the Governesses Hand retired to Culemburg-House leaving the Pallace to the Governesse The next day he sent her the Kings Letters and a Copy of his Commission wherein the Command in Chiefe for the Militia of the Lowcountreys was conferred upon him the administration of civill Affayres remaining wholly in the Governesse The same day waited on by a great traine of Horse and his House-hold Servants he went in that state to visit her Excellence the Courtiers that found the Governesse was or would have had her discontented observing how they looked at this first Ceremony Indeed the Governesse that had for some dayes before the grudging of an ague having made an offer of going forward to Receive this stranger pretended her Fitt or else it was thought to come very opportunely to take downe Alva's Pride who in publique omitted no Complement or Veneration due to the Daughter of Charles the fifth and Sister to his King but when they were alone he produced somewhat a larger Commission not only giving him power over the Militia but Authorizing him to fortify what Places he thought fit to displace Magistrates and Governours to examine and punish the causes of the late Tumults And when the Governesse demanded if he had any further Instructions he said yes a few more then could be opened at one meeting but according to future Emergencies they should be imparted to her This Answer seemed not to move her she then commended the Kings designe in case it were so handled that Peace newly restored to the Lowcountries like a tender plant were not spoyled with diging too deep about it She added that she thought it would do well if next day Copyes of the King's Letters should be read in Senate which was done accordingly But writing to the King she complained that the Duke Alva should come with such absolute Authority and so great an Army that being greatly preiudiciall to her Honour this to the newly settled State of the Lowcountreys For already about 100000 men were fled out of the Provinces carrying their money and goods into other Princes Dominions either fearing to be oppressed by Forreiners or dispairing of mercy or thinking to avoid future calamity One thing both comforted her and the people that is the King 's Coming who was so certainly expected by the Lowcountrymen that foure dayes before she had sent into Spaine Wacken Admirall in the place of Count Horne with nine Ships well manned to attend his Majesty but if peradventure he should alter his determination and thinke it better to deferre his voyage till another time she humbly from her soule beseeched him that he would please of his goodnesse to free her that now for nine yeares had governed the Lowcountries from further care and charge of those Provinces But that which made her much more earnest in the same suit was the suddaine Imprisonment of Count Egmont and some others The Duke of Alva resolved to begin his Governement with the Attaindours of some of the Lowcountrey Lords that when the eminent persons were removed the People might have nothing whereon to fix their eyes At first therefore he carried himselfe obligingly to the Lords in particular to Count Egmont by whose example he aymed to bring in Count Horne that stood upon his guard and was desirous to heare of Alva's Beginnings at a distance They say when presaging his owne death he shunned the sight of Alva Count Egmont chid him for his feare and undertooke he should be no worse used then he himselfe The Event shortly verifyed these his ominous words But when Alva saw that Count Horne was wrought upon he sent for Hochstrat and the rest of the Lords to Bruxells to consult about regulating the Common-wealth and he set forth but being newly recouered of a Sicknesse whilst his Coachman went an easy pace as he was Commanded hearing what had hapned hee droue back againe with a powder The rest of the Lords came to Bruxells the ninth of September That very day the Duke appointed two Captaines Andrew Salazar and Iohn Espuc without tumult to arrest Iohn Casembrot Lord of Backersell one of the Covenanteers who could in all probability make the greatest Discoueries as being Secretary to Count Egmont The Colonells Count Alberick Lodronio and Sanchio Londognio received Orders on the same day to bring to Bruxells Anthony Strall Consull of Antwerp one very intimate with the Prince of Orange And lest the City wherein he was one of the most popular and richest men should mutiny and rise in his behalfe Alva desired the Governesse to write to the Magistrate of Antwerp that the Consull was sent for to Bruxells to aduise with the Duke of Alva concerning the State of Antwerp she did so and Lodronius after he had taken the Consull delivered the Letter to the Magistrate who fearing himselfe made them lay him in a Cart couered with many Pieces and packs of Cloth but he was scarce out of the port when Lodronio advertised by a Spye seized on him While these things were acting the Duke at Culemburg House sate in Counsell with the Lords Areschot Egmont Horne Mansfeldt Aremberg Barlamont There was present Ferdinand Son to the Duke of Alva Vitellius Serbellonius and Ibarra Alva purposely spun out time in Consultation expecting newes of the taking of the Consull and Cassembrot and therefore sent for Count Paciotto into the Senate to resolve them about the platforme of the Castle at Antwerp When he knew his Commands were executed he dismissed the Lords As the rest were going out the Duke tooke Count Egmont aside as if he had private businesse with him and many Commanders shewing themselves out of the next Roome Alva said Egmont I arrest thee thou art the King's Prisoner in his name diliver up thy sword The Count struck at the suddaine Arrest and seeing such a Company of armed Men about him yielded his sword saying and yet with this I have often not vnfortunately defended the King's Cause adding noe more words the Captaines had him into a drawing Roome At the same time Count Horne was by the Dukes Son who seemed to waite upon him downe the Stairs commanded to resigne his Sword and yeild himselfe Prisoner to the Duke of Alva by the King's Command immediately the Captaines that stept in disarmed and carried him to the other side of the House In the meane time Sanchio Avila Captaine of the Dukes Lifeguard had drawne up his men to culemburg-Culemburg-House and secured the Streets the City being amazed not knowing what this Face of Terrour meant But when they understood that Egmont and Horne were imprisoned by the Duke of Alva at first Griefe tooke away the People's Tongues then they found the Duke of Alva's Plot and were angry at Egmonts Credulity Many said that in the Captivity of those Lords the Lowcountreys were inslaved This wrought in them a greater admiration of the cautelous Course
to his Highnesse a supply the more wellcome because so seasonable to him then destitute both of Men and Money Nor did the Nuncio fail to visit the Deputies of the Estates and the Senatours but passed from Namure to Bruxels where delivering as she had in Command his Holinesses letters and fatherly exhortations to the resuming of their former Concord and Obedience which letters were received with more magnificence then dutie many of their minds being long since possessed with the spirit of heresie a refractorie and sullen disease that may with lesse difficultie be kept out then shook off In the mean time Don Iohn by letters from the King being injoyned if an accommodation could no way be made strenuously to maintain the Catholick Religion and the Royall Authority with assurance that he should not want an armie had notice that the Prince of Orange was sent for to Bruxels by the Estates and created Protectour of Brabant by the old name of Ruart of the Province an Office very like that of Dictator among the Romans or Manbure among the Leigeois This Officer the Brabanters said they were authorized to elect by the priviledges of the Ioyfull Entry though as farre as I observe in their Annals besides Anthony sonne to Philip Duke of Burgundie when Ioan the widow of Duke Wenceslaus governed Brabant chosen Ruart by the three Estates of that Province and besides Philip Count de Saint Paul whilst Duke Iohn and his wife Iaquenette were at difference whom the Brabanters rebelling against the Duke created Ruart that people never made use of such a Magistrate And because both those Ruarts came at last to the power and authority of Dukes the Prince of Orange might by their example hope that one day the titles of temporary modestie laid aside the House of Nassau might be Dukes of Brabant and he the first For this presumption Don Iohn failed not bitterly and speedily to reprove the Citie and the Estates by his Embassadour Gaspur Schetz Lord of Grobendonch Likewise a while after receiving other Letters post from the King by the hand of Philip Sega sent at that time Nuncio out of the Low-countreys into Spain in the place of Ormanetto wherein the King commanded the Deputies of the Estates to lay down Arms not to admit the Prince of Orange and to obey the perpetuall Edict Don Iohn sending them a copy of the Letter seriously wished them maturely to advise upon it whilst they had time and not to provoke their Prince his just displeasure to the ruine of their Countrey and themselves But when instead of Answer they would return nothing being wholly governed by the Prince of Orange but complaints and threatnings Don Iohn applyed himself to thoughts of violence and Warre as some conceived not unwillingly For having lost all hope of quieting these Provinces by indulgence and liberality an Honour forfeited by the former Governours of the Low-countreys which he laboured to recover when he found that his clemency prevailed not but the Magistrates authority waxed his waned and was rather a kind of entreaty then command his life exposed to the daily injuries and plots of wicked men He not able to suffer their affronts having been accustomed to command great Armies and finding his hands tied both at home and abroad weary of such a life was glad to lay hold of that occasion and rather chose an open Warre then a miserable and unsafe Peace Indeed it was an Argument of a mind highly offended and incensed that a Man of such experience in the Warrs would enter into hostilitie at a time when he was in strength so much inferiour For of all the seventeen Provinces onely two Luxemburg and Namure continued faithfull to him The Nobility Clergie and Magistrates a few excepted were all confederated with the Estates Not that they renounced their Religion or Loyaltie though there was then a world of such Apostates but some to ingratiate themselves with the People greedie of Libertie and still maligning their Governours part bought with promises by the Prince of Orange and being kinsmen to him many thinking Don Iohn quite disarmed and running away followed the partie of the Estates as safer A great sort held their cause to be likewise honester conceiving all Don Iohn of Austra's jealousies and fears to be onely pretences for the justice of a Warre Therefore by Letters to the King they accused him for endeavouring to ingage the Low-countreys upon vain suspicions It seems we must not beleive Treason to be plotted against any Prince that is not slain Nor could he then raise an Army able to contest with theirs For on the one side those few Germans he had retained in the Low-countreys some Companies of Spanish now called out of France where they fought for the Crown and divers Wallons and Burgundians hardly amounting to the number of four thousand When on the other side they had at that present no lesse then fifteen thousand which as it was proposed in their Councel of Warre and to which end they marched from Gemblours if they had presently advanced to Namure no doubt they had beat Don Iohn weaker in Men and Munition out of the Town and Fort. But as in consultation where many heads are laid together whilst they in the field disputed away their time they gave Don Iohn opportunity to strengthen himself with new succours For the Ruart the Prince of Orange after that Dignitie was conferred upon him would do nothing before Brabant was settled that their neighbours might be secure in Holland He therefore instituted at Bruxels and in the Towns adjacent Magistrates according to the Hollanders new model By his advice the Fort at Antwerp was dismantled as to that part which commanded the Town with so great a rejoycing of the People and such a crowd of voluntary Labourers that women of the best quality could not be kept within doors but they would come in the night to see the men at work till for abominable things committed in their drinking and dancing the night-work was prohibited by Edict But their Joy was never at the heighth till they came to the triumphall Brasse-statue of the Duke of Alva laid out of the way in a private corner of the Fort. They tumbled it into the Court hackt it with their swords hewed it asunder with axes and as if they had at every blow drawn bloud and put the brasse to pain pleased themselves with an imaginary Execution Some carried home fragments of the broken Basis and hung them up in their Halls as if they were the enemies spoyls and would signifie to Posteritie a kind of revenge taken upon the Duke The metall as before it was melted out of Cannon into Alva's statue so afterwards the Statue was again cast into Cannon and restored to its own nature Onely one thing displeased many as if Alva being wholly composed
joyned Gelderland and Zutfen both which he first bought of Duke Arnold who disinherited his sonne Adolph that kept him six years a Prisoner then after the death of Arnold and Adolph he fought for them with the sonne to Adolph and wonne them in the field But Duke Charles being slain at the battel of Nantes and the French King Lewis the Eleventh prosecuting the Warre against Mary Daughter and heir to Charles this Principality was lessened by the loss of Artois to the French and many other little Towns in Burgandy And though Maximilian by his victory at Guinigate a little after his marriage with Mary restored divers of them to the Low-countreys yet when a peace was made between him and the French and Margaret Daughter to Maximilian and Mary espoused to Charles the Dolphin the Counties of Arâ—ois and Burgundy were in the name of her Dowre cut off again from the Low-Countreys But Margaret being refused by Charles when he came to the Crown after that refusall had revived the Warre Charles posting into Italy to the Conquest of Naples made a Peace with Maximilian and his sonne Philip returning Margaret and the Provinces he had with her to the Low-Countreys onely he kept the Forts in his hands which his successour Lewis the twelfth wholly bent upon the design of Millain rendered of his own accord But those of Gelderland and Zutfen submitting to their Lords and troubling the Low-countreys with incursions especially the parts about Utrecht Charles the fifth having overthrown Charles Duke of Gelderland entered upon them again by the right of Conquest But in regard the Warres often renued upon his occasion had been exceeding chargeable the Emperour annexed the Provinces of Utrecht and Overysell to the Low-Countreys Henry Baviere Bishop and Lord Utrecht willingly resigning them and defending Groin against those of Gelderland adding Cambray and Cambresey to the Province of Artois enlarged the Belgick Dominion At length after his victory at Pavia by an agreement made between the Emperour and the King the Low-Countreys were freed from the jurisdiction of the French King who formerly was their Lord Paramount so that Charles the fifth of all the Belgick Princes had the greatest and most absolute command Now most of these Provinces as once they had severall Lords so after they were subjected to one almost each of them had their severall and respective Laws and a peculiar form of government Which they say was the Principall cause that Charles the fifth when he was exceedingly desirons to mould these Provinces into a Kingdome which had been attempted by his great Grand-father gave off the designe because they were so different in manners language customes and emulation incident to neighbours that he thought it hardly possible to reduce them to one kind of government whereof a Kingdome must consist none of the Provinces consenting to yield precedence to any of the rest or to submit to the Laws of others as their superiours From hence was derived the custome for the Low-countrey Princes besides Governours of towns to place a Governour in every Province that should minister justice according to their Laws and Customes And King Philip was well pleased to have in his power the disposall of the Provinces in most of which the Governours places were void That he might remunerate the valour and service of the Lords so often tried in the late Warres He therefore pickt out the flower of the Belgick Nobility choosing none but such as either Charles his Father or he himself had made companions of the order of the Golden-fleece Lâ—cemburgh a Province bordering upon France and Lorrain and therefore more famed for slaughter then riches he gave to Ernest Count Mansfield who had formerly been Governour thereof He was born in Saxony for his military experience and fidelity to Charles the fifth and King Philip equally beloved of both Namures and Lymburgh neighbours on either hand to Lucemburgh very small Countreys but fruitfull he bestowed the one upon Charles Count Barlamont that with his four sonnes spirited like their father had been alwayes passionately for the King the other he gave to Iohn Count of East-Frizeland But Haynolt the seminary of the Belgick Nobility was not at this time given to the Marquesse of Berghen op Zoome what ever others write but to Iohn Lanoi Lord of Molembase who the next year dying Margaret of Austria Dutches of Parma supreme Governess of the Netherlands by her special letters to the King obtained that Province for Iohn Climed son in Law to Molembase and Marquess of Berghen more gracious with Charles the fifth then with his son In Flanders which they say is one of the Noblest and most potent Provinces of Christendome and Artois bordering upon Flanders he constituted Lamoral Prince of Gaure Count Egmont a great Commander That part of Flanders which because they speak Wallom or broken French is called French-Flanders and the City of Tournay thereunto appendent had for their Governours the Momorancies Iohn and Florentius this Lord of Mountain that of Courir But over Holland and Zeland and the parts adjacent that is the Districht of Utrecht Provinces of great strength by Sea and Land the King placed William of Nassau Prince of Orange of great authority in the Low-Countreys yet no Low-Countreyman To the government of West-Frizeland and Overysell the King advanced Iohn Lignius Count Arembergh conspicuous for his loyalty to his Master and his experience in Warre Gelderland and Zutfen formerly annexed to Gelderland were at this time distributed like the other Provinces among the Low-Countrey Lords as all Writers affirm Yet by their leave the truth was otherwise for the King at his departure thence disposed of neither of these Gâ—vernments I suppose it was because Philip Memorancie Count of Horn stood in competition for them who had once been Governour of both to whose pretension it was conceived Anthony Granvell Bishop of Arras was an adversary the King who confided in this mans judgement but yet wouâ—d not be present when the other should receive offence went into Spain leaving these Provinces without a Governour that so he might spin out the exspectation of Count Horn and weary him with a tedious suit And now tired indeed and hopeless to get it for himself he altered the name and petitioned in behalf of his Brother the Lord Montin intreating the Dutchess of Parma the Governess that she would please to write to the King in favour of his Brother She did so putting in his name among divers others by her commended to his Majestie but at the same time in cypher she wished the King to approve of none for that Command but onely Charles Brimed Count of Megen who was immediately chosen In no less an errour are they that affirm the King in this distribution to have assigned to the Prince of Orange the Dutchy
