other account Therefore Wittenhorst and Gevard having receiv'd Letters from Albertus and Isabella whereby it might appear they were intrusted they were admitted into the Assembly of the United States where they publickly repeated what they had privately before spoken highly extolling the Commodities of Peace before the uncertain Events of War But because the Legates had mention'd the Arch-Dukes Right and Claim The States thought fit to answer That it was openly known to all who had any insight in the Belgick Affairs that the Arch-Dukes could be helped by no pretence of Right against the Confederate Provinces but such as must be hoped to be gained by Conquest In truth when of old divers of the Provinces after the Confirmation of their Liberty by an inviolable Decree were united into one Body they had sought to reduce them by Arms being Members separated from that Body by the best and highest Right the Equity of whose Cause many Kings and Princes had approved by making Leagues with them Therefore they all Resolved to persist in that Opinion which they had lately declared to the Emperour That a safe pinâ— and just Peace could not be expected with them who under the vain pretence of Right would infringe the Authority of a must Reverend Decree The Mischiefs of War would fall on both Parts but ought to be imputed to them that would unjustly seek what belonged to others not those that valiantly defended their own Wittenhorst being dismissed with this Answer afterwards writ to the States that he had found it to be the Arch Dukes pleasure that in the making an Agreement they desired to gain nothing but that all things should remain in the same condition they were But for the more ready carrying oâ— of this business the Principal of the Order of Franciscans of that Country by Name Francis Naya born at Antwerp but by Kinred a Zelander was made choyse of his Father sometimes followed the Prince of Aurange Himself was of a voluble and fluent Tongue and though he was not ignorant in Court-Affairs for he had been in Spain and lived at Bruxells conversant in matters of greatest importance being of an open and free disposition like the Netherlanders that you will hardly suspect guilty of fraud and by his Profession of life armed against bashfulness neither greatly fearing a repulse or contumely This Man being sent from Bruxells came privately to Riswicke the next Village to the Hague making tryall by discreet Persons what were the main difficulties that â—ostructed the business from thence being brought to the Prince he expounded some things as he saw convenient in Wittenhorsts Letters and there understanding perfectly that there was no hopes of beginning a Treaty unless the Arch Dukes did first really own and acknowledge their Liberty returning to Bruxells soon after he brought Letters from Albertus and Isabella Signed the thirteenth of March to this effect That they were weary of the cruell War and were ready to make a perpetual Peace with the United States as free People whom they so accounted and against whom they would make no pretence of claym
suspected in regard it was unknown what design they intended To all these were added the French Ambassadors then very averse to Peace because they said it was evident to them That the nature of the Spaniards was never officious but when they studied mischief but they had scarse resolved to consult of that matter which before they began to agree to that they would neither send provisions nor supplyes to the Fleet by which means it might be compelled to return by necessity which is stronger then any command Thereupon matters were brought to that pass that Olden-Barnevelde should in the name of the States make answer That the Instruments brought out of Spain were not congruous to what was promised and therefore the States drew up the same is the Latine and French Tongue which were to be in like manner perfected within two Months by the King if he hoped any further to continue the Treaty which pattern he was to deliver at the same time And because some delay happened thereby the States prorogued the space for deliberation after the Instruments were anew confirmed from that present time until the first of September yet it was granted in honour of the Archdukes against whose will these neglects seemed to be committed that the Fleet should be recalled and that after six weeks from that day all things whatsoever that were taken should be free and not taken as Prize But they would keep the Kings Letters till better were brought chiefly for this purpose to maintain the cessation of Arms Nor in the interim faith he can we enough wonder if this Affair be cordially and with uprightness managed to what purpose serve these great Rewards Behold the Diamond See the Chain Look upon Spinola's hand and here they were all produced These cannot be so without suspition in the givers but that they who received them by publick command cannot yet be free from the undeserved envy of the people Be not deceived for it is not here as in Kingdomes where two or three rule all things at their beck and the rest of the people are slaves but We Govern and are Governed by turns And if this Councel this Senate be not sufficiently guarded against your bribes We will encrease their number Carry back your gifts to their Owners which you need not give to obtain Peace and would be a high wickedness in Us to receive in prejudice of our Liberty Verreike being on a sudden surprised had nothing to say but that if any such thing were offered it was without the Archdukes knowledg nor was it a wonder if Monks that are a covetous sort of men look upon others to be such as themselves Now was the appointed time of six Weeks past when the Fleet was recalled out of Spain and also Naya and Verreike having their desired safe conduct are come and bring with them out of Spain another Writing which contained almost the same words prescribed by the States with this only difference That the King professed himself ready to Treat with them as a Free People in any place and that he would challenge nothing against them adding That he asserted this as well for maintaining the Credit and Promise of the Archdukes as for confirming a Peace or long Truce which when it was agreed upon He would fully perform all other things that might be desired for the sanction thereof but that it should be Treated of and concluded in that League as concerning other desires of Parties so also of the business of Religion Wherein if there were no Settlement and Conclusion then his Right should not be prejudiced in any thing by this Writing but all things to remain intire as before to both parties They that were more curious observed That a business of so high concernment was carelesly written in Paper and not engrossed in Parchment for the perpetuating thereof and that the Name of Philip was not subscribed as to Equals but like a King according to his Custome in writing to His Subjects The Odium of all these things Naya foreseeing the same attempted to mollify with good words declaring That he himself as best knowing the desires of the Archdukes and the States in relation to Peace went into Spain and informed the King in what condition the state of Affairs on both sides was and how necessary Peace was to the Netherlands There the matter was debated in Council That whatever was to be Treated of and concluded might be more firm and lasting and that not only the King who is mortal but the Kingdome it self which cannot dye should be bound by those Agreements He protested also with much earnestness and high asseverations That the King was very desirous of Peace and that he intended to walk in the right and plain way to attain the same and therefore had so clearly declared his mind in writing which he might have concealed if he had had any intention to deceive After him Verreike highly applauding the Archdukes faithful dealing he made an excuse That King Philips expressions were not Written in Latine or French but in the Spanish Tongue In this Tongue he converseth with Christian Princes in this he Treats with Free People nor was it equal for them to take from him this Liberty who had hearkned to the States speaking in what Tongue they pleaâ—â—d At this time dissimilitude of thoughts began to discover great variety of affections in the United Provinces the Prince suspecting Treaties and some Cities both in Holland and Zeland hoping a greater advantage from the War then they could expect from Peace and therefore he most moderate and collected minds and those that were unanimous in their desires looked upon these things with more then ordinary displeasure for the acknowledgment of their Liberty with the only esteem whereof being filled they began to â—â—arken to those dangerous discourses of Peace might easily be recalled and indeed it seemed very little if any thing at all unless the Faction of the Romanists should be divided from the Commonwealth by the hope of some favour from the Enemy But Naya and Verreike being showed what the States seemed to find fault with in the Spanish Writing openly professed That it was but labour in vain to expect any thing more since if any thing remained dubious either to the League of Peace it self or in the Truce it might be â—â—pounded and made manifest in more clear and fitting at arms So much confidence had they gotten by observing that a great part of the United Provinces were weary of the War and knowing it would be much more beneficial to the Spaniard to make an Agreement with them severally then all United and conjunct But the States taking the Prince's Counsel together with the advice of the French and British Ambassadors at length agreed in this Opinion That they would declare to the Archdukes Ambassadors That the Letters brought out of Spain were not answerable to the first Promises because the last words would seem to bear such an