it were followed through the streets by the multitude to the number of an hundred at Valencena and six hundred at Tournay singing Davids Psalms in French At this Psalm-singing and these night-sermons tumults were raised in both Cities between such as favoured and such as hated them The cognizance whereof taken from the Magistrates was brought before the Governess who commanded the Governours of those Provinces Florence Momorancy Lord of Montiny and Iohn Glemè Marquesse of Bergen that were both at this time by accident in Breda to joy the Prince and Princess of Orange newly come out of Saxonie forthwith to return to their Governments and use their best endeavours in what concerned them nearest The Lord of Montiny posted to Tournay with Christopher Assonvill and Iohn Blaser whom the Dutchess had joyned with him to examine the business Where he apprehended the owner of the house the Conventicles were kept in and found and burned many hereticall books A moneth after hanging up Lanoy the night-preacher Tournay was quieted But at Valenciens things fell out far otherwise For though the Marquess of Bergen presently went thither and by the assistance of Filibert Bruxâ—ius and Autrux assigned him for Adjuncts by the Governess two preaching Calvinists Philip Maillard and Simon Favian were committed to prison deferring their punishment contrary to the Dutchess command Before the Citie was pacified the Marquess of Bergen went to Leige to visit his brother Bishop of that City For which being reprehended by the Dutchess and commanded back to his Government he boldly excused himself That it was neither agreeable to his place or nature to put Hereticks to death Which insolent answer she wrote to the King commending in the letter the industry of the Lord of Montiny and so comparing the ones deserts with the dis-service of the other made both appear the greater And indeed that Heresie like other contagious diseases is caught in an instant and must with expedition be prevented as may be instanced in the examples of Tournay and Valenciens There by the present punishment of a few all being put in fear here by delay and negligence the turbulent people having time given to encourage them For now that brace of Hereticks I spake of had been in prison seven moneths and the Magistrates were affraid to proceed to judgment because they saw the peoples affection daily increasing towards them and divers bills posted up that threatned mischief to the Judges if any harm came to the Prisoners And many passing by the Jayl in the night were heard to chear up the prisoners and bad them fear nothing for if they should be led to execution the people would rescue them But the Dutchess informed of all this taxed the Magistrates with the fear they had brought upon themselves by seven moneths delay and seriously fore-warned them not to make the disease incurable by further delaying Therefore according to the Emperours Edict sentence was pronounced and the delinquents condemned to be burned But because some tradesmen were suspected especially the Clothiers the execution was put off to a day when they alwayes used to be absent from Valenciens their custome being on Saturday night to walk abroad into the fields and not to come back to town till Monday morning Part going a feasting to the Villages near hand with their parents and their wives part getting out of the way lest they should be observed not to be at Church with the Catholicks On Monday therefore by day-break the condemned persons were brought into the market-place Yet it was not so privately carried but multitudes of people followed And Favean when he came near the faggots cried out as loud as ever he could gape O Eternall Father At which words the whole Market-place made a hideous noise and suddenly strove to fetch off the prisoners casting stones at the Officers withall breaking into the place of execution they seized upon all the instruments of death threw about the fagots and for very madnesse broke them into little pieces Till the officers too weak for the multitude were forced to carry the prisoners back to the Jayl and to run for it themselves the stones flew so fast about their ears Having freed their companions by degrees the peoples fury cooled or rather not knowing what to do for want of a Leader they met all in a peaceable manner that you would have rather thought them Petitioners then Mutineers singing Davids Psalmes by Calvin's Psalter then breaking out again into rage they blamed their own sloath and resolved to take their opportunity while the Citie was in fear and trembling Before I proceed because the singing of Psalmes hath casually been twice and must be oftner mentioned I conceive it will not be amisse for the Reader to understand the Originall thereof Among the Grooms of the bedchamber to Francis the first of France there was one Clement Marot born at Davean a man naturally eloquent of a voluble fluent tongue having a rare vein in French poetry wherewith the King was much taken and kept him as a choice instrument of his learned pleasures But as his wit was somewhat better then his conditions by his acquaintance with the Lutherans he was suspected to have changed his Religion and therefore fearing the King would be offended he fled to his Majesties sister at Bearn the old Sanctuary for Delinquents A while after the King was pacified and he returned to Paris Where he was advised by his friend Francis Vatable the Hebrew Lecturer to leave the trifling subjects he wrote upon and study divine Poesie Hereupon he began to translate the Psalmes of the Hebrew Prophet into French stanza's but so ignorantly and perversely as a man altogether unlearned that the King though he often sung his verses yet upon the just complaints of the Sorban Doctours and their severe censure passed against them commanded that nothing of Maro's in that kind should be from thenceforth published But being forbid by Proclamation as it often happens the longing of the Reader and fame of the Work was increased so that new tunes were set to Marot's thimes and they were sung like profane ballads He in the mean time growing bold by the peoples applauses and not able to forbear bragging for fear of punishment ran to Geneva And flying from thence for new crimes committed but first having been well whipped for them he died at Austune The successe of this Translation of Psalmes moved Theodor Beza a friend of Marot's that wrote an Elegie in French upon his death to joyn to the fifty which he had printed the other hundred in French meeter too so the whole book of Davids Psalmes was finished And to make it pleasing to the people they had severall tunes set to them by excellent Composers that chimed so sweetly as every one desired to have the new Psalter But many errours in it being detected against Religion and the
any man or plunder of any house though the Wealth of the Towne was a great Temptation their Contumacy meriting Destruction The Generall went to their Court and first according to his Instructions disarmed the Townsmen and tooke from the City their Cannon which were 50 and all the rest of their Munition Then he caused Inquiry to be made for the Boutefeu's and Ringleaders of the Rebellion with the Hereticall Preachers and immediately laid 36 Principall rebels by the Heels but could not take any one Minister for they were slipt out of the Towne though the Ports had presently been shut up or guarded with Souldiers but being apprehended at St Amands they were brought back and committed to prison Afterwards the Citisens were beheaded their Teachers and some of their Souldiers hanged Lastly the Magistrates and Treasures and all other publique Officers were removed from their places their Charter and Priviledges forfeited till the King pleased to restore them The Governesse writing all these Particulars to the King and annexing a List of the Commanders and Souldiers Names that had done most gallant Service in the Siege humbly craved Leave to remunerate their Valour and Fidelity out of Delinquents Estates that the Souldiers might reap the Fruit of their Victory and Modesty and others be taught their duty Valenciens being in this manner settled and all consecrated Places restored to their pious Vses the Bishop of Arras likewise sent for out of Artois and eight Companyes charged vpon the Towne that He might keep the people in the feare of God and they in Obedience to the King it was wonderfull to see what a glorious name Norcarmius had got and what an alteration it made among the Rebels and Hereticks of all degrees when they heard Valenciens was taken insomuch as it was commonly reported that in this one Town were found the keyes of all the other Cityes In the meane while her Excellence receiving a new expresse signifying that Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva was to come a little before his Majesty Whilst in the Lowcountryes all went as well as she could wish she thought it best to press what she had long since designed a Protestation from the Magistrates and all Officers of Peace and Warre wherein they should sweare without exception to obey any that should bee appointed in the Kings name Which she did not to sound any ones mind for she could well distinguish the Kings Friends and Enemyes nor in hope to oblige the Vnfaithfull which she knew was not to be done by any Tye but that shee might with lesse envy displace such men as should refuse the Oath or put them to death if they broke their Faith by which meanes the King at his coming might finde all parts of the Lowcountryes pacifyed The Governesse set this afoote in the begining of the yeare and acquainting the Senate with it told them she would take it as a speciall Service if the Lords would give Example which the rest would easily follow The first that Voted for it and promised to take the Oath was Peter Ernest Count Mansfeldt then the Duke of Areschott and the Counts Egmont Mela and Barlamont who afterwards performed what they then promised But Henry Brederod whom the Governesse by expresse Messengers and afterwards by Letters vrged to take this Oath of Allegeance as he that was both the Kings Subject and a Commander under him of a 100 horse of those 1400 raised for the Saftety of the Provinces a great while kept off at last because he was commanded to lay downe his Commission complaining that he was unworthily and injuriously dealt with refused the Oath and sent back the Horse The Oath was likewise refused but with more Civility by the Counts Hochstrat and Horne because they said they had sworne their Allegeance some yeares before and that they hoped was sufficient Hochstrat was at Antwerp Lieutenant Governour there for the Prince of Orange who was then in Holland and from this City gave Orders for Machlin whereof he was Governour in his owne right Therefore her Excellence that had long had an eye upon Hotchstrat as a man not to be trusted gave away the Government of Machlinâ—o â—o the Lord Semer one that was sound in Religion and Fidelity and wrote to Hochstrat how she had provided for that City which the Gheuses having lately had a plott upon it required a Governour that should be there resident Hochstrat as if he Vnderstood not the Governesses Anger lest he should seeme likewise sensible of his owne Offence in his Answer gave her infinite thanks that she had then eased him of that burden only whether he should lay down his Commission before the Senate of Machlin or by Letter signify so much unto them he expected her Highnesses Commands and if she further pleased to substitute another at Antwerp in absence of the Prince of Orange he should take that also for a speciall Favour But writing to Count Mansfeldt he layd aside dissimulation For when the Governesse had returned that she better liked his writing to the Machliners about the Resignation of his Government that Count Mansfeldt at the same time wrote him a Letter to the same effect counselling Hochstrat as his Kinsman for they were married to two Sisâ—ers of the Momorancyes Hochstrat to Elionor and Mansfeldt to Mary by all meanes to pacify the Governesse he answered jeeringly That he was much bound to him who having so many Imployments whereby he much eased the Dutchesse in her Government could yet descend so farre as to thinke of his poor Kinsman and to Vouchsafe him his Advise which Advise notwithstanding he needed not knowing well enough what was to be done In the meane time he joyed him of those great Imployments which shortly would be increased beyond his ambition by the coming of so many Whelps out of Spaine and Italy The businesse with the Prince of Orange went slowlyer on and with more trouble For he refusing the Oath among other Passages wrote to the Governesse that she would please to appoint a Governour for Holland Zeland and Burgundy since he understood it was the Kingâ—s Pleasure that he should resigne This held the Governesse in Suspense because she was not willing he sould declare himselfe an Enemy before she had sufficient Forces to subdue him She therefore sent to Antwerp Iohn Baptista Bertius her Secretary that found the Prince of Orange onely imployed about his private Occasions and having presented his Letters of Credence from the Governesse He made it appeare by many Arguments that the Prince of Orange's determination to resigne his Commands could not be approved either by the Governesse or any of the Lords not only because it would be disadvantageous to the Lowcountryes and dishonourable to the Prince of Orange himselfe but likewise because such kind of Governements confer'd by the
but likewise from all the Calvinists of France as from a Plantation of Geneva especially from the Prince of Conde Head of the Faction Who gâ—ad of that Occasion to make Levies promised and sent Assistance to Geneva under the Command of Mombrune And the Prince himselfe with Gaspar Colligny began their publique Musters in France preteÌ„ding to King Charles a feare the Spaniards that accounted them as Enemies had a designe to take them unprepared Nay they would have perswaded the King to raise an Army and not let slip such an Opportunity as fairer could not be to revenge himselfe of a Nation that ever hated France It was true that the Spanish Army both for the Goodnesse of Souldiers and Noblenesse of Commanders was a most select and considerable one yet in their passage through the Straits and over the Mountaines on the one side by the French on the other by the Geneveses and Swisse they might easily be distressed and cut off And then all King Philip's Spanish and Italian Forces being overthrowne as it was not to be doubted but either a way might be opened to recover Millaine left naked of old Souldiers or it was but marching into the Lowcountreys and that people willingly would receiue the French to whose Armes they must acknowledge themselves obliged for their delivery from the Spanish But if neither of these Projects tooke effect yet certainely for many years a warre was not to be feared from those that having lost such an army could not in a long time recruite The Prince of Conde added that if it would please the King to raise forces for that warre he would bring his Maiesty 50000 men Thus under a specious colour for the publick safety they offered his Maiesty the Army which they had privately designed for their Rebellion like true Hugonots who call that the Kings Security which is indeed his Captivity But the French King knowing what they aymed at lest by provoking a Potent Prince he might at one time be ingaged in a Forreine and Civill Warre replyed it was neither agreable to the Honour nor Valour of the French to circumvent a King neare to him in Affinity and Freindship But to secure his Kingdome from the Spaniards in their March he would giue Order for the raising of a new Army Withall he signified to King Philip the Condition of his Civill Discords by reason whereof he could not promise Security to his Forces if they came And now the Duke of Alva transported in the Galleys of Andrea Doria and Cosmo Duke of Florence with his new Spanish Souldiers that were to supply the old Italian Garrisons arrived at Millaine where falling into a Feauer he was forced to remaine At which time upon notice of the Army which the Duke of Alva was to bring into the Lowcountryes and that the King himself would follow for so it was reported the Governesse endeavoured to disswade his Maiesty from coming in a Warlike manner which would be of no use but to imbroile the Provinces againe That the Lowcountreys were at present in a peaceable condition returned to their Religion and Obedience nor wanted they strength and Men by which as this Condition was acquired so it might be preserued and increased by the King's presence if he came alone but if he brought a new and mighty Army what would it import but great Expences to the King and noe lesse Poverty to the Lowcountryes Vpon the very Rumour of a forreine Army diverse Tradesmen and Merchants familyes were now departed and when they heard of the Armyes nearer Approcahes more would leave the Country because they knew there would be noe Trading in a time of Warre and yet they must pay Sessments and great Taxes for maintaining Souldiers Besides the Feare of the People that cannot but thinke these Forces to be their Executioners the indignation of the Nobility whose good Service in quieting the late Commotions would seeme to be slighted and the certaine Relapse of the Place into Heresy that would returne into the Lowcountreys with a Lutheran Army out of Germany and which out of the premisses she prophetically concluded it would cause by that inexpiable Hatred antipathy betweene the two Nations a bloudy Civill Warre for many Ages Wherefore she earnestly beseeched his Majesty that laying aside this unseasonable Designe of Armes he would come peaceably into the Provinces more like a father then a King and that by his presence and Wisdome he would add to these happy Beginnings what was only desirable Continuation This Letter the Governesse sent by an Extraordinary Gaspar Robley Lord of Bill and Governour of Philipvill that being presented by a person of Honour it might have more Authority with the King But it neuer moved him who replyed his Army should come into the Lowcountreys for no other End but to establish peace And this was writ to the Governesse in the King's name by Rui Gomez a Sylva Prince of Ebolo who likewise sent her Excellence Newes of the Marquesse of Bergen's Death which happened in the Kings Absence from Madrid Iohn Glimèe Marquesse of Bergen Op Zoom a City in the farthest part of Brabant was the last yeare sent from the Low-countreys into Spaine with Florence Momorancy Lord of Montin nor was his Embassy very well received the King being excessively inraged at the Violation of their Churches and Defection of their Cityes Therefore the Marquesse begging leave to returne very often but still in vaine because the Governesse had privately advised the King not let the Embassadours goe so long as the Troubles lasted when he had now sufficiently discovered the Plot upon him both by his Delayes at Court and his mock-hopes as if he should every day returne into the Low-countryes with the King weary of the Imployment and struck with the Duke of Alva's being chosen Generall he fell sick and despairing of his Recovery sent for the Prince of Ebolo his old Friend to whom they say he grievously complained of the King and prayed he would deliver to his Majesty these words from a dying man that should no more speake for himselfe That it much grieved him not only to have no value put upon the many painefull services hee had done but likewise to see himselfe suspected and looked upon as an Enemy yet he hoped that his Fidelity and the perfidiousnesse and calumnâ—es of his Maligners would once though too late appeare A while after having settled all worldly businesse on the one and twentieth of May he dyed some say poysoned as if no man frowned upon by his Prince could dye a naturall death For my part I meane not to affirme it otherwise then as a Conjecture He was equally beloved by Charles the fifth and his Son Philip from him he received the title of Marquesse this for his gallant Service at Saint Quintin chose him out of all the Low-countrey-Lords to go over with him into
where Culemburg house stood l. 7. p. 42. Monument Votive l. 7. p. 48. More beyond being the Motto of Charles the fifth under the figure of Hercules Pillars More on this side was applyed by way of Jeer l. 1. p. 8. Moron reported to be burnt alive with a soft fire l. 5. p. 107. Mose a River l. 8. p. 7. foorded by an Army with strange Artifice ibid. Mulct imposed upon a Regiment l. 7. p. 58. upon those that refused to take up Armes l. 8. p. 20. Muleasses King of Tunis l. 10. p. 21. Mott vide Valentine Pardieu Mustapha Counsellor to Selimus l. 5. p. 139. Mustapha Teasurer to the Turkish Fleet l. 9. p. 46. Musters vide Army Musquetoons used first in field service by the Duke of Alva l. 6. p. 31. l. 7. p. 55. Musqueteers on horseback l. 8. p. 3. l. 9. p. 50. l. 10. p. 10. Foot Musqueteers l. 6. p. 7. l. 8. p. 11. l. 9. p. 50. l. 10. p. 9. Mutino vide Stephano Mutio Pagano Commander of Horse goes for the Low-countreys with Requesenes l. 7. p. 81. ventures into the bogg with Alexander Farneze l. 9. p. 51. at the battel of Rimenant l. 10. p. 9. Governour of the Town of Areschot l. 10. p. 13. his death ibid. Sentences in M. IT is MADNESSE to hope for Mercy when Subjects have received an Angry and an armed Prince l. 5. p. 135. Their MANNERS either absolve or condemn every one l. 5. p. 136. It is very considerable whether MISFORTUNES succeed or meet l. 2. p. 48. MODESTY sets off one newly come to Honour l. 10. p. 18. Nothing is so pernicious to MONARCHY as when the people are taught publickly to contest with their Prince l. 2. p. 32. Ready MONEY is not so refused as when it is onely promised l. 8. p. 6. A MULTITUDE is easiest Pardoned and where all offends none suffers l. 7. p. 67. N. NAked men fighting in a battel l. 10. p. 11. Namur a City and Province of the Low-Countries l. 1. p. 15. faithful to Don Iohn l. 9. p. 37. its Governour l. 1. p. 16. Bishop l. 7. p. 73. Magistrate l. 10. p. 22. Castle surprized by Don Iohn l. 9. p. 35. Nancy the battel there l. 1. p. 15. Narbon the bishop l. 2. p. 30. Nardhem a Town in Holland l. 7. p. 78. Razed ibid. Nassan the Earldome l. 7. p. 77. the Nobility thereof l. 2. p. 43. Nassau vide Adolph Engelbert William Henry Iohn Lewis Maurice Otho Philip and Renatus or Râ—ne Nature probably conjecturd to be evil l. 7. p. 43. Navarr the Kingdome l. 3. p. 58. made a Province to Spain l. 7. p. 82. its Vice-Roy l. 7. p. 68. l. 10. p. 6. Navarr vide Anthony Bourbon Henry Peter Navarin besieged l. 9. p. 47. Navarr vide Martin Doctor Navarr Naples l. 1. p. 22. l. 3. p. 59. Ncapolitan Regiment l. 6. p. 30. Archbishop l. 4. p. 81. Vice-Roy ibid. Monastery l. 10. p. 23. Nervii besiege Quintus Ciccro in his Winter-Quarters l. 8. p. 8. Newport a Town of Flanders l. 8. p. 21. Nicolao Basta l. 6. p. 30. Nicolao Caesio l. 10. p. 2 10 11. his valour l. 10. p. 12. Nicolao Ormanetto Bishop of Padua departs from the Low-countries l. 9. p. 37. the Popes Agent to the King of Spain l. 8. p. 16. moves the King to make Don Iohn Governour of the Low-Countries ibid. Nicolao Vitelli l. 8. p. 14. Nicholas Lord of Granvel l. 2. p. 39. Nicholas Hames Tosond'or or Herold to the Knights of the Golden Fleece l. 5. p. 101. Night illuminated with Torches burning in the skye l. 8. p. 11. nâ—ghtly Coventicles of Hereticks l. 5. p. 116. famous for two Armies fighting in the Ayr l. 7. p. 59. Niguio vide Gabriel Nimenghen l. 8. p. 3. Nivell a Town l. 9. p. 56. rejects Count Mansfeldt ibid. makes conditions with Don Iohn ibid. Nobility of the Low-Countries l. 2. p. 34. l. 4. p. 94. their Complaints and grievances l. 2. p. 29. l. 3. p. 75. how they were grounded l. 2. p. 38 39. l. 3. p. 75. disputed against l. 2. p. 30 31. their alienation from the Spaniards whence it proceeded l. 2. p. 37. their discontents increased by reason of Granvells power l. 2. p. 39. l. 3. p. 65 66. their emulation malice and endeavours against Granvel l. 2. p. 41. l. 3. p. 67 72. l. 4. p. 79. the like Conspiracies of the French and Low-countrey Noble-men l. 3. p. 55 61. they post up scandalous Libells l. 4. p. 77. their joy for Granvels departure l. 4. p. 80 a rumour of their Conspiracy against the Edict proposed by the Governesse l. 5. p. 99. how they came to be infected with Heresie ibid. how they came to procure Liberty of Conscience ibid. p. 100. they sound the affections of the Heretical Princes of Germany ibid. they mutiny at the promulgation of the Edict ibid. they publish books to seduce the people ibid. in threatning manner they Inveigh against the Edict Ibid. Norcarmius vide Philip. Norryes vide Iohn Novellaria the Count l. 7. p. 60. Nuncio sent by the Pope to the Emperour l. 9. p. 39. to the French King l. 3. p. 58. to the King of Spain l. 5. p. 114 132. l. 8. p. 16. l 9. p. 37. to the Vice-Roy of Naples l. 4. p. 81. into the Low-countries l. 1. p. 18 24. l. 3. p. 65. l. 5. p. 114. l. 7. p. 64. l. 9. p. 36. Nyssus sent into Spain by the Brabanters l. 3. p. 66. Sentences in N. SOme mens NATURE is easiest Cured with Lenitives if Violence be offered they will strugle they are to be led not driven l. 9. p. 29. No NAKED man is sought after to be rifled l. 8. p. 24. It is a great support of Power to joyn in alliance with NEIGHBOUR Princes l. 4. p. 91. NO difficulty to put them upon any Resolutions that are resolved to dye l. 8. p. 13. NO such Conquering VVeapon as the Necessity of Conquering l. 8. p. 13. NOTHING is to be presumed upon or despaired of l. 8. p. 25. O. OAth of the Prince of Braâ—ant at his Inaguration l. 2. p. 30. of the Covenanters l. 5. p. 107. required by the Low-Countrey Lords l. 6. p. 11 15. Made to the Prince of Orange by the Cities of Holland l. 7. p. 72. to the King of Spain by the Low-countrey Lords l. 7. p. 83. by Charles the eighth imposed upon the Pisanes and Florentines l 9. p. 34. Proposed to the Jesuites by the Hereticks of Antwerp l. 9. p. 39. Obsequies of Count Aremberg l. 7. p. 54. of Count Barlamont and his Son l. 10. p. 51. of Charles the fifth l. 1. p. 7. of Don Iohn l. 10. p. 22. of Vitelli l 8. p. 14. Occasion of the Low-country War vide Belgick War and Tumult Octavio Farneze Nephew that is Grandchild to Pope Paul the third Perfect of Rome and Duke of Camertio marties the Daughter of Charles the fifth l. 1. p. 22.