nor did they omit private commodity either of the House of Nassau or of Emmanuel whose Father Don Antonio for a short time possessed the Kingdome of Portugal A conference being appointed concerning the chief controverted points immediately to the contest of the Indies was added another about the European Commerce this also having no small difficulties for the passage to Antwerp being opened the Hollanders but chiefly the Zelanders feared a damage to their Negotiations whereupon Richardotâ—â—me â—â—me to the States Commissioners beseeching them with 〈◊〉 That they would not lose out of their hands a Peace so much hoped for by too pertinacious a defence of what pleased themselves Nor did he obscurely maintain that nothing could be determined concerning Trade unless the pleasure of the King of Spain were first known therein and therefore the States should remember to contrive such a manner of Covenant or Article as might be approved by a Prince who is neither Conquered nor a Captive but really desirous of Peace The Moneth of March being almost spent the time limited for the Cessation of Arms was almost expired it was agreed therefore That April and May should be added And then the States offered this Condition concerning the Indies That it should be free for their Citizens during the space of nine years from the Conclusion of the Peace to go to all those places unless where the Spaniard had Dominion And that they should not at any time come thither unless they had permission from the Governors or were compelled by necessity And during that time all hostility should cease between them and their companions and if any should do the contrary it should not be lawful to take vengeance for the same in any other place then where the injury was committed or the doers of the injuries lived and then before the expiration of the said nine years there should be a more firm and lasting Agreement endeavoured The Spaniards refused this and plainly argued That the Indian Negotiation should for the present be limited and for the future left off But the freedome of home Commerce which the Hollanders seemed to suspect they provided for the same by these Articles First That all Taxes invented during the War should be abolished and only the antient moderate Tributes remain That the priviledg of drawing Merchandise to particular Markets usurped by divers Cities as of Germanâ— Wines to Dort French Wines to Middleburgh should be prevalent against the Citizens of other Nations and Countreyes On the other side the Hollanders understanding whither this tended declared it to please them that no greater charges should be laid upon Forreigners Merchandising then upon Natives but the rights of Cities to continue in the same posture they were before the Belgick troubles Also they esteemed it just that some caution should be given to them that the Ships that went from thence into Spain should be free and unmolested Concelning these Controversies Naya was sent into Spain to speak with the King with promise to return within forty dayes but the event evidenced that promise either to be false or rash However the interval of time was not spent in vain for first the States took into consideration the money owing by them to the English and soon after make a League likely enough to continue if Peace were concluded with Spain almost upon the same tearms as they had done before with France only but half the number of supplyes were promised Then all that were assembled above the number of the Commissioners returning to their own Provinces they that were chosen to preside this business of Peace called to the Enemies Ambassadors That they would expedite their demands upon the rest of the Heads to be Treated on The debate being entred into concerning Limits the Spaniards were not ashamed to insist That Brabant Flanders and all Gelderland beyond the Waell should be delivered up by the States who in stead thereof should receive Lingen Oldenzeel and Groll which certainly would have been a very unequal exchange And when they condescended thus far That for a short time the States should have the custody of the Towns yet so as the Soveraign power and Jurisdiction should be vested in the Archdukes they further said That they divided the Netherlands too liberally leaving that part to their Neighbours which the Fortune of War had determined to be the strongest The rumour of this business being dispersed the Brabanters under the States Jurisdiction not contented to obtain that they should not be delivered up to the Enemy thought they had a fit occasion given them whereby to recover their right of having a Vote in the publick Council for after the principal Cities and the last of them Antwerp had yielded to the Duke of Parma the rest being less then could govern themselves received Laws Tributes and Magistrates from the Authority of the seven United Provinces although Berghen op Zoome had ever continued faithful to the States yet Bredah and other places that were taken and retaken by War recovered their Liberty by the Trajectine League But those were not times wherein either the labour of Conjunction or the multitude of Judges ought to be increased Little was yet done with the Enemy when even now the Moneth of May was drawing to an end when they among the Hollanders that were desirous of Peace faintly desired of the rest That the residue of the passing year