about the Beginnings of the Low-countrey tumâ—lts Ostentation of wit Faction Ignorance of the difference between Beginnings and Causes Which difference is principally to be observed and explained by an Historian So did the ancient and best writers Fab. Pict in his Annalls Tit. Liv. l. 21. Polyb. l. 3. To follow whose examples it is easie for a man acquainted with Princes secrets The Low-Countreymens Priviledges very great Lud. Guicciardin in Descrip. Belg. From whence this evil had its Originall because the King trencht upon them three wayes The retaining of the Spanish souldiers 〈◊〉 first Cause of their 〈…〉 The Low-Countreymen are aggrieved Instigated by the Prince of Orange And exasperated by the Spaniards the 〈◊〉 Hence grew their 〈…〉 the King 〈◊〉 Cause is 〈…〉 wholly to 〈…〉 to the Low-Countrey-men Not to the King Whether the Belgick tumults are to be derived from this fountain Multiplying the number of Bishops the second cause of Insurrection The complaints made thereupon By the old Bishops The Lords temporall The Abbots And almost all that stood for the Low-countrey priviledges In 2. Addit ad â—aetum introitum Principis Hispaniae Artic. 24. What those priviledges were Artic. â—6 And how violated by increase of Bishops For which many men rail at And threaten the King Artic. 5. Some argued for his Majestie From Precedents in other countreys Which makes against the complaints of the old Bishops Baronius ann 639. 741. Extrav Solvator de Praebend Dignit As likewise against the temporall Lords And against the Abbots Aubertus Miraeus in Notitia Episc. The literal sense of their priviledges Whence some infer that they were not broken June 4. 1561. apud Arnold Havens de novis Episc. l. 2. Jun. 4. 1561. Arnol. Haves de nov Episc. l. 2. and adde the decision of the Lovain Doctors and necessity the greatest of Priviledges And that the King was not obliged to summon the Estates Generall Nor out of his own purse to allow maintenance for the Bishops Especially when he gave them Pensions Whether the beginning of the tumults may be deduced from hence The Inquisition the third cause of Insurrections The first occasion of introducing it into the Government of the Church The different forms thereof Established in Rome Constit. 34. Licet Not without Penalties J Manich and l. Quicunque C. De haereticis C. ut inquisitionis de haereticis in 6. In Spain especially from the year 1383. Martin Luthers Heresie makes it every where strictly observed Emp. Max. 1. Gratian. Theod Arcad. Honor Martian c. Charles the fifth his Edict against Luther and hereticks Leoâ— Seven times the Emperour renued it The Brabanters refuse the Inquisition King Philip confirms his Fathers Edicts Commands the execution thereof to the Governess The Governess to the Magistrates The Magistrates let it cool The Brabanters still refuse The people differ in opinions The common discourse against the Inquisition and the Emperours Edicts In the Lateran Councel under Innocent iii. Tumults caused by fear of the Inquisition and punishment of Delinquents Some men censure the King Others excuse him C. Sane 2. de Off. Potest Jud. lib. 1. §. Quiâ—manda tam. 〈◊〉 de Off. ejus Of the Prince of Orange His Ancestours came out of Germany Into the Low-countreys Ann. 1292. The Prince of Orange in his Apol. 1581. Their power in the Netherlands Anno 1544. The birth of the Prince of Orange Henr. Ranzou in exemplis Astvol Michael Airzinger in Leone Belg. His Nativity calculated His civill And military education Called the ordinary Bands Emmanuel Fishberti Duke of Savoy His favour at Court Some suspect him The Emperour answers all Objections And commends him to the King The King makes great account of him The Causes of his Discontent His Designe His Wit and Manners Which relished not of Courtship or Levity The splendour of his Family His doubtfull Religion He declares himself a Calvinist Apology 1518. His Apology Anno 1518. Whether from his heart or no is uncertain Ann. 1581. He was Hostage for K. Philip to Henry K. of France Ann. 1581. He discovers both the Kings designes against the hereticks And from thence takes his hint for Commotion Ann. 1559. Beginning at the Convention of the Knights of the Golden Fleece out of the same Apology Hoventius Momorancy Lord Montany Anthony Lalin Count Hochstrat Starting matter for sedition out of the Spanish souldiers 1559. In the some Apology Out of the new Bishops In his said Apol and so Granvel writes Ann. 1582. Out of the Inquisition Out of Granvels power Out of the troubles arising in the Duke of Alva's government The mutinous Citizens and the Hereticks desire to have the Prince of Orange for their Generall Anne daughter to Maurice Duke of Saxonie He offers himself To the destruction of the Publick The Causes and Occasions of the Belgickâ—nmults â—nmults summed up 1559. The Spanish souldiers have Orders to depart 4. Octob. Their Departure countermanded by the King Whereat the Low-countreymen rage And grow desperate Tacitus in his Annals l. 13. Called the Consult 1560. The Consulters are of opinion the souldiers should not be stayed 1560. Of the same mind were all the Councell of State 1560. But onely Granvell Who at last consents The Governesses Express to the King Her private letter 12. Decemb. The King assents in these words The Spanish souldiers sail for Spain 1561. A new Modell of the Foot Touching forrein and domestick souldiers 1562. The Marriage between the Prince of Orange and Princesse Anne daughter to the Duke of Saxony Landgrave of Hessen Anno 1550 The Landgraves Plot to break the match Discovered to the Duke of Saxony 1561. The Nuptials with Princesse Anne celebrated Afterwards he sued out a Divorce Anno 1572 At Brill is Holland Granvel made a Cardinall A Cardinalls hat brought to him He delays his acceptance 25. Feb. 12. Iuly 1562. 27. March The Governess likes not his delay He at last owns the scarlet And hat sent him by speciall favour from his Holiness For which he gives the Governess his reasons as she wrote to the King 29. Novem. 1564. 1562. The Crown of France being endangered succours are sent from the Low-countreys Of the French Tumults The Lutheran Religion brought into France Upon what occasion The City of Paris Its Favourers Margaret of Valois sister to K. Francis T is almost extinguished â—y the King Calvinisme succeeds First among the Commons Afterwards among the Lords Out of their â—mulation and envie 1562. To the Guises Duke Francis and his brother the Cardinall Anthony of Bourbon King of Navarre The Prince of Condè brother to the King of Navarre Gaspar Colligny and his brother Andelot All these were infected with Heresie But the greatest Professour of them was Joan Alibret Queen of Navarre Julius II. The Lord joyn with the hereticall rabble 1559. Against whom assistance is requested of the King of Spain And promised Alibret exasperates her husband against the Catholicks Tit. Liv. l. 1. The conspiracy at
Duke of Alva desirous to attend her Highnesse into Spaine and to leave his Governement of the Low-countryes 51 Septem The King assents And nominates his successour Who was long a comming In the interim Alva returnes to his Demands of the 10 and 20. parts An Inundation in the Low-Countries November 1 Greater then any in mans memory What a destruction is made See Pier. Winsen l. 2. Hist. A rare Accident This calamity drawes off the Duke from inâ—isting upon the Taxes Some perswade him to desist altogether Arhâ—n l. 3. Dipnos Others argue that it was just and Necessary And diverse meerely put a trick upon the Duke of Alva At length He qualifies the Edict and proposeth it the third time April The City of Bruxells refuse it with notorious contumacy Alva provides against them Forces and Halters See further in the Prince of Orange's Apology 1581. But suddaine Newes diverts him So that he is forced to leave the designe of Taxes Which had infinitely prejudiced the Duke and occasioned the Revâ—ls of the Low-countreys farre more then all his cruelty The Hollanders anciently free from Tribute Taciâ—us de Moribus Germanorum Idem l. 4. Annal. The exaction whereof caused their Rebellion against the Romanes 1570. And now for the same reasons the P. of Orange sollicits their Defection Having often tryed other waies to bring them 〈◊〉 As last he compasses his desire The People being imboldned upon the newes of the Duke 's present departure The Duke of Alva's Losse at Sea The Water Gheuses Their Generall His Principall Officers They turne Pirates Are prohibited the Ports of England Vorna They take the Towne of Brill April 1. Destroy all things Sacred Beate the Spanish forces Gulielmus Blosius Treslong A wonderfull change followes Durdrecht or Dort revolts from the Spaniard And Vlushing John Treslong And Enchuysen And almost all Holland And a great part Zeland being now out of feare of the Duke of Alva and jeering him for the losse of Brill The revolted Townes put themselves into the Prince of Orange's power Their new Commonwealth The predatory Fleet very much increased and constantly victorious Bernard Mend. l. 16. Making the Taxes their Pretence Iuly 24. Anno 74. Many other Townes revolt Doesburg Zutphan Harderwick Oldden sal c. Lewis of Nassau takes the City of Mons assisted by the French May 25. With their Kings leave procured by Gaspar Coligny Who with too much confidence trusts himselfe to the King Endeavours to win the Low-Country Lords And makes high offers to Vitelli. The Marquesse Vitelli's noble carriage Of Mons recovered by the Duke of Alva J. B. Adrian l. 18. Thuan. l. 36. Duke Federico attacques the Towne The French bravery The Spaniards pitch their Tents Women-spies Punished Bern. Mend. l. 6. 2. Reg. c. 10. The Abbey D'espine taken by the Besiegers The Armyes sent by Coligny to relieve the Towne Gives battaile to Federico Is defeated Vitelli's bold venture Thuan. l. 54. Iohn Meu l. 7. Ber. Mend. reckons but twenty Prisoners put to death Those that escaped the â—ight knockt in the head by the Boores. The victorious Army full of â—olliâ—y The second expedition of the Prince of Orange from Germany into the Low-countreys to relieve his brother Lewis He takes Ruremond by storme Passeth by Lovaine for a summe of money Mechlin yields He takes other Townes in his March Bruxells holds out Guelm a Mar. Lud. Gulielm Foure Armies of the Enemy at one time harressing the Low countreys Pouring their fury upon things sacred and the Priests Guâ—ieâ—m 〈◊〉 de crudeliâ—â—â—â— In 21. Mart. Gorcom Sur. in com Arnold Havr l. 15. de erect Episc. Johann Meurs in Orang l. 7. and others This makes the Prince of Orange's Army illspoken of He hastens to Mons Admires at Alva's Trenches Tryes to breake through in vaine The Ioy in the Duk 's Campe For the Massacre at Paris Henry IV. Gregory XIII A Thanksgiving day upon the same occasion at Rome Which causeth the Prince of Orange his Despaire And retreate from Mons His Campe assaulted in the night by Spaniards in their 〈◊〉 Their confidence The Prince of Orange's danger Septem 19. Mons yielded to Alva His just commendations for that victory He recovers all the Prince of Orange had taken The sack of Mechlin Peter Trigose The charity of the Antwerp Merchants towards the Plundered Iohn Boter in vita Albani ex Hist. Societ Iesu Ann. 1572. The Souldiers piety Alva strives to cleare himselfe from the Infamy of Sacking Mechlin The Victory won by Duke Federico And Mondragonio Goes Octob. 20. Ann. 72. The destruction of Nardem Which make the Spaniard odious Mich. Isselt in Hist. sui temp Fran. Har. in Annal. Belg. aâ—â— fere omnes Of the Siege of Harlem Federico despaires of taking it His Father chides him The Harlemers provoke the Spaniards with new Scorne The Spaniards jeere to the Towne Their Answer Their mocquery of holy things Not unpunished August 1. They yield to mercy Very many put to death Alva's Son The remarkeable Accidents hapning at this Siege Carrier-Pidgeons A Regiment of Women The wilfulnesse and cruelty of the Harlemers The Siege of Harlem and Sancerre 1573. Compared Thuan Hist. l. 55. How many Royalists were slaine and hurt at the siege of Harlem Roan 1562. How many Covenanters were killed Bern. Mend. Lumè discontented His Commission taken from him by the Prince of Orange He is imprisoned Banished the Low-countries Arnold Havensius l. 1. de nov Episcop An. Carner in Hist. Belg. l. 5 Fran-Harzus in Annal. He dyes D. Federico forced to raise his seige of Alcmar Count Bolduc Admirall of the Spanish Fleete beaten at Sea â—euteâ— apud Haraeum in Anâ—l Gallantly fighting Aldegund the Prince of Orange's intimate friend taken prisoner Novemb. 17 The Duke of Alva resignes the Lowcountries to his successour Requesenes And goes aboard for Spaine The diverse senses touching his departures of the Hereticks The Prince of Orange And of the Catholickes Sextus Aurel. in his â—ife He is gratiously received in Spaine by the King But the Courâ—iers thinke the King dissembles Wherein they were deceived The true cause of Alva's confinement His excellent temper of mind in that calamity How great an honour it was to him in the end He is called from banishment to be Generall against Portugall His words to the Messengers He conquers And dyes The King's expression Didaco Prince of Spaine Anne the Emp. Maximilian's Daughter Alva's Elogy His Father 1510. His Grandfather He himselfe greater then his Progenitors Alva and Annas Momorancy parallel'd The Duke of Alva a good Courtier Much affected by the King But rather inwardly then in shew How much the King relied upon his Faith What soyled his Fame 1574. Requesenes begins his Government of the Low-countreys The hopes conceived of him Mart. Delr l. 1. Belg. Turb He takes away the Duke of Alva's Statue To the great joy of the Low-countreymen The Zelanders besiege Middelburg Requesenes sends a Fleet to relieve
fifth That the King had sent forty thousand Ducats to the Queen of Scots to pay her souldiers whilest the Low-countreys were greatly distressed for money which his Majestie never thought of That he taxed not the King for the unseasonablenesse of that assistance nor the unfortunate successe it had but he feared the English whose throats were to be cut if report were true for that summ of money would revenge it upon the Low-countrymen Especially since the money was come into the Q. of Englands hands driven upon that Island by a tempest The Governess to break off his speech intreated him to forbear his private expostulations whilst the publick business was in agitation that he would not wrong his discretion so far as to have such thoughts of the King who was the mercifullest of all Princes That she knew for certain what was reported of that money was the mere invention of some seditious persons intending by such lies to bring an odium upon his Majestie as well with his subjects of the Low-countreys as with forrein Princes For all this the Prince of Orange would not make an end though he was at other times a rare dissembler and had power over his passions But it may be he thought it concerned him to speak on lest it should be imagined he begun without a cause As if were an argument of just anger not to be friends upon the sudden Following his example neither Count Horn nor any of the rest were silent but every one made his complaint Nevertheless qualifying them with gentle and gracious language and putting them in hope of his Majesties royall favour the Governess called them into the Senate and by the major-vote it was resolved that the Covenanters should be admitted but without arms and upon promise of their good behaviour And the Governours of Provinces through which it was supposed they would pass to Bruxels were commanded by their Letters to acquaint the people with this resolution of the Senate Courts of guard were likewise appointed through the Citie Centrees to keep the gates and a Garrison put into the Tower lest there might be a tumult among the distracted people It being now almost night the Senate was adiourned till the next morning At which time the Lords and Senators meeting in the House the Governess fearing they would fall upon private differences and obstruct the business of the day prevented them with a speech which I give you as she wrote it to the King If the approaching Evils could be cured with quarrelling and complaining I should not have desired you to take the pains of coming again this day to Councel since we had complaints enough yesterday scarce any thing being spoke in publick by the most of you but what related to your private discontents But admit they were just yet they loose part of that Iustice if they be importune at least they avert the minds of the Councell and provoking their spirits hinder their discovery of the Truth Brederod intends to petition Vs in the name of his Confederates for abolishing the Inquisition and mitigating the Penalties inflicted by Edict for the cause of Religion I now desire Advice from you of whose fidelity and discretion I have had so good experience what Answer I should return them But before you declare your selves I think it will be neither troublesome to you nor improper for the business in debate to prepare you with a few words I hear there are many that presume openly to cavil at the Edicts of the Emperour my Father for to the Inquisition I will speak anon as if it were a barbarous tyrannie not to be endured by Subjects Truly whosoever sayes it not onely injures the memory of that wise Prince and most affectionate to his Countrey but wrongs your Order of the Fleece this Senate-house and the States Generall of the Low-countreys for by all your approbations and consents the Emperour passed these Laws as no doubt but some of you remember and all may read in the Edict published the year 1531 upon which all the rest of his Decrees are grounded Why then do they now accuse the severity of the Emperour Why do they condemn those Acts which they did once approve and which they know were established by the suffrages of all What because the disease is more violent must the remedie therefore be neglected and that which reason perswades When the Gangrene of Heresie daily creeps upon new parts of the Common-wealth should we remissely use fire and incision Nor was the Ecclesiasticall power of the Inquisition against Hereticks delegated for any other cause but that the impudence of wicked men might be abated by fear or extinguished by punishment I know there is a generall hatred against this Court of Iustice which for the present my meaning is not to contradict or confute yet you know this Tribunall is no innovation in the Low-countreys It is now sixteen years since my Father settled it in these Provinces But I pray what severitie is in this Censure of the Inquisitours that is not in my Fathers Edicts Nay if you will rightly consider it they were much more severe so that his Majestie in his Letters which three years since I read to many of you iustly admires how the Low-countrey men could be so terrified with the Spanish Inquisition they being for the same causes of Religion liable to farr more and greater penalties comprehended in the Edicts of Charles the fifth Which Edicts if they were wisely drawn up and passed by the Consent of the Estates I see no reason why men should so bitterly and violently inveigh against the Inquisition that relates to the same thing in a more gentle manner Nor have I spoken this to controll the freedome of Your votes they had and shall ever have their full libertie for me Be you carefull that neither discontent nor faction may deprive you of that Libertie So proceeding to suffrages many voted that nothing in the Emperours Edicts should be altered Lawes before they passe should be debated after they are passed obeyed Nor can a State be more indangered then by the altering of their Laws especially since it concerned them in point of honour at this meeting to make no concession to the Hereticks who if they prevailed in their first suit would never make an end of petitioning Divers others argued against it very passionately shewing That it plainly appeared those Imperiall Edicts neither provided sufficiently for Religion which every day was lesse observed nor for the security of the State which they saw was disturbed merely upon that occasion And yet the end and intention of Laws is to preserve Religion and Peace but neither was effected by these Edicts Why therefore should it be thought unlawfull that some penalties should be remitted some changed The Edicts by that means rendered more moderate and the Subjects more obedient to them Truly it was more
Covenanters should be imprisoned either for Religion or for the Covenant immediately the rest all business laid aside should repair to both or one of those that were to tender the Covenant in the severall Provinces and that all of them if need were should presently take up arms to assist their brethren So he dismissed them full of courage and alacrity resolved next morning to attend the Governess Which day being the fifth of April the Conspiratours to the number of about two hundred met again at cuilemburg-Cuilemburg-House and from thence took their way directly to Court marching through the high Street the whole City beholding the spectacle with amazement and many not well knowing by what name to call that new kind of Embassie For they looked not like Petitioners that came to make demands in so confident and imperious a way especially being led on by Brederod and Nassau that did not use to supplicate nor did they seem to be a Faction or to pretend force coming with such appearance of simplicity that rather shewed like Fryars going in Procession They rode two a breast most of them matched in years Brederod and Nassau brought up the Rere The Town took notice that one of the Generalls was lame which many looked upon as an evil Omen and not without much laughter Entring the Court they found the Governess the Senate then newly risen speaking with some of the Lords Brederod coming up to the chair of State after he had done his duty with the Ceremonies due to the Governess spake in this manner These Gentlemen of the Low-countreys now standing in your Highness presence and others of the same quality that will shortly follow in great numbers are come with me to let Your Highness know by their multitude how earnest they are in their demands expressed in this humble Petition â—nd whilst you read it I beseech your Excellence to believe that these honest men propound nothing to themselves but obedience and honour to the King and safetie in their Countrey When he had spoken this he presented the Petition and said that he had something else to offer to her Highness in the names of his Confederates but lest he should mistake their sense if he might presume so far he desired leave to read it out of his own Papers The Governess was pleased he should read his Notes the summe whereof was That the Gentlemen were much aggrieved because her Excellence had writ to the Provinces of their League as if it were made by a concurrence and association with the French and Germans pretending indeed the safetie of their Countrey but intending onely spoyl and plunder Which information given unto the Governess as it was an insufferable injurie to the Low-countrey Gentlemen so they humbly and earnestly beseeched her Excellence to declare the Informers names compell them to bring in their impeachment publickly in a Legall way That if their Confederates be found guilty they may be sentenced or if they be cleared and acquitted of the Crime those informers by the Law of Retaliation may have the punishment of Traitours The Governess suppressing the trouble and indignation of her mind as well as she could with a chearfull look received the Petition wherein it was prayed that the Inquisition might be abolished the old Edicts repealed and new ones made by the Estates of the Low-countreys Her answer was She would consider of their Petition and since it related onely to the Kings Honour and their Countreys safety they need not doubt but she would give them satisfaction But whereas they complained of her Letters written to the Provinces they had no reason for it she did but what her place required having received intelligence from many hands of a certain League made with forreiners in advising the Governours and Magistrates to be vigilant lest upon that occasion their Provinces might be troubled not so much by the Low-countrey men whom the King ever found loyall as by the Borderers that resorted to them Without more words she dismissed the Gentlemen not naming her Intelligencers which they exceedingly pressed her Highness letting such questions pass as she had not minded them or rather seeming offended that they should press her to reveal secrets of State Nay the same day at evening when a Senatour in the House perswaded her Excellence to give in to the Covenanters the names of those Intelligencers she answered somewhat angerly That she admired that he who refused to name his Authour for things which he himself a little while since had discovered should now perswade the contrary that might be prejudiciall to so many In that Senate the Governess read the Petition of Brederod and asked them if they had not altered their opinions But when they had debated it they voted the same again in other words It was then disputed Forasmuch as the Covenanters had writ in generall We his Majesties most humble Subjects whether it should not be required that every particular person under-write his name whereby the King might know whom to thank or rather whom to be revenged upon But it was carried by most voices in the Negative lest upon occasion of getting the names of such as were absent the Petition shold be sent to the great Towns and more drawn in The next day the Confederates returning in greater numbers for the Counts of Cuilemburg and Bergen were yet in time come post the Governess returned the Petition which she had received the day before together with her Answer writ in the Margine wherein she gave them hope that the Inquisition should be taken away and the Edicts moderated onely she must first acquaint the King with their desires But because this did not satisfie them all they withdrew to consult together and having passed their votes came back and in all their names Eustachius Fiennes Lord of Esquerd for Brederod durst not speak in publick unless he had conn'd his Lesson or that he read it out of his Book giving her Highness humble thanks for that Answer desired that she would please to certifie whatsoever had been done at this meeting of the Gentry was out of their dutie to the King and for his Majesties advantage But the Governess expresly denying it replyed Time their Actions would testify that sufficiently to all the world and so left them The same day Brederod entertained the Covenanters at Cuilenburg-house and made them a great feast but unfortunate to the very House where they were feasted which for this onely cause was afterward pulled down and levelled with the earth The invited were about three hundred and therefore more confident especially at the table in their jollity Among other passages they put the question how that Society should be named and it pleased them to give it the title of the Noble Concord and they called their Generall the Restorer of lost liberty But these denominations after this feast were never heard of Perhaps
because they were of another mind when they were sober and rejected those titles as lyable to envie and offence or perhaps because a new and accidentall nickname was received with greater successe and easily cancelled all those former appellations For Brederod told Cuilenburg and Bergen that he himself and divers others which yesterday stood near the Governesse heard Charles Count Barlamont whispering in her ear scoff at the assembled Nobilitie and call them in French Gâ—eux or as they pronounced it Gheuses using that word of disgrace to encourage the Governesse as if she needed not fear Beggars and Rogues But signifie what it would they willingly accepted of the name and for their King and Countreys sake seemed content in good earnest to be Gheuses and Beggars Count Cuilenburg stomacked this exceedingly and so did many more that either were not in the presence or else heard not Barlamont when he spake it Notwithstanding they were pleased to call themselves by that name from thence to take the Arms or distinctive Mark of their Party Therefore drinking hard Count Hoâ—chstrat by chance coming in they animated one another by the name of Gheuses and then calling for great bowls drank a health to the name and happiness of the Gheuses crying long live the GHEUSES Lastly when they were rising Brederod took a wallet that lay in the room casting it over his shoulder as beggars do and holding a wooden dish in his hand full of wine drank to all the company and gave them thanks for following him to that day with such unanimous consent and therefore he doubted not but they would for the future continue in th◠〈◊〉 intentions and desires For his own part he would never be of other mind Nay he took it upon his honour that he would die if need should be for the generality of his Confederates and for every particular person At these words they doubled their acclamations of Long live the GHEUSES Then Brederod having taken off his dish gave it and the wallet to his next neighbour and so when it was gone round and every one had drunk Brederods health and repeating his words had devoted their own lives for the rest of their companions they rose from the table and when the dish and the wallet were come again to Brederod he nailed them to the wall and the rest following his example every one drave in his nail and removing them in a frolick round about the room they were initiated with these ridiculous Ceremonies At which time the Prince of Orange Count Egmont and Count Horn coming in from Count Mansfelds house where they dined they fell to their cups afresh as they drank about the same wishes for the Gheuses were with great shouts renewed The particularities of this feast I had out of private letters and notes which upon this occasion were speedily conveighed to the Governesse by those that heard most of them from Sarnapulius Husband to Brederods sister Some say that these good-fellows after they were well fudled to make their clothes drink with them cast wine upon one another changed hats and put them on the crown downward being turned the wrong way like their brains with many such like Gamebols which may easily be supposed in a multitude corrupted with abundance of friends and wine This was the Originall of the Gheuses a name given in contempt to the petitioners as to a company of prodigall fools and rascals which they took upon them in their drink and so styled their faction with beastly clamours and such tricks as boyes would be ashamed of Afterwards it was translated from their faction to their heresie the next neighbour to it and made the proper name of the hereticall Rebells in the Low-countreys And as in France the hereticks are called Hugonâ—ts so in the Low-countreys they are known by the name of Gheuses Nor did the drunkards so leave off but the same day about evening Grave Lewis supping with his Brother the Prince of Orange where Brederod was with Count Horn and many more of the Covenanters the whole house made the same wishes for the Gheuses as two years after Count Horn confessed upon his examination taken by the Duke of Alva Thus growing confident they resolved with great pomp to carry the name of Gheuses out of doors to trie if the people would be taken with the novitie Perhaps they observed that some of the Lords approved of their proceedings or perhaps they hoped what they had done in private would be commended it may be applauded if they did it publickly inserting the Kings name Therefore the Covenanters for some dayes next following walked the streets in ash-coloured cloth-suits Some of them wore little wooden cans cups or saucers the beggars houshold-stuff in their hats some had this Impresse stamped in wax or wood afterwards cut in gold or silver which they hung like Medalls about their necks on the one side whereof was the King of Spains picture with this circumscription but in French Faithfull to the King on the other a wallet in an hand with this inscription down to the wallet Lastly they began to cut their beards leaving onely great mustachios turned up like Turks I suppose their meaning was to take away the contempt of their beggars clothes by the terrour of their upper lips and to shew themselves at once both humble and formidable In the mean time the City was full of doubts and news Many being glad the conspiracy went on and hoping by those tumults and the assistance of the Lords to free themselves from the fear of the Inquisition Many onely looked on as at a play and were glad they had seats upon the stage not caring what became of the actours few there were which foresaw the mischief that ensued One thing of great advantage to the Christian faith I finde at this time to have happened which the place minding me of I give it in a word or two At Hall a Town of Haynolt there is a rare and farr famed Image of the blessed Virgin Mary Thither went Philip Croi Duke of Areschot out of that devotion to our Lady of Hall which was hereditary to him from his Ancestours for the Low-countery Annalls attribute to his family the discovery of that Image There he caused certain silver medalls to be cast representing the Queen of Heaven with her Son Iesus in her armes and these in opposition to the faction of the Gheuses he himself and many Gentlemen that followed him stuck in their hatts as an embleme or cognizance of their holy pilgrimage and Catholike Nobility And when Duke Areschot appeared in Bruxells with this gallant distinction many of the Gentry either out of devotion to the Mother of God or in imitation as it often happens of a fashion brought up by a great person wore the like medalls in their hats They say the Governesse much pleased with it among
with a great sort of Citizens of Antwerp who saluting one another with discharge of their pistols they joyned companies and went on such multitudes of men partly meeting them upon the rode partly standing to behold them upon rising ground and tops of houses that you would think Antwerp had emptied it self of all the inhabitants Yet the Prince of Orange seemed not to be elated in his looks perhaps conceiving it to be a point of magnanimity or rather fearing that immoderate popular applause might offend superiour Powers And therefore when that huge crowd began to sing Psalmes in French he commanded them presently to hold their peace Others in divers places crying Long live the Gheuses he often silenced them with his hand Nay those that were got upon the walls louder then before shouting out the same wishes for the Gheuses when he could not rule their tongues by signes he grew in choler and swore by God they were best consider what they did for if they proceeded some of them should repent it But the greatest presumption of the people was when he entred Antwerp and rode through the streets then in many places they clamoured in this manner Behold the man that brings us liberty Behold the man that brings us the Confession of Auspurg We have no more need of the Covenanters This is â—e whom hereafter we will follow this is he whom we will petition to But the Prince of Orange appeared much offended at these expressions especially in Brederods presence He lighted at the Palace and that night consulted with the Magistrate how to reduce the people to their former duty and obedience how to hinder the Merchants from leaving the Town which they resolved to do and how to break the meetings at seditious Sermons for these were his instructions from the Governess But whilest the remedies were referred to the Senate the disease abroad being fed with the same humour increased and it was thought seldome less then 4000 men met at one Sermon which exceedingly grieved the Governess who by many Letters sometimes remembred the Senate and People of the promise wherein they obliged themselves to the King when to avoid the imposing of a Bishop they undertook to be more tender of Religion then ever any Bishop was Sometimes she praised and encouraged the Prince of Orange for his industry in preventing mischiefs and withall remembred him of the Duty of his place his faith to the King and ingagement to her self in this present Office that many had ill thoughts of him and the occasion was now in his own hands either to enflame or extinguish them When behold upon the sudden new troubles call away the attention of the Governess to another quarter News was brought that the Confederate Gheuses had a new designe and were about two thousand to meet at Centron and in that Citie belonging to the Bishop of Liege to resolve whether they should take up arms whereunto in every place they had animated the people The report of the taking up arms was false but their determination to meet proved true And Brederod with the chief of the Covenanters wrote Letters to the Towns about them in the end of Iune summoning them to convene the 14 day of Iuly Lewis of Nassau undertook to make the Bishop sending unto him the Lord of Villers who in the name of Lewis and his companions of the League should work him to give way to their holding an Assembly at Centron The Bishop excusing himself as bound by the Imperiall Laws not to suffer any such meeting in an Imperiall Town wrote all that had passed in cypher to the Governess and commanded the Governour of the Town not to admit them if they came But the Townsmen fearing that if they did shut their gates against them they would spoil their Harvest and fire the houses and Villages round about without contest received Brederod and his men into the Town In this convention begun about the middle of Iuly and ended the last day of that moneth two things were put to the question The first How they should be secured in case the King were minded to revenge himself upon them and then Whether they should move for more then was expressed in their Petition delivered in April touching the Edicts and Inquisition The generall vote was that security should be demanded of the Governess but the other passed in the negative some affirming that upon the grant of those particulars for which they took the Covenant they ought to proceed no farther Others said That if they had success in their first Petition they would enlarge it and desire that no certain form of Religion might be prescribed the people but that every one might be left free to serve God his own way Many were extreamly offended with that abominable opinion and thereupon by degrees disengaged themselves from the Covenant among which was Charles Mansfeld sonne to Count Ernest so as nothing was determined in that point But whether the Hereticks among themselves unknown to their other complices resolved upon that which presently followed in the Netherlands that is the violation of holy Images I shall in its proper place deliver Whilst these things were in agitation the Governess sent Count Egmont and the Prince of Orange to fright the Covenanters and these Assemblies not that she was ignorant how farre either of them was to be trusted but that by such expressions of her confidence and by making them of Counsel with her she might oblige them and put it in their power to set things right and consequently to merit the Kings favour They appointed Brederod and the heads of the Covenanters to meet them at Duffle a village hard by Antwerp And among other things they admonished them in the Governesses name thaâ— they should forbear by those kind of Assemblies to make any Innovation till his Majestie sent his absolute determination concerning their demands but rather that by their authoritie with the Commons they should restrain them as they had promised growing dayly more and more stubborn and contumacious Brederod wrote the heads of this conference which were nine to his confederates at Centron who agreed among themselves to send Lewis of Nassau with twelve Gentlemen to present the Governesse a new Petition consisting likewise of nine heads wherein partly they stood upon their justification and that so absolutely as they refused the act of Oblivion promised them by the Governesse affirming what they had done was more worthy to be published then forgotten partly they desired that the Governesse by her own letters and under the hands of the Knights of the Golden-fleece would secure them from force of arms which as it was said were preparing against them Moreover that she would give Commission to the Prince of Orange Count Egmont and Count Horn to hear the Grievances of the Covenanters and to mediate betwixt his Majestie and them Lastly they
set ladders to the walls with hammers and slaves battering the pictures Others broke a sunder the iron work seats and pulpit Others casting ropes about the great statues of our Saviour Christ and the Saints pulled them down to the ground Others stole the consecrated plate burnt the sacred Books and stript the Altars of their holy ornaments and that with so much securitie with so little regard of the Magistrate or Prelates as you would think they had been sent for by the common Councell and were in pay with the citie With the same fury they likewise burned the Bishop of Ipre's library and destroyed the rest of the Churches and Religious nouses of the town reacting their villanies and because the first prospered still presuming This sacrilegious robbery continued a whole day Part of the people being amazed to see them not taking them for men but devils in humane shapes and part rejoycing that now those things were done which they themselves had long ago designed Nor had the Magistrate and Senatours any greater care of Religion Perhaps this sudden inundation took away their sense and judgement perhaps being privy to the plot they idle and carelesse kept their houses Indeed the whole Citie frighted like passengers in a Shipwrack beheld the destruction never putting to their helping hands The next day another party of Church-robbers either kept for a reserve or taking example by what was done about St. Omer had orders to plunder Menin Commines Vervich and other Towns upon the Lys which they did with the like violence All things holy that were portable they carried away the rest they cut in pieces and burned Thence passing the River they came within the Liberties of Lisle many of the Townsmen joyning with them and having robbed a rich Monastery which they call Marquet mad and drunk some went to Doway some to Seclin But the Secliners and other neighbour Towns catching up any weapon that came to hand faced them upon their march and shewed themselves ready to punish the injury offered to Religion unless those thieves would take another way But they with the same impudence striving to go forward and to break through them the Countrey came in and falling upon them slew a great sort and routed the rest making them flie in great distraction forcing many into the boggs drowing some in the river and carrying others into the Town in triumph But this was a slight revenge when at the same time almost all Flanders did as furiously assault God himself and all his Saints no man resisting The news whereof much afflicted the Governess who in great grief of heart turning to Count Egmont that waited on her from the Sermon to her Privie-chamber said Do you hear Egmont what good news comes from your Province of Flanders Unhappy Woman that I am to see in the time of my Government such indignities offered to God and to the King And will you in whose worth and fidelity his Majestie hath alwayes put such confidence suffer these foul villanyes to passe unpunished in the Province committed to your charge and when he answered That in the first place the Kings Authority must be carefully maintained and then Religion would easily be restored the Governess not without indignation replied that his counsel was not just but rather before all humane things the honour and worship of God ought to be preferred the neglect whereof would be a farre greater misery then the losse of any power or fortune whatsoever This was her opinion and likewise the Kings who resolved to put nothing in ballance with Religion And when Egmont added That men were of another mind who had estates in these Provinces which they feared to loose she concluded with the same constancie that it was indeed to be wished and would be a more prudent course to preserve both Religion and temporall Power but if one of them must go to wrack the safetie of Religion ought principally to be respected which once lost would never be repaired with the addition either of Wealth or Empire To this purpose her Excellence spake in Senate also which she speedily summoned Wherein it was decreed that Maximil Rassinghem who succeeded Iohn Currier deceased in the Government of French Flanders should immediately enter Lisle with the horse commanded by the Lord Montiny who was then in Spain and not suffer the people that had been plundering consecrated Goods to return into the town before they had yeilded up their Arms and that he had carried them to the Magazine And notwithstanding Egmont did not well approve of this kind of proceeding but affirmed that if the Governess went by the way of Arms this Insurrection would not be quieted till 200000 men hast lost their lives yet she gave not off her resolution but answered It were better that Roat the dregs of mankind if they would not renounce their heresie should be banished or destroyed then they should be suffered to commit such execrable wickedness lest the good men of the Low-countreys should at length either be infected with their contagion or forced by them to flie their Countrey in case the multitude prevailed Whilst these preparations were made at Court the rage of the Low-countrey Hereticks was not laid but like a storm now violently carried into this now into that quarter terrified every Province especially Antwerp Where upon the day of the Assumption of our Lady for the Antwerpers have the Blessed Virgin for their Patroness whilst her Image in solemn Procession was carried upon mens shoulders from the great Church through the streets the symptomes of that disease appeared which brake forth soon after Some jeering rascals of the meaner sort of Artificers first laughed and hissed at the holy Solemnitie then impiously and impudently with mimick salutations and reprochfull words mockt the Effigies of the mother of God and had presumed to lay sacrilegious hands upon it but that by the care of those that ordered the Procession it was set down not as was usuall in the middle-Isle of the Church but speedily conveyed into the Quire And next day for base people grow bolder if they find themselves feared many came into the Church and some playing their gambols before our Ladies Chappel asked her in scorn why she had so early flown up to the roust Others ran about the great Church threatning the Altars and Images among whom an impudent Rogue a Sadler got up into the Pulpit and when this impious Mimick had counterfeited the tone and gesture of a Preacher desiring them to reach him a Bible he challenged any of the Catholick Priests to come and dispute with him and whilst they received him on the one side with applauses and on the other with casting faggot-sticks and rubbish at him which he threw at his audience again at length the scuffle increasing as if they had been in the streets a Catholick Spipper not able
to endure the insolence of the fellow ran up the side of the Pulpit and catching the Buffon about the waste lustily tossed him over to the ground and he himself in the heat of the brawl avoiding many blows made at him was shot in the arm with a pistol-bullet the rest when some cryed that the Officers were coming for fear of being taken slipped out of the Church Notwithstanding the quarrell continued and they met every day like Gladiators upon the stage to cut and hack one another Untill upon the 21th of August the Hereticks increasing in their number came into the great Church with concealed weapons as if they resolved after some light skirmishes for a few dayes past to come now to a battel And expecting till Even-song was done they shouted with a hideous cry Long live the Gheuses Nay they commanded the Image of the Blessed Virgin to repeat their Acclamation which if she refused to do they madly swore they would beat and kill her And though Iohn Immercellius Pretour of the Town with some Apparatours came and commanded them to keep the Peace yet he could not help it but the people running away to get out of the tumult the Hereticks shut the doors after them and as Conquerours possessed themselves of the Church Now when they saw all was theirs hearing the clock strike the last houre of the day and darkness adding confidence one of them lest their wickedness should want formality began to sing a Geneva Psalme and then as if the Trumpet had sounded a charge the Spirit moving them altogether they fell upon the effigies of the Mother of God and upon the pictures of Christ and his Saints some tumbled them down and trod upon them others thrust swords into their sides others chopped off their heads with axes with so much concord and forecast in their Sacriledge that you would think every one had his severall work assigned him For the very harlots those common appurtenances to thieves and drunkards catching up the wax-candles from the Altars and from the Vestry held them to light the men that were at work Part whereof getting upon the Altars cast down the sacred plate broke a sunder the picture-frames defaced the painted walls Part setting up ladders shattered the goodly Organes broke the windows flourished with a new kind of paint Huge statues of Saints that stood in the walls upon Pedistalls they unfastened and hurled down among which an ancient and great Crucifix with the two thieves hanging on each hand of our Saviour that stood right against the high Altar they pulled down with ropes and hewed it in pieces but touched not the two theives as if they onely worshipped them and desired them to be their good Lords Nay they presumed to break open the Conservatory of the celestial bread and putting in their polluted hands to pull out the blessed Body of our Lord those base off-scourings of men trod upon the Deity adored and dreaded by the Angels The Pixes and Chalices which they found in the Vestry they filled with wine prepared for the Altar and drank them off in derision They greased their shooes with the Chrisme or holy oyl and after the spoyl of all these things laughed and were very merry at the matter My meaning is not lest I should scandalize mankind nor suits it with History to repeat all the foul actions wherewith in this destruction of holy things these traitours to God and his Saints glutted their cruelty But the greatest wonder was to see them make so quick dispatch that one of the fairest and greatest Churches of Europe full of Pictures and Statues richly adorned with about seventy Altars by a few men for they were not above one hundred as the Governess wrote to the King that she was certainly informed should before midnight when they began but in the evening have nothing at all left entire or unprofaned Truly if the hundred men had not an hundred hands apiece that in so short a space demolished such a multitude of things it is not unreasonable to believe which I know some at that time suspected that devils mixing with them joyned in dispatching their own work or at least that the furious violence which in scorn of Religion stript the Altars mangled the Statues and Pictures defaced the tombes and in foure houres time robbed and layed waste so rich and goodly a Church could not have any other cause but the immediate impulsion of those rebellious and infernall spirits that add both rage and strength to sacrilegious villains offering an acceptable sacrifice to hell Especially because in such a hurry and crowd of hasty labourers whilst they run about the Church like Bacchanals and Bedlams whilst they mount the rounds of their ladders whilst they with great pains loosen the brasse and marble whilst they endeavour to spoil and steal the richest things none of all their number had so much as a fall or a knock though such loads of stone and wood came tumbling down and so many fragments and splinters flew about nor received the least hurt by the workmens tools which they ran with in their hands it is no slight argument as I said before to prove that by Gods permission the Devil was the Surveyour of their works and by the assistance of his evil Angels that enterprise no less difficult then impious was instantly without harm to any of them and therefore prodigiously effected But these sacrilegious thieves committed yet more villanie in the Town presuming upon their fortune For running out of the Church with hallowed candles triumphantly singing and crying Vive le Gueux they were received by others that had lien concealed near the Church exspecting encouragement from the success Their Companies therefore joyning for Bootie invited them still as they came to any Church-doors they broke them open spoyling and carrying away all their consecrated furniture They climbed into Monasteries searched them entred their store-houses seized upon their meat drank off their wine and took from them all their money plate and wardrobes both sacred and profane And this impiety was acted with such impudence and impunitie that truly I knovv not vvel vvhether the Reader vvill conceive more indignation against those impious Ruffians that vvithout any reverence to God or man plundred consecrated places and other mens houses at their pleasure destroying and stealing Church-ornaments and Religious mens goods or against such as ought to have protected those sacred things and against the Religious Houses themselves that looked on whilst these Rogues with polluted hands abused and profaned all But fear had possessed the generalitie this hapning about midnight when the Citie was in their dead sleep and so the more affrighted being awaked with sudden and severall kinds of Out-cryes And therefore as unexspected and doubtfull accidents ever strike the greatest terrour many of the Merchants fearing an universall plunder shut their doors