might be added to the Cessation of Arms but upon this Condition That the Treaty should no longer be continued than the end of July Which being agreed They fell to discussing the matter concerning the restitution of goods which gave new matter of dissention the former points not being fully concluded about which Verreike going to Bruxells and returning with speed reported what was the intention of the Archdukes That it was fit the burdens propagated by War should be thrown aside and buried by Peace and for the Towns of Brabant and Flanders they would gratify them with the same so as they might enjoy the whole Countrey That as all private persons were to have a restitution of their goods so likewise were to be restored to the Princes the goods their Ancestors enjoyed there being several sorts of profit of possessions due to the Majesty of Dominion not did it follow because the Archdukes had denuded themselves of this that therefore he should be deprived of the rest The States contradicted that a Government could not be deprived of its Revenue nor Cities of the ground belonging to them without the Ruine and destruction both of Government and Cityes and therefore unless they come to more moderation they would suddenly break off the Treaty The others insisted That although they denyed the Revenue yet certainly there was no reason why they should refuse to restore the private Patrimony of the Princes But this crafty difference and distinction was denyed also for that in these places there was no separate account of the Publick Treasury and the Princes
to the United States to try their Intentions And to this purpose came Gerard Horn Count Bassigny Philip Bentingen and Henry Code a Burgo-Master of Ipre to Berghen op-Zâ—me after Newport Fight at the same time when the United States Deputies went out of Flanders and were arrived there They desired that a Meeting might be appointed in that place that so they might Treat of the Means conducing to Concord Many Things were spoken on both Sides in derestation of War and in commendation of Peace and for the general safety of the Netherlands On the behalf of the United States it was urged That nothing could be more acceptable to them than to purge the Netherlands from Forein Slavery for doing whereof they promised their best Assistance And if they would resume their Antient Liberty there should be no difference between them in point of Religion but if they did not think fit of this Proposition they could not imagine what success they could hope from this Treaty for what Peace could they expect from the Spaniards who broke Peace with them that had no thoughts of War But the Archdukes are bound to the Spaniard by Conditions dishonourable to the repute and fame of the Netherlands And the Brabanters Flandrians and other States are in like manner obliged to them of what validity therefore will any Agreement be that is made with them who live under Lords commanded by Castles and kept in awe by Souldiers so that they are not Masters of themselves The Archdukes people answered That they came to Treat of Peace not to make a defection nor would it be just that themselves should lay aside their Arms while others keep armed but whatever was agreed between the States the Princes would ratify These things being heard and spoken by the Arch-dukes people and imagining that they must utterly throw away all hopes of Peace with the Hollander so late a Conquerour fall to examine the Charge of the War and after a long debate what every Province should pay because the old form appointed in the French Wars by reason the Forces of the Provinces were altered and Arms inferred on other places could not be observed at last they agreed to lay certain Taxes upon all Chimneyes and other things and thereupon promised thirty thousand Florens Monethly for the next year but it continued for the future That every of the Garrisons should pay their own Souldiers and that no Citizen should be compelled after that to give any Souldier a gratuity That part of the Forces should be commanded and part of the places governed by Netherlanders and that the Treasury should be ordered by the States part of which the Archduke denyed absolutely other part he never performed though he gave hopes thereof by promise Many also were much offended at certain Letters brought by Henrico Gusman out of Spain wherein the King called these States His. The same endeavoured to make an inquiry in the Merchants Accounts if there had been any dealing with the Hollanders for this is usual in Spain or if any money could be spared from the India Companies but by the denyal of Antwerp this project came to nothing The Dunkerkers raged no less against the Hollanders at Sea And Albertus himself commanded That the Hollanders should be debarred as well of their Fishing Trade as their Traffique and Merchandising otherwise on purpose to drive them to penury and consequently to sedition And the Dunkerkers being exasperated with the punishment of many of their complices added their own malicious fury to this command of the Archduke And therefore they punished this simple sort of men for such generally is the Religion of Fishermen that they think it very unjust to repel force by force sometimes by burning other times boring hoâ—â—s in the bottoms of their boats now by driving nails through several parts of the mens bodies and so putting them to a long torment under both the sense and fear of death and otherwise infested the Sea with such cruelty that sometimes the Ships of War that were to guard the Fishermen were assailed and taken But when the Hollanders brought out against them a considerable strength divers of these Pirats were taken and expiated their inhumane Villanies with their heads and the rest were glad to retire into their old dens and lurking holes Their Chieftain himself named Wakeney with some Ships escaped his pursuing Enemy through the Narrow Seas by Bulloin and got to Biscay in Spain and afterwards having committed several Pyracies upon the Coast of Bretaign in France at length hated by the Spanyards and the greatest part of his Seamen consumed with want himself dyed miserably Against Spinola's Galleyes that they might be able to fight them in any weather at Dort was built a great Ship such as the Hollanders had none before and was furnished both with Men and Guns the first men put into it were hired with wages afterwards Malefactors were condemned to row therein because Christian piety would not suffer such as were Prisoners of War to be put to that slavery And the device very happily succeeded for that alone being put to Sea made many of the Enemies fly carrying only with it a smaller boat And in a short time so great was their confidence that adding only a few Cockboats and choosing a peculiar night the Holland Galleyes silently rowed up the Schelde between the Forts of Brabant and Flanders whence passing to the very walls of Antwerp at first unawares they took a ship with three tyre of Guns and seven lesser Vessels and afterwards by force and slaughter of the Defendants carryed them away The City raised with the outery and running to the Walls looked upon their own loss and to their high disgrace suffered it to be carryed away unrevenged for the Conquerors went away safe and loaden with spoil after they had founded a well known tune in praise of William Prince of Aurange not without some affection of the Citizens remembring former occurrences Towards the end of this year the Hollanders were filled with the hopes of a French War to be made by King Henry against the Duke of Savoy who being allyed to the Spaniard as having Children by his Sister to whom he was marryed was believed would undertake nothing without his knowledg The cause of the quarrel was the Marquisate of Saluzza which the Savoyard had taken from France while it languished under intestine troubles And the Pope who by the Peace of Verbin was appointed Arbiter in these and like cases undertook the hearing of the business but delayed his Judgment untill the Savoyard at the instance of the French King came personally to Paris and having underhand bribed the chief Ministers of State appeased him also with fair promises and obsequiousness but the non-performance at the day appointed made Henry proclaim War and by force to assault several Cities and Castles of Savoy In the mean time Fontaine who had sometime ruled in the Netherlands and then governed Millain gathering very
great Forces wherewith all the people round about suspected the Spaniard would make War in Italy because also from hence sometimes designs were laid against several Venetian Castles otherwhile new plots were discovered upon some Cities of Low Germany But a sudden peace put a stop to all the Alpine troubles it being agreed That for the Marquisate of Saluzza the County of Breseia in the borders of Lions in which is the bridg of Roan should he delivered to the French adding an exception That it should be lawful to the Spaniard to lead over the said Bridg his Forces either into the Netherlands or Burgundy And now King Henry that after Peace abroad and dissentions in Religion setled at home and ordered by good Laws he might establish his Kingdome in a right Heir desires that the Pope would suffer him to be Divorced from Margaret Valois long since disaffected by him having been of no good fame and besides that for many years barren which was soon granted and he Marryed to Mary the daughter of Francis late Prince of Etruria a Lady of excellent disposition and which by her more mild temper should purge out of France all envy against the Name of Melices And the same Prince confirmed a League of Amity with England by new Conditions wherein was concluded That the boldnese of Pyrats should be restrained by severe Judgments and Pledges The Tenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES IN this year one thousand six hundred and one The Armies being recruited and augmented did threaten grievous and terrible things for the great Captains lay as it were at watch and fixed in expectancy of the manifestation of each others counsels The whole Winter and Spring was spent in Stratagems and Foraging before the