and barricadoed them The Clergie knowing themselves unable to resist a multitude of thieves not discerning how few they were forsook the Churches and provided for their own safetie Nor had the religious Orders time to collect their spirits in this common trepidation when so many fled In a word men had no more consideration to defend themselves against this misfortune then against a thunderbolt which every one wishes to avoid but none labours to oppose But the poor Nuns were in the greatest fright and amazement whose Cloysters were broke by these Hobgoblins which making havock of all things in their way and prying into every secret corner whilst their furie or theivery kept them imployed it was the onely preservation of the holy Virgins that getting on their clothes of any fashion escaped these sacrilegious dogs and fled most of them into their Parents houses By which means lesse mischief was done then uses to be committed in night-robberies Their principall aim being to make haste and ruine all things in an instant And truly their hast was so great that the noblest Churches and Religious houses of Antwerp were profaned and pillaged by the severall parties of these infamous Rascalls Nay when it was day light and that they saw the citie amazed with sudden fear had made no preparation to suppresse them for both Catholicks and Hereticks kept within doors those fearing the Hereticks which they believed to be masters of the Town and these in regard they knew the odium of the fact would reflect upon themselves and therefore feared the Justice of the Magistrate and to be assailed by the Catholicks but all were of opinion the libertie taken by these base Artificers depended upon some superiour causes the Church-robbers secured by other mens terrour fell to plunder in the day time returning to the Churches and Monasteries unworthily and basely fouling the pure ornaments with their filthy souls and bodies and buttering the Books in the library set them on fire Then in mockerie arming the Saints statues they ran a tilt and overturning them insulted over them And every where like Conquerours having as well surprised Religion as the Town they bore the spoils in triumph Three dayes together in Antwerp lasted that spoil and destruction of things sacred with so great a losse of rare pieces drawn by the hands of Masters that some writers stick not to say the great Church alone was damnified to the value of four hundred thousand Ducats But it being strongly suspected that after the spoil of Churches hope of prey having multiplyed this wicked rabble they would at last plunder the rich Merchants as many times men fight more eagerly for their houses then for their Altars the Townsmen thinking it their best no longer to stand neuters especially perceiving the small number of these Rogues appeared at their doors in arms and as if they meant to revenge the Commonwealth shut up all the Ports but one out of which that damned pack of villains ran and poured out their furie upon the adjoyning towns and villages where they exercised the same kind of sacrilegious freeboot While this was done at and about Antwerp the rage of these Traitours was no lesse upon the very same dayes at Gant Ondenaerd and other towns in Flanders from the river of Lys as farre as Schelt and Dender all the Churches and holy Ornaments going to wrack For this destruction was more like an Earthquake that devours all at once then like the plague that steals upon a Countrey by degrees Insomuch as the same tainture and whirlwind of Religion in an instant miserably involved and laid waste Brabant Flanders Holland Zeland Gelderland Friesland Over-Isell and almost all the Low-countreys except three or four Provinces viz. Nemure Lucemburgh Artois and part of Haynolt And as of old in the reign of Tiberius Cesar they tell us that twelve cities were swallowed by an earthquake in one night so in the Low-countreys not the like number of Cities but Provinces by the Spirit struggling and bursting out from hell were devoured with so sudden with so great a ruine that the Netherlands which had as many populous Cities Towns and Villages as any part of Europe within ten dayes was overwhelmed in this calamitie the particular Province of Flanders having four hundred consecrated houses either profaned or burnt to the ground So as indeed the Governesse could not but believe Count Mansfeld who called that conspiracie a plot laid to betray all the Low-countreys by the Heads of the hereticall party in France from whence came almost all these cryers of the new Gospel For by their practice the state of the Low-countreys being troubled they might the more easily as when an Army is confused at the first volly of shot send fresh men that assailing the Provinces already weakened might totally subdue them With this opinion theirs agreed who thought this impious plunder acted with such consent and such impunity not to be accidentall nor the villanie of a few but to be contrived by the Hereticks and Orders given at Centron that by one Massacre they might prevent another which they feared hung over their heads ever since the conference of the French and Spanish at Baion the chief of the Gheuses giving way to it that they might the sooner by the fright of these tumults extort from the Governesse all which they had petitioned for Indeed when the Churches and Monasteries of Gant were rifled the spoil having continued for three dayes together the like whereof happened at the same time in Antwerp a letter from Lewis of Nassau and six others were delivered to the Ministers Consistories and Merchants of the Low-countreys for so ran the superscription wherein he advised them that in regard the cause of the reformed Religion seemed now to be in sufficient securitie they should oppose themselves against the saucinesse and insurrection of the people confident that hereafter no body would trouble them for the free Exercise of their Religion and they were to give credence to the Bearer who was one Giles Clerk a Lawyer of Tournay his name being writ in cypher in the same letter Upon receit whereof they ceased from profaning the Churches of Gant Add to this the words of Count Mansfeld to the Governesse which she sent in Character to the King that she was advised by Count Mansfeld to beware of Lewis of Nassau before all men living for he was the wickedest Traitour in the world to whom the Ministers and Elders of the Hereticks communicated all their Counsels and that he carried in his hand the spoil of Churches and religious Houses and by this means that turbulent spirited desperate man hoped to levie warre against the King And it is evident that Lewis was one of the first movers in all the Sacriledge committed it was by his incouragement that the common sort of hereticks would not obey the
be forced to accept of unjust conditions But whilst Orange and Egmont to whom she would needs bid Farwel disswaded her from the journey the news was all over the Town and some of the Citizens shutting up the Gates others went to the Governess humbly beseeching her that she would not by her flight adde to the impudence of wicked men and make the Kâ—ng condemn that faithfull Citie under the notion of Conspiratours against his Majestie Nor did she alter her resolution for all this though a great man informed her Excellence that the Prince of Orange speaking of her going away to some at Court told them among other discourse That if the Governess would leave the Town and consequently desert the State he himself was resolved his Towns and Fortunes should not become a prey to any That their French neighbours might easily possesse themselves of Flanders and that long since they pretended a title to Artois and Haynolt nor could the rest of the Provinces want new Lords But that which most of all troubled the Governess was a rumour dispersed in Bruxels that she was the onely cause why the Gheuses had not their Petition granted which she might do of her self having received plenipotentiary Authority from the King to signe any conditions for quieting the Low-countrey tumults And that if still she pretended to exspect answer from Spain putting them off with such flammes there were some in readiness that seizing upon her together with Viglius Keeper of the Seal and Egmont himself would extort by force what they could not obtain with modestie Such reports as these though at first the Governess accounted them vain threatnings of the Hereticks which had cunningly named Egmont to make her think the Conspiratours hated him Yet when she saw the same affirmed by many that seemed utterly to despair of any good once more attempting to get out of Town and being staid again Fear overcoming her she at last was induced to grant some of the Covenanters demands Which after other businesse she wrote to his Majestie in these words Now when I come to add what finally I granted to the Covenanters unworthy my Resolution unworthy your Majesties Religion truly the grief of it peirces my very soul and shame comes upon my face in blushes I call God to witnesse who knows the secrets of my heart that often and with my utmost power I resisted them many nights together I have not shut mine eyes being at that very time afflicted with sorrow and a fever At last besides the spoil of Churches which I heard of from other quarters when the storm hung over this Citie and that so many openly rung in mine ears that the destructive spight to holy things would never cease til I should grant two demands made by the Covenanters When my house was besieged my mind languishing and my body sick sending for Orange Egmont and Horn and protesting before them that my consent was extorted thereunto I made a concession of pardon and indemnity to the Covenanters and to the rest I gave libertie to hear their Ministers preach onely in places where they had been accustomed so to do provided they came unarmed and molested not the Catholicks With a speciall clause limiting these two Grants to such time as the King with consent of the Estates of the Low-countreys would be pleased to allow Yet to both these I consented not in your Majesties name but in mine own so as when you please you may avoid them without the least blemish to your Honour which you have not your self ingaged and being ill-ingaged by me you should not and I hope will not make it good Nay I beseech and conjure you Mighty Sir by that which is dearer to you then your life your care to defend the Catholick faith that immediately not exspecting the convenience of the Spring you will please to come in person and revenge the wrongs dâ—ne to afflicted Religion which now sadly and solely addressing her self to your Majestie exspects relief which otherwise she dispairs of from that right hand of yours renowned for faith and power indeed unlesse this one hope remained my life which lingers in a miserable manner would soon part from me though perhaps this hope it self will be hardly able to keep off death Thus her Excellence fainting under the burden of her grief wrote privately to the King but publickly shewed no womanish passion and still intent to affairs of State gave Count Mansfeld Commission to govern Bruxels as her Lieutenant put into the town a new Garrison of horse and foot fortified the Count left nothing undone that either concerned her own or the Cities preservation Indeed having made that agreement with the Covenanters they gave her jealousies a short breathing-space for upon the foresaid terms taking a new oath of obedience to the Governesse they so ordered the matter that upon the day appointed the Gheuses attempted nothing against the Church Nay the Prince of Orange returning to Antwerp hanged three of the sacrilegious villains and banished three more setting open the great Church commanding the Priests to exercise their function and boldly to instruct the people Which had not a little rejoyced the Governesse but that in the same letter which he about it he inclosed two petitions delivered him by the Germans that desired some Church in Antwerp where they might freely exercise the confession of Auspurg This took off much of the Governesses contentment especially because the day after she understood by other letters from the Prince of Orange that he and the Senate of Antwerp had permitted Hereticks to preach in the citie and to use all the other rites of Luther and Calvin assigning them three places for that purpose The reason whereof the Prince of Orange explaining affirmed to the Governesse who very hainously resented it in three letters sent immediately one after another that he was extreamly unwilling to make conditions with the Hereticks but some considerations inforced him First that he might by this means restore the Churches and Churchmen to securitie Then whereas no lesse then twenty thousand men used to go out of Town to sermons he greatly feared lest at their return some pragmaticall knaves gaping after pillage might joyn with them and the multitude prevailing plunder the rich Merchants houses Lastly because the Hereticks already had sermons in Antwerp therefore in pursuance of that agreement he had assigned them places in the citie Notwithstanding the Governesse liked not the proceedings of the Prince of Orange perhaps because she her self was guilty of too much indulgence and likewise in fear to be reproved for anothers fault perhaps because the Prince of Orange had indeed given further allowance to the Hereticks then they could challenge by their articles which licensed their Sermons within the walls but not their Baptisme Marriage or other Hereticall ceremonies But
the fifth Book The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The sixt Booke BUT whilst the pen was thus imployed Brederod raised some Forces at Antwerp and upon receipt of these Letters from the Governesse made hast to increase his number of which he carried with him above 1400 to Viana a Towne of his own in Holland fortified to that end a little while before Part of these men marched by land part was transported in seven Shipps followed with a Uessell laden with Armes and Ammunition It was said that William Count Lumè a Marcha Escanbechius Villers and Malberg were to bring thither 1500 horse from the Covenanteers and that Lewis of Nassau was likewise expected there with the German Forces under his Command that having mustered the Army at Viana they might send them into severall parts as occasion should require This rejoyced the Hereticks who now openly bragged that at length their cause was well followed and the Nobility revolting from the King had cut off all hope of pardon That it was not to be doubted but that besides the Counts Hochstrat and Horne Orange himselfe would declare for them nor durst Brederod presume as he had done but that he relyed on higher powers though it was conceived that amidst those troubles he aymed at the Principality of Holland whereunto he pretended a Title and to that private end used the Assistance of the Lords His Ambition was flatterâ—d by the Covenanteers but in the mean time every one had their particular Designe Wherefore a while after most of the principall Cities of the Low-countries Antwerp the Bus Vtrecht and Maestriecht Amsterdam Groeningen Tournay besides Valenciens and others by the increase of their Souldiers seemed to threaten a desertion from the King Anthony Bomberg of Antwerp fell upon the Bus a Towne of Brabant and tooke it by the helpe of the Hereticks that were the stronger party he was lately fled thither out of the storme of the French commotions wherin he served under the Prince of Conde from thence being rebandied to his Country as he was of an Vnquiet restlesse Spirit he bounded againe into the Belgick Tumults and increased the number of the Covenanteers But the Governesse having formerly sent Merodius Lord of Peter Semy and Scheiff Chancellour of Brabant to settle the Motions of that Towne when she heard they Could not do it her Excellence commanded the Count of Megen to draw towards the Town with some Troopes of Horse directing withall Her Letters at the same time both to the Citizens of the Bus and to her agents there Graciously conferring with the Citizens about receiving a Garrison into their City and restoring it to the antient Priviledges and giving Instructions to Her Agents for pressing it to the Magistrats The Letters were intercepted by Bomberg in place whereof he counterfeited two others as written from the Governesse proudly to the Citizens and deceiptfully to her Agents and when he read them to the Magistrate having given out among the people that the towne should have beene betrayed by Merodius and the Chancellour the furious Multitude flocked about their Houses railing vpon them for Traytours and besieged them a day and a night till Bomberg had ripened his Plot. Who taking the incensed Rabble before their fury cooled the rarest time for Mischeif perswaded them that Count Megen was the principall Traytour and that they should therefore come upon him whilst he expected but the word for entering of the Towne They easily believed that Count Megen would attempt it to revenge the private Iniuryes done to his Towne of Megen by those of the Bus which being their neighbours and the stronger had oppressed them Bomberg therefore takes vpon him the Command in cheife and instantly raising 800 men and planting some great Cannon on the walls when the Count march'd up he unexpectedly fired and beat him back with the losse onely of his Plot upon the Towne and an affront received which he deepely resented Count Megen not having then sufficient forces to lay seige to so strong a place marched to Vtrecht for this was in his Orders from the Governesse and the charge was stricter because she feared that Towne by reason of the neighbourhood of Viana which was the general Rendezvous of the Covenanteers And they of Vtrecht because their lands daily sâ—ffered by the incursions of Brederods Souldiers willingly received a Garrison from the Count and by his directions presently built a Fort upon the banke of the River Leck right against Viana Nor was Brederod lesse actiâ—e but in the interim having setled Viana and being called to Amsterdam by the Gheuses he came thither disguised and then in his owne opinion his hope stood faire for the Principality of Holland At the same time Iames Marnixius Lord of Tholouse one of the Covenanteers shipt 600 men at Antwerp in three bottoms and sent them downe the water into Zeland hoping whilst other parts were in combustion unobserved in the Tumult assisted by the Pretour of Middleburgh to possesse himself of Vlushing and the whole Island of Walcheren which is the Head of Zeland But the Governesse was before him for she had made Cattey a faithfull and valiant Gentleman Governour of Vlushing and commanded him to carry some Regiments from the Marches of Flanders and draw them out in order of battaile before Walcheren Therefore when the Tholousians came within sight of the Island they were easily beat back and vainely expecting Brederod who was kept in action by Megen tâ—at appeared with his horse sometimes before Amsterdam sometimes before Viana they fairely passed the River againe into Brabant but at Ostervell a village neare Antwerp they made a halt and ayming at things above their strength pitched their Tents upon the banks of Scheldt and there intrenched and daily increasing with multitudes of Exiles and Outlawes that fled unto them for protection they sent them out in partyes to the adjoyning Townes and Villages where they robbed and fired the Churches returning to the Army loaded with spoyle and frighting or incouraging Antwerp according to the severall factions within the City But the Governesse particularly fearing Antwerp lest Tholouse might bring in his Army and strengthen the Gheuses calling to her Philip Lanoy Lord of Beavor a noble and industrious commander she said I call God to witnesse I am unwilling and with much reluctation forced to a War the Fame of Uictory a glory that hath wrought with many Women and might with me out of the sense of my Fathers invincible and martiall Bloud I never aspired unto in my Province of the Low-countries But since with stubborne-natured and implacable wicked men neither by indulgence nor pardon I have beene able to effect any thing but onely the lessening of my Authority and their feare truly I should not lay to heart either the cause of Religion or of the King and Country if
certaine conditions which both they and the Prince of Orange took their Oaths to see observed for the present laid downe Armes which notwithstanding were shortly taken up againe both by the Calvinists and Lutherans when they heard of the Siege and Danger of Valenciens occasioned in this manner Among the towns that after the Church Robberyes refused to submit unto authority one was Valenciens animated by a strong faction of Hereticks and by their owne nature being like the rest of the people of Haynolt impatient of Subiection insomuch as they have a proud Proverb that Haynolt is only subiect to God and the Sun And they were the freer because of their Vicinity to France which being considered the Valencenians were ever ruled with a gentler hand but with a more attentiue eye The Governesse was very fearefull lest the French if they stirred at that time might first lay hold vpon this key to the frontiers especially because they knew that one Grange of Narbon a Calvinist Minister by his French Lectures had now confounded all in Valenciens and much increased the commerce betweene the Valencenians and the French The Governesse having many times written to the Magistrate about it at last when she found her selfe strong enough she sent an expresse commanding him to receiue a Garrison into the Towne of those men commanded by Philip Norcarmius of St Aldegund Lieuetenant Governour of Haynolt for the Marquesse of Bergen then Ambassadour in Spaine And that by these Souldiers nothing was intended but the Authority of the Magistrate and Concord of the People Norcarmius coming to the Towne in the Evening was met by Commissioners from the Magistrate of Valenciens affirming they had ever beene and ever would be faithfull to the King and to the Governesse withall they demanded how many men he would quarter in in the towne desiring him to be contented with as few as might be But in the morning at the time when they had promised to receiue his Garrison new commissioners came from the Burghers and told him that by the industry of the Hereticks running all night from house to house the People had changed their minds were resolved not to admit the Garrison and to write their Reasons for it to the Governesse But Norcarmius terribly offended with that Inconstancy and affront departed threatning Ruine to the City Their Messengers he carried away Prisoners but because that was against the Law of Nations four dayes after he sent them back by command from the Governesse And indeed the Towne presented her Excellence their Reasons for not admitting a Garrison of Norcarmius his men as well because they feared he would Vse them cruelly and like Enemyes by reason of his different Religion as likewise they were perswaded that Garrison was to have come in without the consents of the Prince of Orange Count Egmont Horne and Hochstrate But if those foure Lords would ingage for the Security of the Towne it should immediately submit This touched Egmont to the quick who of the foure was only present when these Letters were read in Senate he therfore professed that he and his Collegues had greivous Iniury done them by these men But the Governesse thought her selfe most iniuried her Power being looked upon as inferiour to the Authority of these Lords Therefore implacably offended she resolved to revenge this Scorne and no longer expecting the kings Presence sent for Norcarmius and Cressonerius an excellent Engineere determining by their advise to lay speedy Sâ—ege to Valenciens appointing Commanders and giving Order for all necessaryes By Norcarmius she sent a Letter writt in the Stile of Anger briefe and decretory to be delivered to the Magistrate before he should atâ—acque the Towne wherein she commanded the Valencenians in the Kings name immediately to receiue foure Troopes of Horse and as many companies of Foote yeilding Obedience to Norcarmius Governour of their province which if they refused to doe she declared them Enemies to their King and Country They obstinately stood out and therefore by the Kings Edict were proscribed and their Goods confiscated The Reasons of this Proceeding the Governesse wrote severally to the Provinces That she had often admonished the Valencenians not to suffer the Hereticks coâ—trary to her agreement with the Covenanters to possesse themselves of Catholique Churches and to preach within the City nor to protect the Heads of the Conspiracy especially Grange and his Companion five yeares before condemned at Tournay if they could not doe it of themselves then to receive a Garrison from Norcarmius to that end but they contemning both these Proposalls SHE in the Kingâ— name declared them Tratours and besieged them to bring downe their pride Commanding upon paine of death that no one either with Advise Armes money or otherwise should presume to assist them or goe armed within their Liberties or be present at any of their Meetings and that whosoever should doe the contrary did it against his King and Country This Newes troubled the whole Faction of the Gheuses and because it much concerned them to incourage their Friends in such an Exigent presently Letters were directed from the Consistories of diverse Cities to the Valencenians bidding them be resolute and fearelesse for shortly the besieged should be relieved and the besiegers called away to quench a fire kindled in another place Nor were these vaine Brags for a few dayes after not farre from Tournay 4000 of the Gheuses tooke the Field Vnder the command of Sorean Their Designe was to take L'isle the chiefe City of French Flanders They were put vpon it by certaine Consistorian Merchants great rich men and dwellers in that City The Plot was so laid that vpon a day when Maximilian Rassinghem Governour of L'isle must necessarily be out of Towne the calvinists should goe as they were accustomed to their Sermons in the Fields and in their Returne the Souldiers of Tournay should come in mingled among them the Merchants undertaking to have an eye upon the Citizens of L'isle that they did not in their Comming back shut the Gates against them In the meane time to keep Rassinghem away some Foote Companyes of the Towne of Armenter had Orders to plunder the Country about Lisle The Governesse having intelligence of the whole Designe writt in good time to Norcarmius Lying before Valenciens with part of his Forces to oppose the enemyes Practice first acquainting the Governour of Lisle with his advance Rassinghem had already heard of the Souldiers of Armenter and without further delay chusing out 150 Foot and about 50 Dragoones fought with them neare the Village of Waterloch The Armenterians were 300 and odd most of them fresh water Souldiers with a Captaine more ignorant then themselves one Cornelius a Calvinist Minister that from a Smith was become a Preacher and from a Preacher a Souldier Nor did he then
England to his Marriage with Queene Mary at his returne he created him Knight of the Golden-Fleece and made him Grandvenâ—ur or Justice in Eyre and Governour of Haynolt In which Province because he seemed not according to his duty seriously to advance the Catholique cause though he himselfe was seriously a Catholique the Governesse was then much displeased with him and a few months after his Decease being for the same attainted of High Treason he was condemned by the Duke of Alva The Governesse receiving the newes of his Death speedily that is within eight dayes written as I said from the Prince of Ebolo immediatly before the Report could be divulged sent Mandevill with a select Company of Fire-locks framing a Letter to the Lady-Marquesse of Bergen That she heard the Hereticks of that Towne offended with the late Edict endeavoured some Innovation therefore she had in haste dispatched Souldiers to guard her and the City to make them the welcomer had chosen out of her Ladiship 's Vncle Beavor's Regiment Captaine Mandevill whom She had commanded to receive Orders from her Ladyship Her Husband 's Death she mentioned not lest it might lessen the Favour and move a suspition of the thing intended But when she sent away the Captaine being a man of approved Fidelity she discovered to him that hee was in the King's name to possesse himselfe of the Towne He should indeed serve the Lady-Marquesse in any thing that might be for her safety but if she refused his Souldiers or commanded them to depart the Towne he must tell her he could not doe it without acquainting the Governesse In the meane while by writting Letters and expecting Answers he should spinne out the time till his Majesty expressed his absolute pleasure For the Prince of Ebolo from the King and afterwards the King himselfe had writ to the Governesse that she was to bring the Marquesse's cause to a Triall and if he were found to have been privy to the Tumults and Rebellion his Estate should be confiscated otherwise it should descend to his Heires The King added in his own Hand That whereas the Marquesse had declared his Sister's Daughter his Heire who was said to have no good Catholique Education the Governesse should find meanes to get her out of her Father's hands and breed her till she were married to that Kinsman unto whom the Marquesse had by his will disposed her The City she forthwith seized but the young Lady her Mother was a great while fearefull to deliver And after the Governesse had been present at the Procession wherein the Body of our Lord and Saviour was carryed through Antwerp then solemnized with more exquisite preparations and Pompe then ever and followed with such multitudes and Reverence that one would thinke they had not so much as conversed with Hereticks her Excellence leaving Count Mansfeldt and 13. Companies in the Town with the rest and a great Traine of Lords returned to Bruxells there to expect the Duke of Alva whose coming every day more afflicted her and many that loved him not aggravated her distaste telling her that by his Pride all which she had with so much paines and wisdome reconciled and composed would be presently put into confusion and he would make Troubles which it might be thought he was come from Spaine to quiet whilst the Honour Settlement only due to the governesse would by his vaine-glory be numbred among his Triumphs The Governesse therefore not only expressed to the King her Resentment in her Letter by Gaspar Robley but likewise writing to the Duke of Alva to congratulate his Arrivall at Millaine she let him understand the State of the Low-countryes and wished him to advise whether it would not be a greater Act of prudence to disband part of his Army then by those unseasonable Forces and Expences to irritate the Low-countryes which were now reduced to Obedience such a Remedy in most mens Iudgements being too strong for the Disease But the Duke of Alva pretended the King's command And the Prince of Ebolo by Robley who was dispatched from Spaine about the end of Iune answered her That the King was carefull of his Sister's Estimation purchased of all the world for governing the Low-countryes with so singular wisdome in so dangerous times taking Cityes subduing Rebels and at length vigorously reducing all the Low-countryes to their Religion and Loyalty Nor was Alva sent to rob her of any part of that glory wholly appropriate to her Highnesse but that by serving her with his endeavours and counsells what was gained might be preserved with lesse troubles to the Governesse and no envy that could reflect upon her for punishing of Delinquents But nothing so much satisfied her as the King's-Letter sent by Lopius Gallus after Robley's departure wherein giving thanks to his Sister for so industrious and wise an Establishment of Peace he said he would shortly better expresse those thankes in person longing exceedingly to be an Eye-witnesse of her vertue And among other commands injoyned her to have in readinesse at least eight Sayle of Ships to meet him whensoever an Expresse came of his weighing Anchors And the Governesse in good earnest provided the Shipps the Senat decreeing that for the King 's happy Voiage publique Prayers should be made which neverthelesse his majesty meaning to stay at home needed not as some said comparing him to Tiberius Caesar who gave out from day to day that he would leaue Rome and suffered the Empire diverse times to make the like supplications for his good Journey and Returne long busying the Roman Provinces with that Expectation But the beliefe of the King's Expedition was to be maintained with such new Scenes or else the Play would have been spoyled Howsoever the Duke of Alva equally distastfull to the Nobility and the People would have been much worse received by the Low-country-men if they had not perswaded themselves by these appearing hopes that the King himselfe would shortly follow And now the Duke of Alva having perfectly recovered his Health when he came to Ast tooke the generall Musters of his Army which being greater in worth then number though feare among the timerous had multiplyed the very number he found to consist of 8700. Foote and but 1200. Horse For the Duke cared not for multitude which commonly is a hindrance to the March but desired to have stout men and valiant hands not many names meaning afterwards to increase them more opportunely in the Low-countreys where without danger he might adde to his old Army as to a body strong in nerves and bone as much young flesh that is untrained Souldiers as he pleased The Foot in a manner all Spanish he distributed into foure Legions in regard they were raised out of foure Provinces commanded by so many Spanish Colonels conspicuous for their abilities in warre Alphonso Vlloa