restrained violence of War burst out with greater Force And first of all a Souldier born in Brabant urged by the perswasions of the Jesuits and hired with money that under the pretence of bringing in several prisoners to Gertruydenbergh he should open the Town to the Enemy was apprehended before his design could take effect Soon after some Mauritian Horsemen suddenly forcing a certain Castle in Limburg brought thence a great prey and many Prisoners About the sâ—me time one Captain Cloet was sent to take the Castle of Cracow which is in the Jurisdiction of Meurs and together with the City and Country by gift of the last Earl came to Prince Maurice but had been held by granâ— from the Duke of Parma to Salentine Count Isenborg by the said Count until that time the same Cloet took beyond Wachtendone three hundred Horse and some Foot which being understood one Dulquio Governour of Straten a Town hard by marching out by the Archdukes command with above four hundred Foot and a few Horse in the darkness of the night fell upon the Enemy ere they were aware of him And now he had taken about thirty and killed some before the rest awaked with the noise could make themselves ready but as he retreated through the narrow passages Cloet going another way through the open fields met him who being inferiour to Cloet in Horse the Village being seized he was forced to surrender Thus being Conqueror and hastning about what he was sent he found the trench of the Castle full of Ice and not broken as his spyes had brought him intelligence so that easily comming to the Gate which he forced open with Gunpowder he drove out the Garrison Albertus hitherto had Covenanted with the Souldiers in Hamont that leaving that more inferiour fear they should have the Town and Castle of Waert from whence both the Countreyes of Leige and Gulick were exposed to their plunder whereat the neighbours were grievously troubled But all their frequent Messages and Complaints were slightly passed over because it was known of old to be a kind of gain under the pretence of sedition to maintain War at the charge of others So also were the people of Cleves vexed with the Garrisons of Berck and Geldre and the misery of that people who had deserved better was increased in that the Hollander assessed as much money upon them as had been withdrawn by others saying That it mattered not whether by force or voluntarily they increased the Enemies Wealth since they could not defend themselves from it And because they heard of a Fleet preparing in Spain and that the Duâ—kâ—kers infested the Sea with more then ordinary boldness a greater Navy of Ships was sent to Sea yet for all that some Pyrats appeared still who in the sight of Scheveling which is a Village upon the Sea-Coast of Holland near the Hague they exposed their Captives and received their Ransome But soon after bâ—ing circumvented by some Fisherboats wherein some Souldiers were put they gave satisfaction for their audacious attempt by their usual and deserved punishment Some old Ships also were sent to Dunkirk Haven where being full of stones they were sunk on purpose to choak it up But as oft as the Sea ebbed the wood being cut away with Axes by the Towns-men at the flood by the violent beating of the Waves the place was again cleared of all And some Merchants Ships going into England were taken and made Prize by Spinola's Galleys the Ship of Warr which was to be their Convoy after a long fight with the Enemy a great number of whom was slain by some fire thrown into it utterly perished The same also thought to have set upon Flushing some within the Town being corrupted to have set fire thereon but one of the Conspirators falling by chance sick and by the terrour of approaching death repenting and making confession thereof to his ghostly Father the whole Plot was detected and punished In the interim new Mutinies and Seditions arose among Albertus his Men And the Antwerpers pacified a Man of Warr that lay in the Schelde and made a Mutiny by giving them part of their pay And the Walloons that kept the Forts about Ostend raged even to the wounding and killing of their Officers yet were largely indulged because by the Hollanders Promises they were like to be dâ—awn off from their Obedience and being perswaded to go from their Garrison they passed to Montz After these things the United States setting an Asseâ—sment upon all Chimneys and being assisted with Souldiers out of England and Moneys out of France again fell in Debate upon another Expedition into Flanders but for that all the hopes of that Design lay in the speedy execution thereof and therefore that it was necessary first to divert the Enemy to some other part it was thought sit to make a shew of Warr in the furthermost Borders To which purpose Prince Maurice sending before some Souldiers under pretence of a Marriage between Count Lewis of Nassau and Count Broakens Widow himself came to Arnheym and then making no delay he speeded to Bercke with above a hundred Companies of Foot and Thirty Troops of Horse of which Place Jeronimo Lopez had the Government by the