State was committed to him alone and he only would be carefull of it In the meane time they ought to obey his just Commands and call to mind that diverse Cities ingaged in the Rebell 's cause might be fined if he so pleased in farre greater Summes then he demanded Now therefore with cheerefull obedience they should redeeme their Delinquencies the rather since he looked not after the money for his owne use or to send it into Spaine to the King but only therewith to defend and secure the Low-countreys against the danger of the times He likewise tooke away the priviledges of diverse malignant Cities charged others with Garisons and struck feare into them all In so much as most of the Provinces consented to the 100. part some commuted and bought out that Tribute with ready money But many taking time to deliberate dispatched Agents into Spainâ— petitioning to be eased of the tenth part but the hundreth part more they were not able they offered to pay Which Affront though Alva deeply stomackt yet fearing the power which his Enemies at Court had with the King he thought it best to dissemble his indignation And to win the Peoples hearts he resolved at that instant to publish what he had long deferred a General pardon for the late Tumults Three yeares before Margaret of Austria had earnestly sollicited the King to grant them This Pardon because she saw that every day many Low-countreymen in feare of punishment either left the Provinces or there conspired with some of their own Faction as if with their Number their Safety would increase because a Multitude is easiest pardoned and where all offend none suffers But the King not sending the Pardon under Seale till two yeares after to the Duke of Alva and he delaying Publication till another yeare both of them lessened the favour by protraction Howsoever Alva omitted nothing that might gloriously set off that benefit to the Lowcountrymen For going to Antwerp he commanded Supplications to be made in the great Church of our Lady he himselfe in a rich habit after Sermon which was preached in Low-Duch by the Bishop of that City being present with all the Lords of the Councell at the Archbishop of Cambray's Masse Towards the end of the Sacrifice the Archbishop read Pius the fifth his Letters wherein he absolved all those that had complied with the Hereticks Vpon which subiect-matter the Bishop of Arras made a Speech in French exhorting the people to give thankes to God for that mercy of the Pope and King and for the indeavours therein used by the Duke of Alva their Governour Whilst he amplified this point he was taken with a suddaine qualme and carried out of the Pulpit diverse persons making a superstitious Construction of the Accident as if he had undertaken a cause that Fortune favoured not In the Evening the Duke attended with a great Traine of Lords and Gentlemen came into the great Market-place filled with an infinite Crowde his Souldiers guarding the Streets and standing mixt among the Townsmen Then his excellence ascending a Theater sate downe in a golden Throne having on his hallowed Sword and hat which I told you were sent him by the Pope pretious both for their Consecration and their Iewelles and commanded the Cryer that stood by him to read the King's Decree wherein his Majesty granted the Low-countreymen an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity The man read it in French and Low-Dutch but with such a hoarse vnaudible Voyce that very few understood him Which was perhaps an Accident perhaps so ordered by the Duke who had rather the Low-countreymen should measure the benefit by the greatnesse of Pompe and the glorious Newes of a Generall pardon then by the Decree it selfe containing so many Exceptions But the just contrary hapned For the people upon sight of so magnificent a preparation promising themselves all they could desire whatsoever fell short of their Expectation they accounted as taken from them Besides the Multitude that looked on and could not get neare the theater not knowing how farre the Pardon extended to particulars were easily deceived by such as watcht there on purpose to extenuate the Kings Favour And many of those that stood neerest by reason of Clauses of Exception not yet thinking themselves sufficiently secured were observed to depart very melancholique and doubtfull and contrary to the Duke of Alva's Expectation no bonefires were made that night to signifie their Joy and thanks In the mean time Princesse Anne daughter to the Experour Maximilian came into the Low-countreys she having beene after the death of Charles Prince of Spaine to whom she was promised espoused to his Father Philip it being fatall to that Prince to have his designed Wâ—ves either taken from him in his life time or after his death enjoyed by his owne Father The Duke of Alva was an earnest Suiter to the King for leave to waite upon the Princesse into Spaine thinking it would be an honour on so good an occasion to quit the Low-countreys which by beating the Enemy he had sufficiently preserved for the present and secured as he thought for the future by the Forts which he had built And though at first the king consented not yet in the end displeased at some thing done by Alva in his Governement and that he had not as he was commanded published his Royall Pardon for those Tumults if Count Mansfeldt long since alienated from Alva wrote truth to the Dutchesse of Parma his Majesty resolved to call him away from the Low-countreys and named his Successour of the Bloud Royall Iuan de la Cerda Duke of Medina Celi Viceroy of Navar who notwithstanding came not till two yeares after and then presently resigning the burthen of the Low-countrey Warre to another he himselfe returned into Spaine At which time it was the common newes that Cardinall Granvell ioyned in commission with Mary Princess of Portugall Wife to Alexander Farneze should succeed in the Governement of the Low-countreys though all their Wishes were fixed upon her mother in Law Margaret of Austria Dutchesse of Parma But the Duke of Alva before the designation of his Successour leaving the businesse of conducting the Queene into Spaine to Maximilian Count of Bolduc Admirall of the Belgick Seas and sending in his owne Place his Sonne Ferdinando de Toledo Caesar Davalo and Mondragonio with his Regiment all of them a while after returning into the Low-countreys but only Caesar Davalo who served Don Iohn of Austria in the battaile of Lepanto and the Warre of Tunis In the meane time the Duke himselfe fell againe upon his demands of the tenth and twentieth part on conditions which he had often altered and the people as often refused with like willfullnesse of both sides The Low-countreymens obstinacy was increased by their intelligence that Alva had but a little time to stay among them which the People wished and
discharge of forreiners for the Obedience which they formerly shewed to the Dutchesse of Parma questionlesse they will not now deny to you and to the King himself But when the Spaniards shall be dismissed if there be danger the Low-countreymen solicited by the Prince of Orange may soon forget this Act of Grace shall we therefore conclude that we must necessarily be circumvented by their fraud and oppressed by their arms Are not the Loyall Provinces able to sustain the first charge of an insurrection till Forces can be sent for out of Burgundy had at hand and out of Germany not farre off And then we have so much more reason to look for good successe by how much we shall be assisted with a more powerfull armie sent from the King in defence of his own commands and we may with more justice punish the perfidious Rebels Wherefore in a word I deny not but the forrein souldiers whether retained or dismissed may somewhat indanger us but when I see on the one side a certain warre and the Kings certain displeasure no help and on the other that you are offered the possession of the Government hope of quieting the Low-countreys the Kings favour and assistance and consequently if a warre should break forth that which would much conduce to victorie I think in point of discretion this ought to be preferred before the contrarie Don Iohn though he was very unwilling to forgo his Spanish forces a greater secret then I have yet discovered won him to consent For if he by keeping them should have interrupted the peace of the Low-countreys which his Majestie had particularly recommended to him he might well suspect it would be whispered in the Kings ear open to such kind of jealousies that by laying the plot for a warre he was ambitious of new power and greater fortunes Besides he longed exceedingly for the voyage into England which if he were ingaged in the Low-countrey war he knew would slip out of his hands Withall he took it for granted that the Low-countreymens hearts alienated by the Warres and Taxes of former Governours might by contrary arts be reconciled Therefore according to mans nature thinking himself and his winning carriage would be more prevalent then any stratagem of the Enemie and coveting what others could not get in the Low-countreys the title of Peace-maker he resolved to allow the assembly at Gant and to sign their conditions Especially because he conceived that he should sufficiently provide for Religion and the Crown forasmuch as the league concluded in these words We the Delegates of the Estates whose names are under-written and by whose authority the Estates are now assembled have do promise for ever to maintain the League for the conservation of our most sacred faith and the Romane Catholick Religion for the perfecting of the pacification of Gant For the expulsion of the Spaniards and their Adherents due Obedience to the Kings Majestie being still and for ever rendered Notwithstanding he asked the opinions of the profoundest schollars whether by those heads which he gave them accurately to examine the orthodox faith or the Kings honour might receive any prejudice And when they resolved him no danger could accrue to either in case this clause were added That nothing in those Articles or any part thereof was established or decreed contrary to the Catholick Religion and the Kings Authority Don Iohn confirmed by their judgements sent their advice and the Bishops letters to the same effect unto his Majestie Who consenting and likewise the Emperour Rodolph Bishop of Liege and Duke of Cleveland by their Embassadours swearing to it a new Pacification called the perpetuall league was made at Marcha a Citie in the Province of Luxemburg Wherein by Don Iohns Agents the dismission of the Spaniards and the whole pacification of Gant was confirmed and by the Deputies of the Estates a caution for constancie to Religion and the Kings obedience which they had formerly sworn for ever to continue was again expressely inserted And now Don Iohn after he had caused the pacification to be proclaimed first at Bruxels then at Antwerp and in other Cities set forth from Luxemburg being met upon the way by the Low-countrey Lords with an infinite number of the Gentrie and at Lovain in the beginning of March he was saluted with a generall joy Governour of the Low-countreys There he thought fit to make some stay that he might from thence quicken the dull motion of the Spaniards departure For they held it a grievous injury to be upon a sudden at the pleasure of the Low-countreymen dispossessed of so many Forts and Garrison towns as they had in so long a time purchased with their bloud Moreover many of them having lived divers years in the Low-countreys being possessed of land and having married wives of that Nation by whom they had children were brought then by degrees to love the place like Natives Nor waâ— ted they some Mutineirs that cryed out Was that cashiering a just reward for their labours and so much bloud as they had spent in Service must their gaping Soars their losse of Limbs and their crackt Sinews in stead of Rest and Accommodation be recompensed with their Countreymens ingratefull oblivion or neglect however with the publick hate and execration of the Dutch what would the French the Italians and other Nations say but that the Spanish Souldiers could be suffered to live no where Sixteen years ago the Governesse Margaret of Austria had turned them out of the Low-countreys and now this Governour Don John of Austria had again expelled them with so much the greater dishonour by how much there was then a fairer pretence for the Kings sending them into Africa to recrueit his Armie But now plainly by publick Edict they who alone in the Low-countreys had maintained the Kings Right were now forsooth declared Enemies to the King and the Low-countreys and by a common confederation of the Provinces expelled as if Peace and a Spaniard could not inhabite there together Thus they discoursed though discontentedly not threatningly yet furie as the custome is by meeting others and communicating their Grievances increased the nearer the day of their departure came grief making them still more sensible of their condition the more obstinate they shewed themselves especially at Antwerp where their number and late victory had so elevated them as there was little hope they would easily deliver up the Fort. But the care of the vigilant Commanders and Reverence to the Royall bloud among the loyall Regiments trained in the old Discipline prevailed so much that by degrees the love of Obedience returned and Iuan Escovedo a very prudent man sent post to Antwerp by Don Iohn appeased the Mutiniers with an apposite Oration For after he had read the Kings letters wherein the Spaniards were commanded to depart the Low-countreys beginning with
a Commemoration but without upbraiding of their Tumults and insurrections he told them That if they had of late years done any thing so licentiously as to offend the King they might by their present obedience not onely cancell the memory thereof but also highly merit at the Kings hand from which they could not but exspect farre more and firmer fortunes then they should forgo in the Low-countreys Could gallant men find no other place but that to exercise their valour in Kings that have large Dominions never want causes of warre nor rewards for souldiers But it was more then needed to trouble themselves about other mens opinions touching their departure it being evident by whom and with what artifice this was brought about For such as feared them could not indure their company and no marvell if their inferiours that more then once found themselves overmatched now feared them Their neighbours saw and strangers heard how often the Spaniard had cowed the rebellious Enemy They knew the number of Forts Towns and victories wonne by the Armie and that for ten years together in all Land-battels for at Sea there was a variation of Fortune the Spaniards at all times excepting that one overthrow of Count Aremberg remained Conquerours They likewise knew that in the killing of such multitudes no lesse then thirty thousand as the Low-countreymen themselves confesse so few Spaniards have been lost that upon computation Ten Spaniards were able to rout a Thousand Truly a miserable slaughter and to be buryed in silence if it had not been executed for Religion and the King upon Rebells unto both But with this very name of Rebell if by a bloudy Edict of the Estates the late Spanish Mutineirs were branded Don John hath abundantly provided against that Edict by framing a new one of his own and making void the old thereby favouring their Merits and obliging their Obedience so as they may with greater honour obey his Commands and their valour shewn upon the enemy will not appear more glorious then their Loyaltie to their Sovereign and not onely by taking Forts and Cities with their Arms but likewise by laying them down at his Majesties Command with equall praise in both they will be said to have asserted the Low-countreys to the King This last part of his Speech moved the Souldiers wavering minds for rather the spirit of sedition then of anger vanished and He reading an honourable Edict on their behalf posted up in many placed They delivered into the hands of the Estates the Forts of Antwerp and of the other Cities and retired to Maestricht Prisoners on either side being set free The Spaniards releasing Count Egmont Goignius Caprias and six others taken in the storming of Antwerp The Estates on their part five first the Lord Billes Governour of Friezland in the Tumults of those Provinces outed from his Government by his own souldiers and by George Latin Lord of Ville imprisoned at Leovard Then Mondragonio's wife that when the Castle of Gant was besieged whilst she manfully discharged the place of her absent husband was taken prisoner and by the Estates Commanders carryed as it were in triumph After the mutuall release of prisoners some part of their money was begun to be tendered to the Spaniards the Estates having agreed with them for 600000 Florens whereof they were to have 300000 in hand and as much more by bills of exchange at Genoa But after 100000 was paid down the Deputies of the Estates not producing any more Don Iohn out of his own moneys lent the Estates never to be repaid 200000 Florens lest he might be thought to favour their stay So towards the end of April the Spaniards Italians and Burgundians left the Netherlands under the command of Peter Ernest Count Mansfeldt chosen on purpose to take away the emulation between Alphonso Vargas Sancho Avila Iuliano Romero and Francisco Valdez which might with more honour obey a Generall of another Nation then serve under one another The Low-countreymen appeared not more joyfull to see the Armies departure then the Spaniards were discontented and angry at the beholders and the greater their number was for besides souldiers and such as belonged to the carriages the wayes were crouded with horses and wagons loaded with women and children the whole number amounting to thirty thousand head of men and cattle the more it troubled them to be looked upon passing through Cities like a Show Albeit some among them penetrating further into the Low-countreymens designes foresaw that the war now raked up in embers would shortly break forth again into a flame and then the Spaniards would be called to extinguish it In the mean time they left the Low-countreys without so much as obtaining the honour in their passage to take their leave of Don Iohn which exceedingly grieved them as if by that severitie their actions were condemned And marching through Lorain Burgundy and Savoy they descended into Italy Where coming into the Province of Millain the Governour the Marquesse of Ayamont quartered them as he pretended by the Kings Command along the mountains of Liguria which they call Langascho there the heat of Summer breeding diseases for want of necessaries and with very grief to think the King should so forget their services a great sort of the oldest souldiers dyed But Don Iohn whilst the Spaniards marched away riding in the middle between the Popes Legate and the Bishop of Leige attended by the three estates in all their glory entred Bruxels He himself added to the pomp by the lovelinesse of his presence and youth being not yet thirty two years of age as likewise by the fame of his Land-and-Sea-victories in a word by the memory of his Father Charles the fifth honoured by the Dutch as their beloved Countreyman No sooner had he solemnly taken his oath and was acknowledged Governour but he yet more indeared himself to that people by his admired Clemencie Affabilitie Graciousnesse and Bountie beyond example extended even unto his Enemies Insomuch as the Subjects enamoured of the sweetnesse of his deportment above what they could imagine or had ever heard related praised him to the skies especially because they saw themselves at last freed by his favour from the burthen of forrein souldiers and with a generall gratulation joyed their Countrey of its antient happinesse returned with Don Iohn of Austria Yet many thought it not so prudent an action for Don Iohn to trust his person disarmed into the hands of the armed Estates with so much confidence in himself being after the dismissing of the Spaniards in a weak and unsafe condition if so be the Prince of Orange should invade him that had reserved no one Fort or Garrison-town in his power either for refuge or resistance And it was not long before it appeared how he was over-reached in this concession how much wiser King Philip had been when he
Catholick party excusing himself by the rule of his Order that forbids them to intermeddle with secular affairs resolutely denied nor could by any prayers or threats be brought to swear Whereupon when the Fathers for some few dayes having been incommodated and abused by the Hereticks at length upon the very day of Pentecost their House and Church was besieged by armed Hereticks the doors forced open all as well sacred as profane things plundred and the Fathers violently thrust out of possession and sent aboard the Hollanders with great scorn of the wild multitude to be landed in some other Countrey There happened at this time a passage worthy to be recorded The Fathers were turned out of doors and Pistols set to their breasts till they were searched lest they should carrie any thing away when one of them Iohn Boccace for it is fit posteritie should know the name of a man so stout and pious wanne the admiration both of the Catholicks and Hereticks For calling to mind that upon the High Altar the holy Eucharist was left in a silver vessel he presently slipâ— away from the souldiers and entring the Church full of Hereticall Furioso's with a constantgate and countenance approached the altar and upon his knee adoring Christ reverently drew out of the Tabertacle the Pix but finding it full of little hostes when he saw his dry and gasping mouth was not able to swallow so many on the sudden the man both of a present wit and faith held up the Chalice and carried it to his brethren through the midst of those sacrilegious souldiers none presuming to attempt any thing against him The hereticks being astonished at the miracle of his confidence or rather God approving his pietie and the hope he had conceived of his Divine assistance For if in the commemoration of the not much different Act of Caius Fabius that whilest the Gauls besieged the Capitol went through the enemies camp to the Quirine hil and returned the same way bearing things they accounted sacred in his hands if I say the Romane Historian could affirm that Fabius hoped the gods would be propitious to him from whose worship not the fear of death could deterre him Why may not I a little more prudently argue That he I speak of hoped he should be protected in that service by the same assistance wherewith Christ himself that afforded his presence to the Iews and when he was pleased was inobservable mocked the eyes or at least the hands of such like enemies and moreover That it came to passe by Gods favour terr unerating his rare confidence that a single man among three hundred sculdiers for they were no fewer that with their swords drawn possessed themselves of the Quire and Body of the Church should preserve the Eucharist from the abuses of the Hereticks and the plate from the rapacitie of the souldiers I shall adde another accident which it concerns Religion to insert When the Fathers were expelled the Citie among others that came to see their empty building partly out of curiositie as it often happens to view other mens houses especially the Iesuites partly for most of them were hereticks to feed their eyes with the joy of their enemies misfortunes there was a buffoonly Calvinist who thought himself a Wit that to make the people sport entring the House put forth at a window over the door a wisp of straw upon the end of a white Rod as if he would according to the custome of the Countrey give notice to the Town that the house was visited with the plague The sight moved some passengers to admiration others to laughter of which the Calvinisticall Apelles standing behind his Venus had his belly full and one of them rapping at the gate he within cryed to him What with a mischief would you have Do you not see the Ensigne of Death the Rodde and Wisp before the door All that dweâ—t here are dead of the plague Behold a wonderfull judgement of God the same day when no part of the town was infected with the pestilence the impious jeerers own house was visited and he himself was compelled to weep at home what he had laughed at in the mansion of others The like to this usage befell the fathers of the societie at Tournay Bruges and Maestricht they being for the same causes banished from those Cities having for the companions of their exile in some places the Franciscan Fathers in others honest Priests and such as had the cure of souls By whose departure so much as the Catholick cause suffered so much heresie immediately prevailed and it was apparent how great a benefit their presence was to the publick which in their absence so soon suffered the Calvinists not long after presuming to petition the Archduke and the Estates to establish libertie of Conscience in the Low-countreys And though at first they received a deniall yet the Prince of Orange soliciting their businesse they drew up new and bolder petitions for the same libertie and at the very same time were so bold as to exercise it possessing themselves of some Catholick Churches Insomuch as the Estates for fear of insurrections likely to grow about it especially their care being wholly fixed upon the businesse of the warre were forced to grant the free exercise of Religion in many cities of Brahant Gelderland and Flanders the Archduke and the Catholicks in vain protesting against it But Don Iohn of Austria about the end of the Year was much strengthened by the coming of Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma with his old souldiers out of Italy The Spanish army was commanded by King Philip from the borders of Genoa whither as I told you Don Iohn sent them seven moneths before to march directly back to the Low-countreys to the great contentment of their Colonels and Commanders that conceived themselves by that revocation absolutely restored to the Kings Grace and their own honour Yet their joy was abated by the death of their first Colonell whom they loved exceedingly Iuliano Romero who busie in providing for the departure of his souldiers at Cremona died suddenly of a fall with his horse These forces and others raised in Italy for there had been a great mortalitie among the Spaniards according to the Kings Orders went part before part after the Prince of Parma It was thought most expedient for their speedie march and for the good of those Provinces through which they passed that this armie consisting of six thousand should rather go by troops and companies then in a bodie But the Prince of Parma himself with a small train having appointed Fabio Farneze to follow with the rest of his houshold by long journeys came to Luxemburg in December Before you have the reason of his coming I hold it worth my pains to give you what I know of Alexander Prince of Parma beginning so much higher then I use to do in the
courage and trust wrote to Don Iohn speedily to dispatch away relief for his men were grown so seditious he could hold â—ut no longer But the messenger either taken by Holach or else playing the knave was with his letters detained in the Leaguer till such time as they might think he had been with Don Iohn that a probable delay might give more credit to the jugling Then another in stead of the first was dispatched to the Town that excusing the stay of him they sent who he said was fallen sick brought a formall answer as from the hand of Don Iohn bidding them upon good conditions render the Town and that shortly when supplies came to him he would send but yet he could not forces to recover it The messenger and letter was believed and the Town yielded To the Colonell's errour was added the villany of his Souldiers which during the time of the Treaty either corrupted with money or discontent furiously laid hands upon him and perfidiously delivered him bound to Holach and Campin that made it one of their conditions In the interim whilst they march out finding themselves cheated by the enemy and seeing the supplies sent by Don Iohn at hand they repented both their haste and perjury The Diceran not so merrily on Holach's side at Ruremund which he with great forces going to assault found Garrison'd by Don Iohn with 4000 men commanded by Aegidius Barlamont Lord of Hierg and likewise by a Sally of Polvillerius Colonel of the Germans in the Town beaten from the Siege with the losse of his Carriages and many of his men he fled Yet the Treaty of Peace went on continual messengers posting from both sides as if it were out of hope and desire of successe and not rather to give words for words that one might seem to take up Arms justlier then the other Nothing else was intended by the Queen of England at that time moving Don Iohn for a Cessation of Arms save onely that upon the denyal of her request she would be thought in a manner necessitated to assist the Estates her Majesty threatning Don Iohn and the King to whom she sent an expresse Messenger that if they refused to do it she would never more pleasure them in any thing whatsover But her threats being understood she was desired by the King and Done Iohn to move the other side whom she might with a great deal more justice perswade to lay down Arms rendring obedience to their Prince Wherefore both parties with the conditions likewise rejecting the messengers that brought them all Treaties of Accomodation now cut off no hope was left of quieting the Low-countreys but by Arms. And about that time a blazing Star rose with such a fatall Aspect as Mathematicians laboured to demonstrate that a more horrid one never had appeared which mindes prone warr looked at as a Standard set up in heaven The first and memorable Battel was fought at Gemblac nine miles from Namure in the entry of Brabant both Armies being a whâ—le before mustered the Catholick at Marcha a Town in the Province of Luxemburg the enemy at Temple a Village not far from Namure and those were found less these more then was supposed For it was reported that Don Iohn had 22000 Foot whereas upon the Musters appeared not 18000 as Alexander Farneze that was present with Don Iohn set down in his account On the contrary the States Mustered about 20000 that were a while before not thought to be 17000. For the number of these was daily increased by Souldiers of Fortune that came in hope of Pillage which they could not have from Don Iohn that raised men onely with money And yet his Army though fewer weaker in Horse as not full two thousand because they had the advantage of being the older and the better Souldiers were a great deal more desirous of a Battel The Catholick Souldiers were likewise much encouraged by the Letters of Gregory the thirteenth wishing happinesse to them and by the Christian custome freely granting them a general pardon of their sins Which the Commanders making use of the Army when they were all absolved with much more cheerfulnesse marched against the enemy The Spyes likewise brought in news which made Don Iohn eâ—spect no longer that Philip Count Lalin and Robert Melodune Viscount Gant this commanding the Horse he the Foot and Valentine Pardieu Generall of the Artillery were absent from the enemies Campe pretending an invitation to a Marriage celebrated with great Pompe in Bruxels but indeed as it was reported out of distaste taken at the Prince of Orange besides many others that could not away with the sharpnesse of the Winter being Summer Captaines had left the field and withdrawn into the City He that now commanded in chief for the Confederates was Anthony Goigny Lord of Vendege in the Wood an old Souldier trained up in his youth under Charles the fifth then a Captain of Lanceirs at the Battel of Saint Quintin afterwards Leivtenant General of the Auxiliaries sent by King Philip to Charles the ninth of France under the command of Count Aremberg But two years before the differences between the Spaniards and Low-countreymen had alienated his endeavours rather then affections from the Kings Service The enemy intended to surprise Don Iohn in Namure and to this purpose were now upon their march but understanding that he had a far stronger Army then was imagined and meant to draw out of Namure and give them Battel altering their determination they were retiring to Gemblac there upon certain knowledg of the enemies strength maturely to order their affaires The States Army quartered that night in the Village of St. Martin almost five miles distant from the Forces of Don Iohn lying at Namure Thence before break of day firing their Huts they retreated towards Gemblac in this manner First marched Emmanuel Montin and William Hese with their Regiments flanked with Carabines of the Colonels Villers and Fresnoi The main Battel consisting of the German and Wallon Regiments three of French thirteen of Scots and English was led by Maximilian Heâ—â—n Count of Boluc a while since revolted from the King and by Federick Perenot Lord of Campin The Rere in which was their strength of Horse being commanded by the Counts Philip Egmont son to Lamoral and Lamè a Marcha Marquesse of Havre Duke Arescot's Brother and the Camp-master Goigny Lievtenant-General of the Army riding up and down with some select wings of Horse In the Forlorn they had placed the Pioners and Workmen intermixed with a Company of Foot The Battel was enclosed with their Baggage and flanked with some Feild-pieces They had likewise secured their backs fearing the enemy would follow with their best Musketteirs and stoutest Souldiers Nor was Don Iohn less active but a good while before day moved from Namure sending before
kind of fate upon the place for ever since the year of our Lord 900 it is famous for many sackings burnings and plundrings at the earnest suit of Lambert Count and Abbot of Gemblac made to Alexander Farneze and by him unto Don Iohn was preserved both from the plunder and injurie of the souldier The Garrison being onely disarmed such as were Low-countrey men taking an oath never more to bear Arms against the King of Spain the rest not within a year were all let go save twelve of the principall detained in stead of hostages that were carried to the Castle of Namure with their Generall Goigny Who was before his departure brought to Don Iohn and they say desiring to kisse his victorious hand he gave it him with these words God thus breaks their contumacy that impiously rebell against Religion and their King The successe even of this battell wherein so great an Army was defeated by so few shews how much God Almighty favours his Majesties just cause But he onely answering That he never took up arms against Religion with the other prisoners was removed Then Don Iohn taking notice of his own Souldiers merits graciously calling to him every Commander and the stoutest of the Souldiers with great and glorious words magnificently commended their service Among them all he was not ignorant that Alexander Farneze best deserved yet the more he saw the Army look upon him and extoll his courage the more he thought it concerned his Love and Place to praise not without care and caution the virtue of that man whom he both feared and affected Therefore minding the Prince of his danger at the battell of Lepanto he remembred him of the Office of a Generall and said He was sent thither by the King his Uncle to advance the Warre not with his hand and the danger of a common souldier but with his counsel and conduct Prince Alexander replying that he could think no man fit to command in chief that had not first valiantly performed the duties of a common souldier especially under so great a Generall was received both with the Armies applause and the Generalls embraces But the Prince of Parma wrote Don Iohns praises not beyond their merit much more freely and without any exception to the King For together with the Generalls Letters giving an account of the battell to his Mejestie at Argenton Prince Alexander gratulated the Kings victory won first by Gods assistance and in the next place by the prudence and valour of Don Iohn And that as the enemy in the field found him a most valiant Generall so when they had laid down Arms he shewed himself a mercifull Conquerour by his Majesties example And therefore it was to be hoped that that victory in all mens account the greatest ever gained in the Low-countreys would shortly draw along with it the reducement of many Cities And writing a Complementall relation of the same victory to some Lords of Spain that were his antient friends and acquaintance at large to his Mother more briefly to his Father and his uncle-Cardinall he still inserted the like commendations of Don Iohn nothing at all of himself either out of the greatnesse of his spirit hoping to do yet more glorious things and therefore concealing this as of no moment or else assuring himself others would write to the same persons those very actions much more to his glory But at Bruxels where they yet heard not the mis-fortune of their men they consulted in the Archdukes presence whether Don Iohn should be assailed or exspected in the fields whether they should fight with all their forces or a part when suddenly the sad news ran through the whole city that they had fought unfortunately with Don Iohn and lost a day where the Spaniard had his fill of bloud Which being confirmed by many that at last had got by their fear and flight into the Town It being further said that Gemblac was taken by the enemie who had the Generall of their army prisoner and had put all their Foot to the sword some reporting as fear ever fancies danger near at hand that Don Iohn with his victorious army would presently be at the City-gates Bruxels was so terrified as the next day leaving some kind of Garrison in the Town the Prince of Orange with the Arch-duke carrying along the Courts of Justice and the Senate retired to Antwerp Nor was Don Iohn altogether averse from besieging Bruxels propounding it to his Councel of Warre But being hindered by the thinness of his army which could not be recruited unlesse the King sent money it was thought best before men recovered that fit of terrour to carrie into severall parts the Warre and Victory consisting in expedition rather then to dull the souldiers alacritie with lying before a Town Octavio Gonzaga was therefore commanded with five hundred chosen Horse and some regiments of Foot immediately to assault Lovain and Machlin Cities well affected to Don Iohn AEgidius Barlamont with Charles Mansfeldts French Regiment and four colours of Wallons marcht to Bovines And Lovain not exspecting a summons turning out the Scottish Garrison rendred themselves to Ganzaga of their own accord So did Iudoignia a Town of more account for the healthfulness of air then fruitfulnesse of soil in which respect the ancient Dukes of Brabant used to make it a Nursery for their children the like was done by Tienen and a while after not without force by Areschott To Machlin and Vilvord newly garrison'd by the States Gonzaga came too late But Bovines a Citie accustomed to assaults never attempted by the enemie in vain often slighted but ever by the peoples constancie fortified again received the Lord of Heirge but not before a great part of the walls was battered down upon conditions Don Iohn while things succeed as he could wish resolving to reduce the rest of Brabant ordered Alexander Farneze to attaque Diestem a Town belonging to the Prince of Orange He with part of his forces marching thither left he should leave Sichem on his back a neighbour Town to Diestem and a place at that time not to be neglected both for the Fort which afterwards was ruined with a great part of the Town and for the convenience of the River Demera sends thither with his German Regiment Lancelot Barlamont Count of Megen But they of Sichem confident both in the place which they had prettily well fortified and likewise in their number refusing to treat industriously prepared for their defence When Prince Alexander comming up after he had offer'd his Devotions upon a hill close by the Town where the Blessed Virgin works miracles out of an Oak planted against the old wall of the Suburbs standing in diameter to the Lovain-Port eight demi-Culverins and beginning at day-break to make a Battery no lesse violent then constant holding till noon
not obscurely wavering in their Fidelity to the King which would perhaps if things among us were troubled go over to the States I for these Reasons first making my Prayers to God resolved as to the point of my owne Honour to run the greatest hazard which I saw impending if either the King unmindfull of me should bestow the Place upon another or that the Warre succeeding unfortunately should be censured by the Event rather then to refuse the burthen layed upon me and for my owne Security and Iealously to quit that Remainder of the Low-countreys which none sufficiently defending must needs have come into the Enemyes Power Nor do I so much as doubt but God that only knowes I have therefore adventured vpon his doubtfull Chance to show my selfe actively faithfull to my King now when he wants my Service and that for his sake I contemne all dangers will in his divine mercy so regulate my affairs that in the interim I shall doe nothing unworthy your Excellence's prudent Care or my owne infinite affection to my Prince Yet he ingenuously confessed that besides these Motives he found himselfe not a little toucht with a scruple Lest in that juncture of difficultyes when the Confederates in their highest Iollity surrounded the Army and were Masters of the Field he might have beene censured out of feare to have declined the Governement He was likewise wrought upon by the passionate love of the Army unanimously professing that without any Designation they would of their owne accord have submitted the Militia only to Prince Alexander He himselfe in this interim divided with severall Cares now waited on his Vncle and was serviceable to him not only in Ceremony but Effect for I finde that he furnished Don Iohn at that time with some thousands of Ducats now he looked to the Souldiers military Dutyes sounded the Enemyes Designes industriously performed all the parts of a Generall gave the King also an account of Don Iohn's Sicknesse having commanded all that was therein of moment to be observed and set downe in a Diary or Ephemerides with so much paines and exactnesse as if the sick man were not so Prince Alexander writes a particular person but that military Vertue it selfe and the All of a Generall 's Indowments were in one man indangered But now Don Iohn by little and little gathering strength when they conceived him perfectly recovered relapsed upon the suddaine and the 28 of September having disburthened his Conscience and from the hand of the Priest that said Masse in his Anti-Camera received the heavenly Vrâ—ticum presently his braine turning began to rave and like a Generall in the Field to place his men in battalia to call upon the commanders to send forth Partyes of Horse somtimes to be angry that his men were such fooles as to be circumvented sometimes with his eyes hand and voice crying Victoria It was observed when no industry of his Friends no art of his Physitians could put out of his head those Images of Warre at the only naming Iesu Maria he would be so husht and still as he tooke rest immediately and whatsoever for their sakes was desired of him otherwise imperious and inexorable he would do it not unwillingly Of so great concernement it is to get a habit of Piety while thou hast thy understanding that being not thy selfe thou canst not but be pious Finally on the first of October in which Month he ever celebrathe memory of his Victoryes at Lepanto and Tunis being restored beyond all hope to his senses once more remembring and confessing his sinnes about noone-day with great expressions of Piety he died Don Iohn of Austria was borne at Ratisbon in Germany having the very same birth day which the Emperour Charles the fifth his Father had His Mother was Barbara Blomberg of Ratisbon no less noble in beauty then in quality who therefore being presented to the Emperour to allay his Melancholy with the sweetnesse of her voice for she sang rarely had a Son by him long a Widower having lost his wife Isabella 7. yeares before for while she lived they say he most religiously observed his matrimoniall Vow Nay he was very carefull the City should know nothing of the child and therefore within the yeare tooke it from the Mother delivering it to Aloysio Quisciada Lord Steward of his Imperiall Palace whom he had found very trusty to carry it into Spaine that his Wife Magdalena Vlloa a nobly-borne and modest-carriaged Lady might breed up the Infant charging Aloysio that no creature living should have cause given to guesse who should be its Father Which trust he singularly well discharged and when he brought the Infant to Villa-Garâ—ia a Town of his owne he only commended it to his Wife as the child of a speciall Friend of his Which for a good while made her suspect it might be her Husbands and she was therefore the more tender of it Yet she began to thinke the Father a greater man when she saw her Husband to have a more then fatherly care of the child's Education A part of the house by accident taking fire where the Lady and little Iâ—ck lay together the flame now crackling about the bed and waking Aloysio that lay in the next roome he presently ranne thither in his Shirt and catching up the Child carried him out of the danger That done as if he were now secure he returned to fetch off his Wife struck with admiration at his carriage for knowing that her husband loved her above all the World she conjectured by this Action that the Child's Father was some more eminent person And indeed his Princely disposition his naturally grave Courtship his Meene and Aspect expressed him more then a private person He applied himselfe to the boyes his Companions but like their Superiour or commander You would thinke him to be Cyrus among the Shepheards He would wrestle with them or run or pitch the Barre or use any other exercise in the Field only so long as he was getting of the mastry till his victory was secured He was therefore much delighted in Horseman-ship because therein he easily excelled them all In the morning when he rose the first thing he did was to get on Horse back to traine the boyes to breake Speares to Truncheons or at full speed to take the Ring At which exercises because he continually had the beholders Acclamations the emulation of the boyes prevailed so farre as by common consent and at the publique charge the Towne entertained a Riding-master to teach their Sons in hope they might one day conquer this Conquerour And Aloysio being himselfe a Souldier exceedingly rejoyced at the child 's warlike propension and laying the foundation as Aloysio called it of higher Actions Till he received the Emperour's Command to prepare him with softer breeding to the love of holy Orders But as the first stage after
Brabant the principall Province of the Low-countreys l. 1. p. 15. l. 7. p. 46. extorts liberty of conscience l. 9. p. 41. its immunities and priviledges l. 2. p. 2. 29 30 31 32. l. 5. p. 98. the head of that Province ibid the towns there taken by the Prince of Orange reduced by the Duke of Alva l. 7. p. 77. their Deputies bought by the Prince of Orange l. 8. p. 17. are sent for to Bruxels by Requesenes l. 8. p. 18. its Governour l. 1. p. 17. Brabanters refuse the Inquisition l. 2. p. 32. and new Bishops l. 3. p. 65. send Agents privately to Rome and Spain p. 66. deny to obey the Governesse's Edict proposed unto them l. 5. p. 98. Create Prince of Orange Ruart of their Province l. 9. p. 36 Bracamonte vide Consalvo Brandenburg the Electour sends an Embassadour to the Governesse l. 6 p. 18 Breda l. 5. p. 142. besieged by the States forces l. 9. p. 48 sends a Messenger to Don Iohn who was discovered by the enemie ibid. it is rendered p. 49. the mutiny and perfidiousnesse of the souldiers ibid. Don Iohn sends forces to relieve it but in vain ibid. a Garrison of Spaniards put upon the town l. 7. p. 42 Brederod vide Henry Lancellot and Robert Bride l. 7. p. 54 Briganze vide Isabella and Mary Brill a Port town of Holland l. 7. p. 72 taken by the Gheuses ibid. upon the news whereof many Cities revolt ibid. the jeering clinch upon the name of Brill ibid. Brimè vide Charles Bruges affronts the Inquisitors l. 4 p. 84 Brunswick vide Erick Philip and Ernest Bruxets a capitall City of Brabant l. 5. p. 98. faithfull to the King l. 6. p. 31. their priviledges l. 5. p. 98. their contumacie against the Duke of Alva's imposing taxes l. 7. p. 70. they keep off the Prince of Orange l. 7. p. 75. they mutiny l. 8. p. 18 20. their fear after the battle at Gemblot l. 9. p. 53 Bucar l. 3. p. 55 Bura taken by assault l. 8. p. 8 Buran the Count l. 8. p. 19 Burgundie by Charles the fifth assigned to King Philip l. 1. p. 4. the Dukes of Burgundie p. 15. the Governour p. 17 Burgundians scale the fort at Dalhem and take it l. 10 p. 3 Burgundion Princes used in their funerall pomp to have a Crown set upon their heads l. 10. p. 22. vide Philip and Mary Bulduc or Bus one of the chief Cities of Brabant l. 5. p. 98. refuseth Count Megan l. 6. p. 2. a tumult in the town ibid. they force their Bishop to flie l. 5. 131. they detain the Governesse Embassadours l. 6. p. 2. they release and send them to her p. 16. they threaten to revolt from the King p. 2. they are declared enemies p. 16. they crave pardon and render themselves p. 17. they receive a Garrison ibid. Busta vide Pedro Butero a Prince l. 10. p. 23 Sentences in B. BENEFITS please like flowers while they are fresh l. 1. p. 14 Some mens natures are more obliged by receiving one then many BENEFITS l. 1. p. 24 When men fall from their hope whatsoever comes short of their wishes looseth the title of a BENEFIT l. 2. p. 38 A BENEFIT more easily obligeth particulars then a multitude l. 1. p. 22 A present BOUNTIE is the step to a future Rise l. 1. p. 24 CArcass of a girl eaten by her Parents l. 7. p. 80 Cahors the Bishop l. 2. p. 80 Caesar Davalo brother to the Marquesse of Pescara pursues the Nassavians l. 7. p. 55 Casius vide Nicolaus Caius Fabius his gallant attempt to passe through the enemies Camp l. 9. p. 40 Callice taken by the French l. 1. p. 11 Cooks and Scullions fire Antwerp l. 8. p. 22 Calvin tries how his books will take in France l. 3. p. 56. brings in heresie there ibid. is authour of the tumult at Ambois l. 3. p. 57 Calvinists imprisoned l. 3. p. 62. condemned ibid. rescued from the Executioner ibid carried back to prison l. 3. p. 63 taken out by force p. 64. executed p. 65. they plunder the Low-countrey Churches l. 5. p. 121. vide Image-breakers They and their books are designed to trouble Religion in Spain l. 5. p. 137. l. 7. p. 45. They have their Calvinisticall Suppers l. 5. p. 141. p. 143. they try to get out of Antwerp to Ostervel l. 6. p. 4. finding themselves shut up in the Town they ragâ— ibid. they are enemies to the Lutherans ibid. they make a mutiny in the Town ibid. they petition for liberty of Religion to the Arch-duke and the Estates l. 9. p. 41. which they extort and seiz upon the Catholick Churches ibid. One of them that jeâ—red the Jesuits finds his own house infected with the plague l. 9. p. 41 Conbray the Bishop restores things consecrated at Antwerp l. 6. p. 18 〈◊〉 l. 1. p. 15 Cambrey the peace-making Citie l. 1. p. 12. honoured with the Prerogative of an Archbishoprick p. 18 Camillo Gonzaga Count de Novellaria l. 7. p. 60 Camillo a Montâ— comes with the Duke of Alva into the Low-countreys l. 6. p. 30. his moderation at the sack of Antwerp l. 8. p. 24. he fights and defeats the French l. 9. p. 57. in the expedition of Limburg 1. 10. p. 1. he is beaten off at Dalhem l. 10. p. 3. commands Horse in the battel of Rimenant l. 10. p. 10. pursues and is drawn by the enemy to their camp ibid. the gallantry of his Troop in sustaining the charge of the enemie l. 10. p. 12. Camillo Chiaffinatâ— l. 10. p. 13 Campin vide Frederick Lord Perenatt Cannon l. 7. p. 76. six taken by the enemie that had their names from the first six elements of musick recovered l. 7. p. 56. nayled l. 8. p. 8. attempted and taken l. 7. p. 55. Master of the train of Artillery vide Gabriel Serbellonio Cressâ—â—erio the Barlamonts Philip Staveley and Valentine Pardieu Captain Campin an Engineer l. 6. p. 21 Cantonet vide Thomas Capital besieged by the Gauls l. 9. p. 40. Caprius sent by the Deputies of the Estates with part of their forces to Antwerp l. 8. p. 22. taken by the Spaniard l. 8. p. 23. exchanged l. 9. p. 31 Carafa vide Marius Cardinal Alexandrino l. 7. p. 43. Borromeo vide St. Charles 〈◊〉 Odoardo Granvel vide Antonie Perenot Lâ—rain vide Caroldo Pacicho vide Francisco Spinosa vide Didaco Cardinalists in the Low-countreys l. 4. p. 81 l. 5. p. 103 Carloi brother to Ressorius Nohot l. 7. p. 46 Centron vide St. Truden Charlotta Bourbon wife to the Prince of Orange l. 3. p. 54 Charles Altapen sonne to Count Barlamont Captain of a Troop of Horse l. 10. p. 5 Charles the fifth goes from Spain to Germany to be crowned Emperour and so into Italy l. 2. p. 27 33. l. 10. p. 21. his Military Expeditions l. 1. p. 4 8 9 15. l. 2. p. 34. l. 6. p. 30. l. 10. p. 14 21. he quiets the mutinie at Gant l. 5. p.
2. p. 32. vide Inquisition Or the punishment of Delinquents l. 2. p. 34 35. vide Heresie and punishment Or the alienation of the Nobility l. â— p. 37. Occasioned by Granvell l. 3. p. 75. by the Kings Letter l. 4. p. 96. by the Edicts proposed by the Governesse l. 5. p. 98. by the Duke of Alva l. 7. p. 39. by taxes l. 7. p. 75. by Mutineers vide Sedition and the Beginning of the Low-Countrey Tumults how it came l. 2. p. 46. l. 3. p. 61. a general Pardon for the Tumults l. 7. p. 67. vide Pardon Tumults in France l. 3. p. 55 57 58. vide Guises Conspiracy the French and Low-Countrey Tumults compared together l. 3. p. 55 61. Tumults of the Moores in Spain l. 7. p. 45 66. at 〈◊〉 against the Spaniards l. 8. p. 18. at Antwerp l. 5. p. 117. l. 6. p. 3. l. 8. p. 22. at Bolilue and Maestriâ—ht 1. 6. p. l. at â—â—nt l. 5. p. 132. 1. 6. p. 24. at Valenciens l. 3. p. 63. Tunis the Royal Seat of Libia taken by assault l. 10. p. 19. the Expedition of Tunis l. 7. p. 69. l. 10. p. 21. Turks fire the Arcenal at Venice l. 5. p. 139. Turkish Fleet at Lepanto l. 9. p. 4â— the Treasurer of their Army ibid. Turkish Garrison at Navarine Ibid. Tunius the Secretary sent by the Governesse to the Bishop of Lieg l. 6. p. 16. to Brederod l. 6. p. 19. by him retained ibid. sent away by night from Amsterdam ibid. imployed by the Duke of Alva to the Queen of England l. 7. p. 66. Tuscany l. 8. p. 14. Twâ—ntieth part vide Taxes Sentences in T. SLander is a Shipwrack by a dry TEMPEST l. 3. p. â—7 THREATS proportioned to the greatest Spirits will at last humble them l. 4. p. 82. In a TROUBLED State the most present Remedy is for one Man to Rule l. 8. p. 17. V. VAbrince a Bishoprick in France l. 2. p. 31. Vadamont the Count l. 7. p. 53. Vahal a River l. 8. p. 9. Vaâ—dersong appointed a Captain of Foot by the King l. 5. p. 132. Valdez vide Francisco Valenciens a City l. 6. p. 5. impatient of their Rulers ibid. the Tumults therein l. 3. p. 61 63. composed l. 3. p. 64. the state of the Town l. 6. p. 5. the Valencentians Commanded by the Governesse to receive a Garrison Ibid. after some tergiversation they refuse ibid. are pronounced Rebels l. 6. p. 6. besieged l. 6. p. 8. the King unwilling to have them stormed ibid. besieged yet more straightlie ibid. the Assault limited by the Kings Order l. 6. p. 9. they are invited to render by Count Egmont and Duke Areschot ibid. they Sally out by night l. 6. p. 10. the Site of the Town ibid. the battery ibid. the Valencenians Treat ibid. they yield to mercy ibid. and so escape storming Ibid. p. 11. the City is disarmed ibid. the Authors of the Rebellion Executed ibid. the State Sacred and Civil restored ibid. the Fort demolished l. 9. p. 38. Valentine Pardieu Lord de la Mott Commands the Forces of Flanders l. 6. p. 3. Master of that Ordinance l. 9. p. 50. carried out of the field wounded l. 7. p. 80. St. Valery stormed l. 7. p. 46. Vallidolid l. 1. p. 6. l. 10. p. 18 19. Valois vide Philip Duke of Burgundy Valois vide Margaret Vanâ—â—st vide Iohn Margaret Vargas vide Alphonso Francisco Iuan. Vaâ—â—â—ination vide Presage Venice fired l. 5. p. 139. who was the plotter of it Ibid. Verdugo vide Francisco Venerus Ginnich Embassadour from the Duke of Iuliers l. 9. p. 36. Verse about half Moones worn in hats to expresse their hatred to the Roman Religion l. 8. p. 8. of Ovid. Sited upon the Death of Charles Prince of Spain l. 7. p. 45. Vesâ—â—â—â—ch imployed from Antwerp to Spain l. 8. p. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Emperour l. 1. p. 2. Vestarhoâ—â— raisâ—â—â— Horse in Saxony l. 5. p. 138 Viennâ— a Town of Holland l. 6. p. 1 20. Vibaldus Riperda General and Governour of Harlem dyes l. 7. p. 80. Victory of Actium l. 9. p. 46. at the River Eâ—s l. 7. p. 56. at Calicâ— l. 1. p. 11. at the River Geta l. 7. p. 61. at Graveling l. 1. p. 11. at St. Gisâ—en l. 7. p. 74. at Gemblaâ— l. 9. p. 52. at Limburg l. 10. p. 1. at Mons in Haynâ—lt l. 7. p. 76. at Ostervell l. 6. p. 3. at St. Quintin l. 1. p. 11. in the Isle of Duveland l. 8. p. 13. at Mooch l. 8. p. 3. over the Armenterians and Tornois l. 6. p. 7. over the Hugoâ—ots l. 3. p. 62. l. 6. p. 34. l. 7. p. 64 74. over Mustapha's Galley l. 9. p. 46. in the War of Portugall l. 7. p. 82. by every 10. Spaniards over as many thousands of the Enemy l. 9. p. 31. the Sea-Victories of the Prince of Orange l. 8. p. 2. and of the Hollâ—nders frequent for ten yeares together l. 7. p. 73. thought to be a miracle l. 7. p. 57. moderation in Victory l. 10. p. 13. the newes of Victory strangely brought to the Groine l. 7. p. 56. the Victory of the Spaniards parallel'd with one of the Romans ibid. vide Expedition Vid. Caboce slain in a duel in the French Kings presence l. 1. p. 13. Vieâ—â—lus vide Henry Viglius vide Ulricus Villa of Henry King of France l. 9. p. 57. Villapardo l. 10. p. 19. Villagarcia l. 10. p. 17. Villages fired l. 7. p. 57. Viller Commands the Covenanters Horse l. 6. p. 1. moves the Bishop of Lieg to suffer their meeting at Centron l. 5. p. 119. Villers a French Marquis joynes with Count Aremberg at Amiens l. 6. p. 35. Villers Commands the Carabines for the Estates l. 9. p. 50. defends Nivell l. 9. p. 56. vide Iustus Villers Villres General for the Covenanters l. 7. p. 49. is ordered by the Prince of Orange from Iuliers to passe the Moes l. 7. p. 46. routed and taken Prisoner ibid. 49. executed ibid. Villet Granvells Countrey-man undertakes his Murther l. 4. p. â—â—0 Vilvord too late attempted by Gonzaga l. 9. p. â—3 Vilvord-Prison l. 5. p. 101. Vinglius one of the Covenanters infests Holland l. 6. p. 19. defeated ibid. executed ibid. Vincentio Carafa Prior of Hungaâ—y appointed Colonel of Italians l. 10. p. 7. Violaters of holy Images punished l. 6. p. 17 20. vide Iâ—â—nomachy Vervich l. 5. p. 1â—0 Visurgis a River l 7. p. â—6 Vitelli vide Chiapinâ— Camillo Nicolao Paulo Viterlotio Vitelli. l. 8. p. 14. Ulloa vide Alphonso Iuan Osorio Magdalen Ulricus Viglius Zuitchem President of the Privy Coâ—ncel l. 1. p. 25. l. 3. p. 68. faithfull to Granvell Ibid l 4. p. 78. numbered among the Cardinallists ibid. 31. the Gheuses threaten him l. 5. p. 129. affectionate to his Religion and his King l. 8. p. 17. arrested in Senate and committed Prisoner l. 8. p. 20. Ulutial the Turkish Admiral l. 9. p. 46. Vlysses l. 3. p. 10.
hope of impunity Their new Conspiracy And new fashion The Originall of these kind of confederacies May 17. Not cured either by the Governesses care 6. or 21. of May. Or by the Kings letter gracious indeed March 15. But unseasonably protracting the Grant of Generall Pardons to some great ones 1570. The Low-countreys over flowed with Hereticks 1566. Privately at first Then openly preaching Three â—orts or Classes of them Calvinists Lutherans Anabaptists Catholicks What they were that came in Infinite Resort to hear them And to the Sacraments after the hereticall way Why the people are so fond of sermons Some out of zeal to heresie Divers taken with the Rarity 1565. Many delighted with singing of Psalms But the most with hearing them rail and jeer in the Pulpit Their audience increased by severall Countreymen striving to have their heresie preferred Which necessitates the Governess to hasten away the Marq. of Bergen into Spain Who sickning by the way Sends the Steward of his house before with his Letters 1566. Her Excellence by Edict banishes Forreiners But cannot resolve what course to take with the new Preachers She revives the Edict against them Who were more followed because prohibited Especially at Antwerp The Governess is desired to come thither 1564. She sends count Megen before her But upon a mutiny of the people He is called away The Town petitions for the Prince of Orange Who is made Governour of Antwerp Multitudes of people meet him upon the way He silences their shouts and the Hereticks acclamations Consults about a remedie for the present mischief Sermons in the fields frequented as much as ever For which she justly reprooves the Senate of Antwerp and tries severall wayes to make the Prince of Orange A meeting of the Gheuses at Centron or San-Truden They desire the use and freedom of the Town from the Bishop of Liege Gerard Grosbech Which he denies But the Townsmen let them in They convene in the City Where they unanimously agree to petition for their Indemnity Touching Libertie of Religion they differ among themselves A few Pages lower The Governess sends Count Egmont and Count Horn to break off the Convention These Lords remember the Covenanters of their promise But they by a new message from S. Truden make high demands from the Governesse She puts them off for the present The Prince of Orange would be made Governour of Antwerp to enable him for ruling of the Town And is made Governour accordingly with power to chuse himself a Guard But this concession was a great weakning in her Excellence The Kings letters wherein he grants the Governesse her desires So limited as gave the people no satisfaction And so long a coming as rendered them unusefull to the King Of the plunder of Churches From whence that Mischief came into the Low-countreys August 28. What forreiners incouraged them Why the Low-countreymen joyned with them August 28. The day appointed for the Picture-scuffle The Place The quality of the Image-breakers Their Instruments First the Villages are plundered Then the Cities They are received at Ipres Deface and pillage the great Church Burn the Library Violate all things sacred The People and the Magistrate diversly affected A new Party of Image-breakers in other Towns S. Omer Menin Commines Vervich Encountred by the Secliners And defeated The Governess's words to Count Egmont His Answer Her reply His Rejoynder Her Conclusion The Senates resolution upon the Exigent A new Iconomachy at Antwerp Begun with scorn put upon the holy Pâ—ocession Mockerie And quarrelling in the Cathedrall Church Whereof the sacrilegious people shutting out the rest possest themselves And singing Psalmes fall to work Breaking all things consecrated And defacing the whole Cathedrall O Profane What a great stately Church was this How small a number defaced it In a few houres Some thought the Devil helpt his Children Because none of the Sacrilegious were so much as hurt in the doing it From the Church they fall upon the City And their number encreasing Plunder all the Churches And Religious Houses in the Town With incredible security Terrifying the Inhabitants The Merchants keep their own houses and there stand upon their guard Those that had the custodie of things sacred run away from their charge Religious men dare not appear All the Town in a fright The Nuns flie to their fathers Houses The Sacrilegious make but one nights work of it Both Catholicks and Hereticks conceal themselves out of mutuall distrust The Church-robbers plunder with more licentiousnesse then before The Pillage continues for three whole dayes together At last the drowsie Citizens awake And taking Arms Fright away the Sacrilegious The like mischief at the same time Shaked all the seventeen Provinces like an Earthquake Onely sour excepted Tac. l. 2. Annals To an infinite losse Especially in Flanders Some thought this Pillage a design to betray the Low-countreys Martin Delrio in Alter Belg. l. 1. Sen. Truden l. 4. Plotted between the French and Low-countrey Hereticks With consent of the Gheuses An instance whereof is Lewis of Nassau's letter And his Patronage of the Iconomachy Septemb. 8. The Governesse calls a Senate or Great Councell Aug. 27. Her Speech The divers senses of the Senatours upon this Speech some for others against a Warre Their heat ended The Senate made this Decree nemine contradicente â—he Gheuses threaten Bruxels and the Governess Who frighted resolves to leave Bruxels But is stayed by prayers force The Prince of Orange expresses verymuch trouble The Governess more and more threatned Ulricus Viglius Yet not suffered to depart the Town And very much terrified Makes some concessions to the covenanting Gheuses Giving the King this account by letter Of the Causes moving her to do it And of the particulars granted Blaming her own indulgent Act and beseeching his Majestie not to confirm it But rather to vindicate Religion She in the interim secures her self and the Town of Bruxels And gets time to breath upon the present alteration of affairs by the endeavours of the Gheuses at Bruxels And of the Prince of Orange at Antwerp Who afterwards offended the Governesse by his grant of Churches to the Hereticks Septemb. 3. For which he gives her reasons Septemb. 4. Septemb. 4. 5. 7. But not satisfactory The like done at Mechlen and Tournay by the Counts of Hochstrat and Horn who excuse themselves Septemb. 8. The very same at Utretcht And at Bolduc The Franciscans at Antwerp endangered by the Hereticks Septem 17. And turned out of doors at Amsterdam The pious Act of the Amsterdam women The impious act of the women of Delph Septem 27. Octob. 10. and 16. The Governesse beseeches the King to come with an Army Gant 1539. 14. and 24. And the King after he had communicated the joy of his Daughters birth August 12. Clara Isabella Eugenia Approves of her advice Directs her what numbers to raise And what Commanders to employ Sends Commissions And money to the Governess Giving reasons to the Princes of
Germany for his levies Particularly to the Emperour Who disswades him And offers himself to the Governess to arbitrate the differences between her and the Covenanters Octob. 13. But her Excellence prayes his assistance in the levies And obtains more then she requested Whereat the Pr. of Orange chases And threatens The rest of the Germane Princes return different answers Triers and Mentz approve of the Kings designe and offer passage to his man The rest of the Catholick Princes do the like The Landtgrave of Hessen and others do the contrary Novem. 11. Especally the Palsgrave Charles the ix of France declares for the K. of Spain 1565. Who writes thanks to the French King and his intent of coming to the Governess Octob. 2. A private meeting of the Lords at Dendermund where they produce Of all which the vigilant Governess had exact intelligence Novem. 12. Letters signifying the Kings displeasure and resolution to be revenged on three Low countrey Lords A fourth Lord is added falsely but subtily Novem. 12. A Quere made whether they should oppose the King with an army or admit him Both wayes seem dangerous They resolve to change their Prince Novem. 9. The summe of C. Egmonts letter to Count Mansfeld C. Mansfelds Answer 1565. The Governess sends abstracts of both Letters to the King and writes in count Mansfelds behalf Assured of the truth of his intelligence The Governess grievously complains to the King that her letters were betrayed in his Court. But no course was taken to help it so great an influence the Prince of Orange had upon the Kings Councell For which he paid well A new Convention at Amsterdam Where they resolve to beseech the Emperour to be their Advocate to the King And the Electours to mediate for them to the Emperour And if he deny them then to deny to serve him against the common enemy If no good could be done so to make a league with the Swisse And to puzzle the Spaniards in their saith by sending thither Books and Ministers Calvinisticall Whereof her Excellence premonishes the King Decem. 18. And is her self vigilant in the Low-countreys The Gentlemen and the Merchants promise to one another mutuall Assistance The Confession of Auspurg onely to be held forth Novemb. 7. Consistories and the Hereticks Republick set up They enter into league with the Hereticall Princes of Germany Novem. 21. Novemb. 4. Arms promised them from France Nay even from Constantinople From whence Michese the Jew incourages the Low-countrey Hereticks Who this Michese was A Jew that fled from Spain to Antwerp From thence to Venice And from Venice sailed to Constantinople Where he ingratiated himself with Selimus And moved him to assist the Moors in Spain ready to begin a warre Of which he advertises the Low-countreymen And promoves a warre with Cyprus In hatred to the Venetians And in hope to be King of Cyprus Deâ—â—gneth the siring of Venice Ant. Mar. Gratian. de bel Cypr. The Lowcountreymen by his letters animated Begin to collect money Which they subtilly offer to the King The Governesse contemns their offer Novem. 18. The same of the Kings coming staggers the Conspiratours Whom the Governesse endeavours to work upon with letters and promises Not without Artifice And successe Whereupon the Governesse having recovered her spirits Begins her great businesse with Prayer and Fasting To the French King she notifies the Hugonots preparations for a warre To the Emperour the Low-countreymens intentions to petition him at the Diet and how the Electours threaten him Count Mansfelds advice upon this point Which the Governesse commends but makes no use of She increases the souldiery Decemb. 15. And writes to the Governours of Provinces to take away the Hereticall meetings and exercises in this manner Which Letters she seconds with an Edict somewhat severer then her custome was Decem. 16. Egmont onely dissenting Whereupon the Conspiratours hasten their design for a War Brederod made Generall 1567. With Lewis of Nassau who solicits friends and collects money in Germany and the Low-countreys But the Governess puts rubs in their way They meet at Breda Endeavouring to draw Egmont into their new League By Letter But they perswade not They offer to bring a new Petition to the Governess Feb. 2. Not admitted It is sent Containing many complaints 1566. And many demands Febr. 16. But the Governess in her Answer grants them nothing C. Brederod prepares men and armes So doe the rest of the Confederates The Hereticks rejoycing And many flattering up Count Brederod The first revolt of the Cities Bolduc Vtrecht Mastriecht Bomberg one of the Conspirators invade Bolduc And cozâ—ning the Citizens enrages them against the Governesses Agents And against Count Megen Whom they beate from the Walles C. Megen enters Vtrecht and C. Brederod Amsterdam Tholouse aymes to be Lord of Zeland March 2. But is disoppointed He makes a stand neere Antwerp From whence he frights the neighbours Beavor is sent against him with this command Valentine Pardieu The Prince of Orange hinders the Antwerpers from Salâ—ying They fight at Ostervell The Citizens of Antwerp See the Battell from the walls They act their different wishes to both sides The Tholousians defeated Their Generall burned The Calvinists would have sallyed out of Antwerp to helpe their Fellowes But finding themselves lockt in they grew rageous Tholouse's wife sets them on The Prince of Orange opposes them with danger to himselfe The Insurrection of the Calvinists increaseth They take up Armes The Catholicks and Lutherans march against them led by the Prince of Orange The Calvinists terrifyed and quieted upon conditions The seige of Valenciens The Condition of the City The Valencenians commanded by her Excellence to receive a Garison December 1567. They seeme willing But at their appointed time fly off For these Reasons Which offended C. Egmont And much more the governesse Who resolves to beseige them But first sends againe to them to receive a Garrison And upon their refusall declares them Rebells Writing to the Provinces Decemb. 14 1566. Guy Brare of Mons. 1567. The Gheuseâ— every where perplexed The Tournay-Gheuses take up armes With a designe to surprize â—â—isle Decem. 22. 1566. 1567. The Armenterians conspire Their Plot discovered Rassinghem falls upon the Armentâ—rians 1567. Destroys them And following his Victory enters Lisle From thence pursues them of Tournay Tâ—e Errour 1567. 〈…〉 Norcarmius comes first upon the Place Fights with the Gheuses of Tournay Makes a great slaughter of them 1567. Câ—mmandâ— Tournay to receive a Garrison The City obeyeâ— He enters as a Conquerour Punishes the Citizens Returnes to the Seige of Valenciens The Governesse consults the King about storming of the Town His Majesty will not give way to it February 1 Whereupon the Governesse protracts the siege and drawes a line about the Towne Febr. 17. She Presses the King by Letters 1567. March 13. The King wishes her to deal more gently with the besieged and gives a rule for it She obeyes And sends to them Count Egmont